The end is as important as the beginning. How many aspiring writers sat down at their laptop with high hopes and great ideas only to have a half-finished manuscript? Quite a few. The difference between getting published and getting passed over is often not a matter of writing ability. It's a matter of finishing ability. Half-baked ideas, half-read books. Many of us pay careful attention to how we start. We labor over every detail. We try harder, work longer. Getting started is important, but only if it leads to finishing well. If the goal is only to get started, more people would be successful. More marriages would last. More ideas would be rewarded. But we know ... getting started is one thing; finishing is another. And how we finish matters. If a project or relationship or dream is coming to an end, end well. What people most often remember is…
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During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key watched the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore on the night of September 13, 1814 When the smoke cleared, Key was able to see an American flag still waving and reported this to the prisoners below deck. On the way back to Baltimore, he was inspired to write a poem describing his experience, "The Defence of Fort McHenry", which he published in the Patriot on September 20, 1814. It has become better known as "The Star Spangled Banner". (Source: Wikipedia). Hebrews 12:2 … Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God. Just as the beleaguered soldiers found hope in seeing the flag still waving, let those of…
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"Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but…
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This morning as I was walking at the gym, I heard an old song by the band Yes. You might recognize it ... "Owner of a lonely heart / Much better than a / Owner of a broken heart ..." I've heard that song countless times. I can even hum the tune (not necessarily in tune). This morning I thought to myself, "Really? Is an owner of a lonely heart really in better shape than the owner of a broken heart? I don't think I'd like to have either one." And then I kept walking.
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I'm wrapping up our "Broken" series at Mountainview this weekend with a message about Paul and Barnabus. Actually, it's more about Barnabus than Paul. In each of our messages during this series we have focused on a biblical character who suffered a setback only to have God turn it into a comeback. We've looked at David, Moses, and Peter. In each case, they suffered setbacks that could have easily knocked them out of the game. This message is different. Instead of focusing just on Paul and his setback, we're going to explore the role that Barnabus played in Paul's comeback. You might know that Barnabus' name means "son of encouragement." It's his encouragement of Paul that enables Paul to become the mighty man of God he eventually becomes. Encouragement is a powerful tool. It lifts up the heart. It gives hope. It points to the future. It should be obvious,…
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