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Seeing Only You! (10.14.05--Sacrifice!--Leviticus ... PRO
Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 12, 2005 (message contributor)
Seeing Only You! (10.14.05--Sacrifice!--Leviticus 1:2)
Think about it; a world free from the chains of pain and suffering--a place where accomplishment reigned and failure rarely reared its ugly head. Since sacrifice requires so much effort and consumes so much valuable time, wouldn’t we be far better off as individuals and as a nation if things just got done without the tedium of pain or the inconvenience of time wasted?
When I think back on those things that I have accomplished in this life, the things that I can point to with satisfaction, I am often struck with this thought. As good as these were, how much better might they have been had I not been limited by the amount I had to spend, the time I was able to give or the physical limitations of this body? I am reminded of this every time I look around at the finished walls of the addition I built for my wife and family more than a decade ago. The errors and miscalculations are apparent now. If only I had had more time, more talent, more resources. Yet, things are as they are. The accomplishments mixed with the sacrifice is what we are often left with.
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of my wealth,” was his reply. “And if I release your children?” “Everything I possess.” “And if I release your wife?” “Your Majesty, I will give myself.” Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!” With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, “I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you--the one who was willing to give himself for me.” (Unknown)
The perfection we seek in this life will never be ours because we lost that perfection, that holiness, when Adam fell into sin. Now all labor is mingled with sacrifice. This would be a hopeless and unfulfilling lot if all we had to focus on was our inability to get things...
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From Chicago To Memphis PRO
Contributed by Ray Pritchard on Aug 28, 2003
From Chicago to Memphis That’s always how it is in the life of faith. Many times you will be called to step out for God and you will be precisely where Abraham was—believing God but not knowing what the future holds. When I think of that principle, my mind goes back to a conversation I had ...read more
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Andy Fastow Was A Brilliant Kid In My High ... PRO
Contributed by Mark Connelly on Jul 31, 2003
Andy Fastow was a brilliant kid in my high school graduating class in New Providence New Jersey. He was one of the really good kids. In fact he was the student body president of my senior class. He went on to get a great education and a fantastic job. He climbed his way up the ladder until he ...read more
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Andrew Carnegie Says, "No Man Will Make A Great ...
Contributed by Kent Lenard on Aug 24, 2003
Andrew Carnegie says, "No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get ...read more
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Let's Imagine Dialogue Between Abraham And God. ... PRO
Contributed by Ray Pritchard on Aug 28, 2003
Let’s imagine dialogue between Abraham and God. “Abraham, this is God speaking. I want you to leave everything and go to the land I will show you.” “Where’s that?” “If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.” “Try me.” “It’s 1500 miles from here in a place called Canaan.” “Never heard of it.” ...read more
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Nothing But Prayer And Worship PRO
Contributed by Ray Pritchard on Aug 28, 2003
Nothing But Prayer and Worship This week I chance to stop and worship God in an extended way for the first time in the last seven years. I spent four days with 75 other pastors in a Pastor’s Prayer Summit at a place called Wonderland Camp in Wisconsin. In my time I’ve been to many camps, ...read more
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