tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83758419037774597672024-02-24T05:14:16.459-05:00Topher Wiles"Create more than you correct." This blog is intended to be a place of creating positive content that will inform, inspire, and involve you in what God is doing in this wonderful life! Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.comBlogger504125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-61327740587498793852023-05-17T18:55:00.001-04:002023-05-17T18:55:08.596-04:00Gift Options<p> My favorite Devotional book of all time: 52 weeks of selected readings from heroes of faith in history focusing on six major areas of spiritual formation.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Devotional-Classics-Selected-Readings-Individuals/dp/0060777508/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=598611839187&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1025954&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4960347664243133983&hvtargid=kwd-316342953483&hydadcr=8295_13544343&keywords=devotional+classics+richard+foster&qid=1684363521&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.com/Devotional-Classics-Selected-Readings-Individuals/dp/0060777508/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=598611839187&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1025954&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4960347664243133983&hvtargid=kwd-316342953483&hydadcr=8295_13544343&keywords=devotional+classics+richard+foster&qid=1684363521&sr=8-1</a></p><p>My favorite Keyword Study Bible: </p><p>ESV - Hebrew Greek Keyword Study Bible</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Greek-Key-Word-Study-Bible/dp/0899579132/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3U8T9HURYBO72&keywords=bible+word+study+book+hebrew+greek&qid=1684363833&sprefix=bible+word+study+book+hebrew+greek%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3">https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Greek-Key-Word-Study-Bible/dp/0899579132/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3U8T9HURYBO72&keywords=bible+word+study+book+hebrew+greek&qid=1684363833&sprefix=bible+word+study+book+hebrew+greek%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-3</a></p><p><br /></p><p>One of my favorite word study resources: </p><p>Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mounces-Complete-Expository-Dictionary-Testament/dp/0310248787/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RIMN3B3MPZ8C&keywords=Mounce%27s+Complete+Expository+Dictionary+of+Old+and+New+Testament+Words&qid=1684363999&sprefix=mounce%27s+complete+expository+dictionary+of+old+and+new+testament+words%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.com/Mounces-Complete-Expository-Dictionary-Testament/dp/0310248787/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RIMN3B3MPZ8C&keywords=Mounce%27s+Complete+Expository+Dictionary+of+Old+and+New+Testament+Words&qid=1684363999&sprefix=mounce%27s+complete+expository+dictionary+of+old+and+new+testament+words%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1</a></p><p><br /></p><p>My favorite church history books: </p><p>Church History - Everett Ferguson - Vol 1</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Church-History-One-Pre-Reformation-Intellectual-ebook/dp/B00CW4VQ4Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22VECT694CEL4&keywords=church+history+ferguson&qid=1684363733&sprefix=church+history+ferguson%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1">https://www.amazon.com/Church-History-One-Pre-Reformation-Intellectual-ebook/dp/B00CW4VQ4Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22VECT694CEL4&keywords=church+history+ferguson&qid=1684363733&sprefix=church+history+ferguson%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1</a></p><p>Church History - Everett Ferguson - Vol 2</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Church-History-Two-Pre-Reformation-Intellectual-ebook/dp/B00A9USDE6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NVCPNL4I4AIH&keywords=church+history+vol+2+ferguson&qid=1684363787&sprefix=church+history+vol+2ferguson%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-3">https://www.amazon.com/Church-History-Two-Pre-Reformation-Intellectual-ebook/dp/B00A9USDE6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NVCPNL4I4AIH&keywords=church+history+vol+2+ferguson&qid=1684363787&sprefix=church+history+vol+2ferguson%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-3</a></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-89308071385313206162023-03-22T18:29:00.003-04:002023-03-22T18:29:30.149-04:00UCSC From Death to Life<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns-4n1iwvM6kdNQchyqmCTPj9Eg02S1QBd-9r3Z0m-KQ-4_V2B82dAhrAFHCKC7X7c4GJiyA-9_u1aOpVZz_kpMzZUsNHLqpBb1N6RMscfyw2FJyY5ln3EwmkoRkEuoGm5-Mstqw5xDljA5YVoFkCkcxafBpiDfcYQzfgkAe8EeHjYeR7YkfNklX9zg/s2458/Slide4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2458" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns-4n1iwvM6kdNQchyqmCTPj9Eg02S1QBd-9r3Z0m-KQ-4_V2B82dAhrAFHCKC7X7c4GJiyA-9_u1aOpVZz_kpMzZUsNHLqpBb1N6RMscfyw2FJyY5ln3EwmkoRkEuoGm5-Mstqw5xDljA5YVoFkCkcxafBpiDfcYQzfgkAe8EeHjYeR7YkfNklX9zg/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“<b>What’s in the box?”</b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">(Ginny Richards, Readers Digest 9/08 p. 86)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.rd.com/jokes/family/page/2/">https://www.rd.com/jokes/family/page/2/</a><o:p></o:p></p><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: lime; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: lime;">Romans 6:23</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></u></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> F<b><i>or the Wages of Sin is Death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Final Destination Movie - </span></span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195714/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0195714/</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://deathdate.info/s/death" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://deathdate.info/s/death</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Clap your hands, all you peoples</span>, shout to God with a the voice of
triumph! – Psalm 47:1<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><i>Great is the Lord, and most worth of
praise, in the city of God, his holy mountain – Psalm 48:1<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><i>The mighty one, God, the Lord, speaks and
summons the earth, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets! - Psalm 50:1!</i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Psalm
49:10-14</span> tells us: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>“… all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the
senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will
remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though
they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not
endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust
in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. <Selah></i></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i> Like sheep
they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will
rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from
their princely mansions.”</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">· <b><i>Ps.
89:48 “What man can live and not see death, or save himself from the power of
the grave?”<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>· Job
talks to God and says: “I know you will bring me down to death, to the place
appointed for all the living.” Job 30:23<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><i>· Ecclesiastes
warns us - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in
the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor
knowledge nor wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10</i></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Ecclesiastes 7:2 says “Better to go to the house of
mourning (the place of death) than to go to the house of feasting, For that is
the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.” (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><i>Psalm 90:12 says it more plainly “Teach us to number
our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NIV)</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Alfred Nobel - </i></b><a href="https://www.history.com/news/did-a-premature-obituary-inspire-the-nobel-prize">https://www.history.com/news/did-a-premature-obituary-inspire-the-nobel-prize</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: lime; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: lime;">“Every man ought to have the chance</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a
new one.”</span></u></b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Genesis 2:16-17 “the
LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the
garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
for when you eat of it you will surely die."</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“… sin entered the
world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all
men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12</span></i></b></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><i><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">The
Aeneid</span></i><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">, <i>Book
8,</i> starting on line 485: - (Written about 25 years before Jesus’
birth)…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">The
living and the dead at his command<br />
Were coupled, face to face, and hand to hand,<br />
Till, chok’d with stench, in loath’d embraces tied,<br />
The ling’ring wretches pin’d away and died.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><b><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/1794/this-body-death.htm">https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/1794/this-body-death.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Verg.+A.+8.470&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0052">https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Verg.+A.+8.470&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0052</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">Romans
6:23 </span></i></b><b><i>“For the wages of sin is death,</i></b> …… <b><i>BUT
the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Ps 49:15 says it this way: “God will redeem my life
from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>“The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in
deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all
commended for their faith, YET NONE OF THEM RECEIVED what had been promised.
God had planned something better for us so that ONLY together with us would
they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:38-40<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I
am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what
shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart
and be with Christ, which is better by far.” Philippians 1:21-23</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl71sY6th_4HfV9m_zsLl55QlMa5UWykEAgQbNRO9TXAu-jqy-xExSFWe1fpxcYNpAkJAhxDMIQwYZUOdOkJsBPw75wXBo1ax6ipyvghVt9V6E4osDn5sy5riHfVd75x0zm-8uibG8i7he6YbUjS1A0S4uGxNgdVVraijCnlTd1GZ4JdcW27q47NkMA/s2458/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2458" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCl71sY6th_4HfV9m_zsLl55QlMa5UWykEAgQbNRO9TXAu-jqy-xExSFWe1fpxcYNpAkJAhxDMIQwYZUOdOkJsBPw75wXBo1ax6ipyvghVt9V6E4osDn5sy5riHfVd75x0zm-8uibG8i7he6YbUjS1A0S4uGxNgdVVraijCnlTd1GZ4JdcW27q47NkMA/s320/Slide5.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i> </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><b><i></i></b></span></div><p></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xCh-dRvI3pQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-82707227825003593452023-02-26T04:45:00.000-05:002023-02-26T09:38:24.007-05:00Power 7 Class #1 - Logos<p> <span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="font-size: 20pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Class
#1 Intro - LOGOS</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Bell Ringer Question</u></b>: Poll
Everywhere<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Who was the
Author of the Gospel of John?<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">John the
Baptizer<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">John a Son
of Thunder<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">John Mark
the Missionary<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">John the
Father of Peter<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Prayer for Wisdom</u></b>:<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><b><i>Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts."</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Greek:</u></b> LOGOS -
λόγος- Word - Lamda, Omicron, Gamma, Omicron, Sigma<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>John 1:1 -
᾿Εν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς
ἦν ὁ Λόγος.</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>John 1:1 - In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3056/kjv/tr/0-1/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3056/kjv/tr/0-1/</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">330x in NT<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">Used for
Jesus in:<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo2; tab-stops: list 2.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>John 1:1 In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo2; tab-stops: list 2.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and
truth. </i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo2; tab-stops: list 2.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>Hebrews
4:12 (Maybe?) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of
joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the
heart.</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level4 lfo2; tab-stops: list 2.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i>Revelation
19:13 - He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which
he is called is The Word of God. </i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Passage:</u></b> John 1:1-18<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were
made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was
made. 4 In him was life,</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26038a"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">a</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> and the
life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and
the darkness has not overcome it.</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">6 There was a
man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as
a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe
through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about
the light.</span></i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">9 The true
light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the
world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him,
yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26045b"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">b</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> and his
own people</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26045c"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">c</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> did
not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed
in his name, he gave the right to become children of
God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of
the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">14 And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26048d"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">d</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> from
the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness
about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after
me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his
fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26050e"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">e</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> 17 For the
law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus
Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26052f"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">f</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> who
is at the Father's side,</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">[</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26052g"><i><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">g</span></i></a></span><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></i><i><span face=""system-ui", serif" style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> he
has made him known.</span></i><span face=""system-ui",serif" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 9pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From <<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=ESV</span></a>>
</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">The Chosen Clip (1:45) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFIQtNAFW14"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFIQtNAFW14</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Context/Background </u></b>: <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8"><span style="background: white; color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Authorship: <o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Eyewitness<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l9 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">1:14 - And
the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l9 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;">19:34-36
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there
came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his
testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you
also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture
might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l9 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Extant
Sources - <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">John</span>
> Polycarp > Irenaeus (130-202AD)<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in;">Eusebius <i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: rgb(252, 253, 253); color: #0a0a0a; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hist. Eccl.</span></i> 2.23.1-4; 4.14.3-8; 5.8.4 (313 AD - Began
Writing HE)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 9pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250104.htm"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250104.htm</span></a></span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Earliest Manuscript Titles - <o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_66"><span style="color: blue;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus_66</span></a>
- Papyrus 66 - Found in Egypt in 1952. Dates to 200 AD. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/titles-in-the-new-testament-papyri/4ADE3BD7541916BEA44E4E2067AE66A7"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/titles-in-the-new-testament-papyri/4ADE3BD7541916BEA44E4E2067AE66A7</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">"P66 is
a substantial copy of John's Gospel, including the inscription to the
work, which is possibly the earliest title for any Gospel: ɛυαγγɛλιον
κατα ι̣ωανν̣η̣ν." From <<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/titles-in-the-new-testament-papyri/4ADE3BD7541916BEA44E4E2067AE66A7"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/titles-in-the-new-testament-papyri/4ADE3BD7541916BEA44E4E2067AE66A7</span></a>>
<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Date & Location of Composition:<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">The majority
of scholars date the Gospel in the period AD 90-100, though some have
dated it much earlier <<a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm</span></a>>
<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Eusebius - Early church
tradition suggests that that John composed his Gospel in Ephesus (Asia
Minor). An example of this is the testimony of Irenaeus: "Then John,
the disciple of the Lord, who had even rested on his breast, himself also
gave forth the Gospel, while he was living at Ephesus in Asia."
<a href="https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250105.htm"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250105.htm</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u>Purpose:</u></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">John
specifically states his purpose in <b><i>20:31, "But these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name."</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">The
Muratorian Canon (170 AD Table of Contents) says that, " The fourth
Gospel is that of John, one of the disciples. When his fellow-disciples
and bishops entreated him, he said, "Fast ye now with me for the
space of three days, and let us recount to each other whatever may be
revealed to each of us." On the same night it was revealed to
Andrew, one of the apostles, that John should narrate all things in his
own name as they called them to mind.28 And hence, although different
points29 are taught us in the several books of the Gospels, there is no
difference as regards the faith of believers, inasmuch as in all of them
all things are related under one imperial Spirit,30 which concern the
Lord's nativity, His passion, His resurrection, His conversation with His
disciples, and His twofold advent,-the first in the humiliation of
rejection, which is now past, and the second in the glory of royal power,
which is yet in the future. What marvel is it, then, that John brings
forward these several things31 so constantly in his epistles also, saying
in his own person, "What we have seen with our eyes, and heard with
our ears, and our hands have handled, that have we written."32 For
thus he professes himself to be not only the eye-witness, but also the
hearer; and besides that, the historian of all the wondrous facts
concerning the Lord in their order. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/cu31924091353528/page/n43/mode/2up"><span style="color: blue;">https://archive.org/details/cu31924091353528/page/n43/mode/2up</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="http://prenicea.net/doc2/29954-en-01.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">http://prenicea.net/doc2/29954-en-01.pdf</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Audience - Friends in Ephesus<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Major Themes: What do you think? <o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo8; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.topverses.com/Bible/John"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.topverses.com/Bible/John</span></a><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo9; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Discussion Questions:<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo9; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Seven Titles
in John 1<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In chapter 1, John uses 7 different names
describing Jesus that have special importance to us today.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#1 Word</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:1-3,14).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Logos” translated “Word” communicated to the
Jews God’s divine work and dynamic power. To the Greeks, it embodied
philosophical reason. As Christians, we acknowledge Jesus as the incarnate
Word. The Eternal Word. The creative Word. The Divine Word.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The “Word became flesh.” Divinity took on
humanity. God became a man. Jesus is the express image of God. The main message
of the Bible. And He’s the Father’s spokesman today.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#2 Light</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:4-9).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seven times John calls Jesus “The Light.” Jesus
entered a world of moral darkness and depravity to enlighten it with Divine
light. We don’t have to dwell in darkness. Jesus is the radiance of God’s
glory. He points us to the Father. And lights our path.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I see Jesus, as the Light of the world, I
see the Light of understanding and insight. Light that sustains my spiritual
life. Light that radiates its purifying impact on my sin-stained soul. Light
that nurtures and heals my hurts. And Light that gives security.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#3 Son of God.</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:18, 34, 49).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An unbelieving world denies the Sonship of
Jesus. He’s called a great Rabbi. An inspiring teacher. A moral reformer. A
social justice advocate. But that won’t do.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John says Jesus was the Son of God. John the
Immerser confesses this Truth. And Nathaniel listened to the advice of Philip
to “come and see” and exclaimed, “You are the Son of God.”</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus was not just a mere man. He was (and is)
the Son of God.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#4 Christ</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:19-28, 35-42).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word
Messiah. It literally means “the anointed one.” In John 1:41 the two English
words are used together when Andrew brought Peter to Jesus and said, “We have
found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christ connects Jesus to the fulfillment of Old
Testament prophecy. To the hope of Israel. To our own hope. And provides
indisputable evidence to Jesus’ divine identity.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#5 Lamb of God</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:29, 35-36).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Where is the lamb?” Isaac asked Abraham.
John’s pronouncement answers that question. Every slain lamb in the Old
Testament offered for sacrifice points to the one, unique and unequaled Lamb of
God. He died, not just for the sins of one nation, but for all nations. For
every race. For me. And for you.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#6 King of Israel</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:43-49).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Nathaniel said, “You are the King of
Israel,” he probably was thinking of an earthly king like David. But Jesus
would be a greater King. A King over spiritual Israel whose throne would be in
heaven. A King that Paul would later proclaim as “the blessed and only
Potentate. The Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings!”(1 Tim. 6:15).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#7 Son of Man</span></b><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (1:50-51).</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is the name Jesus most often called
Himself. Over 80 times in the gospels. The expression “Son of Man” speaks to
His human nature. Jesus was tired. Hungry. Thirsty. He suffered pain. Agony.
And hurt. These are characteristics of the flesh. Traits of humanity.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus voluntarily came to earth to feel what we
feel. To identify with our problems. Challenges. And temptations. He possessed
a human mind. Human emotions. Human feelings. His genealogy was filled with
regular folks. Good and bad. Rich and poor. Famous and obscure.</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 11.0pt; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 11pt 81pt;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emerson was right when he wrote, “The name of
Jesus is not so much written as plowed in the history of the world.”</span><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 9pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From <<a href="https://thepreachersword.com/2020/10/27/7-names-for-jesus-in-john-1/"><span style="color: blue;">https://thepreachersword.com/2020/10/27/7-names-for-jesus-in-john-1/</span></a>>
</span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo10; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">From Bible Project: 7 titles given
by others.<o:p></o:p></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Lamb of God<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Son of God<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Rabbi<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Messiah<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Jesus of
Nazareth<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">King of
Israel<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo10; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;">Son of Man<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in;"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo11; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Big Idea: If you believe these miracles and
"I am" statements about the Christ, you may have life in His
name! - <b><i>"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in
his name." John 20:31</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo11; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;">Recap:<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-85468670719885670812023-01-29T09:26:00.001-05:002023-01-29T09:28:06.575-05:00Class #4 - Aggelos<p>The Chosen - Healing of the Man at the Pool of Bethesda </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMj1ggINLe4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMj1ggINLe4</a><br /><br /></p><p>Textual Criticism - </p><p><a href="https://www.bereanpatriot.com/majority-text-vs-critical-text-vs-textus-receptus-textual-criticism-101/">https://www.bereanpatriot.com/majority-text-vs-critical-text-vs-textus-receptus-textual-criticism-101/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>John 5:4 Controversy - https://www.logos.com/grow/took-john-54-bible/</p><p>Aggelos - https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g32/kjv/tr/0-1/</p><p><br /></p><p>John Chronology</p><p><a href="https://www.biblicalfoundations.org/johannine-chronology/">https://www.biblicalfoundations.org/johannine-chronology/</a></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-26997477742428541122023-01-15T10:15:00.005-05:002023-01-15T10:15:40.985-05:00Class #2 - Wedding Sign - DOXA<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Bell Ringer Question</span></u></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Poll
Everywhere<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Which one is
NOT one of the seven titles of Jesus in John 1?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lamb of God<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">King of
Israel<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Redeemer<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level3 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Son of Man<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Prayer for Wisdom</span></u></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts."</span></i></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Greek:</span></u></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> DOXA<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DOXA - δόξα
- Glory - Gamma, Omicron, Xi, Alpha<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 2:11 -
Ταύτην ἐποίησε ἀρχὴν τῶν σημείων ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ἐν Κανὰ τῆς
Γαλιλαίας καὶ ἐφανέρωσε τὴν δόξαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν εἰς
αὐτὸν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ.</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 2:11 -
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and
manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Strong's
G1391 - 168x in NT - glory (145x), glorious (10x), honour (6x), praise
(4x), dignity (2x), worship (1x).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Last Week:
LOGOS - λόγος- Word - Lamda, Omicron, Gamma, Omicron, Sigma<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 1:1 -
᾿Εν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ Λόγος, καὶ ὁ Λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν Θεόν, καὶ Θεὸς
ἦν ὁ Λόγος.</span></i></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 1:1 -
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.</span></i></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3056/kjv/tr/0-1/"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3056/kjv/tr/0-1/</span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">330x in NT<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Purpose: John specifically states
his purpose in <b><i>20:31, "But these are written that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing
you may have life in his name."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Passage:</span></u></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> John 2:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the third day there was a wedding
at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. <b>2 </b>Jesus
also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. <b>3 </b>When
the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” <b>4 </b>And
Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My
hour has not yet come.” <b>5 </b>His mother said to the servants, “Do
whatever he tells you.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6 </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of
purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. <b>7 </b>Jesus
said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled
them up to the brim. <b>8 </b>And he said to them, “Now draw
some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. <b>9 </b>When
the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know
where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the
master of the feast called the bridegroom <b>10 </b>and said to him,
“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then
the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” <b>11 </b>This,
the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his
glory. And his disciples believed in him.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From <</span></i><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202&version=ESV"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202&version=ESV</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">> </span></i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Chosen Clip (Start at 1:00) </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjvAAkXbj0"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjvAAkXbj0</span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Context/Background </span></u></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: </span><a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://www.blueletterbible.org/study/intros/john.cfm</span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8"><span style="background: white; color: blue; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Where?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Who?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Discussion Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">From Bible
Project: 7 titles given by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which of the titles of John 1 - does this best illustrate? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Lamb of God<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Son of God<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rabbi<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Messiah<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Jesus of
Nazareth<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">King of
Israel<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level3 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Son of Man<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Catholics
point to this passage as a reason we should pray to Mary to ask Jesus for
miracles. What do you think this passage says about her? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Weddings in
the New Testament? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 9:15 - Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding
guests be sad while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will
be taken away from them, and then they will fast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 11:17 "A wedding song we played for
you, the dance you all did scorn. A woeful dirge we chanted, too, but then you
would not mourn.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared
to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call
them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:4 Again, he sent out other slaves, and
said, ‘Tell those who are invited: Look, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and
fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the
wedding banquet.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:8 Then saith he to his servants, The
wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:9 So go into the roads leading out of
town and invite as many people as you can find to the wedding.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:10 So those servants went out into the
highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good:
and the wedding was furnished with guests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:11 And when the king came in to see the
guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how
camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matt 25:10 “When they had gone to buy some, the
groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding
banquet, and the door was shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Mrk 2:19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests
cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the
groom with them, they cannot fast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Luk 5:34 Jesus said to them, “You can’t make the
wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Luk 7:32 They're like little children who sit in
the marketplace and shout to each other, "A wedding song we played for
you, the dance you all did scorn. A woeful dirge we chanted, too, but then you
would not mourn.'<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that
wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh
and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Luk 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a
wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou
be bidden of him;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place in
Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">John 2:2 Jesus and His disciples were invited to
the wedding as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him
glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has
made herself ready.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rev 19:9 Then the angel said to me, "Write
the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding
celebration of the Lamb!" He also said to me, "These are the true
words of God."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Source: </span><a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Wedding"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Wedding</span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 81.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Big Ideas: <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l5 level2 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">#1 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you believe these miracles and
"I am" statements about the Christ, you may have life in His
name! - <b><i>"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in
his name." John 20:31</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">#2 -</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "system-ui",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and
manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. - John 2:11</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Recap:<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Here are 3 important lessons we can take away
from this miraculous event at Cana:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">1. Take Your Requests to Jesus but Humbly Accept
His Answer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The wine supply ran out during the festivities,
so Jesus’s mother told him, “They have no more wine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus
replied. “My time has not yet come.” John 2:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2. Cultivate a Humble and Obedient Heart<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he
tells you.” John 2:5<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3. Remember that in God’s Hands, the Ordinary
Becomes Extraordinary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When the master of ceremonies tasted the water
that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the
servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best
wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings
out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:9-10<o:p></o:p></span></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-66039146356431617672023-01-07T14:48:00.006-05:002023-01-07T14:48:45.475-05:00New Bible Class at Collegeside<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Power Sevens of Christ.png" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" data-image-whitelisted="" height="232" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/7?ui=2&ik=0f1e20de5d&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-a:r-7918906750192397175&th=1858dc476162e768&view=fimg&fur=ip&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ_IRjbN2NMwZHJqcJ8J8vrRMMrLFNWM3S5Hs_0RwC2HFZJfumI8Nup95tzsAzl3OouWNKkLCQYfZclFLRSlBJUb_yuZC8AuAF9Z0loaVfykXyDxQ2OXEJ9hnJ4&disp=emb&realattid=ii_lcmc847z1" style="cursor: pointer; margin-right: 0px; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="412" /></div><div>In room 229/230 in the upstairs class area, we will begin a new textual study travelling through some of the most explosive signs of Jesus's power and statements of Christ's divinity in John's Gospel. <u>John recorded 7 miraculous signs and "I Am" statements</u> in his gospel message that truly point to Jesus's identity as the Messiah. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Class format: </u></b></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Each class will begin at 8:30am with a <b>prayer for wisdom</b>. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Next we will be introduced to a short <b>Greek word from our text</b>.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Then we will <b>read our passage</b> out loud. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">We will progress to hear from a class member about the <b>context of the passage</b>.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">The bulk of the class will be <b>open discussion</b> on the Power of Christ. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">To conclude, Topher will suggest <b>life application</b> & <b>recap what we gleaned</b> from our 45 minute time together. </li></ul><div><b><u>Class Goals: </u></b></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Learn</b> about the Divinity of Jesus and become more familiar with ancient Greek</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Worship</b> God in our conversation, personal study through the week, and prayer appreciating Jesus's Divinity</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Connect</b> to each other & God as we discuss faith challenges/opportunities in our lives </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Invest</b> our time & energy into our faith through study</li></ul></div><div><b><u>Class Tips: </u></b></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;">To get the most out of a passage, <b>pre-read</b> the selected passage before class. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Come <b>ready to start at 8:30am</b> - This will be a fast-paced fun-filled class!</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Volunteer</b> in advance to be a reader or a context presenter on Topher's sign up sheet passed around in the first class. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Review class notes</b> on my personal old blogsite, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.topherwiles.com/&source=gmail&ust=1673207154063000&usg=AOvVaw29gC2gk2bJhsSYFlxHWPJf" href="http://www.topherwiles.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.topherwiles.com/</a>. I'll post them weekly. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feel free to <b>message or call</b> me or other class members through the week with questions and ideas. </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b>Watch</b> the Bible Project's overview video on the Gospel of John: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DG-2e9mMf7E8&source=gmail&ust=1673207154063000&usg=AOvVaw2oduQ7spfAUkwkS6iIa0pE" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G-2e9mMf7E8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>Class Calendar: </u></b></div></div><div>The <span style="color: #cc0000;">Seven Signs of Christ</span> & <span style="color: #38761d;">"I Am" Statements</span> in the Book of John<br /><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1/8 Overview of Power Sevens - (John 1:1-18) - Greek Word = <b>LOGOS (John 1:1)</b></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1/15 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Turning Water into Wine</span></i> (John 2:1–11)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1/22 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Healing the Nobleman’s Son</span></i> (John 4:46–54)<br /></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">1/29 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Healing the Lame Man</span></i> (John 5:1–15)<br /></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2/5 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Feeding the Multitude</span> </i>(John 6:1–15) & "<u><span style="color: #38761d;">I am the bread of life</span></u>" (John 6:35-48)<br /></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2/12 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Walking on Water</span></i> (John 6:16-21)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2/19 "<u><span style="color: #38761d;">I am the light of the world</span></u>" (John 8:12; 9:5) & <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Healing the Blind Man</span></i> (John 9)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">2/26 "<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>I am the door</u></span>" (John 10:9) & "<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>I am the good shepherd</u></span>" (John 10:11-14)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">3/5 <i><span style="color: #cc0000;">Raising Lazarus</span></i> (John 11) & "<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>I am the resurrection and the life</u></span>" (John 11:25)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">3/12 "<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>I am the way, the truth and the life</u></span>" (John 14:6)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">3/19 "<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>I am the true vine</u></span>" (John 15:1-5)</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">3/26 Power Sevens Wrapup (John 21)</li></ul></div><div><b><u>Wiles Family Bio: </u></b></div><div> <i>After 6 years of youth ministry and 11 years of preaching ministry, the Wiles expanded their family in October 2022 as they joined with the brothers and sisters of Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, TN, where Topher serves as Facilities Director. They've enjoyed 18 years of marriage and God has given them four wonderful children in Gabriel (15), Ethan (13), Micah (9), and Clara (6).<br /> ChrisTopher has a degree in theology from Lipscomb University with an emphasis in Biblical Languages. By God's grace he also served as principal of the local homeschool cooperative, tennis coach of multiple teams, high school math teacher, and a chaplain at a local hospital. In 2020 & 2021 he was voted "Community Role Model" by the public of White County through the local Expositor Newspaper. His special talents include squeezing as much life as he can into every minute, sparring with three boys at one time without anyone being seriously injured, and bringing adventure to anyone who will join him.</i></div><div><i> Ashley holds a degree in social work with a minor in theology from Lipscomb University and worked in geriatric social work prior to the birth of their first child. She now enjoys homemaking and homeschooling. She has been blessed to share her faith in Christ as a speaker at multiple ladies' days and the 2021 Harding University Lectureships. Her special talents include miraculously feeding unexpected guests without going to the grocery store, doing all sorts of complicated household tasks with one hand while holding a baby, and finding the misplaced objects that no one else can seem to find.</i></div><i> As a family, the Wiles enjoy playing & coaching tennis, practicing hospitality, reading, Scrabble, chess, caving, and camping. The Wiles genuinely enjoy people and they look forward to meeting you!</i><div>***********</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've read this far, congratulations, and thanks for hanging with me! Wherever you land on Sunday mornings over the next three months at 8:30am, I hope you find your faith increasing in God and blessing others. Let me know if you have any questions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Grace & Peace in Him, </div>--<br /><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><br /><div><table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: #222222;"><colgroup><col width="100"></col><col width="211"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 107.25pt;"><td style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 127px; overflow: hidden; width: 85px;"><img class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="127" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/R3q5eJvY54WiCi1JC8xw5Tt4R-l9ZaOGgC7KrBa52PzArENuJ1YLXH-qvc5uklb1vjchrERNTe8bpNdSfrnyUOe3opvlGYOMvHgqEm3xYf3wb9jtRC46J-KWfcgMU0xu8QGsXBhJ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="85" /></span></span></p></td><td style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.5pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ChrisTopher Wiles</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facilities Director</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Collegeside Church of Christ</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">252 E 9th St, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cookeville, TN 38501</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="mailto:topher@collegeside.org" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">topher@collegeside.org</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 9pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">931.526.2661</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 21pt;"><td colspan="2" style="margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 5pt; vertical-align: top;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A man who has friends must himself be friendly…” Proverbs 18:24a</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.collegeside.org&source=gmail&ust=1673207154063000&usg=AOvVaw1Llxx0clYOVDbrZffTxh4D" href="http://www.collegeside.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.c</span>ollegeside.org</a></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-42804308581517850322022-07-10T18:51:00.005-04:002022-07-10T18:51:50.512-04:00Mountain Top Experiences<p> What is it about mountains that invoke a spiritual or religious response from us as human beings? Maybe the thinness of the air, the lack of oxygen, or the exhaustion when we finally reach the top? This past week the boys and I enjoyed a days with about 200 other brothers and sisters in Christ with Short Mountain Bible Camp. The sunrises from the porch were heavenly and the sunsets from the pavilion were divine. Thank you for praying for us as we joined College Side Church of Christ to invest time and energy into the faith of the next generation. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” was a perfect theme message playing off the Toy Story movies to encourage kids to live out the relationship goals of Romans 12. It was a great mountaintop experience! </p><p> Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. Moses climbing Mt. Sinai again and again to commune with God and to better understand not just the essential laws for the life of the community, but the rhythms and cycles of what their covenantal life together will be like in the Promised Land. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Mountain tops were certainly reminders of God’s great goodness!</p><p> The words of Psalm 121 came to mind as we gazed upon other hills from the peak of Short Mountain every morning and evening. May they inspire you as well as they remind you that the God of all creation watches over you whether you find yourselves in the mountains or in the valleys of life.</p><p><b><i>I lift up my eyes to the hills.</i></b><b><i>From where does my help come?</i></b></p><p><b><i>2 My help comes from the Lord,</i></b><b><i>who made heaven and earth.</i></b></p><p><b><i>3 He will not let your foot be moved;</i></b><b><i>he who keeps you will not slumber.</i></b></p><p><b><i>4 Behold, he who keeps Israel </i></b><b><i>will neither slumber nor sleep.</i></b></p><p><b><i>5 The Lord is your keeper; </i></b><b><i>the Lord is your shade on your right hand.</i></b></p><p><b><i>6 The sun shall not strike you by day, </i></b><b><i>nor the moon by night.</i></b></p><p><b><i>7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; </i></b><b><i>he will keep your life.</i></b></p><p><b><i>8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in </i></b><b><i>from this time forth and forevermore.</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2048" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9Km2lRcWZdd_o7dOnmuW6qAThTzIgAAFrwwO98h-XPYUr3LENkC25v0BnhF0WOqVNOxhLNLB9Hwb4hSHPRNrr8KLXIXO4KhiOOvb0UQbcr3cksgdq4Lb6RmtuD8OmmPfZQsQn3ez7P752Zh34lEDidHkgLLxby8v4bK8NWUNUOYRoKn00rWfzmbFgg/s320/292438858_10160317675617490_4303176823233981943_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT32BXsw5ML2sVVcFiMPiYUbvqJWSXrAA58-ZtB_-75bQRlli7nFvK17nJYk04ySRhRdWQrsjpctOveWkrlq8-hk7UhzyRSYugoQkBzGjNnnWiqQRH6XSJi4B6Qep-BxOFKxRC0uhL07yTIE_sTXBoI2QgI3zFPC2J8j3WZ_3GSOGGnK-OfNVMAkB1ew/s2048/292891070_10160317675277490_1083399559802231628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="2048" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT32BXsw5ML2sVVcFiMPiYUbvqJWSXrAA58-ZtB_-75bQRlli7nFvK17nJYk04ySRhRdWQrsjpctOveWkrlq8-hk7UhzyRSYugoQkBzGjNnnWiqQRH6XSJi4B6Qep-BxOFKxRC0uhL07yTIE_sTXBoI2QgI3zFPC2J8j3WZ_3GSOGGnK-OfNVMAkB1ew/s320/292891070_10160317675277490_1083399559802231628_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-76746849765657042642021-10-05T12:29:00.001-04:002021-10-05T12:31:07.470-04:00Proud DadFor over a decade Gabriel was my waterboy for marathon training, tough mudders, and triathlons. Now that he's on the cross country team and running faster than me, I am relegated to be his waterboy. The high elevation and dry air of Devil's Tower, Wyoming really dries the moisture out of you. This morning he ran 6 long miles around this wondrous national monument while I parked the van and water bottles in strategic locations. He's also trained by running lots of stairs at Mount Rushmore and running sprints in the Badlands. I've never been so proud to be the slower runner, supporter, and waterboy as I am today. #DadLife #QualityTime #WaterBoy #DevilsTower<div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj471LW2_SGXe02UKJJIASll5HuSBhJI4AKDfic-tyT9dwMqo4QzXdbxmIZoz2RH9ud_wLros5gvghPJPQvKAjZax5Ot8qv5hQHEItYggkcSg2X-MW97a7jtyQlZibhz0RXFnvmeOh4Fibp/s1600/1633451460325651-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj471LW2_SGXe02UKJJIASll5HuSBhJI4AKDfic-tyT9dwMqo4QzXdbxmIZoz2RH9ud_wLros5gvghPJPQvKAjZax5Ot8qv5hQHEItYggkcSg2X-MW97a7jtyQlZibhz0RXFnvmeOh4Fibp/s1600/1633451460325651-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-5949290434021445912021-09-28T10:04:00.002-04:002021-10-01T09:32:15.151-04:00Simply Effective Church Websites<p> Click here for the entire Powerpoint Deck on Google Drive: <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UWEWVgaSw_anwYLC3ZdckT7lcVQOM0kO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110624967174873690415&rtpof=true&sd=true">https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UWEWVgaSw_anwYLC3ZdckT7lcVQOM0kO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110624967174873690415&rtpof=true&sd=true</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsoB8gCpsj8BfnFx0YyVrOS3GCzaEq1c6gd8fG7kdnr2U_fEU7FTWYp1A6CbR1hPmEr9f-EOGF6cv1cpi98qKDL_gXXPQMJ8mLDflZXuQt7UCCsEJ4nJ6VVXds9LnXtsgqa63JQbjxivW/s2048/Slide7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsoB8gCpsj8BfnFx0YyVrOS3GCzaEq1c6gd8fG7kdnr2U_fEU7FTWYp1A6CbR1hPmEr9f-EOGF6cv1cpi98qKDL_gXXPQMJ8mLDflZXuQt7UCCsEJ4nJ6VVXds9LnXtsgqa63JQbjxivW/w400-h225/Slide7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Wiles will bring you hope and a laugh as he guides you
through simple effective website platforms and the “must-haves” for your
church’s online identity. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the
Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the
inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." – Colossians
3:23-24</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2>Worst Websites! You have got to see these!</h2><p class="MsoDate"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bad church site: <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/">http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.25in; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.0in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bad Non Profit Website: <a href="https://www.art.yale.edu/">https://www.art.yale.edu</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bad Business Website: <a href="https://www.lingscars.com/">https://www.lingscars.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worst Navigating Site & Mobile: <a href="https://arngren.net/">https://arngren.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p></p><h2>CofC Networks Polled</h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">Harding’s Preacher Stuff: <a href="mailto:DWilliams@Harding.edu"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">DWilliams@Harding.edu</span></b></a><b><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.thejenkinsinstitute.com/"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">http://www.thejenkinsinstitute.com/</span></a><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Facebook
Private Group: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CompadreMinistry/?multi_permalinks=4988199231196432"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Compadres</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v_cl1f_heUiUC_9F-5F3xHJiJHmI9eKBoyPiHH_qIf-CFoB0OF_2RnsEZ2xmpNkzfqkWDq81NPwAPFYgnPDAsaTON-tmCvp-NLDo93_d7NKwPqZxFG_6WkhTDjkGcV2j7-353Vxb02qu/s2048/Slide10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3v_cl1f_heUiUC_9F-5F3xHJiJHmI9eKBoyPiHH_qIf-CFoB0OF_2RnsEZ2xmpNkzfqkWDq81NPwAPFYgnPDAsaTON-tmCvp-NLDo93_d7NKwPqZxFG_6WkhTDjkGcV2j7-353Vxb02qu/s320/Slide10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsrjalN0fCknxJsfKDlk_Oksm6LaVtEff-Cylq63_7-NcPcltvDut9sf2MTeWPZv79TI3M5JHWUcml63oRs0AaNAhZgdfnYeddwT7tziOE02_VEXz5UKoF59KlZdeQyeON6EDpZnhZu-/s2048/Slide13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tsrjalN0fCknxJsfKDlk_Oksm6LaVtEff-Cylq63_7-NcPcltvDut9sf2MTeWPZv79TI3M5JHWUcml63oRs0AaNAhZgdfnYeddwT7tziOE02_VEXz5UKoF59KlZdeQyeON6EDpZnhZu-/s320/Slide13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-0JAUdg-wsAaK0hCp-VFaW2VwWPWjy4PTuiIynA4Uz29UKV5WsX28Y-l_LXULKAys7Zh0j93U11ZiGkuliDwzxkYhSmIceFpDbQmmqHar4rzRydljlSxymMz3qs0YB3Y7wUbN2w_jbIH/s2048/Slide22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-0JAUdg-wsAaK0hCp-VFaW2VwWPWjy4PTuiIynA4Uz29UKV5WsX28Y-l_LXULKAys7Zh0j93U11ZiGkuliDwzxkYhSmIceFpDbQmmqHar4rzRydljlSxymMz3qs0YB3Y7wUbN2w_jbIH/s320/Slide22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b><u>Most Used Platforms</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListBulletCxSpFirst"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->39%
- Wordpress<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->11%
- Squarespace<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->8%
- Cloversites<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->5%
- Wix<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->5%
- Weebly<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListBulletCxSpLast"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: background2;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->5%
- Congregate<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5% - Dreamweaver</span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><u>Most Valuable Website Parts</u></b></span></span></div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.75pt 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 70.85pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border: none; height: 70.85pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: background2; padding: 0in 5.75pt 0in 0in; width: 178.65pt;" width="238">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><ul><li>Contact & Address Info –
119 Pts.</li><li>Media Page with Video or
Sermons – 98 Pts.</li><li>Leadership Info of Elders,
Deacons, etc – 97 Pts.</li><li>Worship Expectations &
Experience – 87 Pts. </li><li>Theology & Beliefs – 81
Pts. </li><li>Updated Calendar – 71 Pts. </li><li>Online Giving – 68 Pts. </li></ul><p></p><h2><span class="Heading4Char"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Legit Book
Resources</span></span><span class="Heading4Char"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p><div>
<p class="MsoDate">Available on Amazon for Kindle Download<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Guide-Church-Websites-Presentation-ebook/dp/B017TYQDCS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BVQC2468AUSW&dchild=1&keywords=Simplified+Guide+to+Church+Websites+by+Brian+Jaeger&qid=1632811801&sprefix=runner%27s+pepper%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">A Simplified Guide to
Church Websites</span></b></a><b><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">by Brian Jaeger in
2015<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/WordPress-All-One-Dummies-Computer/dp/1119553156/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=websites+for+dummies+2020&qid=1632819634&sr=8-7"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">WordPress All-In-One for
Dummies</span></b></a><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">By Lisa Sabin-Wilson
in 2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Building-Websites-All-One-Dummies/dp/1118270037/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=building+websites+all+in+one+david&qid=1632819957&sr=8-2"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Building Websites
All-In-One</span></b></a><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">by David Karlins in
2012<br /><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span style="color: #3a8c95; font-size: 13pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Web Design Platforms and Content Management Systems<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">39% - Wordpress<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$300 per year to get plugins.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Or $96 annually for basic website<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Can host in multiple places like
hostgator.com<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">11% - Squarespace <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$144 annually for basic with 2
contributors<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$216 annually for donation or selling
add-on<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">5% - Wix<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Tons of templates<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Easiest to edit<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$168 per year<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">5% - Weebly<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Choose professional package - No Ads
& unlimited storage<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$144 per year<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Beginner Friendly<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">8% - Cloversites<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Designed Just for Churches<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$1000 website migration fee at Central
in 2016, YIKES!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$408 annually<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$500 setup fee<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">5% - Congregate<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">More than a website - It's a directory,
website, messaging service, all rolled into one.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$240 annually for most basic (storage
at 5GB)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$540 annually for Classic (Storage at
25GB)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">$499 setup fee<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">5% - Dreamweaver<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Professional Designer Software - $232
annually for design<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; vertical-align: middle;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Does not include hosting fees<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: middle;"><b><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: #3a8c95; font-size: 16pt; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Topher’s Other Tech
Tools<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://Sharefaith.com">Sharefaith.com</a> </span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">– Website, Graphics, Giving, Curriculum, App<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <a href="https://www.text-em-all.com/" target="_blank">
</a></span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.text-em-all.com/" target="_blank">Text-em-all.com</a> </span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">– Mass Texting & Phone Calling<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://InstantChurchDirectory.com">InstantChurchDirectory.com</a> </span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">– I found out about
it at Harding Lectureships 2015!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://Buffer.com">Buffer.com</a> </span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">– Post to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
Pinterest<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: middle;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">•<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://Boxcast.com">Boxcast.com</a> </span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">– Livestreaming Facebook, Twitter, Youtube,
Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 4.5pt; vertical-align: middle;"></p><ul><li><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/707583/how-to-save-a-microsoft-powerpoint-slide-as-an-image/" target="_blank">Powerpoint</a></span></u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for Graphic Design Saves to JPEG & PNG</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<p></p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div></div><br />
<iframe src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/Hoj1f1HOhx87Eu?startSlide=7" width="595" height="485" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;" allowfullscreen> </iframe> <div style="margin-bottom:5px"> <strong> <a href="//www.slideshare.net/topherwiles/harding-lectureship-simply-effective-church-websites" title="Harding Lectureship - Simply Effective Church Websites" target="_blank">Harding Lectureship - Simply Effective Church Websites</a> </strong> from <strong><a href="//www.slideshare.net/topherwiles" target="_blank">Christopher Wiles</a></strong> </div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-52188516129731383522021-08-31T12:36:00.005-04:002021-09-28T03:42:39.068-04:00WC Cross Country at the Voyles Classic<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JC-Oft5b4j0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Click here for all race results: <a href="https://tn.milesplit.com/meets/414219-mscca-voyles-classic-2021/results#.YS5aXY5KiUk">https://tn.milesplit.com/meets/414219-mscca-voyles-classic-2021/results#.YS5aXY5KiUk</a></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaqDbOs6w1Wa01R-CySUA7lSUPg6OFF-nZ5lbU-yLOL1bzA189KlbWbABgi5AZKKPVSGK5BHXsjYQbr8r0Q-572NsAEFHgi1Ho0PLauBKNzEpTu4qfAKf9OqHcZNV_QRIWWaB_jLkawOj/s2048/20210828_073335+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaqDbOs6w1Wa01R-CySUA7lSUPg6OFF-nZ5lbU-yLOL1bzA189KlbWbABgi5AZKKPVSGK5BHXsjYQbr8r0Q-572NsAEFHgi1Ho0PLauBKNzEpTu4qfAKf9OqHcZNV_QRIWWaB_jLkawOj/w200-h150/20210828_073335+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Junior Evan Ferris leads freshman <br />Gabriel Wiles in dynamic stretching</span></td></tr></tbody></table>When our runners began arriving at The Hermitage Voyles Classic at 6:30am, the air was already thick with humidity and heat, yet the sun was smiling on White County Cross Country team. As our squad gathered under the tent for a quick fill of bananas, clementines, and water, we discussed our priorities for the first 5k meet of the season: testing our bodies, getting rookies adjusted to the race format, and enjoying our Warrior teammates. Three of our veterans runners, Dean Limper, Abigail Welch, & Evan Ferris lead dynamic stretching and a race-course walkthrough. Although a very hilly course with some tight bottlenecking turns, we were grateful that The Hermitage course was absent of muddy bog spots, deep holes, or other trip/slip hazards. Before the start the Warriors took a moment to remember the race's namesake, Markie Voyles, a former White County runner who passed away tragically in 2008 from a car accident. <p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEkrcMGvtCN3gKJgI4sNGM28zX0sj_1XGCuuZzKkLWwHrffHxfp948_eLaZKrIPNeeE6AGLkiKIgxHTygOtzCmuRo108DEge0BrxwszLOATijzlu9faHEU-MHXwCKOUfljCs4F0FDly7N/s2048/20210828_075641%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEkrcMGvtCN3gKJgI4sNGM28zX0sj_1XGCuuZzKkLWwHrffHxfp948_eLaZKrIPNeeE6AGLkiKIgxHTygOtzCmuRo108DEge0BrxwszLOATijzlu9faHEU-MHXwCKOUfljCs4F0FDly7N/w200-h150/20210828_075641%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Senior Abigail Welch gives starting<br />line encouragement to freshman<br />Gabriel Wiles, senior Dean Limper,<br />& junior Evan Ferris</span></td></tr></tbody></table>For this first race, both the men's and women's teams chose to line up on an outside starting block to avoid the mass of runners in the middle. With about 300 runners in both the men's & women's varsity heats, we knew there would be a lot of elbows and shoe spikes in the middle of the mob at the start as runners merge from a 200ft wide starting line to a 15ft wide running lane within a short 300ft distance. The outer block served us well as all eight of our runners got off to a great safe start choosing their own determined paces rather than the mob starting sprint that causes many athletes to burn out early well before the 5k race ending. <br /><p></p><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The men's heat started first at 8am, with our Warriors testing their bodies in different ways. The first mile marker, a hairpin turn, saw junior Evan Ferris running a quick pace in the low 6-minute range in the lead pack of the race. As we set a priority of testing and listening to our bodies early in the season, Evan made a wise move to head to the relief tent in the second mile as breathing challenges would make finishing this race difficult. We look forward to seeing some great times in future races from this 11th grader as he pushes hard through the season. Next around the 1st mile marker was senior Dean Limper, keeping his form very compact and controlled in the 7-minute per mile average pace range. Dean maintained smart paces and controlled passes throughout the race. He would finish this race with a very respectable 25:01 total time for a strong 8:04 per mile average pace. Freshman Gabriel Wiles was third around the hairpin turn early in the race setting a negative split strategy, where the runner begins at a slower pace and gradually increases it through the race to save just enough energy for passing flagging runners in an extended sprint at the end. While he admitted that the last uphill to the finisher's chute was a brutal sprint, Wiles would finish strong for a new 5k personal record and a team leading 21:51 time for a 7:03 average pace per mile. Wiles crossed the line 293rd out of 538 male finishers.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFSoMSHo8nMNp5j7Byx3EnC-T4mAnTA5XuutGF4CzhyTHfmtWyLjstTIU5iYwOXskMLpux3UGsjBpPrv8tx1Td4Beq9XeaoNXYwa4Rl2XODE7-t41j_LhWAffPsLXMSZcEOUlyfVQqzNy/s1030/xc+Evan.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1030" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFSoMSHo8nMNp5j7Byx3EnC-T4mAnTA5XuutGF4CzhyTHfmtWyLjstTIU5iYwOXskMLpux3UGsjBpPrv8tx1Td4Beq9XeaoNXYwa4Rl2XODE7-t41j_LhWAffPsLXMSZcEOUlyfVQqzNy/w200-h150/xc+Evan.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Evan Ferris</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xVFrvYxxkE2qwBp-AyJD2sZd06bUoYHpw8NGK3_4LIEiTjLjYzi_nT_JncwaIdrFdGZHLEpWVq_QYt3YSGknjeYnvLaKfe0C7xQHHhyAqo7nCG-hFM0Z0OpQ6HuYhyphenhyphenmOzz62Cx_nwsgk/s970/Dean+Limper.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="970" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xVFrvYxxkE2qwBp-AyJD2sZd06bUoYHpw8NGK3_4LIEiTjLjYzi_nT_JncwaIdrFdGZHLEpWVq_QYt3YSGknjeYnvLaKfe0C7xQHHhyAqo7nCG-hFM0Z0OpQ6HuYhyphenhyphenmOzz62Cx_nwsgk/w200-h150/Dean+Limper.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Dean Limper</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid18GJhSQZgtYIk85LfzVQJ1RPBA_K6LRiYUHWx2WQBlepPbIHX5UtoeH5URQFlbXAPv98aLVmb9xUWOrJsDt7bs_iY_q7edLnpMEfmnHC05cYfy9jiSOOzsVpvpuucwQlRZ3EaXgpi1nw/s714/gwiles.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="714" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid18GJhSQZgtYIk85LfzVQJ1RPBA_K6LRiYUHWx2WQBlepPbIHX5UtoeH5URQFlbXAPv98aLVmb9xUWOrJsDt7bs_iY_q7edLnpMEfmnHC05cYfy9jiSOOzsVpvpuucwQlRZ3EaXgpi1nw/w200-h150/gwiles.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshman Gabriel Wiles</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">As the women's heat lined up in an outer block, senior Abigail Welch led the ladies on a warm-up sprint from the starting line followed by a circling up for prayer before the starting pistol. You could see the bonds of camaraderie growing for the ladies as they approached the starting block with smiles on their faces. Welch lined up first in the small 4ft wide starting block with returning runner McKenzie Tuck and rookie Luci McKee in the second positions. Freshmen Breanna Powell and Poppy Shank took the third positions behind Tuck & Mckee. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMWCkIG4Gl97ndlcTC2Rb0NN1w-8wEyO05TQQbIcOc_FG8OAA_GuGQBaT4xz6bHrc-RbSNQTlgkhnvqkVR4Qk4ZbbZ_Psjf6K1NlF5hmZ2p3eBrM1oMot0P-AHVk52EuRMskwImdQORS9/s1232/240629901_4631584113520426_8310829867846053552_n+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1232" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMWCkIG4Gl97ndlcTC2Rb0NN1w-8wEyO05TQQbIcOc_FG8OAA_GuGQBaT4xz6bHrc-RbSNQTlgkhnvqkVR4Qk4ZbbZ_Psjf6K1NlF5hmZ2p3eBrM1oMot0P-AHVk52EuRMskwImdQORS9/w200-h150/240629901_4631584113520426_8310829867846053552_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The ladies get ready for the starting line: sophomore</span><br style="font-size: x-small;" /><span style="font-size: x-small;">McKenzie Tuck, senior Abigail Welch, freshman</span><br style="font-size: x-small;" /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Breanna Powell, freshman Poppy Shank, and</span><br style="font-size: x-small;" /><span style="font-size: x-small;">freshman Luci McKee.<br />(Photo Credit: Crissy Shank)</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The White County runners again wisely avoided the massive mob sprint, elbows, and spikes by sticking to the outside in the outset. Welch kept a very measured 9 minute flat pace in the first portion, displaying her practiced and compact racing form early in the season. Following shortly behind was McKee, occupying the outer safe lane in a group of Stewart's Creek & Riverdale runners. Just seconds after, Tuck was pacing and pushing along close behind Shank in the first mile giving the rookie a boost in the early part of the race. Powell stayed steady about 30 seconds later looking very composed and confident as well. The women's race finished with all five lady Warriors crossing the finish line with strong times, well underneath the 37:30 minute course cut-off for women's varsity. Senior Abigail Welch took the lead in 28:12 with a 9:06 pace. Freshman Luci McKee finished firm at 31:54 with average pacing of 10:17 per mile. Sophomore McKenzie Tuck crossed the line in 32:48 for a 10:35 pace. Freshman Breanna Powell picked up her pace to finish in 33:24 in a 10:46 average per mile. Freshman Poppy Shank held her head high with a solid 33:58 at a 10:57 per mile pace. Welch finished 285th out of 424. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMq3ESsS3mfKoEH7a8JL2mm9ZUHTsfuxxQ5cZN4bvyPTaf1SZwqDHQU0auxChuaHGyrNsiE7HraMVq4buM-r3EqNX8mqxgmsemHXEQvfIqrbGxMhyphenhyphenNdOKCeu59lyeBovGJ45tPa0Hub6K/s765/xc+Abigail.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="765" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMq3ESsS3mfKoEH7a8JL2mm9ZUHTsfuxxQ5cZN4bvyPTaf1SZwqDHQU0auxChuaHGyrNsiE7HraMVq4buM-r3EqNX8mqxgmsemHXEQvfIqrbGxMhyphenhyphenNdOKCeu59lyeBovGJ45tPa0Hub6K/w200-h150/xc+Abigail.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Abigail Welch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsaeBF9J81RBrOU8HUIlZeCgHvoDbeB4hZ5W1ULZfDQHMJy6vSttbG9JhsjgZeeAOrqrPOB-ZjFTHna5y_-jIJyChMlcQz6-FlxnY51onacjlhDak_svVfwHGxxDs5ofMLuJUAeYMTq76/s1012/xc+Luci.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1012" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsaeBF9J81RBrOU8HUIlZeCgHvoDbeB4hZ5W1ULZfDQHMJy6vSttbG9JhsjgZeeAOrqrPOB-ZjFTHna5y_-jIJyChMlcQz6-FlxnY51onacjlhDak_svVfwHGxxDs5ofMLuJUAeYMTq76/w200-h150/xc+Luci.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshman Luci McKee</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9s7qbZM_tKSwN49AoPvTGbwW7ljS4hTKTvIy9KZmbY8MDAjl8winf1K7sRMLtzfFY3eU31qgNobAoREOZo4PByVIfrs8LSliKi_nxi8nd-OB7JCpGZH0MkNrTadRlQT4kqAa_iA3s92/s975/xc+Poppy+McKenzie.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="975" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9s7qbZM_tKSwN49AoPvTGbwW7ljS4hTKTvIy9KZmbY8MDAjl8winf1K7sRMLtzfFY3eU31qgNobAoREOZo4PByVIfrs8LSliKi_nxi8nd-OB7JCpGZH0MkNrTadRlQT4kqAa_iA3s92/w200-h150/xc+Poppy+McKenzie.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshman Poppy Shank followed<br />by Sophomore McKenzie Tuck</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvfehnW0oW0pJoeFq1oJF1Q8r5UQWlqN7Zdu3XEKXD-D0mgv_WEvp7bg1GUWcHce9PRVcTSz9aHE7Wxm07sxm6OkixqilVt04BZPWIuLuJzwyU0pnrgP94ZHFo6BOjxOmOcoXdzHY46Vl/s592/xc+Breanna.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="592" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvfehnW0oW0pJoeFq1oJF1Q8r5UQWlqN7Zdu3XEKXD-D0mgv_WEvp7bg1GUWcHce9PRVcTSz9aHE7Wxm07sxm6OkixqilVt04BZPWIuLuJzwyU0pnrgP94ZHFo6BOjxOmOcoXdzHY46Vl/w200-h140/xc+Breanna.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshman Breanna Powell</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After the race, which saw over 1,000 runners begin, the Warrior Cross Country team gathered together for a post race chat at their tent while stretching legs and eating bananas to reduce inflammation and replenish muscle glycogen stores for faster recovery. This proud Warrior running squad was smiling and already making preparations for the upcoming and challenging meet in Cookeville on Thursday. Join the White County Cross Country team as ladies starting off at 5pm and the men at 5:30pm on September 2nd. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="ltr"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb6i9T_mwR9vyCRAN_SyXZ7X5hQbv7LgVC6jZ5-_Nk50XS5HI2j04j5eUy4Y0IbFKC2a1vgOSlOcHO-hpqDMpplyC-40qsyGBRYedqrcMdsoZxr7VwqqpqdcK_FthVQw9OYKsJhcxK7u1/s2543/20210828_082954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2543" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb6i9T_mwR9vyCRAN_SyXZ7X5hQbv7LgVC6jZ5-_Nk50XS5HI2j04j5eUy4Y0IbFKC2a1vgOSlOcHO-hpqDMpplyC-40qsyGBRYedqrcMdsoZxr7VwqqpqdcK_FthVQw9OYKsJhcxK7u1/s320/20210828_082954.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were about 1000 runners in this race!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr">To keep up with team rosters, results, and schedules, check out the White County Warriors Cross Country Team here: <a href="https://tn.milesplit.com/teams/7610-white-co-high-school#.YS5Z745KiUk">https://tn.milesplit.com/teams/7610-white-co-high-school#.YS5Z745KiUk</a></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0in;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></p></div></div></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-74246438977471517292021-08-03T15:53:00.007-04:002021-09-10T16:53:04.407-04:00Family Forte: Focus on People not the Prestige<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>by:
Topher Wiles</i></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s
really easy to get caught focusing on the gold, silver, and bronze medals decorating
the elite at the Olympic games. Take a
good look at the medals coming out of Tokyo this year. They are a marvel of intricate metal machine
work with ribbons </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">of <span style="background: white;">chemically recycled
polyester fibres </span>an</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">d hardwood cases.
Obviously a lot of thought and care has gone into the metal tradition
that was started in 1896 at the Athens games.
(Click this for more info and a 1 minute Youtube video.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/games/olympics-medals-design/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/games/olympics-medals-design/</a>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDpklV77w5wRNtB-1EDFiC66ah5bvNP6lYWSNNSY8-ApknkqM2ZI8AtQJHRWY6nx68xE9lxIjVbyDHV-K2JCBq9bCfnPpZeAz6zlIkNVz9XMoIiIccHKRmuUzTRc7Wxt2nDngch4b5mgv/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="375" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDpklV77w5wRNtB-1EDFiC66ah5bvNP6lYWSNNSY8-ApknkqM2ZI8AtQJHRWY6nx68xE9lxIjVbyDHV-K2JCBq9bCfnPpZeAz6zlIkNVz9XMoIiIccHKRmuUzTRc7Wxt2nDngch4b5mgv/" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo from Olympics.com)</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">While
the detail, materials, and thought behind the metals has changed much over the
years, some traditions have changed little.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Take into account the symbol on the front of the medal, the Greek
goddess, Nike, who was the symbol of victory and often prayed to in battles of
war and sports alike.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Nike is not known
for mercy and cooperation in Greek mythology, but was a sentinel of Zeus’
throne.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Homer even calls her the
daughter of Ares, who is the God of war.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Here is a snippet from a prayer to Nike in from </span><a href="http://www.goddessnike.com" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">www.goddessnike.com</a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div></div>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">"Charge our
chariots strong & sturdy. </span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Vanquish without any
mercy</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Enemies of our
valiant army</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">And give to us a
divine glory</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Furnished with
medallions & jewelry</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Everything that is
worldly</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Is only ours by your
decree</span></i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">We worship thee on
bended knee."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
The Goddess Nike is an ancient tradition of war & games victory which lacks
mercy & compassion. It’s an interesting modern choice for the medals at the
largest worldwide competition existing today because so few believe in the
ancient Greek pantheon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Hellenism" may have as many as 2,000 legitimate adherents
today according to archeology.com, and Nike isn't even one of the twelve main
gods/goddesses worshipped in Greek culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(<a href="http://archive.archaeology.org/0501/abstracts/letter.html">http://archive.archaeology.org/0501/abstracts/letter.html</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Why
has the world kept this tradition rather than honoring a diety that much of the
world follows today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not make the
medal symbol one of the Jesus, since approximately 32% (2.4 billion) of the
world claims Christianity as it's religion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also symbolizes victory and peace at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I surmise choosing to honor Christ on the
Olympic medal could usher in boycotts from the world's 1.8 billion Muslims, or
1.1 billion Hindi's, or 1.2 billion unaffiliated. The Olympic committee would
likely be unwilling to alienate so many using an Olympic symbol from a modern
religion, even if it did promote more better the Olympic mission (to build a
peaceful and better world) than NIKE. (<a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/beyond-the-games">https://olympics.com/ioc/beyond-the-games</a>)
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Perhaps
we should focus more of our time and attention on the people on whom the medals
hang rather than the image on the prestigious medals themselves. I’m so
grateful for Olympic medal winners such as <b><u>Caeleb Dressel</u></b> (attends
Campus Church of Christ, Gainesville, FL) who chose not to honor and thank
goddess Nike for his wins and abilities, but chose to honor God for the
opportunity to represent Him to the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider how much more merciful our God is
than that of Nike, as evidenced in this prayer, recited by 2016 Rio Olympian <b><u>Sarah
Scherer</u></b> whenever she gets nervous. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b><i>"Our Father in heaven,</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">hallowed be your name.</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Your kingdom come,</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">your will be done,</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">on earth as it is in heaven.</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Give us this day our daily bread,</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">and forgive us our debts,</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">as we also have forgiven our debtors.</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">And lead us not into temptation,</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">but deliver us from evil." - Matthew
6:9-13 ESV</span></i></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">(<a href="https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/olympics-thy-will-be-done-is-shooters-prayer/)">https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/olympics-thy-will-be-done-is-shooters-prayer/)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">The
symbol on the prestigious medals may not be anything we want to model our lives
after, but some of the people are worthwhile examples of faithful and
compassionate victors on the world’s greatest sporting stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we give the God of victory and compassion
all the honor & praise for the triumphs of the athletes and for our triumphs
as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To follow more believers in Tokyo, consider reading in The
Gospel Coalition’s about Sydney McLaughlin, Kyle Snyder, Helen Maroulis, Micah
Christenson, Michael Andrew, and Melissa Gonzalez. <a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christian-athletes-tokyo-olympics/">https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christian-athletes-tokyo-olympics/</a></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" target="_blank">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-22490777553906675992021-07-06T12:09:00.002-04:002021-07-06T12:09:37.598-04:00Family Forte: Invincible Love & Saving Marriage<p><i> by: Topher Wiles</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How many of you were like us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought that we would tie the proverbial knot, carry Ashley over the
threshold, and as the fair tales say, “live happily ever after?” We dated for two
years, were engaged for one, and had a beautiful wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now after 17 years of marital ups and downs,
we discovered that a good marriage is so much more than a loving feeling, a
lavish ceremony, and having a lot in common. I wish we had gone through some
sort of organized premarital counseling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we’re being truthful with ourselves, that whole “till
death do us part” in the marriage vows is increasingly ironic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Les & Leslie Parrot (authors
of “Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts”) things are changing. In the 1930s,
one out of seven marriages ended in divorce. In the 1960s, it was one out of
four. On survivedivorce.com, that figure is now around 40 percent of marriages today
ending in divorce. That tells us that so many couples toss the bouquet, return
the tuxedos, and assume they’re heading for marital bliss while their ship is
really sailing toward wedded disaster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We believe God has more in store for your family forte than what
our current culture provides. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here at Central Church of Christ, we believe God has set the
standard on what a loving relationship is and we are preparing ourselves to
help members in the community get ready for the best marital relationship
possible. That’s why I and others at our church have gotten certified to offer
pre-marital counseling through the <a href="http://www.symbis.com/">SYMBIS (Saving
Your Marriage Before It Starts</a>) system to our community. This 30 minute pre-marital
assessment tool and five accompanying counseling sessions are designed to give
couples the following: healthy expectations of marriage, a realistic concept of
love, a positive attitude and outlook toward married life, a better way to
communicate feelings, an understanding of gender differences, the ability to
make decisions and settle arguments, a common spiritual foundation, and a deep
and abiding commitment to the bonds of marriage together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the broader concept of what invincible
love looks like day-in and day-out in a marriage.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXQnAnZYIM3xBDrpn9WhWMpPLZ4PIxKLnbYbLPonlBy0uzUHjIh1_oWyyaDS5Q66wOEhZsH_vGMuZ6aAWiU6N05e-awnO9YIQzEVv9vogxfoEBKO2thr1FkIhSZs7ZU1_4rqKl4NcKmp-/s672/Topher+Symbis+Certified+Facilitator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXQnAnZYIM3xBDrpn9WhWMpPLZ4PIxKLnbYbLPonlBy0uzUHjIh1_oWyyaDS5Q66wOEhZsH_vGMuZ6aAWiU6N05e-awnO9YIQzEVv9vogxfoEBKO2thr1FkIhSZs7ZU1_4rqKl4NcKmp-/s320/Topher+Symbis+Certified+Facilitator.png" width="320" /></a></div> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Tennessee
understands the value of pre-marital counseling as our state offers a $60
discount (from $97.50 to $37.50 in White County) on marriage licenses to
couples who obtain pre-marital counseling within a year before the
marriage. For couples choosing pre-marital counseling with us here at
Central, we ask that the couple cover the $35 assessment fee, and we will
provide 5 free counseling sessions directed by the findings of the assessment.
All told, you’ll come out of this saving $25 in Tennessee and saving your
marriage before it starts! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.75pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It
doesn’t matter if you go to church or not, you are welcome to enjoy premarital
counseling with us at Central Church of Christ as we strive to strengthen
families in our community through the SYMBIS assessment and premarital
counseling. If you’d like to learn more about marriage and more, just contact
me, Topher, at </span><a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="font-size: 12pt;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
or call our office at 931-836-2874. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Marriage doesn’t have to be a gamble. Your lifelong partner
is better than a roll of the dice. Your marriage can be better prepared to
weather the storms that will come. You can enjoy “invincible love.” We’re here
to help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hang my locket around your neck,</span> wear my
ring on your finger.</i></b></span><b><i> Love is invincible facing danger and death.</i></b><span class="indent-1-breaks"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Passion laughs at
the terrors of hell.</span> The fire of love stops at nothing—</i></b></span><b><i> it sweeps
everything before it. Flood waters can’t drown love, torrents of
rain can’t put it out. – Song of Songs 8:6-7</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-48993744887295116772021-06-08T16:01:00.004-04:002021-06-08T16:01:32.716-04:00Family Forte: Marriage from a Nazi Prison<p> <i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By: Topher Wiles</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Last week my wife and I celebrated our
seventeenth anniversary with one of our kids duly noting, “Your marriage is old
enough to drive and almost old enough to vote!”</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ashley and I have celebrated this momentous occasion by eating out,
watching our wedding video & vows that I converted from VHS, and taking a marriage
assessment test (I know, fun right?). One of the greatest blessings in our
marriage has been to listen and reflect on the inspired wisdom of others
concerning love and marriage. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
Instead offering my own marriage experience for your inspiration, I want to
share with you thoughts on marriage that inspire me from a collection of
letters from another's extraordinary life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a
German protestant minister who wrote from prison before his 1945 execution at
the hands of Hitler's Nazis. On May 15th, 1943, approximately 6 weeks
after his arrest and missing the wedding ceremony of close friends due to being
held in prison, Dietrich wrote these thoughts on marriage to the newlyweds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Marriage is more than your love for each
other. It has a higher dignity and power, for it is God's holy ordinance,
through which He wills to perpetuate the human race till the end of time.
In your love, you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you
are a link in the chain of generations. In your love you see only the
heaven of your own happiness, but in marriage you are placed at a post of
responsibility towards the world and mankind. Your love is your own
private possession, but marriage is more than something personal. It is
marriage and not merely your love for each other, that joins you together in
the sight of God and man. Your love comes from you, but your marriage is
from above, from God. As high as God is above man, so high are the
sanctity, the rights, and the promise of marriage above the sanctity, the
rights, and the promise of love. It is not your love that sustains the
marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love." </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Today, I find Dietrich Bonhoeffer's letter writings on marriage from a Nazi prison
to be refreshing and empowering. I believe the modern view marriage has
often been reduced to an extravagant party or a temporary civil union. Bonhoeffer’s
marital declaration bolsters my resolve to care for the marriage God has given
me with my wife. It reminds me of my marriage's purpose as a practical
use in humanity but also as an example of God's designs for others.
Bonhoeffer's writings echo the strong sentiments of scripture about marriage
such as these writings from other letters:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Let marriage be held in
honor among all." </span></i></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">- Hebrews 13:4a</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<b><i>"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall
be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is
great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless,
each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the
wife must see to it that she respects her husband."</i> - Ephesians
5:31-33</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ashley and I want marriages in our community to not only survive,
but to thrive.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We know that families thrive
best when marriages are healthy.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Kids tend
to be happier and well cared for when mom and dad are enjoying a loving and
trusting relationship. (for more on the effects of a happy marriage, visit the
Huff Post article here: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/happy-marriage-happy-kids_b_828370)
</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we can help you strengthen your family by encouraging your
marriage relationship, offering marital resources, or by praying for you to our
God, please let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May your family
be blessed with fortitude through marriage!<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #3778cd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">www.spartacoc.com</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-16540523083802504362021-06-01T12:42:00.004-04:002021-06-01T12:42:33.636-04:00Patiently Pulling My Son to the Prize<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>by: Topher Wiles<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweat was
dripping everywhere from my aching body as my legs screamed at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, the cheering erupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High fives and hugs dominated the moment as
the gracious volunteer hung the heavy metal around my neck and wrapped me in a
“space blanket” on that cold December day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My feet felt like weighty concrete but my heart was as light as a
feather.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it was
the five caffeine laced gelpacks I consumed in my four hour 26.2 mile marathon
run that kept my heart racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my
heart was light because, unlike the first unfortunate marathoner who died after
his run, I knew had successfully survived the brutal assault on mind and
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s possible that the light
feeling was the result of the St. Jude’s cancer patients and survivors showing
signs in the last mileage that read, “You’re doing this race for me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I believe the biggest motivator was the
accolades and praises of my training coach that made my runner’s high continue
from the Memphis St. Jude’s Marathon all the way home. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, Tough
Mudders were a blast, half-marathons were fun, and sprinting 5k’s to a gold
medal win was exciting, but they weren’t the same as that Marathon with
Don.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend Don was at least 10 years
my senior and has run in the Boston marathon, which means he is a high level
runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife was also a cross
country coach while he raised four cross country running kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy knew how to train me to run a
marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the day when I would
proclaim, “I’m not a runner and I don’t like to run,” Don took me under his
wing and educated me on all things running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I still don’t like to run, but I’m a proud runner today because Don’s
patient training pulled me along to the prize and that amazing runner’s high.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’s secret
training methods weren’t about buying Eliud Kipchoge’s record breaking shoes or
the latest breakout training routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don simply pulled me along and encouraged me every step of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For months he texted me frequently to
coordinate running schedules together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He helped me rehab through injuries and gently corrected my form
offering little tips along our journey together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the long runs, when Don could tell my
body was starting to give up, my training partner would always run two steps
ahead of me, shielding me from the headwind, pacing me with his time, and
constantly encouraging me with his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even during the race, Don would pull just a couple steps ahead of me,
challenging me to quicken my pace all until the last half mile, when he shifted
behind me encouraging me to take the lead and the photo finish glory in the
home stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ecstatic crossing
the finish line because I had reached not only my goals but I made my training
coach proud. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After multiple races totaling hundreds of miles since my
marathon run of 2014, I’ve only been able to duplicate that runner’s high
feeling a couple times, with one happening a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That lighthearted feeling lasted all day
after the race and well into the week, except this time, it was me who crossed
the finish line a half step behind a runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My son, Gabriel (8<sup>th</sup> grade), had never run more than a 5 miler
before he expressed interest in running the Sawbriar half-marathon in Jamestown,
TN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried about whether or not a
14 year old could accomplish this extensive distance, considering there just
aren’t any real middle school cross-country options nearby to train him. So every
week I monitored Gabriel and his progress while sharing little tips that I have
learned in my years of running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
ran together on long runs, Gabriel was silently conserving every breath for his
lungs and legs while I chattered away about life, running, and God to keep his
mind from focusing on his aching legs and burning lungs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On race day
Gabriel was visibly nervous about his first ever 13.1 mile race, especially
since it was rainy and cold, but our prayer together with church elder Ty Webb
at the starting line lowered his heart rate and helped set the stage for one of
his biggest achievements in pursuit to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like my training coach had done for me years ago, I stayed two steps
ahead for the first 12.5 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as
we sprinted to the finish line, my smile lengthened and my heart skipped a beat
as I watched Gabriel out run me by a half step, accepting the cheers, hugs, and
high fives of family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
achievement in the Sawbriar Half was not my personal record, but I finally
duplicated that amazing runner’s high of 2014 as Gabriel lifted his award for
first place in the under 18 division.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends, we may
not all be called to run the road, but we are called in this life to be like a
training coach like Don, patiently pulling other people to the prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be called to focus on your family as
you help a child set and reach their goals in family, education, or their
career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your calling may be toward a
young person at church as you pull, train, and cheer them to reaching spiritual
milestones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A struggling family in the
community may be your aim as you patiently guide them through the trials of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever it is, remember that
reaching those same milestones you’ve already eclipsed takes patient time in
training, helpful and positive tips from your experience, and a lot of
encouragement along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
few greater joys than helping others succeed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now, who are you going to patiently pull to the prize?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-18332431908800373282021-05-18T10:01:00.006-04:002021-05-18T10:19:36.079-04:00Family Forte: Breaking Snapchat Streaks<p> <i>By: Topher Wiles</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s not just teenagers that get a thrill from watching the
number by the flame grow day by day. People of all ages enjoy the feature that Snapchat
has dubbed “streaks”. A 2017 Business Insider article gives us this information
on a Snapchat streak. <i>“A Snapchat streak is when you send direct snaps back
and forth with a friend for several consecutive days. The longer you go without
breaking the chain of communication, the longer your streak is. Snapchat
rewards longer streaks with special emojis, such as the ‘100’ emoji for streaks
lasting 100 days, or a mountain emoji for an extremely long streak. Many
teens (and adults I know) invest an inordinate amount of time keeping streaks
alive. There's nothing more devastating than losing a streak you've put months
of work into.”</i> <sup>1 (see endnotes)</sup><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk32ECjlI1mn9Q2j5YxFO7KpalpYES6ihXzyRZcxLLafrRwiMRh0c3QPVkPJqd_CPg1gRDpd4gWSaOYemcIoJxr39p3wMHGHzw8m9-gOcNPLPcjitJWjBvHXkDKGOjtSkbq8uyLvD41TAQ/s357/snapchat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="337" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk32ECjlI1mn9Q2j5YxFO7KpalpYES6ihXzyRZcxLLafrRwiMRh0c3QPVkPJqd_CPg1gRDpd4gWSaOYemcIoJxr39p3wMHGHzw8m9-gOcNPLPcjitJWjBvHXkDKGOjtSkbq8uyLvD41TAQ/s320/snapchat.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photocredit: www.cyberdefinitions.com</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have an adult friend who surprised me one day stating, “I
have a couple streaks that are over 400 days long.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means they’ve snapped someone on their
phone every day for over a year straight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for me, I’ve explored streaks as I’ve tried
to learn more about the opportunities and pitfalls of this social media
messaging platform that more of our church members are using. My longest streak was 76 days, a paltry number compared to
the record that suntrics.com has listed as of May 2021. That record is considered
to be 2165 consecutive days and counting.<sup>2</sup> Can you believe that Ally
Zaino and Kait Bruneau have sent messages to each other every day for nearly 6
years? That’s almost as long as the streak was introduced on April 6<sup>th</sup>,
2015.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Snapchat streakers feel strong emotions when considering
losing their streaks, as if they are losing a tangible commodity that they’ve
worked hard for or losing an actual relationship with a friend. I know anxiety
rides high for some Snapchat Streakers when friends don’t snap back in a timely
fashion, threatening to reset that precious streak number to zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet, I think it is entirely healthy to break a Snapchat
streak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t designed to be
tethered 365 days a year to our cell phones. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAO8-lOOz9nfJ9iJz1vZBmpkSM4e1lJ7cge0Wmpt0HzlN1gLTezYgexOdTf5IRUiX0qwNjuGJfLSBKa-EBbSfjNR5u0buEjEV7vFs7lYNcijK2UONQZJPE-iQ7nMVcbMWyqc9n4c0ro0S/s2539/20210515_125759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAO8-lOOz9nfJ9iJz1vZBmpkSM4e1lJ7cge0Wmpt0HzlN1gLTezYgexOdTf5IRUiX0qwNjuGJfLSBKa-EBbSfjNR5u0buEjEV7vFs7lYNcijK2UONQZJPE-iQ7nMVcbMWyqc9n4c0ro0S/s320/20210515_125759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the events that recently broke my Snapchat streaks
was a camping trip with the boys to Standing Stone State Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had beautiful trails, overlooks, a gorgeous
old dam releasing water from the lake, streams to cross, tennis courts, and a live
little scorpion found in a campsite by a neighboring camper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing Stone was a delightful bliss of a two
day getaway for my three sons and I. The park had everything we needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it didn’t have was cellphone reception
on my network or accessible wifi from the campsite. I was completely unplugged
from the communications world, tuned into enjoying the outdoors with Gabriel,
Ethan, and Micah, and I loved it. From the smiles and laughs as we sat at the
Dairy Queen in Livingston rehashing our highlights from the trip while downing
delicious Blizzards, I’d say the boys were glad I unplugged as well. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUauhuNEOLEnc1J-ymgrh6YYLPFBgjkA0cB3AVFD2T6XR2AClHqhG0KC99o3_FpxHCWuL5ezsa9vpSkXcot5KN4S0G9y8h0EvvNzU2V63hOfAzyrL1F1OVKv3-zC3msLzdPz08MYCl8-a/s2539/20210515_133932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUauhuNEOLEnc1J-ymgrh6YYLPFBgjkA0cB3AVFD2T6XR2AClHqhG0KC99o3_FpxHCWuL5ezsa9vpSkXcot5KN4S0G9y8h0EvvNzU2V63hOfAzyrL1F1OVKv3-zC3msLzdPz08MYCl8-a/s320/20210515_133932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sadly, I’m one of those people who stay connected as my cell
phone serves as my Bible, prayer list, note taking device, to-do list,
calendar, and communications hub. The boys and I were taking guesses as to how
many notifications I would receive at the end of the two day camping trip when
I reached cell signal again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel won
as my 2-day notification tally sent my cell phone into a vibrating spastic
seizure <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>surpassing 300 alerts from
social media platforms, text messages, and emails. Many of you are like me,
tied to your cell phone with constant communications and uses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many
of us are even addicted to our smart phones, Facebook feeds, and Snapchat
Streaks. Take a look at some of the information on smartphone addiction from disturbmenot.co.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Nomophobia is the official term for smartphone
addiction—a rising issue in modern society among both the young and the
old. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>66.53% of the world’s population has a mobile
device.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>People tap, swipe, and click an average of
2,617 times per day.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>iPhone users unlock their phones an average
of 80 times per day.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Users spend an average of 2 hours and 51
minutes a day on their smartphones.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>26% of car accidents are caused by smartphone
usage.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>52% of American teens want to take steps to
cut back on their use of smartphones.”<sup>3</sup><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over half of American teens would like to cut back that
smartphone usage, yet features like the Snapchat Streak count, Facebook Like,
Instagram Heart, and Twitter Re-tweet are designed to keep us plugged in and
addicted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend looking up the adverse
effects of cell phone addictions that are listed on numerous websites, such as psychguides.com.
I won’t go into detail here, but I was surprised to read that male infertility,
neck strain, OCD, and depression are among issues connected with cellphone
over-usage.<sup>4</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our family’s strength, health, and relationships, I believe
we need to encourage each other to break the Snapchat streaks, because being
connected to your cellphone daily for 6+ years is going to have net negative
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it won’t be popular
with those addicted, especially teens, (it may potentially induce short term anxiety,
irritation, and restlessness) breaking cell phone streaks and addictions needs
to happen from time to time for us to rest and focus on the highest priorities
in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a camping trip with your
kids, go on a cruise with your friends, or declare a “no-cell phone” weekend in
your house while you read actual books and do things that make you feel good.
Enjoy distraction free time together as a family and focus on God’s blessings
around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My streaks are broken, and I’ve
been set free. Consider how you can enjoy freedom with your family too. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in
peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and
all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqGjfbtdV50pE5OlmSq2qSywEMjKpOSKarfb5KRGr6gwHwZDQ5fGmXdjFgATS7hyphenhyphenX_mAY-KBBBfZXBReSRepPS5fW0dd0OEUi3YKUPpi3fpo5VrxZd5VmFlcmv8_VjwzdBHVkGHn4c9XC/s2543/20210515_124602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqGjfbtdV50pE5OlmSq2qSywEMjKpOSKarfb5KRGr6gwHwZDQ5fGmXdjFgATS7hyphenhyphenX_mAY-KBBBfZXBReSRepPS5fW0dd0OEUi3YKUPpi3fpo5VrxZd5VmFlcmv8_VjwzdBHVkGHn4c9XC/s320/20210515_124602.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out that little scorpion from Standing Stone!<br />Amazing!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Endnotes</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup>1</sup> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-explain-snapchat-streaks-why-theyre-so-addictive-and-important-to-friendships-2017-4">https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-explain-snapchat-streaks-why-theyre-so-addictive-and-important-to-friendships-2017-4</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup>2</sup> <a href="https://suntrics.com/tech-blogs/longest-snapchat-streak-a-brief-guide">https://suntrics.com/tech-blogs/longest-snapchat-streak-a-brief-guide</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup>3</sup> <a href="https://disturbmenot.co/cell-phone-addiction-statistics/">https://disturbmenot.co/cell-phone-addiction-statistics/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup>4</sup> <a href="https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/cell-phone-addiction/signs-and-symptoms/">https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/cell-phone-addiction/signs-and-symptoms/</a></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-66860667126994971962021-05-07T09:20:00.005-04:002021-05-18T10:02:12.873-04:00Family Forte: Grace for Grumpies<p> by: Topher Wiles</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The
tennis director and I were lamenting the challenge that preachers can be when
signing up to play in a weekend tournament after I apologized for having a
funeral come up on Saturday in the middle of the tournament. She said, “That’s
not a problem. Schedules I can fix. What I can’t deal with are grumpy preachers.”
After asking her to elaborate, she shared that the worst challenge she ever had
with a preacher in her tennis tournament. It wasn’t in last minute scheduling
changes, but was his poor attitude, constant complaints, and bickering with
others. She admitted that this Christian preacher whined about the awful
Tennessee weather and even yelled at the director about the Tennessee
temperatures! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With
so much to be joyful about in the pursuit of Christ (and tennis), how can the
words “grumpy” and “Christian” ever go together? Isn’t that an oxymoron
like “organized chaos” and an “honest thief”? While it’s true that
scripture inspires us to be joyous and sacrificial saints, we are also Christ’s
perfect imperfections (another oxymoron). While we follow Him, we’re still
plagued with our own sin and selfishness dubbed by Scripture as “the old self.”
(Rom 6:6) In our battle against Satan and the old self, even followers of
Christ can have time periods of being grumpy, irritable, and whiny.
Sadly, for some who claim faith in Christ this isn’t a momentary slip, but the
grumbling mentality seems to be a way of life. The God of Scripture calls us to
a higher standard and dares us to accept a better way. So how do we deal with
those who have fallen so far from grace and joy?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">First,
we need to immerse ourselves into prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even spur-of-the-moment short prayers as a normally grumpy person
approaches can put us in the right mindset and involve God in the conversation
from the beginning. As you pray, always thank God for the person and pray a
blessing for them. Jesus went so far as to instruct us to pray for our enemies.
<b><i>“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you.” (Matt 5:44)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Second,
we need to examine our own lives against scripture to see if God’s correction
applies to us. God gives a stern warning through a brother of Jesus, Jude.<b><i>
“The Lord comes…to execute judgment…on all and to convict all the ungodly...
These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are
loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” (excerpts from
Jude 1:14-16). </i></b>Then another potential brother of Jesus gets
more direct, <b><i>“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that
you may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing at the door.” (James 5:9)</i></b>
Paul is even more succinct as he states, <b><i>“Do not grumble as some of
them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.” (1 Cor 10:10) </i></b>We
have to ask the hard question of ourselves first, <i>“Am I a grumpy Christian?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For an honest answer, ask your parents,
spouse, or kids to get that no-holds-barred kind of truthful answer. Only by
looking to remove the plank in our own eye can we begin helping another with
the speck in theirs avoiding the risk of being a hypocrite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Finally,
our goal with a grumpy Christian needs to be the same as Paul’s. <b><i>“Brothers,
if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore
him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be
tempted.” (Gal 6:1)</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus on
that “spirit of gentleness” as you correct them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it may seem satisfying to give them the
same sarcastic high intensity verbal lashing that they give others, tit-for-tat
lessons rarely have an impact other than to make them and you even more surly.
To maintain a spirit of gentleness and avoid temptation, keep calm while
letting them talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask questions about
their feelings and emotions to get them to talk through their challenges. “I
can hear that you are upset by this situation, why do you feel this way?” “Why
did you choose such negative words?” “Why do you think that statement is a fair
assessment?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you going to do
or change in your own life to make the situation better?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One stat I found claims that Jesus asked 307
questions in the gospels to help people find their way to His better path. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping calm while listening is a surprisingly
great way to quiet the grumpy Christian while also modeling a better way.
Remember, some people have been allowed to think grumbling as acceptable
Christian behavior for many years; it may take a lot of time, prayers, and
gentle correction to change their attitudes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In
the end, when you catch someone who normally complains in the act of speaking
positively, rejoice and encourage them knowing you aren’t alone in this
triumph! <b><i>“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over
one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10</i></b></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 11.75pt;"><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-50836205148813891622021-04-20T12:54:00.006-04:002021-04-20T22:43:47.093-04:00Family Forte: Do Not Disturb Mode for your Family<p><i>by: Topher Wiles</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Growing up my dad had a hard and fast rule for our home
outfitted with 1 cordless phone, 1 corded phone, and one answering
machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His rule was this, do not call
our home from 8pm to 8am unless it is an emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That 8-8 rule was often frustrating for my
older sister’s boyfriends who wanted to call at all hours, because only dad was
allowed to answer the phone during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes I even enjoyed listening in while those boyfriends got a
verbal lashing from dad for not obeying the 8-8 rule. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now that I have kids, I have a similar rule, the automated “Do
Not Disturb” mode on my Samsung phone. As a minister, I get calls, text messages,
emails, snaps, & Facebook messages frequently through the day and night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My phone literally stays on vibrate all day every
day in my pocket because using an actual ringtone would mean it would be
dinging every few minutes, interrupting important meetings and prayer time with
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m content with the “on call” profession
I’ve chosen and how my communications are used to serve others, but I’m
especially fond of the peace and rest that my “Do Not Disturb” mode provides my
family. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVsGgDFQJKACFhdOGFVhj4yhT6t_sOs33i77VAApFXljQFoWdFzM1znAbsOkfH_tSDKKRiSNLdsSegPTFMhDnziXN8s723H3s3YTcoCKtL4-9D6vzPORHQIQT-h1kedcf6gcosLF3YwxX/s1493/20210420_115146.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVsGgDFQJKACFhdOGFVhj4yhT6t_sOs33i77VAApFXljQFoWdFzM1znAbsOkfH_tSDKKRiSNLdsSegPTFMhDnziXN8s723H3s3YTcoCKtL4-9D6vzPORHQIQT-h1kedcf6gcosLF3YwxX/w193-h200/20210420_115146.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">my Do not disturb settings</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table>If you’re unfamiliar with the DND mode, it’s on your quick
access panel when you swipe down for the Android and the crescent moon icon in
the control center for the iPhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its
purpose is to give you some peace and quiet to recharge at night or during time
off. Rather than turn my phone off at night, I have DND mode set to
automatically turn on at 10pm and turn off at 7am (9 hours). Then I have also
set my phone to auto-DND mode for 30 minutes in the evenings at 6pm, our
regular Wiles family dinner time. Oh, and I also have it set for the one day a
week (Fridays) I take off from work to invest in my family.<br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In case you’re worried that the world may pass you by during
those times, never fear, DND mode has an exception setting that has you
covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will allow phone calls and
text messages through only for my favorite contacts during my DND times. <b><u>My
favorite contacts include my wife, dad, siblings, in-laws, church elders,
church deacons, local police, sheriff, fire station, & EMA</u></b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, if any of those people try to
contact me through text or phone call, it will be allowed through even when my
phone is set to Do Not Disturb mode, so I don’t miss any emergency calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff, if you are
reading this and call me at 2am, you are one of the privileged to get through. <i>(FYI, I'm hesitant to share, but my DND settings even allows the option for repeat phone calls. So if someone calls twice within 15 minutes, it will allow it through.)</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do I go through the effort to enable all these settings
on my phone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the same reason my dad
instituted the no calling rule from 8am-8pm in my home growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rest is important, not just for me, but also for
my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That has been a tough lesson
to learn but one that the Bible has supported. <b><i>“It is in vain that you
rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; <u>for he
gives to his beloved sleep.”</u> – Psalm 127:2</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well meaning people forget that when they send me text
messages and emails at 3:43 am “because they were up” that every message will
also wake up my wife because she is a lighter sleeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I appreciate their encouragement
and Bible verse they want to share with me, my wife doesn’t appreciate it in
the same way when it comes at 2am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, my quietly
sleeping household including four lovely children doesn’t need to be woken when
someone in the community Facebook calls me asking for help with rent money at
midnight (yes, that does happen).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do Not Disturb mode is a way for me and my family to find
rest at night, dinner time, and my day off from all non-emergency communications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also means that I handle people and tough
situations when I’m at my prime, rather than be irritated with someone trying
to help their non-emergency urgent-to-them phone call at 4am. The DND mode ensures
that I can wake up at 5:30am to get my glass of water, enjoy my Bible study and
prayer time, exercise, and get cleaned up all before I start handling the requests
of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in a much better mood every
day when I consistently structure my rest routine with the DND mode. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust me when I say that you, my family, and
the community would prefer not to deal with a grumpy Topher.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Even Solomon in the Bible wrote some basic wisdom about
people’s need for mood helping rest when he shares this short and wonderful
proverb, <b><i>“A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken
as a curse!” – Proverbs 27:17.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can
you believe, in all the wise writings of the inspired word of God, that there
is a verse warning you of the danger of communicating too early in the morning?
Solomon writes that wisdom because some people aren’t raised by a dad
with an 8-8 No Call rule. So there you have it friends, straight from scripture,
avoid texting/calling people early in the morning unless it is an emergency. Even well wishes will sound like a curse at 4am. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To the rest of you who are recipients of untimely unurgent communications, for the sake of your spouse, your kids, your day off, and your
sanity, institute a “Do Not Disturb” time. This loving organizational act will provide for better
health and Family Forte. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-89007367900526327972021-04-10T20:49:00.006-04:002021-04-10T20:53:17.328-04:00Sawbriar HalfMarathon Results<p>The results are in. We are winners in God's sight because of Jesus!<br /><br />We enjoyed the race in Jamestown today as well and I'm proud of the love and perseverance of all our runners and fans today enduring driving rain and chilly conditions. God blessed us with a lot of love today. Here are some of the results & awards of our team as every member finished their race! We had seven top 3 finishers in their age/gender categories with Lauren and Gabriel scoring the first place title!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKyvGz6g0U9oKIadA5tOk4GiT27CEQZVUrTWmz7V2b159OmRIZv0koTF5S6DHMIIZT_ys_P0a_mTJeCFEWDP-LehKRDhpuBxmAG6pBa5qQLN5QcihtvsQhyphenhyphen6xwqBiHIjjSDO6gPXYxnSJ/s2048/Sawbriar+HalfMarathan+Central+Running+Crew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKyvGz6g0U9oKIadA5tOk4GiT27CEQZVUrTWmz7V2b159OmRIZv0koTF5S6DHMIIZT_ys_P0a_mTJeCFEWDP-LehKRDhpuBxmAG6pBa5qQLN5QcihtvsQhyphenhyphen6xwqBiHIjjSDO6gPXYxnSJ/s320/Sawbriar+HalfMarathan+Central+Running+Crew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>10k (6.2 miles)</strong></span><br /><strong>Lauren Turner - 1st Place</strong> - Female 19 & Under<br />1:08:32 time - 11:05 pace</div><div> </div><div><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>Half Marathon (13.1 miles)</strong></span></div><div><strong>Mary Lankford - 2 Place</strong> - Female 20-29</div><div>2:09:09 time - 9:51 pace</div><div><strong>Topher Wiles</strong></div><div>2:11:42 time - 10:03 pace</div><div><strong>Gabriel Wiles - 1st Place</strong> - Male 19 & Under</div><div>2:11:43 time - 10:03 pace</div><div><strong>Ty Webb - 2nd Place</strong> - Male 50-59</div><div>2:12:03 time - 10:04 pace</div><div><strong>David Smith - 2nd Place</strong> - Male 20-29</div><div>2:54:38 time - 13:19 pace</div><div><strong>Joanna Pesson - 3rd Place</strong> - Female 60-69</div><div>3:04:47 time - 14:06 pace</div><div><strong>Les Tubb - 2nd Place</strong> - Male 70+</div><div>3:04:47 time - 14:06 pace</div><div><strong>John Smith</strong></div><div>3:31:56 time - 16:10 pace<br /><br />Special thanks to our fans encouraging us along the way in the freezing rain! Becky Tubb (and niece), Karen Turner, April Smith, Patrick Lankford, Ashley Wiles, Ethan Wiles, Micah Wiles, and Clara Wiles!<br /><br /><b><i><span class="gmail-text gmail-Heb-12-1" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,</span><span class="gmail-text gmail-Heb-12-2" id="en-ESV-30198" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><span class="gmail-versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; line-height: normal; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2</span></i></b></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-26026616041540930202021-03-23T13:24:00.004-04:002021-03-23T13:24:25.687-04:00Family Forte: Looking for Peace for Stressed Families<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>by: Topher Wiles</i></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have you ever experienced stress? I know you have! Stress is
something that happens to all of us. It kind of sneaks up on you, but you know
when you and your family have got it when it hits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There’s a tenseness in your body with the muscles tightening up
and you struggle to find a peaceful state of mind. If this keeps up long
enough, you can become irritable with each other and possibly even experienced
fatigue and sleeplessness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stress, or anxiety, as some call it, is so common that it gets the
very first chapter in mental health counseling book I rely on by Gary Collins called
<u>Christian Counseling</u>. Stress/anxiety
comes onto us whenever we feel that we’ve lost control of a situation. Whenever
we get in a hurry or worried we can’t get where we want, when we want to. Perhaps
we’re under a deadline, and we just know that if we don’t put an immense amount
of effort into meeting that deadline, we won’t get it done. It’s potentially when
we’re threatened with the loss of something we regard as valuable and we’re not
sure we can avoid the loss. Collins says the long term effects of consistent
stress can even include </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ulcers, headaches, rashes, cardiac issues, insomnia, reduced
productivity, relational volatility, reclusive tendencies.<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></i></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">According to a medical report back in 1998, Dr. Herbert Benson at
the Harvard Medical School believed that “60 to 90 % of doctor visits are for
stress related diseases – including hypertension, infertility, insomnia, and
cardiovascular disease.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even the Bible comments in many places about stress, but nothing
summarizes it better than <b><i>Proverbs 12:25a, “An anxious heart weighs a man
down.”</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stress comes naturally to all of us and our families; it's always
been around. But in today's culture, Collins says, <i>"Anxiety is the
official emotion of our age!"</i> If we repeatedly experience anxieties and
get stressed out, these emotions can have a terrible effect upon us and our
families. Can you remember a more stressful time for families than the recent
pandemic period?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So how do we deal with this malady that plagues us and our
families? Here’s a few practical ideas that benefit me and are recommended by
experts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School (mentioned above) showed
through his studies that the relaxed state brought on by prayer reduced the
impact of stress hormones in a person’s body. He said: <i>"Repetitive
prayer slows a person’s heart and breathing rates. It lowers blood pressure and
even slows brain waves, all without drugs or surgery.”</i> Time alone with God
in prayer and thanksgiving is a great way to deal with stress. It is even an
activity that entire families can take part in together. My kids, my wife, and
I pray together every night before bed and often count blessings together. Paul,
a guy in the Bible who saw many stressful times in life echoes what Dr. Benson
said when he shares, <b><i>“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God.” (Philippians 4:6) </i></b>So if
you’re struggling with stress, doctors and theologians agree, prayer really
does help! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Prayer can bring peace to stress to families, but often times we
also need to learn to process stressful requests better to reduce the strain. An
elder at Central, Les Tubb, said that when a new problem arises that needs
taken care of he does one of four things: he can DO it, DELAY it, DROP it, or DELEGATE
it! Either way, he is going to immediately
choose one of these four avenues to resolve the requirement so that stress
doesn’t due to an unmet deadline. Simply memorizing and following this decision-making
process has been a blessing for me in my work, my relationships, and my person
growth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, I recommend that you view stress in the family as something
like a smoke alarm to address priorities. When you’re in your house and the smoke
alarm sounds, you immediately investigate the source to address whether to put
out the fire or flee. Either way, you
jump into action at the alarm. When you
find yourself feeling stressed out or you see the effects of stress building in
your families, you have smoke coming from somewhere and often stress is a
result of putting time, energy, and money in the wrong places. Let stress be a
reminder to examine your priorities in life. Are wasted finances causing
stress? Then reprioritize getting on a budget and paying off that debt. Is lack
of quality family time leaving you anxious and worried? Then consider whether
you’re investing too much time in work, hobbies, or video games. When we put
our main priorities as the focal point of our time, energy, and finances, often
the stresses of life lessen and we find more of that gift of people that God
promises. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you’re struggling with stress in your family, take a good long
look at prayer, processing, and priorities as you seek to find peace. As
always, my wife and I are happy to help you increase your family forte, and if
you’re needing professional help with stress and anxiety, we have some great
professional counselors to recommend.
Simply reach out at <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com.">topherwiles@spartacoc.com.</a>
May you be blessed as you remember Paul’s promise, <b><i>“Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><p><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<!--[endif]--></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-19190652823519169552021-03-16T14:35:00.003-04:002021-03-16T14:35:40.648-04:00 Family Forte: One Year Effects of Isolation<p><i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">by: Topher Wiles</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">One
year later we’re feeling the effects that isolation has had on our community
members and families. While some haven’t changed routines during the pandemic,
many others have undergone massive restructuring of social habits which have
left more people increasingly isolated. That isolation has had increased mental
and physical affects. From Medical News Today we learn that depression has increased
by huge amounts from 2019 to the end of 2020. “According to a December 2020 survey by the U.S.
Census Bureau, 42% of people in the country reported symptoms of anxiety or
depression that month. This was a huge increase from the 11% they recorded in
2019.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbfuFpGQ2RSninO-_HEXjJtPz1_y55yQWWf1Hx3ntEOFjPhyphenhyphen2nmviNZomw8Zc_SoV73EHBJAHUCkRtGvirQG3-Qs4I05rkTZkbeKtvMFuSVrxPlP2x1zbN1oF-Ov3UdqCF2v37238k63j/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbfuFpGQ2RSninO-_HEXjJtPz1_y55yQWWf1Hx3ntEOFjPhyphenhyphen2nmviNZomw8Zc_SoV73EHBJAHUCkRtGvirQG3-Qs4I05rkTZkbeKtvMFuSVrxPlP2x1zbN1oF-Ov3UdqCF2v37238k63j/" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">One
year ago in March 2020, I wrote about the effects of isolation that would come
through the “next few WEEKS of lockdown.”
After 12 months of the pandemic have passed with some families still
self isolating, we are seeing a rise in the challenges from isolation. I
have had more people with depression, stress, and anxiety issues call my office
than ever before. I’ve had to refer more families going through intense marital
struggles to professional Christian counselors in Sparta and Cookeville than I’ve
ever had in the past. Don’t get me started on the physical struggles that have
come from the stresses of the last year! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">In
May of 2019 the American Psychological Association gave this warning
about isolation in American society. <i>“Loneliness levels
have reached an all-time high, with nearly half of 20,000 U.S. adults reporting
they sometimes or always feel alone. Forty percent of survey participants also
reported they sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not
meaningful and that they feel isolated. Such numbers are alarming
because of the health and mental health risks associated with loneliness.
According to a meta-analysis co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a
professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social
connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or
having alcohol use disorder or obesity.” </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Wow,
social isolation can have inherent health risks just like smoking,
alcohol use, and obesity! The CDC’s recommendations of self-isolation during
the coronavirus pandemic were great for limiting the outbreak but we’re looking
at some challenging side effects that are harming our families now. The
good news is, there are ways God has given us to combat isolation issues.
These are suggestions I researched a year ago that still hold true today. Here
are a quick four suggestions for your family. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Begin
a small group study</b> – Last year our government
administration advocated for limiting group interactions of ten people or less
in March. We encouraged then and encourage you now to pick a family from church
or the community and meet together once a week to study a subject. Pick a
book of the Bible, a popular best seller book, or a documentary series to
discuss. Maybe you and a friend can finally work on that car, bathroom, or
landscaping project you’ve been putting off. Who knows, you may continue
that small group effort beyond to a time with the pandemic is a distant memory.
Small group interactions help families combat the challenges of isolation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Get
regular exercise</b> – Don’t sit in the recliner
all day watching the news like some have done for the last year. As the weather
gets nicer, go for morning walks with a friend, learn to swing a tennis
racquet, or hit the treadmill with a friend on Facetime. Likewise,
encourage the same for your kids with some of their friends. Enjoy those
exercises that limit personal exposure but still give you social time and
exercise together. Just as you would combat the effects of depression
with exercise, use exercise as your tool for benefiting yourself and your
family. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Get
outdoors</b> – Here in the Upper Cumberland we are blessed with some of
the best outdoor features to brighten your day and give you a little social time.
Be inspired along with your family as you hike the scenic Black Mountain overlook
in Crossville. Go play outdoors as you hike around the top of the Ozone
Falls State Natural Area. Stretch your legs on the beautiful pioneer trail at
Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville. Enjoy the wildlife along the
Collins Nature Trail near Rock Island. Personally, I think it’s hard to
beat the glorious rim trails at Fall Creek Falls and Savage Gulf State Natural
Area near Spencer and McMinnville. Go see every major waterfall within an
hour’s distance in the next four weeks. Get outdoors with your family or
with another family to beat the negative effects of isolation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b>Use
that technology</b> – Facetime on iPhones and
Macbooks, Google Duo on Android devices, and Skype on PCs, and Zoom are still
wonderfully easy ways to connect with your friends and family from the comfort
of your home. Set up a regularly scheduled time to have video
conferencing conversations with friends and family who are still isolating at
this time. Make it a point to encourage others through technology
and you’ll be blessed as a family too. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 11.75pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">As
the physical and mental strains increase on families from a year of this
pandemic, remember that you have resources to help your own family as well as
those neighboring in your community. God
has blessed those of us in the Upper Cumberland with so many wonderful
resources and neighbors that we can truly make a difference in helping families
combat the effects of isolation. As always, contact us with concerns at <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</span></a> with suggestions, questions, or
concerns. May God continue to bless you and your family with faith, hope,
and love. <br />
<br />
<b><i>“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he
said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and
first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:36-39<br /><br /></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #008106; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMhHuKiPMkjUm_OHWTmXqPwKZpo0MNPW70e664YdorOvqnRCRDf0Ewuc7Oion_Q7s2D1AnUvKJrH3RRR4YApT4GVyvy3ctZVgOfqr3b40hV0z5tyrrPzLiBPM6cWdvMvtF8i03IB-Zi4/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org"><span style="color: #008106;">w</span>ww.christiscentral.org</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-82657226305234924482021-03-09T12:41:00.002-05:002021-03-09T12:41:36.432-05:00Family Forte: The Struggle with Depression<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>by: Topher Wiles</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
the topic of one of my 20 page research papers at Lipscomb University from my
pastoral care and psychology classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It's also an issue that Ashley and I have personally struggled with from
time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so common a struggle
for families that it gets a full chapter in one of my valuable books, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Counseling-Comprehensive-Gary-Collins/dp/1418503290/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=27B1CX680GLQW&dchild=1&keywords=christian+counseling+gary+collins&qid=1615311036&sprefix=christian+counseling+%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1SjRLM0FOSDRGREkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMjA0MjgxQ0cxSTJMTzRFMjU3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxOTc0NDAxQlJWWFJHRFRYS0tXJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">Christian Counseling</a>, by Gary R. Collins.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to renowned psychiatrists Frank Minrith & Paul
Meier, the majority of Americans suffer from a serious, clinical depression at
some point in their lives. Most people never seek help, but battle this
struggle on their own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dr. Gary Collins lets us know that even Christian families
experience this challenge, describing it this way. <i>"The Christian
experience has three levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First there
are mountaintop days when everything is going well and the world looks bright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These experiences are temporary: they can't
go on forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unrealistic to
expect, as many people do, that we can spend life leaping from one mountain
peak to another as if there were no plains or valleys in between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, most of life consists of ordinary
days when we work at our usual tasks, neither elated nor depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The, third, there are dark days when we
trudge heavily through confusion, doubt, despair, and discouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes these days string out into months
or even years before we begin to experience a sense of relief and victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they persist, dark days are days of
depression."</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A friend of mine and fellow preacher, Jeff Strite, pointed out that Elijah in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2019&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Kings 19</a> is a surprisingly perfect case study of
depression and how to help someone struggling with through the trials of it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah ran for his life, wished his life would
end, slept for days, felt alone, and felt rejected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He experienced these feelings often
associated with depression for weeks on end.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Previously, this righteous prophet had preached one of the
greatest sermons of his life. He confronted 400 prophets of Baal on the Mt.
Carmel and exposed them as the false prophets they really were. Due to Elijah’s
faith & obedience God literally sent fire down out of heavens to consume
the sacrifice he’d placed on the altar and then provided a long overdue rain to
end a drought.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why would a man who preached an impressive message and experienced
some of the most powerful displays of God’s power suddenly be crippled by fear,
hopelessness, and despair? I’m not sure the exact reason, but the truth is, even
God’s most dynamic and faithful servants can suffer from depression. Depression
is such a challenge for family members in all walks of life especially in the
wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, God doesn’t leave moms, dads,
grandparents, teenagers, nor prophets in the midst of depression. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Long before psychiatry was ever thought of, long before depression
help could be bought in the little purple pills, and long before we had professional
counselors, God brought help and healing to Elijah. Here’s how. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First, <b><u>God gave Elijah a restful time of meditation</u></b> in a
holy place at Mt. Sinai. (1 Kings 19:5-8) This place of rest for Elijah was the
same place God delivered the 10 commandments centuries before to Moses. These meditative
and restful spiritual experiences have been proven by science to be helpful in
healing from depression. As posted on ScienceDaily.com, a 1999 Duke University study
of nearly 4000 older adults revealed a surprising conclusion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Attendance at a house of worship is related
to lower rates of depression and anxiety."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Giving our depressed family members space and meditative time is one of
the best therapy tools we possess to start the healing process.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second, after the prophet rested, <b><u>God let Elijah talk while the
Lord listened</u></b>. (1 Kings 19:13-14) Obviously God knows all about what Elijah is
thinking or feeling already, but God asked Elijah some questions that allowed
Elijah to open up about his hurt and struggles. Even though he was mistaken in
his thoughts, Elijah shared how alone he felt in the world. God listened,
knowing that simple listening can be therapy itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving an ear to family members struggling
with depression is a great tool we can use to help them heal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Third, after rest and listening, <b><u>God began to deal with the
false ideas</u></b> rolling around in Elijah’s head. (1 Kings 19:18) He reminded Elijah
of his worth and helped him understand that he was not alone in the world, but
that there were many more just like him. Helping our family members understand
that they are not alone but are valued and supported can be a major change as they
continue to heal from the effects of depression.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, as part of the healing process from depression
continued, <b><u>God gave Elijah an appropriate task that he could complete</u></b>. He told
him to go meet with other righteous people and help them in their journey. (1
Kings 19:15-17) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family members struggling
with depression often need us to give them some appropriate direction as they
continue to heal from this common mental malady and to connect them to other
positive and motivated people in life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>God provided Elijah rest, meditation, listening, gentle
correction, direction, and connection as the Lord helped the prophet overcome
depression.</u></b> We can provide the same for our family members too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Remember, that depression is a common and strong foe
gripping families in America, especially following the pandemic. Yet family
members don’t have to struggle through this mental challenge alone because God
has put us in biological and spiritual families to help us combat these very
real trials. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, if you are
looking for help or guidance in combating depression, you can always contact me
at <a href="https://www.christiscentral.org/location/" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> (931-836-2874) and I’ll be happy to listen and love
in these challenges. If you’re looking for professional counseling services in
Sparta to combat depression, we’d be glad to recommend the counseling services
of <a href="https://warriorcounselingpllc.com/" target="_blank">Warrior Counseling</a> with Natalie Whorton (931-510-8365). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God bless your family with health, hope,
and family forte.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://boxcast.tv/highlights/central-am-service---lets-talk-about-it---depression-714056/wcv85blrkcmffpdktoc4/rtoc1qkbhfoewphxmgcw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHhWrk-wSKR_574FcH6xcM-1o0XUVWPBQZNgK0DNNHmj7JbD_EnJ5iTYElMaWIEPQ_pwwP9PMXGWHkoqVKDtzPL43Fr2K5BNuHhTvqLhOQ63Ki_LNasHBTXf-JFX3bRTK4o0ZDnvehanT/s320/2021-02-28+LTAI1+Depression.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">To view the whole sermon I gave on the topic of depression, click here: </span><a href="https://boxcast.tv/highlights/central-am-service---lets-talk-about-it---depression-714056/wcv85blrkcmffpdktoc4/rtoc1qkbhfoewphxmgcw" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Let's Talk About It: Depression</a><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #3778cd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to grow stronger. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">www.christiscentral.org</span></a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-4133521866549274372021-02-16T15:26:00.009-05:002021-02-16T15:27:41.741-05:00Family Forte: Bumpers May Hold You Back<p> <span style="font-size: 20pt;">Family
Forte: Bumpers May Hold You Back</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by: Topher Wiles</span></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNBLAiiGjn6c5RRkkup3_7cP-kbBx_fsAXXVcydEwaEwC3pVkFUojj14W9Y8CM0yht3Wl227a2e5j1ODVEpN4p30TvHZtuHhGfGJ9g3Qy6b8eoUAqMMfuliXgwtmKYWy-4_0odDxV91oh/s1316/Bowling+World.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNBLAiiGjn6c5RRkkup3_7cP-kbBx_fsAXXVcydEwaEwC3pVkFUojj14W9Y8CM0yht3Wl227a2e5j1ODVEpN4p30TvHZtuHhGfGJ9g3Qy6b8eoUAqMMfuliXgwtmKYWy-4_0odDxV91oh/s320/Bowling+World.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micah enjoys his birthday at Bowling World!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Bowling is one of the few active indoor events
we’ve gotten to enjoy as a family during the pandemic. For both Micah and
Gabriel’s birthday this winter, the Wiles family has made our way up to the uncrowded
lanes in Cookeville to knock down a few plastic coated wooden pins. Maybe my past
coaching of high school bowling teams has filled me with positive feelings
toward maple board planks and crashing pins. But not everyone shares that
love. One time, Ethan wasn’t too happy about the bowling prospect at all.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Walking up to the lane, I didn’t notice that
the bumpers were down. Ethan carefully selected his 7lb ball while I
tied my bowling shoes and dutifully put our initials into the electronic
scorecard. I looked up from toweling my bowling ball, and Ethan’s
orange polyurethane projectile was already making its way down the lane to find
four pins. “Nice job big man; you did that without a bumper,” I
offered as casual encouragement.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Immediately he froze and asked, “Dad can you
put the bumpers up?” I could see his growing wide-eyed fear of throwing a
gutterball once I pointed out that he wasn’t using a bumper.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">It took several minutes to calm him down
saying, “I think you’re fine without bumpers. I’ll teach you how to
keep it in the middle of the lane. Try and roll another one
straight, and we’ll see how it goes.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Reluctantly, Ethan threw his next ball. To
his surprise, my second-born picked up two more pins and a slowly big grin emerged
on his face. For the rest of the hour, we worked on a consistent
starting spot, a smooth approach, and a solid follow through while using no
bumpers. While he only scored 74 with one spare in that game, I made
sure to congratulate him on leaving no open frames, having knocked down at
least 1 pin each of his 10 opportunities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Later he thanked me, and to my surprise, Ethan
shared, “I liked knocking over 74 pins without a bumper!” I was proud of
Ethan, and it had nothing to do with the score. My pride swelled
because of my son’s willingness to trust and his joy at overcoming a
challenge. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">I like bowling without the bumper’s too.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">As a bowling coach, I purchased my own shoes,
my own rolling bag, and my own bowling ball drilled perfectly to fit my
hand. I learned to throw a nice hook that swung out wide to the edge
of the lane and then broke back toward the right pocket of the headpin for a
strike. My scores were great, averaging in the 180’s… except when I
went bowling with my young children and shared their lane with the
bumpers. When the bumper was up, I struggled to break
100. Why was that? With a bumper up, I couldn’t throw my
ball out wide across the boards for a hook, maximizing the potential of my
game. It gets so bad that the bumper messes with my head and I frequently
jerk the ball left to avoid sliding against that guard rail.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">The bumpers hold me back.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">What bumpers are holding you back from
enjoying the best God has for you in life? For some of us, we have these
imaginary bumper guard rails we put up in life to protect us from throwing a
gutterball, but they end up holding us back instead.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Perhaps you struggle with the <b>“perfectionism bumper.”</b> This
is the bumper that hinders us from enjoying some of the best people or the best
moments in life. Waiting for the “perfect person” or the
“perfect moment” with no imperfections causes us to miss out on the good things
around us. American psychologist Ann Schaef said, “Perfectionism is
self-abuse of the highest order.” Maybe it’s your time to grow by putting down
the perfect bumper that’s been protecting you from the occasional gutterball so
that you can throw more strikes in life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Maybe you struggle with the <b>“worry bumper.”</b> Some
people put this bumper up as a defense to protect from the uncertainties of
money, relationships, and even faith experiences. For instance, some
people struggle to step foot in a church because they worry what everyone will
think. Don’t let the worry bumper cause decision paralysis where you
fail to even roll a ball down the lane of life. Learn and grow as
you put the worry bumper down, knowing that the occasional gutterball won’t
sink your score. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Could you struggle with the <b>“predictability bumper?”</b> That
is the bumper we put up whenever we fear changes in life. Some
people avoid college, marriage, or a new job because they fear the unknown in
the changes of life. They settle on the predictable if it is
uncomfortable. Maybe it’s time for you to put the predictability
bumper down to enjoy the beautiful new and growing experiences God has to offer
you in life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt;">Sometimes we need to put down the bumpers of
perfectionism, worry, and predictability for our ball to cross the most and
best boards that a life in Christ has to offer. Enjoy the abundant
life promised in the Bible (John 10:10) by growing, learning, and embracing the
joy of overcoming exciting challenges in life. I was proud of Ethan
for meeting the challenge and growing from it when he allowed the bumpers to
stay down. Your heavenly Father will be proud of you,
too. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2
Peter 3:18 <br /><br /><br /></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #3778cd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.christiscentral.org/" style="color: #3778cd; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #008106;">www.christiscentral.org</span></a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-62726054153349644992021-02-02T15:26:00.002-05:002021-02-02T16:05:21.158-05:00Family Forte: Saving Society by Building Family Unity<p>by: Topher Wiles</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYki0AAMkigzNcjpPdVCKPfY7iUXUJzjI9MCUGSWJFSGgaD8-fjDhvdMmc4ePGPQKMBtEuYEaC7UFpkDVc7ILRgZEptlHncticr30Mj3NhSdsJ-cf7kImhL57vyuu9PYkZeeYbG1NnwYH/s2048/Wiles+Family.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYki0AAMkigzNcjpPdVCKPfY7iUXUJzjI9MCUGSWJFSGgaD8-fjDhvdMmc4ePGPQKMBtEuYEaC7UFpkDVc7ILRgZEptlHncticr30Mj3NhSdsJ-cf7kImhL57vyuu9PYkZeeYbG1NnwYH/s320/Wiles+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">A bizarre couplet of communications happened only moments apart
this week, inspiring this article about family unity. I was walking to the Coffee
Collective for a standard cup of joe when a 75-year-old friend texted me the
following message.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“The country has never been this divided, even during the
60’s. I’m seeing long time friendships fray because of political differences,
to the point of obscuring the true reasons for bonds that had lasted for years.
Not too many things bother me, but this is disturbing for our children. Now is
the time for all of us to appeal to better…”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moments later, a 19-year-old barista was on break and
shared, <i>“Topher, what worries me most is that people are so often divided
and mean to each other. It boils down to respect and taking time to understand
people with a different point of view. The best thing you can do is be nice to
people.”</i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Denny and Malee, I couldn’t agree more. Even though you both
come from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, you both have
voiced a true illness plaguing our society. The Pew Research Center backs your
observations with statistics in a November 2020 piece titled, <u>America is
Exceptional in the Nature of it’s Political Divide</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pew sums it all up saying, <i>“America has
rarely been as polarized as it is today.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /><a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/13/america-is-exceptional-in-the-nature-of-its-political-divide/">https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/13/america-is-exceptional-in-the-nature-of-its-political-divide/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I believe the best changes that can be made in a person’s
life start early with the first organization God ever created, the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wiles family is far from perfect in
regard to divisions, squabbles, tiffs, and tears, yet we are actively promoting
a few premises in our children’s lives to help them overcome the plague in this
current generation. Here are a few ideas that work to build our Family Forte
that may help yours as well. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><u>Teach the idea of “Honor all people.”</u></b>
This mantra is more than a trite saying, it’s a way of life that needs to be
repeated often, shouted from the rooftops, and shared with your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people don’t realize that this is a
command handed down through the last 2000 years by one of the most prideful and
impetuous disciples of Jesus. In the middle of a discussion about relationships
between wives and husbands, slaves and masters, government and citizens, Peter
says these direct words, <b><i>“Honor everyone.” 1 Peter 2:17a. </i></b>Jesus
sets that exact precedent when he chides the religious elite for hypocrisy
saying, <b><i>“As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you
love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love
those who love them.” Luke 6:31-33</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Purposely set this command as one of your primary family rules and
remind your children of it often.</li><li><b><u>Display the positives and negatives of
unity.</u></b> Years ago my beautiful bride made a poster from a photograph of
young Gabriel and Ethan walking down the road together holding hands. She captioned
the bottom with <b><i>“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brother’s dwell
together in unity.” Psalm 133:1</i></b>. Her goal was to remind our growing
boys that the best moments of life come from their common bonds rather than
their divisions. In contrast, whenever she questions the kids after a squabble,
she has this perfect method for displaying the negatives of division. She asks,
<b><i>“Ethan, how does Clara feel right now? What emotion is on her face? What
thoughts are running through her head?” </i></b> Invest time with your children in the midst of
triumph and trial to reflect on the positive and negative displays that come
from unity and division. </li><li><b><u>Train Complementors, Not Competitors.</u></b>
Boys have this ingrained sense of aggression, competition, and war that starts ooze
out of their pores at an early age fueling many fights in families. When left unchecked it can build into unbridled
resentment causing fissures in families many decades later. That innate childhood
aggression can be good when turned the right direction, so Ashley and I
redirected it. When they were young our boys were not allowed to wrestle, spar,
or box with each other, but only with me.
The result was that Gabriel often used his height to attack my upper
body while Ethan’s complementary shorter, stockier build to take out my legs! The
boys learned the deep abiding truth that they are stronger together than apart.
Today, in sporting events such as ping-pong, basketball, and tennis, we still teach
them that their job in head-to-head play is to train each other for success
against other opponents. Over time their play takes on a new complementary height
when they realize they are complementary and not competitors.</li><li><b><u>Model unity at home.</u></b> Parents,
children will do what you do before they do what you say. Do your absolute best
to be kind to your wife, in-laws, boss, and community leaders in all moments,
especially inside the four walls of your home.
You can voice differing opinions and be strongly opposed to a platform
without using inflammatory words or unkind actions. Your children will see the union you have with
others despite your differences and they will follow your example. When they
see and seek unity, your family will be blessed for generations to come. </li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was Jesus who taught us a kingdom divided against itself
cannot stand. <b><i>Mark 3:24</i></b>. Our Lord didn’t direct us to lose our
identity, forget our opinions, or quietly submit to every whim of society. Instead,
Jesus modelled for us how to honor everyone and live together in unity despite
the differences. Friends, the cure for our divisive illness was shared long ago
and it is best administered through the family. May you be blessed with unity,
peace, and family forte.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #3778cd; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #444444;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in </span><a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a><span style="color: #444444;"> is the effort of family at </span><a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a><span style="color: #444444;"> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, </span><a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a><span style="color: #444444;">, or through our website, </span><a href="http://www.christiscentral.org"><span style="color: #008106;">www.christiscentral.org</span></a><span style="color: #444444;">.</span></i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-20679176636366798692021-01-26T15:40:00.000-05:002021-01-26T15:40:01.370-05:00Family Forte: Leave it Better Than You Found It<p><i>by: Topher Wiles</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dads are known to have some rotten advice sometimes. Those
little nuggets may sound like they contain good wisdom, but on closer
inspection reveal awful precepts to hand down. I’ve heard men share some
one-liners such as: “Be good, and if you can’t be good, don’t get caught!” “If
you do it bad enough the first time, you won’t be asked again.” “Don’t break
two laws at once, that’s how you get caught!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, for all the awful advice out there, some dads excel in giving down
to earth practical wisdom that sticks with you for years to come. My dad shared
one when I was a teenager that has filtered its way into every facet of
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>“Leave it better than you found it.” <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9cuma2wjH8H1wzuI19ctNsP2V0pJBCvVnH6nsqclU1Gb7CdYc1ERkYkzpusqrAdRfYm18TwXgThnfpyoYUoEcyDSj7KZqFPFdNxpRT9u47KRXrEZafoU0AcGNu6PBhzz2kOKWD5UQlAn/s1500/71ecNylo1oL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9cuma2wjH8H1wzuI19ctNsP2V0pJBCvVnH6nsqclU1Gb7CdYc1ERkYkzpusqrAdRfYm18TwXgThnfpyoYUoEcyDSj7KZqFPFdNxpRT9u47KRXrEZafoU0AcGNu6PBhzz2kOKWD5UQlAn/w320-h256/71ecNylo1oL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: Amazon Shopping</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">At 16 years old and newly drivers-licensed, I was looking
forward to hitting the road on my own, but I didn’t own a car yet. My loving
father didn’t believe in buying a kid their first car when they got their license
but letting kids borrow for a while to see how this whole driving thing worked
out. While I didn’t appreciate it at the time, he did offer to let me use his
1973 ¾ ton Chevrolet stick shift rust bucket of a truck whenever he wasn’t
using it. That old truck came with one caveat: leave it better than you found
it. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dad expounded on what he meant by telling me to always make
sure there is more gas in the vehicle when I park it than when I first turned
the ignition on. Whenever possible I was instructed to completely fill up any
gas tank of any vehicle I borrowed or rented. Also, I should make sure the
trash is always picked up, vehicle gets vacuumed out, and windows get cleaned. If
I completed any of these tasks when borrowing his vehicle or anyone else’s, it
would ensure they would have a positive feeling toward me should I ever need to
borrow it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After years reflecting on it, practicing it, and now
repeating this mantra to my own children, I’ve learned that my dad was exactly
right. “Leave it better than you found it” is a great way to live. It teaches
our families that we are not simply consumers in the world by <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>taking what we want and using a resource up
until it no longer has any value to us. This dadism reveals that we’re part of
a much bigger community and that we have a social responsibility to those who
come after us in this world. The idea of social responsibility holds true in
all walks of life, big or small. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Our Environment – In late December my boys and I held to
our annual cold-weather backpacking tradition, hiking hard through some majestic
terrain during the day and burrowing in our sleeping bags at night in an effort
to experience God’s beauty. When we stopped at the primitive campsites on the
Caney Fork near Virgin Falls, we found no sign of trash, the fire ring scooped
out, and a stack of wood nearby, which was perfect after a long day’s hike. As
we left, we tried to do the same as well as hike out other trash we found in
the woods nearby, leaving the area better than we found it. Camping is a great
way to begin practicing “Leave it better than you found it” with your family.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On The Job – It’s very rare today for people to stay in one
position for the entirety of their career. A 2012 article on Forbes.com about “job
hopping” shared that the average length of stay for an employee at any one job
is down to 4.4 years. So the odds are, your teenage child, niece, nephew, or
grandchild is not going to stay at that first job for long. Teach them to value
their time in the position by making small improvements in the work environment
so that the next worker will have a better and easier entry into the same
position. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Relationships – Few friendships/relationships that we
enter into will be life-long, meaning that we often play a part in someone’s
life for a short time before handing them off to someone else. Teach your
children to make sure they enhance the lives of their friends through encouragement,
thoughtfulness, and dependability rather than being that friend that is a constant
drag on life asking more from all relationships than they ever put into them.
When the time comes to leave a relationship due to moving, graduation, changing
careers, or any other life circumstances, teach your family to leave the
relationship better than they found it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Church – Pre-pandemic Barna studies showed that church
hopping and shopping is definitely increasing while actually placing membership
to settle in with a body of Christ is declining among protestants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Model a “leave it better than you found it”
mentality for your family by investing your time and energy into a church
ministry by placing membership, asking “What can I do to help?”, and investing
into other church members with the love of Christ. No matter how long or short
your stay with that local church, you know you will have benefited the people
and the cause of Christ in word and deed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Parents, this world is stacked with plenty of consumers on
the roster. Let’s turn the tide a bit by giving our families a producer mindset
of social responsibility by striving to leave every area, every job, every
relationship, and every organization better than we found it. After all, you
would want someone to do the same for you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>“Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:3-4<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s1600/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="color: #3778cd; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1141" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGbxH0fqjjzOKV16C8DDIM497uronzkikBLKiUugGpOCM6GipmZoee5Yb1Y7whAB6K6R0oC5nYbJ6jzQ91lCzEn5Qyo_XRriQanHEiJBqU3p7P76owBf06IZLgV_FMdhwWV5rMPgPhGWm/s320/Family+Forte+BWG1a.png" style="background: transparent; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The word “forte” comes from the latin word “fortis” meaning strength. Our weekly Family Forte article in <a href="http://spartalive.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Expositor</a> is the effort of family at <a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Central Church of Christ</a> to give your family the love, care, and attention it needs to become a stronger version of itself. If we can help you in any way, please contact us at Central Church of Christ through email, <a href="mailto:topherwiles@spartacoc.com" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">topherwiles@spartacoc.com</a>, or through our website, <a href="http://www.spartacoc.com/" style="color: #008106; text-decoration-line: none;">www.spartacoc.com</a>.</i></div>Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8375841903777459767.post-80184824986447789692020-12-23T10:07:00.005-05:002020-12-23T10:07:40.121-05:00Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas friends! May you be blessed with the love of Christ this season!<br />Special thanks to our friend, Pamela Rodriguez Claytor, for capturing our sweet family moments. You can check out her page here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pamelaclaytorphotography/?__tn__=kK*F">https://www.facebook.com/pamelaclaytorphotography</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp6BFsw7gke8d0QdJR_93xKe0EiGj1AmuERBmkXD8XF4kQsxYdUkkXwsTlHsx0u3Aw7ZCuDWLCP_iD8sz47pHnm9OcqEEb6474c9lafG07w4YoxxM8O-yQ-3CVq_h4tHev3C2IFpjUJEb/s2048/132716355_10159173149252490_6069449204588944844_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp6BFsw7gke8d0QdJR_93xKe0EiGj1AmuERBmkXD8XF4kQsxYdUkkXwsTlHsx0u3Aw7ZCuDWLCP_iD8sz47pHnm9OcqEEb6474c9lafG07w4YoxxM8O-yQ-3CVq_h4tHev3C2IFpjUJEb/s320/132716355_10159173149252490_6069449204588944844_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-jjnMr-nCgxnz281nyIEXvXexkK31dGUpt1ppMgHWSvChPcOcxUFuV8lmkM2FYoDebAQP7F6sCmJdHEuHT8tkqbCeQ9eSjaLHIzlLJFSD1lJjSZdgQeyewHdOnGtsb62xsJPZmTzKcUs/s2048/132778123_10159173156752490_1261408380444474415_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-jjnMr-nCgxnz281nyIEXvXexkK31dGUpt1ppMgHWSvChPcOcxUFuV8lmkM2FYoDebAQP7F6sCmJdHEuHT8tkqbCeQ9eSjaLHIzlLJFSD1lJjSZdgQeyewHdOnGtsb62xsJPZmTzKcUs/s320/132778123_10159173156752490_1261408380444474415_o.jpg" /></a></div><br />Topher Wileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05978784501079647890noreply@blogger.com0