Extending Grace

God’s word is true and I believe it’s true.  So, even though I know I don’t deserve it, I am granted grace from God without condemnation.  Which absolutely amazes me.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I have to be transparent and honest with you on the message today.  I have a few people in my life that I’m really struggling to extend grace to at the moment.  As I prayed for God to tell me why, the answer became very clear.  It is not about them at all, it is really about me, and I mean all of it.  God extends me grace because He cares for me so much, when He does this He is not thinking of what I have previously done that makes me undeserving.  He is also not thinking about how my actions have affected Him and how that should change the way He looks at me. But, this is what I’m doing to those people. I’m so concerned with how I’ve watched their actions impact myself or the lives of loved ones around me (who I’m protective of) that I forget to even make an effort to view them in the same way Jesus would.  In fact, as I write this I understand even more that I’m allowing myself to be a person who doesn’t bear many fruits of the spirit when it comes to dealing with these individuals: I’m not loving, I show little joy around them (which only hurts me), I’m not peaceful in spirit, I lose patience and self control, I’m really not kind and there’s no way this can result in goodness. Above it all, I really show no faithfulness that if I were to make an effort to show them the same love and grace that God shows me, then maybe that example would allow Jesus into their hearts a little more.

When I’m around these individuals I have to do a better job of fixing my eyes on Jesus. I have to work to be less judgemental and critical.  I want to stay far away from bitterness and it’s my responsibility to do so.

There are multiple examples in the Bible of His works done on and through people who seemed to be the most undeserving.  I myself am undeserving.

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

M.I.T.T.

love, dlp

Sitcoms and Nuke Bombs

Good morning, men!

Yesterday, I spent around 6 hours in the car driving around north central AR and visiting clinics in the area. For those of you who have never visited, the Ozarks are absolutely gorgeous this time of year. The area I was working was full of hills, pastures, mountains, rivers, old homes….just a really neat place to go drive.

While I was driving I realized I had a free XM radio preview (too cheap to pay for the service) so I spent a lot of the time listening to radio news. Because of how I was raised, I toggled back and forth between the 3 major stations, making an attempt to see where everyone was coming from.

It was one of the strangest drives I have ever been on. I was looking out my window at this beautiful creation that was in front of me….absolutely amazed at how awesome our God is….all while listening to stories centered around humanity’s inability to empathize with each other.

We have said from the get go that this forum was not meant to be political and that still applies. However, the news cycle yesterday reminded me that there are so many people on this planet who, wether they mean to or not, constantly attempt to divide us as children of a loving God. Some even in the very name of Christianity.

Romans 16:17

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Be wary of those around you who influence you to view others around you with anything other than the heart of Jesus. At the core, and I struggle with this daily….if we frame our view of our brothers and sisters with the same love Jesus shows us, our world would be a very different place.

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

Heavy Laden

Good morning men. I pray everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. I come to you this morning asking for prayers for some members of our community. There was a young man who took his own life this last week and over the weekend we had a friend who’s child was backed over and unfortunately didn’t make it. My heart is asking for prayers for all those involved who have lost these loved ones. In this time it’s important that we remember these scriptures.

Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Greater love…

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

It will be short and sweet today with it being Memorial Day. Remember those who have shown the greatest love, who have laid down their life for their country men, their loved ones. My prayers go out to all those on this message who have lost loved ones who laid down their lives in the line of duty (military, first responders).

In light of this I pray that you also remember the greatest example of this love in Jesus Christ, that he laid down his life for us, he died for our sins and rose back to life to save us & bring us back reconciled to the Father.

Romans 5:6-11: 6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

His Plan

Psalm 18:30

30

As for God, his way is perfect:

The Lord’s word is flawless;

he shields all who take refuge in him.

Gentlemen,

It should be a beautiful day. Pastors, those who are with you this morning chose to come. By that I mean numbers might be a little smaller with the long weekend, but those people need your message.

Today’s scripture is something I’ve been struggling with lately. My way versus God’s way. I have to remind myself that His way is perfect. His way is a plan for numerous people that works perfectly. I’ll admit, sometimes I really struggle with all of His timing and His plan. If you are, too, I want you to know you’re not alone.

Men, travel safely and be safe when you get there. Make it a great weekend and a great week. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey

Take Your Pick

Colossians 3:12

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Gentlemen I have really enjoyed the Manly Message lately. I feel like there have been so many great lessons that apply to all of us.

Today’s scripture was one I discovered when I searched for how to reach secular people. This has really been on my mind lately. I had some similar thoughts to this scripture and had them reaffirmed when prepping for this message.

When we put some thought into spreading the Word, there isn’t much argument. Some people might belong to a different religion or they may have no religion at all. The Bible says be compassionate, be kind, have humility, be gentle and have patience. It is hard to argue against those principles.

If someone upsets or attacks you, take your pick of any one of those reactions and you’ll show Christ through your actions. Remember you’re always communicating whether you use your words or not.

Make it a great Memorial weekend Saturday in the trenches. Be exceptional at being you.

Love,

Yancey

Family Friday 5/25: Come Home Day

Good morning, men!

Today is my last day of new hire training, which means I will we flying home this afternoon from New Jersey back to Memphis and will drive an hour and a half back to Paragould to see Sarah and the boys. While the classes have been helpful, and the food has been amazing, I would be lying if I said these past two weeks haven’t been a struggle. I got out of coaching four years ago to spend more time with my family, and as a whole, it has been a great decision. However, spending 11 nights in a hotel with the only contact you have with your family being Facetime will make you second guess that decision!

This morning I am setting out with a full heart, very thankful to the Lord for my blessings. Last night, I was talking to my sons and thinking about being a more patient father when I return home. Of the verses I looked up on patience, these stuck out:

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

(Ephesians 4:2)

Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.

(Proverbs 15:18)

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

(Romans 12:12)

Pray for me today that I will get home safe, but also when I do that I will show my family the love and patience that Christ has shown me as I have grown in Him…..sometimes very slowly!

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan

Hope

Yesterday was May 23rd.  Today is May 24th.  On my May 23rd, 2013 my wife’s mother, Joann, and my wife’s sister Aubrette were in a terrible car accident.  5 years ago, yesterday, was the anniversary of Joann’s death and the start of a very large uphill climb for Aubrette that included three broken vertebrae and months in the hospital.  Today, May 24th, would be Joann’s birthday.  She was 57 when she passed away.

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Since the day of “the accident” (as it’s known in our family), Aubrette has experienced many of the classic signs of going through the grieving process.  All of the family has, but hers have been heightened. I mean she was a fresh graduate from Kansas University, her mother and her were heading to Boulder to celebrate. Next thing she knows they are heading to the median going 80 mph down the interstate.  Both were ejected from the vehicle, the highway patrol say both of them possibly flew over 100 feet, but only one is alive.  The last five years for Aubrette have been a battle. We have tried to support her as she’s gone through all the steps of the grieving process denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.  Honestly, I’m not quite sure what step she is currently in, but, I do know that she has three sisters who got a hold of her 3 weeks ago and laid hands on her! It was a long one and it was spiritually deep, there were many tears and many laughs, but we are starting to see some of the effort put forth from that prayer session.  The verse above was sent to my wife and her sisters from Aubrette, about two days after the prayer session.  She’s starting to open up more and not be as isolated, and you can tell she’s talking to God again.

Men, I know each and every one of us has a story in our lives that should take us back to Romans 5:3-5.  In fact, we all probably have a few of them, so just know that the world we are currently in will have sufferings, but also know that our God who is with us through it all is right there to grieve with us, stand with us, and hold us through it all.  It may not seem like it at times, but He has a plan bigger than you could ever imagine.

When I stood by Aubrette’s bedside for the first time in an ICU room in Denver, I couldn’t think of a whole lot to say. But this came out, “Aubrette, I know this sounds crazy, but a few years from now I’m going to be jealous of you.  You are going to be the strongest person that I know, and I personally will not have a strength anywhere close to yours.”

Some of the strongest people I know I have been through some of the most difficult things in life: they had a suffering that produced perseverance, their perseverance produced character, and their character produced hope…and all of this came from a God that promises to never leave us!

M.I.T.T.

love, dlp

A Sunday Experiment

Good morning, men!

As I told you last week, I am currently in New Jersey for new job training. Last Wednesday, I ordered some sushi takeout from a local place and noticed this building on my drive. I grew up in a traditional Methodist church, so I figured it would be cool to go visit on Sunday morning. Sarah and I go to a contemporary non-denominational church now, so this was going to be going to be a bit of an experiment for me as an adult who hasn’t been in that environment in over decade.

Amazingly, as I pulled up Sunday morning, I noticed a contemporary church set up literally next door in the local middle school. Admittedly, my heart started to waver towards what I have grown accustomed to, but I stuck it out and walked into the Methodist church.

The service structure was just like I remember it as a kid…..structured, stoic, and very traditional. The average age in the pew had to be in the 60s. Very different from my home church. They called for the kids to come up, and FOUR kids come to the altar. I’m used to seeing over 100 in our children’s ministry on Sunday.

Now, if you think I am being negative, hang in there. All I can tell you is God put me exactly where I needed to be that Sunday. The church members were SO GRACIOUS. The pastor’s sermon was not only outstanding, but it spoke directly to me in regards to things my mother, wife, and I had discussed just the previous day. After the service I drank coffee with total strangers almost twice my age and we talked about how God has blessed us in different ways.

Point being, we need to be really careful about putting God in a box that fits our religious comfort zone. I felt so bad, thinking that in order for me to “get something out of my Sunday” that I needed to go to the contemporary church with the full parking lot. God met me right where I was and spoke directly to my heart through people I will probably never see again in my life.

As you head out today and this weekend, open your hearts to the idea that so many people experience Christ in so many ways, and He is so much bigger than the box we try to place Him in at times.

Have a blessed day, men!

M.I.T.T. ~ Runyan