FaithBites - A daily dose of life, scripture, and faith

July 31 – Making a List

4:212 - Making a List #faithbites #faithjourney list Setting My mind is always racing. I've found making to-do lists helpful. The problem I have is for every one thing I cross off my list, I add two or more to it. Do you ever feel like that. This morning, when I woke up, I thought of all the things I have to do: laundry, mow the grass, clean the bathrooms, clean the kitchen, get groceries, and the list goes on. I also thought of the things I want to do: play video games, find new 3D print files to make, play games with the kids, watch some TV.. Those things I want to do, always take a back seat to the things I have to do. What would happen if we changed how we made our lists? What if…

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July 31, 2021

Alive / Faith Bites / Gospel Lessons / Isaiah / Matthew / New Testament / Old Testament / Open / Strong

July 29 – Us Vs The Forces of Evil

4:211 - Us Vs The Forces of Evil #faithbites #faithjourney sources Setting Today a friend posted a meme that said we should stop government handouts because everyone is hiring and people need to work. I responded about the quality of work, the pay, standard of living, and how businesses need to change their behaviors to attract workers. The person responded with "Do I own a business". I'm not sure where the conversation will go, though I do have ideas. The point is it's turning into an attack on me vs looking at the standard of living and our overall culture. Attacking an individual is easy. It divides us instead of us looking at the root cause of the problem. The title of this #faithbites comes from the animated show, "Star Vs The Forces of Evil". It's about a magical…

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July 30, 2021

1 Timothy / Alive / Ephesians / Faith Bites / Happy / New Testament / Strong

July 29 – Care and Feeding

4:210 - Care and Feeding #faithbites #faithjourney care Setting My best friend shared this image with me and said I could use it for a #faithbites. It really hit home. I have so many friends who do things for me and I feel that I'm not worthy or I don't deserve it because I can't reciprocate in the same way. Some have more money than I or more technical skills or more everything and I'm just me. No matter what I do, they still love me and cherish our friendship. They love me for being me. When I was active in Alpha Phi Omega, we had a term called Care and Feeding. This was usually used for our voting delegates as they couldn't leave the floor for long periods of time. We would make sure they had snacks, trinkets,…

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July 29, 2021

2 Peter / Angry / Confused / Depressed / Faith Bites / Gospel Lessons / Happy / Hurt / John / New Testament / Strong

July 28 – Is It The Message Or The Messenger

4: 209 - Is it the message or the messenger #faithbites #faithjourney messenger Setting On Monday, I had a very distressful meeting. I heard what the person was saying and was just hurt, downtrodden, and upset. Today, I met with a different person who shared the message in a much different way that resonated with me. This was a message of hope, opportunities, and change instead of a draconian decision. Earlier this week we talked about religion vs faith vs church. Or the idea of spirituality vs religion vs faith. This brings us to today. When people say they don't like the church is it because of the message or the messenger? I had a conversation on Sunday about the intersection of conservative political values with evangelical Christians vs the full message of the bible and different political viewpoints.…

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July 28, 2021

Faith Bites / Galatians / Happy / New Testament

July 27 – It’s Your Turn

4:208 - It's Your Turn #faithbites #faithjourney turn Setting For over four and a half years, I've been writing #faithbites daily. The structure has changed a bit, but it's all been about me, my situation, and my reflection. Today, I was kicking off a fellowship where everyone has to do work to earn the fellowship. It will be a lot of work over the next two years, but it's my turn to do my own project. Likewise, for today's #faithbites, I want you to complete this #faithbites or write your own. It doesn't have to be long, but let's see how you reflect on the idea of having others take their turn to lead. Today's Questions: When is it time to step aside and let others lead. When it's your turn, how do you lead and share Jesus? Scripture…

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July 27, 2021

2 Corinthians / Alive / Faith Bites / Hurt / New Testament / Open / Strong

July 26 – Knowing Where You Stand

4:207 - Knowing Where You Stand #faithbites #faithjourney knowing Setting Do you ever wonder where you stand with someone? Are they telling you the truth? Do you have the same expectations? Today I had a conversation that validated my fears and put aside any notion of me standing where I thought I stood with some people. I am heartbroken and beat down a bit, but I will recover. Knowing where I stand makes other decisions much easier. Of course, change is always hard, but as G.I Joe said, "Knowing is half the battle." The beautiful thing is we will always know where we stand with God. He is clear, upfront, and provides answers to that question. We don't have to wear a mask or hide, as he knows us, loves us, and we are his. Scripture Therefore, since we…

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July 26, 2021

2 Corinthians / Faith Bites / Happy / Hebrews / James / New Testament / Strong

July 25 – Struggling with Religion, Not Faith

4:206 - Struggling with Religion, Not Faith #faithbites #faithjourney struggling Setting A few days ago, a friend called me a religious person. My response was I'm not religious but spiritual. I have a deep faith in God. He sent his Son to take away my sin and reunite us. I know he created the universe and everything in it. That is my faith. I don't need to see God in flesh to see his works on earth. Lately, I'm struggling with religion. It's not anything specific, but it's the structure and format. I've had this conversation with a friend who prefers a traditional Lutheran service whereas I prefer a contemporary service. My wife laughed when I told her the organ hurts my head. I know, it's crazy. I also struggle with calling a service divine, i.e the liturgy not…

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July 25, 2021