1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 2: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 4 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,040 Speaker 2: blessing and share it with a friend. 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,639 Speaker 1: your life. Well, God bless you always a joy to 7 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:19,640 Speaker 1: come into your homes. We love you and we're believing 8 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. And if you're 9 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by and 10 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: be a part of one of our services. I promise 11 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: you I'll make we'll make you feel right at home. 12 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 1: But thanks for tuning in today. And I'd like to 13 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: get started each week with something kind of funny. And 14 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: I heard about this little girl. She asked her mother 15 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 1: how the human race came about. The mom explained how 16 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: God created Adam and Eve and they had children and 17 00:00:42,800 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: here we are. A few days later, she asked her 18 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: dad the same question. He explained that many years ago 19 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: there were monkeys and little by little they become more 20 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: like people, and you know now, you know we're here today. 21 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: And kind of confused, she went back to her mother 22 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: and said, Mom, you said that God created people, but 23 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: Dad said that we came from monkeys. How can this be? 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: The mother said, oh, honey, that's easy. I told you 25 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,039 Speaker 1: about my side of the family. Dad told you about his. 26 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,759 Speaker 1: Hold up your bible. Say it like you mean it. 27 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: This is my Bible. I am what it says. I am. 28 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: I have what it says I have. I can do 29 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:25,280 Speaker 1: what it says I can do. Today I will be 30 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:29,479 Speaker 1: taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 31 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 1: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 32 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:37,960 Speaker 1: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 33 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 1: to talk to you today about broadening your life. It's 34 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: easy to get stuck in a rut to where we 35 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: do the same thing again and again. We eat the 36 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 1: same foods, we go to the same restaurants, we listen 37 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: to the same music, drive the same way to work, 38 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: hang around the same type of friends. If we're not careful, 39 00:01:56,800 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: our life will be very narrow. The reason when many 40 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: people have lost their enthusiasm they're not excited about each 41 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: day is because they are under exposed. They won't try 42 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 1: anything new, they won't go anywhere different. There's no freshness 43 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: to their life. The scripture says in Psalm twenty four. 44 00:02:17,120 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 1: The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. God 45 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: wants us to live a full life. That means a 46 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:31,200 Speaker 1: life where we're continually exploring new things, new hobbies, new cultures, 47 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:35,399 Speaker 1: new personalities, new ways of thinking. You have to get 48 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 1: outside of your community, get outside of your culture, and 49 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 1: get around people that are not just like you, people 50 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 1: that don't have your sense of humor, people that have 51 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: different interest people that grew up in another environment, people 52 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: that don't have your same skin color. That's what makes 53 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:58,559 Speaker 1: you broader, That's what makes life richer, fuller, more enjoyable. 54 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:01,640 Speaker 1: And some of you today you're living a much more 55 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: narrow life than God intended you to. You've never been 56 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: to the museums. You've never heard the symphony, never gone 57 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 1: to a play, never seen a ballet. Well, you say, Joel, 58 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 1: I know I would never like that. I grew up 59 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: in the Country's not that sophisticated. No, how do you 60 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 1: know unless you try, And even if you try and 61 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: you find it's not for you, you will make better 62 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: decisions because you've had more exposure. You're not wasting your time, 63 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,440 Speaker 1: you're growing. On the other hand, some of you have 64 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,600 Speaker 1: never been to a ballgame. You've never been to a rodeo, 65 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 1: never been fishing, never camped out. Your life is too small. 66 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 1: It's one dimensional. God wants us to be well rounded, 67 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,880 Speaker 1: and I'm not going to live a full life if 68 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: I let my profession consume me. I love to ministry. 69 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: I love to help people, but I know to be 70 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 1: my best I have to stay open and learn about 71 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: other areas. I don't want to be one dimensional. Well, 72 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: he's a good speaker, but other than that, he's kind 73 00:04:03,080 --> 00:04:07,119 Speaker 1: of a dead beat. No. I also love to play sports. 74 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 1: I love to drive to little towns and learn about 75 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: their history. I love to watch plays. I love to 76 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: sit outside and eat lunch with my daughter. You've got 77 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 1: to understand I've come a thousand miles. Before I met Victoria, 78 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 1: I was so narrow. I ate the same thing every day. 79 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 1: I played baseball every night. I had one type of friend. 80 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,279 Speaker 1: People that were just like me. People that looked like me, 81 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 1: people that talk like me, people that had my same 82 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 1: sense of humor. I mean, if they didn't laugh at 83 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 1: my jokes, they weren't going to be my friend. If 84 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,240 Speaker 1: they didn't play baseball, what would I have in common? 85 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 1: If they didn't come to my same type of church. 86 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 1: That was a barrier. It was that sameness that was 87 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: limiting me. When we're all the same, we don't grow 88 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: like we should. When we surround ourselves with people just 89 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: like us, we become stifled. That's what's limiting many people today. 90 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: You have to broaden your life. Don't look for people 91 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:08,279 Speaker 1: that are just like you. Don't gravitate to the same 92 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: things that you've always done. Look for new interest, develop 93 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:17,160 Speaker 1: new hobbies, cultivate new friendships. Get outside of your box. 94 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: God has a full world he wants you to enjoy. 95 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 1: Have you ever developed an interest in nature? In streams 96 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,599 Speaker 1: and mountains, in wildlife? Have you ever developed an interest 97 00:05:29,720 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: in the arts? In science, in music, in travel, in sports. 98 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:38,080 Speaker 1: There is so much life to be explored, and I 99 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 1: want to challenge you out of a little narrow life 100 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 1: into the full life that God has in store. I 101 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: remember when about a month after Victoria and I started dating, 102 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 1: she saw where the Symphony was going to have a 103 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: free outdoor concert in the park, and she asked if 104 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: I wanted to go now. I thought to myself, the Symphony, 105 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,159 Speaker 1: why would we want to do that. That's for people 106 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: that are retired, that's for people that don't have anything 107 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 1: better to do. And of course I didn't tell Victoria 108 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,720 Speaker 1: that I wanted her to like me at that time. 109 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 1: If she'd asked me to go to a power plant, 110 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: I would have gone. And I said, oh, yeah, the Symphony. 111 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,760 Speaker 1: I would love to go. I thought, at least I 112 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:23,599 Speaker 1: can catch up on some sleep. I had all these 113 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:27,360 Speaker 1: preconceived ideas here. I had never been to the symphony. 114 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: How did I know that I wasn't going to like it? 115 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: That was a prejudice. I had prejudged it and already 116 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 1: decided that it wasn't for me. That's what we do 117 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:40,040 Speaker 1: many times. Prejudice doesn't just have to do with skin color. 118 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 1: You can prejudge a hobby, prejudge an event, prejudge a culture, 119 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 1: prejudge a certain kind of church. Could it be that 120 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 1: your life is too small today because you are prejudging 121 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: things and just ruling them out. Could it be that 122 00:06:55,720 --> 00:06:58,520 Speaker 1: you're missing out on something great God has to offer 123 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: because you have a narrow mind set. We went to 124 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 1: the symphony that night, and it was one of the 125 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: most enjoyable, relaxing evenings I've ever had. I can still 126 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,559 Speaker 1: remember it to this day. In fact, That's one reason 127 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 1: why we've had the symphony here several times to celebrate Christmas. 128 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: It's made such an impression on me. What happened. My 129 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: horizon was broadened, my life got a little bit fuller. 130 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 1: I discovered something that I liked outside of sports, outside 131 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: of the church. Up to that point, that's basically all 132 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: I'd ever known, and I was happy, but I was 133 00:07:31,760 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: missing out on the fullness that God had in store. 134 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 1: I'm asking you today to do something out of your 135 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: normal box. If you've never been to the museums, you 136 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: need to plan to go. If you've never been fishing, 137 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 1: you need to go. Never been skydiving, Just kidding, broaden 138 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 1: your horizon. And I know you loved your friends, but 139 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: did they all look like you and sound like you 140 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: and dress like you. That's fine, but let me tell 141 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: you that's boring. You need some variety. Stay open to 142 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:06,640 Speaker 1: people that are not like you, that don't have your 143 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 1: same interests, that didn't come from your same environment. You 144 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: need people like that to make your life full. Really, 145 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: it was this principle that brought about Lakewood. For years. 146 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 1: My father was a traditional bapdist minister. That's all he'd 147 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: ever known. All he had ever been exposed to. All 148 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 1: the daddy's friends were Baptist, his cousins were Baptist, his 149 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: barber was Baptist, his banker was Baptist, his grocer was Baptist. 150 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 1: Even his pets were Baptists. He used to say, I 151 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: was Baptist born, Baptist bred, Baptist living, and Baptist dead. 152 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:46,199 Speaker 1: He was Baptist through and through and back in those days, 153 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 1: especially in the church world, concerning denominations, it was very segregated, 154 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: not like it is today. Now we have people from 155 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 1: all denominations and all walks of life, but back then 156 00:08:57,760 --> 00:09:01,239 Speaker 1: it was very different. And in the late nineteen fifties, 157 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,760 Speaker 1: some of my dad's friends invited him to go hear 158 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: a woman minister. This lady was having a revival in town, 159 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:13,079 Speaker 1: and so many people were coming. Was causing a great 160 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,560 Speaker 1: stir in that city, not only because of the great 161 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: things that were happening, but the fact that she was 162 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,319 Speaker 1: a lady. There were not a lot of women ministries 163 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 1: back then. They certainly weren't accepted like they are today. 164 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:29,479 Speaker 1: And on top of this, this lady, when she ministered, 165 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 1: she took her shoes off and she ministered barefoot. She 166 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: was known as the barefooted lady preacher here. My dad 167 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: was a dignified minister, pastor of the first Baptist church. 168 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,560 Speaker 1: He said to his friends, are you kidding? I Am 169 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,680 Speaker 1: not going to go hear a barefooted lady minister. I 170 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: have a reputation. He was saying. She doesn't fit into 171 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: our group. She didn't go to our cemetery, I mean 172 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 1: our seminary. She's not just like us. And if this 173 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: wasn't bad enough, what they didn't tell my father was 174 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 1: she came from the Pentecostal denomination, and that was enough 175 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 1: to give a Baptist heart failure. Back in those days. 176 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 1: She was a little bit wild. She believed in healing. 177 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: She believed God could still do miracles. Were they talked 178 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 1: my father into going. My dad told later how he 179 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: was scared to death. Here, a grown man pastored, a 180 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: thousands ordained minister, yet so narrow in his thinking he 181 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: was afraid to go hear a barefooted woman minister where. 182 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: They got there that night and the place was so 183 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 1: crowded they couldn't get a seat. It was packed. My 184 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: father said, too bad, we better just go back home. 185 00:10:42,679 --> 00:10:45,760 Speaker 1: He thought God had answered his prayers, his friend said, 186 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 1: no way, We're going to find a place to sit, 187 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:51,199 Speaker 1: And so they wandered through the side building in the dark, 188 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: in the educational Sunday school rooms. They opened up a 189 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 1: door and lo and behold, it put them on the 190 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 1: very front Road's heart sunk. He would have done anything 191 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: to get out of there. In a few minutes, the 192 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: lady came out, and sure enough, she took off her shoes. 193 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 1: There she was standing barefoot in front of my father. 194 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: Now as she began to minister, she talked about the 195 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 1: love and the goodness of God, and tears began to 196 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: flow down her cheeks. And that night my father felt 197 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: something that he had never felt before. All of a sudden, 198 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,959 Speaker 1: he had a desire to know God in a greater way. 199 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 1: His mind was exposed to something new that was a 200 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 1: turning point in his life. He left there determined he 201 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: was going to become everything God created him to be. 202 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: He didn't even know the lady's name, but years later 203 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 1: he would credit that woman for stirring up the dreams 204 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: and desires that God put in his heart. And it 205 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 1: was that experience that gave my dad the courage to 206 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: take a step of faith and start Lakewood church. What happened. 207 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: He was exposed to something new, exposed to something that 208 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: was out of the norm. Once he got out of 209 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 1: that narrow box and ventured into new territories, his life 210 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:14,080 Speaker 1: was broadened. His life became fuller. Could it be like 211 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 1: my father that we are under exposed. We keep prejudging 212 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: things that are different, things that we're not used to, 213 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: and now our life is very narrow. We keep hanging 214 00:12:25,440 --> 00:12:28,400 Speaker 1: around the same type of people, doing the same thing 215 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 1: year after year, not exploring the full life God has 216 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: in store. Now, let's broaden our horizons. Let's stay open 217 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 1: to things that are different. Even when we disagree, we 218 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: can still learn something. We don't have to be defensive 219 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: and try to straighten everybody out. I found you just 220 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: take the best and leave the rest. One time, Victoria 221 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,880 Speaker 1: and I were in Rome, Italy, walking down the streets. 222 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,000 Speaker 1: This was about three years after we were married. We 223 00:12:57,040 --> 00:13:00,320 Speaker 1: came to this huge cathedral. I noticed all all the 224 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 1: people filing in, and I saw on the sign where 225 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: the mass was just about to begin. Well, I had 226 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: never been to a Catholic mass in all of my life. 227 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: Victoria is always stretching me, so I thought I would 228 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: stretch her, and I talked her into going in there 229 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:18,239 Speaker 1: with me, and for the next thirty minutes, I experienced 230 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: something that I'll never forget. I couldn't understand a word 231 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: of the Mass, it was all in Italian. But as 232 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: we took communion with those people, I could see their 233 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: love for Christ. I could see their devotion to God, 234 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 1: their respect for the Church. Even though I had no 235 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:39,719 Speaker 1: idea what the priest was saying as he served communion, 236 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 1: I could feel the presence of God. And so often 237 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: we try to put God in a box. We think, man, 238 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: I can't learn anything from them. They're Catholic and I'm Protestant. 239 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: I can't associate with those people. They don't come from 240 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 1: my same group. But that's a very narrow way of living. 241 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: If you want a rich, rewarding, full life, you've got 242 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,240 Speaker 1: to stay open and be willing to experience people that 243 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:08,439 Speaker 1: are not like you, people that don't come from your culture, 244 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: people that don't worship the same way, people that don't 245 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:14,720 Speaker 1: fit into your same box. It doesn't mean that we 246 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,720 Speaker 1: have to change what we believe, doesn't mean we have 247 00:14:17,800 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: to compromise. But when we expose ourselves to different things, 248 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: we become broader we'll make better decisions. We're more well rounded. 249 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: I have a good friend that lives in India. Anytime 250 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: he's here, he'll attend our services. It's a very successful businessman. 251 00:14:35,440 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: His faith is not the same as mine, but that 252 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 1: doesn't stop us from learning from each other. He prays 253 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: five times a day. He can be in the middle 254 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: of the meeting and say I got to stop and 255 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: go pray for fifteen minutes. I can learn from that. 256 00:14:49,640 --> 00:14:53,080 Speaker 1: He inspires me to be more devoted. When we go 257 00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: out to eat, we take turns where we're going to go. 258 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 1: When it's my turn, we eat Mexican food. When it's 259 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: his turn, we eat in food. Now I'm a picky eater, 260 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 1: but I've learned Indian food can be good. You just 261 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: have to have lots of water. But we grow when 262 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:15,880 Speaker 1: we're around different people and we're in different environments. Some 263 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 1: of you today are living a life that's smaller than 264 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 1: God designed for you because you prejudged certain people and 265 00:15:24,680 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: certain things, and you've already decided they're not going to 266 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 1: be right for you. You'd never like that. No use 267 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 1: even tried well, I could never learn from that. Minister. 268 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: She's a woman, she's barefooted. I could never like the symphony, Joel, 269 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: I like wrestling. I would never be able to volunteer 270 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:44,320 Speaker 1: at the hospital. I'm just a interferred. I'm just a homebody. 271 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 1: How do you know, Unless you try, your life is 272 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:50,600 Speaker 1: going to be smaller than God intended it. Unless you 273 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:54,560 Speaker 1: learn to quit prejudging things. We need to be exposed 274 00:15:54,600 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 1: to different tastes, different arts, different personalities, different cultures, ministries. 275 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: Life has too much to offer than to just order 276 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 1: a hamburger every single time. Don't go to that same 277 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: restaurant for the next forty years and order the Inchilata special. 278 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: Break out of your box. Try some fish tacos, some 279 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: mango chicken, some grilled salmon, just make sure it's low fat. 280 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 1: And I have to admit I used to be the 281 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: world's worst. I was always doing the same thing, the 282 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: same way. I had very little variety in my life 283 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: until I met Victoria, and even after we got married. 284 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 1: Every night I would eat a tune of sandwich with 285 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 1: free toes, seven days a week. One time, something funny happened. 286 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 1: Victoria nine my father. We were in the Jungles of Thailand. 287 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,240 Speaker 1: We had traveled ten hours by jeep down these mountain roads, 288 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: and we finally made it to The little village was 289 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: very primitive, no running water. The people wore their native dress. 290 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: They had these big wings embedded in their ears that 291 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:03,680 Speaker 1: had grown in there, and they had those big lip 292 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 1: rings in their lips, maybe like you've seen on National Geographic. 293 00:17:08,119 --> 00:17:11,680 Speaker 1: Very primitive. The people were very kind. My father went 294 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:14,880 Speaker 1: around praying for the different families. There was about ten 295 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: or twelve huts there, and just as we were about 296 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: to leave, the king of that village invited us to 297 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:23,640 Speaker 1: his hut to have dinner. It was a big deal, 298 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: a high honor. So we went in there and sat 299 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:28,960 Speaker 1: down on the floor. In a few minutes, someone brought 300 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: a plate to me. Was basically a big leaf, and 301 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:34,920 Speaker 1: it had some kind of food on it. I can 302 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 1: tell you I've never seen anything like it. It was 303 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: far from a tuna sandwich. My first thought was is 304 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:46,399 Speaker 1: it still alive? My second thought was will it kill me? 305 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:49,960 Speaker 1: I felt like I was on fear factor for a moment. 306 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 1: As I waited for everyone else to get their food, 307 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:55,840 Speaker 1: I'd already made up my mind I was going to 308 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 1: somehow sneak this into my pocket, but I wasn't about 309 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: to eat it king. I noticed he just kept staring 310 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: and staring and staring at me. He had a big smile. 311 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 1: I couldn't speak his language, but it's like he was saying, 312 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 1: I can't wait till you try this. I kept waiting 313 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:15,240 Speaker 1: for everyone, but I soon realized that's not the way 314 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:19,199 Speaker 1: they operate. They serve one person, and they all watched 315 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: that person eat. I didn't have a choice. If I 316 00:18:24,359 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 1: didn't need it, I would offend them, and I sure 317 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:28,959 Speaker 1: didn't want them to give me a lip wings as 318 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: a gift. So I just bowed my head and prayed 319 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,360 Speaker 1: Psalm ninety one. God, you said, if I eat any 320 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:39,200 Speaker 1: deadly thing, it will not harm me. God, I'm asking 321 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 1: for your help. I knew this was putting God to 322 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: the test, and I ate it, and thank God I 323 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: made it. I'm still alive. But that experience broadened me. 324 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: My life got fuller, and I love now learning from 325 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 1: other cultures. I love learning from people that are not 326 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:00,880 Speaker 1: just like me. Broaden your life has so much more 327 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:03,359 Speaker 1: in store for each one of us. Don't go the 328 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: next ten years doing the same thing the same way. 329 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 1: Cultivate some new friendships, cook some new dinners. Drive a 330 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:15,240 Speaker 1: different way to work, plan a trip out of the country. Well, hell, Joel, 331 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,080 Speaker 1: I can't go overseas right now. Maybe not. But you 332 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: can go to the museum downtown. Or you can take 333 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,159 Speaker 1: a blanket and go to the park and listen to 334 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: the birds scene. You can go to an outdoor concert 335 00:19:26,359 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 1: like we did and let the wind blow through your 336 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 1: hair and thank God that you're alive and healthy. All 337 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:36,240 Speaker 1: around you, there's so much life to be explored. God 338 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,920 Speaker 1: wants you to enjoy that full life. We have to 339 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 1: get out of our routine and be willing to do 340 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 1: something different. We need freshness. I like to run, and 341 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:49,760 Speaker 1: as long as I've been running for years and years, 342 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: I have run the exact same path. I even run 343 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,119 Speaker 1: on the same side of the road. When I cross 344 00:19:56,160 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 1: from the left hand side of the street to the 345 00:19:57,960 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 1: right hand, I do it at the exact same time. 346 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 1: I bet if my steps were marked year to year, 347 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be more than a foot off. That's how 348 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:08,880 Speaker 1: structured I am now. About six months ago I started 349 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:12,359 Speaker 1: to run and I thought, I am so tired of 350 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: running this same path. It finally dawned on me that 351 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 1: I was seeing the same sites year after year, the 352 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: same sides of houses year after year, same cracks in 353 00:20:21,640 --> 00:20:24,959 Speaker 1: the roads, year after year. That day I decided to 354 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:28,240 Speaker 1: do something different. Instead of turning left and running my 355 00:20:28,359 --> 00:20:31,439 Speaker 1: same path, I turned right and ran it in the 356 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 1: opposite direction. It was a major breakthrough for me. I'm 357 00:20:35,960 --> 00:20:38,960 Speaker 1: sure God punched Gabriel and said, Gabriel, am I seeing 358 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: the right thing? Is he running in a different direction? 359 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: I could see the squirrels were totally confused. That day 360 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 1: I saw sides of houses that I hadn't seen in 361 00:20:49,800 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 1: twenty two years. I saw flower beds that I never 362 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 1: knew even existed. You'd be amazed at the freshness that 363 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: would come into your life if you just drive home 364 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 1: a different way, or if you just park at a 365 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: different spot at the mall so you can see new 366 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 1: stores and new people, or if you just go to 367 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 1: a different grocery store every once in a while. Put 368 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 1: some variety in your life, get out of your routine. 369 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:18,360 Speaker 1: You were created to need freshness and not only help 370 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:21,439 Speaker 1: you to grow, but it'll keep you excited about life. 371 00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: I saw an interview with a famous rapper not long ago. 372 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:29,159 Speaker 1: The reporter asked him why his lyrics were so filled 373 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:32,359 Speaker 1: with violence and hate, and why he was always talking 374 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:36,360 Speaker 1: about killings and shootings and muggings. He said, Man, I'm 375 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:40,040 Speaker 1: just keeping it real. I'm just rapping about life. I'm 376 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:43,199 Speaker 1: just rapping about the way the world is. But the 377 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 1: truth is, that's not the way the world is. That's 378 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 1: the way his world is. That's all he's ever seen, 379 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: that's all he's ever been exposed to. He doesn't realize 380 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:57,000 Speaker 1: five miles down the road, in a neighborhood, a little 381 00:21:57,040 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 1: down the road, people aren't shooting and killing and mugging. 382 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,400 Speaker 1: They're enjoying their life, living in peace, raising their children, 383 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,720 Speaker 1: going to ballgames, taking walks through the park. What's the 384 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 1: problem he's under exposed. He's got a small vision. He 385 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: needs to get out of that culture and see how 386 00:22:15,480 --> 00:22:18,120 Speaker 1: other people live. And this is what we do. Many 387 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: times we think going to work and back and going 388 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 1: to the grocery store, going to the church, that's the 389 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: way the whole world is. No, that's just our world. 390 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: There's so much more to experience. Some of you, three 391 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:34,120 Speaker 1: miles from your house is a beautiful park that you've 392 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:37,520 Speaker 1: never enjoyed. Some of you, thirty minutes down the road, 393 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:42,159 Speaker 1: there's a historical landmark that you've never explored. Some of 394 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:45,160 Speaker 1: you there's a lakewood in your community, but you've never 395 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: gone to it. Some of you sit next to a 396 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 1: coworker that's different than you. If you would take time 397 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:54,000 Speaker 1: to develop a friendship, that would add a new dimension 398 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:58,200 Speaker 1: to your life. Don't live under exposed. I think it's 399 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:01,399 Speaker 1: interesting that people come from all over the world to 400 00:23:01,480 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 1: go to NASA, the Space Center here in town. But 401 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: until three years ago, until my children wanted to go, 402 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 1: I had never been to NASA. For forty two years. 403 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:14,240 Speaker 1: It was in my backyard. It was just thirty minutes 404 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 1: down the road, but I never took time to go. 405 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,080 Speaker 1: I thought, I'm not into space. I'm not into science. 406 00:23:20,119 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: I like the outdoors, I like playing sports, but that 407 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 1: is such a narrow way to live Now. I learned 408 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:28,399 Speaker 1: something new that day with my children. I have a 409 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: new appreciation for the gifts and talents that God's given 410 00:23:31,920 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: our Space team. Plus, I got a bigger vision of 411 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:39,560 Speaker 1: who God is. When you begin to understand the magnitude 412 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,840 Speaker 1: of the universe God created, it can't help but expand 413 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:46,199 Speaker 1: you can't help but help you grow. Now, I believe, 414 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 1: just like me, you have things in your backyard, so 415 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:53,880 Speaker 1: to speak, that you haven't taken advantage of even small things. 416 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 1: Taking a walk through the woods, listening to the bird's scene, 417 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: getting to know that neighbor. That's not like taking an 418 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 1: exercise course. Look around at what God has put in 419 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:08,040 Speaker 1: your life. It's not by accident. It's there to enjoy. 420 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: Broaden your horizon, find something that's different, do something out 421 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:16,399 Speaker 1: of the ordinary. The other day, we were in Memphis, 422 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:18,679 Speaker 1: Tennessee for one of our events on the road, and 423 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:21,359 Speaker 1: normally we have to get right back to the services here, 424 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 1: but we happened to have that next morning free, and 425 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 1: we decided to stick around and explore Memphis. We went 426 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 1: to the Lorraine Hotel where doctor Martin Luther King was killed. 427 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: We toured the museum and were so inspired by his life. 428 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: I left there a little broader. Our son, Jonathan, loves guitars. 429 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,640 Speaker 1: There's a famous guitar factory in Memphis. We took an 430 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: hour and took the tour to see how they made guitars. 431 00:24:47,680 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 1: I'll probably never play a guitar, but my life got 432 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:52,920 Speaker 1: a little bit fuller. On the way to the airport, 433 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: we stopped by Graceland, where Elvis lived and saw all 434 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:01,199 Speaker 1: of his accomplishments. And how he impacted our just a 435 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 1: few hours that morning, and my vision was expanded. If 436 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: you're going to live a rich, rewarding, full life, you 437 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: have to take steps to broaden yourself. You can't keep 438 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: prejudging things and think, oh, I'm not gonna like that. 439 00:25:15,119 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 1: Even with the guitar factory, my first thought was this 440 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:20,800 Speaker 1: is gonna be boring. I'll just endure it. But actually 441 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:24,440 Speaker 1: it was very fascinating. And some of you may be 442 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:29,040 Speaker 1: missing the best part of your life because you prejudged 443 00:25:29,119 --> 00:25:33,399 Speaker 1: someone or something and you've already decided you're not going 444 00:25:33,480 --> 00:25:36,160 Speaker 1: to like them. That's not for you. No use even 445 00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 1: trying now, that's a narrow way to live. Or remember 446 00:25:39,960 --> 00:25:42,280 Speaker 1: how my brother in law, Jim, tried to get my 447 00:25:42,359 --> 00:25:45,280 Speaker 1: sister Tamra to go out on a date for months 448 00:25:45,320 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 1: and months they were in college together, but Tambra wasn't interested. 449 00:25:49,119 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 1: She had told us how Jim wasn't right for her. 450 00:25:52,240 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 1: He was to this, to that they didn't have anything 451 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:58,120 Speaker 1: in common for the longest time. She said no, but 452 00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:00,800 Speaker 1: how can you really know someone if you've never spent 453 00:26:00,880 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: time with him. She didn't give him a chance. She 454 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:06,879 Speaker 1: had prejudged him, but Jim was very persistent. He kept 455 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,040 Speaker 1: calling and calling. Finally, one day Tamers said, all right, Jim, 456 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: I'll go on this one day with you. That night, 457 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 1: Tamra saw a different side of Jim. He was kind, caring, generous, 458 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 1: fun funny, kind of like me today. Over twenty years 459 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,320 Speaker 1: and four children later, Tamar and Jim are as happy 460 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:31,159 Speaker 1: as can be. Don't prejudge something just because someone's different 461 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:35,040 Speaker 1: than you. Stay open. Maybe you can learn from them, 462 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:38,359 Speaker 1: maybe they'll help broaden you, make your life fuller. I 463 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:41,760 Speaker 1: want to give you an assignment this week. Do something 464 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 1: out of your normal routine. Make friends with someone that's 465 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: not just like you. Drive a new way home from work, 466 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 1: or instead of sitting home watching TV each night, take 467 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:55,480 Speaker 1: a walk in the park, go up to the bookstore 468 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 1: and research that hobby that you're interested in. Friends, the 469 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:02,399 Speaker 1: life God's design for you is bigger than your community, 470 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: bigger than your culture, bigger than your race, bigger than 471 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:09,439 Speaker 1: your profession. Look around this week. Are there things in 472 00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:12,760 Speaker 1: your life that you're not taking advantage of? A beautiful park, 473 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 1: a museum, a lake wood you've never visited, a friend 474 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:19,200 Speaker 1: you've never got to know, or a pond that you've 475 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 1: never thrown rocks in. Break out of your box and 476 00:27:22,720 --> 00:27:26,359 Speaker 1: explore something different. There's a full world that God wants 477 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:29,800 Speaker 1: you to enjoy. The more exposure we have, the more 478 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:32,160 Speaker 1: well rounded we're going to be. And if you'll get 479 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:35,480 Speaker 1: out of a narrow box and broaden your life, you'll 480 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: begin to grow in new ways. You'll make better decisions, 481 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,959 Speaker 1: and I believe you'll live the rich, rewarding, full life 482 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,720 Speaker 1: that God has in store. Amen, do you receive it today? 483 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:50,119 Speaker 1: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 484 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:53,080 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 485 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,200 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say it, Lord Jesus, 486 00:27:57,440 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. I'm into my heart. I 487 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 488 00:28:05,960 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 1: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 489 00:28:08,800 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 1: in a good Bible based church. Keep God in first place. 490 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:14,399 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 491 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 3: What if every plan you set, every habit you formed, 492 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:24,120 Speaker 3: and every decision you made became a pathway to see 493 00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:26,800 Speaker 3: God move in your life. 494 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams things were believing for 495 00:28:30,280 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 1: When you start the year in faith expecting God's goodness. 496 00:28:33,840 --> 00:28:36,399 Speaker 1: You are setting the tone for a blessed new year, 497 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 1: and we'd love to send you our twenty twenty six 498 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 1: Faith for the Day Planner. You can write down your 499 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 1: dreams and goals and plus use it for your everyday 500 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 1: activities and reminders. 501 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:49,600 Speaker 2: It's important to feed your faith on a daily basis. 502 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:52,760 Speaker 2: This planner it's not just a calendar. It's filled with 503 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 2: scriptures and inspiration to help you stay encouraged and keep 504 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 2: believing for what God has put. 505 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:00,720 Speaker 1: In your heart. Twenty twenty six is your year to 506 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:03,600 Speaker 1: see the goodness of God in greater ways, let go 507 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:05,800 Speaker 1: of what didn't work out, and get ready for the 508 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:07,600 Speaker 1: new things God has in store. 509 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,920 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 510 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 3: of any amount this month, we would like to send 511 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:16,120 Speaker 3: you a copy of the twenty twenty six Faith for 512 00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 3: Today Planner. Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement, 513 00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 3: a guiding scripture to stand on, room to write your goals, prayers, 514 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:29,480 Speaker 3: and vision space for faith steps. Because faith isn't. 515 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:30,640 Speaker 1: Passive, it's active. 516 00:29:31,040 --> 00:29:34,400 Speaker 3: A monthly QR code linking to a message or video 517 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:37,800 Speaker 3: to keep your spirit lifted with a twenty twenty six 518 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 3: Faith for Today Planner You'll be reminded that living by 519 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:44,840 Speaker 3: faith makes room for God to do what only He 520 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:49,200 Speaker 3: can do. Break through in your business, God's healing touch. 521 00:29:49,720 --> 00:29:53,400 Speaker 3: Loved ones returning to faith. Request your copy of the 522 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:56,640 Speaker 3: planner and step into the new year with bold faith, 523 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 3: fresh hope, and daily encouragement. To strengthen your spirit and 524 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:03,240 Speaker 3: face every challenge with confidence. 525 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:07,000 Speaker 1: No matter what's happening around you, faith can rise up 526 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 1: in you. Keep believing and expecting a blessed twenty twenty 527 00:30:10,760 --> 00:30:13,640 Speaker 1: six Victoria and I pray for you and your family 528 00:30:13,760 --> 00:30:17,160 Speaker 1: every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. 529 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:21,120 Speaker 1: Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we 530 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:24,320 Speaker 1: finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special 531 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:27,880 Speaker 1: year in gift to help keep the ministry strong. We 532 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,680 Speaker 1: so appreciate all the Champion of Hope partners for your 533 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:34,040 Speaker 1: monthly support. We wish you and your family a very 534 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:37,000 Speaker 1: merry Christmas. Until we see you next time, May the 535 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 1: Lord bless you and keep you. 536 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 537 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 3: six Faith for Today Planner. Visit Joelostein dot com or 538 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:49,840 Speaker 3: call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for a 539 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 3: special year end Gift. This month, we are also offering 540 00:30:53,280 --> 00:30:57,360 Speaker 3: the Faith to Share Bundle, Keep One, Give One, Give 541 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:01,240 Speaker 3: the gift of faith, focus and fresh hope for someone 542 00:31:01,320 --> 00:31:04,920 Speaker 3: special in your life. You can also request the God's 543 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 3: Word Work Study Collection. This empowering collection includes the NIV, 544 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:14,920 Speaker 3: the Message, Parallel Bible, a beautifully crafted leather bookmark in ten, 545 00:31:15,280 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 3: and how to Read your Bible and Enjoy It, along 546 00:31:18,200 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 3: with two planners. You can request these inspiring resources by 547 00:31:22,320 --> 00:31:25,959 Speaker 3: calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 548 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:30,280 Speaker 3: on to Joelostein dot com today call or click anytime 549 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 3: twenty four hours a day, stay organized, encouraged, and full 550 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:58,280 Speaker 3: of faith all year long. Request these resources today