Lost in Faith

John Ortberg’s thoughts click here

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Jonah ran from you God. He went in completely the opposite direction than you wanted him to. And, that resulted in chaos (the storm), confusion (sinking down and down in the water–almost drowning) and darkness (inside the fish).
How often do I do exactly the same thing? Way too often. And, if I look deeply into [...]

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June 22/23
Flights to DC and Dakar uneventful but surprised to stop in Dakar, Senegal on the way to South Africa. Not being used to stopping threw me off so I fell asleep on the next leg to Johannsberg (Jo’berg). World Cup 2010 is in full bloom in SA. Airport construction finished and [...]

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Jonah was upset that his reputation (his image) would be hurt because what he had predicted would happen to Nineveh (destruction) wasn’t going to happen because of God’s mercy and forgiveness. A prophet, who often heard from God, was going to be WRONG. And yet, Jonah knew God well enough to know He is a [...]

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Jonah 1:7 Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
Crusty old sailors seeking God and the only way they knew how to do it was cast lots, basically roll the dice. Not [...]

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Jonah4:6 Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.
Father this picture you [...]

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Jonah 3:5 The Ninevites believed God.
Who would have guessed that the Ninevites would have believed God? They were the least likely to be receptive to the truth. Nineveh was city possessed with power, wealth and all the vices accompanied by a large urban center. It would be like going to downtown New [...]

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Jonah2:10 Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.
This prayer is pretty deep anguish from a man who came as close to death as anyone could. But it is funny that the chapter ends so emotionless, “Then God spoke.” It feels like all the drama was [...]

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1. What is the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned over the past year?
Information isn’t like a virus, it sits and doesn’t spread. Just because I cast vision for the mission or its components last year doesn’t mean I don’t have to do it again this year. Even though it is hard to say [...]

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Jonah 1:9 He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”
Somehow I get the feeling that Jonah is using the word “worship” in a ritualistic sense. He just ran from God after being given a direct command to go to [...]

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