Joy Amid the Absurdity

Transcript

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Today on Renewed Mindsets, I'm going to jump into something that might sound a little unusual, but I believe it's incredibly relevant.

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Today's National Absurdity Day Now, when we think about absurdity, we usually picture things that just don't make sense, head-scratching moments in life, and sure life is filled with them.

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But these days, oh my gosh, absurdity has been taken to the next level.

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We're going to talk about the strange and absurd choices that we're seeing all over the place today, online and in our personal lives as a society.

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How do you describe it?

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So absurd, so absurd, so absurd.

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Hey, welcome to Renewed Mindsets, where we study the basics of the faith through the lens of our middle-aged experiences.

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I'm Rick.

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Welcome to the show where I help you, gen Xers and Millennials, navigate spiritually through a world that looks nothing like we expected back, when cars were square and bullets were totally awesome.

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I am so glad you're here.

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I'm just going to say it.

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Society has lost its freaking mind.

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I got to sit here and laugh.

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You got to laugh at some of the absurdities that are out there, but we've also got to talk about the serious consequences, the consequences of forgetting God, because most of the things that we're seeing, most of the things that you know that I'm talking about.

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The people have lost their way and they're living without God.

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Culture has lost its way.

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There's a lot to talk about.

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Let's get going when we talk about finding meaning.

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People are looking in every possible direction.

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It's more obvious now than ever.

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People are struggling to find purpose.

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You could see it in the news, you could see it on social media posts.

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You can see it just talking with people.

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Anxiety and depression and stress are at all-time highs.

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People are looking for answers, and the answers that they're coming up with are there's multiple genders, there's multiple um, there's there, there.

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There's multiple sex as a construct.

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Listen, I'm even stuttering because it's so.

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Some of this stuff is so stupid.

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It's like we had a bunch, we had a group of people that were talking and completely serious, saying that the sky is green and they all believed it, and then you've got a whole generation of people that are looking at them like they're nuts and we're being told that we're the ones that there's something wrong with.

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Think about these influencers on social media.

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They're just chasing success.

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They're spending hours curating the perfect lifestyle.

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They're spending hours curating the perfect lifestyle, only to admit in interviews or in posts that they feel empty inside.

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It's absurd that in a world filled with so much, people are still left longing.

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I want to read a verse from Ecclesiastes.

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King Solomon, that man had everything he was wealthy, he was wise, he had all the pleasures of life at his fingertips.

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But here's what he said in Ecclesiastes 1, verse 2.

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I'm going to read this from the New Living Translation Y'all ready.

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Everything is meaningless, completely meaningless.

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Solomon realized that without God, everything else is just chasing the wind.

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So living without God, ignoring the one who gives us purpose and meaning, that's the definition of absurdity.

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It's like standing in front of an ocean but insisting that it's only a puddle.

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When we ignore God, we reduce life to a series of disconnected, random events, instead of seeing the beautiful and purposeful creation that it is Now.

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This brings me to my next point the cultural absurdities that we see around us.

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Oh my gosh, how long do we have?

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Right now?

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We're living in a time where moral standards are changing every day.

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Some things that would have been unimaginable a few decades ago are celebrated now, and yet here we are.

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The more we change and redefine truth, the more chaotic life gets Right.

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Look at how society approaches identity.

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The world is telling us that we can define ourselves, however we want, completely independent of any external guidance.

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And while I don't want to focus too much on individual choices, I do want to point out that, in a broader sense, this mentality has created confusion.

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Let's look at some of the current events.

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For example, this year alone, we've seen debates about identity, about boundaries of gender and sexuality.

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We've seen issues about what constitutes basic truth.

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Schools are revising curriculum standards and even fundamental biological concepts are being questioned because people have decided that their feelings are more important than truth.

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In a lot of places, even the idea of personal responsibilities become subjective.

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And all the while, while these changes are happening, there's been an increase in confusion and a decrease in well-being, especially among young people.

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Studies are showing the skyrocketing rates of mental health issues among teenagers.

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Now, most of them, many of them say they feel disconnected from reality.

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And here's the absurdity we keep doubling down on the same methods that are causing harm, all while pushing God and his truths further out of the picture.

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God's word is clear about who we are and it provides stability and guidance.

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That's been proven for centuries.

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Psalm 139, 13, and 14 says For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb.

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I praise you because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made.

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Your works are wonderful.

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I know that full well.

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God knows who we are and he has a purpose for each of us.

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Now, when we reject this truth, we're left with nothing solid to stand on.

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The world tells us to find our truth, or to live your truth but apart from God, or to live your truth but apart from God.

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All we're doing is living out opinions and feelings, and that's dangerous.

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That's an unstable way to live.

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It's as if society is standing on sand that's shifting and when the storms come, there's nothing to hold on to.

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Now, in the midst of all this uncertainty, we got to have something that's rock solid, and that's the Bible.

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Now I know a lot of people are going to say well, the Bible is old-fashioned or it doesn't fit with modern views.

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Well, here's the thing God's Word doesn't need to change because it's already perfect, it's timeless, and that's what gives it its power.

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I was reading recently, and I came across, an article where the writer was discussing the latest self-help trends.

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They were trying to solve this deep existential problem with surface-level advice.

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It's like trying to patch a sinking ship with a Band-Aid.

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Meanwhile, the Bible has answers that go straight to the heart.

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Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 says Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

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In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight.

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Understanding In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your path straight.

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When we lean on God, we have stability and clarity and peace, regardless of what the world is saying.

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I'll give you another example Budgeting financial security.

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Now, with the economy going to the toilet, people are struggling, but the Bible has clear teachings on stewardship and generosity and contentment, and if we follow these principles, we can have peace, even in uncertain times.

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Isn't it absurd to ignore that kind of wisdom because we think we know better Now?

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While the world tells us to find peace in success and wealth and influence, god tells us to find peace in him, and that's why his word is so valuable.

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It's a roadmap that doesn't lead us astray.

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When we choose to live according to God's word, we're no longer slaves to every new idea or trend yeah.

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Instead, we're rooted in something that's unchanging, something that's solid.

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I want to leave you with a challenge Look around at the world.

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Look at what's happening in your own life and in our culture.

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Do you see the absurdity in trying to find peace and joy and purpose without God?

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Does it make sense to ignore the one who created us, who knows us better than we know ourselves?

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Like I said earlier, today is National Absurdity Day.

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Let's laugh a little bit at the things that are funny and odd, but let's also take a moment to reflect on the more serious absurdities we sometimes overlook the absurdity of ignoring God, of thinking we know better than Him and of trying to build our lives without His guidance.

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If you're somebody who's felt the frustration of chasing after things that don't satisfy, I invite you to turn to God.

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He offers us something that nobody else can a love that fills us, a purpose that fulfills us and a peace that's unshakable.

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Remember, the world is constantly changing.

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There's a solid foundation waiting for you in God.

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So let's go back to that verse in Proverbs, chapter 3, verses 5 and 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.

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In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your path.

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Now I remember a time in my life when I faced a big, significant decision.

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It was one of those situations where you're torn, you don't know which path to take, and every possible option seemed risky or uncertain.

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And I kept thinking if I only had more information I could make a better decision.

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Now, my tendency is to lean on my understanding, to make pros and cons lists, to analyze everything from every angle, hoping that somehow I'd uncover the perfect answer.

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But in the midst of my analyzing, I felt God gently remind me of this verse trust in the Lord with all your heart.

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And that's when I realized I've been relying on myself and my limited understanding, as if I could somehow see a bigger picture on my own.

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If I could somehow see a bigger picture on my own.

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Proverbs 3, verses 5 and 6 isn't just about everyday choices.

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It's about surrendering total control to God, trusting that His understanding far exceeds ours.

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Now I want you to think about a time in your life when you were caught in uncertainty or when you wanted to control the outcome.

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How did it feel to try and handle everything on your own?

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The truth is, as human beings, we don't always understand what's best for us, and that's what makes these verses foundational they remind us that we're not supposed to have all the answers or to see the entire plan.

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We're simply called to trust, to have faith that God's wisdom will guide us, even when we can't see what's ahead Now the phrase with all your heart.

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That's profound.

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It's a call to give everything over to God.

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This is about trusting him with every aspect of your life, not just the big, scary decisions, but also the little everyday moments.

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I remember when a buddy of mine one time shared that every morning he pauses before he gets out of bed and says Lord, I'm going to trust you with my day.

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He taught me that it's the small, simple acts of surrender that train our hearts to trust.

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Now I find myself doing the same thing, just reminding myself each morning that my day is in God's hands.

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And maybe you've got your own morning routine.

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Imagine adding just one extra step to it, just pausing for a second and saying Lord, today I trust you with everything.

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It's simple, but it shifts your focus back to God.

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Now the next part of that verse warns us do not lean on your own understanding.

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Verse warns us do not lean on your own understanding.

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And if I'm being honest, or if you're being honest, how often do you try to figure things out on your own?

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We might even feel like we have all the answers, but our understanding is so limited.

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Now, one time I was working on a project at work and I kept hitting roadblocks.

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Nothing was going as planned and I was frustrated because I thought I knew the best way forward.

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But after trying to force things my way for a while, I finally took a step back and I prayed, asking God for wisdom.

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Now, looking back, I can see how God used that situation to teach me patience and reliance in him, and it reminded me that my understanding isn't always the best.

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But God's perspective is infinite.

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He sees things that I can't.

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He knows things that I can't.

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He knows things that I don't.

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He works in ways that I may never fully understand.

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So think about your own life.

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Is there an area where you've been leaning on your own understanding, trying to make things happen in your strength?

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No, what would it look like to let go of that burden, even just for one day, and trust God to lead you?

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It's a powerful reminder that we don't have to carry the weight of figuring everything out.

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God wants you to lean on his wisdom instead.

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Now that verse goes on to say in all your ways, acknowledge him, not just in some ways, not just on Sundays or when things get tough, but in all our ways.

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This is about inviting God into every area of your life your work, your relationships, your decisions, even your downtime, yeah, even your playtime.

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I've noticed that the more I acknowledge God throughout the day, the more peace I feel Now.

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There was a time when I would only turn to God when things were falling apart, but as I've practiced inviting him into every moment, I found a steadier sense of his presence and now I try to acknowledge him in the little things.

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I was sick a few weeks ago and I've caught myself just thinking about it, laying in bed, really wishing for death.

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It was bad, but you know what I did.

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I laid there and said praise you, father, bless you in the name of Jesus.

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I am breathing and I praised him through the pain.

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Yeah, I'm not patting myself on the back, but you know what.

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I got through that sickness and I'm fine.

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Sometimes you just got to take a moment to pray.

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Sometimes, before you make a phone call or before you start a project, take a moment to pray, to praise him.

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Even in a little, seemingly small act, you'll find God's guidance and peace and a lot of times things are going to work out better than you could have planned.

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Now, what would it look like to acknowledge God in every area of your life?

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It's probably, and it is just as simple as saying thank you, lord, in a moment of joy or asking for wisdom when a challenge arises.

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As you grow in, this, practice become second nature to turn to God Now.

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The final part of that verse is a promise he will make straight your paths.

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God promises to direct us, and this doesn't mean our path is going to be free from obstacles I'm telling you that but it does mean that he will lead us through them in ways that are ultimately good for us.

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I read a story one time about a missionary who was called to serve in a country where Christians were persecuted.

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About a missionary who was called to serve in a country where Christians were persecuted.

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Despite the risks, he trusted God was leading him there.

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Over the years he faced many challenges, but all through it, god provided.

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In unexpected ways, he opened doors that he could never plan for on his own.

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His story reminds me that God's path may not always be easy, but it's going to be right, and when we trust in God, we can be assured that he'll guide us.

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It just might not always look the way we expect it or want it, but we can be confident that it's going to be a good lead, right.

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Maybe you're facing a situation right now that seems uncertain.

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Just remember that God's promise is real.

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He's going to make straight your paths.

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Pray with me, father.

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God, we come before you today with our open hearts.

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Help us to trust you with every part of our lives.

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Remind us, god, that we don't have to understand everything.

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Lord, teach us to rely on your wisdom, which is so much greater than ours.

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Help us to acknowledge you in everything that we do, to invite you into every part of our lives.

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Lead us, father, on the right path, even when it's hard, or even when we can't see what's ahead.

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Even when it's hard, or even when we can't see what's ahead, father God, we trust you and that your way is good.

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Thank you for the security of your promises and thank you for being worthy of all our trust.

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In Jesus' precious name, we pray Amen.

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As you go on through the rest of your day, let's hold on to these words.

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Trust God with all your heart.

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Let's hold on to these words.

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Trust God with all your heart.

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Don't lean on your own understanding.

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Acknowledge him in everything and know that he will guide you.

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Remember, the path may not always be smooth, but it's always going to lead to good, because he's the one that's directing it.

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Well, that's all for this week's show.

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You know, the name of this show speaks my hope for you.

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It's taken from the words of Romans, chapter 12, verse 2.

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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that, by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

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If you enjoyed what you heard, do me a favor, please, and tell someone you know about it.

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Send them a link in a text you know.

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If it was valuable to you, it will be to them.

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Visit renewedmindsetscom to hear past episodes, read the blog and check out the new merch.

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I just might play it on a future episode.

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Until next week, I'm Rick.

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I love you.

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See ya.

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Are you ready to go See ya?

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The intro and outro music for the Renewed Mindsets podcast is Are you Ready?

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By Floodgate From the album Are you Ready?

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Copyright 2002, offbeat Ministries Incorporated.

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Floodgate can be found on Apple Music and iTunes Music used with permission.

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In February, a nudist colony in Pasco County got upset because the post office refused to deliver mail inside their community.

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However, the post office said the colony made them feel uncomfortable.

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Usps sided with their employee.

Joy Amid the Absurdity

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