Date:
September 10-14, 2015Hard Paths Have Great Rewards
Rhome shares how things unfolded at the birth of his second daughter, when they learned she has Down Syndrome. He describes what she's like now, as a 21-month-old gift from God.
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Imprisoned and Forgotten
The pain of unjust suffering—one of the most severe trials we can experience—tests our faith like nothing else. In our world today, we can’t escape it. As difficult as injustice is to endure, the greater challenge is facing it with an attitude that preserves faith. For the most part, we can’t control what happens to us today or tomorrow, whether fair or foul. But we can choose our attitude.
Know That God Is Here Now
We never know when our present trials will finally be over. Rhome and Chuck urge us not to put our hope in any specific timing but to rest in God's presence in the midst of the shadows.
Moving Past Anger
It took time for Rhome to work through his anger toward his father. But he knew he didn't want to be angry his whole life, and he also saw God's faithfulness working in his and his mom's life.
An Attitude of Genuine Thanksgiving
Are the attitudes of unselfish humility, joyful acceptance, strong determination, and genuine thanksgiving evident in the way you respond to circumstances? Maybe it's time to make some changes.
Fear of Moving Forward
As Rhome had to deal with caring for his mother, while also a full-time seminary student, he learned he had to discard his own plans for his life. But he was tempted to take the safer route.
Resisting Temptation
When it comes to temptation, our culture offers very little motivation to resist it. More often than not, we hear the voices yelling, “Give in! You deserve to be happy!” Truly, yielding to temptation is much easier than resisting it. Joseph provides a sterling example of one who could have cuddled lust and enjoyed its warm embrace but instead chose to resist its persistent, alluring offer in favour of righteousness.
Can I Choose Another Path?
When Rhome had to face his parents' divorce over adultery, he struggled with all kinds of emotions and fears over his own future choices, even while choosing ministry over business.
When Role Models Fail You
Rhome opens up about his own family turmoil as he was growing up and how it's possible to look successful while things are falling apart. Success can help us hide from our own sin.
Looking Up, Not Out
Most people who are betrayed and abandoned struggle with anger, bitterness, and rebellion. But we see no signs of that in Joseph's reactions. He never completely lost his faith in God working.
