Run With Horses

Cheerless Holiday? Part 1

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Today we consider how we can be a little more intentional about making progress in our life by clarifying our purpose and priorities.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on the solid Rock. Keep your eyes on the prize and keep making steps forward on your spiritual journey.
 
December is here! And along with thoughts of Christmas, family gatherings, Christmas programs, brief thoughts about the real meaning behind all of this and daily life that keeps intruding; there is a glimmer in the back of your ind that says another year is almost gone, another one is about to start.
 
Any traditions for us?
 
What comes to mind when you think about holidays, Christmas, ending one year and going into the next, Susan?
 
Did you know that many people are depressed during this time?
 
****
Resources
https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/new-years-depression-yes-its-real-heres-what-you-can-do/
It’s a well-known and researched fact that the holiday season worsens or triggers mental health symptoms in many people. If you already have depression, this time of year can make it worse.
The entire season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, causes stress, anxiety, and depression for many reasons:
Stress is a major component of holiday blues. The stress associated with buying gifts, making big dinners, and attending parties can become overwhelming.
High expectations also trigger bad feelings, especially if you can’t meet them.
Finances cause a great deal of anxiety this time of year, particularly when coupled with the expectations of gift buying.
Some people end up isolated during the holidays, which can trigger depression.
Grief is often amplified at the holidays, especially if you have lost a close loved one.
The colder weather and shorter days may trigger seasonal depression.
All of these issues, and more, apply to New Year’s depression as well, but there’s more to this phenomenon. Loneliness and isolation are major factors.
Another issue that differs from the rest of the holiday season is the focus on reflection. Many people look over the past year and see a lot of disappointments. This is especially a problem if you tend to compare your own achievements with those of others.
****
The holidays can be a real struggle for many, but they are also an opportunity.
 
We will take a quick break and be back with some thoughts about how to avoid the holiday blues and maybe help someone else along the way.
 
*** PART 2 ***
 
We are talking about the very real issue of holiday depression. Particularly I want to focus on the isolation and loneliness issue but first we can touch on the stress caused by expectations and the feeling of being overwhelmed that so many face. How do you handle it, Susan?
 
The more people who are involved the lower you need to put your personal expectations of meeting your dreams for any activity. Be flexible.
 
Be realistic. Lots of people mean lots of opinions.
 
Ask for help if you are in charge of being dinners or events! Don’t be stubborn! There is no reward for working yourself to death during the holidays.
 
What about the deeper issues? Loneliness and isolation are real issues for a lot of people.
 
***
Resources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
What are the benefits of friendships?
Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also:
Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
Improve your self-confidence and self-worth
Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one
Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise
Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). In fact, studies have found that older adults who have meaningful relationships and social support are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections
***
Accept invitations! Go to dinner with people you don’t know well, that changes over time. Invite people into your life. Coffee, lunch, dinner, or a walk in the park!
 
Look for community events and take part.
 
Be available. Be Kind. Be a good listener.
 
Romans 12: 9-13 – 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
 
1Peter 4:8-11 – 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
 
People are always busy. Maybe even more so during the holiday season. If you can slow down and be available for people around you, you may be just the spark of light that someone else needs to keep going. Join me this year and let’s try to show radical love to those around us! Who knows what conversations and friendships, might result from our efforts.
 
Thanks for Joining me today! What are you doing to reach out during the holiday season? Let me know! And If you have questions or comment about today’s show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
Until next time, keep running!

Bible Meditation

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Today Susan joins me for a discussion of biblical meditation and bible memorization, to important parts of our daily spiritual life.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. There are lots of moving parts to the journey but our foundation is built on God's Word. How are we doing at daily engaging in it?
 
Confession time. I struggle with memorization. Particularly with remembering the references. It takes a lot of work to get them and then I forget them easily if I don’t constantly review them.
 
But we aren’t starting with memorization! Let’s begin by considering what it means to meditate on God’s Word.
 
First a definition. From Merriam-webster's dictionary; to meditate - to focus one's thoughts on : reflect on or ponder over. This is the definition and style of meditation that we are talking about. not meditation as a mental exercise that focuses on your breathing or a mantra in hopes of achieving some kind of spiritual breakthrough.
 
First, Why?
Psalm 1:1-3 – 1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
 
Psalm 63:3-8 – 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.
 
Colo. 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
 
Second, How?
Journaling
Considering the words, their meaning and their relationship to each other. (Mrs. Gutwein)
Asking questions meant to help you draw out the intent and application of the passage.
Understanding the Bible:
1. What do we learn about God?
2. What do we learn about people?
3. What do we learn about relating to God?
4. What do we learn about relating to others?
 
Applying the Bible:
1. What does God want me to understand?
2. What does God want me to believe?
3. What does God want me to desire?
4. What does God want me to do?
(taken from - The Simple Questions to Ask Every Time You Open Your Bible
JUSTIN TAYLOR, JUNE 19, 2017 -https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/the-simple-questions-to-ask-every-time-you-open-your-bible/)

Bible Memorization

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Today Susan joins me for a discussion of biblical meditation and bible memorization, to important parts of our daily spiritual life.
 
First Why?
 
Psalm 119:9-16 – 9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
 
 
Second, How?
1.To keep track of the verses you are learning:
Verselocker app - https://scripturememory.com/verselocker/app/index.php
 
Index cards
 
2.How to learn them.
Verselocker has different ways, quiz yourself through, removing words, showing only the first letter in each word, etc.
 
Write them out. Good for those verses you find difficult.
Repeat, say them out loud.
 
Have a card available while doing a mindless task. Running, walking, etc.
 
Thanks for Joining me today! How are you doing at meditating on Scripture and memorizing those key verses that are so helpful to have stored away? Let me know! And If you have questions or comment about today’ss show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
Until next time, keep running!
 

Pastor Nick Spencer Part 2

23_11_18_sat -Ep.277 and 278 -Run With Horses Podcast
 
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Today I talk to Nick Spencer of Grace Fellowship Church in Rockwell City, Iowa.
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
 

Pastor Nick Spencer

23_11_18_sat -Ep.277 and 278 -Run With Horses Podcast
 
Podcast: rwh.podbean.com
Website: www.runwithhorses.net
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast
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Today I talk to Nick Spencer of Grace Fellowship Church in Rockwell City, Iowa.
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
 

Where are you Now? Part 2 - Ep. 276

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Today I go through Seven area of life that are worth evaluating on a regular basis if you are serious about consistent spiritual growth.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. We all need to spend some time prayerfully considering how we are doing at following Jesus. We all struggle and we all fail. But we can also all keep getting up and keep relying on God to lead us and finish His work of sanctification. God does His part, are you willing to do your part?
 
I don’t know about you but I am often a little overwhelmed by the great need for change that I see in my own life. It seems that I take a few baby steps only to find myself right back where I started!
The great news is that God’s work in our lives doesn’t depend on us and our ability to be obedient or successful in any way. He is more than capable of working in and through our mistakes to make us what He intends.
 
Having said that, we should want to grow and be pursuing Jesus with all of our energy. This is the challenge of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15 - Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
 
So what are some area to be evaluating?
 
Prayer Life
Learning to rely on God in everything! We are so quick to try our own way.
 
Bible Time
God’s Word is the foundation. How do you know Him? How do you learn how to live? How is your world-view shaped?
 
Outreach
We are invited to be on mission with Jesus. The ministry of reconciliation is worth the effort. 15:1 to over 100:1 – let’s change the conversation!
 
Take a minute to think through your life. Grab a piece of paper and make some notes on where you are and how you could do better. Invite a friend to meet and discuss the details of what it means to be pursuing God in these areas. We have a short break and then I will be back with the second part of our personal spiritual life evaluation!
 
***
Did you have any brainstorms as you think through your spiritual life? Is it more involved than you thought or maybe a little more approachable when you break it into the different components?
 
Discipleship of Believers
Living out the “one another’s” of the NT.
Using your gifts. You do know what your gifts are don’t you? Spending real quality time with your church family.
The goal is to help, encourage and walk beside others as they pursue Jesus.
 
Time Management
Daily, Weekly, Yearly, Your whole life!
Do you need a schedule? A priority list? How are you doing in putting the most important things into your life?
 
Exercise
Your body is the temple of the living God! Do you treat it like that? This is basically a stewardship issue. You were given a certain level of health and physical potential to use in God’s service. How have you taken care of it and used it?
 
Personal Spiritual Growth
What else do you do that contributes to your spiritual life? Church family involvement, humble service to others, practicing the spiritual disciplines?
What do you do and what could you do better?
Remember the desire is to pursue godliness, righteousness and holiness. What would make that easier in your life? How can you include others in the journey?
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.

Where are you Now? Part 1 -Ep.275

Podcast: rwh.podbean.com
Website: www.runwithhorses.net
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Today I go through Seven area of life that are worth evaluating on a regular basis if you are serious about consistent spiritual growth.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. We all need to spend some time prayerfully considering how we are doing at following Jesus. We all struggle and we all fail. But we can also all keep getting up and keep relying on God to lead us and finish His work of sanctification. God does His part, are you willing to do your part?
 
I don’t know about you but I am often a little overwhelmed by the great need for change that I see in my own life. It seems that I take a few baby steps only to find myself right back where I started!
The great news is that God’s work in our lives doesn’t depend on us and our ability to be obedient or successful in any way. He is more than capable of working in and through our mistakes to make us what He intends.
 
Having said that, we should want to grow and be pursuing Jesus with all of our energy. This is the challenge of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15 - Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
 
So what are some area to be evaluating?
 
Prayer Life
Learning to rely on God in everything! We are so quick to try our own way.
 
Bible Time
God’s Word is the foundation. How do you know Him? How do you learn how to live? How is your world-view shaped?
 
Outreach
We are invited to be on mission with Jesus. The ministry of reconciliation is worth the effort. 15:1 to over 100:1 – let’s change the conversation!
 
Take a minute to think through your life. Grab a piece of paper and make some notes on where you are and how you could do better. Invite a friend to meet and discuss the details of what it means to be pursuing God in these areas. We have a short break and then I will be back with the second part of our personal spiritual life evaluation!
 
***
Did you have any brainstorms as you think through your spiritual life? Is it more involved than you thought or maybe a little more approachable when you break it into the different components?
 
Discipleship of Believers
Living out the “one another’s” of the NT.
Using your gifts. You do know what your gifts are don’t you? Spending real quality time with your church family.
The goal is to help, encourage and walk beside others as they pursue Jesus.
 
Time Management
Daily, Weekly, Yearly, Your whole life!
Do you need a schedule? A priority list? How are you doing in putting the most important things into your life?
 
Exercise
Your body is the temple of the living God! Do you treat it like that? This is basically a stewardship issue. You were given a certain level of health and physical potential to use in God’s service. How have you taken care of it and used it?
 
Personal Spiritual Growth
What else do you do that contributes to your spiritual life? Church family involvement, humble service to others, practicing the spiritual disciplines?
What do you do and what could you do better?
Remember the desire is to pursue godliness, righteousness and holiness. What would make that easier in your life? How can you include others in the journey?
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.

Dr. Mark Lounsbrough Part 2

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Today I interview Dr. Mark Lounsbrough, Missions Professor at Faith Baptist Bible College.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. God has a big plan for you. You were created to glorify Him and to build up His church. For some of us that means a trip through bible college or seminary. I hope you enjoy my talk with Dr. Lounsbrough today.
 
 
 
Dr. Mark Lounsbrough
Education
B.A., Faith Baptist Bible College
M.A., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
M.Div., Northwest Baptist Seminary
D.Min., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
 
Experience
-Baptist Mid-Missions Missionary to Brazil from 1989-2008
-Bible professor at the Cariri Baptist Seminary in Crato, Ceará, Brazil from 1991-2008
-Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Crato, Ceará, Brazil from 1994-2004
-Director of 100-voice choir from the Cariri Valley churches from 2001- 2006
-President of the Baptist Mid-Missions Northeast Region for several terms
 
Present Ministry
-Chair, World Missions Department
-Associate Professor, Faith Baptist Bible College
-Arriba and Faith Abroad Coordinator for FBBC
-Global Reach Connect, Conference and Encounter Coordinator for FBBC
 
For more info check out https://faith.edu/
 
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
I don’t say it often but if you are benefitting from what I am doing leave a review and share the show with a friend. My goal is to help others grow by sharing the lessons I have learned and the resources that have helped me, including relationships and conversations like the one today with Dr. Lounsbrough.
 
What are some lessons you have learned that you can share with those around you? Remember that we are in this together and Keep Running!

Dr. Mark Lounsbrough - Missions Professor at FBBC - Part 1

Podcast: rwh.podbean.com
Website: www.runwithhorses.net
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast
 
Today I interview Dr. Mark Lounsbrough, Missions Professor at Faith Baptist Bible College.
 
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. God has a big plan for you. You were created to glorify Him and to build up His church. For some of us that means a trip through bible college or seminary. I hope you enjoy my talk with Dr. Lounsbrough today.
 
 
 
Dr. Mark Lounsbrough
Education
B.A., Faith Baptist Bible College
M.A., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
M.Div., Northwest Baptist Seminary
D.Min., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
 
Experience
-Baptist Mid-Missions Missionary to Brazil from 1989-2008
-Bible professor at the Cariri Baptist Seminary in Crato, Ceará, Brazil from 1991-2008
-Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Crato, Ceará, Brazil from 1994-2004
-Director of 100-voice choir from the Cariri Valley churches from 2001- 2006
-President of the Baptist Mid-Missions Northeast Region for several terms
 
Present Ministry
-Chair, World Missions Department
-Associate Professor, Faith Baptist Bible College
-Arriba and Faith Abroad Coordinator for FBBC
-Global Reach Connect, Conference and Encounter Coordinator for FBBC
 
For more info check out https://faith.edu/
 
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
I don’t say it often but if you are benefitting from what I am doing leave a review and share the show with a friend. My goal is to help others grow by sharing the lessons I have learned and the resources that have helped me, including relationships and conversations like the one today with Dr. Lounsbrough.
 
What are some lessons you have learned that you can share with those around you? Remember that we are in this together and Keep Running!

How’s Your Vision? Plus Subash Muthyala of Bibles International - Ep.272

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Today we consider how important it is to have a biblical vision of what God is doing in your life. Don’t aim for a smaller goal than the one God has for you!
 
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. God has a big plan for you. You were created to glorify Him and to build up His church. Don’t settle for less than making real efforts to use your gifts for His glory.
 
But first, tomorrow is the big day! If you are listening to Run With Horses on Revelation Radio, you need to know that Beginning tomorrow, November 4th we have a new time and day along with some format changes. We go to the new ONE hour format on Saturday, Nov. 4 at our new time, 6:30-7:30 PM. So starting in Nov. look for us at revelationradio.net every Saturday night at 6:30 pm for an hour-long show!
For those who listen to Run With Horses on your favorite podcast player, new episodes will coincide with the radio broadcast and will be available every Saturday night beginning Nov. 4th.
 
Back to our regularly scheduled programing!
 
Today there are two parts to the show. Stay tuned to the end of the show I have an interview with Subash Muthyala of Bibles International for you.
 
However I am starting with a look at God’s goal for our lives.
What are you aiming for in life? Do you have a goal of what kind of person you can be and how to become that person? What do you hope to accomplish? What will you be remembered for after you die?
 
These are all important questions and the key to being able to look back and be content with your life is to be intentional about living out the vision that God has for you now. Make God’s vision for your life, your vision for your life.
 
You are Called for Fellowship With God
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 –
 
First church responded to the call by diving in to God’s Word and loving each other.
Acts 2:42 -
Do you have a vision for fellowship with God?
 
Called for Obedience
Psalm 1:1-2 –
 
James 1:22-25 –
 
John 14: 15 -
Do you have a vision for a life lived in obedience to the commands of Jesus?
 
Called to Serve Others
1 Peter 4:10 -
 
Acts 20:35 - .
Do you have a vision for a life of service to others?
 
Called to Be Different
Romans 12:1-2 –
Do you have a vision of a life lived differently than the world?
 
Ultimately Called to be Like Jesus
1 Peter 2:21 –
 
1 John 2:3-6 –
 
Eph 5:1-2 –
 
Romans 8:28-31 –
Do you have a vision of a life lived like Jesus?
 
Thanks for Joining me today! If you have questions or comment about todays show, email me at norman@runwithhorses.net or look up the Run With Horses podcast facebook page.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, God doesn’t intend for you to run the race alone. Invest in those around you and look for fellow travelers on the road toward Jesus. It may be a long road, but keep running!