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Devotions
Pastor R. Michael Sanders


A Common Affliction

 
“Woe to you when all speak well of you.”   Luke 6:26a NRSV   
 
July 29, 2020

A pastor friend has an affliction. It is one most of us share, but he has it really bad! You see, he really wants people to like him. 

I know that it does not sound awful, now does it? I want to be liked. You want to be liked. It’s normal to want our co-workers, neighbors, fellow church members, all those people we know to like us.

This person thinks if he is kind enough, if he carefully does not take controversial positions and is generally a good guy, everyone will like him.

The problem? Some people still don’t like him, and they never will. These may sound like cold words, but they are true for all of us. And if we are spending our time trying to get everyone to like us, we are not only wasting our time, we are wasting a part of our lives.
     
What do we do?

We resolve to do what is right, to speak the truth and stand for justice and mercy. We should do so with as much kindness and humor as we can, but we must do it. We will find that those who also love mercy and justice will respect us and may even like us. And those who do not stand for the right? Perhaps it is a good thing if they don't like us.


Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to do right even if it costs me some friends. 


© Copyright 2020 R. Michael Sanders 


Our Hope, Part 2


“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NRSV

October 20, 2020

God means the best for us, regardless of our present circumstance. 

This does not mean our lives are to be easy ones. For us to grow to be the best we can, there are challenges we must work our way though.

For our character to grow, we must be faced with the opportunity to take the lesser path.

For our faith to grow, we must go through times without immediate answers.

For our love to grow, there must be times of self-sacrifice.

Let us trust that God loves us and what He sends our way is for our ultimate good. 

And when the things not from Him come to hurt us and test our faith, God is still with us and will get us though, often turning that which was painful into something amazing.

Prayer: Lord, it is good to know that whatever comes my way, You are with me. 

© Copyright 2020 R. Michael Sanders
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Avocados for Breakfast, $6.95
Pastor Mike offers his unique and humorous look at the Christian life.  His insights are 
shared through his use of story-telling and poetic prose.  With a fresh voice, he reaches 
into our hearts to provoke us to genuine love and faith.
​

Picture
​A Feast of Wild Blackberries, $6.95
Dr. Michael Sanders brings devotions to inspire us when life is hard, using 
uplifting messages to remind us of our ever-present God and His love for us. ​
​
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Life Lessons from our 4-Legged Friends... and One Bumble Bee, $7.95
With longing glances, soulful stares and endearing eccentricities, pets touch 
our hearts and and become family as they share our lives.  Dr. Michael Sanders
uses his life experiences with dogs and a couple of cats to explore the simple 
wisdom that our 4-legged friends offer.  He tells their stories and ours with humor, 
love, and a deep appreciation for their companionship.

​
To purchase any of the above books, please contact Kathy via email:
tccsec2013@yahoo.com
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