{"id":16015,"date":"2021-06-03T16:02:35","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T23:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/gospel-express\/2021-dress-copy\/"},"modified":"2021-06-03T16:42:54","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T23:42:54","slug":"2021-3questions","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/gospel-express\/2021-3questions\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

by The Editors from Guideposts<\/p>\n

The pastor and best-selling author shares inspiration for dealing with the many challenges of the the past year 2020.<\/p>\n

We had a chat with\u00a0Max Lucado about what we\u2019ve been facing in the past year 2020, from the coronavirus pandemic to global protests against racism. Among his latest projects is the upcoming book <\/em>Begin Again: Your Hope and Renewal Start Today,\u00a0which is full of biblical help. And as Max proved in our talk, he is full of practical help for the challenges of our times.<\/em><\/p>\n

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  1. What do you make of the unprecedented times we are living in?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This is a time of upheaval unlike any I have ever seen, unlike anything the world has ever seen. It\u2019s global upheaval. It\u2019s physical: Covid-19\u00a0can attack your body. It\u2019s emotional: You\u2019re isolated from the people you love. It\u2019s financial: So many people are facing severe setbacks.<\/p>\n

    In seasons of immense change, what\u2019s important is to look for what has\u00a0not\u00a0<\/em>changed<\/strong>. For the person of faith, that means the existence of God, the sovereignty of God, the plan of God. Turn to those and believe. We serve an\u00a0 unchanging God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Early in my ministry, I served in Brazil. I came to understand there are certain things that are transcultural. They supersede culture. The need to know who God is. The promise of\u00a0 forgiveness. The promise of eternal life. No matter where you are, no matter what language you speak, those are human longings.<\/p>\n

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    1. What do you think is one of our greatest spiritual challenges?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      We elevate ourselves. We position ourselves higher than we position others. That is such a struggle. I hear that in the conversations about race, equality and acceptance . There is a strain of superiority. We have had a wake-up call, after some 400 years of positioning one race over another.<\/p>\n

      There\u2019s a question that helps me in a conversation. I ask myself, \u201cWhat is it like to be you?\u201d What is it like to be a Black male today? What is it like to be a female\u00a0in a world marked by men in gray flannel suits?\u201d<\/p>\n

      To become a better listener, don\u2019t allow yourself to be formulating a response. A couple with marriage issues was talking with me recently, and the husband said, \u201cI act like I\u2019m listening, but most of the time I\u2019m just reloading.\u201d Let\u2019s listen. Hear the whole story. Really respect what it\u2019s like to be you.<\/p>\n

      I find people are so happy to talk about their situation. Earlier today, I was on a Zoom call\u00a0and a new person was on it. \u201cTell us your story,\u201d I said. I love that phrase. He did for four or five minutes. I didn\u2019t try to direct it. People will share who they really are.<\/p>\n

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      1. Is there a prayer you find <\/strong>yourself saying these days?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Lord,\u00a0<\/em>I ask,\u00a0what are you doing?\u00a0<\/em>By permitting this pandemic, by showing us these racial issues?<\/p>\n

        One morning I prayed, and I heard the word\u00a0calling<\/em>. I understood that to mean that God is calling people back to himself. Calling us to walk more closely with him. Calling to those who don\u2019t know him, getting their attention. We are being reminded of how frail we are.<\/p>\n

        I turn to the story about Jesus walking on the water. The whole idea of it. Coming to his disciples in the middle of the storm. He could have kept that storm from ever coming, but he let it. He let the storm come, then showed up. Jesus will show up\u00a0in the midst of this storm.<\/p>\n

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