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Accept the Challenge

6/12/2012

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Accept the Challenge was the motto for this year’s Bike MS 150. More than 3800 bikers raised over $3 million dollars helping fund vital MS research, programs and services for more than 17,000 people who live with multiple sclerosis in our area.

I was glad my son invited me on this successful ride. My daughter, another son, and his coworker were included in the Radeke Riders team. The weather was hot and the wind strong in our faces both days. Our muscles were sore, our behinders tender, but our spirits were high. We felt we were part of something huge, something that was going to make a difference.

We all want to be part of something that makes a difference in our world. On the MS 150 ride there were people who made a difference by raising thousands of dollars and by those donating dollars. There were volunteers who made a difference by their cheerful service to the bikers. There were people along the route who honked horns, rang cowbells, and cheered those who were pedaling.

You and I have opportunities every day to impact and change our world.

The Bible records an event about a woman who accepted the challenge. She performed a costly, leave nothing behind act which brought criticism from those who saw her actions. The only person which mattered to her was Jesus Christ and her actions brought praise from Him.

Mark 14:3-9 (NLT)
3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

The key to making your mark in the world does not happen by raising support to fight a worthy cause with thousands of others. It begins with accepting the challenge and giving your everything to Jesus Christ every day in every way.

What are ways you will accept the challenge by giving everything to Jesus today?
Comment here:


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Life Choices and Life Changes

6/4/2012

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The graduation ceremony in our high school was yesterday and this morning I saw the bleary eyes of seniors who were just leaving the all-night party at the high school. Today, they begin the biggest changes of their life! Apart from the dramatic physical changes from infant to age five, the next five years for the graduate includes major life choices and changes.

Over the next five years, today’s high school graduate could enter the military, enter the work force, or complete their undergraduate studies at a tech school, community college, or university. They may begin a career and before five years have passed may already change careers. They may marry and begin raising a family. They will likely move from home,  stay at a dorm, rent an apartment,  buy a home or all of these before their five year high school reunion . Their move from home may bring them to worship at a different church than what they grew up in, cause them to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ or not go to church at all.

The choices the graduates make over the next five years are major life decisions:
What college should I choose?
What branch of the military do I serve?
What career do I pursue?
Who will I spend the rest of my life with?
Where will I worship?
Who will I worship?

The prayers you and I can offer up for the graduating seniors in our lives are prayers that they would keep their eyes and heart on Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-6
  Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Tell me about the graduate in your life that you are praying for. Comment here:


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First Post!

1/4/2012

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I am venturing into new territory, having never written regular articles much less a blog. The fear of failing - lack of interest, intellect, or interaction - has kept me from stepping forward. Also, the fear of more work - on more thing to do or this becoming something that becomes a dreaded drudgery rather than something that gives life.

Both of those fears are poor reasons to keep from trying. The worst that can happen is that I make a few posts and then quit. Quit. A third fear that has kept me from this venture. I do not wish to begin something only to quit. I count it as failing, when in reality most everything has a start and an end.

I share the celebration of trying something new along with many who are stepping into new ventures with boldness backed by the calendar declaring a new year and an open door to trying something new.
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    Mark Radeke

    Husband of one, father of five, pastor and friend of many.

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