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Posts by Gary Dyksterhouse

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Hope for the Hopeless

by Gary Dyksterhouse "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25 A few years back, in my accountability group on Tuesday mornings, we all agreed to memorize the entirety of Romans 8. It took us several months, we had many failed at...

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A Lesson from the Church of Macedonia

by Gary Dyksterhouse II Corinthians 8:7 "But as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you see that you excel in this act of grace also" During this chapter of Paul's letter to the church of Corinth, he encourages the church to strive for excellence, and he does so in a way that should uniquely resonate with ...

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Thank You

by Gary Dyksterhouse Dear Westminster, In October of 2010, a few weeks after my son was born, I gratefully accepted the opportunity to serve you as a Deacon. Less than a month later, I accepted the responsibility of becoming the chairman of the Deacons. With the assistance of the other deacons, under the supervision of the Session, and through the companionship of so man...

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The Architect

by Gary Dyksterhouse Not too long ago I was sent a link by Stephen Pillow to take a personality test. He and his wife Kim had taken it recently, and they wanted to send it out to some of their friends. I rarely participate in these sorts of actions, but I had 5 free minutes of time, and decided to indulge. The last time I can remember taking one of these tests it was the ...

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Fierce Marriage

by Gary Dyksterhouse Buttercup: "I'll never love you" (speaking to Prince Humperdinck) Humperdinck: "I wouldn't want it (love) if I had it." Buttercup: "Then by all means, let's marry." I love a good movie quote, and while this quote from The Princess Bride (don't be fooled by the name, this movie has serious comedic chops) is severely lacking depth and truth, it do...

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Fear

by Gary Dyksterhouse "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - Frank Herbert, Dune One of my favorite seri...

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Threefold Cord

by Gary Dyksterhouse 'Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand...

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The Lonely Christian

by Gary Dyksterhouse "He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone." Dietrich Bonhoeffer I recently reread Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book Life Together while researching the biblical grounds for Christian Community. I was so struck by the bluntness of this quote that I have had a difficult time shaking it from my mind. From the moment we are born into this world we fea...

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This World Is Not Our Home

by Gary Dyksterhouse John 17:14-16I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Hebrews 12:14-15Strive for peace with everyone, and for the peace...

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Joy in Weakness

As many of you know, Kathryn and I recently hosted a wonderful Christian family that we used to know in Atlanta. They are living in South Asia and making an impact for the Gospel through their work and their lives. In order to be certain that I am not exposing any security risks, I am not going to mention their names in a searchable blog such as this one, but I did want to...

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If You Ain't First, You're Last

I love to win. That should be evident to anyone that knows me very well. I want to win so badly that it is a severe area of weakness in my life. My younger brother even claims that when we were young, I used to sneak Monopoly cash and RISK cannons into my arsenal to secure my inevitable board game victory. I cannot comment upon such ancient past, but it is safe to say that...

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Lessons Learned from Scarlet Fever

Mark 7:31-37 tells a brief account of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man near the Sea of Galilee. Many times in the past I have read right through this story, and not given it a second thought. In the end, it is Jesus healing another person, yada yada yada. Often, God chooses to reveal dead lessons to me with life experiences, and this teaching moment was no different. Abo...

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Jesus Heals the Paralytic Three Times!

Luke 5:17-26 My wife often tells me that I am not the best communicator. I don't believe her, but she claims that there have been times in our marriage when she has attempted to relay a message to me, and for some reason I have either failed to absorb the content, or have conveniently chosen to forget. With this in mind, I would like to share with you a topic that the LOR...

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