Your regular TS message will resume on Monday, May 22nd
Thank you for understanding as I “take a break” for a ministry conference this week.
I appreciate all the moving comments I received after Monday’s update. It seems to have “hit a nerve”–in a good way. If you missed it, you can find it HERE. It is about a 7-10 minute read. READ IT HERE
This week, not having time to write a “regular” message, I am repeating previous messages in order to have something to send you. Before today’s Scripture and Prayer, I will share a few FAQ’s.
I am occasionally asked how I write messages, how long it takes, etc. This is a “peek behind the curtain” so to speak.
Question: Are the messages you write new every day?
Answer: Yes. I repeated some in years past, but the teaching/commentary messages since 2018 are a “fresh word” each day.
Question: How long does it take you to write a TS message?
Answer: It typically takes a minimum of 3 hours; average is 3-4, and occasionally longer. Each message is the summary of a 30 minute sermon, the essential takeaway one would get from a typical sermon in church. To do this, my preparation is the same as if I DELIVERED a 30 minute sermon. Do you know any other pastors who preach five new sermons each week? (I don’t.)
Question: Do people really understand what you do?
Answer: No, not by a long shot. For example: I recall some intentionally insulting responses to requests for financial support for E-MIN such as, “All you do is write an email and click send.” That’s the equivalent of telling a doctor, “All you do is write prescriptions on a pad.” Remarks like this used to bother me. Now, I disregard such hostility because I can’t let such things or people hinder those who need what we do. (And, “note to self”, perhaps I should be more forthcoming about what all we do.)
Just a thought: Would you like to have some Q&A times with us, perhaps in video or on Zoom? Let me know.
From July 09. 2018:
Have you had someone in your life who could “push your
buttons”? Perhaps, like me, you had a list?
In dealing with mine, I learned the distinction between
reaction and response. I determined to respond through
Holy Spirit rather than react out of emotion. And, of course, I
always responded appropriately after that. Right? (Ahem…) I
am being facetious: Of course I did not! I have learned,
however, and am still learning every day.
Some say, “That’s just the way I am.” This is no excuse. In
Numbers 20:7-12, Moses reacted emotionally: He struck the
rock out of frustration with the people rather than speaking
to it as God had instructed him. That reaction cost Moses
dearly and God entertained no excuses.
If you struggle with reactions, awareness is the first step of
overcoming. Do not expect to change overnight, however, as you
surrender your emotions to God, He will give you strength to
respond in Him rather than react as before. You will see the
difference.
…and He gives us grace as we learn.
Today’s Seed™ Scripture and Prayer for May 18, 2023:
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth
of the wicked gushes evil. (Prov 15:28 NIV)
Prayer: LORD, it is easy to react to someone or something
out of emotion. That reaction can be harsh, impulsive,
angry, fearful, and such. Wisdom is to respond rather than
react. Help me make it so. If someone can trigger an
emotional reaction, they have a measure of control over me.
I do not want that. I want to follow the leadership and
direction of Your Spirit and respond to challenges according
to Your character and principles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org
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Today’s Seed™ by Randall Vaughn is published daily (M-F) by E-MIN Global Ministries, P O Box 220, Warrior, AL 35180 (USA) • www.e-min.org • Copyright Terms/Permissions/List Privacy www.e-min.org/tp.htm
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‘Today’s Seed’ from E-MIN • May 18, 2023
About Randall Vaughn:
With 40+ years as pastor, author, teacher, worship leader, and songwriter, Randall pioneered E-MIN in 1997–one of the earliest online ministries and today the longest operating. His passion is leading people to deeper, genuine relationship with God. He lives in Alabama with his lovely wife, Karen, and their dogs, Hadi and Rayah. He enjoys hiking, exploring new tech, and “prayer walks”.
Copyright (c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved.
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