tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54883986561371452982012-02-16T02:28:57.767-08:00Ben's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357430599447997738noreply@blogger.comBlogger31100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488398656137145298.post-53357438846968095482011-02-03T23:02:00.000-08:002011-02-03T23:26:10.787-08:00Something hit me the other day about judging others as recorded in Matthew chapter 7. In our legal system the role of the judge is to hear both sides of the case and make a judgment based on opposing arguments and testimony. When we judge others we elevate ourselves, essentially saying that we know all there is to know about the person or the situation. So many times we make judgments based on limited information. We don't know if that person has just received tragic news or how much money they make or that they were abused as children or that.... We don't know. We may think we have the whole picture but we don't!! God is the only one who truly knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. Let's receive God's grace and have grace for others:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5488398656137145298-5335743884696809548?l=pastorbenrose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Ben's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357430599447997738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488398656137145298.post-37311055817793762702009-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:002009-01-28T16:11:19.962-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2D_3ITWlBoc/SYD0FcuBiOI/AAAAAAAAABI/fhbofdVtVwk/s1600-h/palm+tree.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2D_3ITWlBoc/SYD0FcuBiOI/AAAAAAAAABI/fhbofdVtVwk/s200/palm+tree.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296501536233457890" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Have you ever noticed there are no palm trees in Alaska?  Why?  We don't have the proper climate to facilitate the growth of tropical trees and plants.  Apparently you have to be closer to the equator... who knew?  You know the Bible talks a lot about trees, plants, roots and the importance of good soil.  I've been thinking about what kind of climate we need to grow spiritually and flourish in what God has called us to.  We as ground//zero must cultivate a climate that will produce purity, passion and the presence of God in our lives.  What is the climate of your spiritual life?  Are there things you've allowed to come in and make the climate non conducive to purity?  In other words, can purity grow in your life?  Or does prayer and a devotional time have a hard time flourishing in your life because the spiritual weather won't allow it?  The good news is that unlike the weather, we have more control of our spiritual climate!  So let's set the climate for growth, turn up the spiritual heat and allow the things God wants to grow in our lives to flourish!  Love ya guys!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5488398656137145298-3731105581779376270?l=pastorbenrose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Ben's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357430599447997738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488398656137145298.post-65966111992456693042009-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:002009-01-27T20:07:34.892-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Hey All,</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I'm officially a blogger!  No, not really.  I'm excited to have this page to inspire, share thoughts and keep people informed on what God is doing in ground//zero and all of our church family!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5488398656137145298-6596611199245669304?l=pastorbenrose.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Ben's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09357430599447997738noreply@blogger.com0