Category: Rebuilding

Disposed to Dispose

R. Mangold

For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11

We live in a disposable society. We eat off of paper plates, drink out of plastic cups and use throw away napkins. We shave with disposable razors, take pictures with throw-away cameras, clean our houses and baby’s backsides with disposable wipes and we even have what the accountants call, “disposable income!”

Dare I say, this “throw-away” mentality can even creep into our spiritual walk…

  • We swap churches and faiths like name brands
  • We wait until we’re in a good mood to praise God
  • We don’t like this sermon, so we’ll wait for the next one

 This disposable mentality can have us even feeling that way about people…

  • We avoid praying with people because the look “different”
  • We only share Christ with the “normal” people
  • We only help others when it benefits us

God’s commandments are not based on OUR “personal preferences!” We are to be lead by God’s Love and Mercy! God’s Kingdom is eternal, comprised of the souls of humanity. Don’t cast aside opportunities to share God’s unmerited grace and unfailing love with everyone…not just those we “deem” worthy. No soul is disposable to God – He gave His only begotten Son to save us ALL!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Prematurely Pulling the Plug on the Process

R. Mangold

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Ecclesiastes 3:10-12

If you’re a collector, or one that loves antiques, you know that some things gain more value with a very important ingredient…TIME. Herein lies the challenge for many of us – while time may add value to antiques, for humans it’s the proverbial “kiss of death.” In a generation that wants instant gratification, the value of growing, maturing, and experience is all too often minimized in favor of a quicker result.

We’d do well to remember, God is in charge of not only the clay, but the wheel on which the clay is spinning. He has in His mind a perfect plan, a defined design, a prescribed purpose for each of our lives. While we’re spinning on the wheel we’re tempted to offer God our “recommendations” AND even go as far as to say when we feel the work is complete!

In order to maximize the “glory that shall be revealed in us” we must trust God with our future. Let God finish what He’s started in you. He’s faithful to complete it. And when given “time” He makes “everything” beautiful. Yes, “everything” – even the flaws, faults, and failures. Let’s not presume to “pull the plug” on God’s process prematurely.

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

The Art of the Rebound

R. Mangold

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record for the most REBOUNDS leading the NBA in rebounds in 11 different seasons, and has the most career rebounds in the regular season (23,924), the highest career average (22.9 rpg).

Watching a basketball game, you quickly realize that just as important as getting the ball in the hoop is when you miss the hoop, catching the REBOUND!

The Bible is chocked full of examples of REBOUNDS. Naturally they’re not labeled as such, but we can learn as much from Biblical REBOUNDS as we can Basketball – i.e. Samson, Moses, David, and even Peter, Paul, and Onesimus.

Proverbs 24:16 tells us, “A just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Our modern vernacular says, “A just man falls seven times, and REBOUNDS again. By not getting back up, you’ve only shown you’re shallow and lack maturity. In fact, NOT getting back up is considered not just failure, but in Proverbs’ terms…the WICKED are the ones that DON’T get back up!

The true mark of your success is not in never having fallen; it’s most assuredly in the fact that you HAVE fallen, and taken the REBOUND and getting back in the game!

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Mission "Ant-possible 3" – The Power of a Team

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

Despite Proverbs stating the ant isn’t a strong creature, it is able to lift 20-50 times greater than their own weight all done with their mouth muscles. If a 175 lb. man could lift this weight with his mouth it would be nearly 8800 lbs.

Alone, an ant could accomplish very little, but multiply their efforts by millions; you have a true force to be reckoned with. And, if the weight of all the ants in the world were combined, their weight would be greater than the weight of all the humans.

God’s multiplication is even better; 1 can put 1000 to flight; 2 can put 10,000 to flight! Jesus had a team of 12 and empowered them to evangelize the entire world. If you’re a Christian reading this, Jesus’ team set the gold standard for effectiveness. Let’s continue building the team Jesus started over 2000 years ago. Our work, like the ants’ is never done. Let’s colonize the place Jesus is preparing for all of us – Heaven!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold


Mission "Ant-possible 2" – The Power to Rebuild

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

As children we were amazed at the speed with which ants rebuilt after we maliciously spread the tiny grains of sand that comprised their homes. Without fail like tiny machines the ants would return to rebuild their mounds.

Ants aren’t a strong “people,” but what they lack in strength, they make up for in wisdom and tenacity. They show no visible signs of complaining. They just keep their heads down, roll up their sleeves and get to the business of rebuilding.

We’re going to have setbacks in life; emotional, financial, spiritual or otherwise. One may argue, the ant knows no better, that’s what their created to do. I would argue we do know better, and have a God who’s willing to help us rebuild saying, “cast all your cares upon me, because I care for you.”

Remember a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. Next time the devil kicks over your world consider the wisdom of the ant and her ability to rebuild…setback after setback!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians!  Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold