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Pastor David Skinner
Date: 2012-05-15 13:03:29 Title: To All the Folks I’ve Loved Before
To All the Folks I’ve Loved Before
Over the past 25 years I have preached or taught between 5,000 and 10,000 sermons. I have attended in excess of 3000 meetings. I have presided over many weddings, funerals, store openings and public events. I have counseled hundreds of people through difficult times and I have prayed with hundreds of folks. I LOVE people. I have always loved people. However, there is one looming sore on my soul over my 25 years of service. That sore is the dark shadow of those I may have offended, hurt or inadvertently ignored. As a relational person, I stay pretty aware of what folks might be feeling. I tend to notice that I’ve hurt folks or offended them. However, I know there are many times that I preached something, said something in a sidebar, forgot to phone back, disagreed in a meeting with, or snapped at while in pain, folks that I love. These are the wounds of my soul. The wounds created by the personal attacks of others or the rumors spread about me or the subversion of my ministry that have happened over 25 years are much less painful than the thought of what I may have said or done or forgotten. Many times I don’t even know I’ve offended or hurt. But if I hear about it, my soul aches. As I review internally 25 years of ministry, I find myself regretting my fallen nature. I regret my tongue or my lack of respect or my insensitivity at times. I do not regret the conviction of the Spirit that ever came through me, but the biting nature of my fallenness that came through at times. This year’s upcoming pause button has caused me to reflect in regard to those I may have harmed. For them…I am truly sorry and pray for their forgiveness. For those who may have hurt me…you were forgiven long ago!
Heroes
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Losing a Day
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Thunder?
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Seasons
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Pictures
This past Monday, my family and I got ourselves cleaned up, beautified and smiled up in readiness for directory pictures. Pictures are such an amazing thing. They relate information and s...
When You’re Tired?
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I was enjoying my wife’s family reunion on Sunday evening when I got the call concerning the fires. Adam and I quickly got our facilities staff ready in case of evacuees. We host a cou...
Choice
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Losing Yourself
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Wait! No Really…Wait!
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Farmer Envy
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Humbled by Love
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My Thorn
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Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Jesus states this as He is facing the crowd of temple officials, Judas, and soldiers tha...
Easter
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Why?
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Discomfort!
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Challenge
It’s becoming more and more clear to me. It’s clear that I and most of our society operates on convenience and pleasure. Convenience and pleasure are not evil by nature. They...
Salesman or Evangelist
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Confidence
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RETHINKING CHURCH: HOMEWORD WORSHIP
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A Timely Death
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Thankful?
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Portability
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[View][Post Comment]Date: 2010-08-19 15:25:08 Title: Check out the cheerleaders?
Check out the cheerleaders?
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Frailty
Have you ever realized how frail you can be? My recent health issues have given me a new understanding of frailty. Parts of this middle-aged body have failed to work well and I am now begi...
The Waters of Life
My family and I attended family camp last week. It was a wonderful experience of fun, Bible study, fellowship and family time. On one particular day activities came to a halt du...
Longing!
“Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.” II Corinthians 5:2-3
As I wade through my ...
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