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From Envy to Contentment :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields on 6/23/2019

You may have read this in the news this week.

A 4-year-old boy wanted some candy hopped into his great-grandfather’s SUV. Along the mile-and-a-half journey, with eyes barely able to see over the steering wheel, Sebastian cruised the neighborhood streets before making a left turn onto a busy four-lane. He took out some mailboxes and did some damage to a tree. But in the end, he arrived at the candy store just in time to be greeted by the police.

I like stories like that. Until I think about what might have happened. And then, I kind of agree with the great-grandfather.

It could’ve been very serious.
He could’ve hit a car.
He wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
We could be talking about a funeral.

A car in the hands of a child is a scary thing.

It’s a dangerous thing.

In this podcast, I suggest to you that we allow something of that dangerous level in our lives – something that can kill.

That “something” is envy.

If we respond correctly to God’s word, we can transition from envy to contentment.

–Pastor Steve

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From Defensive to Teachable :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 6/16/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

“Does not receive constructive criticism”.

That statement was in the comments section of the report card. My report card. I think I was in third grade.

How does one respond to such a statement?

Well, if that statement was can be thought of as constructive criticism, then, yeah — it was dead on. My response was a defensive one: That teacher doesn’t know how to give constructive criticism.

Defensiveness is not a character trait that I am pleased to admit. It’s one I’d like to lose.

What about you?

This podcast looks at the life of David and talks about how we can transition from defensiveness to teachability if we view God as did David.

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Lessons Your Mother Taught You

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields at Curwensville Alliance Church on 5/12/2019

In the past 20 years, I’ve presented a Mother’s Day sermon every couple years. Something I don’t do is preach about how to be a good mom, because not all of us are not moms. I am not a mom. Instead, I try to take something from motherhood that helps us understand God better. That’s why we go to church, right? To worship and better understand God.So that’s what I want to do today.

In this podcast, I take three lessons our moms taught us about everyday stuff and draw some eternal meaning from them.

You see, whether she knew it or not, as your mom was telling you wise things, she was fulfilling an important role in your life. She was speaking wisdom – wisdom that comes from God – into your life.

This podcast speaks of three of those lessons – and applies them to the eternal nature of your life.
–Pastor Steve

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Embracing & Avoiding Vulnerability :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields on 5/5/2019

How do you feel about vulnerability?

I would guess your answer would depend, largely, on your experiences.

If someone has taken advantage of you and injured you, vulnerability may be something you avoid. If people have treated you with tenderness in difficult times, you may not be frightened by vulnerability at all.

My guess is that most of us are in the former group, not the later.

This podcast is designed to help us transition our perspective on vulnerability so that we can use it to our advantage and to glorify God.

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How Do You View Success :: Transitions

Presented at Curwensville Alliance Church on 4/28/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

Bob was one of the kindest men I knew. I was in my twenties and he was in his seventies, but we clicked from the time we met. He encouraged me over and over in those early years of my ministry.

He was the kind of guy who would say the same thing over and over until you finally let it sink in. One of those things he said to me went like this:

You can’t please everyone.

He was right. You can’t. And if you allow others to define what it looks like to be successful, you’ll likely never taste true success.

This podcast encourages us to transition our thinking on success so that we can experience it and so that God will be glorified.

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Don’t Miss the Subtleties of Easter Sunday

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields at Curwensville Alliance on Easter Sunday – 4/21/2019

Do you have people in your life who don’t pick up on subtleties? For example – a couple are visiting you in your home and it’s getting late. You kind of hint, that it’s time for them to go:

It’s been nice to have you visiting this evening. Thanks for coming.

And they remain. The miss the subtlety.

So you step it up.

Oh, look at the time. I have to get up for work tomorrow at 5 am.

And they stay right where they are. They miss the subtlety.

Finally, you look at your wife and nod.

She says, “Well – I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” And you get up and open the front door for them to use as their exit.

That would probably work. It’s not quite so subtle.

Sadly, I admit to you, that I often don’t pick up on subtleties. Laurel helps me.

There are subtle realities in the story of Jesus’ resurrection — realities that you can’t afford to miss.

This podcast speaks of them

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Palm Sunday :: Jesus’ Cross – and Yours

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 4/14/2019 by Pastor Steve Shields

Palm Sunday is the day we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem – riding as a king, being celebrated by the people.

Later that week – on Thursday – he will celebrate the Passover Meal with his disciples, and teach them that the Passover Meal is really about him.

Thursday evening, he will be arrested.

Friday – Good Friday – he will take up his cross.

That phrase, “take up his cross” is something that Jesus did — and it’s something he said those who wish to be his followers must do.

How do you do that?

This podcast speaks about how we take up our cross our everyday world.

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