WEBVTT NOTE This file was exported by MacCaption version 7.0.11 to comply with the WebVTT specification dated March 23, 2013. 00:00:00.734 --> 00:00:02.936 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% male announcer: The following program is sponsored by Friends 00:00:02.936 --> 00:00:04.938 align:start line:85% position:44% size:78% of Life Outreach International. 00:00:07.074 --> 00:00:10.043 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% announcer: Coming up, Sharon Hodde Miller argues that we are 00:00:10.043 --> 00:00:13.714 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% never more fragile than when we make ourselves the center of 00:00:13.714 --> 00:00:15.048 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% our story. 00:00:15.048 --> 00:00:17.651 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Sharon Hodde Miller: This is the second greatest liberation of my 00:00:17.651 --> 00:00:23.957 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% life, second only to finding Jesus, because it gave me tools 00:00:23.957 --> 00:00:27.995 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% to cope with when I'm feeling that insecurity, when it's 00:00:27.995 --> 00:00:31.098 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% stealing all the joy out of my work, out of things that 00:00:31.098 --> 00:00:32.466 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% are good. 00:00:32.466 --> 00:00:35.636 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% I now know what to do with that. 00:00:35.636 --> 00:00:45.646 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:45.646 --> 00:00:53.720 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:53.720 --> 00:00:55.789 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy Robison: Welcome to "Life Today," I'm Randy Robison. 00:00:55.789 --> 00:00:57.190 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% Tammy Trent is with me. 00:00:57.190 --> 00:00:58.525 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% Tammy Trent: Hello. 00:00:58.525 --> 00:01:00.093 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Randy: We're glad to see you. I hope you're doing well. 00:01:00.093 --> 00:01:01.428 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% How are you doing, Tammy? 00:01:01.428 --> 00:01:02.763 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Tammy: I'm good, how are you doing? 00:01:02.763 --> 00:01:04.865 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Randy: I'm doing good, you know, been having a lot of me time. 00:01:04.865 --> 00:01:08.135 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Tammy: Have you? And how's that going for you? 00:01:08.135 --> 00:01:10.270 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Randy: It's going pretty well, you know, building my audience 00:01:10.270 --> 00:01:14.975 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% and my social media profile, really just being the best me. 00:01:14.975 --> 00:01:16.476 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% Tammy: Me you can be. 00:01:16.476 --> 00:01:17.844 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% You're doing well with it. 00:01:17.844 --> 00:01:20.314 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Randy: Yeah, it's just it's lacking something. 00:01:20.314 --> 00:01:22.482 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Tammy: Yeah, always, when you turn it on yourself, you're 00:01:22.482 --> 00:01:23.917 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% always gonna lack something, Randy. 00:01:23.917 --> 00:01:25.319 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Randy: I think you're onto something. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:27.888 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% Today's guest is a book called "Gazing at God." 00:01:27.888 --> 00:01:29.890 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% It's written by Sharon Hodde Miller. 00:01:29.890 --> 00:01:33.193 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And she has struggled with some of these things, and she's gonna 00:01:33.193 --> 00:01:37.564 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% help share some experiences with you to hopefully prevent you 00:01:37.564 --> 00:01:39.132 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% from struggling in these ways. 00:01:39.132 --> 00:01:40.934 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% So, Sharon, great to see you. 00:01:40.934 --> 00:01:42.269 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Sharon: So good to be with you guys. 00:01:42.269 --> 00:01:43.937 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Randy: That was a long setup, I know. 00:01:43.937 --> 00:01:47.207 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I know, but when I was, you know, looking at this, I was 00:01:47.207 --> 00:01:51.411 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% like, you know, I do this, and sometimes I justify it. 00:01:51.411 --> 00:01:55.215 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It's like, you know, we wanna be our best selves, but I don't 00:01:55.215 --> 00:01:58.885 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% know, what were you facing when you were like, okay, something's 00:01:58.885 --> 00:02:01.555 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% not quite right? 00:02:01.555 --> 00:02:05.792 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Sharon: Yeah, so a number of years ago I was in ministry 00:02:05.792 --> 00:02:07.694 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% doing what I do now. 00:02:07.694 --> 00:02:12.399 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I was writing, I was traveling and speaking and really loving 00:02:12.399 --> 00:02:15.535 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% it, like I--what really called me into ministry was teaching 00:02:15.535 --> 00:02:16.903 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% the Bible. 00:02:16.903 --> 00:02:20.707 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I'm really passionate about it and got a lot of joy from that, 00:02:20.707 --> 00:02:24.077 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% but a number of years ago something in me started to 00:02:24.077 --> 00:02:28.382 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% shift, and the best way that I can describe it is if you think 00:02:28.382 --> 00:02:33.920 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% about faith as a race, it was as if I started looking at the 00:02:33.920 --> 00:02:37.858 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% people who were running next to me, and I started to compare 00:02:37.858 --> 00:02:40.894 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% myself to them, and then I started looking at the people 00:02:40.894 --> 00:02:44.798 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% who were like a few paces ahead of me and needing affirmation 00:02:44.798 --> 00:02:49.569 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% and acknowledgement from them, and if I didn't compare well or 00:02:49.569 --> 00:02:53.173 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% if I didn't get that acknowledgement, it was 00:02:53.173 --> 00:02:55.308 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% devastating to me. 00:02:55.308 --> 00:03:00.414 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And I was really honestly embarrassed by this response, 00:03:00.414 --> 00:03:04.718 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% because it's ministry, like I shouldn't be comparing, 00:03:04.718 --> 00:03:08.755 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I shouldn't need praise, but I'd become this really insecure 00:03:08.755 --> 00:03:14.861 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% person, and so I really started reading and researching, that's 00:03:14.861 --> 00:03:16.196 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% kind of my personality. 00:03:16.196 --> 00:03:19.032 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I'm like I'm gonna figure this out, I'm gonna crack this code, 00:03:19.032 --> 00:03:21.868 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% and so reading books about insecurity and blogs and 00:03:21.868 --> 00:03:26.006 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% articles, and I started opening up the Bible to understand, you 00:03:26.006 --> 00:03:29.876 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% know, I just need--the thing that my insecurity needs is to 00:03:29.876 --> 00:03:33.947 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% remember how special I am and what God says about me. 00:03:33.947 --> 00:03:38.652 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And so I did that for probably six months to a year, and then 00:03:38.652 --> 00:03:44.057 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% at the end of that journey, I realized that all these messages 00:03:44.057 --> 00:03:48.528 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% about insecurity had not helped me at all. 00:03:48.528 --> 00:03:51.865 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Tammy: For six months, you're like nothing. 00:03:51.865 --> 00:03:54.701 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Sharon: Like, no traction whatsoever, and I think a lot of 00:03:54.701 --> 00:03:57.471 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% people can relate to that who struggle with insecurity and 00:03:57.471 --> 00:04:00.540 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% comparison and aren't getting any traction. 00:04:00.540 --> 00:04:03.243 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% And so I realized there's something else going on. 00:04:03.243 --> 00:04:08.181 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% There are actually two causes of insecurity, but we only ever 00:04:08.181 --> 00:04:11.151 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% talk about one, and the one that we talk about is low 00:04:11.151 --> 00:04:13.487 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% self-esteem, and that is real. 00:04:13.487 --> 00:04:17.390 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I would define that as not seeing yourself biblically, not 00:04:17.390 --> 00:04:20.694 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% seeing yourself truthfully the way that God sees you, and the 00:04:20.694 --> 00:04:23.864 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% answer to that is the truth of God's Word. 00:04:23.864 --> 00:04:27.868 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% But there's a second cause of insecurity that we almost never 00:04:27.868 --> 00:04:32.506 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% talk about, and that is self-preoccupation, that when we 00:04:32.506 --> 00:04:37.511 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% make something about us that is not about us, then all of a 00:04:37.511 --> 00:04:41.982 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% sudden that thing becomes a referendum on our value and on 00:04:41.982 --> 00:04:45.886 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% our worth, and when that thing is going well, we feel great, 00:04:45.886 --> 00:04:48.255 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% but as soon as it's not, our confidence falls through 00:04:48.255 --> 00:04:49.623 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% the floor. 00:04:49.623 --> 00:04:53.660 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And so I realized for me, that is what had taken all the joy 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:57.998 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% out of ministry for me is I had taken this thing that was meant 00:04:57.998 --> 00:05:02.836 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% to be about Jesus, and I had made it about me, and that is 00:05:02.836 --> 00:05:06.606 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% why I had become so fragile, so insecure. 00:05:06.606 --> 00:05:09.876 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And so, both "Free of Me" and "Gazing at God," which is the 00:05:09.876 --> 00:05:14.681 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% follow-up devotional, are about that journey of not just 00:05:14.681 --> 00:05:18.518 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% diagnosing this problem in ourselves, but the journey to 00:05:18.518 --> 00:05:20.453 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% freedom from self. 00:05:20.453 --> 00:05:22.789 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Tammy: Wow, how did you work your way through that? 00:05:22.789 --> 00:05:25.425 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Took you six months the first time, but when you--it sounds 00:05:25.425 --> 00:05:27.427 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% like you got to the root of something? 00:05:27.427 --> 00:05:28.795 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% Sharon: Yeah. 00:05:28.795 --> 00:05:30.964 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Tammy: And was that root, that whole preoccupation? 00:05:30.964 --> 00:05:32.365 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% Sharon: Yes, absolutely. 00:05:32.365 --> 00:05:37.337 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And one of the stories in scripture that helped me to see 00:05:37.337 --> 00:05:41.541 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% what was going on and what I needed personally was actually 00:05:41.541 --> 00:05:45.478 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% looking at, as I told you, what I did first was open up 00:05:45.478 --> 00:05:48.014 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% scripture and ask what does the Bible say about me? 00:05:48.014 --> 00:05:50.817 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And I thought this is going to be the thing that resolves 00:05:50.817 --> 00:05:52.219 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% my insecurity. 00:05:52.219 --> 00:05:56.122 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But the second go around, I approached scripture and asked a 00:05:56.122 --> 00:06:01.795 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% very different question, which was when people in the Bible 00:06:01.795 --> 00:06:05.332 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% brought their insecurities to God, when they brought their 00:06:05.332 --> 00:06:09.336 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% senses of inadequacy to God, what did he actually say 00:06:09.336 --> 00:06:11.104 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% to them? 00:06:11.104 --> 00:06:12.806 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% And that is not what I expected. 00:06:12.806 --> 00:06:16.409 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% A really great example is Moses, where he's coming to God. 00:06:16.409 --> 00:06:19.746 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% God has just called him to go to Pharaoh to say set my 00:06:19.746 --> 00:06:21.248 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% people free. 00:06:21.248 --> 00:06:25.685 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Moses objects and says, "I'm not the guy for this job, I'm not 00:06:25.685 --> 00:06:28.755 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% good at speaking, you should have picked somebody else." 00:06:28.755 --> 00:06:34.327 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And you would expect in sort of our like self-help culture that 00:06:34.327 --> 00:06:38.465 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% God would have said, "Moses, you've got this, like, you're 00:06:38.465 --> 00:06:39.799 align:start line:69% position:48% size:18% my guy. 00:06:39.799 --> 00:06:43.103 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Like, you were raised in a palace, you were groomed to be a 00:06:43.103 --> 00:06:46.439 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% leader, like of all the people I could have chosen, you are the 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:48.975 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% best choice in all of Israel." 00:06:48.975 --> 00:06:53.980 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But instead, God looks at Moses, and he says, "Moses, who gave 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:56.349 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% human beings their mouths? 00:06:56.349 --> 00:06:59.185 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% Was it not I, the Lord?" 00:06:59.185 --> 00:07:02.289 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And I really love in her book "Women of the Word," Jen Wilkin, 00:07:02.289 --> 00:07:08.461 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% she describes this scene as God changing the subject off of 00:07:08.461 --> 00:07:14.434 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Moses's inability and onto God's ability and reminding him that 00:07:14.434 --> 00:07:16.836 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% that when you make yourself the center of the story, when you 00:07:16.836 --> 00:07:19.739 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% think you're the hero, when you think that your family or your 00:07:19.739 --> 00:07:23.977 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% job or whatever it is, that it rises and falls on you, it is 00:07:23.977 --> 00:07:28.982 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% overwhelming, it is too much, and to remember the good news is 00:07:28.982 --> 00:07:32.752 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% you are not the center, that it's not about you, and that's 00:07:32.752 --> 00:07:35.689 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% incredibly freeing to remember. 00:07:35.689 --> 00:07:40.160 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And so for me, that almost laid kind of a blueprint of the way 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:44.064 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% that I need to address this insecurity in myself is to-- 00:07:44.064 --> 00:07:47.133 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% going to the title of this devotional--to raise my gaze, 00:07:47.133 --> 00:07:51.304 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% that I'd made my gaze way too small, I'd made my purpose way 00:07:51.304 --> 00:07:54.841 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% too small, and I needed to correct it and to remember, no, 00:07:54.841 --> 00:07:59.012 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I am created to love God and to love others and that there's 00:07:59.012 --> 00:08:02.215 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% actually freedom in those commands. 00:08:02.215 --> 00:08:05.151 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Randy: Yeah, I'm guessing there's a reason that you didn't 00:08:05.151 --> 00:08:09.022 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% call your book "Glancing at God," right? 00:08:09.022 --> 00:08:11.124 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Because sometimes we get in these situations we're like, 00:08:11.124 --> 00:08:12.625 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% oh no, what? 00:08:12.625 --> 00:08:15.261 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Okay, okay, now I'm back to my life. 00:08:15.261 --> 00:08:18.798 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% How important is the consistency of this key 00:08:18.798 --> 00:08:20.834 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% to maintaining that posture? 00:08:20.834 --> 00:08:23.203 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Sharon: So, another Bible story-- 00:08:23.203 --> 00:08:24.804 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% I'm just gonna talk about the Bible today. 00:08:24.804 --> 00:08:26.239 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% You guys good with that? 00:08:26.239 --> 00:08:27.974 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Tammy: Let's do it, I'm good with it. 00:08:27.974 --> 00:08:31.177 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Sharon: So, another Bible story that really captures the heart 00:08:31.177 --> 00:08:36.216 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% of this devotional and what set me free in a lot of ways is the 00:08:36.216 --> 00:08:39.319 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% story of Peter walking on water. 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:43.089 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So we have this story where Peter, he steps out of the boat, 00:08:43.089 --> 00:08:47.460 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% he steps into the waves with Jesus, but then at one point, 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:48.795 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% what does he do? 00:08:48.795 --> 00:08:53.233 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% He lowers his gaze, and he looks at the storm, and as soon as he 00:08:53.233 --> 00:08:58.104 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% focuses on this storm around him, he begins to sink. 00:08:58.104 --> 00:09:02.876 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% It's not until he raises his gaze and locks eyes with Jesus 00:09:02.876 --> 00:09:05.979 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% that he remembers that he is secure. 00:09:05.979 --> 00:09:10.116 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And this is a metaphor for so many aspects of the 00:09:10.116 --> 00:09:11.451 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% Christian life. 00:09:11.451 --> 00:09:13.453 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% This is what we do every Sunday. 00:09:13.453 --> 00:09:16.389 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% You know, when you go into church and you worship, you are 00:09:16.389 --> 00:09:21.194 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% remembering that what is the truest truth of my life is not 00:09:21.194 --> 00:09:25.965 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% the storm around me, it is God, the character of God, but it 00:09:25.965 --> 00:09:31.538 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% also points to that freedom and that security that is available 00:09:31.538 --> 00:09:35.742 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% to us, but it has to do with how we steward our attention. 00:09:35.742 --> 00:09:39.612 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And we can focus on the storms, whether it's a storm outside of 00:09:39.612 --> 00:09:44.150 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% you, or for many of us it's a storm inside of you, but the 00:09:44.150 --> 00:09:49.189 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% answer, the rescue awaiting us is if we raise our gaze to look 00:09:49.189 --> 00:09:50.523 align:start line:69% position:48% size:18% at him. 00:09:50.523 --> 00:09:54.794 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Tammy: I love that, honestly, it put me right in a place where 00:09:54.794 --> 00:09:57.430 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% I could totally identify exactly what you said. 00:09:57.430 --> 00:10:01.634 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I think many people are in places right now where life is 00:10:01.634 --> 00:10:05.705 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% hard, everything's going on around us, things are pulling at 00:10:05.705 --> 00:10:09.042 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% us, things are taking from us, and so our attention is always 00:10:09.042 --> 00:10:12.111 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% on that, and how do I make this better, and God, how do you? 00:10:12.111 --> 00:10:16.483 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But you're just you're in this task, you're in this moment, and 00:10:16.483 --> 00:10:19.519 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% when you talked about Peter, it's like that totally makes 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:21.488 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% sense for the the way I handle things too. 00:10:21.488 --> 00:10:25.191 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Rather than I'm not as quick to gaze. 00:10:25.191 --> 00:10:27.694 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Sharon: And I am thinking that you're the one that has to fix 00:10:27.694 --> 00:10:32.765 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% it, that's the weight, that's not the easy yoke of Jesus of 00:10:32.765 --> 00:10:37.670 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% thinking it is on me, you know, to fix this problem at work, to 00:10:37.670 --> 00:10:40.673 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% be this perfect parent, and that's a really great example of 00:10:40.673 --> 00:10:45.111 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% just practical ways that now I speak this to different seasons 00:10:45.111 --> 00:10:46.479 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% of life. 00:10:46.479 --> 00:10:49.382 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I say to parents, for example, who are feeling like I feel this 00:10:49.382 --> 00:10:53.086 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% pressure that I need to be the perfect parent, and we don't 00:10:53.086 --> 00:10:56.489 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% think of that as self-focus, we don't think of that as 00:10:56.489 --> 00:11:00.293 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% self-preoccupation, but you're narrating that situation in a 00:11:00.293 --> 00:11:03.897 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% way that you're trying to be the hero of your family. 00:11:03.897 --> 00:11:06.699 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% And what I often remind, especially women, this is-- 00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:08.034 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% I hear this all the time from women. 00:11:08.034 --> 00:11:13.373 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I always remind them, your kids already have a perfect parent, 00:11:13.373 --> 00:11:15.208 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% it is not you. 00:11:15.208 --> 00:11:20.547 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Your job is very simple, which is just to point to him, and 00:11:20.547 --> 00:11:24.317 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% that is such a relief, because that allows you to be 00:11:24.317 --> 00:11:26.019 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% exactly human-sized. 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.353 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% Tammy: That's right. 00:11:27.353 --> 00:11:28.721 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Randy: Can I argue with you for a second? 00:11:28.721 --> 00:11:30.056 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% Sharon: Go for it. 00:11:30.056 --> 00:11:31.424 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Randy: Because I know some people out there watching are 00:11:31.424 --> 00:11:32.759 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% thinking this, so this is not my argument. 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:34.260 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% This is just sort of the counter--because we hear this 00:11:34.260 --> 00:11:35.962 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% in culture, we hear this in the church. 00:11:35.962 --> 00:11:39.365 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I mean, self-help, well, shouldn't I take responsibility 00:11:39.365 --> 00:11:40.700 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% for myself? 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:42.068 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% That's the way it should be, right? 00:11:42.068 --> 00:11:46.005 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And also, I mean, don't I really have to take care of myself 00:11:46.005 --> 00:11:48.174 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% before I can take care of a child or another one? 00:11:48.174 --> 00:11:51.778 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Don't I have to love myself before I can love anyone else? 00:11:51.778 --> 00:11:57.250 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Sharon: We are to love and to steward all of creation, and 00:11:57.250 --> 00:11:58.885 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% that includes ourselves. 00:11:58.885 --> 00:12:03.690 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% We are to love anything that God loves, and that includes 00:12:03.690 --> 00:12:07.393 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% ourselves, and so one thing that I think will surprise a lot of 00:12:07.393 --> 00:12:13.066 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% people about this devotional is how much time I give to the 00:12:13.066 --> 00:12:17.570 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% self, to understanding what is going on, because also one of 00:12:17.570 --> 00:12:20.807 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% the reasons people do struggle with self-preoccupation, it's 00:12:20.807 --> 00:12:24.310 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% not always pride, it's not always vanity, sometimes it 00:12:24.310 --> 00:12:25.678 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% is pain. 00:12:25.678 --> 00:12:30.116 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Pain is what is pulling your focus inward, and so to just 00:12:30.116 --> 00:12:33.419 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% tell people stop focusing on yourself, you need to focus on 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:38.024 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% God but to not address what's going on in a person's interior 00:12:38.024 --> 00:12:40.660 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% world, you're skipping a step. 00:12:40.660 --> 00:12:44.697 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Now, one thing that is really different, I'll say, about this 00:12:44.697 --> 00:12:51.104 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% devotional compared with kind of the self-help culture, I believe 00:12:51.104 --> 00:12:55.274 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% that self-help culture, self-esteem culture, that 00:12:55.274 --> 00:12:59.078 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% developed to address a very real problem. 00:12:59.078 --> 00:13:04.951 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I think that we are coming out of previous generations where 00:13:04.951 --> 00:13:08.955 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% you were taught to just sort of bury your feelings, bury your 00:13:08.955 --> 00:13:12.592 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% pain, don't show what you're really going through. 00:13:12.592 --> 00:13:14.193 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% That isn't healthy. 00:13:14.193 --> 00:13:18.798 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I think self-esteem culture came along as sort of a correction to 00:13:18.798 --> 00:13:24.303 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% that, but where this book is going to differ from self-help, 00:13:24.303 --> 00:13:28.174 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% self-esteem culture is that it keeps going. 00:13:28.174 --> 00:13:31.911 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I think self-esteem culture basically says the highest good 00:13:31.911 --> 00:13:33.880 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% is for you to love yourself. 00:13:33.880 --> 00:13:36.916 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% it's almost like this alternative gospel, that what 00:13:36.916 --> 00:13:41.421 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% will set you free is knowing how special you are. 00:13:41.421 --> 00:13:45.058 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And as Christians, we would say on the one hand you've got it 00:13:45.058 --> 00:13:48.828 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% partly right, that the self is good, that God loves you, you 00:13:48.828 --> 00:13:50.196 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% should take care of yourself. 00:13:50.196 --> 00:13:54.367 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% We affirm all of that, but that isn't your created purpose, that 00:13:54.367 --> 00:13:59.706 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% isn't why you exist, that's just one step on the way of living 00:13:59.706 --> 00:14:02.642 align:start line:63% position:50% size:41% for this purpose beyond yourself. 00:14:02.642 --> 00:14:03.976 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% Randy: That's good. 00:14:03.976 --> 00:14:07.180 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Tammy: I love that, yeah, when I think about your story sitting 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:09.949 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% across from you right now and all that you've walked through, 00:14:09.949 --> 00:14:11.984 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% and I think about where your life is right now, where God has 00:14:11.984 --> 00:14:16.322 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% you in a pastoral role, a teaching role, when we sit down 00:14:16.322 --> 00:14:19.992 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% to write books, it comes from a place of, I think for me, 00:14:19.992 --> 00:14:22.528 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% a personal place of experience and what we're going through, 00:14:22.528 --> 00:14:25.565 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% because God's taken us through something that now we can pour 00:14:25.565 --> 00:14:29.068 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% into this book and overflow and hope that it brings breakthrough 00:14:29.068 --> 00:14:31.037 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% freedom in somebody else's life. 00:14:31.037 --> 00:14:33.039 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Sharon: I have experienced breakthrough. 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:36.676 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% The thing that I tell people, I think it's even in the 00:14:36.676 --> 00:14:41.814 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% dedication to that book, is that this is the second greatest 00:14:41.814 --> 00:14:46.919 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% liberation of my life, second only to finding Jesus, because 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:52.158 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% it gave me tools to cope with when I'm feeling that 00:14:52.158 --> 00:14:55.394 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% insecurity, when it's stealing all the joy out of out of my 00:14:55.394 --> 00:14:57.630 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% work, out of things that are good. 00:14:57.630 --> 00:15:01.300 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% I now know what to do with that. 00:15:01.300 --> 00:15:07.340 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% For example, I'm no longer afraid of my insecurity. 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:12.378 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I think that our culture says if you feel insecure, then you need 00:15:12.378 --> 00:15:18.084 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to fight it, that it is always rooted in a lie, and that it is 00:15:18.084 --> 00:15:23.656 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% always only bad, and there's a lot of truth to that, but one 00:15:23.656 --> 00:15:29.796 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% thing that I have learned is to get curious about my insecurity, 00:15:29.796 --> 00:15:33.633 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% because whenever I'm feeling insecure, and even insecurity, 00:15:33.633 --> 00:15:36.569 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% it doesn't always manifest as comparison, sometimes it's just 00:15:36.569 --> 00:15:40.339 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% this this frantic anxiety, this urgency that I've got to fix 00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:41.774 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% this, I've gotta make it, you know, it's this 00:15:41.774 --> 00:15:43.543 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% image management. 00:15:43.543 --> 00:15:48.147 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Whatever it is, whenever I feel insecure, now I ask the 00:15:48.147 --> 00:15:53.219 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% question, you know, I must be feeling insecure because I am 00:15:53.219 --> 00:15:59.025 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% standing on something insecure, because Jesus doesn't shake, and 00:15:59.025 --> 00:16:03.930 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% so if there's some part of my identity, some part of my hope, 00:16:03.930 --> 00:16:08.734 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% some part of my peace that is standing on anything other than 00:16:08.734 --> 00:16:14.574 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Jesus, no wonder I feel insecure, but I will never get 00:16:14.574 --> 00:16:17.944 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% that information about myself if I think I'm just believing a 00:16:17.944 --> 00:16:21.214 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% lie, I just need to speak truth out of this, I just need to 00:16:21.214 --> 00:16:22.548 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% reject it. 00:16:22.548 --> 00:16:25.251 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I've learned to kind of listen to it, like what is this 00:16:25.251 --> 00:16:26.652 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% information teaching me about myself? 00:16:26.652 --> 00:16:29.522 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% And so it doesn't mean that I never struggle with 00:16:29.522 --> 00:16:30.857 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% insecurity anymore. 00:16:30.857 --> 00:16:33.226 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Now I just know what to do with it. 00:16:33.226 --> 00:16:36.562 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Tammy: Recognizing it, knowing what to do with it immediately. 00:16:36.562 --> 00:16:39.165 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Randy: Have you ever stood right where the waves come up on the 00:16:39.165 --> 00:16:40.499 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% sand, you know? 00:16:40.499 --> 00:16:42.602 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% If you stand in the same place, you start to feel the sand 00:16:42.602 --> 00:16:46.005 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% eroding under your feet, and it's like you wonder why you're 00:16:46.005 --> 00:16:47.340 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% off balance. 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.708 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Well, because you're standing on sand. 00:16:48.708 --> 00:16:50.543 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I really like that, there's a lot of good truth in here. 00:16:50.543 --> 00:16:54.146 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Okay, I have more questions, but we don't have time to answer all 00:16:54.146 --> 00:16:55.514 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% of them. 00:16:55.514 --> 00:16:58.384 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% So, can we offer your book to our viewers who will help us 00:16:58.384 --> 00:16:59.752 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% out today? 00:16:59.752 --> 00:17:01.087 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% Because I think it'd really be helpful. 00:17:01.087 --> 00:17:02.455 align:start line:69% position:50% size:65% Sharon: I would love that. 00:17:02.455 --> 00:17:05.625 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Tammy: It's a beautiful 40-day journey to greater freedom 00:17:05.625 --> 00:17:06.993 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% from self. 00:17:06.993 --> 00:17:09.128 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Randy: Yes, and it is a journey, because this is something we 00:17:09.128 --> 00:17:11.731 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% have to work on, but it is liberating too. 00:17:11.731 --> 00:17:14.634 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% All right, I would like you to request that book, but I would 00:17:14.634 --> 00:17:17.603 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% like you to do actually a little bit more than that. 00:17:17.603 --> 00:17:21.540 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I'd like you to look at a situation and try to see where 00:17:21.540 --> 00:17:25.444 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% God is in it, and really more importantly, how God can make 00:17:25.444 --> 00:17:29.148 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% you a part of the narrative of helping somebody, because 00:17:29.148 --> 00:17:32.318 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% that's--when I look at scripture, and I'm motivated by 00:17:32.318 --> 00:17:35.588 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% scripture, it's to help other people, and so I think this is 00:17:35.588 --> 00:17:38.524 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% an expression of our faith, so watch this, and you'll see how 00:17:38.524 --> 00:17:41.494 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% you can be a part. 00:17:41.494 --> 00:17:44.730 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% announcer: When water like this is your only choice, you 00:17:44.730 --> 00:17:46.065 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% drink it. 00:17:46.065 --> 00:17:49.568 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Otherwise, in three to five days without water, you can die due 00:17:49.568 --> 00:17:52.004 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% to dehydration. 00:17:52.004 --> 00:17:56.409 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Delfina, now 58 years of age, has fought this battle her whole 00:17:56.409 --> 00:18:00.446 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% life, needing to give her children water to live, but 00:18:00.446 --> 00:18:04.116 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% having no other choice but to collect it from unsafe sources 00:18:04.116 --> 00:18:06.485 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% like this. 00:18:06.485 --> 00:18:11.223 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% The result, most of her children died from fever, vomiting, and 00:18:11.223 --> 00:18:14.827 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% diarrhea brought on by waterborne diseases. 00:18:14.827 --> 00:18:18.431 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Now as a grandmother, her life of sorrow continues with the 00:18:18.431 --> 00:18:22.201 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% recent death of her granddaughter. 00:18:22.201 --> 00:18:26.138 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Isak Pretorius: I asked her how it feels when she thinks of the 00:18:26.138 --> 00:18:33.312 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% children that she's lost, and she just weeps as she remembers 00:18:33.312 --> 00:18:38.985 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% and then shares the pain and the struggle of seeing her children 00:18:38.985 --> 00:18:42.822 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% go through that, of losing her children, the pain and the 00:18:42.822 --> 00:18:46.392 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% struggle that she's experienced as a mother, not being able to 00:18:46.392 --> 00:18:50.997 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% give her children clean water, water that doesn't kill you. 00:18:50.997 --> 00:18:56.635 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Yet when asked what she would say to those who could make it 00:18:56.635 --> 00:19:01.273 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% possible, and her response was that she would plead with us to 00:19:01.273 --> 00:19:05.077 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% be able to do that, but she said, "Not just for me, not just 00:19:05.077 --> 00:19:09.415 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% for my children, for all the mothers here, for all the 00:19:09.415 --> 00:19:12.218 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% children, for our whole community, because they're all 00:19:12.218 --> 00:19:14.553 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% suffering the same." 00:19:14.553 --> 00:19:19.025 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Like me, you can't imagine losing just one of your 00:19:19.025 --> 00:19:22.395 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% children, let alone multiple children. 00:19:22.395 --> 00:19:25.498 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I can't imagine the heartbreak and the anguish of 00:19:25.498 --> 00:19:28.534 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% experiencing that. 00:19:28.534 --> 00:19:32.271 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Well, I'm asking you from that heart to join hearts with us and 00:19:32.271 --> 00:19:36.175 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% partner with us to make sure that we can bring fresh, clean, 00:19:36.175 --> 00:19:42.148 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% life-giving water, not the water of death, but the water of life 00:19:42.148 --> 00:19:47.620 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to this mother, to her children and grandchildren, to the other 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:51.123 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% mothers in this community that she literally speaks on their 00:19:51.123 --> 00:19:54.994 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% behalf, to the other precious children, the ones who are still 00:19:54.994 --> 00:19:59.198 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% here but are still suffering. 00:19:59.198 --> 00:20:01.033 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Randy: I know it's hard to watch that. 00:20:01.033 --> 00:20:03.069 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% You know what you didn't see? 00:20:03.069 --> 00:20:09.408 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% You didn't see a child drinking the dirty water. 00:20:09.408 --> 00:20:11.644 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% We've got plenty of shots of that, we can show you that, but 00:20:11.644 --> 00:20:13.112 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% you know what people always say when we do that? 00:20:13.112 --> 00:20:15.915 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% They say why do we let them-- why don't you stop them? 00:20:15.915 --> 00:20:19.351 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% You gotta stop them, don't let them drink that water. 00:20:19.351 --> 00:20:22.655 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% And we say, well, but that's what they drink every day. 00:20:22.655 --> 00:20:25.925 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And I've actually been there, and I've watched a child scoop 00:20:25.925 --> 00:20:28.928 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% some really awful water and put it up here, and I've thought no, 00:20:28.928 --> 00:20:31.297 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% no, no, no, no, no, you know? 00:20:31.297 --> 00:20:35.534 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% But it's not enough to just say don't drink the water. 00:20:35.534 --> 00:20:38.137 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% You have to give them a choice. 00:20:38.137 --> 00:20:42.408 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% That's what we're asking you today, to give them a choice. 00:20:42.408 --> 00:20:45.044 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% When it rains, they may have fresh water they can collect for 00:20:45.044 --> 00:20:47.646 align:start line:10% position:47% size:63% a while, but it gets dry. 00:20:47.646 --> 00:20:50.583 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% There's no water except what they can walk to, what they can 00:20:50.583 --> 00:20:53.719 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% find, what they can scrape up with their bare hands, and it is 00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:55.187 align:start line:10% position:48% size:23% not good. 00:20:55.187 --> 00:20:57.690 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% We have to give them a choice. 00:20:57.690 --> 00:21:01.760 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% You can give that mother and grandmother and so many others 00:21:01.760 --> 00:21:06.565 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% like her the choice of clean drinking water. 00:21:06.565 --> 00:21:11.704 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Partner with us right now, $48 will basically help 10 people 00:21:11.704 --> 00:21:16.809 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% have water for the rest of their lives, $144 will give that same 00:21:16.809 --> 00:21:20.779 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% clean drinking water to another 30 people, and that's because an 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:25.684 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% average well costs about $4800 when you average it across the 00:21:25.684 --> 00:21:29.088 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% program, 350 wells in 20 nations. 00:21:29.088 --> 00:21:32.124 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% We can't do that without you. 00:21:32.124 --> 00:21:38.497 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% We can't give that child the choice without your support. 00:21:38.497 --> 00:21:43.602 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% And Tammy, I know you know the reality is that if they don't 00:21:43.602 --> 00:21:47.673 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% have a choice, they will drink what water they have, and 00:21:47.673 --> 00:21:49.041 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% it's heartbreaking. 00:21:49.041 --> 00:21:50.709 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% Tammy: It is, you know what strikes me, Randy, about 00:21:50.709 --> 00:21:52.144 align:start line:10% position:48% size:28% that story? 00:21:52.144 --> 00:21:57.883 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% What hits me is watching that mother, that grandmother, 00:21:57.883 --> 00:21:59.952 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% working so hard, and we've seen it. 00:21:59.952 --> 00:22:03.088 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% Every time we go, we see it, they work so hard, they will 00:22:03.088 --> 00:22:07.126 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% walk miles and miles and miles to get to their only water 00:22:07.126 --> 00:22:10.563 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% source that we know when we're there is contaminated, it's 00:22:10.563 --> 00:22:13.265 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% filled with waterborne illness, it is killing many of the 00:22:13.265 --> 00:22:15.568 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% children in those communities and villages, but it's their 00:22:15.568 --> 00:22:16.936 align:start line:10% position:50% size:31% only choice. 00:22:16.936 --> 00:22:19.305 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% So we watch them work so hard and dip into that water and 00:22:19.305 --> 00:22:23.509 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% carry buckets and buckets, and they will go up a hill for 00:22:23.509 --> 00:22:24.877 align:start line:10% position:48% size:33% miles, right? 00:22:24.877 --> 00:22:26.779 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% It's like we can't even believe they're getting up that hill, 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:28.614 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% because many times we can't even get up there. 00:22:28.614 --> 00:22:30.783 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% And putting it on their head or their shoulders and carrying it, 00:22:30.783 --> 00:22:33.786 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% and I just think when I'm watching that, in the distance 00:22:33.786 --> 00:22:37.089 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% as they're walking away, thinking there is no life in 00:22:37.089 --> 00:22:43.295 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% that, there is no hope in that, and if we could do something 00:22:43.295 --> 00:22:48.434 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% today to change that community, why would we not do it? 00:22:48.434 --> 00:22:53.739 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% We are telling you the story of urgency right now, and it 00:22:53.739 --> 00:22:55.541 align:start line:10% position:50% size:56% demands our attention. 00:22:55.541 --> 00:22:59.245 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% We should never, ever, if we are fully aware of what's going on, 00:22:59.245 --> 00:23:03.415 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% we should never allow or sit back another moment for that 00:23:03.415 --> 00:23:07.686 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% grandmother to have to carry that kind of death on the top of 00:23:07.686 --> 00:23:10.956 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% her head or on the back of her shoulders to take it to a child 00:23:10.956 --> 00:23:15.160 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% hoping that they will live another day if they drink it, 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:17.596 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% but if they don't, they won't. 00:23:17.596 --> 00:23:21.967 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% So the reality is if your heart is touched by it as much as mine 00:23:21.967 --> 00:23:27.172 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% is, every time I watch one of those stories, would you please, 00:23:27.172 --> 00:23:29.375 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% would you please come alongside us today? 00:23:29.375 --> 00:23:32.811 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Whatever gift you can give, you must know it's not too small, 00:23:32.811 --> 00:23:34.213 align:start line:10% position:50% size:35% I promise you. 00:23:34.213 --> 00:23:39.151 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Would you pick up the phone, go online, make a call, pledge, 00:23:39.151 --> 00:23:42.655 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% pledge of hope for these families that desperately need 00:23:42.655 --> 00:23:44.590 align:start line:10% position:48% size:33% it right now. 00:23:44.590 --> 00:23:48.394 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Let's bring them water for life. 00:23:48.394 --> 00:23:51.830 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% announcer: Every day thousands of lives are lost to waterborne 00:23:51.830 --> 00:23:54.733 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% disease, and nearly half of those are children under the age 00:23:54.733 --> 00:23:56.101 align:start line:10% position:50% size:21% of five. 00:23:56.101 --> 00:23:59.405 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Through Mission Water for Life, you can give mothers hope and 00:23:59.405 --> 00:24:04.143 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% children a future as we provide clean, fresh drinking water free 00:24:04.143 --> 00:24:06.011 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% from the fear of death. 00:24:06.011 --> 00:24:10.115 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% With your gift today, you can help drill and establish 350 00:24:10.115 --> 00:24:11.850 align:start line:10% position:50% size:56% water wells this year. 00:24:11.850 --> 00:24:15.788 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Your gift of $24 will help provide clean water for 5 00:24:15.788 --> 00:24:20.893 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% children, a gift of $48 will help provide for 10, and $144 00:24:20.893 --> 00:24:24.129 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% will help provide life-giving water for 30 people for 00:24:24.129 --> 00:24:25.464 align:start line:10% position:48% size:28% a lifetime. 00:24:25.464 --> 00:24:29.335 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% With a gift of any amount, we'll send you "Discovering the Joy of 00:24:29.335 --> 00:24:30.736 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% Reading God's Word." 00:24:30.736 --> 00:24:34.373 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Whether you've read the Bible for years or are just beginning, 00:24:34.373 --> 00:24:37.843 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% this book invites you to experience Scripture in a fresh, 00:24:37.843 --> 00:24:39.244 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% more intimate way. 00:24:39.244 --> 00:24:43.549 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% With your gift of $100 or more, you may request "A Life of 00:24:43.549 --> 00:24:45.284 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Compassion" coffee table book. 00:24:45.284 --> 00:24:49.154 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Capturing Life Outreach's heart for the world, each page pairs 00:24:49.154 --> 00:24:53.359 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% timeless Bible verses with vivid mission field photography, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:56.795 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% making God's Word visible in action. 00:24:56.795 --> 00:25:01.200 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Finally, please consider a gift of $1200 to help provide water 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:06.772 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% for 250 people or a gift of $4800 to help sponsor a complete 00:25:06.772 --> 00:25:11.910 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% well and request Life's beautiful 2026 bronze sculpture, 00:25:11.910 --> 00:25:13.445 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% "The Good Shepherd." 00:25:13.445 --> 00:25:18.984 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Please call, write, or make your gift online today. 00:25:18.984 --> 00:25:21.653 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Randy: You really can make a difference, and we can't do it 00:25:21.653 --> 00:25:23.522 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% without you, so please, I hope you're going online, go to the 00:25:23.522 --> 00:25:26.158 align:start line:10% position:50% size:45% phone, make the best gift you can. 00:25:26.158 --> 00:25:31.096 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% You'll be expressing God's love and helping to save a life. 00:25:31.096 --> 00:25:32.798 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% And Tammy, I know it's a big blessing. 00:25:32.798 --> 00:25:34.967 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Tammy: Yeah, we wanna get you this book for any amount that 00:25:34.967 --> 00:25:38.404 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% you're able to give today to give this incredible mission, 00:25:38.404 --> 00:25:39.772 align:start line:10% position:48% size:38% Water for Life. 00:25:39.772 --> 00:25:41.974 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% We will send you this book, just make sure to request it. 00:25:41.974 --> 00:25:44.143 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% And let me just say this, if there's somebody right now 00:25:44.143 --> 00:25:47.212 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% that's been watching and just struggling because you have felt 00:25:47.212 --> 00:25:52.718 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% insecure your whole life, you've not felt like you're enough, you 00:25:52.718 --> 00:25:57.489 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% felt like you do not measure up, that you're not like the others, 00:25:57.489 --> 00:26:01.260 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% that you're disqualified, and that God would never want to use 00:26:01.260 --> 00:26:05.964 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% you because you are not enough, let me tell you today I believe 00:26:05.964 --> 00:26:07.332 align:start line:10% position:48% size:33% that you are. 00:26:07.332 --> 00:26:10.836 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% You are more than enough because of who Jesus is in your life, 00:26:10.836 --> 00:26:13.338 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% not just who you are in yourself, but because of him. 00:26:13.338 --> 00:26:15.574 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% He says you are enough. 00:26:15.574 --> 00:26:18.277 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% So if you need someone to come alongside you just to pray 00:26:18.277 --> 00:26:21.580 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% through some of that, to break some of that focus where the 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:25.217 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% enemy wants to keep you always focused on yourself, and I'm 00:26:25.217 --> 00:26:27.886 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% telling you when we do that, it is filled with disappointment, 00:26:27.886 --> 00:26:31.957 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% unmet expectations, unanswered prayers, all the things, because 00:26:31.957 --> 00:26:34.827 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% it's all the focus on us, and if you need to break that in your 00:26:34.827 --> 00:26:37.429 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% life even a little bit today, chisel a little bit more, 00:26:37.429 --> 00:26:38.764 align:start line:10% position:50% size:21% call us. 00:26:38.764 --> 00:26:40.899 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% We wanna stand with you alongside you and pray for that, 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:44.303 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% that you would begin to turn your gaze on God and your focus 00:26:44.303 --> 00:26:47.439 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% on Jesus, because when you do that, all things will begin to 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:50.042 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% align more perfectly in your life. 00:26:50.042 --> 00:26:52.478 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% Call that number right now, and we'll pray with you. 00:26:52.478 --> 00:26:54.480 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% Thank you for being here, Sharon. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.848 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% I have loved this time with you. 00:26:55.848 --> 00:26:58.617 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% "Gazing at God," what a great book, sister, and I'm so 00:26:58.617 --> 00:27:00.886 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% thankful for the walk that you're walking and the way that 00:27:00.886 --> 00:27:03.489 align:start line:10% position:47% size:58% you pour into the lives of so many people. 00:27:03.489 --> 00:27:04.823 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Sharon: Thank you so much. 00:27:04.823 --> 00:27:06.191 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% It's been great being with y'all. 00:27:06.191 --> 00:27:07.793 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Tammy: It's great to have you here, and it's great to always 00:27:07.793 --> 00:27:09.127 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% have you here, and we'll see you next time 00:27:09.127 --> 00:27:11.129 align:start line:10% position:47% size:63% on "Life Today," bye-bye. 00:27:11.129 --> 00:27:21.139 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:31.149 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:31.149 --> 00:27:41.159 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:51.169 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:51.169 --> 00:28:01.046 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:28:01.847 --> 00:28:03.549 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Faith Womack: The more I do, like, little word studies or 00:28:03.549 --> 00:28:06.785 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% study this person or this place, the more I fall in love with the 00:28:06.785 --> 00:28:08.120 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% story of redemption. 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:10.722 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% announcer: Faith Womack helps us have "No More Boring 00:28:10.722 --> 00:28:12.558 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% Bible Study." 00:28:12.558 --> 00:28:14.893 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% announcer: Life Today is made possible by the supporters of 00:28:14.893 --> 00:28:16.228 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% Life Outreach International. 00:28:16.228 --> 00:28:18.297 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Your gift will be used exclusively for the exempt 00:28:18.297 --> 00:28:19.631 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% purposes of Life. 00:28:19.631 --> 00:28:22.100 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% The ministry features specific outreaches as examples of the 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.602 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% programs it supports and conducts. 00:28:23.602 --> 00:28:25.737 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Gifts are considered to be without restriction as to use 00:28:25.737 --> 00:28:27.472 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% unless explicitly stipulated by the donor. 00:28:27.472 --> 00:28:29.474 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% The ministry is a member of the ECFA.