Incomplete: Life Through the Eyes of a Small-Town Pastor

By Shawn LaRue

We constantly need to be reminded of Gods presence. This rebellious flesh wants everything in its path. My hope is that this short devotional will do just that so that the spirit would be nourished.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512777277

Shawn LaRue

As with my call to ministry, I didn't have the credentials to do it, I felt that God was leading me put together this book of devotions. I hope this book adds to your spiritual journey. Shawn LaRue lives is Southeast Iowa with his wife and two sons. He has served the United Methodist Church in Seymour, Iowa, since July of 2015.

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Copyright © 2017 Shawn LaRue.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-7728-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7729-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-7727-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017902980

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/02/2017

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 The apostle Paul tells us how we are called to love

Chapter 2 The gift of being fully present

Chapter 3 The condition of the heart

Chapter 4 We serve a God of love

Chapter 5 Christ reveals to those who have faith

Chapter 6 When the material things of this world don’t deliver

Chapter 7 The elusive gift of peace

Chapter 8 The abundant life of faith

Chapter 9 The gift of doubt, the stone that sharpens the blade of faith

Chapter 10 The closer we draw to Christ, the more we are able to love

Chapter 11 Those who love me will keep my word

Chapter 12 Knowing instead of judging

Chapter 13 Love cancels out fear

Chapter 14 I’m too busy and I don’t have time

Chapter 15 The worst kind of lost

Chapter 16 The meaningless pursuit of titles

Chapter 17 Many talents, one body

Chapter 18 Our most authentic self is found in Christ

Chapter 19 Everything starts with prayer

Chapter 20 Making it right

Chapter 21 The proof of the resurrection

Chapter 22 Place your trust in God

Chapter 23 We must take time to pray to meet the demands of this life

Chapter 24 Faith calls us to sacrifice

Chapter 25 To whom have you shown mercy?

Chapter 26 What will become of the church?

Chapter 27 Are you Mary or Martha?

Chapter 28 Father, holy and blessed be thy name

Chapter 29 Every day is a battle

Chapter 30 We remember those who gave

Chapter 31 You are first and foremost a child of God

Chapter 32 We serve a big God

Chapter 33 How will your story of faith read?

Chapter 34 God prepares us while we wait

Chapter 35 Earth or eternity, convenience or Christ

Chapter 36 Immanuel, God with us

Chapter 37 Faith, family, and forgiveness

Chapter 38 Restoration and healing

Chapter 39 Listening to our lives

Chapter 40 Doing for those who can’t do anything for us

Chapter 41 Suffering gives us a choice

Chapter 42 Prayer works, and God still listens

Chapter 43 Our guilt, Christ’s sacrifice

Chapter 44 The heart of discipleship

Chapter 45 Surrender

Chapter 46 I want, I want

Chapter 47 The wages of sin

Chapter 48 The word became flesh

Chapter 49 The danger of judging others

Chapter 50 Do we know how to suffer?

Chapter 51 Offering ourselves as a living sacrifice

Chapter 52 Coming before God with empty hands and an open heart