Life

Phil 2:25-30 Encouragement is critical. It is NOT optional. Research shows that more criticism is given out than encouragement. Heb 10:19-25 As a church, we come together not only to hear and be filled up, but to encourage one another in the pews, in the lobby. Prov 11:25 Sounds like sowing and reaping. When you refresh others you yourself will be refreshed. When we encourage one another we build up and we put courage into another. Acts 4:35-36 An encourager is likely also generous. You can help someone experience Victory in their life by encouraging them. Encourage people in who they are. Their identity, as a child of God. That's the base. Also encourage them in their purpose, their faith. Tip: Try to catch people doing something right or well. Then encourage away!

Sermon notes, CITW, January 18, 2015 "Necessity of Oneness" The devil plants lies in peoples minds. The only way you're going to be truly happy is by following the principles found in the Word. Oneness - joined together in unity. Moving in the same direction. Same goals.  You don't want everyone to be the same as you. We were made different for the following reason: 1 Cor 12:25 Gen 2:24, Mat 19:3-8, Mark 10:2, Eph 5:25-27, 1 Cor 6:15-17 : The use of one flesh has been used five times. When man and female come together the union is part of the image of God... As the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one. How do you become one... Let's consider how we became one spirit with the Lord...we had to die. Die to self. It is similar with our spouse...we have to die to self. Often times we focus on being right...but we should focus on being right with our spouse.  The key to a successful Christian life? You must die to yourself. The key to a successful marriage? Yo

This was from a while back:  Aliza likes to sleep in her sisters room, even though we usually tell her to go to her room. Tonight, she told me to go downstairs so she can go to her sisters room. I pretended to go down the stairs and Aliza proceeded to go to her sisters room. I cleared my throat and she said with a giggle "o man, I didn't know you were there, I thought you went down stairs... Sneaky. I have to keep my eye on you." She's so funny!   

Joy is not a pursuit...it is a promise. Happiness is external. Joy is internal. 2cor4:16-18 Joy is a choice. Psalm 51:12 You can't lose your joy...we can only trade it in for sin and fleshly pleasures. We trade in our joy for busyness, sin. God is not interested in our busyness but in fruit. Who sets your schedule? Write down everything you do...then determine what is bearing fruit. 2tim2:4 John15:4 abide in Christ

1st Cor 13:4-7 Rom 2:4 In marriage, there are expectations. On the other hand, there's the actual behavior that occurs. In between is the gap, into which we put in "Assume the Worst", or "Believe the Best". We fill the gap with either of those two. When we fill the gap with "Assuming the Worst" it will eventually manifest in our own behavior. Couples that are happy in their marriage and it lasts, fill the gap with "Believe the Best". Water and bless your partner. Remember that it was God's kindness that lead you to repentance.

I asked my 3 year old Bella "do you know why you're cool?" Bella answered "because Jesus saved me from bad, and wolves"