A Marriage with Two Brains

I was with a group of Guys a couple of weeks ago discussing how we can be better Husbands.  We all agreed that our Marriages would be perfect if we could keep them in a Box ... But as you will see/hear in this video that's not going to happen.

Knowing how your Spouse thinks is key to having a Marriage that is filled with Love and Respect.

Marriage expert Mark Gungor explores the differences between men and women.

Words to Live by in 2012

Last week a Friend of mine on Facebook and in real life asked a question of sorts.  "In one word, sum up 2011." The responses were both positive and negative.  Ranging for Crazy, Sad, Rewarding, Fast, 2011?, Blessed, Accomplished, Insane, etc.  It prompted me to think and rehearse the events of my life in 2011, and what word or words I would use to describe it.

It became pretty clear to me that I was not going to be able to settle on just one word, but I could narrow it down to a singular progression of three words.  First there was WAITING.  Waiting for the Lord, which is something that I do not enjoy, by balancing the tension of uncertainty and of trusting in an all-knowing supreme God.  Then Waiting turned into ANTICIPATION.  The Lord was present and starting to move.  All I had to do was join Him with excited Anticipation.  Finally then, I am experiencing a TRANSFORMATION as God moved my family and me along a new path and set our course in a new way and ministry for His glory.

So what Word(s) define your last year or current situation?

While I firmly believe that it is important to rehearse and review the course of your life, we cannot allow our eyes to be entranced by what we see in the rear view mirror.  So let's look forward, and ask, "What Words will define your 2012?"

Proverbs 3:1-10, may give us some direction as we set some words before us to mark our way through 2012.

·         OBEY – Proverbs 3:1-2

o   Don’t forget my Commands/Teachings - Mind

o   Keep them in your Heart

o   Prove your Love by OBEYING – John 14:15  If you love me (Jesus) then Keep/Obey my commands.

§  Prosperity = SHALOM

·        Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. 

         §  Shalom:  Prolong your Life

·         LOVE -  FAITHFULNESS – Proverbs 3:3-4

o   Steadfast Love – Mercy & Truth

§  bind . . . Neck - outwardly Wear Love & Faithfulness in All you do

§  write . . . Heart - inwardly govern our motives with Love & Faithfulness – who you are

§  Shalom: Favor and Good name with God and Man - Repuation

·         TRUST – Proverbs 3:5-6

o   With ALL your Heart

o   Don’t Lean on yourself - False sense of stability will always crumble

o   Lean on God in and for All things 

§  Shalom: Paths Straight 

·         WORSHIP – Proverbs 3:7-8

o   Deep Reverance for God

§  Set aside your own wisdom and shun evil

§  Fixing your Eyes to Jesus – Hebrewa 12:2

o   Submission to His Lordship and Commands

§  Shalom: Health to your Body

·         GIVE – Proverbs 3:9-10

o   Honor the Lord with your Wealth

§  No matter how much wealth you have there is always someone who has more.

§  We are Rich/Wealthy

o   First Fruits!

§  Give First

§  Live Second

·         Don’t allow your life to get in the way of your Giving

§  Shalom: Barns will be filled

·         Phil. 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Let these Words define your Life in 2012! 

Obey
Love
Faithfulness
Trust
Worship
Give

Shalom!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" ...or at least it should be.  It's inevitable, when you consider the excitement, sugar, parties, and late nights with friends & family, that are added into our lives during the Holiday Season, at some point when you least expect it your child will lose it Big Time.  My Kids are no exception.

I am a firm believer in the power of knowing your kids and proactively anticipating their needs as a parent versus living on the edge of kid's potential chaos and overly reacting in the midst. Now, I know that this is an ideal that is often too lofty or even unrealistic in every life situation like during the Holidays, but I am confident that a simple shift towards being proactive from being reactive will help you and your kids reduce the number of meltdowns.

I read this quick article today from the Focus on the Family Bulletin, Dec. 2011 edition.  I found this to be a helpful reminder and hope you will as well.

Nap-Time Disruptions

Children have meltdowns at the most inconvenient times—like during a special holiday meal that happens to be scheduled at your child’s regular nap time. The question is, What’s a parent to do? Here are a few tips for managing meltdowns:  

Keep calm. Irritation will only make your child more anxious. Take a deep breath and count to 10.
Meet immediate needs.  Determine what will bring your child comfort, such as food, drink, quiet, rest, a book or a toy.
Have an escape plan.  Sometimes it’s best to remove an exhausted, over-stimulated child from the situation.
Call in reinforcements.  A second pair of hands is helpful. This person can help you gather your gear, fix a plate of food, or just offer a smile and emotional support. —Jean Blackmer ~ Focus on the Family BULLETIN, Dec. 2011.

While every child is unique, there are some common developmental stages that affect the way children react to the world, and being aware of some of these common stages can help to make holiday planning simpler.  Read this article for more details on how you can Maintain Cheer Throughout the Holidays.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Advent Week 4: Promise Delivered

Promise Delivered
Isaiah 9:1-7; John 3:16-21

Opening prayer:

Purify us, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son, Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Devotional thought:

When you love someone, you want to give them the best you can. Have you ever wondered why? It’s because love by its very nature is generous, and God is love! That makes him the most generous giver in the entire universe! In fact, Christmas is about celebrating this very fact - God’s generosity on full display for the whole world to see. God demonstrated his love for the world by sending His son. His love is the most generous act the world has ever seen. This is why Christmas is a time for us to show generosity. We give to others in response to the incredibly generous and loving God who sent His son, Jesus, to save us.

How are you showing generosity as an expression of love this Christmas? What are some ways that you as a family can demonstrate God’s generous love to a needy world? This Christmas, commit to making the holidays more about giving than receiving. Give generously and lovingly so that all those who receive from you might glorify God for Christ's sake.

For to us a child is born,

   to us a son is given,

And he will be called

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

   will accomplish this.

Family Activity:

Christmas is coming.  Ask God to give you ideas about how or what you can give to someone else.  Think creatively about what you can do for a neighbor, a stranger or even another family member.  Then do something in the name of Jesus without expecting anything in return – that’s true giving.  Do something together so that the busyness of these days doesn’t overwhelm your good intentions.   

Child’s Prayer:

O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, all things are in your hands, come and show us the way to salvation.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Joy to the World, by Nat King Cole

O Holy Night, by Chris Tomlin

Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, by Mariah Carey

Silent Night, by Andy Williams

Dec. 25 – Christmas Day – A Story

Luke 2:1-40   Matthew 2:1-12

Family Activity:

Join the family of God at Community Fellowship to Celebrate and Worship the New Born King together at 11:00 AM!

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Various Christmas carols - WOW Christmas 2011

Advent Week 3: Promise made to a King

Promise Made to a King
2 Samuel 7:8-17; Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; Philippians 2:1-11

Opening prayer:

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are burdened by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Devotional thought:

Imagine entering into the grand throne room of the King.  May the words of your mouth reflect the intent of your heart by pleasing Him with this refrain:

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

This week, let’s focus on the promise that God made to David, who was declared by God to be a man after His own heart.   God’s promise to David came from Nathan, the Prophet. David was not allowed to build a house (a temple) for God, but God promised to build a house (a kingly dynasty) through David, and this house will never fall, according to 2 Samuel 7:16.  “Your house will always stand, and your throne will be established forever,” was the definite promise. From that time on, the people of Israel firmly believed the royal line of David had a lasting place in God’s plans for Israel and his monarchy would never collapse.

The Messiah, the anointed one was to be a descendent of King David.  He would restore Israel to a position of prestige once more among the nations. In the light of Christ’s coming, we see that:

· David was to have a son to succeed him and establish his kingdom.

· This son (Solomon) would build the temple instead of David.

· The throne of his kingdom would be established forever.

· The throne would not be taken away from him even though his sins justified punishment.

· David’s house, throne, and kingdom would be established forever.

Let us consider what is wrapped in this promised gift.  God established that through King David a greater King would come and reign forever.  This King became the emphasis of our adoration and worship.  No longer would God’s people need to focus on a place of worship to enter into God’s presence to worship, but through this magnificent, eternal King we are able to worship and adore Him personally.

As you go about your busy week, practice entering into true worship and adoration of the Messiah, Jesus Christ the Lord, our King of Glory.  Carve out some time to do this as a family.

Family Activity:

As you and your family prepare for Christmas, have each member of your family take a blank piece of paper with some crayons or markers and create their own “Vision of the meaning of Christmas”.  This may be the start of a new family tradition so that you can trace the evolution of your family’s artistic expression of what Christmas is all about.

Child’s Prayer:

O Key of David, Jesus Christ, King of all nations, the gates of heaven open at your command, come and show us the way to salvation.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

O Come All Ye Faithful, by Amy Grant

Here I Am to Worship, by Passion Worship Band

King of Glory, by Chris Tomlin

The First Noel, by Johnny Mathis

Advent Week 2: Promise Given

Promise Given
Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12-14, 16:20

Opening Prayer:

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and put an end to our sin, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Devotional thought:

There will come a time this Christmas when you will catch a whiff of something baking and that smell will make you hungry.  There are so many Christmas traditions that revolve around foods.  We pass down family recipes, make special Christmas cookies or holiday treats, or try to figure out what to do with that fruit cake we’re given every year.  What are your family traditions with food? 

In the Beginning of God’s story, we see right away that God created Adam and Eve with a hunger for relationship with Him.  We all have the desire within us for relationship with God, our Creator.  He instructed Adam and Eve in the Garden to not eat from the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.  Unfortunately, Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, falling for and insatiable lie that it wouldn’t fill them up,  so instead of satisfaction, they immediately felt shame and sadness.  For the first time, there was something wrong with their relationship with God, their Creator and friend.  Sin entered the story and separated them from God.

God had made a promise, and God always keeps his promises.  In Genesis 3:15, He promised a coming Savior who could satisfy that aching hunger.  “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (NIV)  From that day on, God continued to remind His people of His promise to ready the people for the coming of the promised Savior, Jesus Christ.

Just as we prepare our kitchens and the tastes of our Christmas traditions are anticipated, we should prepare our hearts for the celebration of the fulfillment of this Promise given in the garden.  How are you preparing your heart? What are some areas of your life that need to change so that Christ can be more visible? Are there some patterns of behavior and attitudes that need to be cleaned up? This is why Jesus came; to fulfill the Promise, defeat sin and death and to transform you from the inside out. During this week of Advent, release the grip that sin and self has on your heart by receiving the Savior afresh.

Spend some time as a family confessing any sinful thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, and then practice true repentance, which is embracing forgiveness and turning from sin to God.

Family Activity:

Pull out a favorite Christmas cookie or holiday treat recipe and make, bake and eat it together as a family.  Be sure to make enough to share with someone else, too.

Child’s Prayer:

O Promised One of Israel, Jesus Christ, Redeemer for every heart, come and save your people.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Hungry (Falling on My Knees) by Kathryn Scott

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Steven Curtis Chapman

Offering (Christmas Version) by Paul Baloche

Advent Week 1: the Light of Hope

the Light of Hope
Isaiah 40:1-11, 31; 1 Peter 4:6-11

Opening Prayer:

Almighty God, help us by your grace to live in the light of hope brought to us when your son Jesus Christ came to this earth as a baby in great humility.; So that someday, when he comes again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to eternal life; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Devotional Thought:

There is something fantastically beautiful that happens this time of year.  It is seen in the eyes of children when they see the lights of a Christmas tree for the first time.  I remember when our oldest child was only 10 months old.  While she was taking a nap one day her mother and I decorated our family Christmas tree.  After she woke, we brought her downstairs so she could see all the Christmas lights.  She literally gasped and her eyes grew so big, and with one single finger she began to touch each light she could reach; never losing her wide-eyed awe.  Each year, decorating and lighting the Christmas tree sparks beautiful moments for our family.

There is hope in light.  Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and we celebrate the hope of Israel and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ by the lighting of a candle.  Be encouraged to walk in the Light of Hope this Advent Season.  We walk not in the overly simplistic hope of optimism, but rather in the Light of Hope that is found in living your life with a sense of purpose, knowing that we walk in the presence of the living God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. With that sense of purpose, we light the first candle of Advent.

We are called to not only look forward to the coming of Christ, but also “speed its coming” according to Henri Nouwen.  While God will send His Son in His time and on His terms and not ours, we must work hard by walking in the Light of Hope to quicken our Christ’s return. Clearly, our actions make a difference. Read 1 Peter 4:6-11.  In a mysterious way the new heaven and earth depend on what we do. We continue to hope in God's promise that Christ will come again, and our lives should not be passive, but active.  Thank you, God, for the Light of Hope for it will spark a difference in our everyday lives. 

Family Activity:

As you and your family prepare for the Christmas, Turn out all the lights in the room, and then light a candle or flip on a flashlight.  Then as a family and using different volumes say, “Good News, Jesus, the Light of the World is coming!”  Begin thinking and talking about someone with whom you can share the light of Hope this season. 

Child’s Prayer:

O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, Light of the World, Savior to all peoples, come and dwell among us.

Songs for Worship at Home: 

Great Light of the World, by Bebo Norman

Marvelous Light, by Charlie Hall 

In the First Light/Do You Hear What I Hear? By Todd Agnew

8 Reasons Why Single Men Should Work in the Church Nursery | Pastor Mark

Pastor Mark Driscoll is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington and is one of the world’s most-downloaded and quoted pastors. His audience—fans and critics alike—spans the theological and cultural left and right. He was also named one of the “25 Most Influential Pastors of the Past 25 Years” by Preaching magazine, and his sermons are consistently #1 on iTunes each week for Religion & Spirituality with over 10 million of downloads each year.

I believe that it is extremely imprtant for men to be actively involved in Children's Ministry as does Pastor Mark.  He posted this on his blog this week.

8 Reasons Why Single Men Should Work in the Church Nursery | Pastor Mark Driscoll: (entire blog post)

'via Blog this'

1 - It helps you learn what Jesus meant by child-like faith

When you tell a kid that Jesus walked on water, they don’t defer to Hume and enlightenment presuppositions about the miraculous. They say, “Yeah!” and their eyes get big because they believe what the Bible says.

2 - It helps you learn about God as Father

When you interact with kids, you are reminded that to God you are just a kid and that you really need your Father. Every guy, including the one in a suit making more money than he can ever spend, is just a Fudgsicle-faced kid to the Father.

3 - It opens up your heart to children

This causes you to view such things as sex and women differently, less selfishly, and more biblically.

4 - It helps you pick a wife who will be a good mom

When you hang out with kids, you realize you need to marry a woman who is more interested in building a good legacy than just having a good time.

5 - It helps you learn how to be a good father

Some guys are afraid, repelled, or ignorant of kids. Get over your fears and prejudices by hanging out with someone else’s kids a few hours a week, and learn how to interact with kids well.

6 - It’s important for kids without a dad to have godly, male investment in their life

Young boys without a dad need the godly investment of a man. Young girls without a dad need a godly man’s loving encouragement. And the single moms really appreciate godly men investing in their kids.

7 - It’s a good place to meet a nice gal

Single guys may not know this, but nice, single gals who love Jesus and want to marry and become a mom someday are working in the nursery. That’s like fishing in a trout pond if you’re a single guy. And the single moms dropping off their kids should be considered for marriage too. After all, Jesus’ mother was a single mom until Joseph married her and adopted Jesus.

8 - Jesus did

Our God came to earth as a single guy and hung out with kids. They loved him. They didn’t crucify him like the religious folks. If you want to learn about Jesus and become more like him, spend more time with kids like he did.

Scary Things: Addressing Fear as Parents

Kids love the treats that come with Halloween—but the tricks may leave them feeling unsettled or even fearful. As parents let's aim to help our children find a balance between tricks and treats.



Get more of Dr. Maier's practical tips on marriage, parenting and relationships

Lost & Found - Luke 15

Sermon from Sunday, Sep 04, 2011

Losing something, someone or getting lost is often very frustrating and traumatic until that something or someone is found.  Pastor Joel Sisson will ask you to consider, "What if we all are actually living in a practical state of being lost?"  By the way we live out our lives and relate with our God, we may forsake our relationship with God and in the process lose our way.  Jesus tells 3 parables in Luke 15 that illustrate this and you may discover that you need to be found today.

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