Essentials for Life & 2010 part 2

3. Evaluate How You Exercise.

Our bodies need exercise! For it is in exercise we increase our heart rate, promote muscle activity and aid neurological integration, so our bodies work as they were designed. I have been fairly athletic throughout the course of my life. Whether it was basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, golf, etc., it didn’t matter; I played it. But for the last 10 years or so I allowed life to get in the way of physical exercise and my health ultimately. It’s easy to do, isn’t it? This last Fall I was demonstrating some soccer moves to my kids and in the process strained my calf muscle, an injury I have never had before. My muscles were weak and could not perform as they once could.

Paul persuades Timothy in 1 Tim. 4:8-9 to keep his focus on being Spiritually Fit for it is good for this life and the next. I know that it is easy to allow the cares and stresses of this life to fill up and push our time until we are so busy that we just don’t have time to workout – physically and spiritually. Isn’t it time to workout our faith, to follow hard after Jesus, and to persevere for the sake of the Gospel? Neglect will only allow us to grow into fat, stagnate, lethargic, complaining Christians with adult bodies but only baby muscles – powerless to do the work God has called us to do – ailing with aches and pains from sitting in our pews for way too long. I choose to exercise spiritually, to run the race that God has set before me - Hebrews 12:1-2! How about you?

Essentials for Life & 2010 part 1

So what is Essential for Life?

According the to the Morton HealthSystem in Arkansas there are six essentials for life. The Morter HealthSystem is a complete system of health care featuring the original sensory-specific technique called the Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.); an astounding nutrition program based on acid/alkaline balance; and guidelines for the correct choices to make in the Six Essentials for Life.

• What you eat
• What you drink
• How you exercise
• How you rest
• What you breathe
• What you think

They site that our bodies were created to survive. How we survive depends on our conscious choices in the 6 Essentials for Life. If we make good choices, the response is health. If we make bad choices, the responses lead to pain, disease and death. It is a choice!

When reading these, I couldn’t help but think about our spiritual condition. In this New Year, 2010, I have decided that my health must be a priority, but not just my physical health. Perhaps more importantly my Spiritual Health needed to some serious evaluation. Perhaps our Spiritual Life does as well.

1. Evaluate What You Eat.
Our bodies are creatively complex creations. I am learning that my body needs a proper balance of certain types of food in order for me to feel and be healthy. In John 6:35-40, Jesus declared that He was the Bread of Life. The Great Balancer in your Spiritual Diet is Jesus Christ. When cravings come only Jesus will satisfy, because only Jesus offers what we cannot get on our own – Eternal Life. Spiritually what are we eating? Really? If we are stuck in consuming anything other than a healthy dose of Jesus Christ and His Word, then your health is at risk. We must partake in the real food that Jesus offers.

2. Evaluate What You Drink.

Our bodies are mostly water and need water as its primary liquid, and the body is designed to regulate itself internally. Drinking external stimulants puts added stress on our bodies and interferes with the regulation of blood sugar.

In John 4:10-15, Jesus offered water that was far better than any water found on earth to the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s well. And in John 7:37-39, Jesus literally shouts to those who would listen – “Who wants some Living Water?” “Who wants to drink and never get thirsty again?” Who wants to taste and see that the Lord is Good? Who wants this Gift that will satisfy your deepest longings and desires? Jesus was offering the gift of the Holy Spirit and Eternal Life yet again. In the Samaritan Woman’s case, the living water would quench her longing for significance, love, acceptance, and intimacy. We have been created to satisfy our longings and all too often we reach for the sugary empty substitutes that only hinder our health and never truly satisfy. Let’s take a good long drink of Living Water today!

Joel D. Sisson - About Me

I began my ministry at Pleasant Hill Community Church as a part-time Youth Director in September 1997. After earning a Masters of Arts in Relgion from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, I accepted the call to a broader fulltime ministry position that includes oversight of the Educational objectives of PHCC for all ages.  After two years of seeking the Way and Will of God for my family and ministry, God has led us in an amazing way to Community Fellowship Church in West Chicago as the Children's Ministry Pastor to stretch and shape my passion and love for Families.  His ways are perfect!

I prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at the age of five, and when I was ten years old, I recommitted my life to Him while working through an AWANA Section. Early on in my life I knew that God was calling me to serve Him in full-time ministry. God has gifted me in the areas of Teaching, Shepherding, and Leadership. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I intend to use these gifts to meet the needs of people with the Word of God for the glory of God. My desire is to be an instrument that is used in the service of God and His church to make her better.


Rhonda and I were married in Warsaw, IN on December 22, 1995, and we have been partners in life and ministry ever since. God has blessed us with amazing children. Our first born, Matthew Joel, was born prematurely with multiple defects and entered Heaven in the arms of our Savior only minutes after his birth. Sixteen months later, God gave us Josie. She was born in January of 2003. She is now a second grader and helps her Mommy take care of the boys. Benji was born in March of 2005. He is our “head first” little man, and loves trucks, dinosaurs, sports, soldiers, Lego Star Wars for the Wii, and watching Michigan Football & Cubs Baseball with his Daddy. Drew was born in April of 2007. He doesn't have to work too hard to keep up with his older Brother and Sister, and loves his gymnastics class, scooter, going for bike rides  with the family, and anything Start Wars.  In his own words, "I'm pretty good at stuff..."  WE ARE SO BLESSED!

We thank God everyday for all that He has given to us. "Thank You, Lord!"

A Prayer for the Church - Phil. 1:9-11

A Prayer for the Church - Phil. 1:9-11
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Prayer is a powerful component to our Christian lives. It is through Prayer that we have direct connection to God in relationship and for other people. The Apostle Paul has given us a fantastic example of how we should be praying for other people in our lives.Associate Pastor, Joel Sisson, will challenge you to pray for 3 people this week. Pray for one person in your Church, One person in your home or family, and One person in your neighborhood or work place.  Phil. 1:9-11

Songs for the Journey - A Song of God's Glory - Psalm 115

Songs for the Journey - A Song of God's Glory - Psalm 115
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Not to us, O Lord , not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

What if Everyone Prayed?

What if Everyone Prayed?
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We are created for Communion and Communication with God. Do you believe that God actually speaks today! We can believe that God not only speaks, but that He is speaking and wants to speak with you on a regular basis.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16

Conversations are always two-way communication. Today will you consider the Power of Everyone in prayer? It is possible that we could affect and change the World and our Community through our prayers. Will you allow God to use you through Prayer?

What if Everyone Gave?

What if Everyone Gave?
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Today we will look at a moment in the history of the nation of Israel found in Exodus 35:20. Moses went to the children of Israel to ask them to give whatever they had for the building of the Tabernacle. They Gave! And They GAVE! So much so that Moses had to stop them from giving any more.

Generosity is a matter of the willingness of our hearts, the openness of our hands and the expediency of our tools. Our Community needs us to care deeply, to risk greatly, and to act boldly, and Give Generously!

What if Everyone Mattered?

What if Everyone Mattered?
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We would like to think that it would be self evident that Everyone Does Matter, but practically speaking our default is selfish … much like Cain in Gen. 4:3 and the Older Son in Luke 15:11-32.

They both neglected the fact that their brothers Mattered in this world and to the Father. God’s grace marked Cain for all the world to see that he mattered to God. The challenge to the older brother of the Prodigal was to embrace compassion and set aside the idea that relationship with the Father was Exclusive. Relationship with God the Father is Inclusive and available for all of us.

What if Everyone Connected?

What if Everyone Connected?
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Do you feel Connected these days? Cell phones, Blackberry, iPhones, PC or Macs, Email, Wi-Fi Hot Spots, Facebook & Twitter Cable or Satellite TV, 24 hour news, sports, weather & traffic, Radio, … and the list is getting longer as new technology is being created.

It seems like the driving force of life is all about getting Connected. But are we really Connected? What would it look like if we all were Connected in the same way?

What if Everyone Sacrificed?

What if Everyone Sacrificed?
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Sacrifice is central to relationship. Mother’s know this perhaps better than anyone else. So when we consider that we have been created for relationship with others and most importantly with God himself, we must consider Love.

Love demands sacrifice! Today we will examine the call to love. The first is found in Gen 22 when Abraham is asked to sacrifice his Son, and then in Mark 10:17-31, Jesus asked the Rich Young Ruler to sacrifice his property and wealth. Their Love demanded Sacrifice.

What If … we lived in such a way where everyday we made small sacrifices for someone else?