A Weding and the questions that are important!

This last week, I was asked by my sister to officiate her wedding. It was filled with Friends, family, fun and I enjoyed it much.

When I got back to the office, I found the notes from our Sunday evening Service on the information table and I was encouraged by the Q & A our staff had for that service. They were statements that many married couples make that really destroy relationships rather then building them up.

Here are the statements with some scripture.

"I must be perfect to be acceptable" - Philippians 3:12

"I need to have everyone love and approval." - Hebrews 13:16

"I'm not happy when things don't go my way!" - Psalm 118:24

"It's someone else's fault"

"It's my spouse's fault!" - Philippians 4:13

"We must not be right for each other. Our marriage is too much work"

"I'm not the problem so I shouldn't have to change!"

"Because I"m a child of God, He should protect me from all harm." - John 16:33

Here is a challenge for you. You might have said these things are thought these things from time to time . . .(if you are married), just for fun, defend the opposite of these statements. If you are not married, how does these statements pop up in other relationships that you have and how does it effect them?

Have a Great Day

David

Questions for the Fisherman(woman)

This week, we will be ending the conversation about fishing at our church. We have been talking about how Jesus first assignment was to turn followers into fishers. The first few that he selected had experience in the area of fishing for fish, but they all had to learn what it took to be fishers of men. We learned a lot in the last few weeks. Mainly, because we have asked some very difficult questions and found some common places to land.

Here are some other questions to chew on as it pertains to fishing for men.

1. What are the things the world values? What things does the world go fishing for?

2. What are we to fish for as Christians?

3. Is a person a fisherman if year after year he never goes fishing?

4. Is a person a fisherman if he never catches a fish?

5. Is a person a true disciple of Jesus Christ if he never attempts to win a soul for Christ?

6. As a fisherman, do we cast our nets in our backyard or do we go to a place where fish can be found?

Jesus never suggests that the world should come to the church but commands the church to go into the world to witness. Jesus has given us the example - he goes to the people, he never waits for the people to come to Him.

Have a Great Day

David

Men don't Cry

I had the privilege to see a grown man cry this last week. He had a chance, before family and Friends to send a blessing to his son that was graduating from high school. As he stood there, with tissue in hand, he shared awesome words to his son as he faced the next season of his life. I, for one, am not part of the camp that says men don't cry! There are moments and times were I say, let the tears flow guys.

Tim McGraw sings a song that has the title "Grown men don't Cry" enjoy!

I pulled into the shopping center And saw a little boy wrapped around the legs of his mother Like ice cream melting they embraced Years of bad decisions runnin' down her face All mornin'

I'd been thinkin' my life's so hard And they wore everything they own, livin' in a car I wanted to tell 'em it would be ok But I got just got in my suburban and I drove away

But I don't know why they say grown men don't cry I don't know why they say grown men don't cry

Keep having this dream about my old man I'm 10 years old, and he's holding my hand We're talkin' on the front porch watchin' the sun go down But it was just a dream he was a slave to his job and he couldn't be around So many things I wanna say to him But I just placed a rose on his grave, and I talk to the wind

But I don't know why they say grown men don't cry I don't know why they say grown men don't cry, don't cry

I'm sittin' here with my kids and my wife And everything that I hold dear in my life We say grace and thank the Lord Got so much to be thankful for Then it's up the stairs and off to bed and my little girl says "I haven't had my story yet." And everything weighin' on my mind disappears just like that When she lifts her head off her pillow and says, "I Love You Dad"

I don't know why they say grown men don't cry I don't know why they say grown men don't cry And I don't know why they say grown men don't cry I don't know why they say grown men don't cry, don't cry

Have a Great Day

David

Mail Bag

Received these statements from a good Friend through email.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin

''I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,

I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!'

Have a Great Day

David