Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Unity- Agreement- Harmony- Accord- Unison- Union – Concord- Unanimity
One of the greatest things that God desires for His people is to live in peace and unity. He says that when there is unity in the church He WILL bestow His blessing in that place.
1 Corinthians 1:9-12
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."
I was researching how to accomplish such unity with a family of such different personalities, job areas, and goals in life. I came across a devotion by Joe Medway. (I can’t take credit for this)
Unity requires several things
1. LOWLINESS
= Humbleness and Humility; we have to walk in humility in our lives.
2. MEEKNESS
= Gentleness; enduring all things with an even temper, tender, free from naughty self-sufficiency, (meeting one’s own needs)
Tenderness of Spirit. We realize who God is. We can walk with meekness towards people if we have the heart of Christ.
The church cannot keep its unity if the heart of Christ is not living in the hearts of the people.
3. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER
= To bear up, hold up, endure, bear with each other, forgiving one another.
4. LOVE
= The uniting bond of perfectness. There can be no unity evidenced outside of love. Binds together; completeness has reached its full and intended end.
These are things I am trying to instill in my heart for my family, my marriage, and my church family. These are the things that will produce unity and spiritual growth.
Pray on these things and join us this Sunday morning at 10:45am for our ALL CHURCH WORSHIP!
-Sierra Stephanoff
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Facebook Parenting
It can be very interesting to throw out a random question to people to hear their responses. Some answers make us laugh, some make us think, and some answers may raise our blood pressure a bit!
I asked my Facebook friends a pointed question last week and here are some of the responses:
What has been the most effective parenting tool you have used? Or that your parents used with you?
Following through with punishments! -Kathy
To some degree I'll agree w/ Kathy and additionally; admitting to your child when you goofed and asking for forgiveness. -Bruce
errr....I guess I should have said discipline instead of punishments....punishments sounds kinda harsh....but tomato/tomatoe. lol :) But also following through with promises and rewards! :)
-Kathy
The "rod" ;) Truthfully, open communication and leading by example has been the mainstay for us. Kids will outgrow our "authority", but the influence we have on their lives can last a lifetime if we live worthy of their honor and respect. PRAYER is the foundation, and loving Jesus and living openhandedly with each other is key. -Barb
When my parents failed me, it mattered that I knew they loved me. So, expressing love is very important. -Kim
When they are little: obedience, as they grow older: obedience + dialogue...I'm assuming as they grow through HS, there will be lots and lots more dialogue! -Chris
Don’t coddle and tell your kids every time they do something that it’s great, be truthful about it. If they stink at something let em know. U won’t be doing them any favors by always tellin them how great they are if they’re not. -Marc
Eat broccoli. Go on long ride. Lock windows. Problem solved. -Ray
Working on having an honest and truthful relationship. Sometimes that gains the most respect, and if you are honest with your kids- they will learn that it is ok to be honest with you. Then the trust issue simply follows...... -Kim
Wait till your father gets home? -Nancy
LOL to "wait till your father gets home"!! I must of heard that one a zillion times growing up.....it must have worked, cuz I turned out ok: P -Kathy
Sounds like a good title for a sermon too . . . -Nancy
I'm not a parent, but I work with kids and teens so I see the goods and bads of parenting. The best that I can come up with is to be the parent. Parents are the one that make the rules, not the kids. Parents are the ones that are there to train and guide their children. Don't think that teachers and church volunteers/workers are the ones in charge of that, they are just there to reiterate the teachings from home. I hope that makes sense! Also open communication is huge tool! "I don't know," "I don't care," & "Because I said so" are not answers to all of life's issues. -Molly
"Praying with & for them & allowing them to hear that. Moms In Touch was very instrumental in our lives in their growing up years. Holding to your godly standards, not Hollywood's (i.e., movie ratings), how they dress & talk.....No compromise!" -Judy
Love em even when you don't want to, that's why love is such a precious gift -Alex
Both parents working as a team to raise up their children. It doesn't work very well when one is the parent and one is the buddy! -Ina Jean
What about you? What do you think is effective parenting?
What has God said in His Word to help us with this area of our lives?
Have a great week,
Pastor David
I asked my Facebook friends a pointed question last week and here are some of the responses:
What has been the most effective parenting tool you have used? Or that your parents used with you?
Following through with punishments! -Kathy
To some degree I'll agree w/ Kathy and additionally; admitting to your child when you goofed and asking for forgiveness. -Bruce
errr....I guess I should have said discipline instead of punishments....punishments sounds kinda harsh....but tomato/tomatoe. lol :) But also following through with promises and rewards! :)
-Kathy
The "rod" ;) Truthfully, open communication and leading by example has been the mainstay for us. Kids will outgrow our "authority", but the influence we have on their lives can last a lifetime if we live worthy of their honor and respect. PRAYER is the foundation, and loving Jesus and living openhandedly with each other is key. -Barb
When my parents failed me, it mattered that I knew they loved me. So, expressing love is very important. -Kim
When they are little: obedience, as they grow older: obedience + dialogue...I'm assuming as they grow through HS, there will be lots and lots more dialogue! -Chris
Don’t coddle and tell your kids every time they do something that it’s great, be truthful about it. If they stink at something let em know. U won’t be doing them any favors by always tellin them how great they are if they’re not. -Marc
Eat broccoli. Go on long ride. Lock windows. Problem solved. -Ray
Working on having an honest and truthful relationship. Sometimes that gains the most respect, and if you are honest with your kids- they will learn that it is ok to be honest with you. Then the trust issue simply follows...... -Kim
Wait till your father gets home? -Nancy
LOL to "wait till your father gets home"!! I must of heard that one a zillion times growing up.....it must have worked, cuz I turned out ok: P -Kathy
Sounds like a good title for a sermon too . . . -Nancy
I'm not a parent, but I work with kids and teens so I see the goods and bads of parenting. The best that I can come up with is to be the parent. Parents are the one that make the rules, not the kids. Parents are the ones that are there to train and guide their children. Don't think that teachers and church volunteers/workers are the ones in charge of that, they are just there to reiterate the teachings from home. I hope that makes sense! Also open communication is huge tool! "I don't know," "I don't care," & "Because I said so" are not answers to all of life's issues. -Molly
"Praying with & for them & allowing them to hear that. Moms In Touch was very instrumental in our lives in their growing up years. Holding to your godly standards, not Hollywood's (i.e., movie ratings), how they dress & talk.....No compromise!" -Judy
Love em even when you don't want to, that's why love is such a precious gift -Alex
Both parents working as a team to raise up their children. It doesn't work very well when one is the parent and one is the buddy! -Ina Jean
What about you? What do you think is effective parenting?
What has God said in His Word to help us with this area of our lives?
Have a great week,
Pastor David
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