Fireproof Day 5

It Begins
The start of something great!

"FIREPROOF: CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING OR PREVENTING DAMAGE BY FIRE."

Tonight and over the next few weeks many of you will see the movie, FIREPROOF. As you do, I want to give you a listener's guide. Ask yourself these questions about yourself and seek to answer them honestly about your relationships, not only as a husband or wife, but also as a parent, youth, or friend. Every relationship is important and as such, deserves the effort of time and communication to make it the best it can possibly be.

• Is there a problem in my relationship with my spouse or friend? What is my part in the problem? (Don't play the "yeah but" game. "Yeah I might have been wrong but they should/shouldn't have done this or that)
  
• Am I seeking to understand my husband/wife/family member/friend?
  
• What can I do to immediately change my actions or attitudes?
  
• How have I left God out of my life and this relationship?
  
• Do I need to extend or ask for forgiveness of a wrong done to another, whether I realized it or not? (Just because I didn't know it, doesn't excuse it. When it's revealed, I have only one option - confess it and turn from it to God's way)
  
• Am I willing to do whatever it takes to bring healing to a relationship, and particularly my marriage, that I am in the process of throwing away?
  

I can hear the gears turning out there as some of you say, "But pastor, you just don't know what I've been through or what I'm going through." No, but God does! He can and will repair, heal, fix, reconstruct, and reconcile any relationship placed into His care when two people are willing to do so. You can't fix anyone else but you can trust God to lovingly rebuild your heart and leave the results up to Him!

Until tomorrow,

Pastor Steve

Fireproof Day 4

LIFE GROUP GETS HONEST! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!
Boy, talk about starting right...

We did! As we began our Life Group study of FIREPROOF, we very openly shared what it was for us guys to be respected and for the gals, what it meant for them to be loved. The beauty of it was this: Never once did it come up that someone had to EARN it - it is to be freely given and freely received.

We also discovered something else. We have to give others room to express themselves 'imperfectly'. When we're trying to learn new ways of communication, there are bound to be some bumps along the way. The main this to realize the other person is trying their best and give them some room. (Or as a member of our group said, 'rope' and when you give them enough they'll... well, you can figure out the rest) I didn't say we didn't have fun with it.

The brightest light bulb moment came when we realized that as followers of Christ, He is at home in us and that each time we snap off one anothers heads - yep you got it. Not a pretty picture is it?

Well then just remember - give each other some room. I'll bet someone has given you some at times as well. We're all on a journey and not a one of us reading this has completed it yet!

Until tomorrow,

Pastor Steve


THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:

WIVES: WHAT MAKES YOUR HUSBAND FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HIM FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU?

HUSBANDS: WHAT MAKES YOUR WIFE FEEL LOVED? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HER FEEL LOVED BY YOU?

SINGLES: IN YOUR WORK, SCHOOL, OR HOME ENVIRONMENT, WHOSE LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD VALUE TO BY GIVING THEM GREATER LOVE OR RESPECT? WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

Fireproof Day 3

THE LIKENESS OF THE SEXES
Different - but the same.

This past week we discussed our differences, hoping that everyone had realized by now that there are many differences between men and women. Here are just a few of them:

There are some very obvious differences between men and women. Men have thicker skulls, thicker skin, more red blood cells and more muscle tissue. Women tend to be more resistant to heat and cold and outlive men by several years. They are generally more sensitive by nature and have babies and hot flashes.

From the first moment of birth, little girls have more lip and mouth movement than boys. In a Harvard study of hundreds of preschoolers, researchers found that 100% of the sounds coming from little girls' mouths were words, whereas only 60% of sounds coming from preschool boys were words. The other 40% were yells and sound effects like, "Vrrooom!" "Aaaaagh!" and "Toot, toot!"

But while there are many differences, we should all recognize how we are all the same. Paul said it this way, There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NLT) Knowing this should effect how we treat each other - with the love and respect we have for any other person. So think of it this way: I should treat my wife or husband, or if single, my friend or family member or fellow worker, as good as I would my best friend or person I respect most in the world. In other words, if I treat that special person in any less Christian manner just because I'm close to them and can get away with it, I'm committing a sin in my life and should confess it, turn from it, and ask the Lord to change my attitude and lifestyle to match that of Christ.

So today, treat your husband or wife, or one of those names you put on your list if you're single, the very same way you want to be treated by others. God will bless you and honor you for it.


Until tomorrow,

Pastor Steve

Fireproof Day 2

An idea for tonight!
BP!
No, that's not a gasoline. How about taking a moment and doing something that, believe it or not, very few Christians do; read the Bible and Pray before bedtime. It's a great way to end your day and give that special time to God. If you're married, read and pray as a couple! If you're single, how about calling up a friend or family member or send them an email and share the passage of scripture below and let them know you're praying for them. Your time doesn't have to be fancy, just something simple with a short prayer of blessing, thanking God for each other, your friend or family member, and His word. Here's a suggestion for today:

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:3-6

Father, thank you for the blessings of life. Thank you most for the life I have through Christ Jesus. Thank you for my family, my (wife/husband, friend/family member) and for the opportunity to serve you. Help me to do your will each day and to discover it as I study your word. Amen.

Have a great evening!

Pastor Steve


THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:

WIVES: WHAT MAKES YOUR HUSBAND FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HIM FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU?

HUSBANDS: WHAT MAKES YOUR WIFE FEEL LOVED? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HER FEEL LOVED BY YOU?

SINGLES: IN YOUR WORK, SCHOOL, OR HOME ENVIRONMENT, WHOSE LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD VALUE TO BY GIVING THEM GREATER LOVE OR RESPECT? WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

Fireproof Day 1

Well, it didn't take long before I... Blew it!

Yep, I know it's hard to believe but it happened. I took the LOVE DARE CHALLENGE I gave everyone else yesterday from our new series, Fireproof. Just in case you don't remember them, here they are:

THE LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:

WIVES: WHAT MAKES YOUR HUSBAND FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HIM FEEL RESPECTED BY YOU? HUSBANDS: WHAT MAKES YOUR WIFE FEEL LOVED? AND THEREFORE, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE HER FEEL LOVED BY YOU? SINGLES: IN YOUR WORK, SCHOOL, OR HOME ENVIRONMENT, WHOSE LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD VALUE TO BY GIVING THEM GREATER LOVE OR RESPECT? WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS WEEK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN?

So my week was going to be perfect, right? I determined I would make this a week special by being the most agreeable, lovable, sensible, caring, passionate, devoted guy in the world. As I was leaving the house this morning, I remembered a note I'd made to myself that I'd left in our bathroom. When I went to get it I mumbled to Marylin in the shower what I was doing. Upon requesting me to repeat what I'd said I snapped and said (in a less than loving way because I was in a hurry), "I HAD TO GET THIS NOTE I MADE MYSELF! Love you - see you later," and left. About the time I arrived in Paris it hit me (Holy Spirit with a 2X4) what a sharp tongue I'd had. So rather than stew on it or argue myself out of it, I immediately called her and apologized for my less than loving response in a situation she could neither help nor asked for.

But hey, learn from me guys. If you blow it, don't wait! When God reveals your heart - run with it. My apology was received with grace, even though it was not asked for.

So, maybe - just maybe - I got off to a good start after all!


Pastor Steve