Blessings

Nice Things On A Cold Night......

The crackle and warmth of a fire
The smell of burning wood
A hot meal
Lap cats
A Fuzzy pink robe
Handmade Quilts to snuggle under
A warm cup of tea in my favorite mug

Each is a blessing to be grateful for. Thank you God. You are so good to me.

Turn Your Eyes

I do really enjoy the praise songs we sing at church.  But I do sometimes miss the hymns.  There is good in both types of worship music and I wish the music folks at my church would use both.

Chip used a line from this hymn in his prayer Sunday.  Had to look it up because I couldn't remember the verses.  Good words here - Christ is so much more than anything this world can offer.  He is a light in a dark and troubled life.  

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
(Helen Lemmel)

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

     Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
     Look full in His wonderful face,
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
     In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!

      Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
      Look full in His wonderful face,
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
     In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

     Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
     Look full in His wonderful face,
     And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
     In the light of His glory and grace.

Sunday Notes - 10/21/12

Sermon Series: No Big Deal - Cures for the common sin - Materialism

Matthew 6:19-24

(Chip Henderson)

Definition of materialism - I seek out the things of this world more than I seek out the things of God.

Types of materialism:  Greed, Discontentment (wanting what you don't have), Hoarding (accumulating stuff but never giving or getting rid of).

Materialism pushes us towards evil and away from righteousness and holiness.
Materialism thinks only of the world today and ignores eternity.

3 Decisions to make to avoid materialism
1.  I will value the treasures of eternity more than the things of earth.  Live for treasures that won't go away.  Live righteously - Be faithful - Forgive people - Give - Share.  Think heavenly and your heart will follow.
2.  I will be generous and not greedy.  Generousity brings light to our life.  Greed brings darkness.  Materialism brings blindness and keeps us from seeing God's provision.  Love what God is doing - Be joyful.
3.  I will live for the Lord and not for money.  We can't live for God and ____.  Most of us want God and ____,  But Jesus says we can not serve two masters.

Biblical stewardship - Love God with all you have and realize that it all comes from Him.

Additional scripture:  Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 John 2:15-17, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Proverbs 28:22, Luke 12:20-21.

Gifted for Leadership: Bossy Older Sisters in the Church

Nice short article about bossy girls and strong women.  We do need to encourage women to find and use their strengths for the Lord.

Gifted for Leadership: Bossy Older Sisters in the Church

Depression

Dealing with depression.  I have been tempted at times to fall into depression - tempted to think that I'm being led nowhere.  Depression is a dark, lonesome, hopeless place and I admit I've camped there a few times. 

I think as Christians, we don't always know how to deal with another person's depression in a really positive way.  There is such joy and hope to be found in a relationship with God - how could someone not see that?  But for some, that joy and hope can be difficult to grab on to and the best that they can do is to focus on moving from one moment to the next. 

Good article here called Escaping Depression's Pull with some practical tips for those stuck in depression.

http://christiancounseling.com/content/escaping-depression%E2%80%99s-pull

3,2,1

Will you be one with Jesus?

http://vimeo.com/48734715

Gifted for Leadership: Three Ways to Kill a Small Group

I lead a small group and would much rather be a leader of an active, healthy group than a leader who kills the group.  Good reminders here of how to have an unhealthy group as well as ways to keep small groups a positive experience for all.
I pray that God will be the center of the group He has blessed me to lead.

Gifted for Leadership: Three Ways to Kill a Small Group