Monday, April 20, 2009

14 Years of Perspective

At FFC we started a new Message Series entitled Perspective. We're looking at those things in life that shape our views in all areas of life... kind of like sunglasses. One of the truths is that our perspective determines our experiences.

Media, family up-bringing, other people, past experiences and many other things want to shape our perspective of life, especially marriage. Even me writing these things have the potential of shaping your perspective of marriage. You and I have the power to choose to whom or what we will authority and influence into our marriage. Angie and I have determined to allow God's Word to have that authority in our lives and in our marriage.

This leads to some more reflections of our 14 years of marriage:

6. Growing Vision For Your Future - What do you want to see in your marriage in the next 5, 10 or 20 years down the road? Those seeds are being planted right now! For many couples, after the kids the out of the house, they find themselves flat footed, disconnected from their spouse because their vision never went past their kids. What you did up till now may be great, but it must continue to grow and change. I'm not the perfect husband, but I'm a changing husband. Learning how to become what God desires me to be as a man and husband.

7. Push Each Other's Limits - This isn't about getting on each other's nerves, but being the greatest fan of your spouse. Help the other reach and fulfill their potential in their life: going back to school, taking that next position at work, running a marathon, getting involved in sports leagues once again... Although you're married, there's still incredible talents and potential that God has planned for our lives. Instead of being idle and stuck in the routine of life, let your spouse know that you believe in them and see the incredible potential that still awaits them.

Ask God to give you a fresh new perspective in your marriage. Don't try to go back and live the 'good old days', but passionately pursue the greater days that are still to be lived!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

14 Years Continued...

Right now Angie and I are at the Airport awaiting our flight home after spending 4 days together for our 14th anniversary. We can't wait to see Jaiden and Mikayla!

So, here's some more things that we have committed ourselves to:

4.Communication - Do more listening than talking: look at your spouse and give your full attention, listen to the body language and voice tone.Find out what's being said beyond the words: restate what you understand is being said, ask clarifying questions. This takes time...not just during the commercials! Communication is NOT what is said, communication is coming to understanding.

5. Deal with Conflict Quickly - Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Every marriage has conflicts, and we can get angry with each other;but we must learn to handle this correctly. Don't go into a conflict trying to prove yourself right and the other wrong. Remember, we are to submit to each other, in this together, and need to communicate to get through these times of conflict. Ask for forgiveness, give it, make needed adjustments and move on. Don't give the devil a foothold!

Stay tuned to more! Growing Healthy Families with Christ; every heart, every person, every generation!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Thank You God!

A few weeks back (April 1st), our church construction project experienced quite a scare. Dennis Hight, our on site project manager for FFC, fell over 22 feet off the roof.His injuries included: shattered heel, broken tibia and fibia that protruded out of his skin and dug into the dirt, pelvis separated into places, broken lumbar and bruised internal organs.

God's hand was there protecting Dennis - sparing his life. The doctors have performed 3 surgeries on his leg, and one for his pelvis. As of today, Dennis is doing exceptionally well, and may be coming home this week!

During all this, our church and people all over the world (reports from Oregon, California and Hawaii), have been praying for Dennis' healing and quick recovery. The Body of Christ, the Church, is a powerful and amazing force.

The day after this accident happened, I shared with Dennis' wife Pam a verse that the pastoral staff had just gone over - Proverbs 18:14 "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?"

The battle for our healing was taken care of by Jesus Christ on the cross, our battle for our healing is in our heart - our spirit of faith! I thank God for the timeliness of His Word, and the stirring of the Holy Spirit to ignite the fire of faith in our hearts.

THANK YOU GOD FOR THE HEALING IN DENNIS' BODY! Continue to lift his heart as he anticipates finishing this great work that he has led this church in. Amen!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Celebrating 14 Years!

Look at this picture, thank God for change! It was taken April 15th, 1995... 14 years ago my wife Angie and I got married. With each year that passes, it has gotten better and better... I'm incredibly blessed!


Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.


Like any marriage, there are challenges that we go through, but we are committed to growing healthy and better TOGETHER. Everyday it takes work, encouragement and lots of grace. Some people have asked us what has been key for us in our marriage, so over the next few days Angie and I will share what have found valuable for us in marriage.


1. True Faith - Each spouse must be fully committed and growing in their relationship with Jesus. He's the one who changes hearts, no spouse or person has that ability. God is love, and is the endless supply of love and grace... be connected to the source.


2. Selflessly Serve - The Bible tells us to submit one to another (Ephesians 5:21-32) and to serve one another. This is considering the other before self. Wanting to meet the other's needs, finding fulfillment in making each other happy, praying for your spouse's victory in life and when difficult decisions/times are happening. Serving seeks ways to meet the needs of others.


3. Continue to Date - Marriage takes lots of hard work, and sometimes the joy and fun of being together gets lost. Don't "find time" to have fun... make time for it! Especially when you have kids, you need to invest that time with each other. Go on a date once a week, and go on some sort of week/weekend get-away from the kids, this is investing in your marriage and it's one of the best things you can model and give to your children!

Marriage is like eating an elephant, you do one bite at a time. Maybe there's something here you can apply to your marriage. There is never one thing to a healthy marriage, but a commitment to many little things.

Easter - Like Every Other Day

Luke 24:5-8 NIV - “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered His words.

We had a wonderful weekend, as we celebrated Easter, the day Jesus raised from the dead. The we had record attendance at our Egg hunt in spite of the weather; we had 741 registered and of those 346 do not attend church! That's why we are building... we're making room for them!

On Easter Sunday, our message encourage everyone with three simple things: 1.Don’t live everyday waiting for Someday, 2. Don’t miss the opportunity of this One Day, 3. Don’t deny the power of living Everyday. We had 24 people make the decision that today and everyday Jesus would be Savior and Lord of their life!

This was a great Easter... but the truth is I want to live everyday of my life in that same overcoming power!