Thoughts from the weekend

Thoughts from the weekend:

One of the DNA aspects of our church family is the number of people who attend Stone Church from other countries.

Last Saturday evening, there was a surprise 50th birthday party for Cuthbert Anidobu at our church. The evening was filled with Nigerian food, wonderful Christian music from Nigeria and of course great fellowship!

I love the diversity that our church offers - more importantly - God loves diversity!

Happy 50th birthday, Cuthbert!

We love our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ!

Many, many thanks to those who helped out at our annual Trunk or Treat event last evening. 

It was well attended!

Children are a priority of our church, if not the number one priority!

Our desire is to be a spirit filled church.

Our desire is to be a family oriented church.

Our desire is to see people come to Christ.

Our desire is to see people grow in Christ.

Great time of worship yesterday.  If you get a chance at church some time in the near future, I encourage you to stop and thank one of our worship team members for their faithfulness in using their talents for the glory of God - and leading us in worship!

Thankful for a great office staff (pastors and administrative assistants)!

We continue to experience the "after shocks" of Nathan Morris' time with us.

God spirit continues to move - it is almost as if there is a new sense of interest in experiencing the Spirit of God!

2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

"Father, we are those people!  Our hearts desire to draw closer to you!  Send more of your ministering presence in our lives!"

Today, I am going to start a new Monday blog segment called:  "What I didn't get to yesterday," or those thoughts that I didn't get to share from my Sunday teaching (because of time).

What I didn't get to yesterday (from the teaching entitled:  "Dealing with Family Conflict".

Here is a story of how some people handle family conflict:

People find different ways to deal with family conflicts.  But a 25 year old Norwegian woman discovered a rather imaginative way to deal with her father, who had moved in with her after his divorce.  She's giving him away over the Internet.

According to a March 10 Associated Press story, Nina Groenland loves dear old dad, but having him as a roommate isn't working out.  So she placed a classified ad on the Internet looking for a new wife for her 52 year old dad. 

"Giving away my daddy to a good-natured lady in Trondheim," Groenland's electronic ad read.  "Daddy is tall, dark., slim and in his best age.  I'm sick of him since he is living in my house.  Furniture included."

"It started as a joke, but we've had one serious call," she said.  Adds the father:  I'd like to hear from American ladies as well."

Here is a story about wanting people to met our needs instead of Jesus Christ:

Ruth Graham, Billy Graham's wife, wrote, "I pity the married couple who expect too much from one another.  It's foolish to expect from one another that which Jesus Christ can be - always ready to forgive, totally understanding, unendingly patient, invariably tender and loving, unfailing in ever area, anticipating ever need, making more than adequate provision.  Such expectations put a marriage under an impossible strain."

Proverbs 11:29 tells us, "The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left." 

It is foolish to intentionally cause anger or resentment in your home.  It is dumb but we do it all the time when we are angry.  You live with these people all the time so you know their emotional hot buttons.

You know what will tick off your husband/wife/parents/kids.

You know if you push that button it is going to make them mad.

The bible says it is dumb to push those buttons, to make people angry intentionally, to intentionally build resentment.  It is foolish!

Steven Covey:  Seek first to understand and then to be understood.

In conflict - listen.  Because you care.  Because you might learn something.

Hurting people hurt people. 

The reason people hurt others is because they are hurting inside.

When we are ticked off - generally speaking - we can't see past our needs, our hurts and how we have been hurt and offended.

To resolve conflict, we need to make a mental shift from my needs to the needs and doubts and fears and interests of those I am in conflict with.

Just some thoughts from my sermon yesterday that I didn't get to.

Love you all......