Every good thing comes from God (James 1:17), so gratitude is a proper response toward Him. In fact, if we didn't express gratitude, we wouldn't be recognizing who God is and what He's done for us. Plus, Jesus modeled gratitude for us (Luke 9:16). And He had something to say about it directly.
Read Luke 17:11-19, about the ten lepers meeting Jesus. This encounter shows that the opportunity to demonstrate gratitude occurs every time someone meets a need for someone else. Unfortunately, only one of the ten chose to express gratitude. We don't know why the other guys didn't return. Maybe they were so caught up in celebrating with family and friends they didn't even think about it. Or maybe they thought that what was given to them was something they'd earned - sort of an entitlement mentality.
This month we are going to explore how to stop the busyness and "you owe me" excuses and REWIND AND REMIND ourselves exactly what has been done for us. We will take time to just say thank you. We will remember how others have helped us. We won't let an entitlement mentality infect our thinking, causing the wrong attitude to spoil our gratitude. We are going to make sure we let others know we see how they've helped us and take time to celebrate what God has done. So, in November we'll be talking about GRATITUDE, letting others know you see how they've helped you.
Week 1 is about Jesus healing 10 men with leprosy (Luke 17). Bottom Line: Take time to just say thank you.
Week 2 is about the list maker: Paul, making a list of those he's thankful for (Romans 16). Bottom Line: Take time to remember how others have helped you.
Week 3 is Jesus' parable of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20). Bottom Line: Don't let the wrong attitude spoil your gratitude.
Week 4 will focus on the main feasts celebrated in Old Testament days (Exodus 23). Bottom Line: Take time to celebrate what God has done.
And for the 5th Week: A 252 Basics special edition on one of five "faith skills": Give to God (serve and invest). This is a "bridge" lesson, spanning gratitude (in November) and generosity (in December). You don't want to miss this one!
I can't wait to see you every Sunday in November!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Next FAITH CLUB
The next FAITH CLUB will meet on Sunday mornings at 10:45 on October 26, November 2 & 9. This will be a three week class and your child must attend all three weeks. If your family has a conflict please let me know.
FAITH CLUB is the children's new Christian's class. Please RSVP by email to richc@fbcmonline.com or sign up at the Kids Registration Station.
FAITH CLUB is the children's new Christian's class. Please RSVP by email to richc@fbcmonline.com or sign up at the Kids Registration Station.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
KidzStuff Tomorrow Night @ 7 PM
Moms, Dads, Boys & Girls you don't want to miss this weeks KidzStuff. KidzStuff is the first of every month and is designed to help parents and kids understand the new virtue for the month. But moms and dads I want you to know if you have never been to KidzStuff. You don't know what your missing. Your kids will love it, but rumor has it that adults have been caught laughing harder than the kids.
This month's edition could be one of our best storylines. We are talking about determination. Determination is deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started.
Gordo, Vinny & Tyler will be there this week. As well as our new featured virtue song as well as a new kid favorite "Boom Chakalaka laka Boom." Its going to be high energy and fun so make sure to bring your child tomorrow night at 7 PM.
This month's edition could be one of our best storylines. We are talking about determination. Determination is deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started.
Gordo, Vinny & Tyler will be there this week. As well as our new featured virtue song as well as a new kid favorite "Boom Chakalaka laka Boom." Its going to be high energy and fun so make sure to bring your child tomorrow night at 7 PM.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sundays in October
Jesus says, "In this world you will have trouble." No ifs, ands, or buts. You will face sickness, death, divorce, temptations, failures, rejection, peer pressure. You will have trouble that you won't see coming. And no one is exempt. Not the young, not the old, not the good.
Even Jesus had trouble. He was tempted, persecuted, beaten, crucified. He could've taken an easy way out, given up, and gone back to heaven. Instead, He decided it was worth it to stay and finish what He'd started, being "obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Despite His trouble, Jesus had the determination needed to keep doing what God said. If our attitude is to be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5), we will need that same determination.
The kind of determination that will keep us doing what God says even if it's hard, and even if others don't, so that we don't miss something really good. Yep, we will have trouble in this life, but grit your teeth and don't give up because God will not give up on you. You can be sure that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
So for October, Sunday mornings are all about DETERMINATION, which is deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started. Here's the line-up:
Week 1 - Keep doing what you should do even if it's hard. We'll be talking about Paul and how he was determined to finish right (2 Corinthians 11:23b-27; Acts 20:24).
Week 2 - Keep doing what God says even if others don't. This week is about Noah and the great flood (Genesis 6:6–7:7).
Week 3 - Keep doing what God says because He is God. The focus is on the Israelites leaving slavery in Egypt (Exodus).
Week 4 - Keep doing what you should do so you don't miss something really good. Sort of a continuation from last week, we'll be talking about 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:1-39).
Even Jesus had trouble. He was tempted, persecuted, beaten, crucified. He could've taken an easy way out, given up, and gone back to heaven. Instead, He decided it was worth it to stay and finish what He'd started, being "obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8, NIV). Despite His trouble, Jesus had the determination needed to keep doing what God said. If our attitude is to be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5), we will need that same determination.
The kind of determination that will keep us doing what God says even if it's hard, and even if others don't, so that we don't miss something really good. Yep, we will have trouble in this life, but grit your teeth and don't give up because God will not give up on you. You can be sure that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6, NIV).
So for October, Sunday mornings are all about DETERMINATION, which is deciding it's worth it to finish what you've started. Here's the line-up:
Week 1 - Keep doing what you should do even if it's hard. We'll be talking about Paul and how he was determined to finish right (2 Corinthians 11:23b-27; Acts 20:24).
Week 2 - Keep doing what God says even if others don't. This week is about Noah and the great flood (Genesis 6:6–7:7).
Week 3 - Keep doing what God says because He is God. The focus is on the Israelites leaving slavery in Egypt (Exodus).
Week 4 - Keep doing what you should do so you don't miss something really good. Sort of a continuation from last week, we'll be talking about 40 years in the wilderness (Numbers 14:1-39).
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