Yesterday morning, I began a new relationship series called Connect. During the series, we'll look at the lives of Bible couples and the issues they dealt with in their marriages. This week, we looked at the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. Their issue: communication.
Whenever you meet someone, you usually like to know something about them. Here's some background on Isaac and Rebekah:
How they met? Isaac's dad, Abraham, was getting older and wanted his son to marry someone from his own people, not from the land of Canaan where his family had settled. Abraham sent a servant back home to find a wife for his son (Genesis 24:1-4). The servant was successful in his efforts to find a bride, Rebekah (Genesis 24: 10-28).
What was she like? We learn that Rebekah was beautiful (Gen. 24: 16); industrious (24: 17-20) and confident (24: 53-58).
What was he like? Isaac was a contemplative man (Gen. 24:63) who trusted God (26: 24, 25).
What was their issue? This couple struggled with infertility (Gen. 25: 21-26), a major cause of marital strife throughout history, but upon being blessed with children, they then each had a favorite son (Gen. 25: 27, 28).
But the ultimate problem in the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah was one of poor communication. They did not communicate God's plan for their family's future (Gen 25:23) to their sons. Plus, they were not on the same page and worked secretly in opposition to each other (Gen. 27: 1-8).
Ultimately, this lack of communication in their marriage blew their family apart.
Tomorrow, I'll post some ways for couples to improve the communication in their marriage.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Fun on Friday- More Turnerisms
Turner: "When you wash my face, you should wash my whole face so I will sparkle".
Turner: "The letters C and G could be brothers and O and Q could be brothers".
Turner: "The letters C and G could be brothers and O and Q could be brothers".
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Great Quote Thursday
Integrity is the basis of trust...It is the one quality that cannot be acquired, but must be earned- Warren Bennis
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Great Quote Thursday
What people complain about communicates their understanding of the vision- Andy Stanley (Making Vision Stick- pg. 60).
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Book Review- The Truth About You by Marcus Buckingham
Author/Speaker Marcus Buckingham is known as a leader in the movement of promoting one's strengths. This short book draws on that concept.
Buckingham suggests taking a week and making lists of "Strengths Statements" and "Weakness Statements". In effect, writing down the things that inspire you and give you energy as well as the things that draw energy away from you; the things you like to do and the things you don't like doing. (I did not complete this exercise, deciding in advance that making lists of statements would not be something I would like to do and therefore would probably draw energy from me- I say that jokingly but truthfully).
The main focus of the book is to help people play to their strengths and minimize the time spent dealing with weak areas. Buckingham suggests that we focus far too much on the areas of weakness, areas we'll likely never improve upon, to the detriment of our strengths, thereby taking our time and focus away from areas in which we excel. He is realistic in his approach however, challenging the reader near the end of the book under a section called "One Last Tactic" (p. 97), "Recognize that what weakens you is only a small part of your job, and then devote the rest of your time to getting better and better at those things where you have some unfair, natural advantage over everybody else- your strengths".
Buckingham suggests taking a week and making lists of "Strengths Statements" and "Weakness Statements". In effect, writing down the things that inspire you and give you energy as well as the things that draw energy away from you; the things you like to do and the things you don't like doing. (I did not complete this exercise, deciding in advance that making lists of statements would not be something I would like to do and therefore would probably draw energy from me- I say that jokingly but truthfully).
The main focus of the book is to help people play to their strengths and minimize the time spent dealing with weak areas. Buckingham suggests that we focus far too much on the areas of weakness, areas we'll likely never improve upon, to the detriment of our strengths, thereby taking our time and focus away from areas in which we excel. He is realistic in his approach however, challenging the reader near the end of the book under a section called "One Last Tactic" (p. 97), "Recognize that what weakens you is only a small part of your job, and then devote the rest of your time to getting better and better at those things where you have some unfair, natural advantage over everybody else- your strengths".
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
3D...Discover, Develop, Deploy- Session 4
In Acts 2, we see the early followers of Christ develop as individuals and as a group and then deploy their lives in ministry. There are some steps in the process they followed that will benefit each of us:
1. Develop the Gift You've Been Given- v. 5-13
When the Holy Spirit arrived (v. 1-4), He came to fill the early followers of Christ with His presence. In doing so, He gave them a gift of diversity, an ability to speak in different languages. Prior to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the early followers were strictly a Jerusalem-based operation, speaking in their own native language. Once the Holy Spirit came, the Gospel could then be shared with others outside what was a close sphere of influence.
Each of us live our lives in different contexts. We should see that as a gift. If we all did the same thing the same way at the same time, there would be no diversity. Whether you work in a bank, at a school or in an office, you can "do" ministry where you are. Our diversity of talents, skills and abilities should be developed to the fullest.
2. Develop Your Story- v. 14-39
Peter, who only days before had denied Christ 3 times, is here seen "standing up" and raising "his voice" (v. 14) to boldly proclaim the message of the Gospel. He had developed a boldness, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, that had not previously existed.
Additionally, Peter developed a willingness to share about Christ. He speaks of the Gospel (v. 22-24); the resurrection (v. 32-34); and the need for repentance to occur for the forgiveness of sin (v. 38, 39). He was not willing to share so openly only days before.
Peter's story is a story of life change. My story and your story are stories of life change as well if Christ has forgiven your sin and the Holy Spirit lives within you. We should develop our story so we can be prepared to share as Peter did.
3. Deploy Your Life- v. 40-47
To have Holy Spirit power, a diversity of life contexts and a story of life change and to not use these for the glory of God would be wasting the gifts we've been given. We see the early followers of Christ deploy their lives in ministry:
By encouraging others- v. 40A
By sharing the Gospel- v. 40B, 41
By living like Christ- v. 42-45
By loving the church- v. 46, 47
1. Develop the Gift You've Been Given- v. 5-13
When the Holy Spirit arrived (v. 1-4), He came to fill the early followers of Christ with His presence. In doing so, He gave them a gift of diversity, an ability to speak in different languages. Prior to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the early followers were strictly a Jerusalem-based operation, speaking in their own native language. Once the Holy Spirit came, the Gospel could then be shared with others outside what was a close sphere of influence.
Each of us live our lives in different contexts. We should see that as a gift. If we all did the same thing the same way at the same time, there would be no diversity. Whether you work in a bank, at a school or in an office, you can "do" ministry where you are. Our diversity of talents, skills and abilities should be developed to the fullest.
2. Develop Your Story- v. 14-39
Peter, who only days before had denied Christ 3 times, is here seen "standing up" and raising "his voice" (v. 14) to boldly proclaim the message of the Gospel. He had developed a boldness, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, that had not previously existed.
Additionally, Peter developed a willingness to share about Christ. He speaks of the Gospel (v. 22-24); the resurrection (v. 32-34); and the need for repentance to occur for the forgiveness of sin (v. 38, 39). He was not willing to share so openly only days before.
Peter's story is a story of life change. My story and your story are stories of life change as well if Christ has forgiven your sin and the Holy Spirit lives within you. We should develop our story so we can be prepared to share as Peter did.
3. Deploy Your Life- v. 40-47
To have Holy Spirit power, a diversity of life contexts and a story of life change and to not use these for the glory of God would be wasting the gifts we've been given. We see the early followers of Christ deploy their lives in ministry:
By encouraging others- v. 40A
By sharing the Gospel- v. 40B, 41
By living like Christ- v. 42-45
By loving the church- v. 46, 47
Monday, April 2, 2012
NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game- Kansas vs. Kentucky
Tonight's game featuring the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kentucky Wildcats will showcase two teams who arrive at this game following seasons that were filled with expectations.
Kansas had to replace much if its roster from last season's highly ranked team. That the Jayhawks are in the final game is a tribute to the Kansas program and Coach Bill Self's staff. Kansas is always good (and Thomas Robinson is a super college player), but championship game good is probably a bit of a surprise this season.
Kentucky always replaces players. It is the school of the One-and-Done. But this group of freshmen (led by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) seems to work hard and not be as ego-driven as previous groups that Coach John Calipari has brought to UK. That this team was talented enough to play for a championship was a known possibility if everything went well this season. It has.
Here are our picks for tonight's game (you should probably only read Tonya's pick as she has done better at this than the rest of us):
Parker- Kentucky
Turner- Kentucky
Tonya- Kentucky
Greg- Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats seem to be the obvious favorite. But we will be rooting tonight for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas had to replace much if its roster from last season's highly ranked team. That the Jayhawks are in the final game is a tribute to the Kansas program and Coach Bill Self's staff. Kansas is always good (and Thomas Robinson is a super college player), but championship game good is probably a bit of a surprise this season.
Kentucky always replaces players. It is the school of the One-and-Done. But this group of freshmen (led by Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) seems to work hard and not be as ego-driven as previous groups that Coach John Calipari has brought to UK. That this team was talented enough to play for a championship was a known possibility if everything went well this season. It has.
Here are our picks for tonight's game (you should probably only read Tonya's pick as she has done better at this than the rest of us):
Parker- Kentucky
Turner- Kentucky
Tonya- Kentucky
Greg- Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats seem to be the obvious favorite. But we will be rooting tonight for the Kansas Jayhawks.
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