Mental Health Will Do You Some Good

The following was sent to me via the net. Have Fun. Exercising the following can help your family be physically and mentally healthier.

1. Eat dinner together

2. Get some exercise

3. Go to the zoo or museum together

4. Take a walk togehter

5. Watch a movie together

6. Get enough rest

7. Pack healthy lunches

8. Read a book togehter

9. Plan a picninc together

10. Take a short "get away" vacation

How To Stop Family Bickering

Examine Yourself First
Look in the mirror and do self examination and seek to be sure you are not the source for the bickering and the catalyst of family bickering. Seek to be a positive person and learn to speak in ways that are encouraging and uplifting.
Stop It Before It Begins
Begin to watch and learn what may trigger some of the family bickering. If you see patterns that are causes for family conflict work to communicate these patterns with your family and see them come to an end.
Speak Words That Are Positive
It is important that positive and encouraging words are spoken in the family unit on a regular basis. Practice this behavior yourself and train your children to do the same.
Allow For Growth
Bickering will occur in your family. Do not allow for it to continue, but do make the most of the bickering and learn to settle differences and allow for growth to happen as family members grow and learn new communication skills and lifestyle behaviors.
Pray and Pray and Pray Some More
Stay in tune with God. Pray for peace in your family. Keep on praying.

Good Family Communication

1. Think before you speak.
2. Stress the positive.
3. When you have to deal with the negative, do it in a positive , matter-of-fact way.
4. Take time with your spouse and children.
5. Always communicate love, even if you dislike something you spouse or children my be doing.
6. When you "blow it" ask for forgiveness.
7. When others "blow it" forgive them.
8. Listen with your ears and your body language.
9. Encourage one another.
10. Slow down and enjoy your time togehter.

Remember

17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.
Deuteronomy 8:17-19

Porch Time

Sat on the porch this morn thinking about God, life, family, church, friends, death, love, God's goodness, my son's B-Day (he's now 15), and various other topics, but mainly about God. His Holiness. His Power. His Kingdom. His Money and Property that I think are mine. How he brought Ruth (my wife) into my life. His Creation. His Care and Compassion. His Forgiveness. His Joy. My thought time is often interrupted by "roof brain chatter" and I have to refocus quiet often in order to stay on GOD and not on me and my life and how God can help me and my life. Please understand I do pray for me and my life, but this morn I wanted to focus on God and His Glory in some personal worship time. Praise The Lord. Praise The Lord. That sounds a little corny and cheesy, yet it is where I needed to be this morn and more often.

One Another

John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:16 - "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."
Romans 13:8 - "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Romans 14:13 - "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."

Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Romans 15:14 - "I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another."
Romans 16:16 - "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."
1 Corinthians 1:10 - "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 5:19 - "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

For SCC - 5-18-08 The Challenge of Parenting and Communicating

The following is from the message Scott Salsman shared during the service. Parents need to help their children understand these truths.

Five Truths All Young People Need To Know

1. You matter

2. You are loved

3. You must choose your friends wisely; they will shape your life.

4. You must work for a fulfilled life.

5. You must remember your steps take you somewhere.

Parenting takes a great deal of effort. Time, communication and being involved in your child's life are very important as you seek to help your child/children understand these truths.

Funday on Sunday

Funday on Sunday was a great time. The combined service at 11:00 was well attended and the drama, music, DVD Clip and message were right on target. The food was good and there was plenty of it. Thanks Grill Masters and Kitchen Masters. The time outside playing and having fun was exciting and there were smiles on all the faces. Thanks to all who helped. May we keep having fun together.

Fair Fighting

I am doing some reading and thinking about this coming Sunday's (5-25-08) message and have just come across a list of "Rules for a Fair Fight". It is helpful information that will be beneficial to friendships, marriages and families. The list is to be applied when working through conflict in a relationship and desiring a healthy, mutual agreement so that the relationship can grow and be a vibrant experience for all involved. have fun learning and growing.

1. Identify the issue.

2. Choose the right time.

3. Choose the right place.

4. Begin with a positive stroke.

5. Stick to the issue.

6. Do not bring up the past.

7. Do not hit below the belt.

8. Take the other seriously.

9. Express anger nonabusively.

10. Do not play games.

11. Do not be passively aggresive.

12. Avoid asking for explanation of behaviors.

13. Avoid labeling and name calling.

14. Avoid Triangles (Do not bring others in to conflict you are seeking to settle).

This is good stuff. This is taken from The Family by Jack and Judith Balswick.

youversion.com

Great site and tool. Do this and grow. See the link.
http://www.youversion.com

Leadership Thought

"It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best."
- W. Edwards Deming

Thursday's Thought

"It is a great thing to talk to men about God; it is greater still to talk to God about men."
E.M. Bounds

God's Call

1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
The Call of Jeremiah 4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Back in the Fall of 1984 these were the verses God used to help confirm His call and involvement in my life. Note the words "His call". God is in control even when I think He is not. I really need to focus on trusting Him and honoring Him and others with the life He has given me. Thank God for life and "His call".

Media

The Apostle Paul wanted to get to Rome because it was the epicenter of the world and he knew the gospel would and could flow to the world from there. I think the internet is the epicenter of the world today and we as follwers of JC need to get the gospel there to change the world and advance God's Kingdom.

Good time this morn at a brief conf. Check out http://www.churchymedia.com/ and http://www.naba.tv/

It will be well worth your time.

Cards

Just came in from a sweet 2 hr. conf. and mexican for lunch with 2 very encouraging and helpful friends. Good time. The mail box was full. Went thru the mail and read B-day cards. FUNNY and GRACIOUS. I mean I was LOL, hehehe, and grinnin' big. Fun stuff. I serve a church with some very gracious people. They cannot remember Sunday's messages (neither can I), but they sure can remember my B-day (that I appreciate).

Birthday

Today is my birthday. Thought I would share what makes life a little more enjoyable than norm for me.

The Outdoors

Morning Coffee & Afternoon Latte

Chap StickPeople Accepting Christ

God

The Beach

My Children

My Wife

This is not a comprehensive list. But these are some facets of my life that bring joy to my heart. Take a few minutes to make a mental list of the things that bring joy to your heart and thank God for them right now. have fun.

Inspiring

"I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if that's what you want to know," he said. "Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

John Challis

Read the article at this link
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08125/878966-85.stm

UP

LOOK UP

God really is bigger than your concerns. Look up.

God really does care for you. Look up.

God really is larger than life. Look up.

God wants to be involved in your life. Look up.

God really is a "Big Time" forgiver. Look up.

God really will forgive you. Look up.

God really does work relationship miracles. Look up.

God really will help you in your relationships. Look up.

God, the Creator, really does understand hard work. Look up.

God really does want to be involved in your work week. Look up.

LOOK UP and call out to God. Really. He will answer you.

23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23

Quotes

The following are quotes from children they placed in Mother's Day Cards.

Angie - 8 years old
"Dear Mother, I'm going to make dinner for you on Mother's Day. It's going to be a surprise. P.S. I hope you like pizza & popcorn."

Robert
"I got you a turtle for Mother's Day. I hope you like the turtle better than the snake I got you last year."

Eileen
"Dear Mother, I wish Mother's day wasn't always on Sunday. It would be better if it were on Monday so we wouldn't have to go to school."

Diane
"I hope you like the flowers I got you for Mother's Day. I picked them myself when Mr. Smith wasn't looking."

Carol
"Dear Mother, Here are two aspirins. Have a happy Mother's Day!"