BLeach

Making Things Right::Glorify God

In my message yesterday I introduced a "Four G" model for relational conflict resolution (adapted from The Peacemaker).  Just thought I'd review the process on the blog this week.

G #1: Glorify God

We tend to choose one of three responses when tension develops in a relationship. 

• We Escape
• We Attack
• We Make Peace

Some ways we escape: Denial, flight, separation, suicide

Some ways we attack: Assault, slander, gossip, silent treatment, litigation

The problem with both responses is that our focus is off. 

With an escape response I'm focused on myself.  I can't take this anymore.  I don't want to think about this anymore.  I want out.  It's all about my feelings.

With an attack response I'm focused on the other person.  I want them to pay.  I want them to feel pain like I've felt pain.  It's all about their feelings.

The challenge is to shift our focus to God.  Every conflict is an opportunity to glorify God by walking the way of Jesus and demonstrating the reconciling power of the cross. 

Of course, this mainly applies if you're a follower of Christ.  If you are, consume your thoughts with His glory, and see every conflict as an opportunity to increase His fame!

Another Messy Illustration

During the Smudged series we've been talking about the passion of Jesus to heal the brokenness in our hearts.  Yesterday I talked about how critical that healing is to developing healthy relationships in life.  Bottom line: hurt people hurt people.

To illustrate that big idea I setup a table on the stage with three buckets filled with paint, motor oil, and tomato sauce.  I also had a large sponge which represented my heart.  I dipped my heart (the sponge) into each bucket, describing the process by which our hearts absorb bitterness, resentment, shame, guilt, anger, hatred, insecurity and jealousy. 

Next I talked about the need each of us to build significant friendships.  I asked one of our interns to come up on the stage, and as we walked closer to each other described the way our friendship has progressed.  Finally, once we were side by side, I smudged his shirt (front and back) with all the junk that was on the sponge.  It smelled pretty bad!

But it was worth it to bring God's Word to life.  And I did present him with a new shirt at the end of the message (although it was already his) :)

You can check out the message here, or subscribe to the podcast!

I Love Our Church!

And the Name Is...

Gabriella Faith!

Gabriella means "God is my strength."

Now we're just debating nicknames.  We've got options!

• Gabby
• Bree 
• Ella 
• Bella

I'm guessing we'll know when we hold her!

We've been talking to the baby ever since we found out that Leah's pregnant.  But it's a lot more fun to call her by name! 

Coming On Friday to this Blog!

It's the big announcement!  Find out our little girl's name. 

Just to hold you over, here are five names that have been eliminated from consideration (keep last name in mind). 

• Dorcas
• Tim  
• Ima 
• Cher 
• Robin 

Bible Reading Journey::Matthew

One of my goals is to read the Bible all the way through this year.  Here are some more thoughts from the journey.

• Interesting that of all of David's sons, God chooses the one from his affair with Bathsheeba to include in the lineage of Jesus.  Great picture of redemption!
• Don't know if I've ever fully appreciated the risk that the angel asked Joseph to take in marrying Mary.  Social suicide.
• I wish the wise men were still around.  We could hire them to turn around the Lions.
• Herod joins the list of rulers who tried to wipe out God's deliverer through genocide.  It never works.
• Love God's proclamation over Jesus at his baptism.  Pure pleasure!
• Satan must have been so frustrated after being denied by Jesus for the third time in a row.
• Before Jesus begins his public ministry, he conquers his private desert.  Personal preparation always precedes performance.
• At some point I want to take one solid year just to study the Sermon on the Mount.
• One theme shouted to me throughout the Sermon on the Mount: The way of Jesus is transformational because it is counter-cultural.
• This passage was right on time.
• If only unbelievers quoted all of Jesus' teaching as much as they quote this one.
• Whoever said following Jesus should be easy?
• One of my top ten "wish I could have been there" stories.
• Two words that define discipleship: Follow me.
• Do we realize the authority that we've been given?
• Jesus first commission, and the reason why our church is commissioning neighborhood pastors.
• This verse is the reason I used to get saved every week as a kid!
• Church growth is God's idea!
• Jesus presents each of us with life defining moments when we either get out of the boat and walk on water, or play it safe.  I hope I'm always willing to take the risk!
• Jesus doesn't promise predictions.  He gives us discernment.
• Let's give Peter credit where credit is due.  Sometimes he said the right thing!
• Can't believe I've never preached this passage in our church.  Gonna fix that soon.
• If you think about it this way, unforgiveness seems silly.
• I have to constantly fight the danger of letting the events of Jesus' Passion Week grow cold in my heart.
• I was struck again with how many emotional highs and lows filled Passion Week.  From the triumphal entry to the garden...an emotional roller coaster ride.
• Appearances can be deceiving!
• I've always felt a little sorry for the fig tree:)
• Like Peter, I have so many good intentions.  Jesus, help me keep my promises to you.
• Every believer's job description. 

How I'm Praying for my Daughter

Leah and I had a great date night on Thursday.  We went out for some whole wheat pasta (thanks to the Daniel's fast) and I surprised her with a game I made up that I creatively call "12 Questions for Date Night."  The questions were designed to get to know her better.  Here's one that prompted some great conversation.

How should we be praying for our little girl?

It was a great question to think through, and here's some of what I've got so far:

• I'm praying for her healthy development in the womb.
• I'm praying that she will be born without complications.
• I'm praying that she will develop quickly (crawling, thinking, walking, talking, etc).
• I'm praying that she will decide to follow Jesus very early in her life.
• I'm praying that she will have her mother's amazing personality.
• I'm praying that she will always know that she is beautiful.
• I'm praying that she will be a leader (by having a vision for life that will inspire and initiate growth from people around her).
• I'm praying that she will love and serve the local church.
• I'm praying that she will quickly discover her identity in Christ.
• I'm praying that she will love to play basketball.
• I'm praying for her future husband (God help him).

How else can I be praying?

This Is Love

Breaking The Fast

These Don't Look Like Church Clothes To Me