Blog Poll: Marriage
By David Branker
Consider the following couples. They each have different characteristics particularly in the way they relate to each other.
Jane and John: the validating couple
- Great communicators
- Listen to each other with respect
- They have an ability to understand each other even if they don’t agree
- They say lots of “Mmm-Hmms” and “I sees”
- They mirror each others facial expressions during intense conversations
- Their arguments are more like conferences
- They negotiate compromises that work well for both
- They value “we-ness” over individual pursuits and goals
Bonnie & Clyde: the volatile couple
- They bicker a lot
- They compete against each other
- They show little interest in hearing each other’s point
- They are highly persuasive
- Winning is what it’s all about
- They say lots of “Yes you do” and “No I don’t” instead of “Mmm-Hmm” and “I see”
- They interrupt each other
- They are independent and consider themselves equals
- They believe strongly in honesty – even if it has to be brutal
- They make up as good as they fight – or sometimes even better!
Marisol y Miguel: the avoidant couple
- They are conflict minimizers
- They make light of differences instead of resolving them
- They conspire to dodge and hedge difficult issues
- Very little gets settled
- They have a very low degree of introspection
- They feel their bond is so strong that they can afford to overlook their disagreements
Which of these marriages do you think will make it? Which have the potential to keep their “till death do we part” vow?
Interested in your comments. Tune in later this week for the answer and don’t forget to send in your questions for the Relationship Q & A series beginning this weekend.
Losing “It”
By Stovall Weems
I think we lose “it” when we lose that raw heart to reach people. Such as when we lose the passion to reach the lost and think it is all about “the service”. The heart to reach people produces the “intagible“ that leads to “it”. When we have a heart to have great services without a heart to reach the lost we lose the “intangible”.
Coming Soon…
By Stovall Weems
“Disciple” has been a great series. We have one more week to go and then after this we are kicking off “Relationship Q and A”. I am going to be taking some of your questions that you post on my blog on marriage, family, parenting, dating, relationships, etc and speak about them during the weekend. So let me hear from you. What would you like for me to specifically answer or talk about during the series?
Stovall
Extension Gathering Update
By Stovall Weems
These things are just unbelievable. It looks like the extension gatherings that are really taking off are the institutional and outreach ones. It is kind of like the opposite of the bus ministries of the 80’s and 90’s. Remember when churches like Tommy Barnett’s Phoenix First Assembly (awesome church by the way!) would bus in so many demographics of people who for whatever reason could not get to church? Well this is the same thing except instead of busing people in, we are busing church out! Which brings me to my theory #3 on Extension Gatherings. (Remember, I have several more theories to go. I just wanted some of these things to launch so I would have some evidence, ha ha! So now that I have the evidence, I can change them from being theories to actual principles.)
Principle #3: Ministry environments are very important, but to certain demographics they are very secondary.
People can connect to Christ and be part of a local church by connecting to the vision of the church and having Christian community where they are.
Stovall
Seeking God
By Stovall Weems
Spent the day praying and seeking God today. It’s so awesome to be unhurried in God’s presence….Lots of peace and lots of strength.
Stovall
“Dude, God is Smart!”
By David Branker
That was my favorite line from this weekend’s message. Pastor Stovall talked about Job – a man in indescribable pain and mental torment. The Bible tells us that Job was a good man, yet he suffered greatly. He found himself in great confusion, trying to figure out all that was happening to him. After all, at a time when good was supposed to be rewarded and evil punished – why did Job experience such calamity? God himself described Job in verse 1 of this book, as a blameless man with complete integrity.
Pastor reminded us that we were never designed to understand it all, as a matter of fact – we’re incapable of it. We were designed to worship and trust God. I couldn’t resist reading the chapter describing Job’s challenge to God and was struck with God’s response to him. God’s first answer to Job is a series of 64 questions – yes, I counted them. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” “Who determined its dimensions?” “Who laid its cornerstone?” followed by 61 other questions – one after the next. When God asked questions, the implication to Job is that He knew the answers.
God reminded Job that He is good and incredibly creative and powerful. That God is wise enough to bring something redemptive out of our suffering. You see, If God can take chaos and bring such beautiful design, can He not take the trouble and chaos in our lives and bring something beautiful out of it? As Pastor said, He knows the end from the beginning. Dude, God is indeed smart and infinitely wise. He can be trusted.
Regardless of where we find ourselves today, you and I can turn towards Him and place our complete trust in Jesus Christ. That’s why He’s called “Savior.” As the songwriter put it – “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”
This Weekend at Celebration Church
By Stovall Weems
This weekend is going to be off the chain. One of the things I am going to be talking about is how people fall away from God, and what the root of that is. Let me hear your thoughts about what things you have seen that cause people to fall away from God. Don’t generalize with “sin” and “unbelief” – I know that is the root, but what things lead to that? Think more in terms of life experiences.
This is a great weekend to bring people to church. (But of course, so is every other weekend!) See you this weekend.
Stovall
It’s Unanimous!
By Stovall Weems
It looks like based on all of ya’lls comments….7a.m. is unanimous!
Also, checkout these comments from Jason:
“You have no idea how this is an answer to prayer for me. I just met yesterday with Pastor Brooks about the what the Lord has put on my heart with the men’s ministry. I see such an opportunity. I am stoked.
I will help in any way I can, let me know what I can do. Dude, I’ll show up at 4am if need be. Lets get these men sold out. I Love Jesus!!!!!!!!!”
Breakfast at 7 am?
By Stovall Weems
Okay, so Erik just said in his comment that he’s thinking the men’s breakfast might work great at 7 a.m..
What do you guys think?
Stovall
Attention All Guys
By Stovall Weems
Hot off the press – we are bringing back the Celebration Men’s Friday breakfast. This will be a great gathering time for our men to pray and connect with one another. The first one will be Friday October 3rd in the Annex at 7:30 am. Beginning in November, they will be on the first and third Friday of every month. Let me hear from some of you men about this and ideas for the breakfast. Stay tuned for details.
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