Hey Guys,
Come join Elevate as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Dinner is Friday, November 28th and starts at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Parents are invited to attend, as well.
Love you all,
Brian & Melissa
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
NEW YOUTUBE ACCOUNT!
Hey guys check us out on youtube. Melissa and I created our own channel to promote all things ELEVATE. We are starting video messages for monthly events, so check it often. The link is www.youtube.com/brianmelissaarecool!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
ICFW - ANGER! YOU OWE ME!
Sup guys? Sorry this recap came late! At our last Wednesday meeting, we discussed ANGER! If guilt says, "I owe you", anger says, "You owe me!" Basically, anger is the result of us not getting something we want...maybe we legitimately deserve it, maybe not. Whether its us wanting that missing time growing up from an absentee parent or recognition for a project we worked hard on...if we are didn't get it, chances are that we are angry about it. "You stole my reputation", "You stole my dad or my family", "You robbed me of my purity"... Once again, the perception is that something has been taken away and is owed to you.
Remember, we said that an angry person is also a hurt person. So how does an angry person get relief? MAKE 'EM PAY, right??? Not really. Often times, it doesn't matter because what has been taken cannot be repaid. The opportunity to make things right is long gone. Anger in our heart usually spreads and before long, we think that EVERYONE owes us something.
So how do we deal with our anger? With some people, telling our story of the source of our anger can lead to it losing its power over us. Telling the story brings the anger to light, where it loses its power over you. It also means you lose the excuse to stay angry. Although this is true and telling your stories can lead to freedom, for some people, telling their story brings explanation and justification for their actions. They let it be an excuse and seek sympathy from others and never seek change.
So how do you get rid of anger for good? You model Christ's example of sacrificial love forgiveness. Paul wrote (in horrible circumstances in a Roman prison) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU." Ephesians 4:31-32.
Remember, we discusses that Peter questioned Jesus "How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? I think Peter thought he was being completely accommodating with his guess at seven times, yet Jesus said "I tell you, not seven, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-35)
Jesus then went into the parable of the king forgiving (canceling) his servants debts after the servant pleaded not to be punished. Right afterwards, the same servant found another who owed him and had this other guy thrown into jail until his debts could be paid. The king learned of this and told the first servant, "I canceled all the debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you." Jesus then followed the parable by saying, "This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Long story short...Jesus' definition of forgiveness is a CANCELLED DEBT! Simply meaning, the offender doesn't owe you anymore.
From our prospective, we have every right to hold on to our anger; but from God's perspective, it is possibly the most self-destructive thing we can do to ourselves. Our steps at forgiving were as follows:
1. Identifying who we are angry with 2. Determine what that owe us back 3. Cancel the debt 4. Dismiss the case.
Killing the anger is the only way of effectively ridding your heart of it. Our anger is not a trophy to show off, its not a story to hang on to. It is potential poison to our soul. To refuse to forgive is to choose to self destruct.
Remember, we said that an angry person is also a hurt person. So how does an angry person get relief? MAKE 'EM PAY, right??? Not really. Often times, it doesn't matter because what has been taken cannot be repaid. The opportunity to make things right is long gone. Anger in our heart usually spreads and before long, we think that EVERYONE owes us something.
So how do we deal with our anger? With some people, telling our story of the source of our anger can lead to it losing its power over us. Telling the story brings the anger to light, where it loses its power over you. It also means you lose the excuse to stay angry. Although this is true and telling your stories can lead to freedom, for some people, telling their story brings explanation and justification for their actions. They let it be an excuse and seek sympathy from others and never seek change.
So how do you get rid of anger for good? You model Christ's example of sacrificial love forgiveness. Paul wrote (in horrible circumstances in a Roman prison) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU." Ephesians 4:31-32.
Remember, we discusses that Peter questioned Jesus "How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? I think Peter thought he was being completely accommodating with his guess at seven times, yet Jesus said "I tell you, not seven, but seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-35)
Jesus then went into the parable of the king forgiving (canceling) his servants debts after the servant pleaded not to be punished. Right afterwards, the same servant found another who owed him and had this other guy thrown into jail until his debts could be paid. The king learned of this and told the first servant, "I canceled all the debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you." Jesus then followed the parable by saying, "This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Long story short...Jesus' definition of forgiveness is a CANCELLED DEBT! Simply meaning, the offender doesn't owe you anymore.
From our prospective, we have every right to hold on to our anger; but from God's perspective, it is possibly the most self-destructive thing we can do to ourselves. Our steps at forgiving were as follows:
1. Identifying who we are angry with 2. Determine what that owe us back 3. Cancel the debt 4. Dismiss the case.
Killing the anger is the only way of effectively ridding your heart of it. Our anger is not a trophy to show off, its not a story to hang on to. It is potential poison to our soul. To refuse to forgive is to choose to self destruct.
Next up...GREED!
Love you guys...Brian
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