http://www.satisfiedsoul.org/Satisfied_Soul/Blog/Blog.html Current Sermon Series<br/> iWeb 3.0.4 http://www.satisfiedsoul.org/Satisfied_Soul/Blog/Entries/2011/12/24_Paradox_of_Christmas.html 4ab026c8-0e78-4f8b-a3dd-6d82dfd8eba3 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:02:41 -0500 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. <br/>John 1:14 http://www.satisfiedsoul.org/Satisfied_Soul/Blog/Entries/2011/12/21_Wow%21.html 75c4adaa-11c4-4a31-9e9e-5f58f22e3e9e Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:22:21 -0500 I continue to be amazed at the incredible generosity of God’s people at Parkwood. To date, the congregation has sacrificially given $265,561.63 to the Lottie Moon International Missions Offering. <br/>I agree with King David... <br/>1 Chronicles 29:13-14 “Now therefore, our God we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from you, and from Your hand we have given You.” http://www.satisfiedsoul.org/Satisfied_Soul/Blog/Entries/2011/12/7_What_does_love_look_like.html c07f58cc-c4fa-485f-84be-074a3db69f70 Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:33:15 -0500 On Sunday, the following question was sent to me by text at the end of one of the services...<br/> “In Corinthians, we are given an illustration of love and Christ is a picture of God’s love but thinking about what love looks like day to day gets me very overwhelmed. How do we know exactly what love looks like in a Christian life?<br/><br/>I think I understand why someone would say that “gets me very overwhelmed...” First, we feel the pressure to get everything right in our lives. Let’s be clear from the beginning, we will not get it all right, particularly as it relates to our relationships with other people. So much comes into play as we interact with one another on a day to day basis. The real issue lies at the core of the heart. Do I have a heart of love toward others? Do I desire to extend to the love of Christ toward those I come into contact with both intimately and causally. <br/><br/>The other issue that overwhelms us is that we can get the idea that we have to go out and find people to love all the time and everywhere. The main concern in the Scripture is that we love those we come into contact with, primarily our family and close relationships. In addition, we are to show love to strangers and those whom God crosses our path. <br/><br/>Romans 12:9-21 tells us some of the exact ways that we are to love each other. I encourage you to read the text for yourself. Here are a few take aways from my own meditation on the text that may help guide my day: <br/> • Don’t be a fake. Be sincere.<br/> • Don’t give up on people.<br/> • Show honor toward others.<br/> • Find tangible ways to help those in need around me.<br/> • Open my home and share what I have with others.<br/> • Don’t think too much of myself.<br/> • Hang out with those who no one else does.<br/> • Seek to be at peace with those around me. Don’t stir things up.<br/> • Don’t take revenge<br/> • Overcome evil with good!<br/><br/>Now, as this list may look overwhelming, I do not have to read it that way. I will not get an opportunity to love with all of these things today. However, I am sure that many of these things will crop up in more ways than one today. Got to go love someone by returning their phone call (can’t “lag behind in diligence”Rom. 12:11).