Conflict with those you love

Let's face it--conflict causes stress, anxiety, and relationship troubles.  Conflict can affect your health, your family, and even your work performance.  Portland State University’s Institute on Aging studied over 650 adults over a two-year period and found that ‘stable negative social exchanges’ (in other words, repetitive or prolonged conflict) was significantly associated with lower self-rated health, greater functional limitations, and a higher number of health conditions. ( see www. stress.about.com and search for and article titled, "Conflict in Relationships" by Elizabeth Scott)

Conflict is stressful; but it doesn't have to be that way.  The next time you are in conflict with someone you love, LAUGH your way out.  Below are five suggestions for healthy conflict resolution using LAUGH as an acronym   Remember, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

L - Listen well (Seek to hear, before you are heard)

A - Attend to emotions (Become proactive in dealing with the emotions of self and others)

U - Understand and respect - (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.)

G - Generate alternative solutions (Become an imaginative problem solver)

H - Honor God, others, and yourself (Pursue integrity and relational justice for all)

The next time you are in conflict, take a deep breath and LAUGH your way out of conflict.  You and the person with which you are in conflict will both be better off.  

Have a great day, Pastor Tom

Family Life Conference

What's the difference between a parenting conference and a family life conference?  I'm not completely sure yet?!  But . . .  this year we are launching a Family Life Conference at New Life focused on parenting and family adventure.  We are inviting the whole family (yes, kids of all ages) to join us on Friday, November 8th for a hands-on experience related to family life.  Then, on Saturday, November 9th we have prepared some special sessions just for the parents.  I am especially excited to share a brand new session called, "Parenting Like A Horse-Whisperer".  You don't want to miss it!  Spread the word.  You can register at www.newlifecolumbia.org.  Just hit the Family Life Conference icon.

The problem of evil and redemption

The Bible is full of redemptive stories which reveal God's grace and mercy and the human need for a Savior.  Our world is full of desperate situations that cause us to long for a hero.  This Sunday at New life in School of the Bible, we will be discussing "The Problem of Evil" and God's plan of redemption.  Classically, theologians and philosophers have given the problem of evil the title of "Theodicy", meaning "God and justice".  The problem is stated something like this -- If God is good and all-powerful, then why does He allow evil (or where does evil come from)?  Join us at 9:30 AM at the ARC as we take a look at what the Bible says about God's goodness, evil, sin, and redemption.

Christian Maturity

What does Christian maturity look like?  Is it a high level of emotional intelligence or self control?  Is it ethical behavior and Christlikeness?  Is it living a life of love, kindness, and grace?  At New Life we have developed a path towards Christian maturity that is shaped by four core values - biblical truth, relationships, service, and friendship.  We strive to help every New Lifer begin a relationship with Jesus by exploring and embracing biblical truth, belong by enjoying Christian community, become by enriching the lives of others through service, and branch out by encouraging others to follow Jesus.   

So what does Christian maturity look like?  Christian maturity looks like a person who is growing to understand God's word, engaging in authentic Christian relationships, actively engaging in service, and encouraging friends and neighbors to follow Jesus.  These four values are just a start, but they help us move in the direction of maturity as we follow Christ and become more like Him.  Ephesians 4:11-13 gives us an idea of what God has in mind for those who follow Christ.  It reads, "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Looking forward to Sunday as we strive to become more like Christ.  See you at the ARC, Pastor Tom

A Theology of Blessing

Last week, we began a new study entitled "Understanding the Bible" in our 9:30 AM Sunday School.  The Bible is truly an amazing book and can transform our lives as we meditate on its teachings.  For me, the most amazing thing about the Bible is it's inspired nature.  Although the Bible consists of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by around 40 different authors, we can detect common themes which run from cover to cover.
This week our focus is the theme of "Blessing".

A Theology of Blessing

The Psalmist declared, "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (52:8)  The Bible teaches us that God is love (1 John 4:8) and from that love flows blessing.  Terms for blessing occur over 600 times in the Old Testament.  Most of these terms are related to the word meaning "to kneel" because in ancient times one would kneel to receive a blessing.  The New Testament continues the theme of blessing, but focuses more on spiritual blessings of knowing Christ Jesus, rather than physical blessing.  Primarily, "God's blessing" implies two important aspects in the lives of God's people: (1) favor, and (2) fruitfulness.  We can't look at every verse dealing with the topic of blessing, but let's trace this idea of blessing through the Bible.

Adam and Eve - Genesis 1:28 (5:1-2)- "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'"
Noah - Genesis 9:1 - "Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.'"
Abraham - Genesis 12:2-3 - ""I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Jacob - Genesis 27 & 32
       Jacob receives Isaac's blessing - Genesis 27
       Jacob wrestles with God - Genesis 32:26, "I will not let yo go until you bless me."
Joseph - Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Moses - Exodus 23:25-26, Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span."

Blessings for obedience - Leviticus 26-27 / Deuteronomy 28:1-14

High Priestly Prayer - Numbers 6:24-26, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

The prayer of Jabez - 1 Chronicles 4:10, "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request."

The Righteous Path - Psalm 1:1-3 - "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."

The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-10

The blessing of abundant life - John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The blessing of faith - John 20:29, "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

The blessing of perseverance - James 1:12, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

The Bible begins (Genesis 1-2) and ends (Revelation 20:6, 22:7) with "blessing".  God wants to bless you with his favor and fruitfulness.  I trust the knowledge of God's blessing is an encouragement to you today!  Be blessed!  Pastor Tom