Building Marriage

I mentioned on Feb. 13th the movie, Fireproof. We are doing a series at church now about relationships... Unlearn Unlove... how we need to take an honest look at what we do in relationships and consider "unlearning" the "unloving" things we do by default, replacing those thoughts and actions with truly loving ways.

I would recommend not only watching the movie Fireproof, but taking the "Love Dare" which is a book that gives practical suggestions and ideas for bringing love back into your marriage.

Check out these resources.

Wonder if I have the flu or something else?
I am feeling achy and a bit feverish. I'm sitting in doctors office to get checked. I am so thankful I have access to doctors - just call and go - so many around our country and the world can't see a doctor or get medications.

David's Prayer and Perspective

So when have you prayed like this lately?
I came across these verses in a message I was listening to. David, the King of Israel, prayed this before a large crowd of people when he and the people had given literally billions of dollars to a fund to build a temple for God... a temple that would not be constructed for years to come... by David's son, Solomon. Most of the people, including David, would not live to see the construction even start, forget seeing the structure complete.
The part I like best is the perspective that David has and summarizes at the end.
"Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

Take some time to read and think... have you ever stopped and told God that all you have, not a portion or a percentage, but all belongs to Him.
Everything belongs to Him and my responsibility is to HONOR God will all that I have.

"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
14 "But who am I, and who are my people,
that we should be able to give as generously as this?
Everything comes from you,
and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

This is a good step and a source of peace as financial things unfold in our country.

A Big Help for Marriage

Diann and I rented the movie Fireproof last night and watched it together with our teenage daughter. Great movie!
Movies are so subjective and hard to recommend... different tastes, different expectations about entertainment. But with all that aside... no matter if this film will win any academy awards... the story and the message are powerful.
We are going to use this to help other couples in small groups take steps to improve and strengthen marriages.

Starting Point at StoneBridge

Leading Starting Point is one of my new favorite things.
This is a group... very conversational in design where folks can come and listen and discuss. It is perfect for people just starting out in a relationship with God... people starting back after some time away from church and God... people wondering if it's time to start a relationship with God and have real questions.
We have folks with little or no Bible knowledge and those with more background in the Bible.
We have couples and singles.
We have both young and old.

I love getting time with people who want to know more and want to experience God in real life.
For the next 7 weeks we will meet on Sunday's at 11:05. Should be a great time!

Diann's first book -NOW ... what do I do?

I am celebrating with my wife Diann. She just completed her first book! After many hours of writing to capture her thoughts and ideas on the page, she has completed NOW... what do I do?

This personal workbook and journal is designed to address the growing number of women in transition... from single life to marriage... from career with no kids to motherhood... from teenagers to empty nest. These are challenging and often discouraging seasons when women question "what is next for me?", "what is my role?", "what am I really good at?", "what is my real purpose?" Her book will help women pause to assess and determine their next step at each crossroad.

She is setting up a website to make this book available. Until then Diann's email is dhcotton@gmail.com.

What if you could meet Billy Graham in person?

This is a cool story from one of the staff at Buckhead Church in Atlanta.
I can so relate to how he felt and what he thought in the moment of getting to meet a man like Dr. Graham. http://blog.buckheadchurch.org/2009/01/30/billy-graham/

Back when I worked with Student Venture in Chattanooga TN, I met Dr. Graham when he spoke at the dedication of a chapel on the campus of Baylor School. His ministry is one of true inspiration and proof that as we follow Christ closely, in prayer and time reading God's Word, He will use us to spread His love to others. I cannot imagine a more valuable way to spend my life.

Rick Warren's Inauguration Prayer

I appreciate and agree with Mark Driscoll in his blog about Pastor Rick Warren's work in California. I have alot of respect and admiration for Rick. Read Mark's blog...http://www.theresurgence.com/rick_warrens_prayer
Rick's Prayer is below.

Rick Warren's Prayer
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone.
It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity.
Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.

My New Most Favorite Book

I have loved reading "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. His challenge to be a lion chaser is inspiring and emboldens me to pursue God and His dreams for me.

A great read... well worth your time.

Mark Batterson's blog is good too! >> http://evotional.com/