Sunday, January 31, 2010

Relational Blueprint: Growing in Love

Matth 7:24-29; 2Cor 5:14-15
Delbert Enns Pastor www.eastview.org

1979 decided to get married. On the 1st day of the 2nd year of university I met a pretty girl. Later she came to my party and drank from the Yarba Matte peace pipe and burned her mouth. She never told me. 3 weeks after marriage she cooked a meal and I added salt and pepper. She was not impressed.

Why did she not tell me that she burned her lips? Why is it that we don't tell our spouses our issues?
Sometimes we run into trouble because we don't follow God's relational blueprint. Sometimes we will have rain and flood waters in life. How do we deal with problems?

"Cheat sheet" for a Relational Blueprint
1. That's just the way I am.
That's foolish
2. Holier than thou attitude. -not a good thing
3. Fear of rejection. - just letting it go. That's ignoring the problems

We want Love

The Love basket needs-
1. Acceptance
2. Valued
3. Appreciated
Jesus' love in your life.
God has empowered us to live by His blueprint.

Small Steps Forwards for "Growing in Love"
1. Make Commitments and stick with them
2. Acknowledge your weaknesses -pride etc
3. Plan for changes. Midlife crisis causes stress. Plan for the changes and seasons in life
4. Your chief delight- love someone else because of the joy God has placed in your life.
5. Faith and love go hand in hand. That is life. Without faith in God you have little to build your life on.

Food for thought:
1. Man's heart cannot change by itself why? Rom 3:10-12
2. Love is God's nature. How can that help us? Jn 3:16-17
3. God wants to bring the new nature into our lives. How? Jn 3:1-15
4. Declare your desire and willingness to Grow in Love Jn 1:12

www.RaymondDueck.com

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A Journey Without End: Seeking

2 Timothy 4
Dave Ens married to Nicole 17 years. She makes me better than I would be by myself.
www.Eastview.org

We need to be seeking for people who will make us better. Someone who is challenging you to be better.
Akeelah and the Bee is a good example.

Move beyond what you already know. Timothy was challenged to proclaim the message. We need to suround ourselves with people who challege us to be better

Problem is we think we need to be self sufficient. God helps those who help themselves. The biblical quote that is not in the Bible.

The epiphony from this chapter is that Paul surrounded himself with a group of good people. Paul was in prison and had to have friends to support him. The authorities would not.

Paul knew he had finished his race.

Why do we feel that we have to do things by ourselves? Why do we not want to confess our weaknesses to each other? Why don't alcoholics feel welcome in church? Why can't we learn to depend on others?

Paul depended on Luke to fill up his tank. We need those kind of people. Do things together. Walk together to grow spiritually. Be open with each other and the struggles we have. Thats the way to grow.

Mom's Time Out participants have decided to journal their Bible reading and share with each other.

It is easier be to emptied (for others) when others stand by to fill you up.

Mentoring and coaching is so important. I can't do it all. I need a Tychious to come alongside. Pouring into each other's life.

Imagine what would happen if we all read the Bible everyday and had people standing by us.

If you need to be in a care group talk to me.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Dad's Trip to Mexico Spt 09


Dad's Trip to Mexico. Click here for slide show. Neil traveled with him to Ben C Dueck funeral

A Journey Without End: Learning

2 Tim 3
Dave Ens

What are good resolutions? Do you sometimes find yourself talking and not knowing what you are actually saying? Are you using language and words to find social acceptability? Not actually knowing what it means?

Learning Student
So you are a student of Jesus you can't just parrot words. You need to get to the meaning of the words. Deconstruct words to the underlying meaning as in "Akeela and the Bee"

Paul is saying don't waste your time with useless ideas. He is not saying don't ask questions but don't be self-absorbed.

2Tim 3:1-5 People will be terrible with an outward form of godliness but be rotten on the inside. Not allowing God to change us inside. All they want to do is manipulate people. Silly people with no purpose that are always looking for something. Smoke and mirrors people try to mislead as many people as possible.

Do we follow Smoke and mirrors people? They may make us feel good for a moment, but nothing changes.

v14-16 follow what you learned. Scripture is inspired, God-breathed for your benefit. Sing: Ancient Words ever true Changing me Changing you.

Let's not get distracted by smoke and mirrors. Who are the people that have spoken truth into your life? Focus on the truth and the path around the problems. Paul was changed by the story of the truth of God as revealed in Scripture.

Commit to learn what you can from Scripture. That's my challenge to you. God's Word will challenge you to a life full of purpose and meaning.

God doesn't just want big words but changes through Jesus Christ. You need to be in the book. It changes lives. Pick up a RealLife journal and study your way through Scripture. Let the Word wash over you.

Put aside smoke and mirrors and embrace the Word Of God.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Journey Without End: Investing

Delbert Enns Pastor www.eastview.org
2 Tim 2:1-3
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond all Measure... Akeela and the Bee

Paul. While in prison writes to encourage Timothy. Invest -make use of for future benefits- Joy is on the giving end of life. The generous will prosper - those who refresh others will refresh themselves. Growth will happen.

Give us a challenge to invest in others. Successful people want to be stretched. The pastor's role is to be a spiritual coach. To stretch us.

Attributes of the one that invests in others:
v3 Be a spur. We don't move unless someone spurs us on. 80% of people who come to Christ do so because a friend guides them to Jesus.

What kind of Legacy do you leave behind? When you are but a memory on earth, what will that memory be?

Akeela and the Bee
People learn through words.

1. Be a follower. Get into the army learn to be a follower. Endure the training. Grow through opposition and suffering

2. Be faithful v 4-9 don't get fed up in civilian affairs. Please your superiors. Who comes 1st in your life? Pride? Selfishness? Do your words and actions add up. Lord, what do you need from me?

3. Be determined to remember v8-10 crucial truths:
Jesus was raised from the dead. It is easy to forget good things/experiences. Jesus knows your trials. He has paid for your salvation. Jesus is alive!

Our goal is to change our Marriages for the better.
v11 If we die with Jesus we will also live with him
If we deny Jesus He will remain faithful to us. We need to seek Him.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Our Christmas Portrait

More Pictures here

Have a blessed New Year!

A Journey Without End

Del Enns Pastor www.EastView.org
2 Timothy 1

We need to renew our commitment or a regular basis. What is our vision? It takes 21 days to form a habit. 21 days to lose it.
We need to grow spiritually. You need to be plugged into a care group. Unleash compassion in the community. We raised $45,000 for Forward House.

Influencing Investing Learning Seeking are stepping stones to Spiritual Growth.
Baptism and service are steps of growth. Raising your foot moving forward to get somewhere else.
Susan at age 91 is still serving the elderly. She is growing. If we don't move forward we are not growing.

Deut 1:6-7- you have stayed here long enough. Time to move on.
Influence is the exercise of spiritual force.
Paul wrote this letter from prison where he was awaiting execution. Paul wrote encouraging words in his difficult situation.
Are we bold in sharing how we feel about our faith? Do we dare talk about it in public? Paul prayed for Timothy constantly.

Aquila and the Bee. Movie clips. Spelling Bee. What do you want to be when you grow up? Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We are born to manifest the glory of God. Stand up and show what you can do with God.
Paul reminded Timothy to fan the flame.

Aquila's mom was her first encourager. Don't drop out before you fail.

Mentor someone. Give a word of encouragement to someone. Pick up your Bible and find strength to do the right thing. To associate with the right crowd.

The cracked water pot watered the flowers along the path. God used it just the way it was.
God wants to use us just the way we are.
Happy 2010