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