Posts in Uncategorized
9/6 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Synergy for the Trip Sunday’s play list via YouTube

Last Week’s Bible Readings Aug. 31- Sept. 5 

This week’s Bible Readings  Sept. 6 - 12 

Title: “Synergy for the Trip – Legacy”

Texts:  John 17:26;  Romans 12:15;  2 Corinthians 10:5

In a Nutshell: The Legacy milestone is about  change and opportunities. We seek to provide resources to support spiritual growth through later years, leaving a solid foundation for your family. [assessments, inspiration]

Questions:

  1. Share a story where you and a loved one had a different emotional reaction to the same circumstance and it led to a disagreement.
  2. What erroneous things did your parents indirectly lead you to believe about yourself and how has that effected you emotionally in life?
  3. Share some stories when you were trying to fix someone's emotions rather than empathize with them.
  4. synergy flame Putting it all together…
  5. When someone says "I understand what you are going through" how does that make you feel?
  6. When someone says you shouldn't feel that way, how does that make you feel?
  7. Can we be spiritually healthy and not be emotionally healthy?
  8. What do you put more stock in loving words or loving actions?
  9. Name one argument that you routinely have and what are the emotions that lie behind that argument, does not feeling the same way as the other contribute to this argument?

Online Resources:

  1. Synergy Milestone Study Sheet (Milestone #5) Synergy Milestone study Sheets 2014 (M5)
  2. Pinterest – Legacy
  3. Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner
  4. The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
  5. Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson
  6. What is Synergy? New Synergy Promo (4)
  7. Synergy Bookmark Synergy Milestones Study Bookmark 2014
  8. Discipleship Assessment Postcard Discipleship Assessment 2015
  9. Discipleship Assessment Resources Family Discipleship assessment and resources
  10. Timber Lake’s past videos (Vimeo)
  11. Who is Randal Weidenaar?
Uncategorizeddougdelp
8/30 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Synergy for the Trip Sunday’s play list via YouTube

Last Week’s Bible Readings  Aug. 24-30 

This week's Bible Readings Aug. 31- Sept. 6 

Title: “Synergy for the Trip – Supporting Adulthood”

Texts:  Pr. 3:1-12; Pr. 11:14; 18:15; Eccl. 4:9-12; Eph. 4:11-16

In a Nutshell: Supporting Adulthood is about the importance of developing good relationships and taking responsibility: Resources provided are to encourage networking, accountability, refinement and balance in the life and spiritual growth of an adult. 

Questions:

  1. What would be the results of applying oneself to the commands and teachings contained in Proverbs?
  2. What was to be the source of wisdom that would bring "healing to the flesh" and "refreshment to the bones"?
  3. Where might one find safety?
  4. How are two or three better than one?
  5. What did Paul say would result from "maturity"?  What or who helped to encourage this maturity?
  6. synergy flame Putting it all together…
  7. What topics issues did you struggle with in your 20's?
  8. How is entitlement showing up in your life?
  9. How many of those topics have you discussed with you children/grandchildren?
  10. Who would you regard as a mentor in your young years?  Who are you mentoring now?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
8/23 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Synergy for the Trip Sunday's play list via YouTube

Last Week’s Bible Reading Aug. 9- 15 Bible Readings: 

  • II Chronicles 27-28
  • Micah 1-7
  • Isaiah 7-19
  • Proverbs 19

Aug. 16- 22 Bible Readings: 

Title: “Synergy for the Trip – Teens”

Texts:  1 Sam. 17 (David & Goliath); Lk. 1:26-38 (Mary, mother of Jesus); 1 Kings 1:6 (David & Absolom/Adonija); 1 Sam. 2:22 (Hophni & Phinehas);  Mk. 14:51,52; Acts 12:12,25; 15:37-41; 2 Tim. 4:11 (John Mark)

In a Nutshell: Adolescence can be tough! In this milestone we seek to provide resources to help parents and their youth develop spiritual disciplines and embrace upcoming adulthood.  Youth that have a tested faith along the way tend to grow, those that are sheltered from the potential of making bad decisions tend to make some real "doosies" once they get on their own.  Anyway you look at it teens are built to try their new wings!  Model the principles you've been talking about the past 12 years and let them practice.  Be sure to avoid "clipping " their wings!

Questions:

  1. How did young David and Mary view themselves?  View God?
  2. Where did David and Eli fail their sons?
  3. Why do you think John Mark included such a curious story about a young, unnamed disciple running off naked?
  4. Why do you think Paul did not want to take John Mark on the second mission journey?
  5. What all had to happen for Paul, Barnabas & Timothy to have to come to the point that Paul could say "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry"?
  6. synergy flame Putting it all together…
  7. How do you communicate to your children/grandchildren that you love them unconditionally AND that their choices do have consequences?
  8. How does this kind of communication change from "the early years" to the "teens"?
  9. What are signs that you are too much of your child's "friend" rather than their "parent"?
  10. What significant event/trip/activity do you remember as a teen that you would say was monumental in your maturing process?  (May have been an ultimate success or a major failure)
  11. What priorities/event would you like to establish now for "the kids" in your life in effort to help them transition to adulthood?

Online Resources:

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8/16 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship
by

Synergy for the Trip

The songs we’ll all sing together in worship are on the playlist!

Last Week’s Bible Reading August 16-22

  • Isaiah 20-35
  • I Corinthians 8-10
  • Proverbs 20-23

Aug. 9- 15 Bible Readings: 

  • II Chronicles 27-28
  • Micah 1-7
  • Isaiah 7-19
  • Proverbs 19

Title: “Synergy for the Trip – The Early Years”

Texts:  Deut. 6:4-9; Matt. 18:1-4; John 6:1-4; 1 Sam. 3:1-10;

In a Nutshell: Prenatal thru Early Childhood: Young children are very impressionable and born hungry to learn. The question is if the parents/adults in their world will teach and model how to listen to and serve God. In this milestone we seek to provide resources which will support and encourage parents of young children in their developing spiritual disciplines. [the age of discovery & security]

Questions:

  1. What activities did God say could be done while the children are learning about Him and His will?  Deut. 6:4-9
  2. How did Jesus view children according to Matt. 18:1-4 & Mark 10:13-16
  3. Why did Samuel keep thinking Eli was calling him?
  4. How did Eli tell Samuel to respond?
  5. Which seems more embarrassing to imagine happening,  a child offering his 5 loaves and 2 fish, or Andrew telling Jesus about the young lad's offer when there are so many to feed? John 6:1-4
  6. synergy flame Putting it all together…
  7. What characteristic or tendency have you learned about your child, grandchild or neighborhood child lately?
  8. What Godly virtue nature have you intentionally talked about and modeled for the children in your life lately?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
8/9 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Synergy for the Trip The songs we’ll all sing together in worship are on the playlist!

Last Week’s Bible Reading August 2-8

  • II Kings 15-17
  • Hosea 1-14
  • II Chronicles 24-26
  • Isaiah 6
  • Proverbs 17-18

Aug. 9- 15 Bible Readings: 

  • II Chronicles 27-28
  • Micah 1-7
  • Isaiah 7-19
  • Proverbs 19

Title: "Synergy for the Trip - Discipleship"

Texts:  Heb. 5:11-6:3; 2 Pet. 1:5-11; Rom. 6:1-4; Acts 10

In a Nutshell: Discipleship is a time of nurturing the learning and commitment process: It's more than a ritual, more than information and more than an experience in a community but it certainly involves all three. Guiding parents with resources designed to help children desire a greater level of commitment including Baptism into Christ is a priority. [a period of development and decision]

Questions:

  1. What does the Hebrews author suggest are included in the "elementary doctrines" of Christ? Heb. 6:1-3
  2. What is the difference between those that live on "the milk" (elementary doctrines) as oppose to those that live on "the meat" (more difficult teachings)? Heb. 5:11-14
  3. Does spiritual growth demand effort on our part?  2 Pet. 1:5-7,10?
  4. What does it look like to be "ineffective or unfruitful" in your knowledge of Christ? 2 Pet. 1:8
  5. What can cause Christians to be "ineffective/unfruitful" in their Christian walk? 2 Pet. 1:9
  6. Thinking through the story of Cornelius, what character similarities do you see in Cornelius and your children when they were ready for baptism?
  7. What appears to have been missing for Cornelius before God said (through the giving of the Holy Spirit) that Cornelius was ready to be baptized?
  8. How do people who don't take their baptism seriously tend to show their foolishness? Rom. 6:1-4
  9. synergy flame Putting it all together...
  10. What virtues/characteristics seem to be present in the life of a person that is ready to be baptized?
  11. What characteristics are typically visible in the lives of those who are not taking their life in Christ seriously?
  12. In light of the Scriptures above, how can you help someone that feels ineffective/unfruitful in their spiritual walk?
Uncategorizeddougdelp
8/2 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Celebrate God's Call graphic (2)

The songs we’ll all sing together in worship are on the playlist!

July 28-Aug. 1 Bible Readings: 

  • Amos 1-9
  • II Kings 12-14
  • Isaiah 1-5
  • Obadiah 1
  • Jonah 1-4

Next Week’s Bible Reading August 2-8

  • II Kings 15-17
  • Hosea 1-14
  • II Chronicles 24-26
  • Isaiah 6
  • Proverbs 17-18

Title: Celebrate God’s Call – to Protect

Texts: Romans 13:1-7; Matt. 5:38-41; Isaiah 66:9-10; 1 Samuel 8:4-10

In a Nutshell: God instituted the government when it was obvious His people did not want Him to govern over them.  The challenge for society ever since has been to make sure those leaders that "bear the sword" look to God's word to define right from wrong. No doubt some people are uniquely "tuned" to be protective.  Let's pray that those in postions of authority are motivated by God's call to protect the innocent.

Questions:

  1. Do Matthew 5:38-41 & Romans 13:1-7 contradict?  Why or why not?
  2. What are some of the Scriptures that guide our Safety ministry? Proverbs 22:3; Matthew 10:16; Ecclesiastes 4:10; Nehemiah 4:9
  3. Why did God say the people of Israel wanted a King?  1 Samuel 8:4-10
  4. What types of employment that protect people and property can be found in the Bible? Judges 2:16;  1 Samuel 8:5; Genesis 42:6;  Daniel 6:2;   Acts 13:7;  Matthew 27:2;  Judges 9:54; Isaiah 55:4;  1 Chronicles 7:4
  5. What some characteristics of "shepherds" that are not doing what God commissioned them to do? Isaiah 66:9-10
  6. How many of these careers would require a unique personality in order to be successful?                                                                                                                           synergy flame
  7. What kinds of personalities, temperaments and talents tend to support the different types of “protecting” careers?
  8. What kinds of personalities, temperaments and talents do you see in your children/grandchildren?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
7/19 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Celebrate God's Call graphic (2) This week, we'll have the VBS kids singing a couple of their songs from the week during second service.  The songs we'll all sing together in worship are on the playlist!

  • Open Up the Heavens (Vertical Church Band)
  • Victory in Jesus (Travis Cottrell)
  • Broken Vessels (Hillsong)
  • Mercy Tree (Charles Billingsley)

July 15-19 Bible Readings: 

Next Week’s Bible Reading July 20-27

Title: Celebrate God's Call - to Produce

Texts: Col. 3:17;  Deut. 8:18;  Col. 3:23; 2 Thess. 3:10; Acts 20:35; Eph. 4:28

In a Nutshell: When gratitude is our “posture” purpose becomes our motivation.  When our “call to action” is from God our resources are endless and our opportunities to “work with passion” are as close as our next door neighbor! Two very important ways to live among a “pagan” nation is to view every person as a potential soul to win to Christ and every challenge as an opportunity to create a solution or nurture a relationship.

Questions:

  1. What are mature motives for working?
  2. What are immature motives for working?
  3. What types of employment that produced things can be found in the Bible?  Genesis 40:5; 1 Samuel 9:23-24; Matthew 24:41;  Isaiah 19:8; Matthew 4:18; Jeremiah 16:16;  Luke 2:8; Psalm 129:3;  2 Samuel 5:11; Isaiah 14:8; Joshua 9:21; 2 Timothy 4:14; Acts 19:24; Judges 17:4; 1 Samuel 3:19;  Jeremiah 18:2; Romans 9:21; 2 Kings 12:12; Acts 9:43; Nehemiah 3:8; Exodus 30:35; Psalm 68:25; Revelation 18:22
  4. How many of these careers would require a highly creative person in order to be successful?                                                                                                                           synergy flame
  5. What kinds of personalities, temperaments and talents tend to support the different types of "producing" types of careers?
  6. What kinds of personalities, temperaments and talents do you see in your children/grandchildren?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
7/5 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

Biker Flyer (2) TLCC Worship – Led by Cyle Cundiff and the Praise Team while Brian is on Sabbatical

June 28 – July 4 Bible Readings: 

Next Week’s Bible Reading July 5-11

Title: Celebrate America Present

Texts: Jeremiah 29:4-7; 1 Peter 2:1-17; Isaiah 8:11-22

In a Nutshell: “This isn’t your Father’s America.”  Things have changed and it wasn’t just this past week!  When you wake up and realize you no longer live in a “Christian nation” there are some good priorities necessary to keep in mind. America is not the nation of Israel, and we must not assume Jewish promises apply to us, but here we can find some very relevant principles for living in a nation that no longer regards the Christian God as Lord of their lives.

Also, this is “Biker Sunday!”  We have invited three motorcycle groups to join us!  It’s a potluck Sunday and they are our special guests.  I know no other group that knows how to celebrate the goodness of the USA than Christian bikers.  Let’s make them feel welcome!

Questions:

  1. Does it seem strange to pray for the welfare of a city that doesn’t serve God?
  2. What all did God tell the exiles not to do?
  3. What did he tell them to do?
  4. What warnings and commands did Peter give to the Christians?
  5. What were God’s people not to fear? but rather to fear/respect (obey) instead?
  6. What did God say his people that had turned from Him would tend to do when they got “hungry” and frustrated? 8:20-22

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
6/28 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

celebrate pearlington 2015

TLCC Worship – Led by Cyle Cundiff and the Praise Team while Brian is on Sabbatical

June 21 –27  Bible Readings: 

June 28 – July 4 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:    Allen Todd will be preaching on the need for us to learn, commit to and teach others a Biblical worldview.  They will also have a youth mission trip report

Title:  Allen Todd preaching

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
6/21 Prepare Your Heart for Worship

Happy Father's Day -to two men that have inspired me... my father (Ralph Delp) and the father of my granddaughter Ruby (Adam Barkey). img_1484 20150106_144344 (2)

TLCC Worship – Led by Cyle Cundiff and the Praise Team while Brian is on Sabbatical

June 14 – 20 Bible Readings: 

June 21 –27  Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:    Allen Messimer will spend a few minutes sharing some of the exciting ministry opportunities God has been opening up over the last couple of years, the English clubs in schools and the English video listening series. We have a 4 minute video that goes along with this.  Then transition to our purpose of making disciples who in turn make disciples.  I will go into what it means to be a disciple, one who follows God's commands.  Sometimes it is easy to nurture our own personal relationship with God. We enjoy reading the Bible, we enjoy worship, we enjoy meeting with other Christians. But when he tells us to go and make disciples, do we even know what that means? And are we brave enough to actually do it, to actually obey?

Title:  Allen Messimer, missionary to Taiwan is preaching

Texts: Luke 5:1-11, 1 John 5:2-4, Luke 9:57-62

Online Resources:

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6/14 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

SummerVacationOption2 TLCC Worship – Led by Cyle Cundiff and the Praise Team while Brian is on Sabbatical

June 7 – 13  Bible Readings: 

June 14 - 20 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:   It's one thing to seek forgiveness as in, having the consequences of our sin removed, but something totally different to be "thoroughly washed from your iniquity and to be cleansed from your sin.  One focuses on your pain, the other focuses on God's love and justice.  One is willing to break the rules to get what they want, the other is willing to have a broken heart to accomplish what God wants.  The former ends in fear and loss, the later ends being a witness to others of God's goodness. The former ends convicted of their error, the latter ends living with convictions, to remain close to God and win others to Him!

Ice Breaker: Describe a time you felt like you were “double minded.”

Title:  Celebrate Summer Vacation 3 of 3 – “Being Convicted vs. Having Convictions”

Texts: Phil. 3:8-16; Saul –1 Sam. 28; David- 2 Sam. 11; Ps. 51

Questions to Consider:

  1. What did Paul want to forget? to remember? hold on to? press on toward?
  2. Why did Saul kick out the mediums and then go to one to find out what would happen in his battle with the Philistines?
  3. What was David doing instead of going to battle in the spring like most kings did?
  4. Was David more concerned about his sin or about God's reaction to his sin?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
6/7 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

SummerVacationOption2 TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

May 31 -June 6 Bible Readings: 

June 7 - 13  Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:   Notice the dispositions of Saul and David in their battles, including them both in the battle with Goliath. There are similarities in the way people fight their outward battles and their inward battles; confidence vs. confusion, faith vs. fear, innovation vs. tradition. Everyone has battles; it's those fought, lost and won at the Cross of Christ that are successful, forgiven and counted victorious in God's eyes. Excuses are useless, vanity is poisonous, fear is a lack of faith and paralyzing!

Ice Breaker: Describe a time you felt like you were "double minded."

Title:  Celebrate Summer Vacation 2 of 3 – “Battles Within & Without”

Texts: James 1:5-8; Saul -1 Sam. 15; David- 1 Sam. 17

Questions to Consider:

  1. What do we know about the Amalekites and especially about Agag? Exodus 17:8-16; 1 Samuel 15;  Esther 3:1
  2. What decisions did Saul make when he was battling (and celebrating his victory over) the Amalekites that showed his inner passion? 1 Samuel 15
  3. What was it about the Amalekites that made God pronounce such an extreme judgement against of of their people? 1 Sam. 15:2-3;  Deut. 25:17-19
  4. What decisions did David make when he was fighting (and celebrating his victory over) Goliath that showed his inner passion? 1 Sam. 17
  5. What decisions have you made while "fighting battles" in your life that have showed your inner passion?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
5/31 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

SummerVacationOption2 TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

May 14 -30 Bible Readings: 

May 31 -June 6 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:   Saul was impressive - David was overlooked.  Saul was hiding in the luggage, David was tending the sheep! Everybody goes places and does things, but only those that take God with them everywhere they go end up effective and successful in their Christian walk.

Ice Breaker: Do you remember the old "most likely to..." in your high school year book?  How did that work out?  Were there any significant surprises that might be appropriate to share? :-)

Title:  Celebrate Summer Vacation 1 of 3 - "Going Places!"

Texts:  1 Samuel 9 & 10; 1 Samuel 16

Questions to Consider:

  1. Where was Saul going and what was he doing when he found out he had been chosen by God to be Israel's "prince"?
  2. What "signs" did Samuel describe to Saul that he truly would be anointed the leader of Israel?
  3. Where did they find Saul when Samuel had come to anoint him King?
  4. Where was David and what was he doing when Samuel came to anoint him King?
  5. What are some specific priorities you have set for your family this summer?  Do your priorities include God?  Or would He be better consider an after thought in your plans?

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
5/17 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

celebrate TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

    • All Hail the Power
    • King of Heaven
    • Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King
    • Here for You
    • Breathe
    • Give Us Clean Hands

May 10 – 18  Bible Readings: 

May 19 -23 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:   If the “Passover” was finding peace through Jesus, the feast of “First Fruits” was finding new life through Jesus, then “Pentecost” was finding power through an “empowered” life with the Holy Spirit.  The giving of the Law to the Israelite's empowered them to live a holy life, but in reality, because of the weakness of their flesh, it actually only prepared them to receive grace which helped them to do what the Law could not.

Ice Breaker: Describe something you really... REALLY wanted to get accomplished but couldn't because you didn't have the strength/resources/power.

Title:  “Celebrate Shavuot/Pentecost ”

Texts:  Ex. 33:13; Ps. 119:27; 25:4; Acts 6:1-8; Exodus 19:1-20; Acts 2:1-8; Heb. 12:18-24; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Galatians 5:22-24

Questions to Consider:

  1. What does the fire in these passage appear to indicate?  What does the fire tend to cause?
  2. What is the desire of Moses?  The desire of the disciples?
  3. What is the desire of the Psalmists?
  4. What is your desire in reference to God?
  5. What did Jesus say the disciples would become?
  6. What are indicators that the Holy Spirit is "empowering" our lives?
  7. How did those on Pentecost day deal with their feeling of being lost? Acts 2:36, 38, 42, 46  

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
5/10 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

  • God is Good All the Time
  • Power in the Blood
  • Desert Song
  • My Hope is In You
  • At the Cross

May 3-9 Bible Readings: 

May 10 - 18  Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:  From Esther’s “for such a time as this”, to Deborah’s prophecy, “the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” – GOD CELEBRATES WOMEN.  From the working mother of Proverbs 31, to Lydia the seller of Purple in Acts 16. - – GOD CELEBRATES WOMEN.  From Hannah the mother of Samuel to Ruth the daughter-in-law of Naomi - – GOD CELEBRATES WOMEN. From Rahab the Prostitute turned self-sacrificing spy to Bathsheba the adulterous wife of King David and mother of Solomon - GOD CELEBRATES WOMEN.  Whether single, married, widowed, rich or poor, sick or healthy - God has made it clear – HE CELEBRATES WOMEN!

Ice Breaker: What woman do you know that seems to have the most healthy view of herself in the eyes of God.

Title:  “Celebrate Women”

Texts: Gal. 3:28; 1 Tim. 2:8-15; Eph. 5:25; Gen. 3:16

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
5/3 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

  • These Are the Names of God (Tommy Walker)
  • The Solid Rock (modern Hymn)
  • Always (Shane & Shane)
  • Be Thou My Vision (Ascend the Hill)
  • None But Jesus (Hillsong)
  • King of Glory (Chris Tomlin)

April 26- May 2 Bible Readings: 

May 3-9 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:  “We live in a world that is driven by SELFishness. Making up our minds to be less selfish only makes things worse. Learning to trust God at the core of our being gives us room to think less about ourselves and more about others.  Satan very subtlety works to keep us fixated on ourselves.  Assuming we have because of us and for the purpose of us keeps us feeling entitled rather than grateful.  When we think and feel with the rhythm of gratitude and trust - we will find ourselves living with generosity.

Ice Breaker:  Describe a person conceptually (no name) that you are confident struggles with covetousness.  Describe a time you struggled with covetousness. (Which was easier to come up with?)

Title:  “God wants you Generous, Satan wants you Selfish”

Texts: Lk. 12:1-7; 13-21, 22-34;  Pr. 11:24; 13:22; 19:17; 28:27;

Stewardship Principles:

  •  Principle #5 – God wants us to have generous hands and a grateful heart. Satan suggests we get all we can and have a grudging heart.
  • Principle #23 – We are to love God and use money to glorify Him. Satan suggests we love money and use God to get it.

Online Resources:

Uncategorizeddougdelp
4/26 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

TLCC Worship – Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

    • Glorified
    • Sing Sing Sing
    • Holy Holy Holy (God With Us)
    • Christ is Enough
    • My Worth is Not in What I Own
    • The Greatness of Our God

April 19-25 Bible Readings: 

April 26- May 2 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:  “The culture of consumption vs. a culture of appreciation looks like this: unsettled vs. content; wanting more vs. thankful for what we have; looking for meaning outside vs. looking for meaning from internal resources; restless vs. at peace; focused on quantity vs. focused on quality”—Richard Foster

Ice Breaker:  How has your standard of living changed over the past 10 years?  How do you expect it to change over the next 10 years?

  •  Principle #8 - God wants us to be content with what we have. Satan wants us to envy what others have.
  • Principle #13 - God wants us to focus on having a good “home” (family) . Satan wants us to focus on having a better house.

Title:  "God wants you Content, Satan wants you Needing More"

Texts: Mk. 10:17-27; Lk. 16:13; Eccl. 5:10;  Heb. 13:5,6; Rom. 7:18-25;  8:5-6; 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Ps. 73:2-28

Stewardship Principles:

  • Principle #5 We are to love God and use money to glorify Him. Satan suggests we love money and use God to get it.
  • Principle #23 God wants us to have generous hands and a grateful heart. Satan suggests we get all we can and have a grudging heart.

Some Questions to Consider:

  1. How is the rich man described as he left Jesus? Mk. 10:22
  2. Who wrote Ecc. 5:10?
  3. How would a person loving God look different from someone loving money? Lk. 16:13;
  4. What makes it possible for a person to decide to be content with  what they have? Heb. 13:5,6
  5. How would a person living according to the spirit look different from a person living according to the flesh? Rom. 8:5-6
  6. When did the Psalm writer gain a deeper understanding of how to deal with the perception that the wicked seem to become wealthy and remain healthy? Ps. 73: 17

Online Resources:

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4/19 Prepare Your Heart for Sunday Worship

MoneyMatters (1) TLCC Worship - Here are this week’s songs, and as always, they are on the Spotify playlist.

    • Glorified
    • Sing Sing Sing
    • Holy Holy Holy (God With Us)
    • Christ is Enough
    • My Worth is Not in What I Own
    • The Greatness of Our God

April 12-18 Bible Readings: 

April 19-25 Bible Readings: 

In a Nutshell:  Western intellectualism and industrialization have created a culture of unprecedented productivity along with unbridled consumerism.  We have fooled ourselves into thinking that learning more and doing more will create a better community. God designed early on a plan for balance, both focused work and grateful/worshipful rest. Even Jesus found renewal in purpose from withdraw and prayer. Unless God builds a home, or a church, or a nation, the laborers work in vain.

Ice Breaker:  Have you ever focused on "a tree" and lost awareness of "the forest"?  What resulted? What helped you to understand your lack of awareness?

Title:  “God wants you Focused, Satan wants you Busy”

Texts: Mark 1:32-39; Ps. 127; Pr. 10:4; 10:5; 26:13-16; 13:4; 2 Thess. 3:10-13;

Stewardship Principles:

  • Principle #30 - God wants us to have times of rest and renewal. Satan wants us to be workaholics.
  • Principle #28 - God wants us to be diligent workers. Satan wants us to be lazy sluggards.

Some Questions to Consider:

  1. In the Scriptures above what all is attributed to helping one succeed?
  2. What all is mentioned as a potential cause for failure?
  3. How would you define success based on Ps. 127?
  4. How would Jesus define failure based on Mark 1:32-39?

Online Resources:

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Into every life a little rain must fall…

rain cloud hondaI just came across this "CONNECTIONS" article from July of '14 and thought it worth posting.  I still don't have the Honda running (time/time/time) but the lessons it has taught me continue to call me. The cloud behind me ended my Sabbatical ride.  The day before I had ridden 15 hours to reach my third church. 15 minutes after this picture was taken I was pushing my Honda just 20 more feet to wait 6 hours beneath an overpass hoping in vain it would dry out and start. Nope, Andrew Samp, a friend of his in Ames Iowa and Kristi bailed me out of this failed trip! God and I had a very unique worship service humming “Showers of Blessings” and listening to Mercy Me’s “Bring the Rain” on Pandora radio.  Honestly, I felt fortunate to have escaped more severe consequences from the blinding nature of the rain. This past spring has been one significant change of plans after another.  It’s been the same for many of you too!  Some of the changes have been good, but many of them have been unpleasant or even tragic. Diagnosis, economic challenges, personal crisis…  All of them demanding our adjustment, some of them growing pains, some of them changing our lives forever.  As was recently announced we will be changing our worship times in effort to make more desperately needed room in our 10:45am service. We certainly need your prayers and help with that one.  Growing is good! Changing our habits, not so easy.  We started the process of adding more parking this week.  We feel confident we can add 25 parking places, but we really need 50.  Unless more money is designated for such a project we’ll just add what we can afford. Remember our Bylaws surprise?  That has been a long drawn out process that is proving to be quite the challenge. Between changes in the Missouri Securities laws, national economic woes lowering our property value, and our bond brokerage company being sold it looks like it will be counter productive to refinance our bond program.  While no money has been wasted, and some healthy things have resulted, a lot of time and prayerful anticipation has resulted in, “Nope, not necessary, not happening.”  Many things for my Sabbatical changed against my wishes.  The key topic I wanted to read and pray about was “entitlement,” the attitude of thinking I am owed something.  Ha! God has certainly allowed a lot of rain to fall on some of our rides.  My best advice is to remain flexible, pray for each other and  “Watch for the rainbows!”

 

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