Jesus and Me ... and the Cats

I Corinthians 13:4-6 Ephesians 5:21-33     "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ."                   (Ephesians 5:21) Series Recap: We started the series looking at a priority list that will help us order our lives to be in right relationship with God, our families, the world, and even ourselves.  Our Relationship with God Self Care Our Ministry to Our Family Making Disciples (our missional relationships to our community of faith and the world) Today, we're looking at number 3 on the list, Our Ministry to Our Family. Whatever your family looks like, even if you have no children or are grandparents, there's something for you.  Before we get started, I have a question for you to think about: how is ministry to our family like pilates? When Paul was writing to the Ephesians, the cultural definition of what constituted a family was based on a foundation of two parents. Today, we recognize that the basic family unit comes in sever

Romans 12:1-2 Mark 12:28-34 Where on your priority list does self care fall?  With our relationship with God, how far down the list does it appear?  Is it on your list at all? Why have it on a priority list whose aim is to help us fulfill all righteousness? Suppose you have a quarter cup of water each day to give to your responsibilities at home, church, work, school and your volunteer commitments as well as to your family, friends and other significant relationships.  Everyone is thirsty for your time and your attention, and they all want their glasses filled to the brim.  Not only can't you give them all they want and deserve, you have nothing left over for yourself. That's why I believe #2 on our priority list should be self care. Sometimes, I'm more concerned about taking good care of my husband, my cat and other people than I am about talking care of myself.  What about you? One of the problems is that we've distorted our view about the worth and valu

Matthew 3:13-17 A quote from Maxine,that feisty senior citizen of Hallmark cards: “ I think I made too many New Year's resolutions this year. It took me almost a full day to break them all.” Today, we celebrate the baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and well as remembering our own baptisms with thanksgiving as we renew our commitment to God through Christ. So, it's a good time to think beyond resolutions that are easily broken and quickly forgotten to taking the time to review and re-set our priorities so we have time in our busy lives for the things that bring us joy, meaning and purpose. Today, we begin a four-part series discussing a priorities list that will help us succeed and thrive as human beings and as Christians. At Jesus' baptism, God announced to the world that he was the anointed one promised by God. It was the official start of his ministry. In the same way, our baptism is an outward sign of God's