What happens when we die?

Over the past couple of months I've had many conversations with people about after-life questions.  For many reasons this has been on people's minds...whether they've recently lost a loved one, or just went to see the movie Left Behind, or Halloween and ghosts are on their mind, or for some its been simply a question of how can we be certain we'll go to heaven when we die.

So, I'm taking these conversations as God's signal for me to preach a series at Mountain Vista Community Church on what the Bible says about the after-life.  I'll be sure to get the messages online too for those who can't join us.  This topic is vital for every one of us to understand so that we can face the inevitability of the end of our life with confidence and peace.  Additionally, I want you to be able to share with your kids, extended family, and friends the truths of Scripture that will comfort them when thinking about this heavy topic.  Are you equipped to have that conversation?

1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you many know that you have eternal life." John wanted his readers to know beyond any doubts that their eternal future was securely established in heaven.  If you have doubts please join us so that you can have the confidence that John is describing.

Ready to stop fighting?

Conflict is a part of life.  It's a part of marriage and family life.  It's a part of your work place and every organization where you're a member.  Conflict is everywhere because people are everywhere and we're all different.  Different personalities, different perspectives, different value systems, different beliefs, different needs, all contribute to the inescapable-ness of conflict.

Being able to resolve conflict is a skill that will earn you a lot of respect from your peers and it can even earn you a lot of money if you're in a high stakes leadership position.  However, sometimes resolution isn't possible even for the wisest mediator to achieve.  In that case, a person is faced with the options of unresolved conflict or conflict management.  

Conflict management being preferable to ongoing conflict requires among other things that we be willing to respect a decision that we do not agree with, assuming the relationship is a higher value than having to win or be right.  In a leadership or board meeting the majority may decide, but if you're in the minority you still need to respect the decision.  The same principle applies to a decision made by:  a boss, a referee in a basketball game, a legal vote, a judge, or a parent trying to raise responsible children.

Respecting a decision doesn't mean agreeing with it or giving up on the possibility that your idea or position may eventually prevail.  In many cases there is a prescribed and appropriate process of appeal.  What respecting a decision means is simply accepting the decision knowing that often times a poor decision is better than no decision.  It also means you receive credibility for the next time that your opinion wins out, and you ask those who don't like the decision to accept it for the sake of:   the team, the marriage, the family, the friendship, the organization, the country, etc. 

5 misunderstandings that are sabotaging the family

I have a heart to see families and marriages succeed.  In fact, recently I've been leading my church to find ways that we can strengthen homes.  There are many practical things that individuals and churches can do to strengthen homes, some of which we're working on…

·      training in effective parenting principles

·      training to strengthen marriages

·      counseling or coaching families through conflict

·      providing child care so couples can go on a date

·      assisting single moms with practical needs

·      supporting foster families

·      spiritual growth programs for children and youth

·      praying for families & marriages

·      supporting families through times of grief

·      training families to manage their money effectively

·      support groups for men and women to help them grow as parents/spouses

Another important aspect of building strong homes is that Christians and churches need to teach God’s design for the family.  Every successful structure, whether physical or social, starts with a design.  Fortunately, God, who invented family and marriage, also gave the blueprints for the design of family and marriage.  Unfortunately, many people in our country seem to be moving farther away from God’s Word and the wisdom it has for us.

Consequently, I look around and count 5 prominent misunderstandings that are sabotaging families today.  Let's keep in mind what is clearly taught in the Bible regarding these topics.  If you don't accept the Bible then this is meaningless to you.  However, if you are a Christ- follower, His teachings are not ambivalent nor ambiguous regarding these 5 misunderstandings.

1.     Marriage was invented by God and he said it was to be a permanent and exclusive relationship between one man and one woman.

2.     A husband is to love his wife even to the point of sacrificing his life for her if needed.

3.     A wife is to submit to the Godly leadership of her husband.

4.     Parents are to show love by consistently correcting and disciplining their children and preparing them to live productive lives that glorify God.

5.     Children are to learn to respect adults and especially their parents and grandparents.