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Weekend Recap – Affluenza, Money, & Family

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Yesterday was a great day at Crestview as we journeyed together and thought about what God had to say to us about money, possessions, eternity.

In the AM service, my sermon Affluenza (2) from Matthew 6:21 is now online. This sermon sought to show how our hearts follow treasure (and yes I did quote O Brother Where Art Thou — “Do NOT seek the treasure”, thanks for wondering). Seriously, though, we must keep our hearts with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life. I sought to encourage people to check their hearts in terms of the treasure they lay up.

In the PM service, we continued examining what a Gospel centered family is by looking at Families and Money from 1 Timothy 6:17-19. We are given good things from a good God so that we can do good (be generous and ready to share with others) for a good foundation for eternity. Applications were given about instilling these virtues in our children.

I hope this short series of sermon was helpful. Glorify God in these things, they have eternal ramifications.

Weekend Recap (2) – God’s Word

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Last night’s sermon, Your Family Needs God’s Word, from James 1:16-25 is now online. In the world we live in, God’s Word or family worship is often pushed by the “tyranny of the urgent” to the side. In last night’s sermon in the Gospel-Centered family series, I tried to give an apologetic from God’s Word as to why it’s so important that we keep pursuing it. I hope this sermon encourages you to this as well.

Update on Lauren & Meg

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As many of you know, we gave birth to our third child on 2/17. About 1PM yesterday (2/18) we were able to come home. Now, a little over 24 hours at home, I thought I would update on some questions I get:

How’s Meg? — She’s doing well. Obviously, post pregnancy is a bit uncomfortable physically but she seems to have a good deal of strength and nursing is going well so far as well.

How’s Lauren? — She’s doing well, too. We had a rough night getting her to sleep (I’d forgotten that first night home with the child isn’t like the peaceful moments we’re used to before). But, eventually she calmed down and we were able to get some sleep. But, seems to be fine physically, getting acquainted to our world.

How’s the boys? — Lauren’s two older brothers seem to be doing well with everything. Obviously, they both want attention, too, so they are learning to be patient, and, having Meg’s mom here is a big help. But they are very gentle and anxious to help when we let them.

Thanks for the concern. Now, somehow, I have to recalibrate my settings to be prepared for a full Lord’s Day teaching SS, preaching AM and PM messages.

Weekend Recap – Prayer, Prayer & Families

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Today’s sermons are now online.

In the AM, we started looking at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9. The sermon, Model Prayer (1), discussed 2 instructions for prayer based on “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…”. What most people (including myself) were amazed at was how Jesus always called God His Father in prayer, except on the cross (my God). This seems to inform our intimate approach to Him as our Father because of what Jesus has done.

In the PM, we started a series entitled the Gospel Centered Family with a sermon on Prayer and the Family. I tried to highlight how, for families, we must pray, teach prayer and model prayer. I also tried to bring Gospel-centered insights to this.

Hopefully God uses these words to continue to form us into a people of prayer.

Pastor Mark’s Daddy Christmas Tips

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Are very helpful and online at The Mars Hill Blog:

1. Dad needs a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
2. Dad needs to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt, bless, and serve?
3. Dad needs to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is you calendar ready for December?
4. Dad needs to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
5. Dad needs to make memories and not just give gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
6. Dad needs to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
7. Dad needs to schedule a big Christmas date with his daughter(s). Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy Daddy-daughter date?
8. Dad needs to schedule guy time with his son(s). Dad, what are you and your son(s) going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
9. Dad needs to help get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
10. Dad needs to ensure there are some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, can you smell cookies and cider?

These are all great tips. We have plenty of ways to serve your families at Crestview as well:

Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday Nov 21 at 6PM
A Thanksgiving Offering to advance the Gospel in Australia
Hanging of the Greens, Sunday Nov 28 at 6PM, where you and your family can serve others
An Advent Series of Sermons, beginning Sunday AM, Nov 28

Honor Christ by leading your families well this holiday season.

And #3 is…

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Many of you know that Meghan and I are expecting a 3rd child February 22nd of 2011.

Well, we went to the doctor this morning, took some pictures of the baby and were able to find out that #3 will be a GIRL!

We are praising God for this precious gift.

Weekend Recap – Children

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Today’s sermon, Lordship for Children, from Colossians 3:20 is now online. This sermon is really the 4th in what is shaping up to be a nice series on the Lordship of Jesus and its ramifications for us in relationships.

Today’s sermon focused on how the fact that Jesus is Lord has implications for children. Really two points emerged as being how children show Jesus as Lord: 1) They can obey their parents completely and 2) They can set as their motivation pleasing Christ. We walked through the text and ended up practicing the Lord’s Supper together.

Tonight, we will meet in Small Groups and discuss Thabiti’s chapter 4 in Marks of a Healthy Church Member (A Healthy Church Member is Genuinely Converted).

What I found striking this AM was how honoring parents is a continual lifestyle for us to pursue. Also, most relevant was the application to parent children well, so that they can obey and, thus, please the Lord.

Hope you had a great weekend worshipping.

#3 – 1st Pic

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Meg and I spent yesterday at the doctor’s office and this is the first picture we got of baby #3, tentatively due on February 22nd. We are excited, overwhelmed and experiencing all kinds of marveling at how God has again granted us conception. Please be praying for Meg as she hasn’t been feeling too hot (typical 1st trimester stuff) and for the health of the baby as he/she develops. We were already able to get that heartbeat, a healthy 168 bpm. At any rate, I knew some of you would be interested in the pic.

Gospel Centered Families

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Timmy Brister reflects on how the Gospel should influence our families:
1. Discipline in the home facilitates gospel mission.
2. Godliness in the home facilitates leadership development.
3. Humility in the home facilitates transparent community.
4. Simplicity in the home facilitates personal sacrifice.
5. Training in the home facilitates disciple-making.
6. Hospitality in the home facilitates ministry to others.

His conclusion:

When you think about the church, wouldn’t we want to see more people engaged in gospel mission, more leaders being developed and empowered, more transparent and authentic community, more personal sacrifice for the advance of the kingdom, more disciples being made, and more people ministering to others? That’s a tall order, right? What kind of program, technique, or best practice can facilitate this? My answer is gospel-centered families. If you do not take the gospel seriously in marriages, parenting, and overall home life, then all kinds of substitutes will attempt to promise what they cannot deliver. May God give us grace to embrace the gospel daily in our lives, in our families, and in our churches!