Domestic Violence Project Needs List · May 07, 2008 - 10:24 AM

Grocery Items:

Toiletries:

New Socks & Underwear (womens size small)

Other New Items:

Baby Items:

Gift Certificates:

Used Cell Phones for 9-1-1 calls

— Jared Coleman

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Lesson on Anger · Apr 13, 2008 - 09:04 PM

“Be angry, yet do not sin…”
A practical Christian approach to identifying and managing anger

Definitions of Anger: *What is “anger”? *How is it manifested biologically? *How is it manifested in general?

Anger often keeps bad company: *2 Cor 12:20: “For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.”

*Gal 5:19-21: “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” *Eph 4:31: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” *What do these things have in common with anger?

We know that anger can be bad…

*Eph 4:27: “For anger gives a foothold to the devil.” *1 Tim 2:8: “In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”

We know that anger can be bad…

*Matt 5:21-22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” *James 1:20: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

Anger according to Proverbs: *15:1: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” *22:24-25: “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” *29:8: “Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.”

So, any practical advice?

*Prov 29:11: “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” *James 1:19: “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” *Eph 4:26: “And ‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Sometimes, when you are angry, it helps to just sit and think about it for a while…

Getting to the heart of the problem… *“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” -Yoda, Star Wars Episode 1

The nature of anger:

*Anger is accompanied by a rise in blood pressure, increased adrenaline, increased heart rate, and other signs of arousal. *I would argue that “anger” is simply the manifestation of an underlying emotion or feeling. *According the many social scientists, Yoda was right; many believe that anger is a manifestation of fear.

Practical Tips from the American Psychological Association

*Relaxation
– Both routine and during anger

*Better Communication – Focus on listening, being slow to speak… sound familiar? *Using Humor – Silly humor diffuses the situation and brings a balanced perspective *Changing Your Environment *Problem Solving – Focus on solving the problems causing the underlying stressors *Cognitive Restructuring – Literally, changing the way you think – This is my focus: identifying the underlying cause and focusing on understanding that “cause.”

Case Study 1: Cain (Genesis 4:2-8) *When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

Case Study 2: People in General (Prov 19:3) *People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

Case Study 3: Jesus (John 2:13-17) *It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

Case Study 4: Jesus (John 11:32-39) *When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

— Tony H

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Monday "Simply Christian" Pre-Study Questions · Mar 15, 2008 - 02:38 PM

Session 2: Justice and Spirituality

The following thought questions are to prompt thoughts and prepare us for the study on Monday:

1. Why is injustice so difficult to fix?

2. How does acting justly make you feel? What does that tell you about yourself?

3. In what way does Jesus relate to the cause of justice?

4. What other examples of faithful Christians who stood up for social justice can you think of?

5. Where have you found access t othe “hidden spring” of spirituality?

6. N.T. Wright notes that “People who are starved for water for a long time will drink anything, even if it is polluted.” What forms of “polluted” spirituality do you know?

7. What are the tests (or marks) of healthy spirituality?

— Tony H

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T · Feb 23, 2008 - 04:07 PM

February 17, 2008 (Outline from Sunday morning message)

“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” – Jackie Robinson

“Men are respectable only as they respect” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“In the end we are all separate: our stories, no matter how similar, come to a fork and diverge. We are drawn to each other because of our similarities, but it is our differences we must learn to respect.” – unknown

“This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him” – William Lyon Phelps

The apostle Peter on the subject of sharing one’s faith with someone else, “…But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” – 1 Peter 3: 16

“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” – Proverbs 19: 11

“A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.” – Proverbs 11: 16

“Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.” – 1 Peter 2: 17

From a childrens (K-5) teaching resource on respecting others…

[Read more]

— Trevor

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New Study To Begin February 18th · Feb 04, 2008 - 08:21 PM

We will be starting a new study series called “Simply Christian” on Monday nights at 7 pm at the Prices. It will involve thought questions, a short DVD presentation, and then discussion questions. If you are interested in attending, please email Trevor or Tony.

— Tony H

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