In Case You Missed Our Summer Session

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, October 26, 2007

If you missed our evening with the Arasmiths, Dworaks, and Martins, Kristine Sewell of KTS Video Productions did film the evening for us. You may borrow a copy of the DVD by contacting me. It is well worth the listen and is a treasure for my library.

OUR DATE NIGHT-LOCKYER STYLE

Posted by Pastor George

Most of you – well, maybe none of you would find this a great night out for a couple, but being the good husband I am, I took Deb to a place that I knew she would enjoy – The Double D Ranch just north of Ashland. It is a beautiful ranch that provides a “chuckwagon supper” along with true western entertainment. The arena is decorated to look like an old western town and they play a Roy Rogers film while you are eating. On Saturday night they include live entertainment and gave us about 2 hours of pretty good food and a good time. For the months of November and December they have a special Christmas program that would be a fun family event. This is not really a very romantic place but a fun night together.

Rating for the place is 4 stars. The meal was good, the atmosphere was fun, and Deb was very happy. We would consider taking the older grandchildren with us to another show. Price is $22.00 each and tickets must be reserved in advanced. The price for children is $9.00 each. The beans were great! For information, you can check them out at http://www.doubledranch.net

If you were at the family forum, you will understand that I did redeem myself after the Shell station date with this one!

FAMILY FORUM FIRING UP AGAIN

Posted by Pastor George

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

The next Faith Family Forum is Friday, October 12th (7:30-10:00pm) and we hope you can make it! To sign-up for this event, all you need do is send an email to office@faithbiblelincoln.org . It is free to attend, but we need to hear from those who plan to attend by Friday, October 5th. Childcare will not be provided, but dessert will, so come enjoy an evening of encouragement. Below is Pastor George’s summary of the topic for the evening. We also will have Bryan Olesen providing the music. We hope the event will build community and challenge us to be all God intends!

Your “Check Engine” Light is On (James 4:1-3)

Have you ever had your “check engine” light illuminate in your car while driving? I did recently and with a gasp of “oh-no,” I quickly pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot and shut my engine down fearing that every stroke of the engine was only putting the vehicle closer to the junk yard. I grabbed the car booklet out of the glove compartment and checked what the light meant. The answer I got was essentially they do not know. It could be one of hundreds of things wrong but something is wrong. A specialist was going to have to hook the engine up to a computer and it would tell us what the problem is. It was probably OK to drive with the light on but for the next few days, every time I drove, I was clearly reminded that something is wrong and needs attention.

Relational conflicts have “check engine” lights also. Just as I drove for several days trying to ignore the light, something was wrong. It was not going to go away until I did something about it. In marriage, parenting, or any relationship, often conflicts have little, general issues that are setting off the warning light. They may be easy to ignore for awhile, but they are still there. Not until we seek a solution to the problem, will the conflict be resolved.

There are two principles to relational conflict that we can learn from James 4 – it is more serious than you probably think it is because of what causes conflict and conflict is easier to resolve than you think because God has pinpointed the cause of all conflict. Come to the forum to hear and discuss how we can seek peace in all types of relationships!

In The Meantime.... Date Nights

Posted by Pastor George

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Besides trying to be more active with this site - we need to know where some good spots are in town to eat or things to do. How about getting involved and sending in your suggestions. You can put them on the site here or email them to me at the church. Here is a suggested outline. Deb and I will plan on going out sometime in the next week and post our comments on where I take her. If you want - include pictures!

Restaurant Name

Location:

Rating: (Using our own system)
5 stars - Great date night place. Your wife will want to return.
4 stars - Nice place and atmosphere. Your wife will be happy.
3 stars - Sold place. Your wife will appreciate your efforts.
2 stars - Alright place. Your wife will be a little less than impressed.
1 star - Don't dare to take her there. Your wife would prefer fast food.

Price Range:

Best Way to Eat Cheap:

Favorite Dish:

Anything to Avoid:

Blown Away

Posted by Pastor George

Our 3 couples - the Arasmiths, the Dworaks, and the Martins were absolutely outstanding! We all were captivated by their wisdom, experiences, and stories for one hour. The presentation was captured on dvd and will be available to view in a few weeks. If you missed it, you need to hear from these great saints. Warning - you will quit feeling sorry for yourself about how tough it is for you!!

We are going to take a couple of months off to regroup. If you would like to be part of the committee that puts the forum evenings together, please let me know. We will begin planning again at the end of August for our October forum.

Didn't attend the May forum? See what you missed!

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, June 29, 2007

Tyler Engel kept us on track as emcee.

The Trexel family provided musical entertainment.

Some of the FBC guys provided other entertainment.

Pastor George once again blessed us with his teaching.

Deb Lockyer also had some words of wisdom for the women.

Don't miss out once again! Join us Friday, July 13th at 7:30 pm for the next forum when we have a panel of three couples from Faith with nearly 200 years of marriage between them. This is your chance to ask those who have paved the path before us just how they have maintained a happy, God-centered marriage and perhaps some of the mistakes that they have made along the way. Tickets are required, so sign up this Sunday in the worship center to join us for fellowship, teaching, music, and dessert.

Take Courage and Stand Strong In Your Faith

Posted by Pastor George

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

From Chapter 6 of Men and Women: Equal Yet Different by Alexander Strauch
"I’m sure glad we took the time to study the Scriptures together," Tom comments. "I didn’t realize how much the Bible says about gender. I didn’t know how clear it is about this subject. That’s what has impressed me the most." "Tom, let me repeat what I’ve been saying all along. If the Bible is allowed to speak for itself, it plainly teaches that God created men and women equal in His divine image but different in their respective role functions. One has to twist the Scriptures to eliminate gender role differences from the Bible."

"You’re right, but people believe in gender equality so strongly that they won’t accept role differences no matter who says it." "
I know! We’re standing against a worldwide wave of opinion."
"It’s tough to stand against the tide," Tom says.
"True, but we’ve been called to be faithful to Jesus Christ and His Word, not to popular opinion."
"Pray that I’ll have the courage to stand for what I believe."
"I will. Here are some final thoughts to encourage and strengthen your faith."

First, if you believe God created men and women as equal yet different, you stand firmly on sound, honest biblical scholarship. You are faithful to the biblical record. You allow God to speak for Himself and the Bible to say what it means. You protect the Bible’s credibility to speak plainly. You believe what God’s people have believed since the beginning of human history. You follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His holy apostles. So be encouraged. "Heaven and earth will pass away," Jesus said, "but My words will not pass away" (Matt. 24:35).

Second, some top evangelical, Bible-believing scholars are boldly speaking out against the unsound interpretive methods and conclusions of feminist scholars. They are producing exciting new books and journal articles that challenge feminist strongholds and confirm the truth that the Bible teaches headship and submission. If you are open-minded and seek biblical truth on gender, vital, new research information is now at hand for you to study. 1 So "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15; italics added).

Third, in spite of the overwhelming cultural pressure to obliterate God-created, gender-defined role differences, millions of local churches and Christian leaders worldwide adamantly refuse to bow the knee to the false idol of egalitarianism. They refuse to accept feminist notions of equality--not because they are wooden-headed literalists, blind traditionalists, or because they fear women--but because God says something different. They also recognize this debate for what it really is--spiritual warfare over the Creator’s sovereign design for marriage, the family, the church family, and godly manhood and womanhood:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Take courage from the strength, faithfulness, and uncompromising courage of your brothers and sisters to follow the Word of the Lord, and to be truly counter-cultural.

Fourth, those who follow God’s blueprint for marriage will build happier, stronger marriages, and their children will benefit. Those who know God’s plan for marriage and the sexes can help protect their families from a secularized culture that is super-saturated with rebellion against God’s laws, with sexual promiscuity, with divorce, fatherlessness, lies, loneliness, and heartache. Furthermore, following God’s design for gender will help keep churches doctrinally strong and enable them to grow according to God’s plan. So, I say, as the Lord said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Josh 1:8).

Fifth, complementarians will not give up appealing to our feminist brothers and sisters. Minds have been changed. Unlike secular and theologically liberal feminists, evangelical feminists believe God to be the author of Scripture, God’s book. This provides us substantial common ground on which to continue to communicate and persuade. Thus we want to appeal to our feminist brothers and sisters and warn you as friends. The best minds can be blinded by egalitarian philosophy that looks fair and just but contradicts the Creator’s decision to make people the way He has.

Sixth, those who follow God’s plan for the sexes, marriage, and the church family glorify God. By following His plan, they allow God to be sovereign Lord over His creation. This brings God pleasure, and nothing is more important to a child of God than that.

1 John Piper and Wayne Grudem, eds., Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism (Wheaton: Crossway, 1991); Mary A. Kassian, Women, Creation and the Fall (Westchester: Crossway, 1990); Wayne Grudem, "An Open Letter to Egalitarians," in Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood 3:1 (March, 1998); Jack Cottrell, Gender Roles & The Bible: A Critique of Feminist Biblical Interpretation: Gender Roles and the Bible: Creation, the Fall, and Redemption (Joplin, Mo.: College Press Publishing Company, 1994); Wayne Grudem, "The Meaning Source Does Not Exist," Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, 2:5 (Dec. 1997); Andreas J. Kostenberger, Thomas R. Schreiner, and H. Scott Baldwin, eds. Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1995); S. M. Baugh, "The Apostle Among the Amazons: A Review Article," Westminster Theological Journal 56 (1994): 153-171.

YET ANOTHER TESTIMONY FROM THE LAST FAMILY FORUM

Posted by Pastor George

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

We both enjoyed our time at May's Faith Family Forum. We appreciated both George's devotion and Deb's thoughts on the Biblical design for husbands and wives. We were challenged in several issues and affirmed in a few others. We were thankful that the Forum wanted to tackle this issue. The format allowed us to meet several Faithgoers who were at various stages in their lives and there was also time for fellowship with friends that we had known before the evening. Our time went by quickly as skits, music, and small group discussion time were all well planned and worthwhile. This evening was definitely worth the price of a babysitter.

Keith & Karin Peters

Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, May 24, 2007

This is a post I have taken from Thabiti Anayabile who has a tough pastoring assignment in the Grand Cayman Islands. ....

I just had a Mars/Venus kind of experience with my wife and thought I'd share the laugh.Here's a simple illustration in how men and women (pardon the stereotypes) view money differently. My wife just walked into the office and asked, "Do you have any change?"I began to open the desk drawer for the cup of coins I keep there. Looking into the drawer, I ask, "How much?""Fifteen dollars," was her reply.Fellas, when did fifteen whole dollars become "change"? It's expensive living in Cayman... but my word! This helps to explain why when we're in the mall and I ask "do you have any money?" she always says "no." But then three stores later, she "finds" $20-40 (in her change purse) to purchase the blouse on sale. When I say, "I thought you didn't have any money?" She says, "You asked if I had money. Oh, that wasn't money." Apparently, being from Mars, I'm not dealing in big enough denominations! That was just "change"!I will have been married to my wife for 16 years on August 31st, Lord willing. And not until this moment did I realize how different our perspectives on money can be.We had a good laugh (and she gave me permission to post this). But from now on, I'm recalibrating my understanding of what "change" and "money" are. Anybody with me?

ANOTHER TESTIMONY FROM LAST FRIDAY!

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, May 18, 2007

We had a fantastic time Friday night. It was so great to be in a room full of people who are serious about walking with God. We made new friends and enjoyed some old ones. Thank you to everyone who put this on. These things strengthen our faith. Our hearts are so encouraged to be in a church that is faithful to God's Word.”

Pat and Cathy Ward

TESTIMONY FROM FRIDAY'S FORUM

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, May 17, 2007

What an encouraging evening!!! We had such a wonderful time, meeting new people, and building new friendships. It was good to hear straight from the Word! We needed to be reminded on what God has to say about what His desire for us is to be as men and women, how to better our relationship with each other, and how to walk closer with the Lord everyday! We left feeling strengthened to continue on in our battles in this life. Praise the Lord for this evening and Lord willing, we will see you next time!!

Sean and Elena Downey

DEB'S QUOTE

Posted by Pastor George

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Deb read from Female Piety by John Angell James.

The greatest influence on earth, whether for good or for evil, is possessed by woman...Every woman, whether rich or poor, married or single, has a circle of influence within which, according to her character, she is exerting a certain amount of power for good or harm. Every woman, by her virtue or her vice, by her folly or her wisdom, by her levity or her dignity, is adding something to our national evelation or degradation.

BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Posted by Pastor George

"Why is there no respect for motherhood? Why does the West not value its women?" - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the capture of the British Seaman among whom one was a mother of a 3-year old daughter.

1. Do not love the world or the things of the world. The Biblical view does differ.
James 4:4,5 “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us.”
If you crave approval of the world, you will not find God’s plan for being a biblical man or woman.

2. Men and women are equal in value and dignity
Genesis 1:26, 27; “then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the earth, and over every creeping thing the creeps on the earth.’ And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
We were created to be like God and represent God. Only man and woman are in His image and we share that status equally. Where the equality is taken away in this context, there ends up to be abuses based upon the biblical truth being denied. We are equal in value before God and men are not superior and women are not inferior.

3. The model for equality and differences is found in the Triune Godhead
“Let Us make man in Our image….male and female He created them.”
Equality in person but different in function. Authority is not given to One because of ability or gift, but the Father has authority because He is the Father. Authority and submission between the Triune God is fundamental to their relationship.

4. Equality and Differences are good
Genesis 1:31, “and God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”We seem to fear the differences. It is a wise plan for God to implement this plan for it honors both men and women.

5. Function for men and women is based upon the created order.
I Corinthians 11:7,8 “For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake.” What hinders us following God’s plan is sin. Starting in Genesis 3 as part of the curse, we would struggle. Women would “desire” or be aggressive toward their husband and husbands would rule, in a ungodly way, over their wives. But Christ became a curse for us so that we would begin to restore the created order. Colossians 3: 18, 19 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Do you see the contrast? Is your home representing the curse or is it representing the cross?

ANOTHER GREAT EVENING!

Posted by Pastor George

I was so encouraged last night at the Forum! 103 people showed up and I do not think anyone left disappointed even though the ice-cream cake was won by someone who attends Berean! Pastor Mike is calling for a review of our policy. Behind the scenes was the Forum Committee which is made up of Jenny Conklin, Leslie Engel, and Ryan Bliven. These guys are detailed and energized! Jerry put the in the sweat to set up the room by moving all the chairs off to the side and then setting up the tables. How about that MC – Tyler Engel. Do you suppose he makes the jury laugh as much as he does us in the courtroom? Rachel and Joshua Trexel warmed our hearts with their music. The product of hard work and disciplining themselves to the art of music for the glory of God. And once again the talents of Kevin Krausnick and Bill Wegrzyn who wrote the football huddle skit. Thanks to they guys who were in the skit and being the team. Put Friday July 13 on your calendar for the next Faith Family Forum. We promise we will continue to do better and Leslie is already thinking of what kind of ice-cream dessert would be great to serve you.

FAITH FAMILY FORUM TOMORROW NIGHT!

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, May 10, 2007

This Friday night (May 11) is our second Faith Family Forum. We will begin at 7:30 sharp and another great night is planned. Don’t forget to bring your tickets so you will be eligible for the door prizes. We will have three different drawings for the evening. The Trexels will be providing music and you will be ministered to by the talent of this family. We have another hilarious skit which the group has been diligently practicing(no wrestling uniforms this time!) We also have an excellent dessert lined up for the sweet tooth and you will be joined by about 130 people who have signed up. Deb and I will be teaching about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by introducing some of the questions we face as Christians in our culture and we have planned about 40 minutes of roundtable discussions on the topic. We trust everyone will leave with a sharpened focus to believe that our joy in being men and women is under the shield of God’s design. We also trust everyone will leave encouraged, refreshed by fellowship, and rejoicing in Christ our Savior.

Moving On: New Topic For May - Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, April 20, 2007

SAME, DIFFERENT OR BOTH? Men and Women in God's Design:

There are two messages that are completly foreign to today's culture - the Gospel of Jesus Christ and biblical manhood and womanhood. The rise of feminism and the emasculating of men is the air our culture breathes. The problem we as a church face is that we breathe the same air and are very vulnerable to wrong thinking. At the upcoming Faith Family Forum on May 11 we will allow God's Word to press in on our lives as men and women so we apply the Scriptures to our thinking and actions in this vital area.

Starting this Sunday, April 22, you can sign up for the forum at the table as you enter the church building. There is no cost for the night but tickets are required. We have planned another great evening of fellowship.

WHEN IS A STONE A ROCK?

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A stone is defined as mineral matter of indeterminate size or shape. A rock is a concentrated mass of stone. So, how big does a stone have to be to be called a rock? How about in the context of setting our priorities in life - what determines if something is a rock?

Did you know that the most common word for "glory" in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word 'kabod' which literally means weighty or heavy. Using this as a theme, what if we would define a rock in my life as that which is weighty. But weighty to whom? Are we to live our lives to glorify God in all we do? Or in other words, we are to make God look great in all dimensions of our lives and make Him weighty. The pursuit of the glory of God helps bring meaning and excellence as well as move us from a random life to an intentional life. Some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are there areas of your life where the glory of God is either gravel or stone?
2. How can God increase the size and add weight to your stones that really need to be rocks?
3. What areas of your life need spiritual attention?

For the time being, this will end the articles about priorities and rocks. We will from time to time revisit this but starting tomorrow we will begin setting up for the next Faith Family Forum on May 11. The topic will be Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

HOW ABOUT A BOULDER?

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Jesus stated that “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” is the “great and foremost commandment “ This is the boulder of your rocks. How do we set this boulder in place? Here are some questions to see if we do indeed love God as such.

First: Do you love the Lord your God? To love God is to love Him because He is God, not because of anything of me. It is to love Him wholly by breaking any contest between my self-centeredness and God-centeredness and declaring it is God alone.

Is God the passion of your heart? That which you love with your heart you sacrifice for. The heart is where we make decisions. Do your decisions about your life, family, and job reflect you are moved by God and toward God?

Is God the passion of your soul? The soul is that point where we contact the inner person with the outer person. It is where love and emotion meet and enthusiasm rises. Is God so valuable to you that you are constantly seeking to increase His value in your life? What about sin? Is your love for Jesus exceeding your love for sin? Are you willing to reach a point in your life that you have no desire to sin again? Do you make sin trivial and dabble with it as if it is of little significance to God?

Is God the passion of your mind? Here is where our intellect, our ability to reason, reflect and desire rightly occurs. We are limited in our minds and must realize that because of limited knowledge, we are gullible and must seek for the Word of God to supervise, control, and instruct us. True love for God calls for submitting ourselves to the revelation of Scripture for God has spoken and the Scripture represents exactly what He meant. Are you recognizing that the Word of God diagnoses our foolishness, motives and decisions? Do you love God so much that you want to hear more and more from Him? Do you want to see yourself correctly by allowing God to bring correction to you?

Set your boulder in place – then place your rocks upon it – and then let the gravel flow. How are your rocks going?

By the way…we have begun plans for May 11 and the next Faith Family Forum. Look for information beginning next week and put it on your calendar. We have a great night planned!

HUSBANDS/FATHERS - MAKING MY FAMILY ROCK

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, March 29, 2007

It would be foolish of me to think I can express biblically to men how you are to carry out your responsibility of headship in your home better than Pastor John Piper. This past Sunday he preached "Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head." As he can masterfully do, Piper first gives the doctrinal argument so our thinking will be biblically correct. He then gives an outstanding practical section as a means to live in this doctrine. He closes his sermon with this statement, "When a man joyfully bears the primary God-given responsibility for Christ-like, servant leadership and provision and protection in the home - for the spiritual well-being of the family, for the discipline and education of the children, for the stewardship of money, for the holding of a steady job, for the healing of discord - I have never met a wife who is sorry she married such a man."
Check out the entire article or listen to the sermon yourself at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2007/2022_Lionhearted_and_Lamblike_The_Christian_Husband_as_Head_Part_2/

Is It Rock or Gravel?

Posted by Pastor George

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

It has been encouraging to hear from many who attended the forum that they are examining their own life and the activities of the family in terms of rocks and gravel. It is apparent that the distinction is not always easy. Here are 3 elements to consider in determining the size of the stone so as to see if it is perhaps gravel or indeed a rock.
1. Is your heart set upon it? When you involve yourself with this item, does it energize you with a level of passion? Does it seem to have an important purpose? Where does your passion for God fit in the picture of this item?
2. Do you do this repeatedly? Do you take it responsibly? Do you really consider it important? Why? Does it glorify God and advance His kingdom?
3. What difference does it make to do this or not to do it? Is it something that really does impact you and/or your family? What are the other choices you have in place of this item? Are they more useful? Does it profit your soul?

What we love, we follow. What we value, we will obey. Our words and deeds when combined with the resources of our time and money show what we really love. When we are seized by God and have a passion for a life that expresses the heart of the Gospel, we avoid a life set by our own agenda, preferences and that expresses our independence. This path is hazardous and has proven disastrous for most. You can change the size of your stones by increasing the value of God intentionally in what you do.

Rocks of Conflict - "Church Time" verses "Family Time"

Posted by Pastor George

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Dr Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville wrote an article titled, "The New Family Trump Card" -- Family Time vs. Church Time" The article addresses a study of 490 pastors and their responses to how church life and family life were conflicting. Dr. Mohler comments on the findings. Read the article at http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=899

Parents and Kids of Faith

Posted by Pastor George

BUILDING THE STRATEGIC HOME

(or finding some family "rocks")
Part 2
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. ”Proverbs 22:6

In continuing with the theme of the last Parents and Kids of Faith along with what I covered at the Faith Family Forum, this article is to present questions for your consideration as a family. It is to help establish what is important in your family in regard to priorities and attempt to align them with God-centered purposes. If we do not assess what is preoccupying our time and interpreting what we are doing, we risk being controlled by activity that is meaningless and decreasing the value of a Christ-centered home.

The following questions are designed to help unify your family, remind you of what is important, setting a pattern of a Christ-centered home, reducing conflicts, providing barriers of security for your children, and freeing you from the “tyranny of the urgent.”

1. How would you answer the question: What is the purpose of our family?

2. What do you want your family to look like in the near future and a bit beyond?

3. How do you define the role of husband/father, wife/mother, son, and/or daughter?

4. What spiritual values do you hold dearest as a family?

5. How is everyone to treat each other in the family?

6. What virtues of character are considered of “most” importance to you?

7. How is conflict to be resolved in your family?

8. How do you want to spend your “leisure time?”

9. How are finances to be managed by you and taught to the children?

10. What are the guidelines to ensure good health in your home?

11. Where do the activities of the family fit in your priorities so conflicts of scheduling can be resolved?

12. What big decisions do you see down the road to be making for your children that you can be proactive with now rather than later? (Dating? Driving? Modesty rules? Academic performance and activities? Activiites versus other priorities?)

Next week I will begin a series of examples of how you convert the answers to such questions to a plan of action for your family. Take time before then to chew on these questions.

More Testimonies from the Faith Family Forum

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, March 23, 2007

Wanted to let you know that Theresa and I really enjoyed the family forum. I thought it was a great atmosphere, met some new folks and had some supportive dialogue at the table. I really appreciated the object lesson with the rocks and gravel. That is something I can apply right away. I look forward to the next forum - thanks for all your work.

Dave Dilley

Great job on Friday night with the Faith Family Forum. Also, a big thanks to everyone who helped out and served the body of Christ in this manner. Have begun working on living intentionally, identifying my rocks, and eliminating some of those pebbles. This is a great way to build the Faith community and Kristin and I are looking forward to the May event.

Mark Powell

A Few Pictures from Friday Evening

Posted by Pastor George

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Mixing it up with an ice breaker

Alexa Arbogast and Tim McEwen leading worship

Matt Hollenbeck and Bill Wegrzyn were highly entertaining with their "Priority Man" skit

Tyler Engel dishing out some door prizes as emcee

Pastor George teaching us about priorities with his rock illustration

Over 100 attendees participated in discussion and dessert

THOUGHTS ON THE FIRST FAMILY FORUM

Posted by Pastor George

(Tim and Tina Miller share these thoughts with you on their experience last Friday night)

The lights were turned down, there was candlelight and cheesecake at every table, and then Bill Wegrzyn jumps on stage in Pastor George's old wrestling uniform...needless to say, the forum was a time of laughs and learning for us. Sometimes we can get caught up in our group of friends and never take a step out to meet others in the church community, but this night was about doing just that. We were assigned tables with people we were not familiar with ( a scary thought, we know). But, little did we know, stepping outside of your comfort zone can be a very enjoyable experience.

At our table, we spoke to people from different stages of life than our own, all able to bring something different and valuable. With subjects including; the dangers facing families today, why church and community at church is vital, and the importance of a Word centered home, discussion was bound to be fruitful. And it was!!

Pastor George's discussion on priorities (the rocks in our lives) really hit home on how we are managing time in our own lives. Since the forum, we have chosen to identify the rocks in our lives. In doing so, we are more apt to ensure the rocks (those things God calls us to do) take priority over the gravel (those things that take time away from our rocks). So what does this mean on a personal level? We've made a commitment to hold each other accountable to ensure the rocks come first.

The FLOCK we are involved in is focusing it's attention on building close relationships and developing accountablity within the group. The Faith Family Forum took these same goals to a whole new level. Here we are, developing personal relationships with people we've just met and enjoying, and learning from it. Don't you think, this type of community building at Faith Bible is worth becoming one of your priorities (rocks)?
We look forward to the May forum!!

Tim and Tina Miller

PUTTING THE ROCKS IN PLACE

Posted by Pastor George

It is Tuesday morning, 7:30 A.M. and I am sitting at Bagels and Joe sipping a cup of Ethiopian coffee having just met with Robb Rexilius for the last hour. Tuesday is the beginning of my “work week” and I am putting the finishing touches on setting the rocks in place. Here is what I do: Yesterday morning I took out my calendar and gave a first look to the week ahead to see where I will put the important items for the week. When will I do devotions? Where do I see Deb and I doing our Bible reading together? Who do I need to meet with this week and when? What important meetings are ahead? What do I need to prepare for?

Being careful not to over schedule, I know that most days have some air to air combat missions where I cannot predict what will happen and will call for moment by moment responses. So here I am finishing my coffee, getting ready to head to church taking one last look at the calendar. Ten to fifteen minutes from yesterday and today will probably save me hours of chaos and keep my heart from some unnecessary anxiety. It will be easier to focus on the sovereign work of God in my week. God will measure and give me the rest of the things that fill up my calendar. Bring on the gravel!

What A Great Night!

Posted by Pastor George

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Deb and I had a wonderful time last night with about 100 of you. Tyler did a great job as emcee, Tim and Alexa provided us with great music and focus, and I spoke way too long! And what about that skit by Bill Wegrzyn and Matt Hollenbeck - P.M. Man?? The Conklins and Engels are to be given the work credit with Jerry and Ryan doing the sweat work. We learned a lot by some scheduling mistakes but we are trusting by the hand of blessing from a God who was honored, we will work out the quirks and provide an improved evening on May 11. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures we will put them on the site. The evening was recorded both by sound and video.

Sooo, how is your family centered on the 3 hopes I spoke of in the first session? God's Word - the Gospel - and the church community? What adjustments do you need to start working on? Are you in a FLOCK? Do you need to discover how the Gospel will be lived out in your home?

What are your rocks? Do your rocks have strong, God-centered purposes or are they items that are controlling you towards meaningless experiences without profit as Solomon declared about his rocks in Ecclesiates 2? I will be continuing the discussion about rocks in the weeks to come and look for more examples from others.

We would sure like to hear from some of you from the evening. Please join in on this site by either logging on the comment section or send me an email at george@faithbiblelincoln.org.

Here are a few comments (of course only the good ones) from some who attended:

"It was awesome fellowship!'
"Every church needs this ministry - meeting others and hearing about our struggles and victories."
"Loved the discussion and the lesson"
"It was good to have some of the 'older' couples there."
"It was a fun night!"
"Very profitable evening. Thank you."
"Thank you. It was WONDERFUL!"

Thanks again for all who helped pull off the evening and all of you who came. What a great evening!

TOMORROW IS THE BIG NIGHT!

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, March 15, 2007

We know there are many reasons you may be coming to the Faith Family Forum, but hopefully many of you know that having a God-centered home is not just something that happens because we go to church. The Faith Family Forum is about helping us all build lives and homes by directing our efforts to God's Word and the help of the community of those with a common focus.

We have a great night planned for you that will fill you with encouragement, instruction, and fellowship. We will start at 7:30 sharp! Don't be late! There is no childcare provided - this is meant to be a night out. Several couples are meeting before the event to have supper together and some night owls were even talking about pie and ice cream after the event. About 110 are signed up and there is room for a few more but we would appreciate a call to the church office by noon tomorrow so we can plan on them. See you tomorrow night!

Why Come to the Faith Family Forum?

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, March 9, 2007

3 REASONS

1. For the teaching of the Word. It is where we find our hope for the family in instruction. No other author or book offers the sufficiency of God's Word.

2. For the hope of the Gospel for the family. Sin abounds in every family and where sin abounds, so may grace. God provides the Gospel as a means that we can learn to forgive and be reconciled as well as the power to change us. We need not be stranded in our sin.

3. We need the community of the local church. Independence in raising our families and working through our marriages is a recipe for disaster. Growth for the Christian family is a community project. The local church and FLOCKs are ministries that we should be orienting our lives around. Faith Family Forums provides a venue for building this community.

FAITH FAMILY FORUM ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT!!!

Posted by Pastor George

Be sure to sign up at the Faith Family Forum table this Sunday. Tickets are free and bring your ticket next Friday to be eligible for a doorprize. Bill Wegrzyn and Kevin Krausnick will introduce you to "PM Man." Pastor Tom and George will be speaking about the theology of the family along with setting priorities. Tim McEwen will be singing and right now at least 80 people will be joining you for laughs, fellowship, good cheesecake and encouragement in the Word.

Parenting By Faith

Posted by Pastor George

Building The Strategic Home
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

This is a continuation of the lesson sent two weeks ago so please review “Responsibilities to Embrace for our Children.”

Does your parenting seem to be ruled by your nerves? I know how often I was so reactive to what was happening in my children’s lives and so my parenting became a series of stimulus and responses. There were days I looked like a video game! Where there is no vision, the will to parent biblically quickly shrivels.

As much as I wanted to create the future for my children, a sovereign God rules. However, we can influence the future of our children for either good or bad. We know that God is good as He sees, supervises and leads us to His program for our family but we also live under His law that we will reap what we sow.

The consideration of goals for our family and children are a means to make plans knowing that God will establish our steps. Proper goals will help lead our children and family to live in the Gospel that saves, to understand how the Holy Spirit continues to sanctify us, to learn service, and to teach our children how to suffer well.

This lesson will give you some considerations and examples for goal setting. This is not just for parenting but the establishment of goals for your family are great tools as well. In the following weeks I will present a model of goal setting by one of our Faith Bible Church families who took this lesson to heart in the past and then what my wife, Deb, and I did several years ago for our household.

Have you considered seriously what you want your child to look like when they are 18 years old? Here are a series of questions to answer:
1. What is the greatest thing you want your child to know and understand?

2. Choose 3 things from the book of Proverbs that you want your children to know?

3. Using the previous lesson on ““Responsibilities to Embrace for our Children,” what are 3 goals you would have?

4. How do you want your children to deal with the problems of life?

5. How do you want your children to learn to deal with other people?

6. How do you want your children to understand work?

7. How do you want your children to respond to your requests?

8. How do you want your children to respond to authority?

9. How do you want your children to respond to sin?

Examples of goals that answer these questions:

1. To properly fear God – understanding the attributes of God such as almighty, holy, omnisciencent, etc;

2. To understand what is a Christ-centered home not a child-centered home

3. To understand that we all we stand before God and give an account, every word and deed

4. To understand the effects of the fall of mankind upon us. They are prone to sin and I want them humbled by the grace of God

5. To understand the danger of trusting our own hearts. To learn not to do things by feelings when God’s Word says to do something.

6. To know how to seek answers to the problems of life – The Word of God

7. To trust God for daily living. That they know that God’s mercies are new each morning, His grace sufficient every day to face whatever comes their way.

8. To know the richest treasures of life are Jesus Christ and God’s Word.

9. To know how to repent of sin and ask for forgiveness. This is what will bring wholeness, healing and restoration.

10. To know how to know God through worship. The greatest joy we have is to enjoy God.

11. To know how to express love to others through manners and acts of kindness. It is to fulfill the commandment to “love others as you love yourself.”

12. To do their work diligently at home, school, or the workplace for God. To learn to do it with joy for it is a gift from God.

13. To cheerfully obey their parents the first time. To find joy in obedience.

14. To respect and honor their parents first and then all other authority over them. To learn this is so it will go well with them.

15. To suffer the natural consequences of sinful and irresponsible behavior. To learn the natural and established laws of life.

16. To protect themselves from bad influences. To learn to identify them and stay away.

17. To understand that they will not always get their way so they will learn not to be so self-centered.

18. To understand their given role of a man or woman. To learn that the roles are distinctive and not to conform to a confused secular view.

John Piper's Series on Marriage

Posted by Pastor George

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

John Piper has been recently doing a series on marriage that everyone should be reading, listening, or watching. Check out the site below to see what he has covered so far and still several to go. He did not preach last Sunday as he is at the bedside of his father who is preparing to go home to be with the Lord.
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/Category/8_sermons/

10 more days until the Faith Family Forum

Posted by Pastor George

We are gearing up for this event in the life of our church and we have at this point nearly 70 people signed-up to attend. Close to what I told the committee we would have but Jenny and Leslie believe we will have close to 200 – so where are you??

Here is a preview of the evening. Pastor Tom will give a short presentation of the theology of the family. That will be followed by a time of discussion at your “round-table.” Pastor George will also give a presentation of how to navigate the competing roles and priorities in our families. You will discover what rocks have to do with this. Then there will be discussion again at your tables. The evening will also consist of music, drama, and great cheesecake. Bring your ticket and you will be eligible for door prizes. If you have not signed up yet, you can email us at the church or sign-up at the table this Sunday. Keep viewing this site for more information in the days to come.

Faith Family Forum, Friday March 16. 7:30-10:00 P.M. at Faith Bible Church

PARENTING BY FAITH

Posted by Pastor George

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Responsibilities to Embrace For Our Children
“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

I have covered so far that God has given promises in regards to us as parents that are directed towards our children. Our responsibility is to pursue those promises believing them by faith. God has given us commandments that we are to joyfully and faithfully obey knowing that they lead to our good as well as to our children’s welfare. We then know that to really understand our children, we look to God’s Word and believe what God has said about our children, not believing our children.

These all help us shape a biblical view of our children that will be accurate and provides a clearer vision as to where to go with all instruction and training. . If we are to “parent by faith,” it implies a future orientation to our parenting. We are moving to a place where our children will one day be ready to leave home and cleave to a husband or wife, prepared to raise the next generation pointed toward “placing their confidence in God, not forgetting the works of God, and keeping His commandments.”

This lesson is to look at some of the biblical responsibilities that we are to assume. As we possess these and act upon them, we are able to look at where we want to go with our children. It is creating a God-centered vision so that the methods we use to instruct, train and correct along with our actions will be directed toward these ends and not the whims of the moment.


RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. The Word of God is sufficient to all our questions about parenting. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Though the Word of God does not give specific instruction for every contingency of life, it does provide everything we need to know on what is God’s requirement and desire for us as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and our children. It is the authoritative Word for us in these areas.

2. The husband-wife relationship is the most important human relationship. This includes over your children if you are not a single parent. Marriage is designed and declared to be a life-time, one-flesh relationship. Your children are not designated as such but are described in Scripture as a gift from God. They will one day leave your home to cleave to another and establish a one-flesh relationship. This is important to understand when priorities seem to be conflicting between your marriage and parenting as to what may be of higher importance.

3. The husband/father is to bear responsibility for the welfare and direction of his wife and children. Ephesians 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” Ephesians 6:4, “And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Space and time do not allow for the full discussion here but briefly, just as Christ assumed responsibility for my sin on the cross that He did not commit; so a husband and father is to assume the responsibility for his family as a means to magnify the picture of Christ in his home. A husband/father who does not accept this is still responsible. He now becomes responsible for his irresponsibility and thus his disobedience and the fruit of it through his wife and children.

4. A parent has a tremendous influence over the direction their child will take both good and evil. R. L. Dabney wrote, “Having a child is to kindle a spark that can never be put out. That child, blessed or cursed, will exist forever and ever.” There are no guarantees, but the best chance a child has for a peaceful future is a Christ-centered home. Poorly raising a child is to provide the best chance also for a child that will not experience peace unless by the intervention of God.

5. A parent is to assume responsibility for the culture and the inputs in their child’s life. Deuteronomy 6: 6-9; “And these words, which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and (you) shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Note the “you” and not someone else. Though you may turn your child over to a school and church for instruction and training, they become ex-facto parents with the ultimate responsibility still being “you.”

6. You can despise your children by neglecting them or by paying too much attention to them. Neglect can come about by being diverted with self-centered interests and overlooking your children. Paying too much attention speaks for itself as it teaches your child self-centeredness and leads to spoiling them which is potentially destructive to their heart.

7. Discipline is not a substitute for regeneration. As with a prior lesson, our children are sinners and are in need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Good discipline practices can help channel sinful behavior into good behavior, but that is all that happens. There are many good behaving, lost children. Ephesians 2 states, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins…But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ…” Our ultimate desire is that good behaving children will be alive in Christ thus the importance of a Gospel-preaching home in word and practice.

8. Young children are dependent upon their parents and progressively grow towards independence. It takes wisdom as to how to allow a child to grow to independence. To do this without a plan is to invite chaos and more bad decisions than necessary. Parents who give too much independence too soon, invite a child to sin for they lack the wisdom and skill for such a time. A parent that holds on too long may “provoke a child to anger.” Though a child must accept responsibility for their anger, a parent must also accept responsibility for their culpability in the sin.

Next week we will begin to look at goal-setting for our children. It goes along with the Faith Family Forum coming up where we will look at priorities and how do we make sure we are intentionally living in accordance with a God-centered vision for our families.

PARENTS AND KIDS OF FAITH

Posted by Pastor George

Friday, February 16, 2007

FAITH PARENTING AND WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR CHILDREN
””How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.” Proverbs 16:16
Part 3

This is the last of a three part series about needing to know about our children as we determine how to instruct, train, and correct them. Part one established that the nature of our children is sinful due to original sin. We are not born morally neutral but with the bent to sin. Part two began to describe how “foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” and that simplicity or just being naïve brings vulnerability to sin. Their childishness brings about impulsive behavior and the challenge is to teach them how to think biblically before they act.

This part of the lesson will continue to address the dangers of the simple, sinful heart of a child and why our children need the Word of God for instruction, training, and correction. Perhaps you might see yourself in this lesson and the need for the same.

Proverbs 14:15 states, “The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.” Children are susceptible to be influenced by others, particularly those who would be considered important or “cool.” Often fools are loud and visible and without good discernment, a child can become envious of their behavior. Just look at who are the stars and idols imitated by young people today. Proverbs 22:24, 25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.” Proverbs 24:1, 2 “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. For their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.”

Children tend to have a lack of sensitivity to danger and are inclined to minimize evil or not recognize it. Proverbs 27:12 states, “A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.” Temptations are not seen for the danger they are and evil tends not be seen as dangerous. This is why correction is so important when a child acts foolishly as they step over the boundaries established through instruction and training. The senses must be trained to see danger and evil. A child is to receive consequences as a tool to learn the reality of life as described by Proverbs 2:18, 19 “For her house (the strange woman who commits adultery) sinks down to death and her tracks lead to the dead; none who go to her return again, nor do they reach the paths of life.” Proverbs 6:10, 11, “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.”

The naïve tend to have little power over indulging in self-centered pleasures even at the cost of discipline. In particular, pleasures of the flesh that can be sinful. They will often seek to do what avoids any measure of pain and pursue pleasure. They will even weigh the two options of pain and pleasure against each other and choose pleasure, even if it costs some measure of pain in discipline. It is not easy but it is necessary to teach our children to discern the glorious riches of a Bible-centered life of faith over the lesser values of a life based upon the pleasures of the flesh. They must be able to see the treasures of God’s promises against the self-indulging hurtful pleasures of the flesh that lead to a lack of self-control. Proverbs 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 15:16, 17 “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it.” Proverbs 21:17, “He who loves pleasure will become a poor man, he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.” Proverbs 25:16 “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, lest you have it in excess and vomit it.” Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”

To accept discipline and appreciate it is something that has to be taught and learned by our children. Who likes pain? Discipline must be taught as something to be accepted by our children as an act of love directed to their good. It is to be done for the benefit of the child and not for the parent. When the parent is acting by faith with the Word of God, they are acting on behalf of God in the life of the child. We and our children must grasp the heart of David in Psalm 119: 65-72 “Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word. Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy word. Thou art good and doest good; teach me Thy statutes. The arrogant have forged a lie against me, with all my heart I will observe Thy precepts. Their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in Thy law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes. The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” Proverbs 3:11, 12 “My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof. For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 15:10 “Stern discipline is for him who forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.”

Parents are ordained by God to carry out His commandments on His behalf for the good of their children. Children are a gift and a blessing from God that become the responsibility of the parent. Through God’s Word, no parent lacks what is necessary to raise their children to His delight.

Next week we will begin setting goals for our parenting. Knowing where we are to go helps keep a faith focus on parenting where today’s actions by your children are not necessarily taking you off the course of where they are to be in 5, 10, or 15 years.

FAMILIES OF FAITH FORUM COMING IN MARCH

Posted by Pastor George

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

On Friday, March 16, we are kicking off what will hopefully be a dimension of the families ministry that will be encouragement and nourishment to the families of Faith Bible Church and beyond. A night of coming together as a community to hear God's Word and then challenge each other in the areas of marriage and parenting through discussion and forums. Look for more to come in postings on this blog as well as through the communication networks at church. So you know that the evening will be a blast, I have little to do with orgnanizing it. Jenny Conklin and Leslie Engel are putting it together!