"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!" Enlarge Your Soul Through Grief and Loss

SERMON NOTES:  

The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.

At the heart of our transformation journey is the inevitable – “Grief and Loss”!

Matthew 5 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

How well do we handle loss?

A very human response:

·       Deny or Minimize the pain and impact of loss

·       Blame others or ourselves or ….?

·       Rationalize away the emotional reality of loss,

·       Anger becomes a friend instead of a phase,

·       Addiction and unhealthy habits become our means to cope cover the pain of loss

    Note to self: “When I am hurting I am vulnerable to unhealthy agreements!”

God’s Way:   Embrace loss through healthy grief!   (Not just endure loss by suffering!)

·       Pay Attention !

·       Wait in the Confusing In-Between!

Psalm 27 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
1 Peter 5 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

·       Let the Old Birth the New … in God’s time!

1 Peter 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 5:3-12

Tuesday – Psalm 27

Wednesday – 1 Peter 5:5-11

Thursday– 1 Peter 1:3-9

Friday – Romans 8:31-39

Saturday – Psalm 37

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!" Going Back in Order to Go Forward

SERMON NOTES:  

The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.

What is challenging about “Going Back in order to Go Forward”?      What defenses come up?

The critical need is summed up in two Biblical truths:

·       The blessings and sins of our families (2-3 generations) profoundly impact who we are today.

·       Following Jesus as His disciple requires putting off sinful patterns (some learned from our families of origin) and relearning how to do life God’s way in God’s families. (Transformation)

Rom. 12 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  

What are some of the commandments, rules or invisible scripts you deal with in doing life? 

What good news does Jesus bring to this transformation call?

·       God intends for us to grow up into mature men and woman transformed by the presence of Jesus.  We honor our parents, families, cultures and histories but we trust and obey God!

·       Identity “in Christ” trumps all other identities! Way of life “in Christ” trumps all other ways of life!

·       Forgiveness works!  Grace works! Jesus made sure of it through His death and resurrection!

In Christ we can look through the present into the past to understand not condemn, for the healing of wounds not the repeating of pain! Unhealed wounds open us up to habitual sin against God and others and perpetual sadness for ourselves.

The Joseph Story – Genesis 37-51  
Genesis 51 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Romans 8 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

STUDY GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – John 3:1-8

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Wednesday – Romans 12:1-2

Thursday– Genesis 50:15-21

Friday – Romans 8:12-17, 28

Saturday – Psalm 121

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!" Is there a problem?

SERMON NOTES:  

The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.

The Problem-  “You cannot be spiritually mature and remain emotionally immature!”

2 Corinthians 12 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Three insights from the Apostle Paul as we begin the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality journey:

-          Healthy active self-awareness is vital to EHS but not natural or normal!

-          A close personal life with Jesus on His terms is vital to EHS but not natural or normal! 

-          It’s notoriously human to simplistically misinterpret life’s difficulties - but not at all healthy!

Silence and Solitude are vital for Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!

Symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality:

1-Using God to run from God                              

2-Ignoring anger, sadness and fear                          

3-Dying to the wrong things 

4-Denying the impact of the past on the present                      

5-Dividing life into “sacred” and “secular” compartments   

6-Doing for God over being with God       

7-Spiritualizing away conflict              

8-Covering over brokenness, weakness, failure 

9-Living without limits  

10-Judging other’s spiritual journeys           
                                                                         

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 6:28-34

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Wednesday – John 2:12-22

Thursday– Matthew 16:13-28

Friday – Philippians 3:4-11

Saturday – Psalm 51

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

TOGETHER Matters! How?

SERMON NOTES:  

Experiencing TOGETHER in Jesus name is God’s vision for our lives and His church.  He is at war against aloneness and knows we need a lot of help living the meaningful life Christ intends!

Ephesians 2 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household… 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 4 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it…. 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

How do we do TOGETHER well?

TOGETHER involves:

              -Surrender to God’s vision and the sacrifice involved!

Matthew 6 33 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

              - Receiving and giving the love of God that comes through people!

2 Corinthians 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

              -Taking steps of faith!

Grow Groups are a vital dimension of life TOGETHER at Point of Grace! 

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 6:28-34

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Wednesday – John 13:12-17

Thursday– Romans 12:9-21

Friday – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Saturday – Psalm 42

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

TOGETHER Matters!

SERMON NOTES:  

What is TOGETHER?

-          In Jesus Name

-          God is at war against aloneness!

Ephesians 2 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household… 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Why does TOGETHER Matter?

Ephesians 4 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Colossians 3 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Because we all need help:

-          Connecting with God and living in “union” with Him! 

-          Maturing into the meaningful life Christ intends!

-          Interpreting life in a Jesus – centered way!

-          Winning against evil!

-          Joining Jesus on His mission everyday bringing life and hope to our corner of the world!

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Ephesians 2:19-22

Tuesday – Ephesians 4:1-7

Wednesday – Ephesians 4:11-16

Thursday– Colossians 3:1-11

Friday – Colossians 3:12-17

Saturday – Psalm 1

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 7

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a person driven by pride and fear -vs-a person led by humility and faith!

Solomon – son of David and Bathsheba

1 Kings 2 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.

 -Asked for wisdom and received it - Built and dedicated the Temple - developed Israel as nation,

1 Kings 3 5 God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “… So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”
1 Kings 83 The Lord said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 

 -Built and accumulated – built and accumulated more – and more….success beyond belief!


What does Solomon’s life look like viewed through “Kingdom of God” eyes…

… when humility and faith lead Solomon?

… when pride and fear drove Solomon?
 

Deuteronomy 17 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

Ecclesiastes 12 13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.         

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 Kings 3:1-15

Tuesday – 1 Kings 3:16-28

Wednesday – 1 Kings 8:22-30

Thursday– 1 Kings 9:1-9

Friday – 1 Kings 11:1-13

Saturday – Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 6

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a person driven by pride and fear -vs- a person led by humility and faith!

In Jesus, God invites us to see our story in His story and not the other way around!
     Can God’s story handle our story when our story goes wrong … way wrong?

What does 2 Samuel 11 and 12 reveal about People (us) and about God?
How is He leading us to trust Him and respond to Him?

PEOPLE -  have and amazing capacity for self - ishness, self – preservation, self – sabotage, self – satisfaction, self-gratification, self-deception, self- protection, self-destruction …………………….!

“Self-centeredness” (sin) separates us from God and the result is profound - people suffer!

GOD (Yahweh) – reaches out for David’s heart leading him to repentance!   Why?

God forgives quickly, frees David from judgement of death (temporal and eternal) while letting some ramifications of David’s sin remain!

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for ]the Lord, the son born to you will die.”

How is God leading us to reconcile all this and trust Him?

Notice: David returns to a posture of humility and faith towards God and finds hope and life!

No matter where we find ourselves there is always One place to turn – toward Jesus!

Psalm 51 is very helpful in returning to a posture of humility and faith and finding hope and life!

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Tuesday – 2 Samuel 12:1-25

Wednesday – Psalm 51:1-6

Thursday– Psalm 51:7-17

Friday – Psalm 32

Saturday – Psalm 33

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 5

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a person driven by pride and fear -vs- a person led by humility and faith!

In 2 Samuel 7 David gets to see His life as significant in God’s “bigger” story! (…much, much bigger)

vs.1-3     is about David honoring God as an important role in his story!

vs. 4-16 is about David seeing that it is all God’s story and David “gets” to play a significant role!

                The whole thing is fueled by God’s Grace!

                God’s story that David is in is so much bigger and better than David’s story that God is in! 
                 It is a “forever story which delivers the “forever” King – Jesus!

“16 Your royal house will remain in my presence forever. Your throne will be established forever.’”

                In God’s story He is the Hero who, through Jesus, invites us to play our significant role!

vs. 17-29
                In humility and faith David steps into God’s story as a surrendered, courageous participant! 
              God is redeeming the world and David is part of it!
               
“Who am I, Almighty Lord,” he asked, “and why is my house so important that you have brought me this far? 19 Almighty Lord. You’ve also spoken about the distant future of my house. Almighty Lord, this is the teaching about the man”.


In Jesus, God invites us to see our story in His story every day.  So we can courageously step into it with humility and faith!  God’s story is a “If God doesn’t show up we are toast” kind of story!  In God’s story He is leading us to be far more comfortable with “risk” and far less comfortable with “disobedience.”

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Tuesday – 2 Samuel 7:1-17

Wednesday – 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Thursday– Psalm 103

Friday – Ephesians 3:14-21

Saturday – Psalm 112

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7