Living in 3D part 3

This past Sunday we concluded our SERIES "Just Walk Across the Room." This entire series we are looking at how to share our faith in natural way regardless of your personality type or experience.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smart phone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

The first D in 3D living is learning to DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS. The 2nd D in 3D living is Discovering other peoples story! The 3rd D in 3D living is "Discerning next steps."

For many years we have been taught that sharing our faith means we shared Bible verses and led people to cross the line into a relationship with Jesus. That surely is part of it but is is so much deeper and more than that. 

What if sharing your faith became more about asking the question, "Holy Spirit, how can you use me in someone's life today to draw them closer to you?" What if you looked at your co-worker, friend, neighbor or boss and simply asked God, "what do they really need and how can I help meet that need?" 

If we trusted the Holy Spirit more in sharing our faith we would not only would it become adventurous but we would see more fruit. Helping people discern next steps is so important. Maybe on a specific day they do need an encouraging Bible verse. However, maybe they need a book, CD, or just for you to take them out to a ball game so they can get away from the hectic day to day pace of life. Only the Holy Spirit knows what they need. As we develop friendships, ask questions and discover stories we trust the Holy Spirit to help us discern next steps. 

When these are in action, sharing our faith truly does become 3D! 

Compassionate or Critical?

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "Just Walk Across the Room." This entire series we are looking at how to share our faith in natural way regardless of your personality type or experience.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smart phone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

The first D in 3D living is learning to DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS. The 2nd D in 3D living is Discovering other peoples story!  

It is easy to become critical of others who are different than us or don't believe what we do. We start grouping people together like, "Those Republicans or those Democrats. Those Christians or those Atheists." 

However, we want to be a genuine Christ follower we are called to be like Him. We are called to be compassionate. Let's look a a a verse from the Old Testament and the New Testament. 

Psalm 119:136-Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions. 

When we see people acting in a way that is contrary to God's nature and character, it should break our hearts. Prayer should be our #1 response not picketing. Intercession not instigating should be our natural reaction. 

Matthew 9:36- When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus saw people that were not following God's word or His ways. That is actually why he left heaven and become human. May we follow His example and live our lives the same way. 

Living in 3D part 2

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "Just Walk Across the Room." This entire series we are looking at how to share our faith in natural way regardless of your personality type or experience.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smart phone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

The first D in 3D living is learning to DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS. The 2nd D in 3D living is Discovering other peoples story!

Everyone has a story. Each persons story has some good moments, bad moments, joyful moments and painful moments. Our stories our good indicators of why and who we are today. When you get to know someones story you can relate and connect with them in greater ways. When you learn someones story you can be compassionate instead of critical. 

So how do you learn someones story? Ask questions! Ask more questions than you talk about yourself. Find out about the other persons life. Here are some great starter questions...
  1. What was your childhood like growing up? 
  2. As a teen/young adult what did you dream of doing? 
  3. Have you always worked in this field/line of of work? 
  4. What was your spiritual life like growing up? 
  5. Where do you usually find your happiness from? 
  6. Has there been a season of your life that you have enjoyed the most? Why? 


There is obviously thousands of more questions you could ask but these questions will begin to help you develop of habit of getting to know other peoples stories. As you learn other peoples stories, you will see natural doors open up for you to share your faith.  

Living in 3D part 1

On January 17th we continued our NEW SERIES "Just Walk Across the Room." This entire series we are looking at how to share our faith in natural way regardless of your personality type or experience.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smart phone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

We all have seen people sharing their faith in ways that are less desirable. We have seen people talk, talk and talk and never listen. We have seen people with megaphones and signs. We have even seen people yell and get angry. So how in the world are we supposed to share our faith? 

The first D in 3D living is learning to DEVELOP FRIENDSHIPS 

Building friendships takes more time and effort than simply sharing information. Listening to others and learning about others is harder than talking. Loving people is harder than proselytizing. 

Proverbs 18:2 says a fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. 

If we want to share our faith we have to become better at friendship building. We have to become better at caring for people. Listening to people. Loving people. We have to become better at understanding. 

I love what Mark Batterson says in his book "The Wild Goose Chase." "If we are going to fulfill the ancient commission we need to get out of the comfortable confines of our Christian ghettos and invade some hellholes with the light and love of Christ." 

What would happen if you put your script, speech and plans aside for a moment and began to build friendships with people around you? What would happen if you genuinely looked for opportunities to serve and help? Can you imagine what doors God would open up for you to share your faith? 

Can we really be good at sharing our faith?

This past Sunday we kicked off our NEW SERIES "Just Walk Across the Room." This entire series we are looking at how to share our faith in natural way regardless of your personality type or experience.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

Sharing our faith can be intimidating and awkward at times. We don't want to come across pushy or offend others. Yet we know sharing our faith is important. It says in Psalms...

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalms 107:2 NLT 

So how do we do this? Is there a way to share our faith in a natural way? We are going to spend the next 3 Sunday morning gatherings and the next 3 blogs going over 3D living. 3 D's to sharing our faith in a natural way. 

Expectation

This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "The Heart of Christmas." This entire series we are looking at Christmas through the eyes of a child again.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

We often pull back from expecting too much because we think if we don't expect much we won't hurt as much. However, pulling back on our expectations has a greater negative effect than you think. We we lower our expectations we stop pursuing and pouring as much energy into something. We we lower our expectations we lose passion. When we lower our expectation we miss out on the beauty right in front of us. 

I encourage you to increase your expectations as we approach the new year. Expect great things in your marriage. Expect great things at work. Expect great things in your family. Expect great things in your friendships. Then begin to pray the very expectations that you have.

Let the new year be the best one ever!

Develop Your Joy

This past Sunday we kicked off our NEW SERIES "The Heart of Christmas." This entire series we are looking at Christmas through the eyes of a child again.." You can listen to the podcast or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST

You can also download an Amazon App for only $1.99 and have easy access to all of the podcasts right on your Android Smartphone or tablet. GET THE ANDROID APP 

For Part 1 we talked about the definition of joy. Joy is an outward sign of an inward faith in the promises of God (quote from Tommy NewBerry). Joy is more internal than external. Regardless of the circumstances that surround us we can be joyful. We looked at the shepherds and how the message of Jesus Christ brought abundant joy. Even though their personal situation didn't change, they were able to now live with JOY because of Jesus Christ! 

We all want to be joyful. No one wants to walk around discouraged, fearful, depressed and angry or aggravated. So why do some people seem to walk around full of joy while others don't? Why do some people seem to encounter tragedy and yet still maintain joy as their strength? 

Galatians 5:22 ways that JOY is a fruit of the Spirit. The more we spend time with Him the more joyful we become. The greater His Spirit directs our lives the more joyful we become. It is a natural byproduct. 

I challenge you to spend at least the first 10 minutes of every day with God. Spend time worshipping. Spend time praying. Spend time reading your Bible. Don't know where to begin? Try this Christmas Bible reading plan.