Spiritual disciplines fAMILY MATTERSstorage.cloversites.com...Be the kind of man you’d want for...
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Spiritual disciplines PALMS UP~PALMS DOWN A form of prayer the Quakers have often called “centering down.” Find a quiet and comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Quiet yourself and clear your mind. Take a few deep breaths and relax. Place your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. (Lord, I give you my anger toward John. I surrender my anxiety over not having enough money to pay the bills. I release my frustration over trying to find a baby-sitter for tonight.) Whatever it is that weighs on your mind, just say, “palms down” and release it. After several moments of surrender, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord what you need. (Lord, I would like to receive your divine love for John, your peace over my financial situation, your patience, your joy.) Whatever you need, you say, “palms up.” Now, spend your remaining moments in complete silence. Do not ask for anything. Allow God to commune with you, to love you, to hold you. If impressions or directions from the Holy Spirit come, fine; if not, fine. End with thanking God for His presence in this moment, His love for you always, and His work in your life. fAMILY MATTERS So, You Want to Date My Daughter? A Primer for Dads of Young Girls Do you want your daughter to have a dating experience similar to the one you had when you were a teenager? For many of us this is a sobering, if not terrifying, thought. The subject of your daughter’s dating is one of your least favorite subjects, right behind “The Talk.” This column is specifically for fathers with young daughters, but if you are a single mom, or a father of daughters who are already dating, this column will address your situation in the coming weeks. Preparing Your Young Daughter for Her Dating Years It is never too early to begin considering your daughter’s dating years, because it’s never too early to establish your role as her trusted, loving protector. Here are a few ways to build this foundation: Be the kind of husband you want your daughter to eventually marry. Oftentimes, a girl dates, and eventually marries a man much like her father. Be the kind of man you’d want for your daughter. Date your daughter. Dating your daughter is an irreplaceable way to build your relationship with her. Dates don’t have to be expensive, but they should reinforce the notion of how precious she is to you. Talk about the purpose of dating. Most teenagers treat dating as a vehicle for their surging hormones. This leaves a wake of broken hearts, emotional baggage, and worse. If you let your daughter know that dating is a way to determine if that boy has potential to be her future husband, its takes on a much more meaningful, intentional role. Pray with her for her future husband. Her future husband is already out there somewhere. Begin praying for him—for his honor, integrity, and faith. You may not know who he is, but God does. Let her know about The Interview. You would interview a prospective employee to determine their qualifications of a certain job; this is even more critical for your potential future son-in-law. This topic warrants its own column…coming soon in a few weeks. Other Resources Interviewing Your Daughter’s Date, by Dennis Rainey. Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys, by Dennis Rainey “Passport to Purity” DVD set, produced by Family Life. For these and other resources, contact Marriage & Family Pastor, Bill Reinke at [email protected]. Coming this fall; Middle & High School Father-Daughter Dance FCF Church plans to host a dance for middle and high school girls and their Dads. This is a new event, and we would love your help in planning it. If interested, write DANCE on your communication card. Sunday, February 21, 2016
Transcript of Spiritual disciplines fAMILY MATTERSstorage.cloversites.com...Be the kind of man you’d want for...
Spiritual disciplines
PALMS UP~PALMS DOWN A form of prayer the Quakers have often called
“centering down.”
Find a quiet and comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Quiet yourself and clear your mind. Take a few deep breaths and relax. Place your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over
any concerns you may have to God. (Lord, I give you my anger toward John. I surrender my anxiety over not having enough money to pay the bills. I release my frustration over trying to find a baby-sitter for tonight.) Whatever it is that weighs on your mind, just say, “palms down” and release it.
After several moments of surrender, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord what you need. (Lord, I would like to receive your divine love for John, your peace over my financial situation, your patience, your joy.) Whatever you need, you say, “palms up.”
Now, spend your remaining moments in complete silence. Do not ask for anything. Allow God to commune with you, to love you, to hold you. If impressions or directions from the Holy Spirit come, fine; if not, fine.
End with thanking God for His presence in this moment, His love for you always, and His work in your life.
fAMILY MATTERS So, You Want to Date My Daughter?
A Primer for Dads of Young Girls
Do you want your daughter to have a dating experience similar to the one you had when you were a teenager? For many of us this is a sobering, if not terrifying, thought. The subject of your daughter’s dating is one of your least favorite subjects, right behind “The Talk.” This column is specifically for fathers with young daughters, but if you are a single mom, or a father of daughters who are already dating, this column will address your situation in the coming weeks.
Preparing Your Young Daughter for Her Dating Years It is never too early to begin considering your daughter’s dating years, because it’s never too early to establish your role as her trusted, loving protector. Here are a few ways to build this foundation:
Be the kind of husband you want your daughter to eventually marry. Oftentimes, a girl dates, and eventually marries a man much like her father. Be the kind of man you’d want for your daughter.
Date your daughter. Dating your daughter is an irreplaceable way to build your relationship with her. Dates don’t have to be expensive, but they should reinforce the notion of how precious she is to you.
Talk about the purpose of dating. Most teenagers treat dating as a vehicle for their surging hormones. This leaves a wake of broken hearts, emotional baggage, and worse. If you let your daughter know that dating is a way to determine if that boy has potential to be her future husband, its takes on a much more meaningful, intentional role.
Pray with her for her future husband. Her future husband is already out there somewhere. Begin praying for him—for his honor, integrity, and faith. You may not know who he is, but God does.
Let her know about The Interview. You would interview a prospective employee to determine their qualifications of a certain job; this is even more critical for your potential future son-in-law. This topic warrants its own column…coming soon in a few weeks.
Other Resources
Interviewing Your Daughter’s Date, by Dennis Rainey.
Aggressive Girls, Clueless Boys, by Dennis Rainey
“Passport to Purity” DVD set, produced by Family Life.
For these and other resources, contact Marriage & Family Pastor, Bill Reinke at [email protected].
Coming this fall; Middle & High School Father-Daughter Dance FCF Church plans to host a dance for middle and high school girls and
their Dads. This is a new event, and we would love your help in planning it. If interested, write DANCE on your communication card.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
As you read..... Visualize the Scene
Put yourself in the
biblical situation and
try to picture yourself
as an active
participant. Put
yourself in the shoes
of different people in
the narrative and
As you read..... Visualize the Scene
Put yourself in the
biblical situation and
try to picture yourself
as an active
participant. Put
yourself in the shoes
of different people in
the narrative and
As you read..... Visualize the Scene
Put yourself in the
biblical situation and
try to picture yourself
as an active
participant. Put
yourself in the shoes
of different people in
the narrative and
The ache for significance
Hebrews 2: 5-9 (page 1348)
what does the ache for significance look like?
Psalm 142 (4) Look to the right and see! No one cares
about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned
about my life. (69:20) Their insults are painful and make me
lose heart; I look for sympathy, but receive none, for
comforters, but find none. (31:12) I am forgotten, like a
dead man no one thinks about; I am regarded as worthless,
like a broken jar.
How can this ache for significance
be healed?
Colossians 1 (16) for all things in heaven and on earth were
created by him — all things, whether visible or invisible,
whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or
powers — all things were created through him and for him.
Ephesians 5 (1) Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly
loved children (2) and live in love, just as Christ also loved
us and gave himself for us...
[1 John 4:10-11]
MESSAGE NOTES
DAILY BIBLE READING
PSALMS At the center of the Bible is the book of Psalms.
This great collection of songs and prayers expresses the heart and soul of humanity.
Monday Psalm 8
Tuesday Psalm 23
Wednesday Psalm 100
Thursday Psalm 103
Friday Psalm 139
DEVOTIONAL READING was traditionally made up of 5 parts. Slowly move your way through these 5 parts.
Silencio – quiet preparation. Come into God’s presence, slow down, relax, and intentionally release the chaos and noise in your mind to him.
Lectio – read the word. Reading the passage you have chosen slowly and out loud, lingering over words so that they resonate in your heart. When a word or phrase catches your attention, stop and attend to what God is saying to you.
Meditatio – meditate. Read the passage a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in this word. Reflect on the importance of the words that light up to you.
Oratio – respond, pray. Read the passage a third time. Now is the moment to enter into a personal dialogue with God. Respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings has the text aroused in you? Where are you resistant or want to push back? Become aware of where you feel invited into a deeper way of being with God.
Contemplatio – contemplate, rest and wait in the presence of God. Allow some time for the word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God.
