Repost: Lessons from my first decade of marriage

Here is the last of this series from 2009.  #10 is my favorite....


Lesson 8:  Sleep together
Lesson 9:  Leaders have to sacrifice
Lesson 10: More of the same

Repost: Lessons from my first decade of marriage

I am continuing to repost this series from 2009.  


Lesson 5:  Don't keep score.
Lesson 6:  Set boundaries
Lesson 7:  Date nights


I'll finish it off tomorrow.

Repost: Secrets from the first 10 years of marriage

I thought I'd repost this from 2009.  It was a series of blog posts that focused on things I learned from my first decade of marriage.


1.  Lesson 1: The covenant
2.  Lesson 2:  Set the bar
3.  Lesson 3: Talk about sex
4.  Lesson 4: Fight Fair


I'll post the rest of them tomorrow.

Thinking about Sunday

We had a great Sunday at CPC.  We've added some space to our worship area, so we can be a little less cramped and add some more seats.  It has been pretty full lately.  We are right around 65% to 70% full- which means that each row only has about 4 empty chairs, so we will be opening up a few more seats on Sunday.  One of the ways that we have added space is to hang our projector from the ceiling.  This has made huge difference and actually came about because we had to add some space but didn't have room to rear-project on our screen.  Sometimes the best innovation comes from your limitations.  (That'll preach).


Our series "THRIVE" is definitely one of my favorites in a while.  The more research I do, the more I find out that people don't thrive, even though they live in a great nation, with great potential.  I think this series is a wake up call for most of us.  If we look for success like most Americans, we are simply looking to make more money, have more stuff, and do less.  All of these things are illusions though.  If you are always trying to get more, you'll never do it because when you upgrade, you'll be looking for what's next.  Instead, we can thrive in any situation.  Paul says in Philippians 4- "I have learned in each and every situation I am, to be content."  We can Thrive, simply by letting go of our mission and focusing on God's mission for us.


We finished off the after noon by gathering some guys together to play basketball.  I had no idea we had so many great ball players at CPC.  It was a blast and no one was permanently injured.

Metrics from this week

CELEBRATE: Sunday Attendance for 2012 

Feb. 5 Total Attendance: 100 people

Feb. 12 Total Attendance: 115 people (includes all kids(30) and youth(8) and kids/youth workers(13))

CONNECT: Connect Groups for 2012

Feb 12-18: Total number of groups: 4

Feb 12-18: Total people in groups:  86 people (includes 22 kids)  (AWESOME!)

Feb. 12-18: Percent of Sunday Attenders in Groups: 75%   (THIS IS VERY HEALTHY!)

CONTRIBUTE: Giving for 2012

Feb 1-4                                $481.70

Feb 5-11:                             $2241.85

Feb 12-17:                           $2193.68
This month's total giving:     $4917.23
Monthly Budget Goal:           $10500.00

Amount still needed:            $5582.77
Annual gifts received            $15453.25

Thoughts from Sunday

Sunday was a great day for the church.  

• We kicked off our new series, THRIVE with our highest attendance since we moved in to the Holiday Inn!

• We concluded our CPU class called, "Keys to a great personal Bible study".  I enjoyed it and the final assignment is for each person in the group to help research an upcoming sermon with me using one of the methods we discussed.  I am so proud of everyone that participated!

• I've been preparing for this series for a while and I really think it has the potential to change lives.  Unfortunately my personal filter wasn't used for the entire sermon, which detracted from the sermon.  I've spent the last 24 hours repenting before God for my irreverence at the end of the sermon.  It has really focused me to become an even better preacher.  All I can say is don't judge me on where I start, but where I finish because I am in the constant process of moving from where I am to where He wants me to be.  

• This week's Connect Groups are going to be awesome.  You can check out the THRIVE page to download some resources and preview this week's questions, although they might not make sense until after you've watched the Dave Ramsey videos during your group.

• Here are some things I am praying for right now:  Our adoption, several families in our church that are going through tough times (praying that God will heal and that I'll have wisdom in tough circumstances), I'm also praying prays of thanksgiving for my family.  I am so proud of my wife and kids!  

Daniel

Meet Daniel. Erica and I are sponsoring him through Amazima.  For a small amount, we are able to provide him...
• Education at a Christian school
• School supplies
• School uniform
• 3 meals a day
• Medical care
• Christian discipleship• Spiritual growth activities for their families and/or guardians 


He lives in Uganda and I am praying that some day he becomes educated and is able to lead his country to follow Christ in a bold way.