Living Courageously in Tough Times: Christ is with You
06/28/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 1 Peter 1:1-12
I Peter was written for disenfranchised people who were facing harsh persecution. Peter writes to encourage believers in faithfulness, holiness, about what it means to be God's people, and how we are to live in this fallen world. Peter desires believers experience the full benefit of their relationship with God and their relationship with one another. Most of all, he wants them to see that no matter what happens, God loves them, protects them, and is at work in their lives.
Podcast
I Peter was written for disenfranchised people who were facing harsh persecution. Peter writes to encourage believers in faithfulness, holiness, about what it means to be God's people, and how we are to live in this fallen world. Peter desires believers experience the full benefit of their relationship with God and their relationship with one another. Most of all, he wants them to see that no matter what happens, God loves them, protects them, and is at work in their lives.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: Choosing A Healthy Alternative
06/26/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Joshua 24:14-15
You have a lot of choices in preparing meals. You can go elaborate or simple. Vegetarian or a meat lover’s dream. Low Sodium. Low fat. Low calorie. Or you can load up on the fat and calories. You could even serve all desserts if you want to do that. As the one preparing the meal you can do whatever you want. You could serve your family really tasty, high calorie, high fat, loaded with sugar and carbs kind of meals every day. But it wouldn’t take too long for negative health issues to crop up as well. You are going to give them some healthy alternatives.
When it comes to our family, we want to be sure we are giving them a balanced, healthy diet, at least most of the time. The same should be true for the total development of our family. From emotional well being to physical to spiritual health, we should be seeking to provide nourishment that will help them grow into healthy adults.
Today is Father’s Day. We celebrate our dad’s this morning. I also want to help our dads consider the incredible influence you can have in your family. This influence is especially critical in the spiritual development of your kids. Helping them fall in love with Jesus Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility God has given you.
We discover that Joshua made the decision that regardless of what anyone may do, He was going to lead his family to serve and love God. We will consider how we can lead our families to do the same.
Podcast
You have a lot of choices in preparing meals. You can go elaborate or simple. Vegetarian or a meat lover’s dream. Low Sodium. Low fat. Low calorie. Or you can load up on the fat and calories. You could even serve all desserts if you want to do that. As the one preparing the meal you can do whatever you want. You could serve your family really tasty, high calorie, high fat, loaded with sugar and carbs kind of meals every day. But it wouldn’t take too long for negative health issues to crop up as well. You are going to give them some healthy alternatives.
When it comes to our family, we want to be sure we are giving them a balanced, healthy diet, at least most of the time. The same should be true for the total development of our family. From emotional well being to physical to spiritual health, we should be seeking to provide nourishment that will help them grow into healthy adults.
Today is Father’s Day. We celebrate our dad’s this morning. I also want to help our dads consider the incredible influence you can have in your family. This influence is especially critical in the spiritual development of your kids. Helping them fall in love with Jesus Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility God has given you.
We discover that Joshua made the decision that regardless of what anyone may do, He was going to lead his family to serve and love God. We will consider how we can lead our families to do the same.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: Use Fresh Ingredients
06/14/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Luke 15:11-21
If you are like me you can probably taste a difference between vegetables you eat at a restaurant and those you prepare at home. Usually the restaurant is using canned vegetables to prepare meals. However, at home you may use fresh ingredients. When you eat them there is an amazing difference in the quality and taste compared to institutionalized vegetables at the restaurant.
When it comes to our families there are some ways you can strengthen, encourage and affirm those in your family. You can choose to add some fresh ingredients that will absolutely enhance your family.
Here is the danger. Many people work long hours and have little time to go home and prepare a meal. So they do the next best thing. They go out. Eventually you begin to accept the quality of institutional food as the norm. As time goes by you begin to accept that this is the way all food should taste or be prepared. But on that occasion when you do eat freshly prepared vegetables you are reminded that there is better quality and that the taste is greatly enhanced because they are freshly prepared.
The same thing can happen in our families. You can experience relationships in your family that are filled with conflict, perhaps a lack of caring, always limited by the other person or never given help in navigating life. You may even begin to believe this is the way it is for everybody. But then you get a glimpse of another family that seems to be different. They find ways to support each other, encourage one another and to actually enjoy being together. You don’t have to settle for something less than what God desires for you in your relationships and interaction with other people in your family.
In this story Jesus tells about the dad and two sons we learn some things about how to build up and strengthen those in our family.
Podcast
If you are like me you can probably taste a difference between vegetables you eat at a restaurant and those you prepare at home. Usually the restaurant is using canned vegetables to prepare meals. However, at home you may use fresh ingredients. When you eat them there is an amazing difference in the quality and taste compared to institutionalized vegetables at the restaurant.
When it comes to our families there are some ways you can strengthen, encourage and affirm those in your family. You can choose to add some fresh ingredients that will absolutely enhance your family.
Here is the danger. Many people work long hours and have little time to go home and prepare a meal. So they do the next best thing. They go out. Eventually you begin to accept the quality of institutional food as the norm. As time goes by you begin to accept that this is the way all food should taste or be prepared. But on that occasion when you do eat freshly prepared vegetables you are reminded that there is better quality and that the taste is greatly enhanced because they are freshly prepared.
The same thing can happen in our families. You can experience relationships in your family that are filled with conflict, perhaps a lack of caring, always limited by the other person or never given help in navigating life. You may even begin to believe this is the way it is for everybody. But then you get a glimpse of another family that seems to be different. They find ways to support each other, encourage one another and to actually enjoy being together. You don’t have to settle for something less than what God desires for you in your relationships and interaction with other people in your family.
In this story Jesus tells about the dad and two sons we learn some things about how to build up and strengthen those in our family.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: The Cake Doesn't Always Rise
06/07/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Genesis 24-35
Following a recipe for a cake does not guarantee a success. Sometimes the cake that comes out of the oven doesn’t look anything like the picture in the magazine. But that doesn’t mean you throw out the recipe and never try to bake another cake. Neither do you give up on relationships in your family, even when things are going bad. This message will remind you that the most Godly families can face struggle and crisis. In the midst of the conflicts, misunderstandings and even outright hostility, there are some things that can begin the healing process in your family relationships. You can use these to begin the healing process in your family.
Podcast
Following a recipe for a cake does not guarantee a success. Sometimes the cake that comes out of the oven doesn’t look anything like the picture in the magazine. But that doesn’t mean you throw out the recipe and never try to bake another cake. Neither do you give up on relationships in your family, even when things are going bad. This message will remind you that the most Godly families can face struggle and crisis. In the midst of the conflicts, misunderstandings and even outright hostility, there are some things that can begin the healing process in your family relationships. You can use these to begin the healing process in your family.
Podcast