Families
Construction Zone - Families Being Built: Mixed-Use Development
06/27/10
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 1Corinthians 7:32-35
Families today come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Apostle Paul addresses various ways that family can exist throughout this chapter. Whatever configuration you have in your family it is vital you allow God’s truth to guide your relationships and actions. Commitment is also necessary to build a healthy family. One of the key ingredients to binding your family together is the same love that you experience from Christ. Just as the Lord forgives you, gives you second, third and fourth chances so we need to show the same grace within our family. Unconditional love will enable you to build a vibrant healthy family, that while facing challenges and rough spots, will continue to trust and support each other. You and your family will be a beacon of hope to so many who are experiencing pain in their family relationships. Through Christ every family can experience healing, unity and practice unconditional love.
Podcast
Families today come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The Apostle Paul addresses various ways that family can exist throughout this chapter. Whatever configuration you have in your family it is vital you allow God’s truth to guide your relationships and actions. Commitment is also necessary to build a healthy family. One of the key ingredients to binding your family together is the same love that you experience from Christ. Just as the Lord forgives you, gives you second, third and fourth chances so we need to show the same grace within our family. Unconditional love will enable you to build a vibrant healthy family, that while facing challenges and rough spots, will continue to trust and support each other. You and your family will be a beacon of hope to so many who are experiencing pain in their family relationships. Through Christ every family can experience healing, unity and practice unconditional love.
Podcast
Construction Zone - Families Being Built: Follow the Blueprint
06/20/10
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Dads play a pivotal role in the family. Various studies have shown the powerful influence that a dad can have on his wife and children. Not only does a dad provide nurture but also is charged by God with giving Godly teaching to his family. This begins with modeling Godly character in one’s own life. A wise dad will look for teachable moments to help his children come to know the Lord. A dad’s impact continues as he encourages his children to grow and develop the talents and gifts God has placed in their lives. When dad is taking seriously his responsibility to love, nurture and guide his family he is providing a training ground for his children to come to know the Lord, to develop their gifts and become a Godly young man or woman.
Podcast
Dads play a pivotal role in the family. Various studies have shown the powerful influence that a dad can have on his wife and children. Not only does a dad provide nurture but also is charged by God with giving Godly teaching to his family. This begins with modeling Godly character in one’s own life. A wise dad will look for teachable moments to help his children come to know the Lord. A dad’s impact continues as he encourages his children to grow and develop the talents and gifts God has placed in their lives. When dad is taking seriously his responsibility to love, nurture and guide his family he is providing a training ground for his children to come to know the Lord, to develop their gifts and become a Godly young man or woman.
Podcast
Construction Zone - Families Being Built: Overcoming Temptation
06/13/10
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matthew 4:1-11
There are many different pressures and temptations seeking to pull family members into behaviors and activities that will hurt them and those they care about. Temptation happens to all of us. Jesus was even tempted but he did not sin. This message takes a look at what it means to be tempted, some of the areas the enemy attacks and ways you can respond that will be beneficial to you and your family.
Podcast
There are many different pressures and temptations seeking to pull family members into behaviors and activities that will hurt them and those they care about. Temptation happens to all of us. Jesus was even tempted but he did not sin. This message takes a look at what it means to be tempted, some of the areas the enemy attacks and ways you can respond that will be beneficial to you and your family.
Podcast
Construction Zone – Families Being Built: The Process
06/06/10
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Genesis 25:18-28
From the beginning with Adam and Eve family life has not always been easy or comfortable. In Genesis 25 we read about one family where mom and dad each had a favorite son, the sons became enemies for a time and the wife deceived her husband. Talk about confusing and conflicted, this family had it all.
Yes, it takes effort to build a healthy family. Honest communication, teamwork and personal development will all add some wonderful health to your family relationships. The Lord wants to help you build a healthy family. Even when problems arise and conflict occurs reconciliation and healing are possible. With Christ there is always hope that broken relationships in a family can begin to heal.
Podcast
From the beginning with Adam and Eve family life has not always been easy or comfortable. In Genesis 25 we read about one family where mom and dad each had a favorite son, the sons became enemies for a time and the wife deceived her husband. Talk about confusing and conflicted, this family had it all.
Yes, it takes effort to build a healthy family. Honest communication, teamwork and personal development will all add some wonderful health to your family relationships. The Lord wants to help you build a healthy family. Even when problems arise and conflict occurs reconciliation and healing are possible. With Christ there is always hope that broken relationships in a family can begin to heal.
Podcast
Construction Zone – Families Being Built: Use the Right Glue
05/30/10
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Ephesians 5:25-31
When Paul describes the relationship between Christ and the church he intermingles it with a description of the marriage relationship. Christ Agape loved the church but his love didn’t just reveal itself in emotions. Christ lived his love with actions.
What is it that creates a strong marriage that can endure the challenges, trials and up and downs of life? Often people think if they have the “feeling” of love that makes them ready for marriage and that feeling will bond them together for life. But we all know emotions can send you on a roller coaster ride.
How do you know when love is such that it will provide the glue for a permanent relationship between a man and woman when they get married? What is it that can enable a husband and wife to continue to live out their love for each other through the hardships, challenges, disappointments, celebrations and victories that they will share?
This message examines some of the qualities that can create a healthy, vibrant marriage that lasts a lifetime. The glue that binds a couple together begins with the kind of love Christ has for us and that we then share with our spouse.
Podcast
When Paul describes the relationship between Christ and the church he intermingles it with a description of the marriage relationship. Christ Agape loved the church but his love didn’t just reveal itself in emotions. Christ lived his love with actions.
What is it that creates a strong marriage that can endure the challenges, trials and up and downs of life? Often people think if they have the “feeling” of love that makes them ready for marriage and that feeling will bond them together for life. But we all know emotions can send you on a roller coaster ride.
How do you know when love is such that it will provide the glue for a permanent relationship between a man and woman when they get married? What is it that can enable a husband and wife to continue to live out their love for each other through the hardships, challenges, disappointments, celebrations and victories that they will share?
This message examines some of the qualities that can create a healthy, vibrant marriage that lasts a lifetime. The glue that binds a couple together begins with the kind of love Christ has for us and that we then share with our spouse.
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
Recipes for the Family: The Right Preservative
05/31/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 1 Timothy 4:12
A by product of your relationship with Christ is you become a preservative in a world that is disoriented to the ways of God and is decaying. Preservatives help food to not spoil. Preservatives prevent decay. As you walk with Christ you become a preservative in the world. Jesus talked about how salt can add flavor to food but also salt preserves food.
So how do you make a difference in our world that is disoriented to God and is decaying? What can Christ do in you that makes you a preservative in your family, with your friends and in our society? Your faith in Christ lived out in relationships you have with others can make a difference. Paul encourages Timothy to set an example for others in his speech, life, loving others, faith in God and purity.
Podcast
A by product of your relationship with Christ is you become a preservative in a world that is disoriented to the ways of God and is decaying. Preservatives help food to not spoil. Preservatives prevent decay. As you walk with Christ you become a preservative in the world. Jesus talked about how salt can add flavor to food but also salt preserves food.
So how do you make a difference in our world that is disoriented to God and is decaying? What can Christ do in you that makes you a preservative in your family, with your friends and in our society? Your faith in Christ lived out in relationships you have with others can make a difference. Paul encourages Timothy to set an example for others in his speech, life, loving others, faith in God and purity.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: Marriage Ingredients
05/24/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Genesis 2:20:24
Marriage is designed by God to be a relationship a man and a woman enter into that lasts a lifetime. Yet we know that marriage can also face storms, trials and unexpected bumps that can strain and sometimes end a marriage. What can you do to help strengthen and weatherproof your marriage? What are some things that can strengthen a husband and wife's relationship? This message will look at some ways couples can build a strong marriage that can overcome the challenges they face.
Podcast
Marriage is designed by God to be a relationship a man and a woman enter into that lasts a lifetime. Yet we know that marriage can also face storms, trials and unexpected bumps that can strain and sometimes end a marriage. What can you do to help strengthen and weatherproof your marriage? What are some things that can strengthen a husband and wife's relationship? This message will look at some ways couples can build a strong marriage that can overcome the challenges they face.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: Growing Healthy Kids
05/17/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 2 Timothy 1:5
Paul recognizes Eunice for her faith in Christ and passing on her faith in the Lord to Timothy. How do parents raise spiritually healthy kids? What are some things a parent can do to influence their children for Christ? This message takes a look at what Eunice did and what you can do to help develop spiritually healthy kids.
Podcast
Paul recognizes Eunice for her faith in Christ and passing on her faith in the Lord to Timothy. How do parents raise spiritually healthy kids? What are some things a parent can do to influence their children for Christ? This message takes a look at what Eunice did and what you can do to help develop spiritually healthy kids.
Podcast
Recipes for the Family: Essential Ingredients
05/10/09
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matthew 19:19
There are a lot of families that have shelves of recipe books and recipe holders filled with index cards holding recipes for various dishes and meals. You know from experience that these recipes work and produce some delicious food. But when you start substituting for ingredients you don’t have on hand, well the results can be less than what you desire. When it comes to how we relate to one another as husbands and wives, as parents and children, as extended families God has given us a recipe book filled with directions for creating some incredible families. Not perfect families. Not families where there is never conflict or pain. But a family where members know they are loved, affirmed, encouraged, allowed to try and fail, and can be themselves. This message looks at some essential ingredients that families can give mom and mom can give her family. When these ingredients are used the results can create some healthy families.
Podcast
There are a lot of families that have shelves of recipe books and recipe holders filled with index cards holding recipes for various dishes and meals. You know from experience that these recipes work and produce some delicious food. But when you start substituting for ingredients you don’t have on hand, well the results can be less than what you desire. When it comes to how we relate to one another as husbands and wives, as parents and children, as extended families God has given us a recipe book filled with directions for creating some incredible families. Not perfect families. Not families where there is never conflict or pain. But a family where members know they are loved, affirmed, encouraged, allowed to try and fail, and can be themselves. This message looks at some essential ingredients that families can give mom and mom can give her family. When these ingredients are used the results can create some healthy families.
Podcast
Family Matters: Home Improvements
06/22/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Phillipians 2:19-30
In Philippians 2:19-30 Paul commends two of his associates for their commitment to minister to him and to support him while he is in prison. Timothy and Epaphroditus both display qualities which are important for us as we seek to live out our faith in our marriages, families, at work, community and at church. The Holy Spirit helps shape these characteristics in our lives and they will have a positive impact in our relationships with family, colleagues at work, neighbors and our church family.
Podcast
In Philippians 2:19-30 Paul commends two of his associates for their commitment to minister to him and to support him while he is in prison. Timothy and Epaphroditus both display qualities which are important for us as we seek to live out our faith in our marriages, families, at work, community and at church. The Holy Spirit helps shape these characteristics in our lives and they will have a positive impact in our relationships with family, colleagues at work, neighbors and our church family.
Podcast
Family Matters: Why do Families Matter?
06/08/08
Stephanie Potter
In the series called, "Family Matters", we look at the significance of our families, communities, and church family. How they affect us and how we affect them. As we look at bringing all of our lives under the leadership and Lordship of Jesus, we must ask how we bring all aspects of our families lives under Jesus' leadership... and that includes allowing Jesus to help us deal with our past as it does affect the present and the future for us, and for our families. We look at two men from Scripture, David and Joseph, and learn from them about dealing with our families, the good and the painful.
Podcast
In the series called, "Family Matters", we look at the significance of our families, communities, and church family. How they affect us and how we affect them. As we look at bringing all of our lives under the leadership and Lordship of Jesus, we must ask how we bring all aspects of our families lives under Jesus' leadership... and that includes allowing Jesus to help us deal with our past as it does affect the present and the future for us, and for our families. We look at two men from Scripture, David and Joseph, and learn from them about dealing with our families, the good and the painful.
Podcast
Family Matters: The Right Attitude
06/01/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 1 Chronicles 29:1-14
When it comes to your family—attitude is important. The number one issue in marital conflict arises over finances. Yet there is a deeper issue involved than just finances. When you resolve this issue it will have a positive impact on your marriage, your relationships with family, how you treat others, how you use your time, your skills and your finances. Your attitude about all that you have, your stuff, is vital. In I Chronicles we learn a lesson from David who realized everything he had came from God. When you understand your life, your skills, your health, your spiritual gifts and your wealth are not yours but belong to God and are on loan to you it frees you to join God in an incredible adventure through life.
Podcast
When it comes to your family—attitude is important. The number one issue in marital conflict arises over finances. Yet there is a deeper issue involved than just finances. When you resolve this issue it will have a positive impact on your marriage, your relationships with family, how you treat others, how you use your time, your skills and your finances. Your attitude about all that you have, your stuff, is vital. In I Chronicles we learn a lesson from David who realized everything he had came from God. When you understand your life, your skills, your health, your spiritual gifts and your wealth are not yours but belong to God and are on loan to you it frees you to join God in an incredible adventure through life.
Podcast
Family Matters: Building a Strong Marriage
05/25/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Genesis 2:24, Exodus 20:14
In this message we examine the biblical principles for marriage. God designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman who come together as one flesh. God’s intention is for marriage to be a blessing to both the husband and wife. The Lord has given us some foundational principles on how to build a healthy marriage and to build some safe guards in our marriages.
Podcast
In this message we examine the biblical principles for marriage. God designed marriage to be the union of one man and one woman who come together as one flesh. God’s intention is for marriage to be a blessing to both the husband and wife. The Lord has given us some foundational principles on how to build a healthy marriage and to build some safe guards in our marriages.
Podcast
Family Matters: All Stressed Out
05/18/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Phillipians 4:4-8
All of us have experienced stress at some point in our lives. In our family life we experience stress from a variety of sources. The joy killers of worry and stress are having devastating results in families across our nation. Paul says we need to change our focus from the things creating stress to a focus on our Lord. It is important to remember how God has promised to work in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. The result of changing our focus is to experience God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds.
Podcast
All of us have experienced stress at some point in our lives. In our family life we experience stress from a variety of sources. The joy killers of worry and stress are having devastating results in families across our nation. Paul says we need to change our focus from the things creating stress to a focus on our Lord. It is important to remember how God has promised to work in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. The result of changing our focus is to experience God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds.
Podcast
Family Matters: Go Ask Your Mom
05/11/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Exodus 20:12
This message begins a series entitled “Family Matters”. Being Mother’s Day we begin by celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of Mom while also recognizing that mom is not a superwoman or perfect.
God tells us to honor our parents, knowing that there are no perfect moms or dads. There are several ways to honor your mom and dad. Sometimes honoring parents is challenging because mom or dad have not been the kind of parent that deserves honor. What does God say to us about that? How do we respond to parents who have not fulfilled their responsibilities to love and nurture their children?
God gives us instructions for how to honor our moms and dads, even when they sometimes fail. God offers us hope and the opportunity to heal relationships and to be able to truly celebrate our moms.
Podcast
This message begins a series entitled “Family Matters”. Being Mother’s Day we begin by celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of Mom while also recognizing that mom is not a superwoman or perfect.
God tells us to honor our parents, knowing that there are no perfect moms or dads. There are several ways to honor your mom and dad. Sometimes honoring parents is challenging because mom or dad have not been the kind of parent that deserves honor. What does God say to us about that? How do we respond to parents who have not fulfilled their responsibilities to love and nurture their children?
God gives us instructions for how to honor our moms and dads, even when they sometimes fail. God offers us hope and the opportunity to heal relationships and to be able to truly celebrate our moms.
Podcast