Questions or comments I have heard in the last week.

• Why are families falling apart?
• Is God an important part of family structure?
• Is God actually implemented in the family structure?
• What is a successful family?
• What is a successful family made of?
• Do varying perspectives make a difference?
• How is communication effective?
• Do encouragement, appreciation and commitment matter?
• Successful Family Construction
  • Communication
  • Encouragement
  • Commitment
  • Religious Orientation
  • Social Connectedness
  • Ability to adapt
  • Expressing appreciation
  • Clear Roles
  • Time Together

 
 US Department of Health and Human Services, Identifying Successful Families – May 10, 1990
https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/identifying-successful-families-overview-constructs-and-selected-measures
Proposed model of family strengths from multiple PHd’s starts with Religious orientation – Commitment – appreciation – time together – open two way communication – conflict, crisis coping or resolution.

• Communication
  • Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
• Encouragement
  • Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
• Commitment
  • Numbers 30:2  A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.
• Religious Orientation
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
• Social Connectedness
  • Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
• Ability to adapt
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
• Expressing appreciation
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
  • Clear Roles
    • Colossians 3 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
• Time Together
  • Deuteronomy 11:18-21 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

 

Questions or comments I have heard in the last week.

• Dr. Anthony Fauci harshly stated “Now is the time to do what you are told”
• We have the best interest of the people in mind….
• People don’t know what they need, we have to tell them.
• Childs public school in northern CO, Her child has attended 9 days in person and only then to discover artwork all over the school about BLM, my body my choice etc.
• Mask mandate laws, governor executive orders.
• Stay at home orders except for things that fuel the economy.
• State license holders are manipulated in fear of losing licensing for not complying with executive orders which have not been through legislation.
• Presidential election and other election integrity concerns.
• Tony Perkins – Family Research Council of 9,000 professed pastors, 44 percent supported Biden, 56 percent supported Trump.
• I don’t think I make an impact.

 
Paul wrote in Colossians
Colossians 2:2-4  2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.

Lockdowns do create isolation, suicides, alcoholism, opioid epidemic, and of course an economic disaster whereby creating an environment of dependence upon the government and experts for survival.
 
  
Can you imagine having an underlying agenda of climate change. To change practices across the country and lifestyles through fear.
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Not travel, not gathering together, reduce crowding at home, work, public places (direct response to the September 11th attacks that large gatherings and the American way will continue,
 
Is this a great reset? Is this new normal a new world order? Are you just going to go along with this?  

These are some of the questions I have been asked about this week.

• Washington DC Bill 23-171 children as young as 11 consent without parental knowledge to include participation of the insurance company.
• Childs public school in northern CO, her child has attended 9 days in person and only then to discover artwork all over the school about BLM, my body my choice etc.
• Mask mandate laws, governor executive orders.
• Stay at home orders except for things that fuel the economy.
• State license holders are manipulated in fear of losing licensing for not complying with executive orders which have not been through legislation.
• Presidential election and other election integrity concerns.
• Tony Perkins – Family Research Council of 9,000 professed pastors, 44 percent supported Biden, 56 percent supported Trump.
• I don’t think I make an impact.

 
Here’s what you can do:
·         PrayDaniel 9:18 “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.”Psalm 34:15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.”James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

·         Get Involved – Paul wrote Romans, and Luke wrote Acts. They were in unison not in opposition so hear the rebuttal to Romans 13.  

Acts 5:12-34 12 The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. 15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil[a] spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Meet Opposition17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching.
When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council[b]—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!”
24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”
26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”
29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.[c] 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. 34 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while.
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• Gather like-minded people

Ensure you are meeting with other believers, from prayer to fellowship and the necessity of getting together.Hebrews 5:11 - Forsake not the gathering1 Thessalonians 5:11- Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

• Seek answers

Proverbs 10:21 21 The words of the godly encourage many,
    but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. – Don’t look for an excuse to do nothing. That has happened for far too long. Who am I was asked by David? He went from nothing to being the king of a nation.
·         Trust GodPsalm 146:3-5 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God,

​We answer to God almighty and choose to follow the laws of the land until they go against our biblical and spiritual beliefs. Our country was founded on religious principal and the freedom to practice as you choose. I am in no way asserting that everyone must attend church, though it is my belief that church helps make life better for so many people as they grow closer to God. However, I am asserting my opinion that people can attend church with just as much risk as grocery shopping, getting a haircut, or other public activities.  

The church is to help those in need.  

We are already gathering routinely, assembling food baskets in large groups and disseminating these items throughout our region. People are responding to the homes of the sick or home bound to help ensure needs are met. This is acceptable to our state government, but the nurturing of spiritual needs in person is unacceptable they have declared. People can go shopping at leisure and can without restriction shop and purchase items from the store, but God forbid that they assemble in a church with more than 10 people there. This is where the line must be drawn. It is unacceptable to discriminate even in a time of crisis making gathering as a church more restrictive. There must be an equal playing field.
If you do not agree with this belief, you have the right to your opinion, that is the beauty of America.

Speaking of America, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution reads:

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Now I recognize the rights have a level of ambiguity when it comes to times of crisis and declarations of emergency. Once we step into the realm of unfair restrictions during the crisis in comparison to other businesses, it becomes apparent our “best interest” or our “safety” is just the correct phrase to use in order to restrict or limit religious influence in the state. This sounds much like the phrases used in Nazi Germany as they deceived the people to commit horrific acts.  

We still use precautions when providing food baskets, supplies or other necessities to those in need, home bound, or who are sick. We do not host the other extra activities which we normally have at the church and may not for some time to come, but it is unacceptable to forbid our church to gather in a group greater than 10. I am certain there are more than 10 at the grocery store and hardware store right now.  

We know our church, our community, and the people who have been sick, who are at risk, and who have recovered. We trust them to make the best decision for themselves. The state government is not only chilling our constitutional right to assemble, but they are asserting they know our community better than us and their decisions are better than decisions we can make for ourselves. It is difficult to agree with that when the curve is not spiking, when thousands of extra temporary hospital beds have never been used and we can open other businesses before churches.

Jesus loves the little children of the world. He doesn’t just love you if you are sick. He loves everyone. That means as a church we are called to support everyone, to include the sick, needy, home bound, and people needing spiritual nurturing. Mind you people are still suffering from other medical concerns which need attention as well as mental illness. As Christians our fundamental belief entails church attendance and spiritual nurturing to get closer with God and make our everyday life better.

We are working hard to fulfill the request in the scriptures having given tens of thousands of dollars in assistance to people to include volunteering, errands, and whatever else we could to help meet needs due to COVID-19. We cannot allow government officials to tell us how to exercise our faith, and to tell us that watching online or interacting with the church online is just the same, or a perfect replacement to in person attendance.

This is part of our foundation of worship not to mention separation of church and state.

Some of the following scriptures explain our practices in church service which cannot be restricted by the government as far as social distancing is concerned. This is by no means all of the scriptures but instead a taste:

Church attendance is necessary
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT) says:
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Praying for people by laying on hands:
Mark 16:15-18 (NLT) says:
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Greeting one another when they come to church:

1 Peter 5:14 (NLT) says:
14 Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
 
Jesus warned against the religious mask ensuring we are not contaminated by phoniness:
Luke 12:1-9 (MSG)
1-3 By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other’s toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
4-5 “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
6-7 “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.
8-9 “Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels?
 
We as Christians are to follow the laws of the land when they are not in conflict with the bible:
Romans 13:1-7 (MSG)
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
 
We as Christians follow the law until it does not allow us to exercise our faith:
Acts 5:27-29 (MSG)
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
 
For these reasons we have resumed church services. We urge folks who are sick to remain at home and engage with us online and through the other means we have established. We trust people to make the best decisions for themselves and their family to attend church and enjoy the love of Jesus by joining our service! 

Psalm 46:10 “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God.
I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. -  The passion translation.

I totally understand there are new stresses in our lives with coronavirus and all of the restrictions. However, this isn't the end of the world. Jesus is our strength and in Him I put my trust. We can sit and do nothing during this time and miss one of the greatest opportunities ever. 

Let's do something! One of the greatest immediate impacts you can have is on your own family. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ASPE released the following 9 factors which produce strong healthy families. ( https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/research-successful-families )

1. communication
2. encouragement of individuals
3. expressing appreciation
4. commitment to family
5. religious/spiritual orientation
6. social connectedness
7. ability to adapt
8. clear roles
9. time together

There are plenty of things you can do in your home to strengthen your family. I want to challenge you to do the best your can and then allow God to fill the gaps. This can be one of the greatest times and resets your family has ever experienced. Let's do this together!

Many people have asked if I would provide some encouraging scriptures as we battle coronavirus or COVID-19. This isn't a conclusive list, but I believe it is a good start in encouraging one another with scriptures:

1. Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.” Psalm 1:1 (GW) God’s Word Translation 
2. Psalm 34:19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. (NLT)
3. Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below  —indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
4. Proverbs 11:14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. (NLT)
5. Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (NLT)
   
6. Psalm 34:17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
   
7. 1 John 5:5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (NLT)
   
8. Psalm 133:1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! (NLT)
   
9. Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (NIV)
   
10. Psalm 81:10 For it was I, the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. (NLT)
    

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Many people have asked me, what can I pray? I always want to say that God hears our prayers and they never have to be fancy. However, at times like these sometimes we can struggle with what to say. Jesus said you have not because you ask not, so let’s make sure we are asking. We are also told to come boldly to the throne. So here we are:
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Jesus, thank you for being my savior and giving your life just for me. I’m forever grateful for this gift and all gifts you give me. I declare you the God of the universe, the name above all names, and I come before you and thank you for my many blessings. I forgive all who have committed wrongs against me so my prayer is not hindered and I ask you to forgive me of my mistakes and shortcomings. I pray for all the decision makers in the world and ask you to fill them with wisdom and understanding so they may guide us for our best interest. Thank you for providing food and I ask you to continue to provide for me. Continue to provide finances for me, let your angels surround and protect me from all harm. Keep my body healthy and fill me with your strength. Help me to be wise and not fall for deceptive traps, but stand firm to glorify you. Help me to draw closer to you and I commit all my actions to glorify you in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

No matter what, everyone has battles in their lives. The bible never mentions that people are exempt from trouble, struggles and hard times. Instead it gives us insight into individual lives showing parables, promises and victories with the help of Christ. This is for us to understand God’s promises and gives us a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  God also sends angels to surround us and protect us as we continue on this journey.  
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• God doesn’t hate you and He isn’t punishing you.
  

He is growing you, strengthening you and setting you up for prosperity. Hardship isn’t to destroy you, it is there to complete you. To whom much is given, much is required. As He blesses you, you will continue to be tested so you are equipped. Smile through the trouble, things are getting better every day! I pray for God’s grace to cover you and strengthen you every day. May you find His complete joy as you are grown through this journey we call life.  

We all find ourselves in the position from time to time hoping for the miraculous. Whether it's a loved one who is sick, someone hurt in an accident, a financial breakthrough or a relationship restoration, we all hope for a significant change beyond our control. Sometimes we simply hope. Other times we pray. We may even find ourselves worrying more than we are hoping and praying. Abraham and Sarah wanted a child so badly they took matters into their own hands only to discover that wasn't what God promised them. Moses tried so hard to lead the nation of Israel and when they found themselves looking for water, he skipped what God told him and instead did what he knew would work.  
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God wants miracles for everyone. He proved this when Jesus fed over five thousand people miraculously. We are all tempted to help God out a little and do what we know will work, but we end up missing the complete blessing. I know it's hard, but we must trust, believe, pray, hope, give and be obedient. Your miracle is coming. God is paying attention and it is just for you. I pray blessings over your home and may God continue to guide and protect you while you wait for your miracle. If there is anything we can do to help, please contact me. Lastly our doors are always open for visitors. If you haven't been to the church in a while or ever, come on in.   ​