November's - PSUth

1. It is either a she or he.
2. It maybe a he since last time it was a she, but that my be to easy.
3. Moon, Stars, Outer Space and NASA ...

Life is Good but Eternal Life is Better: Week # 8 - A Mistake vs. God Workmenship

Self-Esteem: A Mistake vs. God’s Workmanship

Key Verse: Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Key Thought:
God’s works are amazing, and we fall under that category. God is not an impersonal God. He took the time to know everything about each one of us before we were born. He knows how long we will live, what our hair and eye color will be, how tall we will grow, and the list keeps going. He even knew what our favorite lunch meat will be. God is not ashamed of us. He loves us the way we are, imperfections included.

The World’s View: Gotta Have It …
1. The Perfect Body
2. The Perfect Complexion
3. The Perfect Look – Clothes

What does it take to be PERFECT?
1. Lots and lots of money – Plastic Surgery – 11.9 million procedures a year
2. The right genetics
3. The brand name

Why do we feel that we don’t measure up?
1. We have been told that no matter what we do, it is not good enough.
2. We never get verbal confirmation that we are fine the way we are.
3. We tend to compare ourselves to the billboard people. (Dove Evolution Commerical)

God’s View: He loves us and He is not ashamed of us.
Psalm 139:13 – “For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In His Word, He Tells Us …
1. You are good enough because I created you.
2. I love you so much and I desire to have a relationship with you.
3. Don’t worry about “measuring up”; I will take you just as you are.

PC’s Tips for a Higher Self-Esteem
1. Learn to Love Who You are

2. Make Good Friends

3. Give Your Struggles to God

As you go through this week, there will probably be times when you start to criticize yourself. When that happens, pull out this sheet and look over these verses. Remember that God made you special and He loves you exactly as you are. If that doesn’t make you feel good about yourself, then you need to check your pulse.

Life is Good but Eternal Life is Better - Week #7: Possesions

Possessions: Earth Treasures vs. Heavenly Treasure

Key Thought: We live in a possession driven world. Unfortunately, we are judged by others by the kind of stuff we have. For example, what kind of clothes do you wear, what kind of bike do you ride, what kind of car do you drive or what kind of video games do you have. As a result we place a higher importance on our earthly stuff than on heavenly stuff.

Key Verses: Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Benefits of Earthly “Stuff”:
· Brings you temporary happiness (Pong vs. Play Station 2)
· Brings you temporary popularity and acceptance (Coolest Car vs. Beat up Pinto)
· Brings you temporary satisfaction (Living for Today vs. Living for the Future)
· Brings you temporary security

Benefits of Heavenly Treasures:
· Brings you eternal happiness
· Brings you eternal acceptance
· Brings you eternal satisfaction
· Brings you eternal security

PC’s Tips for Storing Heavenly Treasures instead of Earthly Treasures

1. Don’t Hoard Your Earthly Possessions

2. Serve God First - Make God the highest priority in your life not the least.

3. God’s Treasures Await You

The Final Clue!!

1. It is NOT Pastor C.
2. It is a FEMALE!

Make your final guess, a wise one

PSUth of the Month: Clue #3

1. Water ... Water... Water...
2. Water, Swimming and Pools

I am really sorry. This has to be way to easy.

Life is Good but Eternal Life is Better: Week #6 Sibling Rivalry

Sibling Relationships (Rivalry)
Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the (among you) church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

Key Thought: “You’re out!” the umpire yelled. “He’s safe!” the coach hollered from the dugout. The runner hesitated, looked at the coach, then looked at the ump. A shake of the ump’s head, and the runner left the field. “He’s safe!” The coach hollered again. Players scattered out of range as he threw bats and kicked helmets. When he finished tearing up the dugout, he stomped onto the field to tear up the ump.” The scene is common enough in the major leagues. Emotions boil, and fights erupt routinely. Unfortunately, this is a scene that is quite common in your homes. The fight isn’t with an umpire instead it is with your siblings and you are willing to do whatever it takes to win the fight.
The Trouble Starts With…
• Jealousy – A sibling gets something or is treated differently than you are.
• Sharing – A sibling uses something of yours or you have to share time on the computer or even worse you have to share time with the TV.
• Personal Invasion – A sibling invades your space (bedroom), your time (babysitting), or your possessions (wears your clothes, plays with your gameboy and so on)
• Tattletale – A sibling tells your parents everything you do.
• Anger – A sibling has made you so mad you could just strangle them.

Remembering God’s Word …
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the (among you) church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
• Romans 12:17 – “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
• Ephesians 4:26 - "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”
• Matthew 22:37-39 - "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
• Leviticus 19:18 - "‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.

PC’s Tips for Dealing with Siblings:
1. Overlook Minor Offenses
• Don’t get bent out of shape over every little thing
• Be the better person and give a little bit
• Work at keeping harmony – Don’t be “pushing buttons”

2. Deal Healthily with Conflict
• Don’t point fingers or unleash personal attacks
• Stay calm even when others are not
• Work at seeing both sides of the conflict
• If your are wrong then,
a. Admit – what you did wrong
b. Apologize – for your actions
c. Accept – the consequences for your actions
d. Ask – for forgiveness
e. Alter – future actions

3. Take God’s Advice
• Matthew 19:19 – “love your neighbor as yourself.”

PSUth of the Month: Clue #2

1. This person LOVES the outdoor.
2. They LOVE to golf.
3. They LOVE to go hunting.

I may have made this to easy.

Life is Good but Eternal is Better: Week #5 - Parent/Youth Relationship

Parent/Youth Relationship:

Key Verse:
Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."


Key Thought:
Like it or not, your relationship with your parents is the most important earthly relationship you will ever have. Like it or not, if your faith in Christ is real then it will prove itself in your relationship with your family. Which means the better your relationship is with God then the better your relationship will be with your family. You have the responsibility to love, honor and obey your parents even when you think they are unfair and demanding. That is quite a different picture than what the world paint. The world wants you believe that it is OK to rebel against your parents and to be disobedient at any chance you can. Of course, God’s Word paints a different picture.

The World Says…
It’s OK to rebel and be disobedient to our parents.
It’s OK to lie and sneak around our parent’s backs.
It’s OK to talk back and be disrespectful to our parents.
It’s OK to do what I want, when I want to, because it is my life and not theirs.
It’s OK not to listen to our parents because what do they know anyway.
(Ex. Homer Simpson)

God Words Says…
Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise”
If you can’t honor your earthly parents, how in the world will you ever honor your Heavenly Father?
Honoring your Father and Mother is more than the willingness to submit to their authority because you have to, but because you want to.
Honoring your Father and Mother comes from the overflow of the love you have for them.


PC Tips to Honor Your Parents…

1. Understand the Differences
a. From your point of view, parents are sometimes hard to understand. There are differences between the generations.
b. This is no barrier or this should not stop you from honoring your parents.
c. Work to resolve the differences of opinions you have with your parents.

2. Believe Your Parents are Doing What’s Best
a. Almost, always, parents are acting from a very strong desire to do what they believe to be best for you.
b. Don’t overlook the fact that you are indebted to your parents for the life they have given you!
c. Work at seeing the big picture.

3. Honoring Your Parents Includes:
a. Loving Your Parents
· The second great command is to love your neighbor. The closest neighbors you have are your parents.
· Natural love comes from your actions; spiritual love comes from the heart.
b. Submitting to Your Parents
· Submitting to your parents is shown in our attitudes towards them.
c. Obeying your Parents
· Obeying your parents is lived out in your from the overflow love you have for your parents and the wiliness to submit to their authority by obeying what they have asked you to do.

God’s children are called to honor their parents. Fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, you will only have one set of biological parents. As Christians, it is our duty to obey God’s word by honoring our parents. It isn’t always easy, but anything worth doing ALWAYS comes with a sacrifice. This sacrifice comes with a promise from God. I believe God will bless you for being a blessing to your parents. Take some time this week and work on being a blessing to your parents. You might be surprised how well things can be at home.