What we’ll be doing this Sunday at The Waters is basically a masters-level course in the dependability and validity of the Bible.  There will be a LOT of information presented and I don’t want anyone to get overwhelmed.  Please feel free to print these notes off beforehand and bring them with you.  You do not want to miss this Sunday.  As always, be sure you’re connecting with us on our Facebook page.
Can I Trust The Bible - Downloadable PDF file.
I’m amazed at how much my thoughts take me back to a place that seems so ethereal. Eden. I talk about it so much. It is somehow weaved into so many of my messages to our church. I find myself fantasizing about what life had to have been like there, and my soul longs for more. The distinguishing characteristics are prevalent; the purity of creation, the camaraderie among humans and animals, the lush plant life, the abundant oxygen that would have sustained such amazing life and old age, and so much more. But the greatest of these would have to have been the closeness to the Creator. Can you imagine it? Waking up from a slumber in the garden (memory foam garden bedding?) and hearing God’s voice wake you up? Asking if you slept well? Walking with Him through the landscape. Feeling so incredibly close to Him in spirit. It’s almost too much pleasure to take in, isn’t it? [Read more...]
I was blessed to grow up in a home where the phrase “I Love You” was generously poured out among family members. I received those golden words, and doled them out myself literally dozens of times a day. Before school, coming home from school, before dinner, before bed time, and all in between my parents and my sister (Paula Kaye) and I would exchange those words all day long. This loving culture was an incredibly positive one to grow up in. My parents established a palatable sense of security in our home by following the simple rule of telling one another that we loved each other all the time. [Read more...]
I am amazed at how much this slogan affects people. We receive so many positive comments about these words that are clearly marked above the entrance to our church building. What about this message is so provoking? Why does it connect so well with our soul?
I think it has everything to do with the Tree of Life. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were given a choice. They could remain free in their hearts to live in communion with God and one another by consuming the fruit from the Tree of Life, or they could abandon God’s plan for their perfect lives and consume the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We all know what they did. This rebellious act did much more than introduce sin into the world. It introduced performance. [Read more...]
“I AM THE WATERS” - Why do we say that around here?
“Don’t run in God’s House!” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that as a kid I’d be loaded. By the age of 6 I was convinced of two things about God. 1. He lived in the church building that I went to. 2. He didn’t like people moving too quickly in there.
Truth is, God doesn’t have a house that he lives in. According to the Bible, God actually resides inside the souls of his children. The second chapter of Ephesians describes all Christians as being the true Temple of God, or “his house”. So every time I take off running I am not only running in God’s house, but God’s house itself is actually running. Now don’t get a ridiculous picture of God bouncing around inside of a running temple, with furniture flying all over the place. He is not hanging on to the rails screaming, “Slow Down!” The fact of God residing in all Christians has more to do with relationship than anything else. Obviously, my human frame can’t contain God. But my spirit can be characterized by an intimate and personal relationship with God himself. That is really what the Temple of God has been about from the beginning. [Read more...]
So what’s all this focus on blue jeans about?
One thing that has broken my heart over the years is when I see people avoid the church and church people because they feel like they aren’t good enough. And clothing has a lot to do with this.
Here’s the deal. I love getting fancied up. Man you oughta see me in a suit and tie. I clean up well. But do you know who I like doing that for? MY WIFE! Yeah, I’ve been married for almost 17 years now, but I still like sweeping her off her feet and dressing to kill for her. It spices our relationship and keeps the fire going. [Read more...]
1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.
13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.
15.. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dang it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?
16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18.. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.
21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.
22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.
23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text..
24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?
26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?
29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.
31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey- but I’d bet my savings that everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!
