Run With Horses

Life 101: Discussing our progress

The Smith family goes over our progress applying intentional planning to life.

Marriage A to Z: Don’t Drip! Complaining and Nagging Don’t Do What You Hope

Don’t Drip!  Don’t Complain/ Nag
Are you a complainer?
What is nagging? Complaining?
We get so used to it that we don’t notice it!
Is nagging ever good?
Our words have tremendous power for good or evil. Complaining or nagging will not get the result you hope for in your marriage!
Why do we complain or nag?
You want something to be different. You hope for a different circumstance or action from someone else.
Sin nature.
Selfishness.
Proverbs 27:15-17 ;
Proverbs 21:9 ;
Philippians 2:14
Biblical Examples
Job 2:10 ;Samson and Delilah
BUT….
Live the Spiritual nature.
Consider others best interest, especially your spouse.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 rejoice and give thanks!
Ephesians 4:29 – build up
How to change our conversation?
It is often a learned behavior. From parents or from friends.
Recognize the heart issues involved.
Communication is key. Put others above yourself. Micah 6:8 – Justly, Kindly, Humbly
Eph 4:32
Three cases:
1.Legitimate concern that needs to be addressed.
Health concerns, legit but the way you address it is important.
Pray about it first.
Plan a good time to talk. Spouse not tired from work, bad mood, etc.
Be clear, be kind, be willing to compromise and work TOGETHER for a solution AND for unity.
Share your love and concern.
What if your spouse won’t address problem?
May have to do it yourself.
Find another way to help your spouse understand the need.
2.Personal preference.
Pray about it. Ask God to change you both.
Talk about it, understanding there may be different opinions.
One person feels strongly about one thing, can be ANYTHING. Masks, new car, etc.
3.Sin.
Your sin.
Confess and repent. Actively work on changing your habits.
Their sin.
Pray for them.
Gal. 6:2 – gentle, loving attitude is necessary.
Pick a time to talk, be careful of how to talk about the issues.
In the end recognize that only God can change people.
Examples of Destructive attitudes:
Control issues, micromanaging.
Pride.
Entitlement mentality, I deserve this.
 
 

Are you wasting your life? Stop coasting and be Intentional!

Quote of the Day: If you know the Why, you can live any How
- Friedrich Nietzsche
As a Christian, we have the best Ultimate Why! But we have to
remind ourselves regularly why we make the choices we do. Know
your purpose, look for God at work in your daily life and be thankful.
Today I want to focus on Why You should live Intentionally.
Intent = with purpose, direction
God works intentionally. History is going somewhere, Not random.
God chose You. You!
God prepares you for good things.
relationship w/ Himself
fellowship w/ church
light in the community
God prepares good works for you to do!
He goes with you
He strengthens you
He prepared this work for you!
He gave you great people to work with The Church!
You are not alone
Let others know your strussles
Let others know your victories.
Look for opportunities to serve together.
what other options do you have?
Life of random, aimless choices?
Work that has no value beyond payday? Life of meangless entertainment and shallow relationships?
Q: Why would you choose those things?
A: You didn't. They are the result of not choosing a life of Following Jesus.
Chin up!
No matter where you are in life, You can make better choices
today. It is NEVER too late to live with purpose.
Glorify God Today.

Life 101: Where’s Your Focus?

You focus on something in life. What areas are you focusing on? Where do you spend your time and energy?
There are at least five areas you should be focusing on.>Spiritual Life >Relationships >Education >Health >CareerWhat are your Responsibilities ? Roles?Separate Personal + Professional and list your areas of focus.
These are arenas where you live out your life.Which ones are high priority?How do you evaluate them?ie. what are the criteria?
 
Some questions that will help.
Does this help me as I follow Jesus? Does it hinder me as I grow Spiritually?Does God have something to say about it? What does He say? 
Which ones do you enjoy more? Less?Do you right now, have goals for each of these areas?Do you see how God is working in each area?
Where do you receive tasks/ jobs from others?Where do you have freedom to choose?Do you need to clarify any roles w/ someone else?
Go back to your Purpose Statement. How does each role or focus are, you have relate to it?
Do you have a mission or can you envision how your values, gifts and aspirations can be lived out in each Area of Focus or Responsibility?
Homework: Review your Purpose Statement, Vision of the future and current Goals and objectives.Make a list of your Areas of Focus or Responsibility.

Marriage A to Z: Commitment

Commitment in Marriage
Commit to God – The foundation for a healthy marriage and relationship. We stand or fall here first.* God is at work in your life; He’s working in your spouse’s.-- takes conviction of own identity in Christ
Commit to the Marriage -  The concept, key principles of love and submission to one another. Goal of unity. Principles like these help us steer the ship. 
Commitment defined - a: an agreement or pledge to do something in the futureb: the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelleda commitment to a causec: an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
Commit to your Spouse – Relationship is lived out together. We have to put it all into practice in the relationship.
Commit to the Process-- takes patience (like farmer has to wait for harvest).-- takes humility-- takes faith and hope – 2 Cor. 4:16-18 - in light of eternity-- takes diligence, persistence-- takes dependence on God-- takes claiming God’s promises (Gal. 5:16; Phil. 4:6-8; Phil. 1:6)
God’s goal for us is our sanctification. Marriage is one of the tools of this. His goal isn’t my happiness or for everything to go smoothly. Spiritual growth, deeper relationships, maturity
NOTE: We may sound like we’ve got it all together; but we’re in the process, too!
 

Set Your Goals High!

Goals move you toward your Mission and help you accomplish your Purpose.
Quote of the Day: “The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”– Michelangelo
God’s goal for you is Christ-likeness. Don’t aim for less!
A goal so high you know you need God every day.
Where do you get your goals? Advisors and Bible, your bent, interests, talents, abilities
Living Intentionally:
Make Life decisions based on your Big WHY.
If you have no purpose you need no goals!
Purpose – Glorify God
Mission – Disciple of Jesus
Stewardship of life demands that you take responsibility of your choices.
Physical- take care of what God has giving you
Educational – be a life long learner, set learning goals, reading goals, etc
Spiritual- intentionally follow Jesus, what would it look like to grow toward Him
Relational- take responsibility for your relationships
Living Theology:
Psalm 20:4
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 15:22
Proverbs 16:9
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 2:10
Colossians 3:23
 
 
 

Setting Your Goals

Setting your Goals and Objectives
============
REVIEW:Purpose – definition  The Why1:the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.  "the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee"
To be a mature disciple of Jesus who makes disciples and gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church on it’s journey to fulfill the Great Commission.
--------------------3-5 Years – Mission/ Vision:Mission – definition -  The What1: a specific task with which a person or a group is charged  Their mission was to help victims of the disaster.2: a preestablished and often self-imposed objective or purpose  statement of the company's mission, why does company exist3: CALLING, VOCATION  Her mission was to be a teacher.Vision – definition -1: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination2:envision -  to picture to oneself  envisions a career dedicated to promoting peace
Question to ask yourself:What does it look like when I live out my Purpose, Principles, and Values?
Big picture not the details.
=================Goals/ Objectives – 1-2 Years
Goals – definition - the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.- an objective or target that someone is trying to reach or achieve
Objectives – definition - a thing aimed at or sought;- : a strategic position to be attained or a purpose to be achieved
What goals do you need to fulfill your vision?What do you need to accomplish in the next 1-2 years to make your vision happen?
S.M.A.R.T. Goals - Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, Timed
Homework: Write out your goals/ objectives for the next 1-2 years.

Marriage A to Z: Take a Break! - Together

 Take a BREAK  - Together
 
Why? The Need: Divorce rate for even Christians is 50%+
Lots of stress in life; busyness; lives lived apart from each other – separate paths
Danger of a disconnect; lack of unity; independent spirits;
So other people/things don’t become the main thing – child-centered; or when kids go away, the couple says, “Who are you?”
Anxiety – we develop wrong perspectives, and focus on wrong areas of life
 
What is it? Difference between date night and a break; vacation vs. break. A date: shorter time frame, eat a meal or an event (concert, movie, play); not necessarily meeting of the minds.
Vacation: could include family, very filled with activity; could include together time; read books/relax time
BREAK: more intentional focused on the two of you; not based on an activity, but spending time together. Can be longer than a date, but shorter than vacation.
How to? Examples: Susan visits a friend.
Eye doctor visits, errands. Intentional getaway for a couple nights during a stressful time.
 
What Benefits?  how does this meet the need?
Infuses new life into the relationship
Reminds the two of you you’re a team; in it together
Take a step back from craziness to reset
Relieve stress
When spouse suggests an idea, it shows he wants to spend time with you. Encouraging!
Gives time to talk, catch up on spouse’s life/thoughts, have fun; be together without a purpose!
Refocus perspectives; reaffirm priorities

The WHAT of Life

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Quote of the Day: Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't. - Richard Bach, wrote Jonathan Livingston Seagull
 
Purpose – definition ie. The Why
1:the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
"the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee"
 
God Is. That is the ultimate WHY for life.
 
 
Mission – definition - ie. The What
1: a specific task with which a person or a group is charged
Their mission was to help victims of the disaster.
2: a preestablished and often self-imposed objective or purpose
statement of the company's mission, why does company exist
3: CALLING, VOCATION
Her mission was to be a teacher.
 
Vision – definition – What drives you to live and be in the world?
1: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination
2:envision - to picture to oneself
envisions a career dedicated to promoting peace
News and Culture: Top Thing to Know: Generation Z Cares About Making a Difference
Unlike earlier generations that matured into social good causes, Gen Z is socially focused. It’s All About the Community and the Collective Good
You wouldn't expect the first generation immersed in social networking not to be community-focused, would you?
Gen Z cares about the collective good and well-being. But they also care about everyone having the chance to be who they are in their lives. In other words, freedom of expression is vital to Gen Z.
 
 
Living Theology:
Matthew 28:19-20 – a vision for a task worth committing your life to. A WHAT that is worthy of my life.
 
Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 
Ephesians 3:20
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
 
Colossians 1:28-29 KJV
whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

LIFE 101: A Vision for the Future

A Vision for Life, What is your mission?
REVIEW: Purpose – definition  "The Why"1:the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.  "the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee"
Was this hard, easy? Why?
Q. Why do people have trouble identifying their purpose?
Do you want to share your purpose?
To be a mature disciple of Jesus who makes disciples and gives freely to encourage, support and equip the church on it’s journey to fulfill the Great Commission.
--------------------
 
Mission – definition -  "The What"1: a specific task with which a person or a group is charged  Their mission was to help victims of the disaster.2: a preestablished and often self-imposed objective or purpose  statement of the company's mission, why does company exist3: CALLING, VOCATION  Her mission was to be a teacher.Vision – definition -1: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination2:envision -  to picture to oneself  envisions a career dedicated to promoting peace
Question to ask yourself:What does it look like when I live out my Purpose, Principles, and Values?
Big picture not the details. If you are living out your purpose, what might your life look like in 5 years? Where would you be in your spiritual life? What kind of person would you be? Who would be around you, friends, partners in life and ministry?
How would you know you are on track in 3-5 years? What would be part of your life? 
Who will you be in 5 years if you are actively making progress in following your purpose?
Homework:Write out a mission statement for the next five years.