Run With Horses

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.
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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.
 

Marriage A to Z: Affirm Each Other

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Marriage   -  Affirm Each Other
A. What do we mean?Definition , Affirm - offer (someone) emotional support or encouragement.
What to affirm -- Your acceptance, love, small victories or steps in right direction. Not affirm negative behaviors, sin, etc.
For every negative thing you say, you need to say 7 positives, otherwise, all they hear is the criticism.
B. Why affirm each other? important, in general, for relationships/couples.      People need to know that they are accepted, loved. First, and most importantly by God, then by spouse.
C. How do we affirm each other?What is affirming? using encouraging, supportive words to show support of the other person in their difficulty.But also, ongoing affirmation in the relationship. Saying "I love you" even when there are no problems! Should be a natural part of the relationship
When?-- when spouse is unsure of himself-- whenever you notice something you enjoy about him/her, something that pleases you--  Not only to spouse, but in describing spouse to friends -- using affirming words.
examples
1. Susan share struggle about dealing with friend. Not sure how to respond, how to deal with stuff. By listening and providing support, Norman helped Susan see things clearer, affirm the good she is doing, gently suggest ways to go forward.
2. When one is depressed, the other can encourage, physically loving, speaking words of love, speaking words of truth (identity in Christ).
3. (Not only problem-based!) "Thank you for ...."  Little, ongoing words and actions in life! Noticing the other person's contributions, efforts, character -- and voicing it.
4. Example of Paul to church at Corinth. Though they had some major problems and sins, Paul encouraged and affirmed them by saying, "You are saints! You are loved by God! You have all you need to do God's work!" (Later, he addressed their needs.)
D. Benefits of applying this in your marriage - build relationship by building spouse's confidence, security, sense of acceptance. By blessing spouse, the blessing will most likely return to you, too! 

Purpose for Life

Are you ready for Life 101?
Purpose definition-”the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”
Quote of the Day: Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. -John F. Kennedy
News and Culture: How does our culture today view life’s purpose? Easy there is none. Life is what you make it and purpose is something you create. People who are thoughtful and not completely given over to pursuit of pleasing themselves will usually pick one of several options.
Make the world a better place
Be kind and help others.
Create beauty
Follow your passion
Figure out how you want to be remembered and live that way
Chloe’s Corner: If I Knew The Why
Living Theology: What does God say about your purpose?
Created for good works. Ephesians 2:8-10
Saved to make disciples. Matthew 28:18-20
Saved to humbly serve others. Philippians 2:1-8
Saved to love one another. John 13:31-35
Most people agree that are purpose is ultimately to glorify God.
Psalm 100: 2-3 Serve the Lord with gladness
1 Corinthians 10:31 do all to the glory of God.
Tony Reinke puts it this way, we are to be “spreaders of God’s glory”
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-do-i-exist
With so much information in the Bible about our purpose, why do so many people still struggle to answer basic questions about life’s meaning?
We often don’t know how to attach the bigger purpose that God has for us with the details of our daily like. The big purpose, glorify God, seems unattached with why I go to work on Monday morning. Follow along with our family as we talk about Life 101, and I try to guide our kids as they ask and hopefully learn how to answer these questions! If things work as planned, one show a week will include the whole family and we will work through Life Planning. We started last week so check out that podcast on our website www.runwithhorses.net
Subscribe to the podcast to get all the shows and see how well we do at pursuing God’s purpose for our lives.

Life 101: What is Your Purpose?

How do you decide what to do each day? Life is a series of choices. How do you make them? Join us for a series of lessons on life.
purpose - the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.Examples: "the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee"  deciding they will start saving 10% of their income.principle - a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.Examples: Don't complain, be proactive. Character Is More Important Than ReputationValue - a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.Examples: integrity , honesty, courage, hard-workI will _________for__________by__________.What is most important to you?What do you value most?What are your most important goals?What legacy do you want to leave?What qualities to you possess? 
 
 
 
 
 

Marriage A to Z: Zany

Humor is important in all relationship and especially your marriage!

Who do You Trust?

Find us online at www.runwithhorses.net
Quote of the Day: Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters. - Albert Einstein
The little things matter! To be trustworthy is to pay attention to the details and follow through so other people can rely on you.
Culture and News: About three-in-four Americans (79%) think that a lack of trust is a big problem today.
Accessed Aug. 12, 2022 - https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/07/22/the-state-of-personal-trust/
Why is this such an issue?
Trust is important to us. I want to know that I am safe with you, can I share my true self.
Trust is lacking when I don’t believe you are going to do what you say, or that you have goals or purposes that might hurt me.
The distance between people today is greater than in the past even though we have greater technology and the ability to connect in unprecedented ways, we know each other less well and trust each other even less.
Less time together, no neutral ground to work out relationships details.
Living Theology:
Trust is defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
Like so many things in life, our ability to trust God is closely tied to our understanding of Who God is. Do you see God as kind, loving, working to make you complete and whole? Is God powerful, sovereign and ever vigilant?
Or do you see God as a slightly bigger version of yourself? Distracted, selfish and out to achieve his own purposes with not thought to others?
It is hard to trust a God made in our own image!
The key, like so many times,is to know God well. Spend time in His Word and get to know Him as He reveals Himself. What does He promise? Does He keep His promises?
When you see Him as He is, you see that He is not like us and that He keeps His promises, He has your best interest at heart and to genuinely know Him is to trust Him.
So get to know Him!

Discipling Your Children

Why should you consider it your primary responsibility to disciple your children? You are in the best position to do so! You grow through the process, build a better relationship with your children and become a better disciple maker.
How do you disciple your children? Take advantage of every opportunity that God gives in the midst of a busy life. Make opportunities happen by being intentional as you teach your kids.
 
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Marriage A to Z: Things NOT to do for a Healthy Marriage

We usually focus on the things we need to do to build a healthy marriage, but today Norman runs through a list of things NOT to do if you want a great relationship.