James 1:19, 20, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.” Ephesians 4:15, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up in the likeness of him who is the head, that is Christ.” I don’t speak about my father often because I didn’t know him well. He died when I was just 19 years old. That was more years than he had with his father. His dad left him, his older brother, and his mom when he was two. So, he grew up without a dad in the home. He grew up in east Alabama during the Great Depression. So, when he graduate

Healthy Relationships – Welcome to the community of the Trinity - Chapter 11, “How’s your verbal filter?” James 1:19, 20, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” What were the most outrageous words you ever heard another individual speak in person? My experience goes back 45 years to my junior year in high school. So, you know it had to be memorable! A friend of mine, a fellow member of the golf team, and I were in English class. Our teacher was Jewish. And my friend didn’t have the best relationship with her (I guess he didn’t care m

James 1:19, 20, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” They used to administer hearing tests in elementary schools. Teachers were desperate to determine if their students had hearing problems or if they just needed to learn how to listen. How about you? Are you a good listener? I’ve always thought that I was. A big part of my job (being a teacher of God’s word) involves listening to God and to his children. But when my mom came to live nearby, and as her health waned, I discovered that my listening skills weren’t as strong as I thought th

Matthew 18:21, 22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive by brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” It’s been said that there are three key factors involved in the desirability and swift sale of a property…. Location, location, location! Billy Graham was fond of saying that there are three key factors involved in conducting a successful revival….prayer, prayer, and prayer! In this chapter we consider the three key factors which are at the heart of hea

“Good fences make good relationships.” Ephesians 5:15-20, “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Do you have a fence on your property? Joni and I walk around our neighborhood often and we see lots of different fences. Stone walls, plastic privacy f