Join us @ COR today as I conclude our "The Walk of Worship" series. Services at 9, 11, 1 & Span @ 4. Info @ http://www.church-redeemer.org
23 hours ago

Grateful

What are you grateful for?  We often spend a lot of time and energy focusing on our pressing needs and prayer concerns and forget about the blessings we have.


We all have challenges and needs, but we also have many reasons for gratitude.  The key to thanking is thinking.  Taking the time to count our blessings is a very important part of our spiritual and emotional health.  It is also good for our relationships with others.


This week my wife and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary.  I am grateful for a wife who has demonstrated her love and commitment to me for 31 years!  She truly is a wonderful blessing in so many ways.  As the Bible says:


“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies.  Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.”  — Proverbs 31:10, 11 (NLT)


Who or what are you grateful for?


Pastor Dale

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Relating

On Memorial Day my wife and I pulled out and filled our little vinyl swimming pool for the two grandchildren.  Here are pictures of our 7 month old grand-daughter, Jadyn, having a great time splashing around in the water.  It was so much fun watching her enjoy herself in the simplest ways.  Her pleasure brought us pleasure!

We followed up the pool experience with some good food and a refreshing time just hanging out with our family and some of our staff.  Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, nothing planned, just being together, talking and enjoying one another.  Just “relating.”

Reflecting on yesterday’s time with some of the important people in our lives, reminded me that the essence of relationships is “relating.”  The word “relate” comes from a mid 16th century Latin word meaning “to bring back.”

It is interesting that the experience of “relating,” as we think of it today, is all about bringing people back together, after short or long periods of time apart, for the purpose of re-connecting, catching up, and communicating with each other.  As simple as it is, it is also powerful and necessary.

In the busyness of life, we all need to take time to “relate.”  It is one of things we really cannot do without!

Pastor Dale
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Joy-filled People and Places

This weekend we kick off our new sermon series on the book of Philippians titled “JOYFULL.”I truly believe that the most joyous places on planet earth should be local churches and the most joyous people should be Christian believers. The book of Philippians is known as the “letter of joy.” In the pages of this four chapter book we find key truths and principles that, when lived out, make church a joyous place and Christian believers joyous people.

This weekend we will be studying Philippians 1:3-11. In this passage we see some amazing things about the joy Paul possessed. Although he was incarcerated by the Roman government when he wrote this letter, he had a perspective of God, life and others that lifted his spirits and kept him strong.

As we get ready to study together, I would encourage you to take some time to read a few background verses that show us the beginnings of the church at Philippi and why Paul felt the way he did about them. Take a look at:

Acts 16

I am praying that, through this series God will increase the level of joy in our individual lives and families and in our church family. Don’t miss it!

Saturdays @ 5 and 7pm

Sundays @ 9, 11am and 1pm

Make sure and invite a friend. I am looking forward to seeing you!

Pastor Dale

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Valuables and Assets

What is valuable to you?  What are your greatest assets?

A “valuable” is something we consider to have great worth — something we highly esteem and seek to protect, something we give top priority to and hold as extremely important.

An “asset” is a resource for meeting needs or accomplishing goals.  The word comes from an old French term which means “enough or satisfied.”  Based on this definition, an asset is something that gives us a sense of security and satisfaction about our life.  It is something that gives us meaning and worth.  It is something we hold on to for identity — the thing or things that make us feel like we are “enough.”

Many people think of valuables and assets as “stuff” — the material things they possess, their net worth on a balance sheet, their jewelry, automobiles, antiques or collectibles.  The security and self-worth of many folks are built on these temporal things.  Sadly and ironically, when this is our mindset we live with a nagging drive to get more — enough stuff is never enough to completely secure and satisfy us.

The really valuable things in life are not things at all.  Our real assets are not material or measurable on a balance sheet.  The most valuable things in life and the greatest assets in life are relationships — our relationship with God and our relationships with people.

When I think of what is really valuable to me, when I measure the real assets of my life, I first think of Jesus and my personal relationship with Him.  I think of my wonderful wife and family.  I think of my church family and the friends God has given me.  These relationships are what make my life truly secure and satisfying.

When Paul wrote a letter to his fellow believers in the church at Philippi, he was a Roman prisoner, incarcerated for preaching the Gospel.  When all material things had been stripped from him we see what he truly valued — what he considered to be his real assets.  Listen to what he said to his friends:

Philippians 1:7, 8 (NLT)  “It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News.  God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
Paul knew that life is all about relationships — our relationship with God and others.Take some time this week to let the people you value know how much you love and appreciate them.  Write an encouraging note, send an affirming email, make an appreciative phone call.  Join me in celebrating our most valuable asset — relationships!

Pastor Dale

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Lessons From The Stairs

A week or so ago my wife and I babysat our 18 month old grandson Elijah at our home.  Over the last few months he had discovered our staircase.  On this particular evening the stairs became his preoccupation.  Repeatedly and tirelessly he went up and down the steps on his hands, knees and bottom, celebrating his successes with enthusiastic hand clapping and gibberish with the completion of each round.

What he didn’t realize was that his successes were dependent on me guarding and guiding him in the process.  Without me present, his ascents and descents would have been dangerous and perhaps even disastrous.  But because I was there with him, intervening when his safety required it, he gained confidence and skills, and experienced the joy of achievement.  I helped make his successes possible.  He thought it was all him, but I was his silent, secret partner; his loving helper.  We did the stairs together, but he enjoyed and celebrated the triumphs.

There are some lessons for us from my stair experience with Elijah.

Whatever is happening in your life right now, remember that God is with you, surrounding and supporting you, guiding and guarding you, making your way successful.  Know that, even when you cannot see Him or feel Him, He is present.  He is your Partner, your Helper –– the One who is behind your successes –– the source of your triumphs!

Pastor Dale

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