We like to praise God or just thank Him. We have an opportunity to share praises in our church services and we encourage praising God in your daily family prayer time. It is good to praise God.

I praise God for the beautiful roses blooming at my home and at our church. Last year I saw a small plant (12 inches) in the yard at home that looked like a crepe myrtle (apparently came up from a seed). It was not in a good place for a crepe myrtle, as they can grow very tall. I moved it to a better location and I praise God that it survived one of the coldest winters on record and has new leaves just like the big ones (over 12 feet) in my yard.

Recently I had to go downtown twice. The first time I went where there are hundreds of parking meters and none were available (I am so used to finding parking spots close to the door that I was questioning if God wanted me there) so I parked in a lot where you pay. I was 45 minutes early for my appointment and they saw me immediately and when I got back to my car, praise God, there was no charge because I was under the 30-minute time frame. Yes, God has provided me with enough money to pay for parking but He knows I am thrifty. The second time I went, I knew I might be a while and this time there was a spot near where I was going in the large parking meter area. As I was getting ready to pull in I realized that I needed to back up and there was a large pick up pulling out that appear to not see me, so I pulled forward to not get hit. Then I decided since the pick up was bigger than my vehicle I would use his spot. Out of the hundreds of parking meters, this spot had the meter removed temporarily, so again I praised God and parked free.

For years I have figured our own taxes and I am sure I have made some mistakes. Fortunately, when I have been audited there were no mistakes. Recently I received a letter from IRS saying that I had overlooked using a new form and that I was going to receive back hundreds of dollars more than I expected and telling which form to use in the future - PRAISE GOD. We always tithe on our refunds (which usually is on money that has been tithed on initially) but this time the tithe will have greater meaning. God is Awesome!

To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop

On March 22, 2006, a pastor and his wife in Tennessee were having a discussion concerning one of their three children. Apparently they had difficulty in communication in their marriage. To get him to talk to her, she pointed a shotgun at him. Later she said, "I intended to hold my husband at gunpoint to force him to talk about his problems with our…". The gun accidentally went off and he was killed. (note; she has served some jail time and is out and has regained custody of their children) My point in sharing this is that calling time out and using the Speaker Listener Technique is a better way to communicate than pointing a shotgun at your spouse.

Research has shown that over 80% of the people who have affairs say it is "not about sex" and it is "not about the physical appearance" of the other person. It is about companionship, acceptance, friendship, feeling good about your self, being appreciated, being admired, etc. Jesus says "Treat others as you want them to treat you." Lk 6:31 (TL) The companionship, acceptance, friendship, feeling good about your self, being appreciated, being admired, etc. that we all like and need should come from you for your spouse, not from a co-worker or a stranger.

The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mark 10:27 NIV). Obviously it is not wise to try to force your spouse to talk to you. Jesus says, "Treat others as you want them to treat you." Lk 6:31 (TLB) The companionship, acceptance, friendship, feeling good about your self, being appreciated, being admired, etc. that we all like and need should come from you for your spouse, not from a co-worker or a stranger. You have a better chance of improving your marriage with kindness than with meanness.

A Psalm for reflection "I have not neglected Your instructions, because You Yourself are my teacher." Psalm 119:102 (TEV)

Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote). For those who prefer not to take the time to look up a scripture, click on the underlined hyper link to read the scripture. Example, click here for a teaching about love.

Throughout the history of Christianity people have frequently asked the question what would Jesus do? In the 1990's the question became so popular, that the initials WWJD standing for "What Would Jesus Do?", were understood without spelling out the words. The question is easily answered when we view the historical life of Jesus as a human being without the confusion of church or religious doctrines or interpretations. Simply read the historical words of the bible the way they are written.

THE PRIMARY ANSWER TO "WWJD?" IS SEEK GOD'S ADVICE AND OBEY HIM! Jesus tells us that God told Him "what to say" and what to "do" 1. We know Jesus frequently sought guidance by talking to God or praying. Jesus was praying all night2 before choosing the 12 apostles. This best example of being willing to obey God is, after Jesus asked God to help Him avoid unpleasant arrest and crucifixion, He stated, "not My will, but Yours be done"3.

WWJD? When prayers are not answered immediately, Jesus teaches that we should persist in prayer4. Jesus tells us to "continue to ask…" (note: Jesus spoke Hebrew which was translated/recorded in Koine Greek, with the primary Lexicon being the Septuagint- the Greek tense of verb to "ask" requires on going action so the best translation into English requires another word like "continue") and Jesus follows what He teaches as we find Him asking God three times if He could avoid unpleasant arrest and crucifixion5. Jesus does what He teaches.

WWJD? Jesus teaches that "until heaven and earth disappear" the law will not change. It was Jesus' custom was to do go to church (the Synagogue) weekly6. Yet, when confronted with legalism concerning the law, Jesus stated, "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath", which apparently allowed the early Christians to feel comfortable meeting on the first day of the week or Sunday also called the Lord' Day in reference to that being the day Jesus rose from the dead7.

WWJD? Jesus teaches us to "forgive" others and when Jesus was being crucified we find Him saying " Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"8 . Jesus does what He teaches.

WWJD? Jesus teaches us not to "worry" and one time He was sleeping on a boat during a storm and His followers woke Him saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus was not worried9. Jesus does what He teaches.

WWJD? Jesus looked to God for guidance and Jesus made sincere effort to lead people to look to God for guidance. When Jesus taught His followers to pray it starts "Our Father in heaven…". Jesus stated, "…Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only" 10. Although we are not certain how Jesus did it, frequently when He healed someone, everyone seemed to realize that the healing came from God and praised God for the healing. An example, Jesus spoke healing for a blind man and "Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God" A possible insight is just before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead He spoke to God so everyone would hear Him and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me"11.

WWJD? Jesus does what God tells Him to say and do1 and Jesus does what He teaches. If you read what Jesus teaches, which is in red letters in many bibles, you will know what He would do.

"God, thank You for sending Your son Jesus and for guiding Him in everything He says and does. Help us to follow Jesus example in our lives. Thank You in Jesus name, amen."

11. Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 7:11-16; 13:10-13; 17:11-19; 18:35-43; John 11:41-42(NIV)

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