Vital to every relationship is communication. One of the biggest and most common breakdowns in relationships is communication. In virtually every arena in life, success is based on good communication. Whether it is an army in battle, parents raising a child, a teacher teaching a class, an airplane with the tower, a quarterback in a huddle, a businessman with a client, a surgeon, a pastor, whatever…good communication is vital!

Here are 6 steps to good communication.

Thinking of the word “ladder” will help you remember these steps.

L -look at the person speaking to you.

A -ask questions.

D -don’t interrupt.

D -don’t change the subject.

E -empathize. (try to understand and share their feelings)

R -respond verbally and non-verbally.

Grace & peace!

Sometimes when you walk through the food court at the mall or round the aisle at the grocery store, there are people there holding out a sample of some food. I have actually heard of some people that will go to the store just to eat some samples and not to do any shopping. And while the food might be good and you just might discover a new favorite, their effort is in fact to sell you something. It’s fun nonetheless.

However, God has set up shop and is offering you a sample of something that is life-giving, life-changing and if you try it, it is bound to be your favorite and you’ll wonder why and how you got along without it! Further, He’s not trying to sell you anything. He’s trying to get something to you!

Psalm 34:8a says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is God…” I love it in the Message Bible! “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see – how good God is.” This not only speaks of His presence but also of His Word!

David also said, “Oh, how I love Your law (Word)! It is my meditation all the day.” (Ps.119:97) “How sweet are Your words to my taste. Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps.119:103)

Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Set apart a little time. Get a Bible that you can understand. (New King James, The Message, New Living Translation, New International, to name a few.) Start with a Proverb for the day. Read some from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and follow Jesus around. Read from the New Testament Epistles, which are instructions for us New Testament, born-again, Spirit-filled believers.

There are apps you can get for your phone that are great! Some are complete with a Bible reading plan. (YouVersion from LifeChurch.tv is good one.)

So…let me encourage you to taste and see! You won’t be disappointed!

Grace & peace!

I know that you have heard me say this over and over, but we need to “thank God for what we have and trust God for what we need!” Sometimes we hear principles like this and we agree mentally and it rings true in our hearts…but then we never actually do it!

Years ago I heard this quote from Dr.Edwin Louis Cole, “Don’t make the lethal mistake of thinking that just because you know something that you are doing it!” Wow…let that one sink in! James put it this way, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (1:22)

So let me challenge you today, to first of all, actively thank God for what you have! Think about it…come with at least 4 or 5 things that you are thankful to God for. But then again, 4 or 5, how about 10 or 12? And remember, don’t just think your thanks! You will begin to feel gratitude and faith rise inside! You’ll begin to clearly see how present and faithful God is to you!

Now, having taken a fresh look at God’s faithfulness and provision in your life, trust God for what you need! I believe that trust also is not silent. When you are trusting God you should tell Him, “Lord, I am trusting You to help me with this…to meet this need…to work in this situation…!” Trusting God releases Him to do the unexplainable, supernatural in your life and situation! And then before you know it, what you were trusting God for is now in the other column where you are thanking Him for doing it!

So again, actively take the time to articulate to God what you are trusting Him for. Let Him know that you can’t do this on your own, or you would have already done it. Let Him know that you are looking to Him as your Source and Help!

I sure use a lot of exclamation marks!!!

Grace & peace!

I know that it has been a while since I have blogged. There are many reasons, lots of excuses and a commitment to post much more often!

Meadowbrook Christmas Live ‘09 was the best ever! I hope that you were able to attend. If not…good news…you can watch it on our website! And if you were able to attend, you can watch it again and share it with friends and family anywhere in the world. Simply click on the Meadowbrook Christmas Live icon on our homepage. It is due to be up soon…if not today!

Also, make sure to check out our family Christmas pictures on the home page. Last Sunday, our family passed out our annual Christmas card with picture. If you weren’t here or for some reason didn’t get yours, just stop by guest services the next time you are here.

I love this avenue to be able to share with you my heart, thoughts, events, humor and bits of my life. Please know that in the new year my blog will be updated much more frequently. And that is more than just a New Year’s resolution! 

From my house to yours…Merry Christmas! Celebrate the entrance of our Savior! Eat, sing, smile, give and receive, turn on the lights, and in every way fitting of our Savior…celebrate!!! Let’s enter this new year with hope and full expectation that we will see the goodness of the Lord and the greatness of our God in the land of the living!

Grace & peace!