Revolutionizing Relationships

1. Faith begins and sustains our walk with God

2. Spiritual gifts should minister to others- not just myself

3. Find Freedom in letting go of Revenge




Common Mistakes we make in relationships

1. Isolate yourself from other Christians

Believers Beware- We are called to Make a Difference

1. We are called to make a difference

2. Great things will happen but hardship will occur

3. Impact unbelieving friends more than they impact you

4. Distance yourself from someone who is defiant to God-but continue to pray for them

5.  Pray for the defiantly rebellious

6. Be bold for Christ no matter what the circumstances.

Ways to Forget the Past

Some Ideas on how to forget the past when satan tries to bring it back up to hinder our spiritual growth.


1. Power of confession- confess our sins, for God will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness

2. Satan is the one who brings up passed mistakes- pray to God to help you take all of these thoughts captive

3. Don't assume you know what others are thinking about you and your past and worry about that.  If you have confessed your sin to God, it is already forgiven.  You no longer have to carry that burden.

4. Take all unbiblical thoughts captive

5. Make the most of every opportunity that is given to you by God.

6. Do not sideline yourself because of past guilt

Finishing Well

Thoughts about how to finish the race well.



1. God is our True and Ever Present accountability Partner

2. Do EVERYTHING for the Glory of God- either at work, school, or at home

3. God will allow opportunities for introverts to share the Gospel- look for the opportunities

4. Practice Self inspection over Self absorption

5. Choose Endurance over ease- endure the suffering that may come your way.

6. Plant the gospel seeds over worrying about popularity or being accepted

7.  Faithfully serve others instead of worrying about being served

8. Seek eternal approval over temporal approval

What Love has to do with It

Marriage- is a total life commitment of an imperfect man to an imperfect woman empowered by a perfect God that leads to relational oneness


1. Do Marriage God's way- don't follow the world's ways

2. Put faith and trust in Christ and obey Christ and it will change your marriage and your life

3. My desire should be that my wife Loves Christ more than she loves me

4. Need a teachable heart to change

5. Unconditional Love is a key to having a Christ centered marriage.


For more on having a Christ centered marriage, Read 1 Cor. 13

Marriage: What are a Husband and Wife to Do

From the sermon by Mel Svendsen

Here are some thoughts on how to have a God pleasing marriage

1. Men and women have equal value.

2. Men lead with a sacrificial servant's heart

3. Love like Christ- put away all selfishness

4. Husbands should pursue their wife

5. Husbands need to nourish their wife (build her up and cherish her forever)

6. Pray for your Spouse daily

7. Pray for Family and pray with your kids

8. Fill Home with Christian music

9.  Have family devotions

10. Look for teachable moments in the house

11. Have family values and make them known to your kids

12. Write notes of encouragement for spouse and kids.

Marriage: Resolving Conflicts in Marriage

Mel Svendsen's sermon on Marriage

How to Resolve Conflicts in Marriage


1. You must be willing to forgive
             a. Forgiveness does not depend on the sin, but on the amount of Love you have

2. Listen when your spouse brings up your shortcomings

3. Have a spirit of self control

4. Quick to hear and slow to speak

5. Attitude of Humility

6. Have a humble attitude about my shortcomings- create an attitude of Love

7. Avoid words "always" and "never"

8. Don't bring up hurts from the past- Love and forgiveness forget the past

9. Goal should be restoration when spouses have an argument

10. Be willing to change and become more like Christ

11. Follow through on a solution that will draw you closer to God and closer to your spouse

Marriage: Constructive Communication

Communication is a key in Marriage, here are some ideas to help in communicating with your spouse (Ideas come from a sermon by Mel Svendsen).



1. Allow the Lordship of Christ to guide your Communication

2. Give quality Time to Family

3. Lead the problem solving

4. Pursue your wife

5. Believe with God's help you can change for the better

6. Keep your eyes on the prize, a great marriage is possible

7. Work on becoming a great listener

8. Express your expectations to your wife

9.  Don't respond angrily to a mean comment, but respond in love

10. Be thankful, Kind, and Positive

11. The more I invest in marriage, the more I will receive

Marriage: What Does Love Look Like

This blog goes with the sermon by the same name by Mel Svendsen. 

1. Love is Patient- Refuses to get revenge or explode.

2. Love admits to spouse that I will work on my weaknesses to make our marriage stronger.

3. Love is always kind to your spouse

4. Don't use "You always" or "You never" when having a discussion or argument with your spouse.  

Highly Effective Families

This post goes along with one of Mel Svendsen's sermons by the same name.


Highly Effective Families do the following:

1. Christ is your foundation and permeates your life
              a. Lift up Christ at your Home
              b. Strive for consistency-Live it out

2. Core beliefs and values are proactively taught- don't wait for something to go wrong, teach God's word and learn it before trials arise.

3. Family gatherings and activities are a priority
            a. be intentional
            b Make time for both my wife and kids

4. Life at home is engaging and interactive
            a. Christianity is interactive in the home

5. Love and Affirmation are appropriately and freely given
            a. Seven positive statements are needed to overcome One negative statement

6. Everyone shares responsibilities in the Home

7. Children are disciplined with Love and Limits


Ways Parents Provoke Kids

1. Refuse to admit mistakes
2. Be Distant (work becomes more important than kids)
3. Inconsistent discipline