'Twas the day before Thanksgiving ... Eight thoughts about Thanksgiving

1. Thanksgiving seems to have become more “Family & Friends” based than any other holiday. The Murphy agenda revolves around Family, Food, and Football. Take the time to build relationships and memories…sit at the table a little longer…do a fun family outing like going for a walk after everyone’s eaten way too much:)
2. Speaking of memories…as I’ve talked to my boys about our annual Thanksgiving traditions, it is the LITTLE THINGS that they remember most! Dear Mom and Dad, don’t fret over the table cloth being perfect (nobody remembers a week later!!!) What kids and families do remember is time spent together!
3. Ok, now I’m on a roll…when you get together with extended family, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. You do not need to make it your personal project to explain why you voted the way you did in the presidential election and why they should have voted the same:) People are not argued into a relationship with Christ; they are loved and served into a relationship.
4. For some, this will be the first Thanksgiving since the loss of a dear loved one/family member. Give yourself permission to grieve. How grief works is a funny thing. I’ve often said it reminds me of ocean waves…a happy thought or memory…followed by a wave of sadness…followed by another great memory. Remember, death can never steal those great memories. I will be praying for you this Thanksgiving Day. YOU WILL MAKE IT.
5. I like pecan and pumpkin pie…in moderation of course:)
6. I can laugh at friends who get up at 3am to stand in long lines in order to save $50 on a purchase.
7. High school basketball season is right around the corner (my oldest son’s team is very young…it could be a long season, but I still love it)
8. Two days after Thanksgiving I get to teach the wrap up to our series on personal finance. GIVING THANKS is at the heart of a life well lived in obedience to the author / owner / source of life.

Psalm 106:1 (NLT)

Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

 

See you this weekend,

Pastor Ken

Don't miss week 3...boosting the power of personal finance

Have you ever opened the refrigerator door and stared inside?  Have you ever flipped a light switch and when it didn’t turn on, you flipped it again?  Have you ever heard the quote, “Money is Power?”

Food does not “magically” appear in the refrigerator, nor does electricity exist in the switch.  If the “Money is Power” quote is true, then money would allow you to buy happiness, peace, and fulfillment in life…but it can’t.  This week, we are looking at a story where Christ tells us, “The quality of our life and our power for truly living will never consist in the abundance of our stuff.”

Week 3 … boosting the power of personal finance = How do we harness, or tap into, POWER for living from an economic standpoint?

See you soon,

Pastor Ken

Opportunity...

Recently, I’ve been thinking about OPPORTUNITY.  I saw on Facebook where a college roommate of mine (from Oral Roberts University) lost his dad yesterday.  His post described the pain and loss and then, he said, “Tell someone you love them while you still have the opportunity.”

I just finished a business meeting where “opportunities” were discussed for the next wave of ministry and influence, for Christ, through Cypress Church.  I was invited to this meeting by a friend of mine who wanted to share information about an “opportunity.” 

My wife, Serena, was telling me last night about one of those rare, but incredibly rewarding, “life discussions” she had with one of our sons.  She sensed he was ready to talk about stuff and she put aside the housework to take advantage of the “opportunity” to connect with him on a deeper level.

I’m reminded of the verse in Galatians 6:9-10…
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Opportunity involves two basic aspects:

1.     Looking for moments to advance the cause near and dear to your heart

2.     Taking a step of action

As we approach the season of Giving Thanks and the Celebration of Christmas, let me encourage you to do a couple of things:

1.     Don’t become so busy with the meaningless details that you miss the opportunity to connect with Christ and others on a deeper level.

2.     Cultivate opportunities to extend simple invitations to friends to experience Cypress…so they may experience Christ in the coming weeks.

What an opportunity!
Pastor Ken

Are you living on "The $ Cliff" ...

Living on the Edge of a Fiscal Cliff

In recent days (post election), it seems our nation’s impending “Fiscal Cliff” is all over the news. January 1 is a rather important date for our nation, financially; a tremendous amount of work needs to be accomplished in Washington before then. Our future financial lives (and our kids’ and grandkids’) will be impacted, one way or another, based on decisions made in our nation’s capital.

All of us live with financial pressure. Statistics show that now, more than any other time in history, there are more Americans living on “The $ Cliff” or “hanging on by a thread,” as they feel themselves sliding over the edge. It is interesting that scripture focuses so much on teaching followers of Christ how to handle money and the “stuff” of this life.

This weekend, we continue our series by diving into a curious story found in Luke 16:10-15. 

If you are looking for perspective, reinforcement, or direction on living with financial pressure, according to God’s plan…do not miss this weekend.

I believe there will be lives and families transformed because of their response to the Truth of Scripture and the Presence of the Lord!
See you this weekend,

Pastor Ken

What's talked about MORE THAN faith and prayer?

There will always be unlimited opportunities to invest limited resources, which create tension to be managed in life. Husbands and wives rank financial tension as the number one topic for arguments.

Let me ask a question... Why is it that scripture talks about economics, finances, and how we think and interact with the stuff of this world MORE THAN faith and prayer? I believe part of the answer is because Christ knows one of the strongest bonds in all the world is the bond between one’s bank account and one’s heart and mind.

For the next four weeks, we will be looking to scripture to SUPER CHARGE our personal finances, according to principles, from the One who created all that is.

See you this weekend,
Pastor Ken

PS. For those who like to read ahead…check out Luke 16:1-15.