In the end of this unique year (2016) we saw the convergence of three holidays. Hanukkah and Christmas began together with Hanukkah ending on New Years Eve. We call it "New Christmukkah." The word Hanukkah literally means "dedication" and is used in the Bible when the Temple is dedicated and rededicated. As we end one year and begin another (2017) what does it look like to dedicate ourselves to God? Find out in this message Eight Days of Rededication.

Our relationship with our spouse is meant to be the most intimate and unique friendship we experience in this life. When we say “I do”, we are not only committing to loving and trusting our mate above all others but to live sacrificially for them as well. God wants our marriages to mirror the kind grace, patience, fidelity he wants to show towards us! Only when we begin incorporate these elements into our dating and marital relationships will we begin to understand the kind of intimacy God wants to experience with us.

#squadgoals #friendwithbenefits

Our relationship with our spouse is meant to be the most intimate and unique friendship we experience in this life. When we say “I do”, we are not only committing to loving and trusting our mate above all others but to live sacrificially for them as well. God wants our marriages to mirror the kind grace, patience, fidelity he wants to show towards us! Only when we begin incorporate these elements into our dating and marital relationships will we begin to understand the kind of intimacy God wants to experience with us.

#squadgoals #friendwithbenefits

For many of us, the concept of love is difficult to comprehend because we focus on the external qualities of love and ignore the internal. We treat love like a noun. It's an experience that happened, or something that we can get to meet our needs. The reality of love is that it’s not a one-time event or feeling, but instead its an ongoing action. A verb. Understanding God’s unconditional, self-sacrificing and loving nature will help us to grow into people who love God and also help the burdens of others. #eqilibrium

For many of us, the concept of love is difficult to comprehend because we focus on the external qualities of love and ignore the internal. We treat love like a noun. It's an experience that happened, or something that we can get to meet our needs. The reality of love is that it’s not a one-time event or feeling, but instead its an ongoing action. A verb. Understanding God’s unconditional, self-sacrificing and loving nature will help us to grow into people who love God and also help the burdens of others. #eqilibrium

The word godliness often makes us think of God in religious terms. In reality, it is an active state of realtionship, one where the grace he offers us through Yeshua becomes transformational. It changes us, and alters the way we interact with others. Instead of being self focused, we become those who learn to live for God and others. In this state of grace we can experience forgiveness for our sins and learn to forgive others. When we do this, we can experience freedom from the bitterness and strife that happens when we don’t forgive. At the core of godliness and brotherly love is this truth: forgiven people forgive others. #equilibrium

The word godliness often makes us think of God in religious terms. In reality, it is an active state of realtionship, one where the grace he offers us through Yeshua becomes transformational. It changes us, and alters the way we interact with others. Instead of being self focused, we become those who learn to live for God and others. In this state of grace we can experience forgiveness for our sins and learn to forgive others. When we do this, we can experience freedom from the bitterness and strife that happens when we don’t forgive. At the core of godliness and brotherly love is this truth: forgiven people forgive others. #equilibrium

In our “on demand” culture, it has never been easier to quickly gratify our desires. Technology has advanced so rapidly that in minutes we can order food, entertainment, and anything else we want with just a few taps on app and a thumbprint. In our post-modern lives, this causes us to lose sight of self-control and patience. These two elements of our character are usually always in need and in short supply! The good news is that God has given us everything we need to tap into an endless supply of grace that will help us to learn restraint; a key ingredient in becoming the purposeful and productive people God has created us to be!

In our “on demand” culture, it has never been easier to quickly gratify our desires. Technology has advanced so rapidly that in minutes we can order food, entertainment, and anything else we want with just a few taps on app and a thumbprint. In our post-modern lives, this causes us to lose sight of self-control and patience. These two elements of our character are usually always in need and in short supply! The good news is that God has given us everything we need to tap into an endless supply of grace that will help us to learn restraint; a key ingredient in becoming the purposeful and productive people God has created us to be!

Bringing balance to the many competing elements of our lives is challenging, and often leaves us feeling drained mentally, emotionall, physically, and spiritually. Instead of experiencing stability in our lives, we can often feel like we’re destined to expereince constant chaos! The truth is God wants us to experience a state of Equilibirium, a balance between these opposing forces. He wants to do this by empowering our faith with seven key elements of His nature (virtue, knowledge, self control, patience, godliness, brotherly love, and love) so that we can go onto live purposeful and productive lives!