Shepherd's Garage

# 1 of a series as I take a look at Melissa Dougherty's book called, "Happy Lies."

How do we live among those who do not believe?  First, we make sure that we have our own house in order.  We need to hold each other to a high standard and then we can walk more confidently among those who do not believe.

As Christians how do we have conversations with those who do not believe.  We start first with the understandng that if we have the Holy Spirit we have been given a gift to help us understand spiritual truths.

To be a good father one needs to be a man of integrity.

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." ESV Colossians 4:5-6

How do we live among and talk to those who do not share our faith?  This is the beginning of a series that addresses how we can live and talk about what we believe in ways that are wise, gracious and seasoned with salt.  Main point today:  It matters how we act and how we talk if we want to be heard.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  These famous words delivered by Joshua so many years ago are words we still need to hear today.  In fact every choice we make matters, but there are some fundamental choices that determine all else.

It's the fool who is not afraid of anything.  Fear of God is the the beginning of wisdom.

It's Mother's Day and I want to look at a "bitter" mother.  Naomi had a lot of reasons to be bitter.  Life had not worked out for her.  She said her name was now Mara, which means bitter.  Yet through her life and story God was at work and I would like to image that at the end when someone called her Mara she corrected them and said, "You can call me Naomi."  She was no longer the bitter one.

Practice generosity.  This means with more than just your money.  How else can we be generous?  Let's explore.

We should be consistent and steadfast in our prayers.  We also need to be watchful.  How can we be more watchful in our prayers and what difference does it make?