I am a Family MemberThroughout the Bible we see examples of family members who are making the lives of other family members better.Genesis 4:1-10What is your role in the family?From the story1. The purpose of the family is good, and we can still experience good today in our family.2. While we may want to excuse our brokenness by blaming our family, or people in it, we are responsible for ourselves.3. We must learn to allow for, understand and even celebrate our differences as family members.4. Yes, we are our brother's keeper.  We have responsiblity to the other members of our family.5. The strength of our family is dependent on what we bring to the family - especially in the area of faith.

Soul TalkWe spend so much time listening to ourselves, but rarely do we ever talk to ourselves. The Bible records several places where a writer talks to his soul.Psalm 42The Process1. Awareness: How is it with my soul today?2. Asking: Why might it be this way?3. ???4. Action: What soul practice can I incorporate?The missing piece? Soul Talk: What do I need to tell my soul?Soul Talk1. We all talk to ourselves - but really don't pay too much attention.2. Even though these conversations often dictate how we feel and act.3. And we miss the opportunity to bring life / health to our souls.An example:Ps. 421. How was it with his soul?     - He was spiritually dry, emotionally spent and relationally disconnected.     - In summary - he was downcast and disturbed.2. Why?     - Because he had lost focus, and as a result lost hope (and soul health).3. What action did he take?     - Told his soul to hope in God.     - Chose to praise God.

Supporting CastGod created us to be relational, and often the health of our soul is reflected by and/or influenced by the health of our relationships.Matthew 26:36-46So, how is it with your soul today? What to look for in your supporting cast ...1. We need people who offer us their presence.2. We need people who will carry us in prayer.3. We need people to provide us with perspective.4. We need people to make proclamations over us.5. We need people to share their positivity (faith).6. We need people who can contribute power.7. We need people who will be our partners.

Experiencing SufficiencyIt’s not about self-confidence, but about God-confidence. How much do we trust Him? And how much do we believe what He says to us and about us?2 Timothy 1:3-12So, how is it with your soul today?For when your soul feels insecure and inadequate1. Every so often we all need a boost! (vs 3-5)2. Be aware of the unique gifts God has given you. (vs 6)3. Be aware of God's presence in your story. (vs 7)4. Step into fear and uncertainty. (vs 8)5. Don't give people (or circumstances) undeserved power. (vs 8)6. Find your sufficiency and security in Christ. (vs 9-12)

Soul SyncGod made us all to be image-bearers and worshipers, but then he made us unique in those roles So each of us then brings something unique to the world, but also to God.1 Samuel 17:26-40So, how is it with your soul today?In the beginning:1. The man and the woman were created to be image bearers. (Genesis 1:26:27)2. The man and the woman were created to be worshippers. (Genesis 2:15)3. The man and the woman (and everyone who followed) were created uniquely. (Psalm 139:14, 15)The more in sync we are with who God made us to be, the less soul dissonance we will experience.What we can learn from young David:1. Who you are is not determined by what others think or say.2. Looking to your past is a good way to learn about who you are.3. Self-trust is never the goal.4. You'll never be in "soul sync" by trying to be someone you are not.5. Knowing who you are and identifying what your purpose is brings soul wholeness.

Seeking SolaceAny soul can be injured and feel the resulting pain. God knows that, and He offers both healing and comfort.John 11:17-35So, how is it with your soul today? - We tend to look for ways to lessen the pain rather than pursue the path of healing.Help for your wounded soul:1. Dare to go there.2. Allow yourself to hurt and grieve.3. Invite God into your brokenness.4. Lean into His comfort (Psalm 139). - God knows all about you. - God is with you. - God sees you in your darkness. - God has always had - and still has - a purpose for you. - God is constantly thinking about you.5. Be willing to let it go enough to move forward.6. Let others speak into your story. - Jesus can breathe new life into hopeless situations.

Slowing, Silence, and SimplicityA healthy soul is a soul that has learned to slow down the tempo, turn down the noise, and trim down the "important list".Matthew 11:28-30So, how is it with your soul today?Three invitations:1. Come to Me.2. Learn from Me.3. Take on My yoke. - We are weighed down by the demands and expectations of life. - Jesus measured His life by a different standard.Three causes of soul weight:1. The pace of life.2. The noise of life.3. The things of life.Three practices of Jesus that promot soul health:1. The sould pract of slowing.2. The sould practice of silence (and solitude).3. The soul practice of simplicity.

R and RMan was created with physical limitations and must rest--yet we find that so hard to do sometimes.Exodus 20:8-11So, how is it with your soul today?1. God took a Sabbath (Genesis 2:2,3) - The world was created with a rhythm of rest. - We need to recognize that we are rest-based creatures.2. God's people (and animals) are to take Sabbaths (Exodus 20:8-11) - We are to remember it. - We are to keep it holy. - It's for everyone. - It's a special day of blessing. - It's an expression of trust! 3. God's creation was to be given a Sabbath (Leviticus 25:1-5) - Adequate and intentional rest increases productivity.4. God's Son observed the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-27) - Folowing Jesus should involve experiencing rest.Observing the Sabbath1. Schedule it.2. Stop whatever you are doing.3. Rest.4. Sanctify the day.5. Celebrate.

Spiritual HydrationThe key to spiritual hydration is connecting with God. We often are good about reading our Bibles, but fail to experience relationship with God.Mark 1:21-39So, how is it with your sould today?The example of Adam1. Man was created as a whole person.2. Man was created with human limitations.3. Man was created with a thrist mechanism.The example of Jesus1. The reality of life is that we get depleted (dehydrated).2. High expectations + high demands + high need = high depletion.3. Just as important as physical rehydration is spiritual rehydration.4. Spiritual hydration takes place when we connect with God.5. Spiritual hydration should make every part of our life healthier.Hydration Challenge - Big Gulps - Quick Sips 

Me, TwoJesus asked His disciples, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Taking care of yourself is not the same thing as taking care of your soul. Jesus knew what it took to not just protect the soul, but to care for it as well.Matthew 16:24-28So, how is it with your soul today?Observations1. Your soul defines who you are.2. Your soul is of incredible worth.3. Your soul needs to be protected and cared for.4. The condition of your soul is of upmost importance! 5. Taking care of "yourself" is not the same as taking care of your soul.6. Jesus is the greatest example of "soul care".Soul care strategiesAWARENESS - Take fime every day to stop and ask yourself, "How is my soul." - Try to identify why it is in that condition. - Ask God to bring you health and/or healing.