Yes we are Gathering for Worship as if 4 PM Saturday

Watch this video and check your inbox in the morning to double check. We'll email before 9 AM if we are not having worship. As of now we are ON!

Can't wait to share some powerful ideas about how to bring peace to your relationships tomorrow.

(download)

Phoschurch.com

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Love Language Minute: How Far Do You Fall in Love?

If you ever think you'll fall in love or would like to [or have in the past] please read this.  AND, sign up to receive this newsletter directly!  This is great stuff for your marriage.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dr. Gary Chapman <info@5lovelanguages.com>
Date: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Subject: Love Language Minute: How Far Do You Fall in Love?

header
5LL gift cover
Conference Dates:

February 12, 2011
ClearCreek Baptist Assosiation

608 S Main St.
Anna, IL 62906

February 26, 2011
Christian Family Centre
1800 West US 223
Adrian, MI 49221


5LL-Logo

profiles-logo

LLM-Logo

Join Our Mailing List
How Far Do You Fall in Love?
The Other Stuff
Janice bounced into my office and said, "I'm getting married." "To whom and when?" I asked. "To David Brown in September," she said. "How long have you been dating?"   "Three weeks. I know it's crazy. I can't believe it myself, but I know David is the one for me." 

Later, I discovered that David had been married twice before, had three children, and had lost three jobs in the past year. None of this seemed to phase Janice. "I'm so happy, she said. " I have never been this happy before." Janice is in for a rude awakening. Two years later she was back in my office saying, "I think I've made a big mistake." What Janice illustrates is that "falling in love" is not the foundation for marriage. Better check out "the other stuff." 

Falling in Love
Falling in love is a euphoric experience. We become emotionally obsessed with each other. We wake up thinking about them. All day long they are on our minds. The person who is in love has the illusion that his beloved is perfect. Her mother can see his flaws, but she can't. His friends will say, "Have you considered.....?" But he hasn't and he won't because he is in love. 

What no one has told us is that this euphoric experience is temporary. We have been led to believe that if we are really "in love" it will last forever. The fact is, it will last for about 2 years. Then you will realize that what your mother said was true. What your friends tried to tell you was real. Why can't we listen before we leap? Family and friends are God's gift. Accept the gift. 

The Illusion
The euphoric experience of "falling in love" gives us the illusion that we have an intimate relationship. We feel that we belong to each other. We feel altruistic toward each other. One young man said "I can't conceive of doing anything to hurt her. My only desire is to make her happy." He believes also that she will make him happy.

Such thinking is fanciful. Not that we are insincere in what we think and feel, but we are unrealistic. We fail to reckon with the reality of human nature. By nature, we are egocentric. Once we come down off the high we begin to assert ourselves. Without the help of God, marriage will become a battlefield. It's time to pray. 

Is It Love?
Some researchers have concluded that what we call "falling in love" is not love at all. For three reasons:

  1. Falling in love is not an act of the will or conscious choice. It just happens to you.
  2. Falling in love is effortless. We do outlandish things with no effort at all.
  3. The in-love experience does not encourage us to help the other person grow. We view them as perfect; no need for growth. 
In the Bible, real love is a choice, requires effort, and seeks the well-being of the other. It may start with euphoric feelings, but when these fall aside, real love will continue. Real love doesn't walk away when the feelings subside. Real love is the foundation for life-long positive relationships.   

Love is a Choice
We are emotional creatures and one of our deepest emotional needs is the need to feel loved. When we "fall in love" we think we have found the answer. It is heavenly while it lasts. Our mistake is in thinking that it will last forever. It was not meant to last forever. It is only the introduction to the book. The heart of the book is a love that is far more rational, and volitional. 

This is good news for those who have lost the "in love" obsession, and are back in the real world. Now you can choose daily to do something that will be helpful to your spouse. To give them affirming words and tender touches. To buy them a small gift and to look into their eyes and say, "I love you." When you do these things, warm feelings return. Learning to speak the love language of your spouse is one way to make the choice to love.

If you don't know your spouse's love language, direct him/her to visit 5lovelanguages.com and take the love language assessment. Then, ask them to share with you the results. If you make the choice to speak his/her primary love language frequently and often, you will soon notice changes for the better. Love is a choice.

Adapted from The 5 Love Languages® by Dr. Gary Chapman. Share your questions, thoughts insights, or comments by joining the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/5lovelanguages

Saturday, December 4: "One of Us Must Be Crazy, Part 1"
Building Relationships Radio
 Crazy cover

This edition of Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman is first installment of a two part series with authors and speakers, Tim and Joy Downs. In their book, One of Us Must Be Crazy, and I'm Pretty Sure It's You, they help make sense of the differences that divide couples. If you find yourself having the same arguments time after time, don't miss this episode.


Featured Resource:
One of Us Must Be Crazy, and I'm Pretty Sure It's You by Tim and Joy Downs

Tune in to Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, the weekly radio broadcast brought to you by Moody Radio and Moody Publishers. Listen live online Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. CST at moodyradio.org, check your local radio station, or download free podcasts and get more information.


Follow us on Twitter    Find us on Facebook

View an archive of past emails.  Give your feedback.
© 2010 Moody Publishers

Forward this issue

RSS Feed

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Don't miss this opportunity to serve with Phos this Christmas

Oldham County Christmas Baskets
Join Phos on December 13 as we serve alongside the S.O. Inter Church Council, and put together Christmas food baskets for families in Oldham County.  
We will meet at the old Walmart building in Crestwood Station @ 5:45 PM.  Bring a can good and/or $1.00 donation with you.   
Sign-up in the lobby @ church on Sunday or email Meredith@phoschurch.com.
Posted by camnoah1
 

Will I do the Hard Things that Bring Peace this Christmas?

I'm a bumper sticker fan and one of my favs encourages me to 'Visualize Whirled Peas'.  (a spin off of 'visualize world peace)

We're in the Second Sunday of Advent this week and it's about Peace and how peace came into the world through Christ.  

Jesus' birth was not gonna be an easy ride for Joseph who was engaged to be married to Mary who was pregnant with God's son via a divine conception.  This week we'll learn how Joseph 'did the hard things' to become a fantastic example of a man willing to 'do the hard things' to bring peace in his relationships with God and others and ultimately to be a fantastic earthly step-father for JESUS.  Most of us aren't all that concerned with world peace, but we'd sure like to have peace in our marriages, in our homes and in the relationships that matter most to us this Christmas.  You'll learn how to stop the 'crazy cycle' of unloving behavior and dis-respect as we learn from Joseph and Mary on their journey to do God's will.  

If you're really ready to bring some peace to your significant relationships by Christmas then pick up a copy of Love & Respect by Eggerich and dig in.  

Check out the Message Images attached and read over the scriptures prayerfully and ask God to show you how to bring peace to the relationships in your life this Christmas.

(download)

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Pray for Kristen's Mom

Hey Jeff,

Can you shoot an email to everyone for
prayers for my mom?  She had been having chest pains (that she didn't tell
anyone about) for several months and finally went to the dr. where she is now
scheduled to have at least a triple by-pass on Friday.  He said she was
lucky to have come in when she did, that more than likely she would've had a
massive heart attack within a month.

btw:  her name is
Betty.

Thanks

Kristin Anliker

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Weekly Phos "Need to Know"

Weekly 
PHOS "Need to Know"
 
1. ALL - The Divine Invasion 
- t
his Sunday, December 5 @ 10 AM @ OCHS.
  To prepare, read Matthew 1.  
 
 
 
2. ALL - Charleston 2011 - Sunday through Saturday, June 19 - 25, 2011.  Mark your calendar and plan to make your first deposit by this Sunday.  More info. 

3. WOMEN - Girls Night Out - Wednesday, December 15 @ 7:00 PM. Fellowship and Cookie Exchange.  
More Info.

3. 
ALL - 
Turn Intentions into Action with Online Giving 
 
More info.

 Read about 10 reasons you want to go to Charleston, Girls Night Out, the new Narnia movie, & prayer requests on the Phos News Blog.
 
Click below to learn more about:
 
  WORSHIP          GO         GROUPS  
<Worship-logo-web.jpg>   <Go-logo-web.jpg>    <Groups-logo-web.jpg>
 
Hope to see you this Sunday!

Phos Church

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Three Gifts and a bonus for the Ladies of Phos at Christmas....

Ladies of Phos,  (please pass this along to friends who may be interested, thanks.)

1.  This Sunday will be a Christmas message that you definitely want your man to hear.... just get him there.  [Bribery is suggested if necessary]  
2.  The Women's Night Out for Christmas 2010 is coming up on Wed Dec 15 --details are here.
3.  I posted some great marriage boosting stuff on the Phos News Blog a few weeks back that's worth looking up.

BONUS:  Please step out on faith and sign up for Charleston 2011 as there's nothing better than getting your man around a bunch of fired up Christ followers that they can run with and be energized by.  And, it will be great for your kids and your marriage.  See the Phos News website for more info that Meredith posted there today.


Just wanted to let you know of an upcoming Women's Night out that will be on Wednesday evening the 15th of December from 7-9:00. Hope that you can join us and I am including all the details in the PDF that is attached! 
Hope to see you there on the 15th.

Blessings,

Julie Fuson

p.s. from Jeff .... be sure to pas this along to friends who may not be on the Phos distribution list and also be sure to read all the latest on the Phos News Blog as I posted some GREAT Marriage boostin' stuff out there today .... go to http://www.phosnews.blogspot.com

BTW, Julie and I celebrate our 23rd Anniversary on Sunday, November 21-- how cool is that?!

Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

Voyage of the Dawn Treader is COMING December 10 ....

The 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader' sets sail from a theater near you on the weekend of December 10.

I saw a preview showing of 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' , based on the C.S. Lewis fantasy book of the same name, a few weeks back and it's truly fantastic.  Opening weekend is the most important time to 'cast your vote' for this sort of family friendly film so I hope you'll give your family a real Christmas treat and take them to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader when it comes out in just a few days.  

By the way, anything by C.S. Lewis would be great reading this Christmas season, but especially, the Chronicles of Narnia which Lifeway Christian Bookstores had on sale for $1.99 this past weekend.  (maybe it's still on sale?)
Posted by Jeff Fuson
 

10 reasons you don't want to miss the Phos trip to Charleston in June:

1. You and your family will grow closer together as you serve alongside each other.

2. Childcare will be provided for your littlest ones that will enable you to serve.

3. The hotel accommodations are great!

4. Your kids will have a fantastic time with their friends.

5. Food will be taken care of for the week so you don't have to worry about cooking and cleaning.

6. It is an Inexpensive way to have a great family vacation.

7. You will grow Bigger in your relationship with Jesus!

8. You can Forge new friendships and strengthen old ones with the Phos family.

9. You will be able to give back by serving the people of South Carolina.

10. There will be a place for everyone to serve.

(For full details about the trip and a sign-up form check out the attached pdf's or email Meredith@phoschurch.com)

Looking forward to serving with you in Charleston,

Meredith

Click here to download:
info sheet Charleston 2011.pdf (809 KB)
(download)

 

Click here to download:
signup charleston.pdf (1.01 MB)
(download)

Posted by camnoah1
 

I've prayed but God isn't coming through....what now?

In the 'Sun Stand Still' Series we talked about having faith in a GREAT GOD who can make the Sun Stand Still (Joshua 10).  A great question is brewing among many of us, though.  What happens when I pray a 'Sun Stand Still' Prayer and the sun just keeps on going down?  Where is God then?  What is He up to?  Can I really trust Him?  Is He really there at all?  

These are normal human questions and much of the book of Psalms reflects this back and forth between faith and doubt and between total confidence in God and wavering faith wondering where He is and why He isn't taking action on our requests right now.  

If you ever have questions like this you're not alone.  

I want you to read this article about a dropped touchdown pass in an NFL football game yesterday and then I'd love for you to come back to this post and write up your questions, comments, ideas, etc. It will spark your thoughts to read the comments section on the link as well. 

I'll be using all this back and forth in a live message sometime in the year ahead that will help us all wrestle with this question and seek to understand where God is when our prayers don't seem to be working at all.

Dive in, read up and post up!
Posted by Jeff Fuson