Mike Novotny - The Family Connection

January 21, 2026 | 27:29

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

#WordofGod #Family #TrustGod #Marriage #Children #Trials-HardTimes #Patience #LoveofGod #Relationships #Humility #MikeNovotny

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - The Family Connection | January 21, 2026

♪ ♪
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>> a number of year ago,
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>> a number of year ago, my wife and i binged
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A tv series together called,
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A tv series together called, "parenthood."
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"parenthood." anyone heard of it
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Anyone heard of it or seen it before?
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Or seen it before? it's six seasons
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It's six seasons and one hundred and three
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And one hundred and three episodes, told the long,
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Circuitous story
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Circuitous story of the braverman family.
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Of the braverman family. of this couple who had
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Of this couple who had a bunch of kids,
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A bunch of kids, who had their own kids,
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Who had their own kids, and it was all about
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And it was all about the dynamics between
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The dynamics between parents and children,
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Parents and children, and brothers and sisters,
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And cousins, and aunts
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And cousins, and aunts and uncles.
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And uncles. what i remember most
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What i remember most about the show wasn't
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About the show wasn't any one of the plot lines
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Any one of the plot lines or the episodes,
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Or the episodes, what i remember most
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What i remember most was the table in the backyard.
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Was the table in the backyard. during the opening credits
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During the opening credits where they would introduce
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Where they would introduce all the character
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All the character over all the episodes,
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Over all the episodes, they showed his really long,
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They showed his really long, like, pinterest worthy table
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Like, pinterest worthy table on the back patio.
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On the back patio. picture, like, handcrafted
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Picture, like, handcrafted with all the family members
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With all the family members sitting around,
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Sitting around, amazing food and drink
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Amazing food and drink in the middle of the table.
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In the middle of the table. the scene that they showed
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The scene that they showed was always at night.
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Was always at night. they had these strings
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They had these strings of lights that, kinda,
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Of lights that, kinda, hung over the table
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Hung over the table and just had
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And just had the perfect atmosphere.
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The perfect atmosphere. and you just got this
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And you just got this impression that this was
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Impression that this was a family that was connected,
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A family that was connected, and in love.
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And in love. a family that was filled
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A family that was filled with joy and unity.
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With joy and unity. in fact, that table moved me
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In fact, that table moved me so much that at one point,
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So much that at one point, in watching the show,
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In watching the show, i thought about reconstructing
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I thought about reconstructing that own table in my back patio,
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That own table in my back patio, until i remembered that
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Until i remembered that i don't build things.
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[laughing]
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But thinking about it,
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But thinking about it, i don't think it was
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I don't think it was the table that inspired me,
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The table that inspired me, i think what so got to my heart,
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I think what so got to my heart, what's so magnetic to me
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What's so magnetic to me was the idea of
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Was the idea of a multigenerational
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A multigenerational connected family.
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Connected family. you know, just seeing grandpa
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You know, just seeing grandpa love his granddaughter.
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Love his granddaughter. seeing a sister be
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Seeing a sister be close to her brother.
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Close to her brother. seeing a married couple
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Seeing a married couple not on the opposite ends
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Not on the opposite ends of the table but shoulder
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Of the table but shoulder to shoulder to one another.
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To shoulder to one another. to see one of life's most
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To see one of life's most important things, love,
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Important things, love, at the center of one of life's
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At the center of one of life's most vital things, family,
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Most vital things, family, was so moving,
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Was so moving, that watching that show made me
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That watching that show made me want it more.
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Want it more. and we've been talking
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And we've been talking about relationships
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About relationships and loneliness in this series.
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And loneliness in this series. and if you're taking notes,
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And if you're taking notes, i want you to write this down.
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I want you to write this down. that's god's second best
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That's god's second best cure to our loneliness.
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Cure to our loneliness. his second best way
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His second best way of filling up our relational
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Of filling up our relational cup is through family.
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Cup is through family. there are few things that you
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There are few things that you will experience in your life,
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Will experience in your life, few relationships that
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Few relationships that are more important than family
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Are more important than family than your mom, your dad,
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Than your mom, your dad, if you have siblings,
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If you have siblings, your brother or your sister,
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Your brother or your sister, if you're married
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If you're married and have children,
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And have children, your new immediate family.
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Your new immediate family. this is god's second best cure
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This is god's second best cure after his own presence
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After his own presence for your loneliness.
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For your loneliness. that's what king david
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That's what king david says in psalm 68.
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Says in psalm 68. "god sets
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"god sets the lonely in families."
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The lonely in families." just think about it today.
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Just think about it today. how blessed would you be
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How blessed would you be if you grew up in a home
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If you grew up in a home where you knew that
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Where you knew that your mom and your dad
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Your mom and your dad loved you unconditionally
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Loved you unconditionally and you knew it
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And you knew it because you saw it
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Because you saw it and you heard it
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And you heard it from their very lips?
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From their very lips? and how safe and secure
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And how safe and secure would you feel
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Would you feel if that same mom and dad
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If that same mom and dad didn't just love you
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Didn't just love you at the expense of each other,
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At the expense of each other, but you knew that
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But you knew that they loved each other deeply
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They loved each other deeply until death would do them part?
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Until death would do them part? because you saw it
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Because you saw it with your own eyes
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With your own eyes and you heard it
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And you heard it with your own --
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With your own -- you winced when they kissed,
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You winced when they kissed, but something deep inside of you
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But something deep inside of you felt so safe and secure.
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Felt so safe and secure. how beautiful
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How beautiful when you're a parent
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When you're a parent and you have no clue
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And you have no clue what you're doing with
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What you're doing with your son or daughter.
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Your son or daughter. and you can reach out
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And you can reach out to your mom and dad because
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To your mom and dad because that bridge hasn't been burned.
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That bridge hasn't been burned. and they passed on
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And they passed on the wisdom of experience.
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The wisdom of experience. what a beautiful thing
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What a beautiful thing when we have
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When we have brothers or sisters
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Brothers or sisters that are eager for the holidays
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That are eager for the holidays to come because we share
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To come because we share the same old jokes and stories
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The same old jokes and stories from growing up as kids.
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From growing up as kids. i mean, how lonely could
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I mean, how lonely could a human actually be
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A human actually be if they lived in
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If they lived in a family like that?
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A family like that? but i'm reading the expressions
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But i'm reading the expressions on some of your faces right now,
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On some of your faces right now, and i think what
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And i think what you're expressing is,
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You're expressing is, yeah, that would be great.
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Yeah, that would be great. but family is, yeah.
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But family is, yeah. a lot of us wish we could
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A lot of us wish we could push a button and change things,
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Push a button and change things, but we can't.
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But we can't. but here's what we can do.
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But here's what we can do. we can listen to the god
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We can listen to the god who loves your family.
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Who loves your family. it's a profound thought.
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It's a profound thought. maybe you've never
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Maybe you've never thought it before.
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Thought it before. did you know that the god
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Did you know that the god who rules the universe
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Who rules the universe loves your family?
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Loves your family? he's not ignorant of it
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He's not ignorant of it and he's not indifferent
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And he's not indifferent about it.
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About it. he is so --
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He is so -- if you're married,
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If you're married, you have the biggest
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You have the biggest fan of your marriage is god.
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Fan of your marriage is god. if you have siblings
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If you have siblings or if you're raising kids
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Or if you're raising kids or you're thinking about
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Or you're thinking about your relationship -- like god,
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Your relationship -- like god, god himself is
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God himself is so pro your family
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So pro your family that he's not going to sit
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That he's not going to sit at a distance and say, wow,
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At a distance and say, wow, that's complicated.
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That's complicated. instead, god with
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Instead, god with truth and love,
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Truth and love, with more patience
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With more patience than you can imagine
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Than you can imagine and more boldness
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And more boldness than some of us will believe,
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Than some of us will believe, has a lot to say about
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Has a lot to say about our family today.
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Our family today. that's why today
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That's why today i want to grab a bible
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I want to grab a bible and talk to you about
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And talk to you about the gift of family.
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The gift of family. there are some things
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There are some things we have to admit today
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We have to admit today that you can't control.
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That you can't control. sometimes marriages
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Sometimes marriages don't make it.
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Don't make it. sometimes kids don't want
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Sometimes kids don't want to talk to their mom anymore.
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To talk to their mom anymore. sometimes a spouse says they're-
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Sometimes a spouse says they're- there's some things
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There's some things we can't go back and change.
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We can't go back and change. there's some things that are
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There's some things that are just out of our control.
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Just out of our control. but god's going to teach us
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But god's going to teach us today there are a bunch
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Today there are a bunch of things that are
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Of things that are in our control,
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In our control, a bunch of choices that
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A bunch of choices that he can help us make
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He can help us make to take a good relationship
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To take a good relationship and make it great
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And make it great or take a relationship
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Or take a relationship that feels so stuck
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That feels so stuck and help it get unstuck
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And help it get unstuck and move forward.
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And move forward. today through his holy word,
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Today through his holy word, god is going to speak to us
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God is going to speak to us about three big things
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About three big things about humility,
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About humility, about communication,
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About communication, and about jesus.
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And about jesus. we're going to learn
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We're going to learn the family-changing power
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The family-changing power of humbling ourselves.
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Of humbling ourselves. we're going to talk about
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We're going to talk about the key that communication
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The key that communication always is in a relationship
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Always is in a relationship and how jesus is offering us
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And how jesus is offering us the guaranteed best
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The guaranteed best family of all,
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Family of all, where we get to call god
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Where we get to call god himself our father in heaven.
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Himself our father in heaven. so if you're ready to talk
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So if you're ready to talk about family today,
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About family today, let's start with humility.
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Let's start with humility. grab a pen, write this down,
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Grab a pen, write this down, even if you're at home,
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Even if you're at home, that humble families
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That humble families are happy families.
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Are happy families. i cannot think of a single
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I cannot think of a single exception to that statement.
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Exception to that statement. humble families
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Humble families are happy families.
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Are happy families. do you want to know after
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Do you want to know after 18 years of being a pastor,
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18 years of being a pastor, the counseling session
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The counseling session i've never had?
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I've never had? guy and his wife walk
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Guy and his wife walk into my office, arms crossed.
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Into my office, arms crossed. they sit down.
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They sit down. i can feel the tension
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I can feel the tension in the room.
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In the room. i start with the wife.
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I start with the wife. what's going on?
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What's going on? "pastor, my husband,
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"pastor, my husband, he's so humble.
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He's so humble. he always puts me first."
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He always puts me first." and the guy interrupts,
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And the guy interrupts, "no, no, i don't.
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"no, no, i don't. you always put me first.
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You always put me first. help us."
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Help us." no, that never happens.
00:06:55.703 --> 00:06:57.905
No, that never happens. why?
00:06:57.972 --> 00:06:58.506
Why? why?
00:06:58.572 --> 00:06:58.739
Why? because when two people
00:06:58.806 --> 00:06:59.940
Because when two people are so humble in a relationship,
00:07:00.007 --> 00:07:01.509
Are so humble in a relationship, the relationship
00:07:01.575 --> 00:07:02.076
The relationship is always happy.
00:07:02.142 --> 00:07:03.410
Is always happy. it's not always easy.
00:07:03.477 --> 00:07:04.311
It's not always easy. we still go through things
00:07:04.378 --> 00:07:04.979
We still go through things we can't control there.
00:07:05.045 --> 00:07:05.746
We can't control there. there's still cancer,
00:07:05.813 --> 00:07:06.647
There's still cancer, there's still job loss.
00:07:06.714 --> 00:07:07.982
There's still job loss. but two humble people in
00:07:08.048 --> 00:07:09.650
But two humble people in a relationship is the instant
00:07:09.717 --> 00:07:11.051
A relationship is the instant recipe for happiness.
00:07:11.118 --> 00:07:13.454
Recipe for happiness. i realized as i was reading
00:07:13.521 --> 00:07:14.321
I realized as i was reading all the bible passages written
00:07:14.388 --> 00:07:15.523
All the bible passages written to husbands and wives
00:07:15.589 --> 00:07:16.290
To husbands and wives and parents and children,
00:07:16.357 --> 00:07:17.525
And parents and children, that the command behind
00:07:17.591 --> 00:07:18.659
That the command behind the command was always,
00:07:18.726 --> 00:07:20.594
The command was always, to quote kendrick lamar,
00:07:20.661 --> 00:07:22.596
To quote kendrick lamar, be humble.
00:07:22.663 --> 00:07:24.932
Be humble. let me show you ephesians 5,
00:07:24.999 --> 00:07:27.568
"each one of you must also
00:07:27.668 --> 00:07:29.169
"each one of you must also love his wife
00:07:29.236 --> 00:07:30.137
Love his wife as he loves himself,
00:07:30.204 --> 00:07:31.438
As he loves himself, and the wife must
00:07:31.505 --> 00:07:33.841
And the wife must respect her husband."
00:07:33.908 --> 00:07:37.011
Where the husbands at
00:07:37.111 --> 00:07:37.511
Where the husbands at in the room today?
00:07:37.578 --> 00:07:38.913
In the room today? hands nice and high.
00:07:38.979 --> 00:07:41.482
Hands nice and high. is this just asking us as men
00:07:41.549 --> 00:07:42.917
Is this just asking us as men to be humble towards our wives?
00:07:42.983 --> 00:07:44.351
To be humble towards our wives? you must love your wife
00:07:44.418 --> 00:07:45.553
You must love your wife as you love yourself.
00:07:45.619 --> 00:07:47.121
As you love yourself. do you know
00:07:47.187 --> 00:07:47.555
Do you know how you love yourself?
00:07:47.621 --> 00:07:50.257
How you love yourself? when you need something
00:07:50.324 --> 00:07:50.958
When you need something or you want something,
00:07:51.025 --> 00:07:52.626
Or you want something, you act fast to get
00:07:52.693 --> 00:07:53.627
You act fast to get that something.
00:07:53.694 --> 00:07:56.597
That something. you're cold, what do you do?
00:07:56.664 --> 00:07:58.799
You're cold, what do you do? you find a hoodie.
00:07:58.866 --> 00:08:00.634
You find a hoodie. you're hungry.
00:08:00.701 --> 00:08:01.168
You're hungry. what do you do?
00:08:01.235 --> 00:08:02.636
What do you do? you get up off the couch
00:08:02.703 --> 00:08:03.604
You get up off the couch and you open the door
00:08:03.671 --> 00:08:04.572
And you open the door to the fridge like you.
00:08:04.638 --> 00:08:06.040
To the fridge like you. you feel it and you work
00:08:06.106 --> 00:08:07.274
You feel it and you work fast to meet that need.
00:08:07.341 --> 00:08:09.143
Fast to meet that need. do you know what the humblest
00:08:09.209 --> 00:08:10.544
Do you know what the humblest and happiest husbands do?
00:08:10.611 --> 00:08:13.847
And happiest husbands do? they love their wife the way
00:08:13.914 --> 00:08:15.082
They love their wife the way they love their own body.
00:08:15.149 --> 00:08:18.218
They love their own body. they listen, they see.
00:08:18.285 --> 00:08:20.154
They listen, they see. they ask what her needs
00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:21.088
They ask what her needs and wants are
00:08:21.155 --> 00:08:21.989
And wants are and instead of saying,
00:08:22.056 --> 00:08:22.523
And instead of saying, "well, that's weird,
00:08:22.590 --> 00:08:24.058
"well, that's weird, i don't want that,
00:08:24.124 --> 00:08:25.459
I don't want that, it's not a big deal."
00:08:25.526 --> 00:08:28.629
It's not a big deal." they jump to it
00:08:28.696 --> 00:08:30.531
They jump to it and try to meet that need
00:08:30.598 --> 00:08:31.398
And try to meet that need as much as they
00:08:31.465 --> 00:08:32.132
As much as they would reach their own.
00:08:32.199 --> 00:08:33.000
Would reach their own. it takes a lot of humility
00:08:33.067 --> 00:08:33.734
It takes a lot of humility for a man to do that.
00:08:33.801 --> 00:08:35.703
For a man to do that. but i can tell you this.
00:08:35.769 --> 00:08:37.137
But i can tell you this. if your wife knows that
00:08:37.204 --> 00:08:38.305
If your wife knows that when she reveals her heart,
00:08:38.372 --> 00:08:39.773
When she reveals her heart, you're not just listening,
00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.308
You're not just listening, but you're listening so
00:08:41.375 --> 00:08:42.176
But you're listening so that you can start acting,
00:08:42.242 --> 00:08:45.245
That you can start acting, she will feel like
00:08:45.312 --> 00:08:45.779
She will feel like the happiest wife in the world.
00:08:45.846 --> 00:08:49.283
The happiest wife in the world. a husband must love
00:08:49.350 --> 00:08:50.050
A husband must love his wife as he loves himself,
00:08:50.117 --> 00:08:51.719
His wife as he loves himself, and the wife must
00:08:51.785 --> 00:08:53.487
And the wife must respect her husband.
00:08:53.554 --> 00:08:55.489
Respect her husband. where the wives at today?
00:08:55.556 --> 00:08:58.525
Where the wives at today? ladies, you probably
00:08:58.592 --> 00:08:59.326
Ladies, you probably don't know this,
00:08:59.393 --> 00:09:00.628
Don't know this, but your respect
00:09:00.694 --> 00:09:02.062
But your respect for your husband means
00:09:02.129 --> 00:09:04.865
For your husband means more than he will ever tell you.
00:09:04.932 --> 00:09:09.169
More than he will ever tell you. when a man comes home,
00:09:09.236 --> 00:09:12.906
When a man comes home, he won't say it this way,
00:09:12.973 --> 00:09:13.741
He won't say it this way, but he is --
00:09:13.807 --> 00:09:14.508
But he is -- he is aching to be filled up
00:09:14.575 --> 00:09:17.311
He is aching to be filled up with your respect.
00:09:17.378 --> 00:09:19.780
With your respect. your words, good or bad,
00:09:19.847 --> 00:09:22.149
Your words, good or bad, have an exponential power.
00:09:22.216 --> 00:09:24.284
Have an exponential power. picture every syllable
00:09:24.351 --> 00:09:25.586
Picture every syllable that comes out of your mouth
00:09:25.653 --> 00:09:26.654
That comes out of your mouth with a little 10 multiplier
00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.322
With a little 10 multiplier at the end of it.
00:09:28.389 --> 00:09:29.456
At the end of it. when he can walk home
00:09:29.523 --> 00:09:30.691
When he can walk home and feel like his house
00:09:30.758 --> 00:09:32.393
And feel like his house is the place where
00:09:32.459 --> 00:09:33.093
Is the place where he is respected more than
00:09:33.160 --> 00:09:34.328
He is respected more than any other place in the world,
00:09:34.395 --> 00:09:36.864
Any other place in the world, there's a happy man.
00:09:36.930 --> 00:09:39.800
There's a happy man. his buddies might
00:09:39.867 --> 00:09:40.801
His buddies might applaud a golf shot
00:09:40.868 --> 00:09:42.069
Applaud a golf shot on a tuesday night league.
00:09:42.136 --> 00:09:43.437
On a tuesday night league. his boss might be
00:09:43.504 --> 00:09:44.872
His boss might be impressed by the numbers
00:09:44.938 --> 00:09:45.673
Impressed by the numbers at the end of the quarter.
00:09:45.739 --> 00:09:47.107
At the end of the quarter. but when he walks into your home
00:09:47.174 --> 00:09:49.743
But when he walks into your home and know that you are
00:09:49.810 --> 00:09:50.544
And know that you are his biggest cheerleader,
00:09:50.611 --> 00:09:53.380
His biggest cheerleader, that's a happy husband.
00:09:53.447 --> 00:09:56.717
That's a happy husband. there will be times
00:09:56.784 --> 00:09:57.217
There will be times to correct him.
00:09:57.284 --> 00:09:59.953
To correct him. it's not good
00:10:00.020 --> 00:10:00.521
It's not good for the man to be alone.
00:10:00.587 --> 00:10:01.555
For the man to be alone. i've learned that a lot
00:10:01.622 --> 00:10:02.189
I've learned that a lot of dudes, myself included,
00:10:02.256 --> 00:10:03.157
Of dudes, myself included, need a lot of help,
00:10:03.223 --> 00:10:05.059
Need a lot of help, that there's hard conversations
00:10:05.125 --> 00:10:05.926
That there's hard conversations we have to have,
00:10:05.993 --> 00:10:06.527
We have to have, that times we got to
00:10:06.593 --> 00:10:07.227
That times we got to sit down and hash it out.
00:10:07.294 --> 00:10:08.962
Sit down and hash it out. but may those be a one
00:10:09.029 --> 00:10:10.064
But may those be a one out of ten conversation
00:10:10.130 --> 00:10:11.732
Out of ten conversation because the other nine
00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:12.733
Because the other nine are you filling him up,
00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:14.134
Are you filling him up, reminding him of his purpose,
00:10:14.201 --> 00:10:15.769
Reminding him of his purpose, that he's loved by god,
00:10:15.836 --> 00:10:16.603
That he's loved by god, that the work he do matters
00:10:16.670 --> 00:10:18.005
That the work he do matters and you feel so blessed
00:10:18.072 --> 00:10:19.540
And you feel so blessed that god chose you
00:10:19.606 --> 00:10:20.908
That god chose you to be married to him.
00:10:20.974 --> 00:10:23.644
To be married to him. if you humble yourself
00:10:23.711 --> 00:10:24.678
If you humble yourself in that way,
00:10:24.745 --> 00:10:25.412
In that way, if you prioritize that bond
00:10:25.479 --> 00:10:27.147
If you prioritize that bond with your husband,
00:10:27.214 --> 00:10:28.849
With your husband, when we love our wives
00:10:28.916 --> 00:10:29.650
When we love our wives as we love ourselves
00:10:29.717 --> 00:10:30.417
As we love ourselves and wives respect
00:10:30.484 --> 00:10:31.452
And wives respect their husbands,
00:10:31.518 --> 00:10:32.019
Their husbands, we end up with very,
00:10:32.086 --> 00:10:32.686
We end up with very, very happy families.
00:10:32.753 --> 00:10:34.755
And very next verse
00:10:34.855 --> 00:10:35.489
And very next verse in the book of ephesians,
00:10:35.556 --> 00:10:36.523
In the book of ephesians, paul turns the attention
00:10:36.590 --> 00:10:37.324
Paul turns the attention to parents and children.
00:10:37.391 --> 00:10:39.526
To parents and children. he says in verse 1,
00:10:39.593 --> 00:10:40.227
He says in verse 1, "children, obey your parents
00:10:40.294 --> 00:10:41.829
"children, obey your parents in the lord,
00:10:41.895 --> 00:10:42.229
In the lord, for this is right.
00:10:42.296 --> 00:10:42.930
For this is right. honor your father and mother."
00:10:42.996 --> 00:10:44.064
Honor your father and mother." and then he says in verse 4,
00:10:44.131 --> 00:10:44.965
And then he says in verse 4, "fathers, do not
00:10:45.032 --> 00:10:45.933
"fathers, do not exasperate your children;
00:10:45.999 --> 00:10:48.202
Exasperate your children; instead bring them up
00:10:48.268 --> 00:10:49.002
Instead bring them up in the training
00:10:49.069 --> 00:10:49.870
In the training and instruction of the lord."
00:10:49.937 --> 00:10:53.907
Where are the children
00:10:54.007 --> 00:10:54.508
Where are the children at today?
00:10:54.575 --> 00:10:55.409
At today? if you have a mom or dad,
00:10:55.476 --> 00:10:56.310
If you have a mom or dad, raise your hand.
00:10:56.376 --> 00:10:59.012
Raise your hand. some of you aren't
00:10:59.079 --> 00:10:59.513
Some of you aren't raising your hand.
00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.114
Raising your hand. were you born in a lab?
00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:00.948
Were you born in a lab? what?
00:11:01.014 --> 00:11:01.582
What? how'd this happen?
00:11:01.648 --> 00:11:04.518
How'd this happen? according to
00:11:04.585 --> 00:11:04.918
According to my unofficial study,
00:11:04.985 --> 00:11:06.353
My unofficial study, our parents will ask us to do
00:11:06.420 --> 00:11:07.788
Our parents will ask us to do 1.27 million things in our lives
00:11:07.855 --> 00:11:10.224
1.27 million things in our lives that we don't want to.
00:11:10.290 --> 00:11:13.293
That we don't want to. what chores we're going to do,
00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:14.628
What chores we're going to do, what time we got to get to bed,
00:11:14.695 --> 00:11:15.963
What time we got to get to bed, when we can get a phone,
00:11:16.029 --> 00:11:16.730
When we can get a phone, how much time
00:11:16.797 --> 00:11:17.164
How much time we can be on the phone.
00:11:17.231 --> 00:11:18.132
We can be on the phone. like there are --
00:11:18.198 --> 00:11:18.665
Like there are -- there are a million plus things
00:11:18.732 --> 00:11:20.434
There are a million plus things our parents will ask us to do.
00:11:20.501 --> 00:11:21.802
Our parents will ask us to do. kids, if you want
00:11:21.869 --> 00:11:22.703
Kids, if you want a really happy home
00:11:22.770 --> 00:11:23.871
A really happy home to grow up in,
00:11:23.937 --> 00:11:26.206
To grow up in, obey and honor
00:11:26.273 --> 00:11:28.075
Obey and honor all 1.27 million, right?
00:11:28.142 --> 00:11:31.879
All 1.27 million, right? you're going to be very tempted
00:11:31.945 --> 00:11:32.746
You're going to be very tempted and pride is going to
00:11:32.813 --> 00:11:33.347
And pride is going to fill your heart as soon as
00:11:33.413 --> 00:11:34.248
Fill your heart as soon as mom or dad says something
00:11:34.314 --> 00:11:35.149
Mom or dad says something you don't want to do
00:11:35.215 --> 00:11:36.150
You don't want to do to fight, to argue.
00:11:36.216 --> 00:11:38.218
To fight, to argue. but if you can obey
00:11:38.285 --> 00:11:39.586
But if you can obey with your actions
00:11:39.653 --> 00:11:40.387
With your actions and if you can honor
00:11:40.454 --> 00:11:41.255
And if you can honor with your attitude,
00:11:41.321 --> 00:11:42.823
With your attitude, i guarantee you
00:11:42.890 --> 00:11:43.590
I guarantee you you're on the path to
00:11:43.657 --> 00:11:44.291
You're on the path to happiness, right?
00:11:44.358 --> 00:11:47.127
Happiness, right? if you can fight them
00:11:47.194 --> 00:11:48.595
If you can fight them to try to be lord
00:11:48.662 --> 00:11:49.196
To try to be lord and god of your home,
00:11:49.263 --> 00:11:50.297
And god of your home, but it will backfire
00:11:50.364 --> 00:11:50.864
But it will backfire on you very quickly.
00:11:50.931 --> 00:11:53.133
On you very quickly. but when we as children
00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:53.834
But when we as children can humble ourselves and say,
00:11:53.901 --> 00:11:56.436
Can humble ourselves and say, god put authority in my home
00:11:56.503 --> 00:11:57.671
God put authority in my home and it's not me
00:11:57.738 --> 00:12:00.040
And it's not me that my mom and dad
00:12:00.107 --> 00:12:00.808
That my mom and dad are making decisions.
00:12:00.874 --> 00:12:01.608
Are making decisions. i don't always agree with them,
00:12:01.675 --> 00:12:02.342
I don't always agree with them, but i'm going to go with them
00:12:02.409 --> 00:12:03.410
But i'm going to go with them and show them honor
00:12:03.477 --> 00:12:04.344
And show them honor 'cause they're my parents.
00:12:04.411 --> 00:12:05.445
'cause they're my parents. man, that's a happy family.
00:12:05.512 --> 00:12:06.380
Man, that's a happy family. and parents, it's interesting.
00:12:06.446 --> 00:12:08.448
And parents, it's interesting. this passage is written
00:12:08.515 --> 00:12:09.249
This passage is written not just to moms and dads,
00:12:09.316 --> 00:12:10.117
Not just to moms and dads, but specifically fathers.
00:12:10.184 --> 00:12:11.318
But specifically fathers. do not exasperate your children.
00:12:11.385 --> 00:12:14.555
Do not exasperate your children. it's a joke in my house.
00:12:14.621 --> 00:12:15.422
It's a joke in my house. my children know
00:12:15.489 --> 00:12:16.990
My children know the word exasperate
00:12:17.057 --> 00:12:17.925
The word exasperate because they quote
00:12:17.991 --> 00:12:18.559
Because they quote this passage to me constantly.
00:12:18.625 --> 00:12:21.228
This passage to me constantly. i'm not a quiet dad.
00:12:21.295 --> 00:12:22.429
I'm not a quiet dad. i sometimes i think
00:12:22.496 --> 00:12:23.730
I sometimes i think i'm funny and i'm not funny
00:12:23.797 --> 00:12:25.199
I'm funny and i'm not funny and sometimes i think
00:12:25.265 --> 00:12:26.066
And sometimes i think i'm a good dancer.
00:12:26.133 --> 00:12:26.700
I'm a good dancer. i'm going to show you.
00:12:26.767 --> 00:12:27.501
I'm going to show you. and they say, "dad, you're not
00:12:27.568 --> 00:12:28.235
And they say, "dad, you're not a good dancer at all."
00:12:28.302 --> 00:12:31.038
A good dancer at all." but if you push
00:12:31.104 --> 00:12:31.605
But if you push and push and push you,
00:12:31.672 --> 00:12:32.206
And push and push you, you exasperate,
00:12:32.272 --> 00:12:33.040
You exasperate, which is a word that means
00:12:33.106 --> 00:12:34.141
Which is a word that means we unnecessarily provoke
00:12:34.208 --> 00:12:35.642
We unnecessarily provoke our children to anger, right?
00:12:35.709 --> 00:12:38.779
Our children to anger, right? sometimes our kids are
00:12:38.846 --> 00:12:39.513
Sometimes our kids are going to get angry because
00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.113
Going to get angry because they don't like our authority.
00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:41.215
They don't like our authority. but so many times
00:12:41.281 --> 00:12:41.882
But so many times the kids get angry,
00:12:41.949 --> 00:12:42.583
The kids get angry, not because of what we say,
00:12:42.649 --> 00:12:44.017
Not because of what we say, but when or how we say it.
00:12:44.084 --> 00:12:48.856
But when or how we say it. and so to be a parent
00:12:48.922 --> 00:12:49.590
And so to be a parent who's humble,
00:12:49.656 --> 00:12:50.390
Who's humble, who just doesn't say, well,
00:12:50.457 --> 00:12:51.391
Who just doesn't say, well, i want to talk about this now,
00:12:51.458 --> 00:12:52.326
I want to talk about this now, so i'm going to talk about it.
00:12:52.392 --> 00:12:53.727
So i'm going to talk about it. but to be humble,
00:12:53.794 --> 00:12:54.528
But to be humble, i have to say i'm going
00:12:54.595 --> 00:12:55.295
I have to say i'm going to try to choose the best time
00:12:55.362 --> 00:12:56.163
To try to choose the best time and the best way to say
00:12:56.230 --> 00:12:58.498
And the best way to say the thing that needs to be said.
00:12:58.565 --> 00:13:02.169
The thing that needs to be said. now, we've got a lot
00:13:02.236 --> 00:13:02.803
Now, we've got a lot to do as parents.
00:13:02.870 --> 00:13:03.303
To do as parents. and so we just want to have
00:13:03.370 --> 00:13:04.171
And so we just want to have the conversation fast.
00:13:04.238 --> 00:13:05.439
The conversation fast. but wise parents
00:13:05.505 --> 00:13:06.406
But wise parents and humble parents
00:13:06.473 --> 00:13:08.175
And humble parents think about exasperating
00:13:08.242 --> 00:13:09.243
Think about exasperating their children.
00:13:09.309 --> 00:13:09.810
Their children. they want to, they want
00:13:09.877 --> 00:13:10.611
They want to, they want to train their children up.
00:13:10.677 --> 00:13:11.378
To train their children up. they want to give them
00:13:11.445 --> 00:13:12.546
They want to give them the best possible chance
00:13:12.613 --> 00:13:13.413
The best possible chance to hear and to respond
00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.848
To hear and to respond to our authority as parents.
00:13:14.915 --> 00:13:17.618
To our authority as parents. all of it in ephesians 5 and 6
00:13:17.684 --> 00:13:19.753
All of it in ephesians 5 and 6 takes lots and lots of humility.
00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:23.924
Takes lots and lots of humility. two thousand years ago,
00:13:23.991 --> 00:13:24.491
Two thousand years ago, jesus said those who humble
00:13:24.558 --> 00:13:25.492
Jesus said those who humble themselves will be exalted.
00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:28.795
Themselves will be exalted. and that timeless principle
00:13:28.862 --> 00:13:29.830
And that timeless principle applies to marriage
00:13:29.897 --> 00:13:30.731
Applies to marriage and family too.
00:13:30.797 --> 00:13:31.865
And family too. i hope you do,
00:13:31.932 --> 00:13:33.734
I hope you do, because i've learned
00:13:33.800 --> 00:13:34.201
Because i've learned that humble families are
00:13:34.268 --> 00:13:36.003
That humble families are the happiest families.
00:13:36.069 --> 00:13:43.777
The happiest families. which brings us to
00:13:43.844 --> 00:13:44.278
Which brings us to the second thing i want to
00:13:44.344 --> 00:13:45.078
The second thing i want to talk to you about today.
00:13:45.145 --> 00:13:47.047
Talk to you about today. communication.
00:13:47.114 --> 00:13:49.549
Communication. grab a pen and write
00:13:49.616 --> 00:13:50.217
Grab a pen and write this down too.
00:13:50.284 --> 00:13:51.652
This down too. i've also learned
00:13:51.718 --> 00:13:52.686
I've also learned that the happiest families
00:13:52.753 --> 00:13:54.021
That the happiest families know how to talk.
00:13:54.087 --> 00:13:58.025
Know how to talk. i've been thinking about
00:13:58.091 --> 00:13:58.525
I've been thinking about this a lot actually,
00:13:58.592 --> 00:13:59.026
This a lot actually, in the last year,
00:13:59.092 --> 00:14:00.527
In the last year, and i've realized
00:14:00.594 --> 00:14:01.395
And i've realized that when you go to
00:14:01.461 --> 00:14:02.095
That when you go to a family gathering
00:14:02.162 --> 00:14:03.463
A family gathering or a cousin's birthday party
00:14:03.530 --> 00:14:06.099
Or a cousin's birthday party or the traditional
00:14:06.166 --> 00:14:06.700
Or the traditional thanksgiving meal,
00:14:06.767 --> 00:14:08.101
Thanksgiving meal, i have a hunch that you
00:14:08.168 --> 00:14:09.036
I have a hunch that you don't connect with people
00:14:09.102 --> 00:14:10.470
Don't connect with people just because you share genetics
00:14:10.537 --> 00:14:14.074
Just because you share genetics or the same last name.
00:14:14.141 --> 00:14:16.610
Or the same last name. i bet you connect
00:14:16.677 --> 00:14:17.210
I bet you connect with the people in your family
00:14:17.277 --> 00:14:18.145
With the people in your family that know how to talk.
00:14:18.211 --> 00:14:21.949
That know how to talk. you don't have to name names,
00:14:22.015 --> 00:14:22.683
You don't have to name names, but when you go to
00:14:22.749 --> 00:14:23.283
But when you go to family gatherings,
00:14:23.350 --> 00:14:23.884
Family gatherings, are there some people
00:14:23.951 --> 00:14:25.052
Are there some people you end up sitting
00:14:25.118 --> 00:14:25.552
You end up sitting next to every party
00:14:25.619 --> 00:14:27.020
Next to every party and some people you try
00:14:27.087 --> 00:14:27.721
And some people you try to avoid as much as possible?
00:14:27.788 --> 00:14:31.058
To avoid as much as possible? i've actually noticed
00:14:31.124 --> 00:14:31.658
I've actually noticed that about church too,
00:14:31.725 --> 00:14:32.726
That about church too, that even our shared faith
00:14:32.793 --> 00:14:34.161
That even our shared faith in jesus and commitment
00:14:34.227 --> 00:14:35.062
In jesus and commitment to the bible doesn't mean
00:14:35.128 --> 00:14:36.163
To the bible doesn't mean we're all going to bond.
00:14:36.229 --> 00:14:37.698
We're all going to bond. so often the people
00:14:37.764 --> 00:14:38.532
So often the people that you are kind of drawn
00:14:38.598 --> 00:14:40.067
That you are kind of drawn to and the people you have
00:14:40.133 --> 00:14:40.867
To and the people you have to like talk yourself into
00:14:40.934 --> 00:14:41.668
To like talk yourself into talking to are the people
00:14:41.735 --> 00:14:42.836
Talking to are the people who know how to talk.
00:14:42.903 --> 00:14:45.305
Who know how to talk. so this begs the question,
00:14:45.372 --> 00:14:47.908
So this begs the question, how do you talk?
00:14:47.975 --> 00:14:51.311
How do you talk? thanks for asking.
00:14:51.378 --> 00:14:53.347
Thanks for asking. i'd like to unveil to you,
00:14:53.413 --> 00:14:54.381
I'd like to unveil to you, for the very first time
00:14:54.448 --> 00:14:55.182
For the very first time in our church's history,
00:14:55.248 --> 00:14:56.650
In our church's history, the how to talk box.
00:14:56.717 --> 00:15:02.255
The how to talk box. you don't seem impressed.
00:15:02.322 --> 00:15:03.590
You don't seem impressed. i didn't make this.
00:15:03.657 --> 00:15:04.324
I didn't make this. believe it or not,
00:15:04.391 --> 00:15:04.992
Believe it or not, this was made by my friend
00:15:05.058 --> 00:15:05.993
This was made by my friend and former co-worker,
00:15:06.059 --> 00:15:06.793
And former co-worker, tom plummen.
00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.028
Tom plummen. i've realized that
00:15:08.095 --> 00:15:08.562
I've realized that as i think about
00:15:08.628 --> 00:15:09.429
As i think about conversations with my parents
00:15:09.496 --> 00:15:11.131
Conversations with my parents or with my brother
00:15:11.198 --> 00:15:11.765
Or with my brother or with my own children,
00:15:11.832 --> 00:15:13.166
Or with my own children, that a good talk
00:15:13.233 --> 00:15:14.368
That a good talk comes down to four things.
00:15:14.434 --> 00:15:16.069
Comes down to four things. and if you and i can check
00:15:16.136 --> 00:15:17.070
And if you and i can check these boxes in more of
00:15:17.137 --> 00:15:18.071
These boxes in more of our relationships,
00:15:18.138 --> 00:15:19.272
Our relationships, i can almost guarantee
00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:19.973
I can almost guarantee that the relationship
00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:20.941
That the relationship will get better
00:15:21.008 --> 00:15:21.541
Will get better and better and better.
00:15:21.608 --> 00:15:22.576
And better and better. so how do you talk?
00:15:22.642 --> 00:15:23.343
So how do you talk? you start with...
00:15:23.410 --> 00:15:25.245
You start with... with me.
00:15:25.312 --> 00:15:29.483
With me. you ever tried to talk to
00:15:29.549 --> 00:15:30.217
You ever tried to talk to someone and they don't talk?
00:15:30.283 --> 00:15:34.654
Someone and they don't talk? "how was your day?"
00:15:34.721 --> 00:15:37.157
"how was your day?" "fine."
00:15:37.224 --> 00:15:40.160
"fine." "kids, what was --
00:15:40.227 --> 00:15:40.927
"kids, what was -- tell me the best part
00:15:40.994 --> 00:15:41.528
Tell me the best part about school."
00:15:41.595 --> 00:15:44.297
About school." "lunch."
00:15:44.364 --> 00:15:47.834
"lunch." "sweetie,
00:15:47.901 --> 00:15:48.101
"sweetie, how was work?"
00:15:48.168 --> 00:15:50.003
How was work?" "meh."
00:15:50.070 --> 00:15:53.740
"meh." good talk.
00:15:53.807 --> 00:15:54.408
Good talk. i feel really close
00:15:54.474 --> 00:15:54.908
I feel really close to you right now.
00:15:54.975 --> 00:15:56.510
To you right now. no, actually,
00:15:56.576 --> 00:15:56.877
No, actually, i want you to look at the person
00:15:56.943 --> 00:15:57.844
I want you to look at the person next to you right now.
00:15:57.911 --> 00:15:58.712
Next to you right now. all right, look them
00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.212
All right, look them right in the eye
00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.147
Right in the eye and repeat after me.
00:16:00.213 --> 00:16:01.081
And repeat after me. say, "you are not god."
00:16:01.148 --> 00:16:05.118
Say, "you are not god." okay, do you know
00:16:05.185 --> 00:16:05.619
Okay, do you know what that means?
00:16:05.685 --> 00:16:06.753
What that means? that means the person
00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:07.254
That means the person who is not god
00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:08.221
Who is not god sitting next to you
00:16:08.288 --> 00:16:09.089
Sitting next to you does not know what's
00:16:09.156 --> 00:16:09.723
Does not know what's happening in your heart
00:16:09.790 --> 00:16:10.490
Happening in your heart unless you talk, right?
00:16:10.557 --> 00:16:14.094
Unless you talk, right? they're not jesus,
00:16:14.161 --> 00:16:15.162
They're not jesus, they can't read your thoughts.
00:16:15.228 --> 00:16:16.630
They can't read your thoughts. and so you have to --
00:16:16.696 --> 00:16:17.697
And so you have to -- that doesn't mean you have
00:16:17.764 --> 00:16:18.765
That doesn't mean you have to become an extrovert
00:16:18.832 --> 00:16:19.766
To become an extrovert who loves talking in front
00:16:19.833 --> 00:16:20.934
Who loves talking in front of big crowds of people.
00:16:21.001 --> 00:16:21.935
Of big crowds of people. it it simply means that
00:16:22.002 --> 00:16:22.602
It it simply means that if we're going to know
00:16:22.669 --> 00:16:23.236
If we're going to know what you want,
00:16:23.303 --> 00:16:24.137
What you want, what you think,
00:16:24.204 --> 00:16:25.272
What you think, what you're frustrated
00:16:25.338 --> 00:16:26.640
What you're frustrated about in marriage,
00:16:26.706 --> 00:16:27.507
About in marriage, what you love most
00:16:27.574 --> 00:16:28.241
What you love most about your husband.
00:16:28.308 --> 00:16:30.310
About your husband. couples, when it comes to
00:16:30.377 --> 00:16:31.878
Couples, when it comes to all kinds of communication,
00:16:31.945 --> 00:16:32.913
All kinds of communication, when it comes to intimacy,
00:16:32.979 --> 00:16:33.980
When it comes to intimacy, when it comes to finances,
00:16:34.047 --> 00:16:34.981
When it comes to finances, people don't know
00:16:35.048 --> 00:16:35.849
People don't know what you think,
00:16:35.916 --> 00:16:36.349
What you think, what you want,
00:16:36.416 --> 00:16:36.850
What you want, what you prefer,
00:16:36.917 --> 00:16:37.818
What you prefer, what annoys you
00:16:37.884 --> 00:16:38.385
What annoys you unless you talk.
00:16:38.452 --> 00:16:39.453
Unless you talk. so you have to talk.
00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:41.521
So you have to talk. but have you ever
00:16:41.588 --> 00:16:42.022
But have you ever talked with someone
00:16:42.089 --> 00:16:42.722
Talked with someone who talked and talked
00:16:42.789 --> 00:16:45.625
Who talked and talked and talked and talked,
00:16:45.692 --> 00:16:49.296
And talked and talked, and you're just wishing some
00:16:49.362 --> 00:16:50.163
And you're just wishing some little kid at church
00:16:50.230 --> 00:16:50.931
Little kid at church would just pull the fire alarm
00:16:50.997 --> 00:16:51.698
Would just pull the fire alarm so you'd have an out
00:16:51.765 --> 00:16:52.399
So you'd have an out to the conversation?
00:16:52.466 --> 00:16:53.834
To the conversation? no, a good conversation
00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:54.601
No, a good conversation isn't about you.
00:16:54.668 --> 00:16:55.302
Isn't about you. anyone want to guess
00:16:55.368 --> 00:16:55.936
Anyone want to guess what's here?
00:16:56.002 --> 00:16:57.771
What's here? it's me and you.
00:16:57.838 --> 00:16:59.306
It's me and you. it's talking and it's listening.
00:16:59.372 --> 00:17:01.842
It's talking and it's listening. this is harder for some of us
00:17:01.908 --> 00:17:03.009
This is harder for some of us than you would think.
00:17:03.076 --> 00:17:05.045
Than you would think. where are the verbal
00:17:05.112 --> 00:17:05.645
Where are the verbal processors in the room?
00:17:05.712 --> 00:17:06.680
Processors in the room? i got my hand up nice and high.
00:17:06.746 --> 00:17:07.948
I got my hand up nice and high. any of you like to talk
00:17:08.014 --> 00:17:08.715
Any of you like to talk like i do?
00:17:08.782 --> 00:17:09.816
Like i do? i can talk and talk
00:17:09.883 --> 00:17:10.917
I can talk and talk and tell you a story
00:17:10.984 --> 00:17:11.718
And tell you a story and then a second story
00:17:11.785 --> 00:17:12.586
And then a second story and then a third story,
00:17:12.652 --> 00:17:14.454
And then a third story, and then i can ask you
00:17:14.521 --> 00:17:15.288
And then i can ask you what you think and you
00:17:15.355 --> 00:17:16.256
What you think and you can talk for four seconds.
00:17:16.323 --> 00:17:17.190
Can talk for four seconds. and that reminds me
00:17:17.257 --> 00:17:17.724
And that reminds me of another story
00:17:17.791 --> 00:17:18.325
Of another story that i forgot to tell you about.
00:17:18.391 --> 00:17:19.759
That i forgot to tell you about. some people talk and talk
00:17:19.826 --> 00:17:20.694
Some people talk and talk and talk and talk
00:17:20.760 --> 00:17:21.261
And talk and talk and talk and talk and talk.
00:17:21.328 --> 00:17:24.698
And talk and talk and talk. and you just want to run, right?
00:17:24.764 --> 00:17:26.700
And you just want to run, right? so good conversations
00:17:26.766 --> 00:17:27.601
So good conversations are me and you.
00:17:27.667 --> 00:17:29.169
Are me and you. i'm going to talk,
00:17:29.236 --> 00:17:30.070
I'm going to talk, i'm going to open up
00:17:30.137 --> 00:17:31.471
I'm going to open up and then i'm going to do
00:17:31.538 --> 00:17:32.205
And then i'm going to do the hard humbling work
00:17:32.272 --> 00:17:33.073
The hard humbling work of asking you questions like,
00:17:33.140 --> 00:17:34.541
Of asking you questions like, "hey, tell me more about that."
00:17:34.608 --> 00:17:35.709
"hey, tell me more about that." or, "wow, that sounds
00:17:35.775 --> 00:17:37.677
Or, "wow, that sounds crazy difficult."
00:17:37.744 --> 00:17:39.012
Crazy difficult." "like, man, what was that like
00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:41.715
"like, man, what was that like going through that?"
00:17:41.781 --> 00:17:42.415
Going through that?" like, i'm talking
00:17:42.482 --> 00:17:43.783
Like, i'm talking and i'm listening.
00:17:43.850 --> 00:17:44.518
And i'm listening. i'm using my mouth
00:17:44.584 --> 00:17:45.118
I'm using my mouth and i'm using my ears.
00:17:45.185 --> 00:17:45.919
And i'm using my ears. we're talking about me and you,
00:17:45.986 --> 00:17:48.355
We're talking about me and you, and what we're talking,
00:17:48.421 --> 00:17:49.222
And what we're talking, not a mute and not a monologue.
00:17:49.289 --> 00:17:52.025
Not a mute and not a monologue. what do we talk about?
00:17:52.092 --> 00:17:54.694
What do we talk about? well, that's what the last
00:17:54.761 --> 00:17:55.328
Well, that's what the last two boxes are for.
00:17:55.395 --> 00:17:55.829
Two boxes are for. we talk about good stuff
00:17:55.896 --> 00:17:58.165
We talk about good stuff and we talk about bad stuff.
00:17:58.231 --> 00:18:03.203
And we talk about bad stuff. we talk about the highs
00:18:03.270 --> 00:18:03.904
We talk about the highs and the lows.
00:18:03.970 --> 00:18:06.273
And the lows. yes, so much in the world
00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.741
Yes, so much in the world is messed up and broken,
00:18:07.807 --> 00:18:08.942
Is messed up and broken, but there's a lot of good.
00:18:09.009 --> 00:18:09.676
But there's a lot of good. this is the day
00:18:09.743 --> 00:18:10.377
This is the day the lord has made,
00:18:10.443 --> 00:18:11.077
The lord has made, and we will rejoice in it.
00:18:11.144 --> 00:18:12.479
And we will rejoice in it. every good and perfect gift
00:18:12.546 --> 00:18:13.547
Every good and perfect gift comes from above,
00:18:13.613 --> 00:18:14.381
Comes from above, and we're going to
00:18:14.447 --> 00:18:14.915
And we're going to celebrate that.
00:18:14.981 --> 00:18:15.515
Celebrate that. i can't just, like,
00:18:15.582 --> 00:18:16.583
I can't just, like, mope in depression 24/7.
00:18:16.650 --> 00:18:18.552
Mope in depression 24/7. god's been too good
00:18:18.618 --> 00:18:19.186
God's been too good to me to stay there.
00:18:19.252 --> 00:18:20.520
To me to stay there. but you've ever met
00:18:20.587 --> 00:18:21.221
But you've ever met a person who, like,
00:18:21.288 --> 00:18:21.721
A person who, like, everything is good
00:18:21.788 --> 00:18:22.622
Everything is good and they never, like,
00:18:22.689 --> 00:18:23.223
And they never, like, get transparent and vulnerable.
00:18:23.290 --> 00:18:25.392
Get transparent and vulnerable. and they're nice,
00:18:25.458 --> 00:18:25.825
And they're nice, but you never feel like that
00:18:25.892 --> 00:18:26.826
But you never feel like that close and connected to them
00:18:26.893 --> 00:18:27.661
Close and connected to them 'cause you know about
00:18:27.727 --> 00:18:28.528
'cause you know about all your stuff, man.
00:18:28.595 --> 00:18:30.330
All your stuff, man. so when we talk about the bad
00:18:30.397 --> 00:18:31.264
So when we talk about the bad and don't deny that there are
00:18:31.331 --> 00:18:32.432
And don't deny that there are hard things in life,
00:18:32.499 --> 00:18:33.200
Hard things in life, that there's sins
00:18:33.266 --> 00:18:34.000
That there's sins that we still struggle with
00:18:34.067 --> 00:18:35.368
That we still struggle with as followers of jesus,
00:18:35.435 --> 00:18:36.303
As followers of jesus, that just has a superpower
00:18:36.369 --> 00:18:38.305
That just has a superpower to connect us to other people.
00:18:38.371 --> 00:18:39.806
To connect us to other people. i can't think of a single person
00:18:39.873 --> 00:18:41.741
I can't think of a single person that listens to me
00:18:41.808 --> 00:18:43.043
That listens to me and that i listen to,
00:18:43.109 --> 00:18:44.578
And that i listen to, that we both open up
00:18:44.644 --> 00:18:45.912
That we both open up to celebrate the goodness
00:18:45.979 --> 00:18:46.746
To celebrate the goodness of god in our life
00:18:46.813 --> 00:18:47.380
Of god in our life and the hard things
00:18:47.447 --> 00:18:48.248
And the hard things that we're going --
00:18:48.315 --> 00:18:49.082
That we're going -- i cannot think of a single
00:18:49.149 --> 00:18:49.950
I cannot think of a single relationship where people
00:18:50.016 --> 00:18:51.384
Relationship where people know how to talk,
00:18:51.451 --> 00:18:52.118
Know how to talk, that it's not
00:18:52.185 --> 00:18:52.586
That it's not close and connected.
00:18:52.652 --> 00:18:54.421
Close and connected. so say a prayer this week.
00:18:54.487 --> 00:18:55.188
So say a prayer this week. ask god to open your mind
00:18:55.255 --> 00:18:57.557
Ask god to open your mind that the next time
00:18:57.624 --> 00:18:58.058
That the next time you open your mouth
00:18:58.124 --> 00:18:58.758
You open your mouth and your ears,
00:18:58.825 --> 00:18:59.125
And your ears, you would know how to talk.
00:18:59.192 --> 00:19:05.966
You would know how to talk. which brings us to
00:19:06.032 --> 00:19:06.466
Which brings us to the last thing
00:19:06.533 --> 00:19:06.933
The last thing i want to say to you today.
00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:09.603
I want to say to you today. jesus.
00:19:09.669 --> 00:19:12.205
Jesus. grab a pen.
00:19:12.272 --> 00:19:12.906
Grab a pen. write this down.
00:19:12.973 --> 00:19:13.540
Write this down. jesus is offering
00:19:13.607 --> 00:19:14.341
Jesus is offering all of us today
00:19:14.407 --> 00:19:14.941
All of us today the best family ever.
00:19:15.008 --> 00:19:22.115
The best family ever. it's kind of heartbreaking thing
00:19:22.182 --> 00:19:23.483
It's kind of heartbreaking thing that even if we humble ourselves
00:19:23.550 --> 00:19:25.118
That even if we humble ourselves and even if we work
00:19:25.185 --> 00:19:25.885
And even if we work on our communication,
00:19:25.952 --> 00:19:26.820
On our communication, there are some relationships
00:19:26.886 --> 00:19:27.787
There are some relationships that we just can't fix.
00:19:27.854 --> 00:19:29.956
That we just can't fix. and this is why i am so relieved
00:19:30.023 --> 00:19:32.025
And i have so much peace
00:19:32.125 --> 00:19:33.093
In knowing that
00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.660
Because of jesus,
00:19:33.727 --> 00:19:35.629
I am part of
00:19:35.695 --> 00:19:36.129
The best family ever.
00:19:36.196 --> 00:19:38.865
And if you have faith
00:19:38.932 --> 00:19:39.466
In jesus, you are too.
00:19:39.532 --> 00:19:42.402
Let me share just one
00:19:42.502 --> 00:19:43.069
Let me share just one last scripture with you
00:19:43.136 --> 00:19:43.837
Last scripture with you from galatians 4,
00:19:43.903 --> 00:19:47.040
From galatians 4, where the apostle paul
00:19:47.107 --> 00:19:47.707
Said this,
00:19:47.807 --> 00:19:49.943
Said this, "but when the set time
00:19:50.010 --> 00:19:50.810
"but when the set time had fully come,
00:19:50.877 --> 00:19:51.544
Had fully come, god sent his son,
00:19:51.611 --> 00:19:54.714
God sent his son, born of a woman,
00:19:54.781 --> 00:19:57.083
Born of a woman, born under the law,
00:19:57.150 --> 00:19:57.951
Born under the law, to redeem those under the law,
00:19:58.018 --> 00:19:59.185
To redeem those under the law, that we might receive
00:19:59.252 --> 00:19:59.853
That we might receive adoption to sonship.
00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:02.355
Adoption to sonship. because you are his sons,
00:20:02.422 --> 00:20:04.090
Because you are his sons, god spent the spirit
00:20:04.157 --> 00:20:04.758
God spent the spirit of his son into our hearts,
00:20:04.824 --> 00:20:05.925
Of his son into our hearts, the spirit who
00:20:05.992 --> 00:20:06.426
The spirit who calls out abba father.
00:20:06.493 --> 00:20:08.228
Calls out abba father. so you are no longer a slave,
00:20:08.295 --> 00:20:09.829
So you are no longer a slave, but god's child.
00:20:09.896 --> 00:20:11.264
But god's child. and since you are his child,
00:20:11.331 --> 00:20:14.434
And since you are his child, god has also made you an heir."
00:20:14.501 --> 00:20:17.971
There's this god
00:20:18.071 --> 00:20:18.672
There's this god who had just one son,
00:20:18.738 --> 00:20:20.640
Who had just one son, the father and his son jesus
00:20:20.707 --> 00:20:22.108
The father and his son jesus would live together
00:20:22.175 --> 00:20:22.676
Would live together for all of eternity.
00:20:22.742 --> 00:20:24.144
For all of eternity. and their love for you
00:20:24.210 --> 00:20:25.879
And their love for you being part of their family
00:20:25.945 --> 00:20:26.646
Being part of their family was so profound
00:20:26.713 --> 00:20:27.781
Was so profound and great that god sent
00:20:27.847 --> 00:20:29.349
And great that god sent his son to be born of a woman.
00:20:29.416 --> 00:20:32.185
His son to be born of a woman. what we celebrate at christmas.
00:20:32.252 --> 00:20:34.621
What we celebrate at christmas. and because jesus was born
00:20:34.688 --> 00:20:35.722
And because jesus was born of a woman all these years ago,
00:20:35.789 --> 00:20:36.890
Of a woman all these years ago, what happened?
00:20:36.956 --> 00:20:38.491
What happened? it says he redeemed
00:20:38.558 --> 00:20:39.359
It says he redeemed those under the law
00:20:39.426 --> 00:20:42.128
Those under the law that we might receive
00:20:42.195 --> 00:20:42.929
That we might receive adoption to sonship.
00:20:42.996 --> 00:20:44.564
Adoption to sonship. that's dense bible language
00:20:44.631 --> 00:20:45.732
That's dense bible language so stick with me.
00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:47.434
So stick with me. the word redeem means to pay
00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.702
The word redeem means to pay a price for something.
00:20:48.768 --> 00:20:51.638
A price for something. this is a reference
00:20:51.705 --> 00:20:52.205
This is a reference to the great price
00:20:52.272 --> 00:20:53.006
To the great price that jesus paid
00:20:53.073 --> 00:20:53.573
That jesus paid when he died on the cross.
00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:56.443
When he died on the cross. like, jesus literally
00:20:56.509 --> 00:20:57.177
Like, jesus literally could not --
00:20:57.243 --> 00:20:58.945
Could not -- it was more worth it to him
00:20:59.012 --> 00:21:00.547
It was more worth it to him to suffer and die
00:21:00.613 --> 00:21:01.681
To suffer and die that you could be
00:21:01.748 --> 00:21:02.415
That you could be part of god's family
00:21:02.482 --> 00:21:04.417
Part of god's family than to stay comfortable
00:21:04.484 --> 00:21:05.418
Than to stay comfortable up in heaven for you
00:21:05.485 --> 00:21:07.020
Up in heaven for you not to be part of that family.
00:21:07.087 --> 00:21:10.123
Not to be part of that family. the law of god,
00:21:10.190 --> 00:21:11.157
The law of god, all those commands like
00:21:11.224 --> 00:21:11.991
All those commands like be humble, be a good husband,
00:21:12.058 --> 00:21:14.027
Be humble, be a good husband, be a respectful wife,
00:21:14.094 --> 00:21:15.328
Be a respectful wife, obey your parents,
00:21:15.395 --> 00:21:16.363
Obey your parents, don't exasperate your --
00:21:16.429 --> 00:21:17.464
Don't exasperate your -- all those commands
00:21:17.530 --> 00:21:18.331
All those commands which we had broken
00:21:18.398 --> 00:21:19.199
Which we had broken hung over our head
00:21:19.265 --> 00:21:20.066
Hung over our head and were about to crush
00:21:20.133 --> 00:21:21.167
And were about to crush and condemn us.
00:21:21.234 --> 00:21:22.402
And condemn us. but jesus came to redeem
00:21:22.469 --> 00:21:23.737
But jesus came to redeem those under the law
00:21:23.803 --> 00:21:24.704
Those under the law that we might receive
00:21:24.771 --> 00:21:25.638
Adoption to sonship.
00:21:25.739 --> 00:21:28.375
What a profound thought.
00:21:28.441 --> 00:21:32.712
How wild it must have been
00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:34.748
In the 1st century greek culture
00:21:34.814 --> 00:21:36.483
To think of god as your father.
00:21:36.549 --> 00:21:40.053
Not just as your judge
00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.121
Or your lord or your king
00:21:41.187 --> 00:21:42.555
Or your sovereign,
00:21:42.622 --> 00:21:43.189
But your dad.
00:21:43.256 --> 00:21:45.959
That's exactly what happened
00:21:46.025 --> 00:21:46.926
When jesus forgave your sins.
00:21:46.993 --> 00:21:49.362
It says we're adopted
00:21:49.429 --> 00:21:50.196
The sonship
00:21:50.263 --> 00:21:50.563
And because we are his sons,
00:21:50.630 --> 00:21:52.065
God sent the holy spirit
00:21:52.132 --> 00:21:53.099
Into our hearts
00:21:53.166 --> 00:21:54.000
Who calls out abba father.
00:21:54.067 --> 00:21:57.804
You're no longer a slave.
00:21:57.871 --> 00:21:59.773
Paul says if you thought of
00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.507
Yourself just as god's
00:22:00.573 --> 00:22:01.241
Dinky little creation,
00:22:01.307 --> 00:22:02.175
That's not who you are.
00:22:02.242 --> 00:22:03.009
You are god's child
00:22:03.076 --> 00:22:05.812
And since you are his child,
00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.646
God has also made you an heir.
00:22:06.713 --> 00:22:08.948
What a profound beautiful thing.
00:22:09.015 --> 00:22:11.684
That however functional
00:22:11.785 --> 00:22:13.319
That however functional or not your family is,
00:22:13.386 --> 00:22:15.021
Or not your family is, you're a child of god.
00:22:15.088 --> 00:22:18.091
You're a child of god. and maybe you are aching
00:22:18.158 --> 00:22:18.792
And maybe you are aching for a perfect family,
00:22:18.858 --> 00:22:21.528
For a perfect family, a great marriage,
00:22:21.594 --> 00:22:22.128
A great marriage, a connection with your
00:22:22.195 --> 00:22:22.829
A connection with your mom and dad.
00:22:22.896 --> 00:22:23.630
Mom and dad. maybe you can get there,
00:22:23.696 --> 00:22:25.532
Maybe you can get there, maybe you can't.
00:22:25.598 --> 00:22:27.967
Maybe you can't. as much as it depends on you
00:22:28.034 --> 00:22:28.835
As much as it depends on you if it is possible,
00:22:28.902 --> 00:22:30.336
If it is possible, humble yourself and communicate
00:22:30.403 --> 00:22:32.172
Humble yourself and communicate to have the kind of family
00:22:32.238 --> 00:22:32.939
To have the kind of family that god wants us all to have.
00:22:33.006 --> 00:22:34.908
That god wants us all to have. but whether that happens or not,
00:22:34.974 --> 00:22:37.076
But whether that happens or not, whether they respond
00:22:37.143 --> 00:22:37.811
Whether they respond to your call or not,
00:22:37.877 --> 00:22:38.745
To your call or not, whether they humble themselves
00:22:38.812 --> 00:22:40.313
Whether they humble themselves in response to your
00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:40.947
In response to your humility or not, know this.
00:22:41.014 --> 00:22:44.017
Humility or not, know this. that because of jesus,
00:22:44.083 --> 00:22:44.784
That because of jesus, that there is a father
00:22:44.851 --> 00:22:45.418
That there is a father waiting to see your face.
00:22:45.485 --> 00:22:47.987
Waiting to see your face. who says that because
00:22:48.054 --> 00:22:48.588
Who says that because the cross all is forgiven.
00:22:48.655 --> 00:22:51.357
The cross all is forgiven. who says you can come home
00:22:51.424 --> 00:22:52.592
Who says you can come home and enjoy a good meal
00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.693
And enjoy a good meal around the kind of table
00:22:53.760 --> 00:22:54.427
Around the kind of table that never ends.
00:22:54.494 --> 00:22:56.463
That never ends. there's a feast that
00:22:56.529 --> 00:22:57.230
There's a feast that he has laid out before you
00:22:57.297 --> 00:22:58.264
He has laid out before you and he wants to look you
00:22:58.331 --> 00:22:58.998
And he wants to look you in the eye and say,
00:22:59.065 --> 00:22:59.599
In the eye and say, "you are my son,
00:22:59.666 --> 00:23:01.835
"you are my son, my daughter, with you
00:23:01.901 --> 00:23:03.736
My daughter, with you i'm so pleased."
00:23:03.803 --> 00:23:07.574
I'm so pleased." let's fight for the best
00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.408
Let's fight for the best families we can have on earth.
00:23:08.475 --> 00:23:10.443
Families we can have on earth. but at the end of every day,
00:23:10.510 --> 00:23:11.311
But at the end of every day, let's believe that
00:23:11.377 --> 00:23:11.945
Let's believe that because of jesus,
00:23:12.011 --> 00:23:12.812
Because of jesus, we're already part of
00:23:12.879 --> 00:23:13.413
We're already part of the best family ever.
00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:17.917
The best family ever. let's pray.
00:23:17.984 --> 00:23:19.452
Let's pray. oh god, thank you
00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:19.986
Oh god, thank you for the gift of family.
00:23:20.053 --> 00:23:22.288
For the gift of family. few things have
00:23:22.355 --> 00:23:22.822
Few things have challenged me or blessed me
00:23:22.889 --> 00:23:23.990
Challenged me or blessed me more than my 21 years with kim
00:23:24.057 --> 00:23:28.461
More than my 21 years with kim and these 15 or 16 years
00:23:28.528 --> 00:23:30.063
And these 15 or 16 years with the girls.
00:23:30.129 --> 00:23:31.397
With the girls. god, family, it brings
00:23:31.464 --> 00:23:33.733
God, family, it brings joy into our lives.
00:23:33.800 --> 00:23:35.235
Joy into our lives. it exposes us,
00:23:35.301 --> 00:23:36.503
It exposes us, it confronts us
00:23:36.569 --> 00:23:38.204
It confronts us and it fills us up
00:23:38.271 --> 00:23:39.172
And it fills us up with happiness.
00:23:39.239 --> 00:23:41.174
With happiness. and so, we really need
00:23:41.241 --> 00:23:41.808
And so, we really need your help to have
00:23:41.875 --> 00:23:42.375
Your help to have the best kind of families.
00:23:42.442 --> 00:23:45.011
The best kind of families. it's really hard, god,
00:23:45.078 --> 00:23:45.879
It's really hard, god, when there's a lot of history.
00:23:45.945 --> 00:23:46.613
When there's a lot of history. and so i pray that
00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.780
And so i pray that your holy spirit would come
00:23:47.847 --> 00:23:49.716
Your holy spirit would come and not with timidity
00:23:49.782 --> 00:23:51.150
And not with timidity and meekness,
00:23:51.217 --> 00:23:52.418
And meekness, but with power
00:23:52.485 --> 00:23:52.986
But with power and with self-control.
00:23:53.052 --> 00:23:55.755
And with self-control. help us to be willing to be
00:23:55.822 --> 00:23:56.623
Help us to be willing to be the first one to say something,
00:23:56.689 --> 00:23:58.725
The first one to say something, the first one to reach out,
00:23:58.791 --> 00:24:00.493
The first one to reach out, the first one to say sorry,
00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:01.528
The first one to say sorry, the first one to forgive.
00:24:01.594 --> 00:24:03.830
The first one to forgive. help us like your son did
00:24:03.897 --> 00:24:04.597
Help us like your son did 2,000 years ago,
00:24:04.664 --> 00:24:05.398
2,000 years ago, to extend our arms,
00:24:05.465 --> 00:24:06.699
To extend our arms, to reconcile our relationship
00:24:06.766 --> 00:24:07.967
To reconcile our relationship at all costs.
00:24:08.034 --> 00:24:10.336
At all costs. and god, for all the good
00:24:10.403 --> 00:24:11.437
And god, for all the good families that are here,
00:24:11.504 --> 00:24:13.373
Families that are here, for those who walked
00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:13.940
For those who walked in to church today
00:24:14.007 --> 00:24:15.241
In to church today laughing in the parking lot,
00:24:15.308 --> 00:24:16.743
Laughing in the parking lot, for all those sitting close
00:24:16.809 --> 00:24:17.810
For all those sitting close to each other on the couch
00:24:17.877 --> 00:24:19.445
To each other on the couch watching today at home,
00:24:19.512 --> 00:24:20.380
We thank and praise you.
00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:22.615
Man, the devil hates
00:24:22.682 --> 00:24:23.483
Connected families,
00:24:23.550 --> 00:24:24.651
And you love them.
00:24:24.717 --> 00:24:26.519
So thank you for all of
00:24:26.586 --> 00:24:27.654
The grace, all the humility,
00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.855
All the good communication
00:24:28.922 --> 00:24:29.856
That led to this moment.
00:24:29.923 --> 00:24:30.757
We thank and praise you
00:24:30.823 --> 00:24:31.391
Because it is
00:24:31.457 --> 00:24:31.958
A good gift from you.
00:24:32.025 --> 00:24:34.327
And now god as your children,
00:24:34.394 --> 00:24:35.228
We're praying boldly that
00:24:35.295 --> 00:24:36.129
You would take good things
00:24:36.195 --> 00:24:37.096
And make them great things.
00:24:37.163 --> 00:24:40.199
We live in a world
00:24:40.266 --> 00:24:40.967
That turns inward on itself
00:24:41.034 --> 00:24:42.735
And lives out of its own pride,
00:24:42.802 --> 00:24:44.604
That's following its heart
00:24:44.671 --> 00:24:45.538
And its truth.
00:24:45.605 --> 00:24:46.139
You've called us to
00:24:46.205 --> 00:24:46.806
Something so much better,
00:24:46.873 --> 00:24:48.174
And it's going to shine
00:24:48.241 --> 00:24:48.942
Brightly in this dark world.
00:24:49.008 --> 00:24:51.444
So god, may our families catch
00:24:51.511 --> 00:24:52.845
The attention of our neighbors.
00:24:52.912 --> 00:24:55.648
May the laughter they hear
00:24:55.715 --> 00:24:56.783
Floating out from our windows
00:24:56.849 --> 00:24:58.918
Catch their ears and draw them
00:24:58.985 --> 00:25:00.420
Closer to your son, jesus.
00:25:00.486 --> 00:25:03.189
I mean, what jesus did
00:25:03.256 --> 00:25:04.057
For us 2,000 years ago
00:25:04.123 --> 00:25:04.657
Bring us a peace
00:25:04.724 --> 00:25:05.191
That goes beyond understanding.
00:25:05.258 --> 00:25:07.794
God, you're not just god,
00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.695
You are our father in heaven.
00:25:08.761 --> 00:25:11.097
And because of your son's
00:25:11.164 --> 00:25:11.831
Unconditional love,
00:25:11.898 --> 00:25:12.632
We can run to you
00:25:12.699 --> 00:25:13.466
As our father again
00:25:13.533 --> 00:25:14.567
And again and again
00:25:14.634 --> 00:25:16.903
And again and again.
00:25:16.970 --> 00:25:18.004
We love our relationship
00:25:18.071 --> 00:25:18.738
With you, god.
00:25:18.805 --> 00:25:19.138
Thank you for it.
00:25:19.205 --> 00:25:20.707
We pray it all today
00:25:20.773 --> 00:25:21.574
In the name of
00:25:21.641 --> 00:25:22.442
Our redeemer jesus christ,
00:25:22.508 --> 00:25:23.710
And all god's children said,
00:25:23.776 --> 00:25:26.112
Amen.
00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:26.579
>> what a wonderful message.
00:25:27.413 --> 00:25:28.848
>> what a wonderful message. let's remember to approach
00:25:28.915 --> 00:25:29.949
Let's remember to approach our family with great humility
00:25:30.016 --> 00:25:31.718
Our family with great humility and a good deal
00:25:31.784 --> 00:25:32.352
And a good deal of communication
00:25:32.418 --> 00:25:33.353
Of communication as we work on these
00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:34.320
As we work on these family relationships
00:25:34.387 --> 00:25:35.421
Family relationships that shape us.
00:25:35.488 --> 00:25:36.823
That shape us. i want to tell you
00:25:36.889 --> 00:25:37.590
I want to tell you about a new book
00:25:37.657 --> 00:25:38.191
About a new book i just wrote.
00:25:38.257 --> 00:25:39.225
I just wrote. it's called,
00:25:39.292 --> 00:25:39.759
It's called, "when friendship feels hard,
00:25:39.826 --> 00:25:41.461
"when friendship feels hard, god's design for
00:25:41.527 --> 00:25:42.362
God's design for deep relationships."
00:25:42.428 --> 00:25:43.997
Deep relationships." in my new book,
00:25:44.063 --> 00:25:44.797
In my new book, i talk about how
00:25:44.864 --> 00:25:45.465
I talk about how christ centered relationships
00:25:45.531 --> 00:25:46.833
Christ centered relationships anchor you in hard times
00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:48.267
Anchor you in hard times and remind you you're never
00:25:48.334 --> 00:25:49.535
And remind you you're never meant to walk alone.
00:25:49.602 --> 00:25:51.004
Meant to walk alone. request your copy
00:25:51.070 --> 00:25:52.038
Request your copy with your gift
00:25:52.105 --> 00:25:52.639
With your gift to time of grace.
00:25:52.705 --> 00:25:53.673
To time of grace. here's a little more
00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.374
Here's a little more about it.
00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:54.874
>> you scroll,
00:25:55.908 --> 00:25:56.876
You follow,
00:25:56.943 --> 00:25:57.944
You like.
00:25:58.011 --> 00:25:58.678
Yet deep down
00:25:58.745 --> 00:25:59.379
You still feel unseen,
00:25:59.445 --> 00:26:00.980
Unsupported and alone.
00:26:01.047 --> 00:26:02.548
>> but the truth is,
00:26:02.615 --> 00:26:03.583
You were created
00:26:03.650 --> 00:26:04.350
For connection.
00:26:04.417 --> 00:26:05.752
God designed you
00:26:05.818 --> 00:26:06.653
To walk side by side
00:26:06.719 --> 00:26:07.887
With jesus and with others,
00:26:07.954 --> 00:26:10.490
Encouraging and strengthening
00:26:10.556 --> 00:26:12.325
One another.
00:26:12.392 --> 00:26:13.626
In "when a friendship
00:26:13.693 --> 00:26:14.560
Feels hard",
00:26:14.627 --> 00:26:15.695
Amber albee swenson explores
00:26:15.762 --> 00:26:17.430
God's original design
00:26:17.497 --> 00:26:18.898
For how people
00:26:18.965 --> 00:26:19.532
Are meant to care for
00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.600
And strengthen one another,
00:26:20.667 --> 00:26:21.901
Building deep connections
00:26:21.968 --> 00:26:23.102
That help bring joy, healing,
00:26:23.169 --> 00:26:24.871
And purpose to everyday life.
00:26:24.937 --> 00:26:26.773
>> "when friendship feels hard"
00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.041
Is our way of thanking you
00:26:28.107 --> 00:26:29.442
For helping us show
00:26:29.509 --> 00:26:30.410
More people that jesus
00:26:30.476 --> 00:26:31.711
Is their greatest friend.
00:26:31.778 --> 00:26:33.613
Request yours today
00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.647
By calling
00:26:34.714 --> 00:26:35.314
800-661-3311,
00:26:35.381 --> 00:26:38.651
Visiting timeofgrace.org,
00:26:38.718 --> 00:26:40.153
Or writing us at
00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:41.287
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♪ ♪
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>> time of grace
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Doesn't end here.
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Visit timeofgrace.org
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Follow us on social media,
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Do you need prayer?
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Contact us and let us know
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Thank you so much
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For your support.
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>> see you next week
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On time of grace.
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Mike Novotny - The Family Connection

January 21, 2026 | 27:29

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