Matthew 26:26-28 (NLT)
²⁶ As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”
²⁷ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it,
²⁸ for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

What IS exciting is seeing two guys each proclaiming their gratitude to Christ for their talent and success.

Check out Lin’s post-game interview to gain a deeper insight into his faith.

Every year Sports Illustrated publishes their “swimsuit edition.” It has nothing to do with swimsuits.

By not clicking that link I kept my focus on the wife I have instead of the model I don’t have. A danger guys get into is getting their priorities mixed up. If I put my wife first in my network of human relationships that means I take intentional steps to favor her above all others (just like I promised in my marriage vows). If I choose to spend time slobbering over images of women I’ll never meet who I’ve made no promises to and care nothing at all about me … and instead focus with a laser-like precision on the needs of the one woman I’ll spend time with today, who I’ve made many promises to, and who cares for me intensely … that’s an awesome valentines day gift.

I’ve also given her something less important, a trinket of some kind I think. But the gift she’ll never see is far more important.

Don’t click it. She’d thank you if she knew.

The movie is about group of guys, most of whom are police officers, making a pact to become better dads. During the course of the movie we laugh, cry, laugh, and cry a lot more. It’s a huge emotional roller-coaster. For me, there was a bit too much emotionalism, not “over the top” but nearly so. There’s also a lot of humor, in fact a scene featuring the back seat of a police car was one of the funniest movie bits I’ve seen in a long time.

See the movie. You can rent it, buy it, or watch it via cable or satellite. It has the potential of being life-changing for you (dad’s) and your family.

Jesus challenges us to hang in there with our rotten spouse … in fact, the truth is that WE can be the rotten one. I can get so wrapped in my own needs, my own agenda, and what’s going on in my Universe I can overlook your needs and your well-being.

Jesus’ teaching in, Matthew 5:31-32 presents a challenge to our society:  (NLT) “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce’. But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”

Thinking about leaving? Having a hard time? Make an appointment with your pastor and talk things over. You may discover the way of escape is actually in persevering through the tough times.

Prediction?  Giants by 7.

UPDATE:  What a great game it was! Anytime the game can be won or lost on the last play, it’s exciting.

One of the unique aspects of Sunny Hills is that we do children’s Sunday school at the same time we do our adult worship service. So, families have a choice. Kids can join the adults, or have a Bible lesson for them “on their level,”

Have a great week!

• KIDLight ages (grades K – 5) will be with the adults the whole time … usually our kids go to Sunday School while the adults are in the worship service.
• Our middle schoolers remain in the worship service the whole time … usually our middle school students leave after the singing to do a Bible study designed just for them.

Because the service is packed with kids and middle school students we do some things a little different:

• The pastor explains in simple terms some of the worship elements kids may not understand.
• Kids who want to are invited to sit on the front row.
• Kids who want to are invited to help out with the sermon. The sermon is more “active” and “participant oriented” on fifth Sundays. We often play games together or act out parts of the Bible story. The idea is to get kids involved in the sermon so they don’t think it’s too boring or whatever.
• Kids who want to are invited to help collect the offering.

Fifth Sunday services are fun, even more fun than our regular services. Why not give Sunny Hills Church a try this weekend … it’ll be different than what you’re used to, probably, but that’s not a bad thing.

Make some more money, that would be good. Begin that novel that’s been floating around in my head for a while.

If only I could actually make progress, you know, move past all the “want to’s” in my life and become even half of what I dream of becoming. Sometimes I feel so “stuck.” So busy with the routine of life that life is passing me by. Could somebody please help me discover REAL purpose and meaning in life.

Yes. Sunny Hills can help with that.