8 comments (Add your own)

1. Alicia Ferrari wrote:

I have some neighbors to remind me. I figure my actions speak louder than how loud they speak. David & I live in an apartment complex that has an mixture of every type of living condition. One neighbor in particular keeps me accountable, whether they realize it or not with my words. Because we can hear pratically everything that goes on, one day I was bawling my eyes out because of the current President, my current complaint with my husband, and pity on myself. She heard everything. And, in return, tried to be neighborly about it, by giving me an ecclectic sorts of books ranging from Robert Schuller (which somewhat helped), the Dalai Lama, and Dr. Phil. From then on, I realized I need to keep myself in check and keep looking to God to control my emotions. Oh sure, I still have my bouts (but am a bit more quiet). But, those books, and the feeling I got when she quietly confronted me that she could hear me, still haunts, or rather reminds me everytime I want to let my emotions go. On a side note...I've learned this just recently. For about 3 weeks, I was reading a fiction book as my devotion (It was on Mary Magdalene). It truly spoke to me, and truly made me realize that God puts in certain places to make us learn certain things about ourselves. He also puts us in places to teach others about our experiences. It's the things that I first spoke of, that I was complaining about, that truly has given me an about face. I need to be comfortable in the place that I'm at now. I need to quite my complaining and just truly focus on what I should be doing, rather than what others should be doing. It's my complaining, rather than naughty words that truly hinder me from getting closer to God.

Wed, April 29, 2009 @ 12:29 PM

2. Alicia Ferrari wrote:

On the Swine Flu, I think as a Christian, we should not be afraid, or even think of such things. I do believe that we should pray for those who are affected by it. But, as I was SORELY reminded by my morning reading, we can't dwell on the uncertainties of life, otherwise, we are not living by faith. Godspeed.

Wed, April 29, 2009 @ 12:32 PM

3. Darrel Wilson wrote:

I think many times we(I) are preparing a response before we(I) fully understand what is being said to us(me). I think this is because I like to be witty. I've always been told that I'm a good listener, but more so because I have good responses that people can respect and apply to their situation. Pastor Dove's sermon has made me realize that if I listen with my heart maybe I can process what is being said to me better and feed my soul and help others more in the long run.

"Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge." ~proverbs 19:27

Fri, May 1, 2009 @ 1:58 PM

4. Pat Adkins wrote:

Dear Friends,
I really enjoyed Pastor Larry's message on Sunday. My wife had to work and my children Kaylee & Bo insist on taking the front row seats to the pastor's right. I'm so glad we did! Keeping our mouth closed and opening our ears is the easy part. The most difficult as Pastor Larry pointed out is "Listening with our Hearts." As we lean in to the conversation and allow the Holy Spirit to help us obsorb what the person is saying. Then we can develop a genuine trust with the person who's speaking. I've even taken it further and silenced the inner voice that wants to quickly digest the words and give the conclusion to their problem or situation. Keeping that inner voice quiet is a job!
Withing the past week I've noticed that as I make the effort to keep quiet and listen with my heart that I can hear the Holy Spirit more clearly than ever. Wow, just letting down the walls of opinion. Keeping my Captain fix it suggestions box in check, and giving others a single forum to share means a lot. (For both of us)

Fri, May 1, 2009 @ 7:52 PM

5. Haydee Lopez wrote:

I have visited Emmanual Church only once this weekend but I saw what I liked and I am looking forward to bringing the rest of my family so that we can finally state that we have a new home.

The swine flu has many people up at arms and in frenzy about what to do. It has affected the way people do or rather don’t do the ordinary things that we have taken for granted before. It has altered the lifestyle of many people and in some cases rightly so. The ones that are most vulnerable to the flu and the effects on the respiratory system are the children, older people, people with diminished immune systems and expectant mothers and their unborn fetuses.

Keeping this in the proper perspective will enable us to co-exist with this breakout and not allow it to completely alter our lifestyle. “He only is my rock and salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” Ps. 62:2

The swine flu is a virus. You can treat the symptoms of a virus, but only if you are aware of them. The original reason that this particular virus was referred to as swine flu was because the virus itself had many of the genes from the viruses that showed up to the pigs in North America. But this particular strain has what scientists call a “quadruple reassortant” virus. This means that there are four genes found with two of them being from pigs, one from human genes and avian genes.
For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm

I have been in the health field for many years and if there is one thing I have learned is that if a person practices good hygiene, which includes continuous washing of hands, covering their mouths when coughing, wiping down areas of high traffic such as door knobs and children’s play areas including toys, then that will lessen the chances of obtaining the flu. Going to the doctor at the first signs of flu symptoms, a doctor should be advised and precautions taken accordingly.

We walk by faith, not by sight. I refuse to let a virus stop me from continuing to do what I am supposed to do. Daniel was saved when he was thrown in the den with the lions, because he refused to bow down to the decree’s set by the schemes of the satraps. This is just another scheme set by a different satrap as far as I am concerned. I live and work in a senior living complex here in Paramount and my only concern is to make sure that they are all healthy and if fallen by health, to help them recover as best as possible. That is my mission and the reason I am until the Lord deems otherwise.

"We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."

Sun, May 3, 2009 @ 10:04 PM

6. Jenalee & Joel Bomgaars wrote:

Joel and I had a discussion about listening and how important it is.
Being a good listener not only is important for being a good friend, sibling, daughter/son, but being a good spouse as well. Communication, which includes listening, is a huge part of a marriage.

Joel: I would say I’m a good listener. I like to listen and take in the whole conversation before speaking. If I am asked to give input, then I do so.

Jenalee: I think that I’m a good listener, but I definitely voice my opinion, whether asked or not.

We both agreed that we would be working on becoming better listeners for the remainder of the week and on.

As for swine flu, we also discussed the issue. If we live our lives fearful of the unknown and the future, are we truly living? We have chosen to use common sense, and to put our trust in God to protect us.

Wed, May 6, 2009 @ 1:02 PM

7. Kelly Smith wrote:

Once, long long ago, in a galaxy far, far away... I was a decent listener. Maybe even a good listener. But I've found that the older I get, the more I "bring a firehose to the conversation." My husband will likely tell you I bring the whole dang hook and ladder company out half the time. I know I should listen better, and I honestly want to, but being a mom trains you that the person talking to you probably wants a fix for something. I've also grown a little more comfortable in voicing my opinion - heck, I actually *have* an opinion on some things. Ask my mom, that's a borderline miracle.

Pastor Larry's sermon was timely and great, because I honestly want to listen. I seem to spend most of my time listening to someone talk and scanning the conversation for the catchphrases that will tell me what that person needs. While that works for dealing with small children, it's lousy with a spouse. It's not true communication.

As to the swine flu, I admit I had a freakout moment that lasted about two days when I heard about it. Then I calmed down. It helps that I'm married to a wonderfully level-headed man. We wash our hands, I disinfect high-traffic handles, and we take our vitamins. I refuse to panic over something so ingloriously named as "swine flu". I'm learning that to rely on Jesus doesn't mean you can cherry-pick your moments of dependency. I have faith that He'll provide.

Wed, May 6, 2009 @ 4:47 PM

8. Lori Hensin wrote:

We have been at Emmanuel for more than 5 years and can you believe it, we finally sat down as a family for the FIRST time and did DJ09 together. We always had a groaning in our hearts [at least my husband Erik and I] to do this with our boys but sometimes thought the topics might be too mature, and honestly, we never really made time for it. Finally, after Pastor Larry's message on listening, Erik was determined. We have tried ourselves to stress to our boys so much how important it is to listen and speak to each other kindly more often than nastily. Nastily, is that a word?
Well, the first time was a bit shaky, the boys were joking around a bit and my control issues kicked into overdrive but Erik was humble and said, we'll just keep trying. So we did another with the boys a couple nights ago after Pastor Ken's message and what an awesome experience we were able to have as a family. Jacob read the verse that was AMAZING!! Ephesians 4:1-7. It was very powerful. And both boys truly contributed to the conversation. How often we put in so much effort into friends and other acquaintances but then at home speak to each other in such a nasty tone at times. Thank you for giving us such an awesome outlet to convey this message to our beautiful boys that they actually participated in and [hopefully] really made them think a bit!!

Thu, May 7, 2009 @ 1:43 PM

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