This Sunday we will continue the Homelife series by taking a look at The Nursery.  I have several parenting books listed under the Books for Parents Category. In addition, I am currently reading Boundaries with Kids by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.  I read the original Boundaries book by these authors when it came out several years ago.  These books provide helpful insight and information to help you take contlrol and responsiblity of your life.  Learning how to set responsible boundaries is a very liberatiing concept.   This proved to be invaluable to us when our three children were younger.  Reminding ourselves that our goal was to develop character in our children and that the future is now helped us see three extroverted strong willed children mature into young adults.  It was not easy but it is absolutely rewarding

I recently read some comments regarding a book called Children Raising Parents by Dan Allender.  Everything I read indicated that this is a great book.  Dan is one of my favorite authors.  I got to meet him a few years back and my appreciation for his approach to life grew even stronger.

This weekend at FOTP we will continue the Homelife series.  This Sunday’s message is The Master Bedroom.  By applying simple Biblical principles, every couple can improve their marriage.

As I shared with our people last week, today we have access to a wealth of information that can help us build healthy families.  My philosophy has always been that someone out there has already done this and I am going to learn from them. 

While I have some books listed here on my blog that Pat and I have found helpful, I thought it would be a good idea to list all of those plus some, so here you go:

For Women Only and For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn – These short books based on extensive research, give concise practical steps for improving your marriage.

Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus by John Gray – It is hard to believe that this book came out in 1997.  While it is not written from a Christian perspective, it is still one of the most helpful books I have ever read.  It is a bit long and not for the fainthearted.

His Needs Her Needs by Willard Harley – In an easy to read concise fashion this book helps husbands and wives give each other what they need.  The book has been out for 15 years but the information is still right on target showing that the basic needs of men and women don’t change over time.

7 Things He’ll Never Tell You (but you need to know) by Dr. Kevin Leman – Written with a very humorous syle, this book gives wives keen insight into how their husband thinks.

The DNA of Relationships by Dr. Gary Smalley – Reading this book will give you the whys and hows of the marriage relationship.  His insights are based on 5 years of research and have shown an amazing 90 percent success rate in resolving conflict.

Craig  Groeschel the pastor of  Lifechurch in Emond Oklahoma wrote this book.  He says that some churches have “it” and others don’t.  Some have had “it” and lost “it”  and never have “it” again.

While “it” is hard to define, having been in the ministry a long time, I know what he is talking about.  I know when you have “it” in a church you know “it”.  Also, when “it” is gone you can tell.

He explains how important a compelling vision is to the life of a church.  This is not necessarily a vision statement but more of what you do as a church.  Everyone needs to know the target.  He shares a funny illustration about these dogs on a race track in Florida.  The mechanical rabbit they were chasing had some type of electrical problem and exploded.  As a result the dogs did not know what to do.  Some sat and howled at the crowd.  Some just wondered around.  One tried to jump the barrier and broke a rib.  None of the dogs finished the race.  It is a picture of a church without a clear vision.  Trust me, I have seen it many times.

“It” is best defined as what God does through a combination of these qualities:

• A passion for God’s presence
• A deep craving to reach the lost
• Sincere integrity
• Spirit-filled faith
• Down to earth humility
• Brokenness

My prayer is that FOTP Grapevine will always have “it” and never lose “it”.

This is a good book for any church leader.  It is easy to read, entertaining and absolutely based on a true concept.

I can’t really explain God’s hand of favor but having been in the ministry for over 26 years, I know when I sense his hand of favor.  At FOTP Grapevine, I sense it in a powerful way right now.  We are seeing people come to us who say they are broken and searching.  Some of those are coming to know Christ.  Pat and I both have had the privilege of seeing people commit their lives to Christ in recent weeks at lunch or as we met at a coffee shop.  In addition, we are seeing believers deal with issues in their lives that have been preventing them from moving forward spiritually.  It truly is an exciting time.

This past Sunday we began a new series, Homelife.  We are looking at the different rooms in a house and the Biblical principles that can serve as a guide for building relationships with the people in those rooms.   This past Sunday we had 165 in attendance which is amazing for the summer.  People genuinely want to know how to experience a more fulfilling home life.

On Sunday, September 13 (our official one year anniversary) we will move our service times and have two public services (9:30 and 11).  We have had a service at 9 for our volunteers and a public service at 10:30 but with the anticipated growth we will need to move to the two services.  We believe we could have as many as 200 people attending on a weekly basis this fall. 

Thank you for your prayers.

Brennan Manning is one of my favorite authors.  He spiritual journey has taken him down many paths.  He has taught in seminaries, spoken to packed arenas, lived in a cave and labored with the poor in Spain and ministered to the shrimpers in Alabama.  He is a recovering alcoholic.  He helps me grasp the reality of God’s love and grace.

This book started a little slow for me but just when I was about to get discouraged it seemed to come alive.  When I read about his struggles as a broken down drunk living on the streets of New Orleans, I was reminded of God’s unconditional love for a sinner like me.

“And the God I’ve come to know by sheer grace, the Jesus I met in the grounds of my own self, has furiously loved me regardless of my state of grace or disgrace.  The furious love of God knows no shadow of alteration or change.  It is reliable and always tender.” – Brennan Manning

This is a very short book with chapter after chapter reminding us of God’s furious longing.  Reading this book will fan that spark of resident divinity into a blazing flame of burning love.

I am really looking forward to our next series at FOTP, HomeLife.  This series revolves around the layout of a three-bedroom house.  Each week we will explore what happens in each room of the house and how it contributes to the overall health and vitality of our HomeLife.

You may not attend FOTP Grapevine but if you know someone who could benefit from these messages please invite them to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30.  We meet at 730 E. Worth Street in Grapevine.  That is the location of Faith Christian School.  Please be aware that two churches meet at that location.  They are both great Bible believing churches but we would love to see you at Fellowship of the Parks Grapevine so follow our signs.

I am reading a great book by one of my favorite authors, The Furious Longing for God by Bennan Manning.  More to come on that soon.

Our summer attendance has actually exceeded our expectations.  Based on what took place after Easter in the spring we should have 150 – 200 in attendance this fall.  As a result we are going to two full services and moving our service times to 9:30 and 11.

Right now, I just sense God’s hand of favor on the church.  Pat and I both have had the privilege of seeing individuals commit their lives to Christ during the last few weeks.  God continues to bring us people who are searching for Christ and people who want to help others find Christ.

It has almost been a year since we started Fellowship of the Parks Grapevine, and it continues to be the most exciting and rewarding ministry opportunity I have ever experienced. 

 “Nothing is more amazing to me than the spiritual transaction that takes place when we put our faith in Christ.  Somehow my spiritual debits are transferred to Christ’s account and His credits are transferred to mine.  There is no greater moment and greater feeling than all of our guilt meeting all of God’s grace.”  - Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

I pray that FOTP Grapevine will always be a safe place where people can experience all of their guilt meeting all of God’s grace.