Harvest Community Church

What a fabulous weekend we had.  I am so thankful to everyone that stepped up the past few weeks and invited people to join you for church on Easter and the weeks prior or after.  You are making a difference in the lives of our our community. Keep up the good work.

Also, I need to say a big thank you to all those people that invited someone but they haven’t come yet…don’t give up on them.  Remember, God never gave up on you!

Yesterday, we had a great morning as we worked through our second weekend in our MORE series.  Specifically, we discussed 1 John 1:5-10 and what it means to be a follower of Jesus; one who walks in the light.  Are you walking in the light?

The morning was followed up by a great picnic in the park.  We had an all time high in attendance, the weather couldn’t have been better, and we even saw people dropping in from the park to get food and to enjoy some fun community (I am not kidding).  And if you are wondering because you missed it…YES, I did win the pie eating contest.

If you took any pictures from the event or Easter that you wouldn’t mind sharing…please let us know at the church.  We would love to get those from you.

Have a blessed week and don’t forget that the challenge of the week is to pray Psalm 139:23-24 everyday of the week.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

It is hard to believe, but Spring is here and summer is just around the corner.  That also means that the season of weddings is also upon us.  One of the things that Harvest offers is pre-marital counseling to anyone looking to get married.  The process of walking through pre-marital conversations with couples is fun and enlightening for all those involved.  Below are some important questions that I have compiled over the years that serve as a good starting point for couples looking to tie the knot.  These are not an exhaustive set of questions but they do help get the ball rolling.  How would you answer the following questions?

Theological Questions:

1. What do you believe about God? Creation? Everything?

2. Why are we here?

3. How do you form your beliefs?

4. What do you believe about the Bible? (A good exercise is to actually go through the Church’s doctrinal statement together and discuss your beliefs about each point)

5. How important is Church? Corporate Worship?

6. What are you personal habits when it comes to prayer, study, reading, worship, etc.?

7. What are we doing now when it comes to praying for one another? Is there something you would like to change in this area?

8. When kids come into the picture, should we do family devotions together and if so what should they look like? Who should lead these moments?

Relational Questions

1. Define the roles of the husband and wife in a marriage setting?  Who is going to do what?  What does the Bible say about roles in the household?

2. Define expectations when it comes to spending time with the opposite sex.  Alone?

3. How will we share home responsibilities: cleaning, cooking, yard work, car maintenance, bill paying, etc.?

4. What is an ideal date? Anniversary celebration?

5. Who keeps track of the checking account?

6. What are expectations when it comes to intimacy?

Children

1. Do you want kids? If so, how many?

2. When should we have kids? How far apart?

3. Would you or have you ever considered adopting?

4. What are the appropriate ways to discipline children?

5. When should kids go to bed?

6. How do plan to show your kids affection?

7. How would you prefer to school your kids? Home school? Public? Christian?

Lifestyle Choices

1. Rent or own a home?  How big?

2. What kind of neighborhood?

3. How many cars? New or used?

4. Financial goals? Retirement? College funds?

5. Talk about your views of money? How much money do you plan to give? (Church?)

7. Where do you plan to buy clothes?

Having Fun

1. Should we eat out? How often?

2. What kind of vacations are appropriate?

3. What kind of toys and how many toys should we have? Boat? Quads?

4. What kind of movies do you enjoy seeing?  Stay home or go to the theater?

Misc.

1. Who is going to be the main breadwinner?

2. Should a wife work outside the home?

3. What are your views on daycare?

4. What makes you angry?

5. How do you normally handle frustration?

6. Who should bring up an issue that is bothersome?

7. What is your views on getting help from friends or counselors?

8. Will we go to bed angry at each other?

9. Is it good to have guy time and girl time with the friends?

10. Do you have any health issues or physical problems that could affect our marriage?

11. What do you think about eating healthy and exercising?

12. Do you have an unhealthy habits?

My goal is not to be a “Debby Downer” today.  Actually, my desire is to do the complete opposite.  I hope some of my reflections inspire you and even encourage you in some of the challenges you face.  One thing is for sure…life is full of challenges.

Pastor Brian Baker having a great time with some of the awesome Harvest teens

Last month, a group of Harvest youth leaders took a group of Harvest Youth up north for our first annual winter retreat.  As you can tell…I don’t think they had any fun! : )  Over the past few weeks I have heard nothing but awesome things of what God did over the weekend they were away.  Let me encourage you to grab one of the youth, Brian, or one of the leaders and ask them to share a highlight from their weekend away.

That reminds me of something.  When is the last time you retreated and spent some intentional, focused, time with God? Life is busy!  Yet, we are commanded to slow down and to be still before God (Psalm 46).  Sometimes the very thing we need to do is focus on the fact that we have the presence of a God of power.  The God who created the heavens and the earth, who knitted us together in our mother’s womb, is present and available.  Are you taking advantage of spending time with God?

Contagious!!! This past Sunday we finished week 3 in our series on being a Contagious Church.  Specifically, we talked about how Contagious Churches are selfless communities.  Don’t forget to live selflessly this week.

And I almost forgot…go egg someone this week!  That’s a command.