Relationship Status - Single

For the past couple of weeks we've been focusing the messages towards married couples. The principles we looked at Sunday (from God's Word) will apply to married people, but will mostly apply to our incredible group of single adults at The Branch. Single people listen up - God wants you to have a joyful, fulfilled life right now! Don't buy into the myth that you can only be happy when you're married or in a romantic relationship. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Relationship Status - Friends

Being friends takes work and pays the highest dividends in any relationship. Marriage is a place where friendship is often neglected because we wear so many hats. Lovers, business partners and parents are just a few of the hats we wear in marriage. But the most important garment is the coat of friendship and you should never take it off. A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future and accepts you just the way you are, but loves you too much to let you stay the way you are. Let’s explore the gift of friendship! Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Relationship Status - Married

Marriage is God’s idea and all of God’s ideas are good. Marriage is so important to God that He compares it to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. That should make it a beautiful thing, but all too often it becomes something else. Love and respect are God’s prescription for a healthy marriage. This week I spoke with my amazing wife on the keys to an amazing marriage. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen years ago today I married my best friend. Two daughters later she is still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

I'll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I've got to be
The meaning of my life is...
She
She, oh she. Elvis Costello  

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:29

I love you Sarah Joy!

Relationship Status - Adopted

If you were to boil the Christian life down into one word what would that word be? RELATIONSHIPS. When Jesus was asked, “What’s the most important thing in life?” He talked about our vertical relationship with God the Father and equally important our horizontal relationship with others. Any relationship without God at the center is doomed for failure. Your success, regardless of your status, is dependent on a right relationship with your Father. So, What’s your status? It’s so much more than checking a box! If you never feel accepted by God you will live with an orphan heart and constantly be searching for acceptance from others. Jesus measured up for us so that we wouldn’t have to live under the enslaving pressure of measuring up for others. The Bible uses the word "adoption" to describe our relationship status with God. It can be difficult to enter into the mindset of adoption, but it’s really all about rescue and acceptance. Jesus secured the right for God to sign your adoption papers and bring you into the family. Listen online @BranchChurch or download the podcast on iTunes.

Relationship Status

I'm kicking off a new series this week @BranchChurch. Relationship Status will explore four connections and what God's plan is for those relationships. This is a great series to invite a friend and help them get connected to the one relationship that changes everything!