fire side blog

AMAZING

2009-09-26T22:18:00.002-05:00

It is truly amazing how GOD opens up thoughts, circumstances, or lines of communication to people who are close to you. What do I mean about this???

Why Decrease???

2009-08-27T20:29:00.004-05:00

Why is it that when we get into trouble we tend to decrease ourselves.
In other words as Christians we decrease our lives when we are away from GOD and make it simpler, only to increase it at a later date.

Do we really think that eliminating certain things from our lives will really make a change?
So here is the question for the week, should we retract or increase when times get tough???

Also do we really think that retracting is the answer?

Forgiveness

2009-08-15T17:07:00.005-05:00

What is a definition
for forgiveness?

A definition for forgiveness could be
-- giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me.

It is impossible to live on this fallen planet without getting hurt,
offended,
misunderstood,
lied to,
and rejected. Learning how to respond properly is one of the basics of the Christian life.

Somebody's Gotta Say it ...

2009-08-04T21:40:00.004-05:00

This blog is all ready for YOU to share whats on your MIND...
call it Necessary, call it long overdue, call it venting, but whatever YOU CALL IT ... PLEASE SHARE IT.

Allow me to explain ... you see a man slap a women in the parking lot, or you see a bully beating up a smaller kid, or someone at work just took something belonging to the company or ...
you get the picture, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE SAID ...
so
SAY IT.

KICK ME

2009-07-14T18:13:00.002-05:00

So often those who name the name of JESUS, find themselves as HUMAN TARGETS. A target of insults, a target for put downs, the butt of sitcom jokes.

WHY???
Why do we find ourselves receiving this type of attention?
What is your opinion on the matter???
Also, have you found that you've been the guy or gal who's FOOT is in the SHOE?

ON THE FENCE???

2009-06-18T15:03:00.004-05:00

PICK A SIDE ...

YOU CAN'T DO BOTH

my friend brought up an INTERESTING POINT...

he said if you're gonna keep HANGING on to a HABITUAL SIN, then you need to stay away from church.

At first i thought, what???

then he explained, look ... if you're gonna sin, then sin.

when you figure out that sin won't take you where you thought it would, then maybe you'll quit.

in the meanwhile, don't LIE TO YOURSELF and to GOD.

Going to church, well that will just screw up those around you as YOU BRING SIN into the camp. He Said, "I MEAN, if you don't plan on quitting and repenting, then why be a POSER AND PRETEND?

WHATDOYOUTHINK???

LoveDare:DAY 7 Which Room is your Hangout place?

2009-06-06T13:12:00.004-05:00

Day 7: The book describes TWO ROOMS within our heart.

ONE is the APPRECIATION ROOM.

the other is the DEPRECIATION ROOM.

we will spend more time in one than the other.

if you notice more NEGATIVE coming out of your mouth, then maybe you've been

SPRAY PAINTING the walls of the DEPRECIATION ROOM.

for this week, try this:

Pick out two pieces of paper. on one piece WRITE out POSITIVE things about your spouse.

on the other piece, WRITE out NEGATIVE things about your spouse.

SAVE THESE for later.

Now pick out ONE thing from the POSITIVE list and THANK YOUR SPOUSE for having this CHARACTERISTIC.

What do you consider a loss in you sprituality???

2009-05-29T15:20:00.003-05:00

When we fail in our sprituality we see it as a loss.
Where have we failed in our walk with Christ? Also when you fall off the path, how do we get back on it??? What have you done to make it a WIN for you?

What do you consider a win in your spirituality???

2009-05-29T14:49:00.003-05:00

What do you consider a win in your spirituality??? Example: Do you consider a win when you are able to read your Bible every day for a week!

More times than not we as Christians sell our selves short in what we consider a WIN. How can we set our goal higher to achieve a bigger win. Also where do you set your goals in your spirituality?

Is there a right or wrong way to accept a ticket?

2009-05-21T20:53:00.005-05:00

If a police officer pulls you over is there a right way or a wrong way to accept a ticket?

Also how should you act. Example: you get pulled over and when the police officer comes to you for your information and you act like you are his best friend in hopes of getting off without a ticket.

But being Christian men and us trying to lead by example what should we do when he/she does approach us?

Secrets: what should you keep?

2009-05-15T17:34:00.003-05:00

When should you keep a secret?

What should you NOT keep secret?

I mean, what if you have information that could help a friend, BUT telling them would break the confidence of another ... WHAT THEN?

or how about if you know your friend's daughter is behaving WAY TO GROWN UP (I MEAN C'mon she's just a 7th grader)

AND she just recieved a PDA (PUBLIC DISPLAY OF

AFFECTION) at school. but you know this was just the one time she got caught... what then???

LOVE DARE: Day Six LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE

2009-05-05T20:13:00.009-05:00

Day Six:

To be "Irritable" means to be

" Near the point of a KNIFE"

Choose this week to ACT in LOVING WAYS instead of IRRITATION when you face the tough situations of MARRIAGE. let us know how you did.

Bonus: What one thing about your Spouse

"Irritates YOU THE MOST"

Your one moment in time

2009-04-28T13:30:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been in a spot where you had a moment in time where you would rise up and meet the challenge. As in Rocky, he could have given up or not even fought, but he overcame fear, and other factors to persevere.
Tell me your story of where you overcame fear or other factors to win in the end.

Do you HIT Below the Belt???

2009-04-27T10:14:00.006-05:00

Peace at any price or fear of rocking the boat will hurt a marriage relationship. It's OK to fight! Just fight fair.

Every couple needs to be able to handle conflict in a constructive way. Having an angry outburst so that you can win an argument will make you the loser in the end.

So Do you hit below the belt?

Do you control the arguments?

Decide if there will be a fight? CLAM UP or simply POUT?

Do you verbally assault your spouse?

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION ...

why good men fail , time after time after time

2009-04-16T20:48:00.008-05:00

Failure , according to WIKIPEDIA,

refers to the state or condition

of not meeting
a desirable or intended objective,
and may be viewed as the opposite of success.
so where do you find, no matter how hard you try, you find yourself
in the LOSER'S BRACKET?

Children before the Honeymoon?

2009-04-07T14:50:00.004-05:00

To Do or Not To Do ...

THIS IS OFTEN THE QUESTION.

today i spoke with a good friend. we discussed how his family's future is uncertain. we went back to the beginning and discussed the impact of TAKING THE VOWS

BECAUSE she got pregnant .

So what do you think? Should a Man marry a woman he impregnated???

WELCOME JB

2009-04-07T14:40:00.003-05:00

its great to have you blogging again with us here at fireside.

you bring your own personal flavor .

guard your heart and don't be afraid to speak your mind ...

YEAH RIGHT, huh?

LOVE DARE: Day Five

2009-03-29T23:39:00.003-05:00

Day Five: Ask your bride to tell you

THREE THINGS

that cause her to be Uncomfortable or Irritated with

YOU.

Note: you must do so WITHOUT Attacking them or Justifying

your Behavior.

The LORD is my DEFENDER

2009-03-10T20:04:00.004-05:00

This past weekend during volleyball playoffs, i found myself wanting to challenge the integrity and accuracy of the REF.

I felt he wasn't be fair to us. Then i heard a voice in my head ... sounded like JESUS' voice ... and HE said , "shhh, I AM your Defender."

from this moment on i kept my shut, btw i never said anything to the REF...

THE LORD IS MY DEFENDER.... how about you?

Do you allow HIM to represent you too?

OR do you have to PROVE you're RIGHT?

LOVE DARE:Day Four

2009-03-10T19:51:00.004-05:00

Day Four: Contact your Spouse during the

Business of the Day &

ASK how she is doing

& if there is anything

YOU can DO for HER.

WELCOME john, alan, & frodo

2009-03-02T11:03:00.007-06:00

WELCOME

JOHN

WELCOME

ALAN

WELCOME

FRODO

we appreciate you men taking your time to track with us on this BLOG !!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE DARE: Day Three

2009-03-02T10:16:00.002-06:00

Day Three: Buy your spouse something

that says,

" i was thinking of you..."

RoadTrip to TheVILLAGE

2009-03-02T10:06:00.004-06:00

I KNOW I KNOW.

why is there a picture of DUNKIN DONUTS?

well, even though it was about TheVILLAGE church experience,

we craved SECOND BREAKFAST too.

for more, open up this thread ...

LOVE DARE: Day Two

2009-02-17T13:55:00.002-06:00

In addition to saying nothing negative

to your spouse again today,

do at least

ONE UNEXPECTED GESTURE

AS AN Act of Kindness

LOVE DARE: Day One

2009-02-09T10:12:00.003-06:00

Resolve to demonstrate patience and to say NOTHING NEGATIVE

to your spouse at all.

C'mon guys, lets try it.

I DARE YOU ...

Roses ... to give or not to give

2009-02-04T14:08:00.002-06:00

Curious, when's the last time you gave your lady flowers for NRAA?
you know , NO REASON AT ALL?

perhaps giving em to her BEFORE valentines day would have a much greater impact.
WHATDOYOUTHINK?

Stressed???

2009-01-12T21:17:00.003-06:00

When life seems unfair and you struggle to make it day to day,

what do you do to get back in the groove?

Specifically, on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best,

how well do you handle stress?

And WHO or WHAT stresses you out the most?

ReMarriage and Children

2008-12-29T08:42:00.002-06:00

Today 1 in 3 will divorce at some point in their adult life.

So with the blended family becoming more normal than the exception, a question has become the forefront issue inside many homes.

In short, do the the kiddos come before the new spouse, OR does YOUR NEW spouse come first, before your kiddos?

What is #1 reason kids don't listen to mom and dad?

2008-12-04T21:11:00.003-06:00

You've seen the "moments". you're at the grocery store and a kid throws a tantrum. You catch a teenager rolling their eyes as dad says, "No, you're not gonna wear that." ETC, ETC... so in your opinion why does this happen?

BONUS: who's more to blame, the kiddo or the parent?

Do you Have a Favorite VERSE? what is it?

2008-11-12T16:50:00.002-06:00

What verse or passage of Scripture has significant meaning for you?

Perhaps you have several... so maybe for you, what verse speaks louder to you right now at this moment in your LIFE?

what would be your top 3 dating questions?

2008-11-11T22:44:00.004-06:00

W hat are the top 3 questions you believe you should ask when dating someone new?

the idea here is to try to figure who they are and what thier character truly is.

BONUS QUESTION: Do you believe it's a bad idea for a Christ follower to date a Non Christ follower?

Should same sex couples adopt children?

2008-10-21T13:57:00.003-05:00

GAY ADOPTION ... I KNOW, I KNOW, this is touchy. Controversial too. Still it is a topic we're not afraid to discuss.

Soooooooooo ?

How do you see this? Are you in favor of ALLOWING adoption to same-sex couples , OR are you oppossed? Why?

Bonus: WHICH IS BETTER? A SAME SEX COUPLE WHO WOULD LOVE A CHILD, OR HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO MISTREAT AND/OR NEGLECT A CHILD ?

Let's Give Em Something to Talk About

2008-10-11T22:45:00.001-05:00

When's the last time you got wind that someone close had spoken ill of you?

What has been your approach in the past?
What are some good practices you've discovered?

Is it best to go to them and discuss, to ask if they indeed said this or
that, OR is it best to ignore it?

Disappointments

2008-10-08T12:33:00.010-05:00

Can you think of a major Disappointment in your life?

Now can you look back and see the HIDDEN BENEFITS from going thru the major Disappointment?

Please share with us, How GOD used this

Undesireable Moment to TEACH you Something .

Something that without the Disappointment, you WOULDN'T have ever learned.

Divorced & Dating

2008-10-01T17:02:00.004-05:00

How long should a divorcee WAIT until he/she begins the dating process?

a week, a month, 6 months, a year?

IS IT WRONG TO DATE while going thru the

DIVORCE PROCESS?

Also, if you've been divorced, did you go to DIVORCE RECOVERY, and did it help?

MYSPACE - GOOD OR BAD?

2008-09-25T21:36:00.004-05:00

There has been plenty of debate concerning the
whole myspace issue.
So we thought we'd join in on controversy.
So is it good or is it bad, or
DOES IT DEPEND ON WHAT YOU DO WITH IT?

FLIRTING & CHEATING

2008-09-25T21:27:00.005-05:00

Today, the issue of flirting was raised. my question to you is
do you believe a christian should flirt?
what about a married christian ... can and should they flirt?
Finally , is flirting actually cheating?

Venting

2008-08-28T17:00:00.002-05:00

This blog is for people who have questions, or want to vent, or for people who just want to post something that GOD has put on their heart. Also you can post comments about our web site, or anything that you would like to see improved.

Going Deep

2008-08-18T17:34:00.003-05:00

Richard Blackaby a speaker at the Promise Keeper Conference said "what we say illustrates how deep we are with Christ." So my question is how do WE go deep with Christ and what areas do we need help catching the long touchdown pass for HIM??

Marriage

2008-08-07T17:24:00.001-05:00

What is the #1 thing a woman can do to improve her marriage?

SURVEY

2008-07-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

What is the #1 thing a man can do to improve his marriage?

Fingerprints

2008-06-25T11:24:00.004-05:00

Tell us your story on how GOD

has left a fingerprint

on you or your families lives.

Church

2008-06-04T12:27:00.000-05:00

at what point should a member break away from their current church? what reasons have you used to leave yours in the past?

Church

2008-05-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

why do Christ followers not regularly read the bible? also why don't many attend regularly? basically why do many Christ followers take God lightly in these two areas?

Marriage

2008-05-27T12:05:00.001-05:00

do you think its wrong for a husband to have sex with his wife, when she's
really not in the mood? you know the phrase, "paint the ceiling"

Teens

2008-05-17T08:37:00.002-05:00

It's reported, THONG SALES totaled $152 million....Just to 13-19 Teen Girls alone. Should a teenage girls be aloud to wear them???

Teens

2008-05-06T12:31:00.001-05:00

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR when it comes your teens privacy?

Masturbation

2008-04-18T15:25:00.003-05:00

Is masturbation wrong? Why or Why not. Do you do it?? Please answer anonymously!

Fingerprints

2008-04-01T18:43:00.002-05:00

Where has GOD left fingerprints on your life? Also how is he still touching your life? (not just your personal life, but your church life as well.) So what is next in your personal and spiritual life? Be prepared to be called out on it!!!!

Seperated

2008-03-27T17:01:00.002-05:00

Are you seperated from Christ when you willing commit a sin? Example: going out and drinking then going to church on Sunday Morning to ask for forgivness, or using curse words instead of other words that can get the same meaning across and blaming it on the people you are around.

Divorce

2008-03-27T16:59:00.002-05:00

so you want a divorce, is there a a right and wrong way to pursue this? Also should you get a divorce for other reasons than your spouse being unfaithful? Should getting counseling after the divorce be a necessity?