kindness

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Love Like Jesus

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
   I Corinthians 13:13

Today is Valentine’s Day.  I was just on Facebook and there are thousands of people declaring their love for their spouses, their children and each other.  It’s a sweet day.  It seems like today most everyone is willing to say to at least someone … “I love you.”  Chocolates and roses and special cards are being exchanged today.  Love is in the air … as the old song states.

In 1 Corinthians 13, called The Love Chapter, Paul talks about love.  He has written a letter to the church in Corinth, giving them instruction and encouragement on their journey with Jesus.  They are a lot like we are today,  wanting to do right, but somewhat confused on how to stay on track.  As a result they dealt with problems like immaturity, instability, divisions, jealousy, envy, lawsuits, marital problems, sexual immorality  and the misuse of spiritual gifts.  Sound familiar?

But Paul doesn’t beat them up, he simply writes a letter to encourage them and help them get back on track.  And in the midst of that letter, he shares with them that no matter how great they think they are or what wonderful things they do, if they were not motivated by love, it means nothing.  He explains that love is the most excellent way.  He goes on to share that:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4-8)

At the Last Supper, the night before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples:  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  (John 13:34,35)

If we are followers of Jesus, we must love one another.  We are to be love. It wasn’t a suggestion.  He told them it was actually a new commandment.  So now, go back to the Love is section above and replace love with your name.  Are you patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring, not self-seeking, not easily angered.  Do you not keep records of wrongs?  Do you not delight in evil but rejoice in truth?  Do you protect?  Do you hope?  Do you persevere?  Are you unfailing?  Do you love?  Ouch …not so easy is it?

I want to be like Paul.  I don’t want you to feel beat up if you fail in some areas, because we all fall short, but rather do this exercise to take inventory, see what needs some work.  I encourage you to seek God in the areas that you struggle with, release them to him and let him fill you with His love, which will then overflow from you into those around you!

Father, thank you for your unfailing love.  When the world is fickle, when one day it loves me and one day it loves me not, you are faithful and true.  You don’t just love me, but rather you are love.  It is your nature.  It is who you are.  I honestly cannot even fathom the depth of your love. Forgive me Father for not loving as you do, help me to remove the planks out of my eyes, so that I can see others as you see them and love them as you love them.

I love you Jesus!
In Your name I pray,
Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!
Love,
Joyce

The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org/

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Harry Chapin Food Give-Away

On December 23, 2010, The Tree of Life Church partnered with Harry Chapin Food Pantry and Kids Against Hunger to give away fresh produce and meat to the community.   With over 30,000 pounds of food given away, 426 families were served, with over 2000 people being blessed with food for Christmas.  It was a great time of showing the love of Jesus by meeting a vital need.

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Harvest Fest – October 31, 2010

We celebrated the Harvest here at The Tree on Sunday, October 31, 2010.  A great time was had by all.  Between 400 -500 people were in attendance.  There were games, music, food and tons of fun!  Thank you to all the volunteers who made this day a reality and blessed so many special children and their families!

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A Cry For Help

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

As I was walking the dogs tonight, I heard a goat bleating pitifully, at the end of the street.  Apparently, our neighbors are now goat farmers, there must be thirty to forty goats in their fenced lot. This particular goat didn’t sound happy, or content, and as I approached the lot, I could see it struggling in the bushes.  Apparently, it was stuck in the fence.  I watched it for a few minutes, but it couldn’t break free.  I couldn’t go into the lot, I had Jack-Jack and Zeke with me, but I knew I had to find help for the goat. Thankfully, a man pulled into the driveway of the house, as I approached, and  I explained to him that one of the goats was stuck in the fence, and he assured me he would go rescue it.  I walked back down the street, happy inside that the little goat was going to be free.   I was grateful that I heard the goat’s cry, if it had not made any noise, I would not have known it was in need of help.

I started thinking about how many times we get caught up in the shackles of life, but we don’t want anyone to see our plight, so we say nothing and end up trapped in our bondages, our emotions, or our distorted thinking.  We may attempt to untangle the chains ourselves, but without the help of another, sometimes it’s nearly impossible.

I know I was stuck for years, too embarrassed to let anyone know my situation.  But one day, I realized if I didn’t ask for help, I was never going to be free.  I needed help.  And I asked for it.  And my life hasn’t been the same since.

I want to encourage you today … if you are stuck, ask for help.  

Father, thank you for giving me the courage to ask for help.  That you for bringing a friend into my life who heard my cry and helped me untangle the mess that was me.  And Jesus, thank you for healing my heart and my hurts and setting me free!

I love you Jesus!
   In your name I pray,
   Amen

God’s Blessings Upon You!

Love,
Joyce

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Fleece Blanket – Servolution Project

The Tree of Life Church made fleece blankets one Saturday, June 19, 2010,  to give to nursing home and hospice patients.  14 people came out to help.  32 blankets were made to give away.  A good time was had by all!

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Chelsey’s Memorial Benefit

On June 4, 2010, The Tree partnered with Boy Scout Troop 255, and Kris Murphy to raise money for Chelsey’s Park.  A playground in memory of Chelsey Murphy, who passed away on March 14, 2010.   The night included: food, music, raffles, an inspirational speaker and a bake sale.  A good time was had by all and close to $5,000 was raised to build the park. 

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Living Stone – March 2010

Shirley Gottschalk – March  2010   Tree of Life Living Stone

Shirley Gottschalk has a heart to serve.  Her smile and warm welcome  are a breath of fresh air to those who encounter  her each Sunday morning.  Shirley lives out her faith;  with her family, with her co-workers and with her friends.  She is married to Gordon and they have three children and  one grand baby.

 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
   I Peter 2:4,5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s All Because of Jesus

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Habitat for Humanity

On Saturday, February 27, 2010, eleven of us from The Tree spent 4 hours helping out Habitat for Humanity in Naples. 

Thank you for sharing your time and talents!

Here are some pictures from our day. 

It’s All Because of Jesus!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wake Up

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James 5:19,20

I fell back asleep the other morning. I couldn’t help it. It was cool out and my bed was cozy. I just didn’t want to wake up. So I shut off my alarm and laid my head down, for just a minute. The next thing I knew, Chase was shaking me and saying, “Wake up Mom. I don’t want to miss the bus.”

I have Carson to get to school after Chase and if I were to miss Chase’s bus and drive him to school, it would start a whole chain of negative reactions and my day would not go so well.

But because Chase woke me out of my sleep, all was well here at the Schneider home this morning. Breakfast was eaten … lunches packed … book bags filled. Time to spare … no stress … no pain.

I was thinking about how sometimes we doze off in our relationship with God. We don’t mean to … but life, as we know it, is comfortable for us and we don’t want to step out of that zone.

It starts out as simply missing a Sunday or two, but then it becomes so cozy relaxing at home on Sunday mornings and there is preaching on the TV, we don’t really need to go to church. And that is true. Going to church doesn’t make us right or wrong with God. It’s what’s in our heart. But God’s Word tells us to not neglect the fellowship of the brethren. We need to hang out with other Believers, for support and encouragement.

Then we start having a couple of drinks on Saturday night, cause we aren’t getting up early for church, so it will be okay. Then we start going out with our friends to the bars, it won’t hurt to go have some fun, we’re just dancing. And we start flirting with someone and the next thing we know, we’re in the midst of an affair or we’re caught up in drugs or alcohol or surfing porn sites on the Internet.

Or maybe nothing quite so dramatic … maybe we just start to withdrawal into ourselves, caught up in that web of depression that never seems to let go of us. Or maybe we keep ourselves so busy with work or our kids or _____, that we just don’t have time for God anymore.

Regardless of the situation, the result becomes the same, God is not in the picture, he’s not a part of our lives.

Then one of our good friends comes along and says, “Hey … wake up. What are you doing?”

And we stop and take a look at our lives. We realize the mistakes we made, and we get down on our knees and ask God to forgive us. Then we move forward … with Him!

Father, thank you for the amazing grace that you offer to us. If we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you Lord for loving us, so very much.

I Love You Jesus.
   In Your Name I Pray,
   Amen

God Bless You!

Love,
Joyce

It’s All Because Of Jesus!