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If you missed this weekend at TheChurch on Strayer…

Forgiveness is one of love’s greatest virtues.  No one can truly love without forgiving.

Forgiveness releases us from the anger and bitterness of our past.  It lightens the load we carry and thus increases our strength for living today.

God’s desire is for us to experience and enjoy His forgiveness and to live as forgiven people.  When you “forgive” you bestow His “favor” unconditionally.

Forgiveness brings release from guilt and shame.  The prison door of our soul is opened and we forgive.

The power of forgiveness brings restoration and unity within relationships and families.  A forgiving family is a Model Family.

Share this message with someone today who needs it.  Or better yet, ask them to join us next week as we continue Model Family at TheChurch on Strayer.

If you missed this past weekend at TheChurch on Strayer…

Past generations were able to maintain hope through difficult times because they had three anchors of stability in all of their societies:

          1) Faith in God
          2) Stability in the family
          3) Pride in one’s country

Without a foundation of Biblical principles, husbands and wives have difficulty understanding each other because the male and female role differences are blurred by our addictive society.

Individuals without God become as god to themselves.  Each determines what is right for himself.  No absolutes.

In order to be a functional family, it must begin in the marriage of the husband and wife.  The marriage must be built on trust, loyalty, monogamy, and commitment. The Ten Commandments also show God’s priority on the foundation of all human relationships – the family.

Here are the ten characteristics of the Functional Family.  Assess these characteristics.  Which do you need to focus on, work on, and develop in your family?  Be assured, when you concentrate on these characteristics and make them a priority in your family, you’ll see a functional family.

1)       Positive─  living in a non-judgmental, encouraging environment.

2)       Caring─ showing concern, kindness for one another

3)       Accepting─ appreciating and celebrating uniqueness and differences

4)        Affirming─ adding value to one another.

5)       Loving─ exhibiting genuineness, intimacy

6)       Nurturing─ helping each other become who God created them to be.

7)       Sharing─ communicating freely and openly.

8)       Becoming─ growing into their role in the family

9)       Laughing─ allowing lighthearted moments of just letting go

10)    Harmonizing─  working individually while being team-oriented.