Synopsis of The Outlet Gathering on Tuesday night February 14, 2012
Click Here to hear the message.

On Valentine's Day this past Tuesday evening we looked at 3 types of LOVE. Eros, Phileo, and Agape each contain elements essential to fully appreciating the four letter word L, O, V, E, that so many of us use time and time again to express our feelings and emotion towards each other.

Eros- is the Greek word that we get the word Erotic from. Now within our culture particularly here in America we have been greatly influenced by this first level of Love. Eros deals primarily with the senses and the attraction we have to beauty.

This form of love is where we get the phrase, "Love at first sight." Eros also primarily works with feelings and emmotions. It capsulates the ROMANTIC aspects of love and is largely dependant on the physical attributes of people to qualify or disqualify the quantity of love that one will receive because of those attributes and qualities. All you have to do is look at the T.V., Movies, and Entertainment in general to evaluate the role Eros Love has in our society.

This level of LOVE can also be looked at as self-seeking or selfish. It is more about what I can get out of the situation and benefit from than what I can contribute to the other person by loving them. Played out in real life, this applies to those times when you hear someone say something along the lines of, "I just fell out of love". What actually happens is that Eros love has limited sustainability. The feelings don't last forever. The attraction doesn't last forever. Eros love can only succeed if it progresses into the deeper levels of LOVE.

The truth is that many within our culture stop at Eros Love and don't know or appreciate the deeper, fuller levels of Love. They simply think that what they have been exposed to on T.V. or possibly where raised with is the only condition and definition of Love.

* Note - Eros is not completely bad. Infact, it has a very important role within relationships. Remember God created beautiful people and places to appreciate and love, it is the enemy who twists, destorts, and introduces counterfeit that deceives people into pursuing immitation and settling for something less than God's BEST! The key is to go beyond the surface to truly get God's perspective.

Phileo- is a Love based on mutual friendship. This is also known as "brotherly love". It is less self-seeking than eros love. It values the "give and take" approach to the relationship.

In John  21:15-19 we see similar dynamics between Jesus and Peter. This is a beautiful picture of "love" and forgiveness. Earlier in John we see where Peter Denies Christ three times. When Jesus asks Peter if he loves him and Peter responds with, "you know I love you", Jesus charges him with "taking care of His sheep". He does this 3 times. The final direction to Peter is for him to follow Christ. The friendship between the two and the challenge to replicate that "love" is a perfect example of the "Phileo" love we should have one with another. 

Agape- is the final and highest level of LOVE. This LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL. It is also known as pure charity. Agape is completely selfless. People that operate out of this type of LOVE give out to other people without expected benefit back to them. They continue to do this whether the LOVE is reciprocated or not. Although this is one of the hardest types of LOVE to operate in, it will also produce the greatest fruit. Successful marriages, satisfying friendships, and the depth of our relationship with The Creator must be founded on AGAPE LOVE.

Some scriptures to consider:
John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   
John 15:9 - “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

The Final thing I would like to point out is the Parellel between the three types of LOVE and the trichotomy of man.
EROS - Deals primarily with BODY
PHILEO - Deals primarily with SOUL
AGAPE - Deals primarily with SPIRIT

Challenge - As you think about LOVE and see it expressed in your own life and the lifes of those around you, see if you can't categorize and decipher what level of LOVE or what type of LOVE it is. Challenge yourself to respond with an uncoditional love, and not just the initial surface level of EROS or sometimes referred to as selfish love.

Synopsis of The Outlet Gathering on Tuesday night January 31st, 2012
Click Here to listen.

Kindness is most apparent and expressed in our lives by the communcation we have with each other.

In the famous words of Pee Wee Herman, “Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but WORDS will never hurt me.”
This statement couldn't be further from the TRUTH.

The Truth is that Words can hurt. It is unfortunate, but many times we forget the words that come out of our mouth when we say hurtful things, but those who they are directed at, don’t quickly forget them.

Words are POWERFUL. Scripture tells us that Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. Your words have the potential to shape other people’s lives.

KINDNESS – How does KINDNESS play out in your life?
1.   Intentional Acts of Kindness 
        "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." Aesop
        example: picking up paper towel pieces off the bathroom floor.
        When you borrow something from someone, returning it in better shape then what it was when you
         first got it. Doing this greatly increases your chances of being able to borrow from that same person
         later on should the need present itself.

2.  Kindness when responding to conflict
       “Kill it with kindness” You CAN diffuse situations with this tool.
       Clothe yourself with it: Col 3:12

3.  Kindness as a characteristic of your lifestyle, instead of falling back on it just because
     you know you should.
      * Are YOU an EXAMPLE OF KINDNESS?
      Romans 2:1-4  Don’t make light of God’s KINDNESS. It is Kindness that leads to Repentance!
      Galatians 5:22-23 

Methods in expressing/communicating KINDNESS…
Tone…
Courtesy/Etiquette…
On the Phone: a. Am I catching you at a good time?
                            b. Anything else I can do for you today?

CHALLENGE:
1. Take one minute in the morning before the busyness of your day to ask God to place on your heart someone that you can intentionally influence with KINDNESS.
2. Take one minute at the end of your day to reflect and ask God to show you areas where someone exhibited KINDNESS to you or that you exhibited KINDNESS to someone else, or an area where maybe you missed an opportunity to respond in KINDNESS.

REMEMBER KINDNESS IS A HUGE TOOL GOD HAS GIVEN US TO BETTER INFLUENCE THOSE AROUND US AND BETTER EXAMPLE HIS LOVE TOWARDS OTHERS THAT IS WITHIN US.

Synopsis of The Outlet Gathering on Tuesday night January 24th, 2012
Click Here to Listen.

LOVING PEOPLE is a tool that keeps you in line w/God's Value System.

A personal value system is a set of principles or ideals that drive and/or guide your behavior. Many people immediately think of a person with integrity or honesty or trust as someone who has a value system in place. The truth is everyone has a value system. Even gang members for example have a value system. Though they are not people that would generally be considered within our society to have a value system, if you look at it from their perspective, their value system includes relationships, acceptance, and loyalty. These traits are NOT BAD THINGS TO CONSIDER, in fact they are worthy of pursuing when establishing a value system, but unfortunately the results of bad decisions and reactions that coincide with the Gang lifestyle is what leads to the destruction of so many.

Your personal value system gives you structure and purpose by helping you determine what is meaningful and important to you. Your values eventually define your CHARACTER. They impact every aspect of your life.

If you want to line yourself up with God's Value System or consider yourself to be grafted into His Ways, Loving People is essential.

1. LET'S FIRST LOOK AT GOD'S LOVE FOR MANKIND...
    Genesis 1:26-30 
    God From the beginning established a value for mankind by giving us the responsibility of ruling
    over His CREATION.
    Genesis 2:7
    You house the breath of God within you, as does every person you come in contact with.
    They too house the breath of God. People are of great value to God.
    John 3:16
    The Price has been paid. "Value is determined by the price one is willing to pay to purchase."
     Franklin Williamson

2. GOD CHARGES US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER (PEOPLE)
    John 15:9-17
    Galatians 5:13-15
    EVEN OUR ENEMIES....
    Luke 6:32-36
    Matthew 5:44-45

PRACTICAL WAYS TO VALUE PEOPLE (SHOW GOD'S LOVE)
A. BE IN THE MOMENT... when you are in conversation with someone. Simply LISTENING without being easily destracted, or being cafeful not to jump ahead of the conversation by interupting goes a long way to express value to the other person. Eye contact also demonstrates focus and value when listening to others. 
B. Remembering Someone's name... Again BE IN THE MOMENT. A good question to ask yourself, are you meeting them for your sake or for theirs? There is nothing worse and awkward than forgetting someone's name and having to "re-meet."
C. Praying for someone at the moment a need is presented. This will increase the probability that you will actually pray for the need, as opposed to throwing out the lingo of "I'll be praying for you" only to take two steps away from the conversation and completely forget to actually pray. It is important when praying right then and there that you do it with sensitivity to the surroundings. 

We ended by showing the attached clip: EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY!

Synopsis of The Outlet Gathering on Tuesday night January 17th, 2012
Click here to listen.

“The earlier in life you learn to value the principal of sowing and reaping the greater the reward you will obtain and pass down to those who are around or influenced by you.” Ryan Huff

Another way of putting it:  “What goes around comes around.” or "You get out of it, what you put into it."

I basically opened by sharing about my minimal experience gardening, and how that I have had both success and failure when it comes to my "green thumb" capabilities. The parellels and lessons learned through that process from beginnning to end have given me a greater appreciation for the VALUE OF SOWING AND REAPING as it relates to various areas in everyday life. Below are some of the talking points that were discussed at The Outlet on Tuesday night 1/17/2012.

1, Before you can sow, you have to decide on what you want to reap.

·      a.  I don’t know anyone who wanted to reap strawberries that started first by planting tomato seeds.
             Life is not different.  Maybe you want to reap more time, better relationships, greater financial
             stability, or a deeper walk with the Lord. God through his word has given us tools of wisdom 
             to sow into our lives to accomplish these things. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

·      b.  This also influences a proper expectation. Again you get out of it, what you put into it.
             EXAMPLE: Bank Account Analogy. The greater the value of deposits one makes,
             the greater confidence and expectation he will have in making a withdrawl.

             It is also not a real good idea to attempt making withdrawls before verifying first what
             you have in the account.  

Question for you: What Goals (large and small)/Desires/Dreams has God instilled in your heart to sow into this year?
 
Psalms 37:3&4  It is okay to have God given desires.

Sowing 3 P’s: 1. Preparation – Luke 8:8 “Good Soil” Context – The Gospel

                                                   2 Corinthians 9:6 “Consider what and how much you are sowing” 
                                                   Context - Offering

                                                   Eccl 11:4 “Don’t excuse/justify away your seed.”

                         2. Planting – Gal 6:7-10  "Specific Choices and how will they influence the outcome"

                         3. Patience – Luke 8:15 DON’T Give UP! Persevere.

                                                a. Stay active / stewarding – Eccl 11:6 Faith

* VERY IMPORTANT* Matthew 6:26   DO NOT SOW OUT OF WORRY…

Question: Is it possible reap the benefits of what others have sown?

Yes, and be thankful for those who have sacrificed and paid the price, but be careful not to fall into the lull and trance of our culture that conditions many folks into riding on the coattails of what others have worked so hard to earn. Entitlement. This tends to lead to and reproduce LAZINESS. INSTEAD, take responsibility of your life through God’s perspective.

Are you living life w/Intention or is life living you w/circumstances?

“Learning to take the existing principal of sowing and reaping today and viewing it from the right perspective enables you to use it as a valuable asset or tool to benefit you and others well into your tomorrows.” Ryan Huff

 CHALLENGE:

NAME A GOAL YOU DESIRE TO REAP.

DEFINE THE SEED THAT NEEDS TO BE SOWN.

SOW THE SEED and ASK GOD how He wants you to tend to it.

EXAMPLE – Reaping a better relationship with a co-worker. Intentionally Sowing seeds of kindness/value them by listening.

May God exponentially bless the seeds you plant with His Guidance in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Whether it is financial, relationships, time, a better attitude, or a combination of many areas that you want a positive harvest in, don't stay idle with a false expectation that things are just going to fall into place. Define the desires of your heart from God's perspective, identify the right seed, prepare, plant, and in your patience actively steward the areas of your life that God directs you to pay attention to. In HIs timing you WILL REAP a Positive REWARD that will not only be a blessing to you, but to those around you as well. May God Bless you, Today!  

Synopsis of The Outlet Gathering on Tuesday night January 10th, 2012
Click here to listen.

STEWARDSHIP

I opened with the example from when I was growing up around the age of 8 or 9. It was pretty common for me to ride my bike throughout the community and engage in conversations with anybody and everybody regardless of age, race, or economic standing. I never forgot Terry, a black man mid-20's at the time, who lived down the street about three houses down. It always impressed me how often he would tend to his home, yard, car, and belongings. One time I asked Terry why he took such good care of those things. He very openly shared with me that none of those things belonged to him. Of course this didn’t make sense to me, until he completed the thought with, “They Belong To God.” He truly lived out an example of someone who understood stewardship, even to the point of leaving a lasting impression on the neighborhood goofy kid, ME! Matthew 14:13-21  

The Disciples saw the same resources that Jesus did, but Jesus had a different perspective on the potential value for the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

1.       ACCESS/EVALUATE YOUR RESOURCES

Question: Do you view your resources strictly from your own perspective, or do you ask God how He views your resources?

                HOW TO:

1.       One way to access what you have is to compare your situation to others.

Sometimes this could be someone less fortunate or someone who lives in another country without the same blessings, benefits, and freedoms. Another out of the box example is someone who is single can capitalize on their relationship with God in many ways that those who are married either can’t or really have to make efforts to adjust and evaluate to accomplish. Matthew 25: 14-30

I find it interesting that the Master made it a point to correct the servant from the vantage point of the fact that he should have had even more faith knowing that the Master harvested where he hadn’t sown and gathered where he hadn’t scattered seed.

Recognize that with God you can take RISKS… If He is your source you can step out in FAITH. He Reaps where seed hasn’t been scattered. He WORKS THE MIRACULOUS.

2.       STEWARDSHIP REQUIRES ACTION! GOD’S EXPECTATION IS FOR YOU TO DO!!!

Question: Is there anything that you know you need to tend to, but keep putting it off? Consider this your Holy Spirit nudge.

What are the benefits of Just Doing It?

a.      Peace of Mind
b.      Save yourself heartache later
c.      Gain time to focus on other matters you need to take care of.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Make a list of the RESOURCES/TALENTS God has blessed you with and take steps to STEWARDING THEM WELL. 

1.        ASK GOD to show you from HIS perspective your list.

Suggestions: Tangible Resources (Car, House, etc…), Non Tangible Resources (Time, Relationships,      Charitable Acts, Health, Rest, etc…)

2.      ASK GOD to show you areas where you need to step up your game. In other words, do a better job in stewarding something on your list. IMPORTANT… Don’t rush this process. Wait long enough to hear HIM. Highlight those areas/things so they are set apart. This gives you greater focus.

3.      ASK GOD to show you HOW to better steward those areas and note the things HE directs you to do on HOW TO IMPLEMENT the PLAN. Prov. 3:5-6

4.    FINALLY, Take ACTION… Do SOMETHING to positively affect those areas of stewardship God has highlighted in your life.

Come back periodically to read some encouraging and uplifting posts!