Joseph - Revenge or Reconciliation

As I read Part 5 of THE BIG PICTURE STORY BIBLE today, I'm reminded of our 3 kids. Thanking God we didn't have 12!!! Just kidding. Really I was thinking about all the fussing and fighting - the tattling, etc.

Kids squabble. Kids are jealous and mean and rude.
Adults squabble. Adults are jealous and mean and rude.
Remember we live outside of the Garden - we all SIN.

Joseph's brothers were no different. And they ganged up on Joseph. And they did something really mean. Many years later - Joseph caught up to them and was in a position to really take revenge - but he chose reconciliation.

There are lessons for us and our kids...........

• You will get yours in the end if you are mean to each other??? NO...........remember Joseph chose to reconcile. Reconciling and having a relationship is always more important than remembering a wrong and getting back at someone.


• Poor Joseph - forgotten by his family and God - left in prison??? NO.............read the whole story - Genesis 37-46. God was with Joseph the whole time. God had a plan. God took care of Joseph. God used Joseph and his situation to help a lot of people. God made Joseph great.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Yes, this world outside of the garden is hard and mean, but we aren't alone. If we love God and follow His will and purpose...........He is bigger than all of our troubles - He will work it all out according to His plan.

Life Outside the Garden

I hope you are enjoying reading THE BIG PICTURE STORY BIBLE. Yesterday was a really sad story - the repercussions of sin - separation from God.

Today - Section 3 - begins with a terrible look at life outside of the Garden of Eden. Have you ever thought that we are outside the Garden of Eden today? I'm reminded of that when I watch the news, listen to a sad story of hurt or evil, and when I hurt. This world isn't perfect. It isn't the very good beginning that God started with.

Adam and Eve were thrown into a world that was without communion with God. They went from constant communion to none in a flash. Everything became hard including relationships. Everything seemed to go down hill. I often think how much that must have hurt God. He created something wonderful and full of Him and man chose sin instead.

In the time of Noah - God judged the world again it was tough and hard, but necessary. Today we live in a post-Noah world. I'm not sure we have learned anything. I'm not sure we appreciate how amazing communion with God can be. Or how swift and tough God's judgement for sin is.

Sin and judgement are not just for really evil people. The Bible says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) For all = me and you and our children and our friends and our family, etc. All includes all. We are all sinners.

Life outside the Garden = sin and judgement. We all deserve judgement for our sin. But the story of Noah shows us that if we make God our King - we will be saved from our punishment. I'll give you a hint at the end of the story - Jesus takes our punishment. How's that for a King...... my king...........hopefully your king!

As you read this story and you discuss the bad stuff in the world. Don't forget to tell your kids the ending. God wins! Jesus takes on our punishment! God is king even outside the Garden.

Big Picture - The Very Good Beginning

Hopefully you have a

BIG PICTURE STORY BIBLE.

We are ready to begin our adventure of reading through it and thinking about it all through the month of May. Today is May 1 - read section 1 - The Very Good Beginning.

God created a beautiful world - and beautiful people in His image. They obeyed Him and knew that He was their king. It was wonderful................. There was no sadness or sin. There were no hardships or troubles. It was a very good beginning.

Bruce Wesley talked today in the adult service about troubles that we all face and how to have peace in the midst of them. In the very good beginning there were no troubles - everyone was at peace because they were in a relationship with God. He was their King. As you follow along in THE BIG PICTURE BIBLE, and as you attend the teaching series this month about finding peace.............you will see that the only way to have peace is to be at peace with God and allow Him to be your king.

The beginning was very good............unfortunately tomorrow we will read about the very sad day.

As you read today, worship God. Thank Him for creating everyone in your family in a special way. Thank Him for the beautiful world He made. Go for a walk today and celebrate creation. It was a very good day when God created the world and you!

We Start Reading Sunday!

I hope you have your BIG PICTURE STORYBIBLE. We will begin reading it on Sunday. You can purchase it from PeeWeeVille for $15 or from your favorite bookstore.

We will read 1 section per night from May 1 - May 26. I will be blogging and tweeting along the way! I'll also send 2 text message reminders/week as we go along. If you would like to opt in for text messaging:

Text PWBIBLE to 27138

It will be a great adventure as we read along through the Bible together - don't miss it!

Easter is Almost Here!

Last night at the Gathering I was reminded of why we have Easter Sunday. Christ took on my sins and died for them so that I could be restored to my Father God. Thank you Jesus! (literally) Thank you Jesus! I am truly forever grateful to you.

This weekend we will celebrate the risen Lord - Jesus didn't stay on that cross or in that grave. He is alive! I welcome you to join us at either campus. Here are the services to choose from:

• West Campus - located at Friendswood Junior High - 9:30 and 11:00


• Egret Bay Campus - Saturday at 6pm, Sunday at 7:00, 9:00, 10:30, and Noon

Saturday night at 5pm at the Egret Bay Campus we will have an Easter Egg Hunt, hot dogs, and Family Portraits. It will be a fun celebration.

Where ever you are on Easter - I pray that you are thankful for what Jesus did for you that you couldn't do for yourself.

** Don't forget we will be starting our reading of THE BIG PICTURE STORY BIBLE on May 1. We still have some available in PeeWeeVille at both campuses for $15. Purchase it this weekend so you are ready on May 1!

Get your BIG PICTURE STORYBIBLE and Read Along

You are invited on an adventure with me............... Let's all read the BIG PICTURE STORY BIBLE in the month of May. I will be blogging and tweeting about learnings along the way. It is an amazing book. It will be a great lead in for your family to have God conversations every night. We will read 1 section per night - we will finish on May 26. During May, the lessons in PeeWeeVille will be taken from that day's reading. It is going to be a great adventure! Please join us! You can buy the book at any bookstore, or we have limited quantities at a great price in PeeWeeVille. Get your book today and don't miss out!!

2 Thessalonians 3:13:
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.

As I read this verse the other day..............
I thought of parenting.

Parenting is hard work. (scratch that - ) Good Parenting is hard work.

So don't grow weary. Keep working hard. If parenting is hard then you are probably doing a good work.

2 Thessalonians 3:13:
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.