Let’s not allow Easter to get lost in the fake grass of our baskets this year. Let’s be intentional to invest and invite people to a place where they will enjoy themselves, but also where they will have the opportunity to hear about Jesus.

Who do you know that needs to be at Life Church this Easter? Who do you know that needs to hear the life-changing message of the Gospel? Use our easy online invite to ask them. I promise, when they come, we will be ready for them!

By Kevin Ganiere

Recently my family and I rid ourself of cable and discovered Netflix streaming. I am not receiving any monetary kickback from Netflix for this, but IT IS AWESOME! 

The best thing about Netflix is all the old shows you can watch. From old Dennis the Menance to the A-team, to my favorite, The Cosby Show. The show is truly a “family” show. I remember the show from when it was on network television. Back then, I thought it was mildly funny and tolerable, but as a parent , it is downright hysterical! So many situations on the show are one I have felt as a parent and can relate to. One of my favorite lines is where Dr. Huxtable says, “My wife and I have been married for 20 years and we grow closer everyday… Mainly because we are scared of the kids!”

There are so many great moments on the show, but what I am also finding is the way the Huxtables parent their children is a lost art. Here are some examples:

1. Respect is expected. Have you noticed on today’s sitcoms, the kids are super disrespectful? Well, not the Huxtables. The kids may talk back, but not without consequences.

2. Parents act as a team. Parents on today’s sitcoms are pushovers and most of the time are pitted against each other. Cliff and Claire are a team. They do not take sides and all decisions are mutual.

3. Wise (not frivolous) use of money is encouraged. Although both Cliff and Claire have high-paying careers, they value wise money choices over indulging in fads or trends. Theo, their oldest son, always tries to keep up with fashion trends, but Mr. Huxtable frequently reminds him to make wise decisions. 

4. Parents keep the romance alive in their relationship. Cliff and Claire continue to date each other. In one episode Cliff takes her out for a date night and tells her it is a “you’re not a mom night”. My wife thought that was pretty funny and has suggested we make date night “we’re are not parents night”.

5. When all else fails use humor! When your kids are throwing fits or sad or are crying, break out your Yoda voice or Fozzy the Bear voice and see what happens!

Check out this new Christmas rap from Life Church!

Kids Fest 2011 was amazing! Check out all the fun!

Kids Fest 2011 - What a great night!

By Kevin Ganiere

As a parent my life is very seldom silent. My kids are at the “Daddy’s home so let’s tackle him” stage which involves lots of screaming, karate chops and laughing. From television and the radio, to cell phones and on and on, our lives are filled with noise.

I am convinced that we all live life like this, but I came across this verse and it made me think about silence. Psalm 62:5 says, “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
 
Find time this week to wait quietly before the Lord. Get up early when no one is awake. Make time to unplug for a few minutes and let God’s Word and His Spirit refresh and renew your soul.

By Kevin Ganiere

When Jesus came he challenged a law-based religious system that had existed for centuries. He came to personify and embody Grace. 

In Luke, chapter 15, we find Jesus teaching a crowd made up of three groups of people: Followers, Pharisees, and Sinners.

While Jesus is teaching, the Pharisees say, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” They are disgusted that Jesus would eat with such people. Why? Because the Pharisees believed that sin should result in judgment or punishment; their frame of context was based on the law of the Old Testament, which provided specific punishments for specific sins. But here is Jesus who is operating within the context of grace whereby he welcomes sinners and forgives them. This didn’t make sense to the Pharisees because they were operating within the context of law, sin and judgment. 

Most of us are wired like the Pharisees. We believe that when someone does wrong they should be punished and that the punishment should vary in accordance with the sin or law that has been broken. We also believe that being “good” means we deserve a reward. 

That’s why the message of Jesus is so radical. Jesus’ context was one of grace and love. When you and I understand grace, it changes us. It changes the way we see God;  we can understand how God offers us love, mercy, compassion and goodness. When we realized that grace is not based upon our actions or performance, it changes the way we see ourselves. And it should change the way we see others; since grace has been extended to us by God, we should be more than willing to extend it to others.  

This week, take some time and read Luke 15. Ask yourself some questions. Do you need to extend grace to someone? Do you need to adjust how you view God or even how you view yourself in the context of grace? “For by grace you have been saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8). AMEN!

By Kevin Ganiere

Have you ever worked the system for your own benefit? Maybe you tried to smooth talk a cop to get out of a ticket, like I did. That didn’t work out too well.

As a newly licensed driver in the state of Wisconsin, I was pulled over for going a little too fast. It started when I inadvertently honked my horn at an unmarked squad car while sitting at a stoplight.

The light turned and the car didn’t move, so I gave the driver a little encouragement. Then I passed him when we turned and looked back in the mirror to see that he was riding my tail! Still not knowing it was a squad, I went a little faster and boom… there were the lights. Nervous as all get out, I tried my best to explain, offering the  “I’m a brand new driver and I didn’t know” sob story. Unfortunately he didn’t buy my story, and I was served my first ticket. 

Working the system reminds me of how some people treat prayer. Some people think there are lots of ways to get what you want from God. They believe that “If I make this deal, or promise that, surely God will listen!” 

But in Matthew 6:7-13 (The Message), the Bible tells us we don’t have to smooth talk God:

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: 

   Our Father in heaven, 
   Reveal who you are. 
   Set the world right; 
   Do what’s best— as above, so below. 
   Keep us alive with three square meals. 
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. 
   You’re in charge! 
   You can do anything you want! 
   You’re ablaze in beauty! 
      Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Don’t try to work the system with God, pray His way, it works!