How to Improve the Spirituality of Your Family
 
Introduction: In a busy world it is easy to lose our focus.  For example, most parents are running their children to one sport’s activity after another.  There seems to be little time for anything else.  It takes special effort to maintain and improve our spirituality.  I want to give five simple ways to help you improve the spirituality of your family.
 
 

1. It begins with desire (II Chronicles 15:15; I Peter 2:2).

1. You must want to improve the spirituality of your family.
2. You must pay the price to improve the spirituality of your family.
3. You must make it the top priority!

2. Pray together at meals (Matthew 14:19-21).

1. Praying together at meals acknowledges that you recognize your blessings come from God and are thankful for them (James 1:17).
2. With your meals mainly in the SUV and restaurant, don’t forget to pray.
3. When David blessed the Lord he gave this statement as one of the blessings, “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things” (Psalm 103:5).

3. Get your family together for a Bible reading and prayer before you go to bed (II Timothy 3:15).

1. This will keep you close to God and to one another.
2. If the day has been difficult it will give your family the peace it needs.
3. It will also keep you in God’s forgiveness and you can rest knowing “It is well with your soul.”

4. As a family go and visit and help someone with a special need (Galatians 6:10).

1. When you lift someone’s burden your family will recognize the blessedness of service.
2. Our children are now grown and I can see a real caring attitude toward others because we practiced this as they were growing up.
3. Going “about doing good” (Acts 10:38), as a family will make a huge difference in the spirituality of your family.

5. As a family attend all Bible classes and worship services of the church (Luke 4:16; Hebrews 10:25).

1. It should be obvious that being together for Bible classes and worship increases spirituality.
2. Many families, who at one time attended here and then started missing and finally quit, are in ruin today because they allowed their spirituality to die.
3. I see families in our congregation that are struggling with Bible class and worship attendance and I wonder where they are headed!

 
Conclusion: Improving the spirituality of your family must be the top priority.  Our time is really limited when it comes to our children.  I urge you to examine your focus and desire and get busy.
 
How to Improve the Spirituality of Your Family
 
Have a blessed week!
 
Sent on behalf of the elders,
Danny
 

ARAB, Ala. – A Valley church is honoring first responders who helped others during the April 27th tornado outbreak.

The EF4 tornado that swept through Arab on that fateful day changed many lives forever.  Arab resident Jennifer Satterfield and her family lost their home.  She says, “You’ll just never forget something like that happening.  It's very devastating, it's devastating to my son, to lose his home and everything he had, and just to be terrified of something like that."  Looking back, Satterfield will never forget the kindness and support shown to her by first responders: “They brought food, water, any necessities you need, they were there to help."

To honor the first responders who helped Satterfield and others, Arab Church of Christ held a ceremony to thank them for their service during and after the tornadoes.

Arab Church of Christ Minister Ken Tyler says, “Going into the new year, we wanted to really focus on doing some special things for our community, and we thought the best place to begin would be to honor all of the public servants that served us so well last April, and of course serve us well on a daily basis."

The service included a special sermon and singing, as well as a personal "thank you" to each first responder.  Tyler then presented a plaque to the Arab Police, Fire and Rescue, and Electric Co-Op Departments, along with the city council and two radio stations.

Fire Chief Ricky Phillips says during the storms and the aftermath, it wasn't always easy for first responders to put their own hurt aside and bravely help others.  He explains, "A lot of guys' families were at home and most everybody lives in the same area where the storms came through.  So not knowing whether their families were ok, and not knowing where their families were, emotions played into it very severely."

As Arab continues to heal from the storms, judging by the hundreds in attendance Sunday evening, the bravery of these men and women will always be respected and remembered.

In verse 7, the Bible says, that He lays up sound wisdom for us. That means it is there for us, but we must go get it and not just leave it lying there. Therefore, we are responsible for gaining wisdom by searching for it. Also in verse 7, it mentions that the Lord is a "buckler" to those that walk uprightly. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "buckler" can mean shield, or in this verse it means a spear.  This means that God is our protector.   He promises to protect and keep us from harm when we obey Him and walk in His ways. This is only one of the rewards that comes from finding and walking in the wisdom of God.

Have a blessed week!
Don't forget to finish reading Exodus.

Sent on behalf of the elders,
Danny