Sunday Morning Recap

Here is a look into the lesson we went through at Merge this past Sunday. The recording should be up shortly on the website (www.mergecommunitychurch.com). A lot of this information is credited to Andy Stanley and his book, "It Came From Within".

*What is in our heart will eventually surface in our thoughts, words and actions.

*The condition of your heart will shape the environment in which you live.
If you have and unhealthy heart, it will not be long before you find yourself in an unhealthy environment dealing with unhealthy issues around unhealthy people.

*Invader Spotlight: ANGER
It's the invader that is produced after a person receives a wound (small or large), but because the wound never heals properly it has now taken control and has left that person allowing anger to direct their lives.

*Anger is the result in a process of unresolved issues not being dealt with in a healthy manner.

*Anger says "YOU owe ME"

*Anger is not the result of what happened to you and it's not your response in your excuse of saying "That's just the way I am". Anger is a choice you make in the person you are becoming. You become an angry person, not because of your circumstances. But because you allow anger to take root in the chambers of your heart.

*Anger produces more anger, not less.

*Expose anger through: FORGIVENESS.

*Forgiveness = CANCELED DEBT

*If you are keeping a running tally on how many times you show mercy and grant forgiveness then I think you have a pretty messed up view on mercy and forgiveness.

*We love the idea of a God willing to forgive us for the wrongs we have done to Him, but hate the idea of forgiving people for the wrongs they have done to us. Jesus looks at us and says "You have two choices that will have dramatically different results in your life. One option will allow you to help another experience freedom and the other will place you in a prison. They choice is yours."

*4 Steps of Forgiveness
1. Identify with whom you are angry.
2. Determine what they owe you.
3. Cancel the debt.
4. Dismiss the case.

*How long are you going to let the people who have hurt you dictate how you relate to those who haven't?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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