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Good afternoon all.\u00a0 How many of you had a party over the holiday weekend?\u00a0 I did not have a formal party, but I got to spend part of the weekend with friends.\u00a0 We laughed and talked and relaxed.\u00a0 I hope each one of you had an opportunity to celebrate with friends and family.\u00a0 The US had a party celebrating the day we declared our independence from England.\u00a0 We had not achieved our independence, but on July 4th<\/sup> we declared it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Christians we can also have a party to celebrate OUR declaration<\/u> <\/strong>to be a part of God\u2019s Kingdom, by accepting God\u2019s grace.\u00a0 The Kingdom of God is a party! Let healthy laughter fill our meetings, our meals, and even our worship. \u00a0Allow the joy of our faith to be clearly evident in our speech and on our faces. The Proverbs quote below reminds us that happiness is very healthy!\u00a0 Happy people recover from illness much quicker than negative people.\u00a0 Happy people deal with stress much better than negative people.\u00a0 Happy people solve problems much better.\u00a0 For some negative people, their illness, stress and problems never go away.\u00a0 What a better way to be happy than to have a party celebrating God\u2019s grace for us, and the promise of eternal life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>But his father said to the servants, \u201cQuick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.\u201d So the party began. <\/em><\/strong>(Luke 15: 22 \u2013 24)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again \u2013 rejoice!\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Philippians 4: 4)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person\u2019s strength.\u201d <\/em><\/strong>(Proverbs 17: 22)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ideas for Action: <\/strong>Just because many of us just had a party, how about planning another party for the coming weekend and invite a couple of individuals or families over to celebrate. Don\u2019t forget the cake! What\u2019s the occasion? The joy of knowing and serving Jesus and belonging to our church family are reasons enough.\u00a0 On Wednesday nights this summer, my church is hosting a cookout for our young families to get together, have fellowship, allow the young kids to play together, and develop strong bonds together.\u00a0 My church is planning a BIG party this fall bringing everyone back together for a meal and fellowship as we kick off our fall season.\u00a0 What are some ways that you and your church can have parties to celebrate what we have as Christians?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Happy, Christ is in our life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n