Hanky Panky Challenge - Day 1

Today officially kicks off the 10th Annual Hanky Panky Challenge! And this year I will be giving a "Hanky Panky" idea every day to help you have the best Hanky Panky ever!

IDEA #1:

Take time to sit down and hand write your partner a love note! Not just, "I love you" but really pour your heart out! Tell her/him how you feel down deep. Reflect on the day you met, or the moment you fell in love. Or reminiscence about the first date, or first trip together, etc. Go ahead, get after it!

Happy Hanky Panky!

February's Relationship Series

Make plans to join me and my wife Jana every *Sunday in February at Mercy Church for our Annual Relationship Series! This is something we do each year to help strengthen relationships. Many couples have used it as a pre-marital counseling class, and have really found the content to be helpful in their relationship.

Location: Belinder Elementary School || 7230 Belinder Ave. ||  Prairie Village, KS 66208  ||
Service Time: 10:00 am (Service lasts about 1 hour)
Cost: FREE

*On kick off Sunday, February 2nd we will be serving a FREE Hot Breakfast before service at 9:00 am if you would like to come early to join us! 

3 Things to Help Make You Happy Today


If you are anything like the rest of the world, you seek happiness! I know I do! We live in a world with so many things that wants to strip us of the happiness we seek. I have found that in my own life there are just a handful, three to be exact, of things that if I do them regularly lead me to a much more happy life!

1) Doing the things I love doing!

For you it's _____________________________! For me it's creating beautiful things! I love all forms of art (cooking, painting, music, etc) and when I do them I feel a deep sense of satisfaction that leads to a feeling of happiness. What is it for you? Make time for them! If you are too busy to do them, then you are in fact too busy and should cut somethings from your busy life so you can do them.

2) Be with the people I love being with!

The opposite is also true here; don't be with the people you don't want to be with! Easier said then done, huh?! Well it's still true! Cutting bad people from your life is like removing a deadly tumor from your body, it's the start of health and healing.

Once you remove the bad people, fill those times with good people. People who inspire you, encourage you to be and do good! People who believe in you and your dreams.

3) Live the way I want and should live!

Now this could be misconstrued to mean something I do not mean it to mean. Okay, I say this with the assumption that you want to live a moral upstanding life like Jesus teaches us to live. So with that said, for me this translates in to so many areas of life.

    a. Be honest.
    b. Think good pure thoughts.
    c. Be kind.
    d. Eat healthy.
    e. Exercise
    f. Listen to positive and encouraging music.
   g. Etc.

Does this make sense? I hope so. In other words be true to yourself and to who God made you to be. I see it so much in my counselling practice, people depressed, full of anxiety, fear, turmoil, and the like ... and it all stems from a lesser-lived life. Doing what they know they shouldn't, lying, cheating, stealing, eating bad, skipping going to the gym, and so on. These things lead to an unhappy life every time! Without fail!

And one more for the road ... and this is for the super mature, those who are emotional giants, frankly, I think that could be you! 

4) Decide to be happy!

No matter your situation in life, decide to be happy IN IT! You don't have to be happy ABOUT IT, but rather happy IN IT! I know it can be extremely tough, but happiness is ultimately a choice we must all make. So why not do yourself a favor and chose it for yourself?! You'll be 'happy' you did!

Your Life Matters!


The Cure for Sexual Frustration

Much of my counseling does involve “sexual” issues. And one common one is the whole “sexual frustration” issue. How to relieve, or release or get relief from “sexual frustration?” I believe I have a really helpful tip that could save you and your partner from having too much sexual frustration. Let’s be honest, sexual frustration is frustrating!

1 VERY HELPFUL TIP TO HELP WITH SEXUAL FRUSTRATION

1) Communicate CLEARLY to your partner when you want sex! (Response of partner) Communicate CLEARLY when that request can be fulfilled.

Very important, if you are on the receiving end of this request, and you can’t or don’t want to have sex at that moment make sure to tell him/her WHEN they can expect to have sex.

From my personal experience; when I am hungry and have no idea when I am going to eat it causes more stress and anxiety and hunger. But if I know that I will be eating a meal at a certain time in the future it helps to calm me down. It’s the same with the sex life! If I want it, and feel I may never get it again (we know this isn't true logically, but typically the sex drive is emotional and can’t be dealt with logically,) it causes much distress! But if I know that tonight after the kids go to bed I will get it. I am fine. Make sense?

So wives, if your husband makes advances and it’s not a good time for you, no problem, just clearly communicate to him WHEN he can have it. Got it? Good! I promise this will be so helpful in relieving sexual frustration and tension between you and your partner.

Here’s the deal, when a man (or woman) get turned down on a sexual advance, it’s not only hurtful to be turned down, but if we don’t know WHEN it will happen it does cause a lot of undo stress emotionally. I don’t feel that in a marriage there should be much turning down, if ever (I am serious here!) But on those rare occasions when you are turning your partner down be thoughtful enough to say, “Not tonight, but tomorrow morning I’d like to!” And then make sure to be good on your promise! Don’t say tomorrow morning and then turn them down again, or forget. Trust me, they haven’t forgotten!

And finally, don’t ever make sexual promises that you can’t or won’t keep! Don’t promise (or tease) “such n such” then not do “such n such.”



Disclaimer: As a Christian Pastor and Relationship Coach I am making the assumption that the couples I am writing to are in a committed relationship (which I would typically say is defined by marriage) and I am not encouraging casual sexual behavior! I am completely against casual sex. I feel that it is very harmful emotionally and does not encourage a healthy happy relationship.  

Mend Broken Bridges

In all of our lives there are relationships that come and others that go. I know that I have a core group of friends who have been there nearly my entire adult life, while others have withered away for one reason or another. I have even had friends “so called” who promised to be my “friend” forever, and through various circumstances, some out of their control (Divorce, Job Relocation, Marriage, etc.) made it difficult to keep their promise, and now they are gone.

Have you ever lost a friend that you would hope to have back in your life? Do you even remember what happened? Why did you stop being friends? Was it their fault? Your fault? No one's fault?

I recently had a conversation with an old friend, and it was good to mend the broken friendship and say, “I’m sorry!” and, “I forgive you!” And move forward.  How about you? Do you have a relationship that you would like to mend? If so, then make that call; send that email, fb message, or text TODAY! Maybe it will be well received, maybe not, but it’s worth a try!


Life is way too short to have broken down relationship bridges! One day that person will be gone, or you will be gone … and you’ll wish you did! (Unless of course you are a cold-hearted bitter person, then maybe not!)

My Story of Health & Healing

Please READ my story before you watch the video!

I have never shared the story you are about to read over the internet, in fact it happened over 17 years ago (when I was 27) so the internet was a very new thing and I only had VHS tapes of this seminar that literally saved my life! And that is no exaggeration! And I must give the reason I didn't share so you can understand my position, but also understand now why I must share - when I entered the ministry and became a pastor I was told that it wouldn't be right to tell people about Jesus AND healthy diet stuff (even though both had dramatically changed my life) ... so I took the advice and pretty much kept my personal story of health and healing a secret. Only those close to me heard my story. I am coming out of the closest, as they say, to tell my "back from the dead health and healing story." 

MY STORY 

Back in 1996 I became very ill. At the time I weighed just under 200lbs, had a 38 inch waist and ate like any normal American - whatever I wanted, when I wanted and however much I wanted.  I was 27 years young, and invincible.

I'll never forget being rushed to the emergency room, dehydrated, unsure of just what was going on, very scared. I had bad digestion problems, had trouble going to the restroom (#2), suffering with heartburn, acid reflux, and felt dog tired all the time. It felt like my body was just shutting down. This led to bouts of depression and anxiety. It was a very dark time in my life. (Side note: I was lifting weights 5 days a week, playing softball once a week ... so I was active!)

I eventually went to see 3 different Doctors (in Tulsa, OK) to get some answers, they kept prescribing various drugs, one to help with the symptom, the other to counteract the adverse symptoms from the drug. After it was all said and done I was on 9 medications (6 of which I was told I would take for the rest of my life) and had to be rushed to the emergency room 2 more times to be re-hydrated. (You can ask my wife about this time in our lives … it still makes her cry from remembering how it felt to feel like she was losing her husband after just 3 short years of marriage!) This lasted 6 long months, then …

SOMEONE CARED ENOUGH TO SHARE

One day a concerned acquaintance from church came by my house to offer his prayers and support for me and my sickness, his name was John. John said, “Timmy I heard you are sick and I wanted to tell you that my Dad is a Nutrition Counselor and he and my mom live just right there (pointing across the street) and I think he can help you.”  I was a little like, whatever, but only because I had had several people drop off Pills, Powders and Potions that were sure to make me well and not one of them helped! And I tried them all! I was desperate to get well! I had a life to live, and this was not living life. John went on to say, “here is a VHS tape of my Dad giving one of his Health Talks, you ought to watch it.” Again, I was desperate to get well, so I watch it minutes after he left. (*The video above is that very Health Talk)

John had come by on a Friday morning, minutes after he left I popped the video tape in the VCR and watched in utter amazement by what I heard and saw! So that afternoon I called John’s Dad, his name was J.W. Emerson, and I told him I had watched the tape and needed help. I also told him a little bit about my health issues and he said, “come on over to the house tomorrow morning and bring your wife, we’ll talk.” I said, “Sounds great, see you tomorrow!”

THE SATURDAY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

I woke up Saturday morning excited to go across the street to meet this J.W. & Lois Emerson and find out more about HOW TO eat better so I could LIVE better. The story could really get long here, so I am going to cut to the chase – we met, I did exactly what J.W. said to do and 6 weeks later I was off all 9 medications, and 12 weeks later I lost 50lbs, and trimmed 8 inches off my waist and was completely healthy and feeling great, actually better than I had in many years. And that was 17 years ago, and today at age 44 years young and I am still trim, medication free (I don’t even take Aspirin but maybe a couple times a year) and feeling great! And I believe you can too!

As a bi-product of my journey to health, we had many close friends and family members see with their own eyes what had happened to me and so they asked, “what are you doing?” I told them, and they made some change too and saw the same kind of results.

On one hand I would say, “This isn't for everyone” but on the other hand, “I believe it is for everyone!” ha ha! Seems to be contradictory, but honestly if I hadn't been sick and desperate I would have never changed my diet! I honestly didn't think that what I ate had anything to do with how I felt! I just didn't! I thought it was all just about genetics, ‘some have good ones, and others have bad ones’ … I hoped I had the good ones. Now I believe different.

So, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, or need to lose a few pounds or if you just want to learn some really cool stuff about how the body functions and how food affects your body, watch the video and I pray your life will be forever changed as mine was!

J.W. & Lois Emerson come to our home once a year and give their Healthy For Life talk, let me know if you are interested in attending.

QUESTIONS

My Phone: (913) 782-7288
My Email: timmyjgibson@gmail.com

If you would like to order one or all three products that JW mentioned, NuPlus, Calli & Quinary - please email me and I will give you our account information to ORDER TODAY and it will be shipped to your house! 

Advent 2013 - Week 4: PEACE


Sunday, December 22, 2012: Light the four candles on your wreath and read together the following meditation:

FIRST READER: This is the fourth Sunday in Advent. Today, we light the four purple candles (OR three purple candles and the pink candle). The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. The second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. The third Sunday, we lit the candle of joy. Today, we light the candle of peace. Our world is not always a peaceful world. People hurt other people. Countries are at war today. People don't take care of the world. People yell and scream at other people. But God promises peace. During Advent we pray that we, as well as all people, will seek God's peace.

(Light the first, second, third, and fourth candles.)


SECOND READER: When we look at the fourth candle, we remember God's promise of peace. We recall the words of Jesus in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." In times of war and hatred it's hard to remember that Jesus is the one who brings peace. As we approach Christmas let's remember that God's intention is a place of peace where people shake hands instead of harm one another.

FIRST READER: Read Luke 2:1-20

SECOND READER: The shepherds may have not felt very peaceful when they heard the words of the angel. They were probably scared and confused, but they followed those words, trusting in God. Sometimes all we see around us gives a message different from the message of peace. Yet we, like the shepherds, can follow God's words and trust in God's promises.

DISCUSSION: This Scripture reminds us that when we are fearful, we are often not thinking of peace. The angels calm the shepherds and send them forward with a task. Who are the people in our world who need God's peace?

What are our hopes for peace in our world today?
How do we help others know God's desire for peace in our world?

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for those in our world today who seek to act for peace. Help us look for ways to be peacemakers at home, at church, and at school. AMEN.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

Light the four candles on your wreath. Read together Matthew 1:18-25. We sometimes forget about Joseph. Are there those in your home or community that you might be forgetting? Take a moment to pray for the forgotten people in your home, your church, or your community.

DECEMBER 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY

Wednesday, December 25, 2013: Light the four candles on your wreath, plus the center white candle (which is called the Christ candle) and read together the following meditation:


FIRST READER: Today is Christmas. Today, we light the four purple candles (OR three purple candles and the pink candle). We also light the center white candle. The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. The second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. The third Sunday, we lit the candle of joy. The fourth Sunday, we lit the candle of peace. Today, we also light the center candle. This candle represents Jesus. When we light this candle, we remember Jesus' birth. Our waiting has ended.

(Light the first, second, third, and fourth candles. Light the center white candle.)


SECOND READER: When we look at the center candle, we remember that God sent Jesus to give hope, peace, joy, and love to all people. Outside of Bethlehem, the shepherds saw a great light and heard the voices of angels. They traveled to the manger and saw the baby Jesus.
Far away from Bethlehem, wise men saw a star in the sky. They followed the star and were filled with joy when they found Jesus. They remind us that the gift of Jesus was not just for the people in one place, but for all people.

FIRST READER: Read Matthew 2:1-12

DISCUSSION: It's amazing to think of these persistent travelers who were determined to find Jesus. They traveled with hope and faith in the promise that they would find the new king.


Who are the people in our world who need to know of God's promises?
What are our hopes on this Christmas day for our world?
How can we help people remember God's promises after Christmas Day is over?
Name one thing you are willing to do in the days following Christmas that will help you and others remember God's promises.

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you, God, for sending Jesus for ALL people, not just those in one place at one time. On this Christmas Day, help us remember and rejoice again because Jesus was born. May we live every day remembering to show thanks, love and care to others. AMEN.

Advent 2013 - Week Three: JOY


Sunday, December 15, 2013- Light the three candles on your wreath and read together the following meditation:

FIRST READER: This is the third Sunday in Advent. Today, we light three purple candles (OR: Two purple candles and a pink candle). The first Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. On the second Sunday, we lit the candle of love. Today, we light the candle of joy. One thing that sometimes happens as we get ready to celebrate Jesus' birth is that we expect to be happy all the time. Joy is not the same as happy. Joy is a deeper feeling created by knowing that God cares for us. Joy is remembering that God sent Jesus so we would always know of God's care. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God's gift of Jesus to the world and know the joy that gift brings to all people.

(Light the first, second, and third candles)


SECOND READER: When we look at the third candle, we remember God's promise of joy. God promised to send a Savior to the people. Today we read from the Gospel of Luke. In the Scripture, we read Mary's song of praise and joy. There must have been times when Mary was frightened, worried, fearful, and sad. But we have these words of joy even in a time when she was unsure of the future. Her words can guide us to look for the joy of God even when things may be uncertain for us.

FIRST READER: Read Luke 1:46b-55

DISCUSSION: How privileged we are to have this beautiful song of Mary. Can you imagine her singing the words written in Scripture? It is a testimony to her faith and joy at being chosen as God's servant.

  • Who are the people in our world who need God's joy? 
  • What are our hopes for joy in our world today?
  • How do we help others know that God gives joy?

PRAYER: Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the joy remembering Jesus' birth brings to us today. Help us live in such a way that our words and our actions help others know of the joy you give. AMEN.

Monday, December 16, 2013: Today read again Luke 1:46 -55. Make a list together of the things that bring joy to your lives. Write your own song of joy to God, or sing a song that expresses joy to God.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013: Is there someone you know who needs to hear words of joy? Make or select a card for that person and mail it today.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013: Joy is something we need in our city. Think about different leaders of our city. Select one leader of our city. Pray for that leader today.

Thursday, December 19, 2013: As we get ready to celebrate again the birth of Jesus, we sometimes get very busy. Today, take a ten-minute break. Sit quietly. If it helps you to concentrate, look at your Advent wreath. Pray, asking God's help to bring quiet and calm to a busy world.

Friday, December 20, 2013: Think about your family. Some may live with you. Others may be far away. Who in your family needs God's joy? Pray for this family member today.

Saturday, December 21, 2012: There are people in our neighborhoods, in our church, and in our community who need to know of God's peace. Select someone to visit today. Visit by phone or in person. Go as a family or by yourself. It doesn't necessarily have to be a visit to a home. Maybe there is someone you see in a place where you go to eat. Stop by today and talk with that person. Tell the person you visit one way he or she brings joy to you.

Good Grief – Holidays

If you follow my blog you know that I am grieving the loss of my sister, Kimberle Rae, and blogging about it. She passed away back at the end of July, so nearly 5 months ago now. And as I have mentioned in previous blogs, it does get easier with time, but the holidays add a new element I hadn't really planned on … missing her for the Holidays! It’s been extremely difficult for my parents, and I am sure it will be for some time.

I find the only thing that helps, outside my faith in God, is honoring her by living a life that would make her proud! I know, simple thinking, but it works for me. I don’t honor her by shutting down, or by curling up in a ball and just crying every day. Now, I have my moments, but I must move forward and live life to the full.

I know many wonder how I am doing, and I appreciate that very very much! I am touched by those who are so sympathetic and emphatic to my loss! I can tell you that when I hear of someone losing someone I am much more understanding now than I ever was before! I truly feel for them and their loss! It sucks, especially during the Holidays!


To all those who have lost someone, I pray that the Holidays will bring you peace and joy in the midst of the pain of loss you feel! My heart truly aches with yours! Much love!