Cow Tipping

1 Kings 19:9-21

Dealing with the sacred cows in our lives

June 9
Holy Cow (1 Kings 19:1-10)
This story suggests that there are some things that even make a prophet cry (see also 2 Kings 8:7-15). Elijah is hurting, and holding on to his past is not helping the future God has for him. God is about to teach Elijah that good things cannot begin until bad things end. Personal growth and the preferred future depends to a great extent upon one’s willingness to rid oneself of the unwanted and superfluous. God is preparing Elijah for a new season of ministry in Israel. For the new to come the old must pass, and for Elijah that meant some holy cows needed to be tipped.

June 16
Shed the Yoke (1 Kings 19:11-18)
Elijah had nothing new to say to the Lord, but the Lord had a new message of hope for His frustrated servant. The Lord had many reasons for rejecting His servant and leaving him to die in the cave, but He didn’t take that approach. Rather, God teaches Elijah that sticking where he was is not an option for a prophet of God. God is all about the future. Elijah would learn that personal pain often has a greater purpose attached to it. He would hear God speak and come to a point of decision. His hopelessness would pave the way for the new tomorrow.

June 23
Burn the Plow (1 Kings 19:19-21)
Elijah meets Elisha and this young man is confronted with the new future that God has for him. He knows what he must do: say goodbye to his parents. Embracing a new season exposes us to the challenge of forgoing the old. But how do we do that?

June 30
Burn the Plow Too (1 Kings 19:19-21)
Such a large preparation of animal food was reserved for festive occasions, and all the friends and domestics partook in succession of the viands. Having hastily prepared (2 Sam 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place, and attached himself to Elijah as his minister (2 Kings 3:11), as Joshua did to Moses (Josh 1:1)]. In this moment, Elisha was truly free to follow the calling of God.

July 7
Double Portion (2 Kings 2:1-9)
The story that begins with a weeping prophet will end with that same prophet being taken up to the Lord in a moment of glory. The young man that is left however, is blessed beyond measure with a double-portion of God’s Spirit. Whenever we embrace a future, we are given all that we need for the road ahead. Elisha may be without his mentor, but he is not alone! God is with him!

The power of experienced love enriches strong marriages and brings healing to hurting marriages. Our marriages may be strong, and yet need enrichment. It’s even possible to have been married for years, live in the same house, and even get along well, but still not enjoy a depth of one-ness. We could be married and yet still alone! The solution for this dilemma is for us to learn to relate to God and our spouses in a deep, intimate way.

Through this workshop you will experience how to:
• Identify relationship needs such as attention, affection, and respect
• Emotionally care for each other
• Strengthen one-ness in spirit, soul and body
• Resolve painful emotions such as hurt, anger and guilt
• Leave behind hurts from family of origin so you are free to love your spouse
• Give and receive genuine appreciation
• Communicate honestly and lovingly

Cost: $80 per couple.
Lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact the church office at 813.251.1515.

About the Speaker

Dave and Carol Lewis

Dave Lewis has a passion to help people succeed in their key relationships. Dave has served on four church staffs, taught in schools, and held positions in youth ministry, young adult education, senior adult education, lay counseling, and pastoral care. Starting in September of 2010, Dave, his wife Carol, and daughter Jeanne, started the non-profit The Basic Idea Ministries based in Cumming, GA. He launched TBI in order to focus on helping pastors and other leaders of churches and communities succeed in their marriage and family and to develop life-changing marriage and relational ministries.

BP Campus:

9:30 AM – Blended worship style
11 AM – Contemporary worship style

DI Campus:

9:30 and 11 AM – Contemporary worship style