September 13 - Stress: Love Hurts

We're starting a four week series on Stress this weeks. I hope you follow along in worship or online at stpaulslenexa.org/media. You'll see some additional information and tips here throughout the series.

Before you read any further

If you have stress or anxiety of a severity that you have thought about ending your life, please stop now and call 1-800-273-8255. Step out of worship if you need to make the call. You can also always talk with one of the pastors.

Today's stress relief tip from Dr. Amy Jacobsen is diaphragm breathing. It's a little harder to do than what you might first think. Here's a short video to help you practice. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to do.

We usually read Scripture from the Common English Bible, but today I preferred the translation in the New International Version. If you ever want to compare versions Biblegateway.com is a great resource.

Sermon Notes

I recall reading about several studies in the past that discuss how much of our language is non-verbal. This article shares that information again along with a powerful story from a business perspective.

Bowling Alone is the classic text on the subject of our declining "social capital." It's important to note that it predates so much of what we would now identify as technological deterrents to spending time with others.

The Collusion Cycle comes from the work of The Arbinger Institute. Their book The Anatomy of Peace is fantastic. You can read part of the book that deals with the cycle here, but I encourage you to consider reading the whole book. The Collusion Cycle also reaches back to the work of Jewish philosopher Martin Buber's work I and Thou. The Anatomy of Peace is easier to read because it is told in narrative form, but I and Thou is more comprehensive in the ways that we can treat people.