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Published: May 28, 2009, 5:41 p.m.

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(Ecclesiastes 3:1,5)\\xa0 \\u201cThere is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven\\u2026a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.\\u201d

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Toxic Environments

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(Matthew 13:3-7)\\xa0 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: \\u201cA farmer went out to sow his seed.\\xa0 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.\\xa0 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.\\xa0 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.\\xa0 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.\\u201d

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Toxic Traits:

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\\xfc Reckless words.

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(Proverbs 12:18)\\xa0 \\u201cReckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.\\u201d

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\\xfc Negative attitudes.

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(Romans 8:6)\\xa0 \\u201cThe mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.\\u201d

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\\xfc An unbalanced life.

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(Luke 21:34)\\xa0 \\u201cBe careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.\\u201d

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\\xfc Wrong choices.

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(Proverbs 11:19)\\xa0 \\u201cThe truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.\\u201d

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Life Support

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(Matthew 20:25-26)\\xa0 Jesus called them together and said, \\u201cYou know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.\\xa0 Not so with you.\\u201d

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5 Secrets to creating life-giving environments:

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1.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Give them something unexpected.

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(John 3:16)\\xa0 \\u201cFor God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.\\u201d

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2.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Show them special attention.

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(Matthew 17:1)\\xa0 \\u201cAfter six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.\\u201d

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3.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Express unconditional acceptance.

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(Mark 10:16)\\xa0 \\u201cAnd he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.\\u201d

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4.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Encourage them with your words.

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(Matthew 16:17-18)\\xa0 Jesus replied, \\u201cBlessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.\\xa0 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.\\u201d

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(Proverbs 18:21) (MSG) \\u201cWords kill, words give life; they\'re either poison or fruit\\u2014you choose.\\u201d

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5.\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Put their agenda ahead of your own.

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(Mark 10:45)\\xa0 \\u201cFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\\u201d

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For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.

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