How are you doing with your challenge to read Luke 15 this week?
Luke 15 is one of the passages in script I can read over and over and over again and never get tired of it. It’s like John 3:16 for me.
Why? It talks about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. And you know what it says to me?
God will go out of his way to reach out to those who are far away from him.
Even when I try to distance myself from God, the amazing thing is he’s always there. Just like the father in the parable who raced to his son who finally turned back to his earthly father. This is ultimately a picture of how the heavenly father is and I get rocked by that on a regular basis.
God is always there, always waiting and his love never fails…
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Filed under: Relevant Rants, River Happenings | Tags: growth, Jeanette, Jesus, legacy, My Life
After Sunday’s experiences, I went with a friend to Texas for a few days. As I posted recently, getting rest is incredibly important to keep fresh!
But what’s stuck with me is the sheer emotion we had on Sunday (click here to hear the podcast). It marked the last day of our “My Life” series and focused on people making a step to:
- Invest in the future
- Leave a mark
- Evaluate our legacy
The message culminated in people walking up on the stage through the “door” of a replica of what the future church could look like. We asked people to make their 3-year commitments on cards and place them in a treasure chest – the same prop chest we used when we talked about “My Stuff” and how it can get in the way of living a God maxed life.
Jeanette and I could tell by people’ s faces, body language and any number of nonverbal queues, that this was an overwhelming experience – and lives will never be the same.
It’s not about the building. It’s not about the money. It’s about investing in spiritual growth to reach people for Jesus. It’s that simple.
I hope it will stick with you too… giddy up!
We shared this video Sunday and it got a lot of great feedback.
It’s true. It’s our heart. It’s our people.
That’s why we’re asking you to take steps. Why don’t you take one today and share this…
There’s a scene in The Mask where Jim Carey’s character is talking to a therapist played by Ben Stein. He’s trying to talk to him about this crazy mask which turns Carey into a completely absurd caricature of himself called “The Mask.” In a way only Stein can, he completely misses the point and says:
“We all wear masks… metaphorically speaking. “
But in life, that’s completely the point. At work, do you wear a “mask” where you play along when people make inappropriate jokes even though you know they are incredibly hurtful? Do you wear a mask at work talking big about helping people in need, but when you get home do you turn on the TV instead of helping your son with his homework?
There’s something that happens when we take off all our “masks” and be who we are when we’re living fully maxed with God. There’s a freedom that comes from being incredibly open and transparent
I’ve been amazed by the stories of transformation I’ve heard lately. People are stopping the “posing” and saying “I’m not living that way anymore.”
That doesn’t mean we don’t fall and face plant back into our masks… but true change happens when you open yourself up and in particular in community with others. That’s why we have Life Groups. Real people, facing real problems and learning together. That’s growth!
Are there any ways in your life where you need to be honest and admit you’re a mask wearing poser?
Now that’s, “Sssssssmoooookin!” 
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Filed under: Relevant Rants
The past few weeks have been an unbelievable journey for me personally.
But for that matter life is a journey, right? There are hills, potholes, long boring stretches through Ohio… and sometimes, an amazing sunrise through the morning haze.
Every day I get up in the morning and I say to God “thank you for giving me an opportunity to live for you fully.”
I don’t say that to be boastful. I say it to remind each of us (me included) that we don’t know if we’ll have a tomorrow. Every day I have another opportunity to do what God’s called me to do.
And that makes it a great day. ESPECIALLY in Ohio!