Wednesday, January 25, 2006

IMPACT was great!

Impact was a great weekend. There were many things that I would change (but what do I know) and there are always will be. I think the effects of IMPACT will last (for the most part). I saw God move in peoples' lives in many ways. It was a wonderful weekend. I do believe the key to the weekend was prayer. We put way more prayer into it this year than we did last year. This is not a new idea. The Christian life always comes back to the basics. Speaking of the basics, I really need to eat some spiritual food now.

QUESTION: Is what you are doing worth doing, if you can do it without prayer?

What if your church was gone tomorrow?

If your church were to cease to exist tomorrow, what gaps would be left in your community? (book by R. Lewis). I have not read the book, but hope I do. This question fascinates me. I do not think it is THE question for a church to ask. It is not the center of the church, but it is a valid question to ponder. I think that the closer a church is to really being all about God's glory, the greater a real impact they'll have on their community. So what would happen in your community if your church was gone tomorrow (I assume the focus is on the people, not the building).

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Thoughts From Time With Jesus

I read through the Bible each year in my devotions. I use the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Program (search for that in quotes on google and you can print it or download it) which is put out by the Navigators (as close to inspired as you can get since the days of Jesus). Anyway. It leads you through 4 different passages a day (2 Old and 2 New Testament - obviously longer passages in the old to make sure it all gets done at the same time). There are only 25 readings a month so you can miss a couple and still be on track. I really enjoy it and plan to do it until I die (though devotional plans often change).

My method is to read each story (and I'm trying to do it out loud to help me think better) and then choose one to study more in depth (though I don't simply want to be technical). Today I actually thought about a couple of the passages for a while.

Genesis - first 11 chapters or so - it's fascinating how the curse is diverted - God diverts the curse from man and puts it on the ground. It's also fasinating how Adam, then Eve pass the buck - and God starts off saying - OK - let's curse the serpent - but comes back and gives them their punishment too. I find Noah's story interesting in many ways - one interesting thing - why the naked thing towards the end - and I suppose it has to do with the different nations and how they don't get along. But it just seems like such a bummer - if he could have just avoided that. First record of alcohol causing major problems. Psalm 2 was a good study - just thinking about the need to DELIGHT in God's Word (and what does that word, Delight, mean - what was the last thing you remember truly delighting in?). In Acts I got carried away thinking about prophecy, the intention of the author, and giving prophecy a new meaning. Too technical.

Those are a few thoughts. It's a new year. How am I going to grow in Christ this year. I just know that it's all about God's grace.

I spent a bunch of this morning crying - Laura Albers wrote her testimony to share at IMPACT - and the end of it, especially, is amazing. I hope to post it on here.

No question today. Except. How is your walk with God? Can I encourage you?

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

IMPACT Conference and more

I am so excited for IMPACT. I feel like we are better poised than ever for it (now that is obviously from my simple and skewed human point of view). I don't have lots of old and mature guys, but I have some good guys and good girls - just a bunch of people who want to know Jesus better. More than usual. And we have some unsaved friends coming. It's exciting. Also, we've done more praying as a group than in the past - lots more - so we'll see what happens. Who knows what God might do??? It's exciting.
We also get to do some ministry while there - Good Samaritan Urban Ministry.

I'm having graduated youth people come back to youth group tomorrow night. Don't know who will really show up, but I'm excited for it. I think I'll make it a yearly thing. Hopefully they can be encouraged spiritually and be an encouragement.

Benjamin is cute and so is Elise. We all do a lot of laughing together. And Elise is quite the walker right now. Wow - it's fun. And in 6 months we start over with another one - God willing. Scary.

I am already behind on Bible reading this year. Haven't made it the priority on my day off and then as back into work. That's a confession. Has to change - now -not tomorrow.

Have you read God's word today? Have you passionately pursued Him? It's not only me who has to think about these things - and it's good I asked a question, too.

Later