Intentionality
Intentionality. That's the word that describes the pathway to abiding with Jesus. Which means, abiding doesn't just happen on a wish or whim. God doesn't just drop abiding in our laps. No, intentionality, which means longing, looking, hoping expectantly, desiring relationship with Christ. And here is the question, "Do we/you long for deepening relationship with Jesus? Do we/you long to move in deeper into the chambers of God's love?" Intentionality requires the creation of pregnant space in our lives. Pregnant space is the expanding space amidst our schedules where we intentionally align ourselves with Jesus in ways that allow Jesus-life to be conceived, develop and be birthed within us. When this is happening, our lives, our character, our thinking, our priorities shift. They are transformed and we look and sound and smell (fragrance) more like Jesus. Darkness is pushed out, the light of God's Kingdom comes and others are blessed. May we pray, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done in my life today as it is in heaven. Amen."
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- Nov 10, 2019Intentionality
IntentionalityIntentionality. That's the word that describes the pathway to abiding with Jesus. Which means, abiding doesn't just happen on a wish or whim. God doesn't just drop abiding in our laps. No, intentionality, which means longing, looking, hoping expectantly, desiring relationship with Christ. And here is the question, "Do we/you long for deepening relationship with Jesus? Do we/you long to move in deeper into the chambers of God's love?" Intentionality requires the creation of pregnant space in our lives. Pregnant space is the expanding space amidst our schedules where we intentionally align ourselves with Jesus in ways that allow Jesus-life to be conceived, develop and be birthed within us. When this is happening, our lives, our character, our thinking, our priorities shift. They are transformed and we look and sound and smell (fragrance) more like Jesus. Darkness is pushed out, the light of God's Kingdom comes and others are blessed. May we pray, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done in my life today as it is in heaven. Amen."
- Nov 3, 2019In The Zone–Guest Speaker Scott Scheuler
In The Zone–Guest Speaker Scott Scheuler
- Oct 27, 2019Transforming
TransformingGod desires to transform our lives, to fashion us in his image...a holy character. Holiness is not sour and dour. Holiness can be filled with laughter and dance. Holiness is the good, the fullness of life God created each person to live into and out of. When holiness begins to define our character others are blessed. They see and experience the high quality goodness within God's people. As this holy goodness spills over and blesses others, they are drawn to God's people and to the God who is forming us in his image.So how is holiness formed in me? John 15:4,5 calls us to ABIDE, to rest and remain in Jesus. Abiding is the cultivation of a love relationship, to experience Jesus' lavish love for us and to allow that love to form a fullness of devotion to Jesus as the very epicenter of our lives and relationships.The simple question on Sunday was, "Do you love Jesus?" Invite the Holy Spirit to form a deepening hunger for more of Jesus, for deeper love and devotion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within a Jesus-follower's life. May you ABIDE in his presence and love this week.
- Oct 20, 2019Holy
Holy"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, early in the morning our song will rise to Thee." This beautiful hymn is made more beautiful when we understand that God's holiness/purity is beautifully expressed in his Agape/love which desires the best for us and God's Pathos/wrath which directed against anything that harms or hinders us from becoming all that God has created us to be. We were asked to chew on this question: If God's love were to "burn" or "consume" something out of your life that is holding you back, what would it be?
- Oct 6, 2019Love
LoveOn Sunday we reflected on the story of the prodigal son. 3 quick take-aways to shape our thinking and living in relationship with God, ourselves and others: 1. God welcomes sinners...just think about that and marvel! 2. God is the prodigal. The word means extravagantly excessive and that's exactly how the father responds to the younger son who has made his way home. 3. I am the older brother. Many of us "stayed home" in regards to God. We lived the churchy life, and that's great. But the older son, the good boy if you will, viewed himself as a servant and not a son. He had done his duty as a servant but did not experience the joy of being loved and welcomed as a son. Both boys lived in a type of tragic life. God's desire is for both to come home.
- Sep 29, 2019Generous
GenerousOn Sunday, we sang and heard about the generosity of God. God does not respond to us as if we have deserved or merited anything from him. God generously pours out, lavishes his grace, love, mercy, kindness upon us. But here's the thing, we often operate out of an "earn it" mentality. If I have not earned it, why would God give me anything...especially his love? The parable of the workers in the vineyard challenges us to see and joyously embrace the incredible divine love, welcome and acceptance which God offers us freely in and through Jesus. As we sang on Sunday, our response is, "Beautiful One I love you. Beautiful One I adore. Beautiful One my soul must sing!"
- Sep 22, 2019Trustworthy–Guest Speaker Jenn Strobl
Trustworthy–Guest Speaker Jenn StroblBecause we tend to compartmentalize our lives, Sunday worship does little to form our lives in the coming week. So can I ask, "Are you pursuing God's trustworthiness?" It's easy to fall into the mold of putting everything on ourselves. "I've got to take care of this. I"ve got to make it happen." And while initiative and hard work are commendable, even desirable, this perspective can easily eliminate the presence, power and love of our heavenly Father. God's desire is to give "good gifts" to his children. The metaphor is both beautiful and hard. How do I lean into trusting God? What does that look like while I'm planning and acting in response to life? Perhaps we can start by resting in God's presence. And in these intentional quiet moments acknowledge God's presence, goodness and trustworthiness. Give thanks for these realities and invite God into your circumstances, planning and implementing. Ask the Holy Spirit to walk with and guide you so that, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We can begin this practice and value it because God is trustworthy.
- Sep 15, 2019Good
GoodOn Sunday we focused on the goodness of God. Tragedies in life are not the judgement of God on you or others. Tragedies happen in a broken creation. But the response of God to such things is compassion motivated by loving goodness. Jesus' response to the man born blind challenges any narrative of a smiting, angry God who balances the accounts. Instead Jesus shows us that God's very nature is good. In his goodness God moves to bring flourishing through liberation, forgiveness, and empowerment. So while I hope your week is going well, if something bad has happened, please know that God is not punishing you. God is audaciously in love with you.
- Sep 8, 2019Available
AvailableOn Sunday, we looked at the story of Jesus, God in the flesh, who invites us to "Come and see." He invites us to walk with him, hang with him, be with him in life. In this context Jesus tells us the true story of God and of ourselves. The challenge is, will we believe and embrace Jesus' story of God and us? The way to being fully human and fully alive is indeed to embrace these truthful and life-giving stories of Jesus.
- Sep 1, 2019Excitement
ExcitementSunday concluded our Summer Series "Looking Forward." We ended on the high note of EXCITEMENT. God is a God who shows up in unexpected places and circumstances to do unexpected and amazing things on behalf of his people and mission. How do God's people respond to this? EXCITEMENT, "God has come to help his people!" Are your eyes, minds and hearts open to this work of God? Or, are you fixed only on the circumstances around you/us? Let's be praying for the Holy Spirit to open us to the new possibilities God is cultivating and inviting us to share in.
- Aug 25, 2019Embassies of the Kingdom–Guest Speaker Mandy Fowler
Embassies of the Kingdom–Guest Speaker Mandy FowlerKingdom embassies, making our lives, homes and relationships places where people encounter Jesus. This is actually incredible. God wants me/you to be a person through whom God becomes present, real and relevant to others. You/we through our day-to-day actions and interactions become the temple of God, the place where God dwells and is experienced. WOW! What a high calling and privilege we have as followers of Jesus. So let's intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to fill us anew each day this week. Let's sing in our hearts, "Here I am Lord," and freely offer ourselves to be vessels of our risen Lord. Let us examine our days and encounters to see if we have been faithful, confess and repent where we have stumbled, rejoice in grace that cleanses and empowers and rise up each day committed to being Christ's embassy to others.
- Aug 18, 2019Fatigue
FatigueOn Sunday we listened to stories about fatigue. Sleeping disciples overcome with grief. A Martha Stewart of the New Testament feverishly working to create hospitality and in her fatigue complaining to Jesus about the lack of help. Grief and busyness...including church busyness can create weary, tired, bodies and souls. The answer? Sabbath resting. Sabbath is God's gift for renewal. How can you practice Sabbath rest this week? Is there something you can stop doing? Is there a relationship in need of renewal? It's okay to stop. It's okay to say, "No more." It's okay to say "yes" to rest and renewal.
- Aug 11, 2019Failure
FailureFailure, not something we aspire to or want to admit. But the story of God's people is rife with failure and God's redemption. On Sunday, we looked at Peter's dramatic failure, his thrice denial of Jesus. One might expect that that event was the last time we'd hear about Peter for he would be cut from God's team. What we find though is a much larger story. This story reminds us that Christ CHOSE Peter, Christ CHALLENGED Peter, and Christ CALLED Peter to "Follow me." His story is our story as we too confess, "I have not loved you with all my heart nor my neighbor as myself."
- Aug 4, 2019Fear
FearOn Sunday we heard the story of people frightened by change, fearful of what they might loose if God's preferred future happened for God's people. They sought to impede God's vision through ridicule and conspiracy theories. We can find ourselves in their shoes. When change happens, we fear what we might loose, position and status, familiar and favored things, even buildings and a sense of place.
