Whatever Takes Us Away

Is there a difference between living your spiritual life in an emotionally driven, high-octane, event visiting way and living your spiritual life in a personal relationship way?

I remember reading something prior to Acquire The Fire that I thought was a bit odd, that some of these types of events just used emotionalism to "reach" people. And, while I still don't agree with a statement like that, I do feel that if we allow ourselves to go from one thing to another we do run that risk of thinking that we can only be in the presence of our awesome God when in a large-scale setting. How incorrect! How ludicrous! Some of my most intimate memories were in small spaces with small groups of people - sometimes even alone. These events are good, don't get me wrong, but there needs to be a personal side to it.

How is your spiritual life? Are you living for the next event, the next thing, the next person? Or, are you living as an example of Christ to those around you? "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:10-12) Keep your spiritual fervor! Be zealous for the Lord. The passage goes on to tell us the be faithful in prayer, share with God's people, rejoice with those around you, mourn with those around you, bless and do not curse. These things we can do with groups and we can do by ourselves. If we find ourselves looking towards that next thing to keep us going we are missing the point. If we are in Christ we need for nothing else. If our happiness revolves around people, places and things - are we then truly happy or are we just looking for the easy way out?

I'm not saying we should not gather in large numbers or that one can't have a good experience in a large setting. Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." We are encouraged by scripture to meet together. What I am attempting to get at is this: We can fill our schedules with all kinds of conferences, concerts, events and gatherings and think those are the places we really get into the spirit. While we can be met by the Holy Spirit during these times, they aren't the only times.

Fill your schedule first with God. See what can happen. Read His Word and let it sink in. If it takes reading a passage several times before it really sinks in, read it several times. Meditate on the Word, pray continually, seek His will for you. Be excited about a couple of those conferences and concerts each year and let those be subtle power boosts for you. Be re-energized by them, but don't let them be your only filling.

Thanks to all who came out for our 1st Wii Game night! Dustin, you really need to work at your bowling skills - I won! I think it's safe to say wii had fun! Next time we'll try to play some different games and maybe even work our way through a whole bracket! Look for Wii Game Night II sometime this summer!

All fun aside I'm glad we had this time together for a few different reasons: 1) We got to unwind a bit, eat (pizza, candy, yummy fruits, candy, candy, candy) and enjoy being around each other, 2) We introduced a new person to the group, Sara, and I hope most of you didn't scare her off!, 3) Thanks to Alli & Kaila for our prayer this evening - it wasn't that hard was it? (and next time you may not JUMP at the opportunity of being a volunteer). Alli, you are correct, we are kind of a weird family, but I'm glad to be a part of that family and am equally glad you're letting me be the psuedo-head of said family.

Next Saturday, plan to work a bit (of course there will be food).

Start preparing yourselves for Easter: Mentally, Spiritually, Physically. This isn't just any old holiday where gifts are exchanged (or baskets filled), this is serious. Worldly people put the Christ to death and on that third day He rose, our sins vanquished on that cross, and grace and mercy are extended to those who would believe on Him - our salvation and the atonement for our sin once for all. Read through the scripture passages (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and let those sink in during this Holy week, meditate on what really happened and allow Jesus to show you how great His love for you truly is.

Have a great week, heck, it's only a four day week for most of us and enjoy going into Spring Break!

I mentioned this in a previous post "It's around the corner" that we would be having a service project day soon. So, next Saturday, April 7th we will be having our "Dusty Attic, Dirty Ground, Divine Clean Up" project in and around the church grounds. Why the 7th? Well, the following day is Easter - we will most likely have more people showing up that day and we will be having an Easter Egg hunt for the little ones outside (weather permitting). We'd like to have things looking as nice as possible, and it just needs to be done - don't worry, it'll be fun!

In addition to the clean up, afterwards we are planning on having a cook-out/picnic/worship time.

So, bring your mud shoes, torn blue jeans, dirty old t-shirt and a desire to make our little patch of land look a little better and be prepared to put your back into this cleaning.

Passage for meditation:
Luke 24:13-35

Where does Jesus meet you and open your eyes?

Okay, this Sunday's Youth Group meeting will be at our house. Reason: Wii Game Night

Everyone will get to pick 3 of 5 games to compete in a tournament. Following the individual game tournaments we will be choosing teams for Baseball.

Don't think this is only fun and games night! There will be instructional/devotion time, music and prayer (bring your Bibles). And, if we have enough time we'll preview some of the ATF DVD. I will try to have copies of the DVD for everyone (as long as the computer holds up).

See me or Tina Sunday if you need directions to our pad (or e-mail me).

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5b-6 - NIV)

How often do you look for something precious that you lost? Yet you continue to look, knowing the end result before beginning your quest; the lost item is still lost. How true of us all at some point in our lives. We look in vain, struggling to remember the last time we had that valued item, wondering if we will ever hold it again. The same is for our lives and faith in Christ Jesus, we look for the living among the dead not knowing that He is with us always.

We try everything we can think of, worldly speaking, to try to get a glimpse of the Risen Lord; neglecting to reflect, meditate, fast, pray, and read and lean on God’s Word: Absolute Truth. Each time we try to do something, we fail. Each time we put our trust in ourselves, in some thing other than the power of God, we fail. We want to rely on the things of this world to help us in our desperation and times of distress. How quickly we forget about Easter!



Resurrection: the revitalization or revival of something

This is two-fold for us as Christians. Christ was raised from the dead, bringing new life to him and new life to those who would believe on His Risen persona, revitalized; and, it brings revival. Easter was when it happened and began for us. If he died, and nothing more, what would we believe in?

The Apostles appeared before the Sanhedrin, were questioned and the words they spoke amazed even some of the leaders and teachers of the law. Gamaliel, a teacher of the law addressed those gathered, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go!” (Acts 5:35-38 – NIV) Even during their times long ago, leaders and teachers of the law understood what impact the Risen Lord could have. If they persecuted these men, and they spoke the truth, how might that come back on them? They would be fighting against their own God!

As Easter approaches, take time to look beyond yourself to find the real Risen Lord. Let the Holy Spirit do good works in you and through you. Look towards heaven for those lost treasures. Allow yourself to be open to the guidance of the Spirit, and let that Spirit lead you into a better relationship with the One who gives all good gifts. Look for the living among the living! Look for the Risen Christ this season. Let us be revitalized and pray for revival in the church.

Christ is Risen - He is Risen indeed!