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"Come and See"

10/28/2014

"'Come and see' they respond in the story found in John 11:28-37. It's the same response Jesus had given to the early disciples' inquiry as to where He was staying (Jn. 1:46). It's the simplest of invitations and yet it goes to the heart of Christian faith.

'Come and see,' we say to Jesus, as we lead Him, all tears, to the place of our deepest grief and sorrow. 'Come and see,' He says to us in reply, as He leads us through the sorrow to the place where He now dwells in light and love and resurrection glory.

And, even more evocative (Jn. 21:12), 'Come and have breakfast.' The new day is dawning; and, though where we live the night can be very dark, and the tears very bitter, there is light and joy waiting not far away."

- an excerpt from "John for Everyone" by N.T. Wright :)

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It's all about You: truly living this gift called life

10/8/2014

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Let's clarify from the start...I'm not intending to say that life is all about "you" (little "y") but "You" (capital "Y", meaning God) - real living begins with His power & His strength, His wisdom & His ways, finally, His protection & His direction! :)

still with me? I hope so!

don't get me wrong...you can make it about you, if you choose, matter-of-fact, since the beginning of time that's exactly what we set out to do.

how's that going for us? with the focus on "me," naturally what matters is, well, me - my own needs become primary. the cost? well, by default, others' needs, of course.

so we claw & climb, many times trampling "the other" because with "everything me", "everything you" becomes secondary at best, but more often, pushed aside if not forgotten all together.

the result? take a look around - see any frustration, anger, conflict, fighting? see any jealousies, bitterness, prejudices, even hate? what about people who go hungry or are exploited...

maybe the cost of "me first" is just too costly

Jesus came in grace and in truth. He came as the Prince of Peace. He came to offer hope to the hopeless, to bind up the broken-hearted and to set captives free. His kingdom ushers in help & rescue, compassion, mercy, justice & grace along with a love for the other.

Places of healing and rightness are places where "all about You" living is replacing "all about you" living.

the choice is still yours, always has been...but, "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

so, where do I even get this "about You" kind of thinking? the pages of Scripture are filled with God's Story seamlessly woven through the endless stories of mankind continually blowing it as they all too often take God's grand story and live as if it were "the story of me" (beginning with Genesis 3).

but, don't take my word for it, read and see for yourself! my recommendation? The Voice Bible: Step Into the Story of Scripture. the best deal is probably - http://www.amazon.com/The-Voice-Bible-Personal-Size/dp/1401678491/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412794334&sr=8-2&keywords=the+Voice+Bible :)

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Live Like D.O.G.s (people who Depend On God)

10/2/2014

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Got a second?

The sun has come up (like it “always does”). Your alarm has gone off. That can only mean one thing: the start of another day (“as usual”).

what?

Have you even paused long enough to realize that “this” new day is a gift. It didn’t have to come, God gave it to you (“like He always does”). And your eyes opened and you took that next breath in (“like you always do”), because God wanted you to open your eyes and take that next breath…those too are gifts. The only reason they seem to “come automatically” is because God, the Giver and Sustainer of all life, has done just that, “again”…gifted & sustained your life.

God first purposed then created you…you are exactly where He wants you to be (location, job, family, century, current situation…), none of it is accidental. So, what is it that you’re facing today, right now? Something have you concerned? God tells us, not to worry at all about our circumstances. But to SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and “all these things” (these things that we have concerned ourselves with this morning) will be given to us as well. He says that while we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more (as our Father who loves perfectly, extravagantly and has endless resources since all things belong to Him) will He supply His children with good gifts.

What seems too big for you to shoulder? A better question, why are YOU shouldering it? God tells us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us.

When God was giving the town of Jericho into the hands of His people, their “job” was to hear God’s instruction and obey, however odd. So, they marched around the fortified city walls blowing horns. When God was fighting a battle for His people, Moses was to hear God’s instructions and as long as he obeyed and kept His hands raised, GIVING GENUINE, VISIBLE GLORY TO GOD, the battle was won. When God was going to free His people from the hands of the Midianites it was going to be by Gideon hearing God and obediently allowing Him to dwindle his army from 32,000 to 300, so that God could effectively fight & win the battle.

Time and again God takes the time to tell us, to show us through the many varied situations and circumstances found throughout Scripture, that He is our power, He is our strength. All these true life stories are continual reminders that we live this day, “not by OUR power, nor by OUR might, but by My (God’s) Spirit says the LORD.”

So, today, right now, our feet have already hit the ground running (“like always”)…Who are we depending on? Praying our trust is in the One who holds all power, all strength and all victory.

And what are you hearing God say? Has He burdened your heart for the poor, the widowed, those in captivity, those without clean water to drink, without sufficient food, who have yet to know Him? However “odd” it may sound, He’s asking you to hear and obey so that He can bring victory (“not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit says the LORD.”) Are you willing (no matter how ridiculous it may appear) to do “it” (that thing you’re hearing Him whisper in you ear) His way?

Here’s to living like D.O.G.s :)

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"Come and See"

It's all about You: truly living this gift called life

Live Like D.O.G.s (people who Depend On God)

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