The local church is the primary place where we learn to follow Jesus. It's the laboratory where we experiment and discover how to make the U turn God is calling us to make in our lives.
Practicing Hope - Daily Time with God
I meet a lot of people in my line of work. They come from all different places and walks of life. They are all over the map spiritually. And almost all of them have a hunger down deep for more of God. They want to experience God. They want to know God. They believe on some level that life is incomplete without a relationship with God.
Intergenerational Ministry
But here's the real truth. We can die on a lot of hills in the church. Most of which simply aren't worth it. This is one hill worth dying on. This is one battle worth fighting. Study after study shows that the most effective evangelism takes place when one generation reaches another with the good news of the gospel. When one generation makes it their aim, their goal, their passion to pass on the faith to the next generation. Parents to kids. Grandparents to grandkids. All so that, as one generation is "gathered to their fathers", there remains another generation to take their place.
Purpose
God either gets it all or He gets nothing. He doesn't leave us the choice to accessorize our life with a little Jesus. As if I can live my life the way I choose and "season" it from time to time with some Jesus. Like He's there to give my life a little spiritual flavor. God is not some spice. Some condiment. Some add-on to life. He is the Life.
Heart Check
Today I go for my annual heart check. I'll spend about a week on the treadmill. Stress test. EKG. The whole work up. My doctor will meet me in a place called Gojo in a country called Ethiopia which is literally on the other side of the world. He won't be gentle...Why do I do this? Because of something Jesus once said to me. "I came not to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many."
Truth vs. Lies
We live in constant danger. Bombarded by messages through mainstream and social media. So much information is being thrown at us on a daily basis, it is hard to separate truth from lie. Fantasy from reality. So much of how we think about life or think about the people in our lives or even think about ourselves is shaped far more profoundly by our culture than by the truth God has revealed in the Bible.
Rise of the Nones
I have to say I don't know any "nones." I do know Maggie. I know Steve. I know Bonnie and Amanda. I know Simon and Keri. I know Emily. I know Ted and Amy. I know Matthew and Michael. I find them thoughtful, gracious, loving people who are trying their best to find their way in this world just like all of us. If you asked them what they believe, they all might take a moment. They honestly just don't give it much thought which doesn't mean they are "belief-less."
