Hearts afire

Here is some of the art from last week's gathering. I guess we all agree that we'd be overflowing with God's love and grace!

Romans 12 says this, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Go back to the image Meredith gave us Jesus coming behind us and putting his hands in ours and working through us. What a great concept! All we have to do is give ourselves to God and he works through us. Eating. Talking. Breathing. Offer it all to Christ and let him work through you. Be encouraged!

Creating Space

So who's going to use this week to make time for God? Comment on the blog to let others know how you're making God a priority.

What did you think of this past gathering? Comment there, too if you want. No comment is too honest.

Me, I'm getting back in the habit this week of reading the Bible every morning with breakfast. It may be just 15 minutes, but I've just finished reading Ruth and am starting 1 Samuel. Those stories sometimes keep me reading for a long time...

When you see me next, ask me how my reading is going. I'd love to talk about it, but even moreso, I'd love the accountability from you all.

The Study

Did you see it?! Wherever you are in your walk with God, there is a cleansing, a renewing, a fresh start. Let me take the sermon one step further: what do you need to remove in your mind to allow room for God? Reply with your thoughts.

For me, it's life in general. I am so focused on my wife, my job, my other job... Time adds in integers that I can't calculate and by the time the week is done, I've forgotten the most important part of my life. Read with fresh eyes:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
-Psalm 62:5-8

Whew! What a comfort to know that in the business of life, we can find rest in God alone because he is the one we fill our thoughts with. I can't tell you the times I've felt overwhelmed the last few weeks and have had to stop and give all my problems back to God. I focus on him and my problems are nothing. Why? I know who is my rock and salvation, my ever-present hope in time of trouble. And because he cares for his creation, his sons and daughters, he gives lavishly to his own. Praise God for his grace and mercy!

Launching Life

Yay! We made it through our very first gathering? What were your thoughts? Let me know. As we set into this new season, our thoughts, hearts, and minds need to be set in the right place.
I've been struggling with work my whole life (all 8 years I've been working). As a man, I have that inerant need to get satisfaction from the work of my hands. I feel really good about what I'm doing when I know I've done a good job and have served people. But how much work is too much? Do I sell myself short as far as how much I get paid? I don't know. But I often need to look at Adam in Genesis, our first father, and see his flaws. Because he and Eve ate the fruit to be like God, they were cursed: Adam with the work of his hands and Eve with trying to lead in relationship. Because I know where my struggle with satisfaction comes from, I know where I need to be looking for direction: God. My satisfaction should not be directed towards earthly goals but on my relationship with God.
Let me ask this: how often do you feel completely satisfied when in God's presence, when you've completely submitted yourself to His will in His presence? Me, I always feel content in His presence. If I feel discontent with the work of my hands, then, I ought to turn towards God for satisfaction.
What are your thoughts? Let me know!