Philippians
How often do you feel "happy"? Do you notice that we often feel happy when we buy something cool, have the right clothes, money and success? What happens when the things we buy rust, we outgrow our clothes, money runs out and we fail? Happiness depends on happenings--on the circumstances around us. We might feel up one moment and down the next.
Joy is something so much deeper. You can have real Joy in Jesus despite the things happening around you. For example, there are 5-7 layers of the ocean. When a hurricane comes, the top layers are completely affeted by the waves crashing. A lot of damage can be done.
The deeper the water, the less the ocean is affected by what's happening at the surface. In fact, the deepest levels aren't affected at all. This is what joy is--when we are deeply centered in God's love for us, it doesn't matter what happens up above, we are grounded in God's joy. When the storms of life hit, we will be grounded in God.
JOY stands for: Jesus, Others, Yourself. It begins with recognizing God's presence in our life no matter what things appear to be God is with us filling us with His joy so that we can endure hardships. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Below is a music video by the Newsboys all about Joy. EnJOY!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Arms of Love ~ March 25th
The Prodigal Son ~ Luke 15
Have there been times in your life when you've felt that God was "close" but not quite in your reach? There may be other times when you feel extremely distant from God. All of us are hungry for love and acceptance. We want to "fit in"--especially with God.
The Father in this story welcomed his wild son back after he wasted all the dad's money. The son was sure his Father wouldn't forgive him. Boy was the son wrong! The Father was standing at the edge of the road--waiting--watching and ready to throw his arms around his son and hug him. The Dad really believed his lost son would come home again.
Tonight was the last night of Ev carving Christ. He carved the praying hands of Jesus. Just like the Father spent years praying for his son to come home, Jesus prays for us too. He wanst us to have that real relationship with him. There are no cliques with God--all are welcome into His loving arms.
Below is a music video called "Prodigal Son" by a band named Casting Crowns. Enjoy and have a super Spring Break next week!
Have there been times in your life when you've felt that God was "close" but not quite in your reach? There may be other times when you feel extremely distant from God. All of us are hungry for love and acceptance. We want to "fit in"--especially with God.
The Father in this story welcomed his wild son back after he wasted all the dad's money. The son was sure his Father wouldn't forgive him. Boy was the son wrong! The Father was standing at the edge of the road--waiting--watching and ready to throw his arms around his son and hug him. The Dad really believed his lost son would come home again.
Tonight was the last night of Ev carving Christ. He carved the praying hands of Jesus. Just like the Father spent years praying for his son to come home, Jesus prays for us too. He wanst us to have that real relationship with him. There are no cliques with God--all are welcome into His loving arms.
Below is a music video called "Prodigal Son" by a band named Casting Crowns. Enjoy and have a super Spring Break next week!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Aroma of Christ ~ March 18th
John 11 "Jesus Wept"
When bad things start happening to us, we may wonder where God is in the midst of those trying times. At first, Jesus kept his distance from Mary and Martha when he heard Lazarus was very ill. This is very puzzling, until we realize that Jesus wants to do more than simply heal Lazarus from his sickness. Jesus would perform a miracle to show that He really is God.
When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha are grieving so much. Jesus reacts to their pain and cries with them--genuine tears.
Jesus also turns these tears into surprising cheers. Hope was right around the corner. Jesus raises Lazarus from the tomb--and Lazarus--who had been dead for 4 days--awakens from the grave! Jesus shows that he has power over the grave--and that nothing can separate us from a relationship with God.
If you are going through a tough time right now--Jesus cries with you. We are an Easter people living in a Good Friday world. This world has its many troubles and trials, but Jesus is there for us--he calls us by name and he leads us to life everlasting.
When bad things start happening to us, we may wonder where God is in the midst of those trying times. At first, Jesus kept his distance from Mary and Martha when he heard Lazarus was very ill. This is very puzzling, until we realize that Jesus wants to do more than simply heal Lazarus from his sickness. Jesus would perform a miracle to show that He really is God.
When Jesus arrives, Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha are grieving so much. Jesus reacts to their pain and cries with them--genuine tears.
Jesus also turns these tears into surprising cheers. Hope was right around the corner. Jesus raises Lazarus from the tomb--and Lazarus--who had been dead for 4 days--awakens from the grave! Jesus shows that he has power over the grave--and that nothing can separate us from a relationship with God.
If you are going through a tough time right now--Jesus cries with you. We are an Easter people living in a Good Friday world. This world has its many troubles and trials, but Jesus is there for us--he calls us by name and he leads us to life everlasting.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Seeing God...March 11th
Luke 23:32-43 "Thief on the Cross"
How do you view God? Can you imagine viewing Jesus from the cross? Luke writes that most people saw Jesus as weak and despised as he hung next to two obvious criminals. The crowd, the rulers, the guards, and even one of the criminals were all mocking Jesus. They didn't recognize Him as the King of the Jews and King of the universe.
The other theif on the cross recognized Jesus. He also recognized his own state of sinfulness. He knew he was unworthy to die next to a righteous Savior. He asked Jesus to remember him when he went into his kingdom. Jesus looked at the repentant thief in love--"today you will be with me in paradise."
I hope you see that God looks at you with love. God sees who you really are--and loves you! Jesus sees your sins and flaws--and yet--he offers you forgiveness and a fresh clean start.
Below is a music video to the song "thief" by a band called Third Day.
How do you view God? Can you imagine viewing Jesus from the cross? Luke writes that most people saw Jesus as weak and despised as he hung next to two obvious criminals. The crowd, the rulers, the guards, and even one of the criminals were all mocking Jesus. They didn't recognize Him as the King of the Jews and King of the universe.
The other theif on the cross recognized Jesus. He also recognized his own state of sinfulness. He knew he was unworthy to die next to a righteous Savior. He asked Jesus to remember him when he went into his kingdom. Jesus looked at the repentant thief in love--"today you will be with me in paradise."
I hope you see that God looks at you with love. God sees who you really are--and loves you! Jesus sees your sins and flaws--and yet--he offers you forgiveness and a fresh clean start.
Below is a music video to the song "thief" by a band called Third Day.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
HEARING God...
Luke 2:41-52 Jesus in the temple as a 12-year old boy
Many times we may feel quite distant from God. Distractions of life can drown out God's voice. During these times, it may seem like God is "hiding" from us. Like a game of "hide and seek" Jesus' parents were looking for him in all the wrong places. They "found" Jesus right were they left him--in the temple.
Jesus was never far away or hiding. Instead, he was speaking clearly to all those in the temple and teaching with authority as a 12 year old youth! If we have trouble "hearing" Jesus today, if we feel distant, we are the ones who moved. Lent is a time to "hear" clearly Jesus' voice in the temple.
Tonight we had a special guest presenter--Everett Ellenwood the famous woodcarver came to spend time with us. He began carving Jesus face tonight. How will God continue to move in our lives during Lent? What will we look like when this Holy Season is complete?
We invite you to worship during this awesome time at Water's Edge at 6pm. Come and hear Jesus speak to you and see his image unfold through the carving. God bless!
Many times we may feel quite distant from God. Distractions of life can drown out God's voice. During these times, it may seem like God is "hiding" from us. Like a game of "hide and seek" Jesus' parents were looking for him in all the wrong places. They "found" Jesus right were they left him--in the temple.
Jesus was never far away or hiding. Instead, he was speaking clearly to all those in the temple and teaching with authority as a 12 year old youth! If we have trouble "hearing" Jesus today, if we feel distant, we are the ones who moved. Lent is a time to "hear" clearly Jesus' voice in the temple.
Tonight we had a special guest presenter--Everett Ellenwood the famous woodcarver came to spend time with us. He began carving Jesus face tonight. How will God continue to move in our lives during Lent? What will we look like when this Holy Season is complete?
We invite you to worship during this awesome time at Water's Edge at 6pm. Come and hear Jesus speak to you and see his image unfold through the carving. God bless!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Hungry for RelationSHIP ~ February 25th
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
All of us are hungry for a great relationship. We look for that in friends, family, dating, facebook, networking, blogs, cell phone conversations, etc... There is ONE relationship that completely satisfies that hunger--Jesus. Lent is here...it's a time when we are HUNGRY for God.
Many people talk about "giving up" something for Lent
(discipleSHIP) --like fasting, prayer
Others talk about "taking on" something for Lent
(stewardSHIP) --like offerings, serving
Some talk about "worshipping more with others"
(fellowSHIP) --like worship, dinners
What all of these is really about is...relationSHIP.
Lent and being a Christian in general is all about relationSHIP...so jump on board the relationSHIP and see your holy hunger satisfied. God really does want to spend time with you. You are loved and known by God. Below is a video inviting you to get on board.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10
All of us are hungry for a great relationship. We look for that in friends, family, dating, facebook, networking, blogs, cell phone conversations, etc... There is ONE relationship that completely satisfies that hunger--Jesus. Lent is here...it's a time when we are HUNGRY for God.
Many people talk about "giving up" something for Lent
(discipleSHIP) --like fasting, prayer
Others talk about "taking on" something for Lent
(stewardSHIP) --like offerings, serving
Some talk about "worshipping more with others"
(fellowSHIP) --like worship, dinners
What all of these is really about is...relationSHIP.
Lent and being a Christian in general is all about relationSHIP...so jump on board the relationSHIP and see your holy hunger satisfied. God really does want to spend time with you. You are loved and known by God. Below is a video inviting you to get on board.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
ACTion Christian ~ February 18th
Welcome Opposition ~ Acts 22:30-23-11
Paul roaming in Jerusalem...and then on to Rome
Have you ever gone through a very tough experience? One day Paul was preaching in Jerusalem and it was an intense situation. The religious leaders were ready to stop his mission of spreading God's love. At the end of the day, Jesus gave him comforting words "Don't be afraid. Go to Rome."
When Jesus did this, he was much like a coach. Good coaches know their athletes well. They train them, encourage them and guide them to where they should play the game better. Tonight we had an amazing guest--a football coach that talked about how he guides his students. Like a coach, God also wants to guide our lives and encourage us when we're down.
An example of good coaching is in the movie "Remember the Titans." See how much the coaches in this movie cared about their students.
Paul roaming in Jerusalem...and then on to Rome
Have you ever gone through a very tough experience? One day Paul was preaching in Jerusalem and it was an intense situation. The religious leaders were ready to stop his mission of spreading God's love. At the end of the day, Jesus gave him comforting words "Don't be afraid. Go to Rome."
When Jesus did this, he was much like a coach. Good coaches know their athletes well. They train them, encourage them and guide them to where they should play the game better. Tonight we had an amazing guest--a football coach that talked about how he guides his students. Like a coach, God also wants to guide our lives and encourage us when we're down.
An example of good coaching is in the movie "Remember the Titans." See how much the coaches in this movie cared about their students.
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