Working on Reveal

I sit in my office alone right now writing 4 messages for this week and doing all the other administrative stuff.  I could be lonely, I could be cranky, but I am not.  Why?  Miranda Strong is doing the video's and promoting this thing like a champ!, Tyler Moura designed the shirts, Daniel Boerner is exercising his creative muscle and pulling a great set design together, Pierce Drake getting a amazing worship[ band together, Taylor Vassey is working on all kinds of details, Jake Bell makes a sweet video that I didn't even have to ask for, Michelle Troche is buying all the food I need, and I keep getting interrupted by people who want to help.  This is awesome.  The Body of Christ working towards bringing students to the feet of God.  Everyone exercising their own gifts and God given talents in a beautiful harmony.  I could be overwhelmed by the stuff to do but I am overwhelmed by the Body of Christ!

Reveal is Friday night 7-9:30
Sat 10Am -3 pm
$10 at the door gets you lunch and the sweet T-shirt

Snow Days

To be honest I think I needed the Snow Day.  It was a moment of stillness that I didn't want, didn't think I wanted, and definitely ask for.  But here it is and we are forced for a couple of days to do nothing.  Have you noticed how uncomfortable you are with nothing.  In a life that is so busy all we want is a day of or vacation or to skip school but once it is here it is uncomfortable.  We focus so much time and energy and the things of our life we have forgotten how to be with each other how to slow down and talk to each other.  Or slow down and actually be with God.  So today as we settle in for another snow day.  Spend some time with God.  Turn off the Ipod, TV, Facebook and XBox.  And be with God.  It will amaze you with what can happen in your heart.

God's Calling

Come join us at Fusion for the start of our new series called God's Calling this week.  We will be working through what it means to be called by God and how that shapes our life and the lives around us.  Tonight we are talking on Nathanael's call John 1:45-51.

Reveal Student Conference

The Reveal Senior High Student Conference is coming up January 28-29.  This year we are talking about how God is revealed to you, How you reveal God to others, and how you are revealed to God.  I am really excited about all the student participation that we have in this event.  We have amazing worship bands coming and some very special guest speakers.  The cost is $10  and that includes the amazing shirt designed by our very own Tyler Moura. 

Leap Service Retreat

Leap did an amazing job at this event serving the community.  So proud of them!!!
Check out the pictures at http://www.umchildrenshome.org/newsandevents_updates.php?p=2041

Fasting as Discipline

Fasting is a spiritual discipline and honestly it is hard.  I would much rather read my Bible where the only discomfort is if I get a paper cut.  But the beauty of Fasting is its ability to be a gateway to other disciplines.  If you are willing to commit to fasting how hard is it to pray, meditate, read, or experience silence? Maybe your wondering what to do when God calls you to himself in fasting how do you react what do you do in those times of hunger?  How should you get the most out of your fasting experience? The following are introductions to two different ways of including other spiritual disciplines in your fasting regimen.  If you can include these you will be on the road to a more fruitful experience.

Bible Reading

Read a section of scripture 3-7 verses not to big not to small

Pray that God would show you the words he wants to tell you.  (highlight them or write them down)

Read the same section for a second time

Pray about the meaning of those words

What is God telling you through them?

Read the same section a third time

Pray about how you are supposed to apply them to your life

What is God calling you do to do in response to His Word?

For more information on this type of reading look up Lectio Divina

Silence

Sit in silence (maybe you have to buy headphones to make this possible)

Get comfortable, put your hands open on your lap and both feet flat on the ground

Close your eyes, breathe in deeply, exhale, breathe in, exhale

Silence your mind and wait on God.  Just wait on God, don’t think!

Journal any ideas, thoughts, people that are brought to mind

Use the experience of Fasting as an opening to a deeper walk with  God.

If you are interested in learning more of spiritual disciplines

The Sacred Way, Tony Jones

Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

The Life You always wanted, John Ortberg

http://marshill.org/teaching-resources/spiritual-practices/

Fasting as Worship

What do you get when you put 170 students in a room designed for 100 with a kickin’ band, fog machine, crazy lights, and amazing energy.  You might think chaos, odd smells, and stress.  I think of Worship.  Every Wednesday night at the Outback the room is alive with the anticipation of God’s glory to be shown and for the Holy spirit to make Himself known in the room.  I am awed by the corporate worship of our students, the fervor, the unashamed way they go about it.  I am humbled by the respect they show each other and the dignity they conduct themselves with.  It blows my mind and I can’t help but be swept away in the passion of a room of students chasing after God’s heart.

Combing that passion with a call to fast is a privilege and challenge.  One that will set our student ministry on a new and amazing course.  As we deepen our passionate worship to include fasting.  Fasting is an intimate and private of way to worship, it effects our corporate worship as well.  Where we raise our voices in praise on Wednesday’s or Sunday’s, fasting is done in the stillness and the quietness of our souls.  It brings our hearts and minds to the sacred.  Fasting is Worship just as singing is.  Where singing is an active proclamation with our mouths of the adoration of God.  Fasting involves our minds and wills to say God is great and in control.  Fasting is a lifestyle worship not an event driven worship.  Combine the two together where our minds, our bodies, our will, our tongues, our community are all focused in worship of God.  Lets just say I can’t wait until next week…

Actions Step Read Isaiah 58: 1-14

How does fasting and worship work in you life?

Are we guilty of any of the dangers Isaiah warns us about?

Do we bring worship and glory to God in our fasting?

Take a look at you fasting history are there changes that need to be made?

Journal your thoughts!!!