Memory problems

I know I mentioned this to Wendy, JP, and Michele tonight, but for anyone else who reads this, then I had one thought tonight during Reunion.

The Israelites had to celebrate Passover once a year, right? Which itself was a celebration of The LORD's delivering them from the Egyptians. And, throughout the wilderness, they could not stop complaining. Even after celebrating the Passover, they would go right back to complaining. ("God is terrible. God is terrible. God is terrible. God is good. YAY! God is terrible. God is terrible. God is terrible.")

This leads me to think about the ramification of my thoughts and actions. Even if I worship God with my actions, this story alone shows me the even the actions won't change my heart's true condition or state.

I agree with you, JP. Reading about the Israelites and the disciples makes me really understand (or maybe "visualize" is a better word) how God loves us through times when our faith is really grinding gears.

Scripture for Tuesday, March 27th

This coming Tuesday, we'll be discussing Matthew 11. In it, we see John the Baptist (who recognized Jesus as the coming messiah, it seems, while both were still in-utero) seemingly doubting Jesus. I love that Jesus, rather than chastising John through his disciples, merely tells them to tell John what He's doing--that should be answer enough. Then Jesus goes on to say, "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist..." It encourages me greatly to know that we serve a God who loves us even when we doubt.

Jesus goes on to criticize his generation and then to attack specific cities that He and his disciples have visited. It seems strange to me that he goes after entire cities when we, in all our modern individualism, tend to think only of individuals who may respond to God, or not, as they choose. Jesus here presents an idea that, while salvation is always an individual matter, one's community also plays a major role. This works at least two ways, as far as I can tell:
1) It's incredibly hard to be godly or raise a godly family in a corrupt community.
2) God's people should influence their communities in such a way that the whole community should be blessed, and more virtuous as a result.

For me, though, the real kicker comes at the end when Jesus offers rest for the weary. Allow me to pause and say that when I think of rest, I think of sitting by a pool or a fire, sipping a drink and maybe half-heartedly reading something of no consequence. Jesus' prescription for rest, however, is to "Take [His] yoke upon you and learn from [Him]." There seems to be a contradiction here. If I invited you for a weekend of rest, and then asked you to do my laundry and clean out my basement I think you'd be rightly vexed. The idea that it is restful to labor under Jesus, however, is an interesting one, and on that I'll be thinking more about in the coming days. Please share your thoughts on this--I'm looking forward to discussing it with you all on Tuesday.

Prayer tonight

We're meeting at Wendy's tonight at 7:30 to go somewhere and pray somehow. If that's too much uncertainty for you, focus on the fact that we are definitely praying that the Holy Spirit will lead us to remain in Christ and that, through His work, we will bear abundant fruit.

I also think it might be beneficial if everyone posted some reflection on the time after we've done it. Like our discussions, I know these posts will be honest and not a bunch of empty feel-good crap. Of course, I also hope they are uplifting, and reflect God's work in our hearts.

Scripture for Tuesday

I trust everyone enjoyed their Spring Break massively. Now, as you look back on that time, it's my prayer that you'll bring that sense of fun and relaxation back with you and let it diffuse throughout everything in your life. If that's asking too much, then I'll make due with you all smiling widely on Tuesday.

Now, for a little change of pace, I hope you guys don't mind me switching this up, but I heard an amazing sermon this morning on John 15:1-11, so I'd like to discuss that on Tuesday rather than the next chapter of Matthew. I'll just go on and paste the text here for you.

John 15
I Am the True Vine
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This passage combined with the message really got me thinking. I guess we'll find out what it does for you on Tuesday.

Spring Break house church

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that, despite Spring Break, we'll still be meeting--same bat-time, same bat-channel. The scripture for tonight will be Matthew 9 . I look forward to seeing you all.

I'll try to be clever later.