Perspective

I know I talked a little about this last week before service, but I want to take a look at perspective. I wrote in a previous post about milk and honey and a little about 2009. I truly wish for each of you it will be a year that you enter into the promised land personally and relationally. But sometimes our outlook or perspective can keep us from what God has for us. Take a look at Numbers 14:1-4:

Num 14:1-4
Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron. "We wish we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they wailed. 3 "Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and return to Egypt!" 4 Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a leader and go back to Egypt!" NLT

First, Death is something we fear. We always keep it ahead of us, sometimes it seems we look to it as our future more than we look for life. Maybe we feel that death is the only thing we can be sure of. Notice in this passage they either a) would have died in Egypt, or b) will die in battle. Life and that more abundant does not seem to be an option that they choose to believe, even though the Lord told them He wants to take them to someplace great and bless them and give them long life in the land He is giving them.

Then they decide, that if they are gonna die anyway, they would rather die comfortable instead of fighting for what has been promised to them. Think about this, they have already chosen to give up and not even go for what is theirs, they are defeated before they begin and they want to take what seems like the easy way out! Do we do that? Do we opt for the more comfortable way, even if we feel like it will end in failure? kind of a "you're doomed if you do and you're doomed if you don't" approach?

Let me encourage you, beleive what He said He will do, and go out fighting for it. It's worth it in the end. Sometimes, you just need to have the right perspective.

go

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http://iamsecond.com/#/home/

Milk and Honey

I don't know about you, but my days right now are spent looking back at 2008 and preparing for 2009. I have had many experiences during 2008, many learning experiences. Now I know that I will be learning as long as I'm alive, we never get to the point that we know everything; this year has been no exception. Anyway, As I look ahead to 2009, I am reminded of Caleb in Numbers chapter 14 verse 8 as he explains to the people of Israel what he saw in the land God was to give them:

8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" NLT

One phrase I want to look at especially; It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. I have heard this reference since I was a child and I don't think anyone has ever explained it to me. I felt like I had an idea, but never fully explored the meaning. Let me give you some background on the story where this is mentioned. The people of Israel were slaves in Egypt for many years, and finally god had sent Moses to lead them out. There were many miracles that happened on their exodus (play on words) out of Egypt; there was no doubt god was with them. Before going all the way to the land God was giving them (Exodus 3:8), Moses sent a comittee of 12 men to take a look at the land and see what they were in for, or how big the job was for them to take over this land that God told them would be their new home. When the men returned to Moses, they seemed overwhelmed. Ten of these men said that the job was not possible. they warned Moses that they would not have success if they proceeded as planned. Then two men, Joshua and Caleb, spoke up and said they could do it. Caleb described the "promised" land as a rich land flowing with Milk and Honey.

To me, these words describe what we are looking at when we peer into the year 2009. As I write this I feel like Caleb as I have looked into 2009 and the possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead of us. I see the coming year as a land of Milk and Honey. The Milk represents growth and prosperity. It describes a time when our creativity is going to be raised and the influence of students will increase. It indicates healthy growth in our leadership. Honey describes a sweetness that can be likened to dessert after a meal. Not only will we have favor of growth and health, but we will be able to enjoy it. It will be a time filled with joyful experiences, like the frosting on the cake.

I want to explore this thought with you all over the next few weeks as the new year approaches. We have many responsibilities with what we do, but with that come many opportunities for growth and with growth comes a fullness that cannot fully be described. Be encouraged for what's in store for us as we move in to what God has for us!

Gimme

Hey small group leaders! Send me your creative ideas that you have done in your small groups. I'm looking for simple and difficult. Creative and the routine. All of the above. I just want to share with the group some things that you have implemented in your group and had some measure of success. I also want the good, the bad, and the ugly. We learn best from mistakes and maybe you can help someone else make a mistake and also maybe we can brainstorm to help tweak and idea. I just want to make sure we never get stale. Go ahead and leave a comment here.

Book

You may have noticed on the right side of the screen that I am now going to put up some book recommendations. In an effort not to overwhelm you, I only put up one to start with. There will be a maximum of 5 and I will put up a new one every week, usually with a short blog entry to intro and review it.

About the first recommendation; To Own a Dragon, Donald Miller has a writing style that I find relaxing and easy to read. I love his approach to things spiritual as he does not claim to have all the answers. the first chapter is a must for anyone who works with Jr High Students; we need to see the impact a man or woman can have on a teenager. the book mostly deals with the issues he faces as he struggles with the fact that he grew up without a dad. I know it helps me in getting better understanding that I would not otherwise have had. If you know much about Donald Miller, the author, you may or may not agree with all of his views (most recently political), but he is an honest writer who can really make you think. I own all of his books and enjoy the reads, I also recommend all of them.

who likes video?

I'm not sure if anybody reads this, but I am curious if anyone can edit short video stuff for announcements and sermon intros. Get at me if you are interested.

distracted

It's that time again, time to get distracted. No, not really. It's time for the Distracted series. This year we are focusing on three areas: Tunes, Screen, Fear and Friends. This Sunday we will have Rawd B. Jones speaking on being Distracted by Tunes. The next week Keith is speaking on Distracted by the Screen and then the week after Kam is speaking on Distracted by Fear.

Now, to add an element of fun to these weeks, October 19th, we will also have a contest for the best costume. what kind of costume you ask? Everyone is encouraged to dress up as their favorite movie character. October 26 will be the night to dress up as your favorite sports team mascot. Then, November 2 is 70's night, so come dressed up in your best polyester and butterfly collars!