At times it's so cool to have confirmation of the "speaking" you hear in your devotion time. However, the last reflection I shared revolved around what I heard God speaking about tragedy and I sensed Him saying, "This is going to be important this week." That night I received a phone call that one of the members of my small group had taken his own life. That was a moment that I wished that message had "just been something in my head." So my apologies for not updating more regularly over the past 2 weeks. Every time I came to write I found myself so distracted by the obvious thoughts that revolve around an event like this.
It was a dark week that had many glimmers of light along the way. I had many great, late-night MSN conversations with some of the other members of my small group. We also had some great times of sharing, reflection and worship together. However, you always wish that it could have been under different circumstances.
When I think about the book of Acts I see a bit of a theme of "Satan tries to do something bad to the church and God turns it into something good." For example, the persecution of the church. It seems to be pretty bad in the life of the church but when you look again it seems to be the catalyst that begins a huge missionary movement as persecuted people flee to different areas. I think the events of the past weeks will have the same effect. It seems when there is tragedy there's heightened spiritual awareness. Please pray for us as a group that God would steer the "momentum" of the situation that many youth would come to a deeper relationship with him (already the youth room was packed with 100 sweaty youth this week!)
The coming week promises to be equally busy with our CCI fundraising banquets coming up. We'll hold on and wait for Tuesday!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Remember your first love...
Well at least the weather is updated on this blog everyday... So if for nothing else I hope you come for that. Over the last days I haven't updated much because though it was busy I didn't think the tasks of the week were of particular interest. However, during these busy/uninteresting times I think I will share a little about my times of reflect and devotions - it seems the past week or so have been really good.
As some may know, because you see me hobbling around most mornings, I make a habit of going for a nice long run at least 3 times a week. I find these times to be great times of prayer and reflection (chances are I'm praying for you during these times so if you'd like more specific prayer let me know). Over the past weeks I've been reading the book of Revelation (something I typically avoid because I'd really prefer to understand just a little bit of what I'm reading.) Something that has been rolling around in my head is this passage from Revelation 2:
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
The simple phrase, "Remember your first love," seems to repeat in my mind during my prayer time. As I thought about this and as I prayed for you I thought of the stresses and tragedies that we face on a regular basis. Then I remembered, "what assurance we have in our first love." Even if everything on earth was lost nothing can take away our first love. We were born into a lost and often cruel world but we've been given an amazing "first love." So I'll continue to pray that Christ will be your first love, as I also pray for myself. May you be encouraged each day with the assurance you have in the security of His love!
As some may know, because you see me hobbling around most mornings, I make a habit of going for a nice long run at least 3 times a week. I find these times to be great times of prayer and reflection (chances are I'm praying for you during these times so if you'd like more specific prayer let me know). Over the past weeks I've been reading the book of Revelation (something I typically avoid because I'd really prefer to understand just a little bit of what I'm reading.) Something that has been rolling around in my head is this passage from Revelation 2:
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
The simple phrase, "Remember your first love," seems to repeat in my mind during my prayer time. As I thought about this and as I prayed for you I thought of the stresses and tragedies that we face on a regular basis. Then I remembered, "what assurance we have in our first love." Even if everything on earth was lost nothing can take away our first love. We were born into a lost and often cruel world but we've been given an amazing "first love." So I'll continue to pray that Christ will be your first love, as I also pray for myself. May you be encouraged each day with the assurance you have in the security of His love!
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