Bring Me to Life

I mentioned in my last post that I was going through a LIFE group this semester that my friend is leading.  It's through her church, of course.  Thursday was our groups second time to meet and it was really our first time to kind of dive into the material.  Let me just say this... I am very excited about this group. AND!  I really loved the material that we went over this past week.  So much so that I figured I'd share it with all of you.  :o)

We watched a video of a sermon Pastor Chris did on the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  It.  Was.  So.  Good.  There were a few things that stood out to me that he said during that message.  The first was this:  "There's no one who knows your sin life better than God and he still loves you!  He still wants you!".  I love that.  and - I know that to be true.  But - having that reminder was so NICE.  Thinking about it even now brings tears to my eyes.  The creator of the universe knows me... knows me better than anyone ever will... the good... the very bad... everything... and he still chooses to love me.  Still chooses to use me.  CHOSE TO DIE FOR ME.  I mean, that is for real.  and - it's amazing.  Doesn't it just make you wanna shout?!!  WHOOOO!!  It does me.  Ha.  The next thing is this:  "The goal of Christianity isn't to know the bible more.  The goal of Christianity is to EXPERIENCE the bible more!".  I love the way he worded that.  Because anyone can have a head knowledge of Jesus and his word.  But - to experience him is a completely different thing.  It's literally the difference between heaven and hell.  We are to experience the bible more.  Know Christ more.  YES!  The last thing was this:  "God gives hope NOT condemnation!".  YES, YES, YES!!  Because of Christ I'm no longer condemned!  I'm set free.  He took my punishment  upon himself so that I could live.  It really is mind blowing.  and - SO GOOD!!  Haha.

Well... that's what's going on so far.  It's just been super good.  Such a blessing and so refreshing!  I'm super excited about the next 9 weeks and about the LIFE retreat in December!!  It's gonna be AMAZING!!  YESSSSS.

I suppose that's all for now.  Haha.  More to come soon, I'm sure!

'til then,

James

  

Another One Bites the Dust...

I've been thinking about death lately.  I don't know why.  It's just really been on my mind.  Weird, I know.  I keep trying to imagine how I'm gonna go.  Will I get some illness and know that my days are numbered?  Or - will it be sudden?  and - if it is sudden... will the people around me know how much they meant to me?  Did I tell them that I loved them?  and - more importantly, did I show them the love of Christ?  Did I sacrifice my time for them?  Did I sacrifice myself for them?  Did I truly love them while I had the chance?  I want, more than anything, for my life to have meaning.  I want to know that I didn't waste my time here.  I want to make a difference in the lives around me.  Am I currently doing that?  Ha.  I have no idea.  But - I sure hope so.

B.t.dub... I think the Lord is about to do something CRAZY AWESOME in my life and in the lives of the people around me.  My church is going through an amazing sermon series and our small groups are reading an AMAZING book.  Plus, I'm going through LIFE group with another church.  Things are about to get REAL up in here.  Serious business.  So - get ready.

I plan to blog on a pretty regular basis... so I'll def keep you updated.

'til then,
James