I substitute taught today for 7th and 8th grade at Northshore Christian Academy. During my prep period I snuck into an 8th grade Earth Science class. I sat in awe of our God as the class talked about the size of the earth in relationship to the other planets and stars. Where our galaxy fits into the others and the speed at which were are moving.
669,000mph we are whipping around the sun right now. It only takes less than 20,000mph for the shuttles to leave our atmosphere. We are also perfectly placed in our galaxy to have optimal viewing of the heavens. The sun (which dwarfs the earth) is but a speck to other stars in the universe.
This reminded me of an interaction I had with some youth a while back where they said they were bored. “We have nowhere to go”, was their comment to me. “Nowhere to go?” I said confused. “You are on the ride of your life. Put your hands in the air and let out a scream because you traveling around the sun really fast.” I didn’t know it was actually that fast.
Aren’t we all on the ride of our lives? I just don’t think we realize it. We think this world is boring or live our ho-hum lives. We are looking for new stimuli and exciting things, but forget that God already created a pretty exiting world for us to explore. And as we are doing that we can look up and examine the heavens… all the while going as fast as we are.
Let’s live this life to the fullest with our hands in the air on this ride called ‘earth around the sun’. Make sure to buckle up first.
Mark Meilbrecht – You Want To Go Back To Egypt?
From the series “Exodus: Movement of the People”
I am speaking this weekend three separate times at a young adult retreat in Leavenworth WA. This is a great group from New Life Foursquare that I have had the opportunity to be with several times. Pastor Shawn asked me to speak on reigniting your passion for Christ. Talk about a broad topic! I thought about who was a passionate person and was drawn to Peter. This guy was legit… he walked on water, he cut a guys ear off, and he spoke to the multitudes about Jesus. Now that is passion.
I am going to share three things that I think will help us reignite our passion for Christ from the life of Peter. The first thing I saw was he was obedient. Jesus asked for his boat and told him how to fish and he listened. Obedience not out of obligation but out of the passion he had for the Messiah.
The second thing to spark our relationship back up with Christ is to ask questions. I think Peter’s main job was to be the one to ask the questions. Why? What is in it for us? How many times? What did you mean by that story? I realized that in life I am only interested in the things that I ask questions about. It is the same with Jesus. We need to be asking Him. Have a conversation with him. You will find that He can handle your questions and you will love Him even more.
The last thing I am speaking on to reignite our passion for Christ is to serve. Christ said he was among us as one who serves and He asked Peter to feed and serve His sheep. And nowhere do you see the passion of Peter then after he gets these words. The Book of Acts is full of Peter full of passion as he is serving and feeding the people. Passion for Christ comes when we serve others. When we help the widow, the poor, the orphan, and those in need.
Pray for me this Friday and Saturday as I share about reigniting our passion for Christ.
“Broken people make broken systems” was the answer I was given when I asked why we are not still approved as foster parents. Our file has been completed since December 12, so you can see why we are frustrated. No one could tell us why we hadn’t yet got the mysterious stamp of approval. Two months of blaming others, asking questions, filling out forms two or three times and experiencing the notorious run around. And the only answer I can seem to accept is… “many years ago a man and women ate an apple and we have been mess up ever since”.
Now that is an answer that makes sense. Are we not all broken people in need of wholeness? We all have our issues and faults. We all could do better. But when you are broke it is hard to make something that is not. That helps me go to sleep at night.
I need to stop expecting perfection from unperfected people (me included). My prayer is that I learn to stop expecting others to be perfect….including my church, my government or at the grocery store down the road. Are you currently feeling frustrated with a person or organization or situation? Sit back…relax, we are all broken people. There will come a day when we will all be made perfect, but not yet.
Joseph Fehlen – I AM – February 1, 2009
Christy Fehlen – I AM the Vine – January 4, 2009
Joseph Fehlen – I AM the Way – December 28, 2008
Joseph Fehlen – I AM the Resurrection – December 14, 2008
Joseph Fehlen – I AM the Sheep Gate – December 7, 2008
Joseph Fehlen – I AM the Light of the World – November 30, 2008
Joseph Fehlen – I AM the Bread of Life – November 23, 2008
Joseph Fehlen – I Am the Good Shepard – April 13, 2008
