Juli and Virginia had a little battle of the babes before Creekfest. I think I scored it a draw but it was one for the record books, to be sure. In this picture, Virginia plays the intimidation game with the "Mean Train look."
And here, Juli scores a body shot. Perfect technique. One thing's for sure, I wouldn't want to mess with a Seymour chick.
So Creekfest was a blast and a huge success. Those responsible (Benji and Sharon, pretty much) have given our community something that was badly needed and looks to only grow in years to come.
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In other news, I've been noticing something going on that affects us all. Maybe it's just me but has anybody else paid attention to the overall message that God has sent our way?
What I mean is that all of the lessons and quarterly studies and small-group studies and messages, everything is pointing in the same direction. I'm not talking about the 99% answer here. Of course it is all supposed to point to Christ. But think with me for a moment.
Sunday School -- My class has been in a study that is focused on combatting "casual Christianity." I believe all of the Lifeway publications for this quarter are the same, which means that each class in our church is studying the same thing. That's a good thing because this study is about really getting rid of the things that are standing as barriers between us and God and getting serious about becoming the children He wants us to be. Simply put, stop living the lives of compromise that we have convinced ourselves are acceptable and live like we are truly different and set apart.
Sunday nights -- We've been in a "Pursuit of Holiness" now for a while and it's really great. The lessons have all been focused on certain attitudes and actions that we as Christians have allowed to distract us from who we are and what we are here to do. We've looked at what the Bible has to say regarding these things and also at some traits and fruits that we should be exhibiting more. Again, it's geared toward living lives that reflect who we belong to.
Wednesday nights -- Benji's been leading us through some of the psalms. We've seen how King David has struggled at times in his situations and how he always finds comfort in his God. God grew him through those tough times, even dangerous times, and he enjoyed a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God as a result.
Crazy Love -- We're only two weeks into our study but it's becoming very apparent that choosing this study was no accident. The main theme of the book is that we need to shake out the cobwebs and get serious about what our relationship with the Creator of the universe should look like. We are loved by the Source of all love and that should affect us in more ways than just how we talk when we're trying to play the part. One very cool thing is that I've heard of several other groups of people in our church who are considering starting this same study, and all without knowing that we are doing it. That is SWEET!
Sunday mornings -- Dr. Golden has had us looking into the ten commandments and, so far, the message is that God is it. Everything. None of the other things in our lives that we worship can save us or even make us better. It's all about God and we need to "trim the fat" so to speak, We need to get our lives focused on Him and let our lives reflect His love and power.
So here's my opinion on all of this: I believe that God is screaming at us right now, in His still, small voice, of course. I think He has a message that He wants us to hear, and that message is for us to get over ourselves, look to Him and see Him for who He really is. We must realize that God has something unbelievable that He wants to do through us and He wants us all to be on board.
Simplicity is the key. All of these things I've mentioned are leading us toward that, I think. When we get to the point that we view this life in Christ as simple devotion (2 Corinthians 11:3) then all of the stuff we hold on to and all of the junk that comes with it will fade away. We must choose love. His love allows us to love Him, to turn away from our other gods, to seek more of Him but especially to give Him more of us, all of us. Then we can help each other along that same path, in deepest love for each other.
G'day.
