Anyone Getting Excited?

Today, we had our weekly staff meeting and as we discussed what we have been reading in Romans, it got me excited about where we are heading this fall.  I was wondering if any of you were also anxiously expecting something?

Check out these two passages:

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." 

- Isaiah 55:10-11 (TNIV)

"For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." 

- Hebrews 4:12 (TNIV)

If we really believe the bible to God's written word to us, then we must believe these words to be true.  If we believe these words to be true, then an embarking on a book like Romans must be met with some sort of anticipation, right?

What are you anticipating?

Acts 23 :: Where is the Nugget?

Acts 23 in The Message and TNIV translations

I'm afraid some people think that every time I read the bible, I find something inspiring or challenging or encouraging to write about.  I'll admit that most of the time I do.  I do believe that the bible is the inspired word of God and is useful to us today.  It's like panning for gold...sometimes it's easy and other times it's not.

Today is one of those chapters that is not easy.  I've read it twice and parts of it more than twice.  I may be tainted from my post two days ago, thinking that Paul's trip to Jerusalem shouldn't have happened.  Whether it's my disposition to day or the point of the story, I'm just not finding anything incredibly inspiring to write about from these verses.

So, what do we do when something like this happens.  Do we just check our box to show that we did read that day?  Do we beat ourselves up because we aren't spiritual enough to find the nugget here?  Or is there some solace in realizing that we are reading a story and stories have ebbs and flows.  There might be a time in my life later when something in this chapter jumps out at me and does inspire me or challenge me.  For someone reading this, you may have found that nugget today, and I'll hear from you and maybe receive my inspiration from God speaking to you...and that would be cool.

We believe the bible is God's word and has the right to command my belief and my action (Belief: Authority of the Bible).  "Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.  Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We also believe that Christ-followers study the bible to know God, the truth and to find direction for our daily lives (Practice: Bible Study).  It is "sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or disease, laying us open to listen and obey" (Heb. 4:12).

I believe it's useful, but I'm just not finding that today - can someone help a brotha out?

Read Through Mark Begins March 23

Have you ever been to a party where you didn't really know the guest of honor? It can be sort of awkward, right? We like the party, but the depth of celebration is limited by our knowledge of the one being celebrated. Easter tends to be like that too. For some of us, our knowledge of the Risen Jesus deepens our celebration on that day. We realize that Easter is about much more than one Sunday a year - it's about a daily celebration of a Savior that has given us new life here and now. For some of us though, we don't have that level of knowledge so Easter can tend to be just one other "church thing." This year, we want to help you deepen your celebration.

This spring, we are corporately reading through the Gospel of Mark. Beginning on Monday, March 23, we will begin reading one chapter per day. As you read this account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, we believe that your celebration will be more meaningful this year than maybe any year before. Cameron and Brad will blog here to discuss each of the daily readings. You can subscribe to this site to receive the daily posts by email, also.

So...read along with us. It's going to be a great ride.

If you haven't listened to our launch message for the new series and the daily readings, go HERE and do that first!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUDYING THE BIBLE AND READING THE BIBLE

Great Day...Great Holiday!

What a weekend. Easter Sunday on March 23...can't say I'm a fan of the early date. In case some of you don't know how Easter is determined, here is a little trivia for you: Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, which is March 20. The Hebrew calendar is lunar and the date identifies with Passover. On our Roman calendar it hops around. This Easter was the earliest that any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives. The next time it will occur this early is 2228, and unless anyone is planning on hanging around this planet for another 220 years, it ain't happening!

Okay, enough trivia. It would be great to get feedback from you regarding a couple of things. How did the 21 Day Journey through the book of John go for you? Did you make it? Did you enjoy it? Would you be up to doing something like that again?

Also, one thing I realized this weekend is that we are not prone to traditions as a family. According to studies of my generation and younger, we are not alone. Would those of you who have Easter traditions be willing to share some of your traditions with us?

School's back and we are in full swing again. We posted the drawings from the kids on our site, so go check them out.