Community...the Bible...God...People

At Vinings Lake, we are going through the series "The View" - yesterday we dealt with the issue of our view of man - ourselves - mankind. Who are we really? Are we good/bad?

We must look at ourselves from the perspective of our creator - God. When we see this we are forced to realize one thing - that the View of Man - IS the message of the Gospel - the Good News - that even though we walked away from this relationship that God created - God has made a way back to Himself!

Last night in our Community Group, we had a great discussion and study in the Bible as we talked and discovered some awesome truths that God says about man - and ultimately - God's relationship to man - us!

We looked at Romans - chapters 1,2,3 - to see the state of man - all men - no matter how "good" "bad" or "religious" we are (or think we are) - and then in chapter 5 the amazing grace of God - and then how we should live/not live based on that grace in chapter 6. And then an incredible truth takes place in Romans 8:1!

God has a lot to say - we just need to listen to Him.

Giving People the "Right View"

I had a conversation with a guy yesterday and asked him about his relationship with God. He told me that he accepted Christ in his college years. The interesting fact is that he said he was interested in "church" or "Jesus" earlier in life - but because of the people he met that were "church" or "Jesus" people - he decided he wanted no part of that.

I fully realize that we cannot play the "all Christians are hypocrites and that's why I don't go to church" game. We must all take full responsibility for our own sins that can only be taken away through personal faith in Jesus alone.

However - we must not ignore the incredible responsibility that we have as disciples of Jesus - that gives people either the right or wrong "view" of this "God" "Jesus" or "church".

Jesus even addresses this in John 17 - when He is praying to the Father that we (believers) "may be one.....so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

Marriage

I did a wedding at Vinings Lake this weekend and I am reminded again about the sanctity of marriage. This is truly a convenant between a man and a woman to each other - in the eyes of God and those present.

Marriage is definitely a process - it is "always becoming and never arriving" - but isn't much of life like that?

If we allow this relationship to be under the Lordship of Jesus (both personally and together) it can be a very beautiful thing - because it allows us to grow and learn from one another and become a better person - and it also allows us to give the world a picture or "view" of Jesus and the Church (according to Ephesians 5).

This is a challenge to us because we need to give the world every reason to believe in a God that loves us and is committed to us - no matter what we do...and Men, we are the ones that are called to represent Jesus!

What a responsibility - what a privilege.

Community Group Outreach

Last Sunday night, our Community Group had the incredible privilege to get involved with a foster care center called Turning Point. One of the members of our Group volunteers there and she gave us this great idea to get connected with them.

We took about 8 high school age students to Mountasia where we did pizza, video games, go carts, and putt-putt. (you will notice my moves on the track to prove I am the king of go-carts! Just kidding....but seriously)

This was a great event for our Group to begin a relationship with some students in our community as well as a great event for building "community" inside of our Group. It was definitely "establishing community in the church in order to reach the community through the church"!

24

The show "24" (my personal favorite by the way - and what's the deal with Bill Buchanon? That ticks me off!) sure has it's market on our world today.

I have been absent from blogsphere for a week now and I would credit that to the fact that I have been so busy!!! Speaking of "I have been busy" - isn't that a very typical thing you hear people say so often? I know I say it, feel it, think it, and hear others say it - especially here in the Atlanta world!

What is busy? Busy for you may not be busy for me - and vise versa. What is "busy"? It could probably be defined as something that occupies our time. How we spend that time may be good or poor stewardship - good reminder for all of us.

However, I do think that all of our lives today are so full because we are linked to everything and everyone - and there is not limit to time. I can't imagine the days before electricity and vehicles - and even the days before telephones, televisions, computers, email, My Space, and Blogs! There is never a shortage of what we can do - because we live in a "24" world!

This is why I think the show "24" is so relative to us - because even though time itself has never stopped - now the world around us and the people, places to go, things to do, and even employment - never stops! We live in world that is ACTIVE "24" hours a day!

So is this a good thing or a bad thing? A good argument could be that we can get so much more accomplished now - and I can see that. However, is it all about getting more accomplished? Just a good question - it can depend on how you look at that. Even in God's Word it says that we need to "work while it is still light" - referring to spreading the message of Jesus before He returns. This can prove the "do what we can while we can" side of things. However, we are still human and have limitations - how much can we take before we truly "break down" or "lose it"?

Life is busy. There is never a shortage of things to do. We do need to maximize and be good stewards of our time. But if we are in it for the "Long Haul" then we need to be wise and be good stewards of our lives as well - our bodys, minds, hearts, spirits.

Like many aspects in life - BALANCE. Make the most of our time. Be good stewards of our life.

Virginia Tech

What a massive event to take place and strike so many hearts with fear, doubt, anger, and probably many questions. Those that have walked through this will never be the same. We do need to pray for them, for their families, and for the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

I wouldn't think that just giving "answers" would seem to shut the door on this nightmare for the people that encountered this - or even those that just watch from a distance. I do want to paste an article below that someone from our church sent me - and his remarks below. I think it is a good perspective to hear while it doesn't (and is not trying to) take away the sting.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8OIFQKG0&show_article=1

Tragedies like this often cause people to focus on all of the brutality and the countless negative aspects of the story...but there were also many acts of bravery and protection, acts of self-less sacrifice, acts of unconditional love...
For God really was there and He was not silent.
-Robert

More Cow Bell!

Oh yes! More Cow Bell! Hollie is fulfilling one of her life long dreams by getting to play in the band - with David Riddle. On our 1 year anniversary party, we got up there and added a little "flavor" to the day! Just wait till next week - she is going to play the recorder and Ryan Harvill will be leading us in a Handbell solo. You won't want to miss it!

New Series at VL!

How we choose to View Life is how we choose to Live Life.

The way we view things effects how we will life our life - here and now - and even into eternity. So is the "View" that we take important?

We started a new series this past Sunday called "The View". You can read more about it by going to http://www.viningslake.org/sundays.htm. This series will be challenging to all of us as we explore the reality of SO many views out there about SO many different issues. It seems ok to have our own views about certain things - but what about issues such as God, the Bible, humans, and Eternity? Can all of our views be right?

I learned on Sunday that this is not something to just "breeze" by - as I only covered 3 out of 9 pages I had prepared. This is going to take some time - but it will be worth it

My Community Group meets on Sunday nights and our discussion is based on the message. Last night's discussion was incredible - people giving their honest opinions and asking some difficult questions. I believe this series will birth a lot of discussion and in turn will give us a hunger for the truth.

I am sure I will be updating the blog with more about this as we walk down this path of "The View".

Random Restaurants

Hollie and I and Jon and Courtney went to a local place the other night called "Imperial Fez". It is a Morrocan restaurant in Buckhead. This is toward the end of the meal when they bring out some type of hot tea. It is a good place to go with some other people - but only if you are wanting a very different experience!




This is the Hixson clan at a place called "The Jerk Shack" that we ate at in Jamaica a few times. It was different but good. I like Jerk Chicken, but after this trip, I can hold off for a while.

This is Hollie and I with Jake and Deanna Jo at a restaurant in Jamaica called Jasmin's - it was incredible. The dessert was so good that I literally licked my plate clean!

Yet Another Conversation

The other day, I had the privilege to have yet another conversation with someone about God. It was definitely one that was pretty easy because this person had initiated a question which led to our meeting.

During our time together, we talked about God and even beyond a religion about God into a need for a RELATIONSHIP with God. We simply had a dialogue and towards the end of our conversation, it was very apparent that God Himself had orchestrated this time together.

This individual had come in believing in a relationship with God and trusting the guidance of God to lead them to the right place, but what was missing was the most important thing - it was a person - Jesus Christ.

Before we left our lunch meeting together, this person realized their need for not just a relationship with God - but this relationship was through Jesus Christ the Son of God.

In the New Testament of the Bible, John 14:6 tells us that Jesus claims to be the Way, Truth, and Life - and that no one can come to God unless it is through Him. This is true for me, it became true to this individual just a few short days ago, and it is true for you - whoever you are reading this.

We're Back!

Well, this is me with my new dreadlocks returning to the freezing cold weather in Atlanta after I returned from Jamaica!!!

Ok, so maybe it's not me - but this is kind of like the weather change we experienced as we returned home.

Hollie, myself, and the kids had a wonderful time and did nothing but relax and unwind.

Good to be home Mon!

Easter Sunday at VL and next Message Series

Easter Sunday at VL was truly an amazing day! We were able to welcome MANY new visitors and had a great day of celebration.

We did have a good attendance that day, but truthfully, I am very excited about seeing who will come back.

We are starting a new series this Sunday called "The View". Everyone has a "View" about everything. So over the next few weeks, we are going to talk about the "View" and the truth about each of these subjects: View of God, View of Ourselves (humans), and View of the Church.