2 RC "confession"

Rob is on a roll with his heart piercing messages and I must say, I love them.

It all started in Genesis. They ate from the tree, they ran, and they hid, because their eyes were open and they knew they were naked.

"who told you that you were naked did you eat from the tree of life" - God
"the women did it"- Adam
"the snake made me do it"-Eve

Some things never change right?

What did God do next? He clothed them. He had to kill an animal to do so, hence a blood sacrifice to cover sin (does this all sound familiar). He didn't want them to be embarrassed. He knew they were hurting and living in their shame. He didn't want to see his children like that, so he covered them. Then a beautiful thing happened. He banned them from the garden. He wanted to be connected with them again, and he knew that is what needed to happen for that to ever be a reality. If not they would have lived forever, separated from him because of their sin, without the ability to be reconnected to their God.

Confession is a scary thing. No one likes to admit they are wrong. no one likes to feel like they have let the one down who created them. BUT when we confess a beautiful thing happens, forgiveness and grace, which is the core of our faith, the very air I breath.

If we accept him we are covered by him. To live the christian life to the fullest this must be a daily reminder, and a daily internal battle. We must confess and let God forgive us to learn to live and grow. Its one of the most beautiful heartbreaking moments with my savior when I admit I sinned against him.

In closing we were challenged to search our hearts daily. Is it not pretty but in my heart I know it is better to get it out there then to let it become a part of me. This is not a popular message,but I am so thankful for the challenge.

Romans 6:11-14
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

2 RC Chapter 4 "One God"

church was a little different this week. There was really no uplifting ending that usally accompanies a "good sermon." There was no applicable advice per say. There was no feel good message. This was a make you think, put your heart and faith out on the line message, that ended with a hard question. Rob was speaking on having one God. Back in the day, there were a lot of Gods that were worshiped. Here in this culture we dont really have that, well in the typical way we think of it. The question the message focused around was What does it mean to have one God in our culture and for our church, and what do I "worship" that should be God's time? Rob had us talk about those questions at our talbes, and then DIDNT give us the "correct" answer. He told us to go home and think about it, and figure out what it means for our lives....so I have been thinking....Questioning....talking about it with Josh, Sarah, Ami, and Rob. I still haven't quite come to a conclusion yet. It's hard in my head to define worship. Or maybe its a pride thing, and I would never want to admit that I worship anything else besides the God I adore. I decided to look up worship in the the dictionary. This is what it says.

wor·ship
reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object
regarded as sacred.
adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success.
the object of adoring reverence or regard.
to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).
—Synonyms 3. honor, homage, adoration, idolatry. 7. honor, venerate, revere, adore, glorify, idolize, adulate

Okay, the words revrence and regard are used a million times. I dont really know what those words mean,so might as well look those up too. PS...Interesting that a synonym of worship is idolatry.

rev·er·ence

a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.
a gesture indicative of deep respect
-Synonyms 1. honor, esteem. 6. revere, honor, adore

re·gard

to look upon or think of with a particular feeling
to have or show respect or concern for.
to think highly of; esteem.
thought; attention; concern

i·dol·a·try

Blind or excessive devotion to something.
Excessive attachment or veneration for anything; respect or love which borders on
adoration


I still dont quite get it. But I think that is okay. I dont know what else i worship in my life. What else do I have a devotion too?? What is in my thoughts a lot?? Ill be thinking about that this week...as of now....No answer has stuck out yet. But I asked God, I'm sure he will show me soon.

2RC/Bricks/TWISTER!! Chapter 3

Okay, So I'm a little late on this one...Sorry (Rob).
First thing is first. We had a leadership meeting on Sunday. It was really good. The thing that stuck out most me was when Tom said that we have to learn how to love people without embracing their core values. I'm not exactly sure how to do that. I guess just love people, right?? shouldn't be so hard. I love a lot of people and i obviously don't agree with every single thing they say or do. Anyways, I loved Robs message this Sunday. It was so encouraging and eye opening. I might not ever forget this moment for the rest of my life. He was going over John 15:5 about how if you remain in Christ you will produce fruit, but apart from him you can do nothing. Then he says "Tanya and Sarah,apart from Christ you can do nothing, Twister will fail if you are not remaining in him" Wow. Talk about a message speaking directly to me. I felt a pull in my heart that I haven't felt for a while. I begged Jesus to teach me how to do this. I refuse to live my life, not remaining in him every step and every breath.
Twister started on Sunday. It went well for the most part. I LOVE twister. There is something about it that makes me come alive and makes my heart beat faster. We didn't really get so much accomplished, and our numbers were pretty low for a party, but I still know this is what I'm called to do.
Bricks on the other hand is an interesting story. I have decided to take somewhat of a Hiatus from it. The Y wasn't working. We are going to do a one on one mentoring thing.Sarah, Rob and Ami are going to take on a couple kids and just pour into them and love them. I decided to take myself out of the mix at least for a while. I'm going to focus my energy and thought towards twister and let the people around me much more capable of leading bricks take charge. I hope and pray with all of my heart it works out.

Oh, and an update on the waking up early thing. 2 weeks down. I'm so happy its working.


"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5