Abraham Part 1
Ryan unpacks the story of Abraham and God’s promise.
News
new perspective
God’s been using the story of Joseph in my life for the past 2 weeks…really revealing a lot of truth to my head and heart. one of the things i’m most amazed at this time around in the scriptures was Joseph’s attitude amidst all the crazy that’s going on around him. he never really complains…just keeps living life. he doesn’t complain when he’s getting beat up by is brothers, from the pit, not when he’s sold as a slave, not when he’s falsely accused, not when he’s thrown and prison to be forgotten about… nothing… never…
i’ve been working with teenagers for a long time, and i’m positive that i hear more complaining today that i did 5 years ago (maybe it’s from all of us as a culture and not just our teens…). i don’t know why, and i’m having trouble understanding it b/c i feel like we have more than we’ve ever had, but we aren’t satisfied…
one of the things that always brings me back when i act or feel ungrateful and i’m being all complainy is asking God to help me see what he sees. it’s a scary prayer but it’s amazing. i start to see the needs & hurt of those around me. it brings on a great sense of appreciation…
this saturday, i’m really looking forward to stopping and asking God again to reset my vision to see what he is doing. enough complaining and griping about life… time to live like joseph and appreciate what God has allowed to happen in my life.
we serve at the new jersey food bank in the morning, join me and ask God to change your vision and heart… 8:15am-12:00pm. meet at long hill chapel… ages 12 and up! make sure to email deb anderson or RSVP on facebook if you plan on coming as space is limited.
NJFB-take 2
each month we are trying to plan and organize a service experience for our teens…and this month i’m so excited we are heading to the New Jersey Food Bank on the 15th…it’s an AWESOME organization that really helps meet the needs of our neighbors.
for this experience though, we have limited space, so letting Deb know ASAP is huge. the NJFB requires that all volunteers be over the age of 12…so sorry for some of you out there…we’ll bring you back some stories:) this month we’ll also be joined by new life fellowship too…so expect lots of fun in addition to serving:) we never know exactly what we are going to do when we get there, but it’s always worth while and makes a difference. and if you are a parent willing to drive, please let deb know as well as we may need spots.
if you are able to go, let deb know! i’ll be there deb…count me in!
Music Moment
i feel like we just into september and school starting, when did fall get here? (i know it doesn’t feel like it now, but it will soon!)
a parent asked me this weekend how many songs i have in my iTunes library… i kind of smiled and said a lot:) when pushed i gave up that i’ve got over 10,000 songs (10, 629 to be exact)…enough to start on the 1st song (a-ha/take on me) on october 1st, and when it finishes on halloween i’ll be listening to zao:) music is one of those things that really connects with me…i just LOVE it.
this week, i’ve been going back to some of my music roots:) going back to bands i’ve been listening to decades..and i’ve been impressed with how they have grown and matured. some better than others of course. one of the best: Relient K. i’ve seen these guys a dozen times in concert and just can’t get enough of them.
i’ve been drawn to the album “Five Score & Seven Years Ago”…and one song in particular, Deathbed. as morbid as the name sounds…it’s a beautiful song about the stages of life and the ultimate end. it’s the story of a man on his deathbed w cancer telling you about life, the good-bad-and ugly. it’s a wonderful 10+minutes of life, death, Jesus and hope. you can check it out a simple video here…
the smiles and tears i experience from the simple music box chime placed at about 7 minutes is unexplainable, music meets me in ways i can’t describe. it reminds me of the peace that Jesus offers…
this week, keep an ear to your iTunes, radio, or mp3 player. what’s going into your head and heart? even more, how’s it influencing you?