Friends,
Change the way you think.
I just got an email I had to share:
“So many really amazing things to catch up on.. Really.. Every day.. I am truly blessed with new and amazing things. Even my Dad sent me flowers out of the blue.. his wife texted me.. I finally committed to a real triathlon program (swimming almost killed me today). Thankful and grateful for being reintroduced to scripture. This journey continues to surprise and inspire me everyday.”
Wow. This. Is. The. Why.
Four months down…eight to go. We’ve finished the Pentateuch, aka 5 scrolls, aka Torah, written by Moses in the OT. We’re through 3 of the 4 Gospels in the NT reading about the life and lessons of Jesus from different perspectives and we’re getting poetry and wisdom from Psalms and Proverbs every day. Whether you’re in unchartered territory or recognizing characters and stories you’ve encountered before, it’s awesome to be walking through it with you. We appreciate the community, fellowship, texts, calls, emails, meals and prayers!!
Our pastor Brad said yesterday in his sermon, “We are here for a limited time to share the good news, then we go home. This is not home.” To that end, we have been studying the “Romans Road” and recently memorized Romans 12:1-2. It is so relevant.
Romans 12:1-2:
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Brad often reminds us to view culture through the lens of scripture, not to view scripture through the lens of culture.
Brittney was a particularly big fan of another phrase from yesterday’s sermon, “Let your speech always be gracious.” I got a solid elbow in the ribs on that one. I had lunch with another guy reading the plan with us last week and we discussed what we default to…as in, when someone cuts you off in traffic, or wrongs you, or a family member upsets you or disrespects you, some of us aren’t wired to reply with grace, but many other harsh words and reactions. We find ourselves surprised at what we say. Something I was recently taught…try responding to God, not to the person…and remember, that person is one of God’s children. He loves them just as much as he loves you. It’s tough to yell and speak down to someone you truly view as a child of God. So before the next time, pray that you will first think, respond to God, then proceed.
Britt and I are firing back up on the Whole30 challenge for May. It’s also about changing the way you think…about food…and while it is not necessarily designed as a weight loss diet, it will most certainly change the way you look in more ways than one. In a way it is a form of fasting, which is a powerful spiritual discipline when combined with prayer. We could all stand to do substantially more of both and welcome any of you to join us.
That said, the good news is the free gift, quoting another Brad-ism…”You don’t have to be good enough to get to heaven, you just have to trust the one that was.”
Change the way you think.
YBIC!
DE
@dustincelliott 