In or Out?

When times are difficult, financially or emotionally or relationally, the most common human reaction is to pull in. To circle the wagons and go into a mode of self-preservation.

That started in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. After their first sin (and crisis) Adam & Eve attempted to run and hide, to isolate themselves and cover up their shame.

And that response is completely the opposite of what is healthy.

I see it all the time in people who have screwed up. They've messed up a relationship or let their anger dictate a situation or blown off a responsibility. And so they go into isolation. Ignore calls from people in their Life Group, quit coming to church, just drop off the face.
And that's exactly what they DON'T need!

What they do need at that moment is: 1) Community - People around them who care about them. And 2) To Give themselves away! The most powerful antidote to our pain and/or self-pity is to focus on others. It literally draws the venom out of us and helps us to see the world in a new way.


These days are difficult 'church times' for MANY churches. Our economy the way it is, among other elements that differ in every body. And yet Jesus is still alive and in control!

The WORST thing that we could do is circle the wagons. Have the attitude of 'We're just gonna take care of us!' No, this is the time when we need to be giving ourselves away the most! Instead of looking inward, to face outward.

The Easter Festival coming a week from Saturday is a huge example of this! What a great way to witness God's power in our weakness! A great opportunity for all of us to invite and serve our community and watch God work!

And another opportunity is to have eternal impact in Vietnam. To that end on Thursday Night at 7pm at the Building we will have a Vietnam Informational Meeting. We will be sharing when the next two trips are, stories of being there, and how you can be a part of what God is doing - either here or there.
So, if you have ANY level of interest or curiosity, please come!


My hope and one of my prayers during these 40 Days is that God will give us more courage and wisdom than we've ever had before. That we will not dwell in apathy or defeat, but we will passionately seek His greatest challenges and victories ahead!