Repent

Over and over again this word keeps showing up as we go through the book of Revelation.

"Repent and do the things you did at first." (1:5)
"So be earnest and repent." (2:19)

It's what Jesus asked of people: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matt 4:17)

Peter's first sermon had it as a central them: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

Repentance is HUGE, because it unlocks the power of God in our lives!

Repentance is the moving away from the status quo in our soul, and then in our life.

Very simply, repentance begins as we have a holy dissatisfaction with the direction of our life, or an area of our life. As this dissatisfaction brings us to a decision point, repentance is birthed with one word in our mind, that eventually spills out onto our tongue.

That word is: 'God.' 'God, help me.' 'God, please.' 'God, change me.' 'God, have mercy.'

Only God can change us. Repentance is the human yielding that opens the gate for the power of God in our lives.

And repentance doesn't just happen once. It's a heart attitude that (should) happens over and over. Every day.

What are your thoughts? What is God speaking to you about repentance?

Ash Wednesday

Today marks the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance. I think it's an awesome reminder of the repentant heart that we continuously need.

The act of putting ashes on your forehead echoes the ancient biblical tradition of dressing in sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repentance to God.
When the Priest places the ashes on the worshipper he says: "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ash Wednesday begins this entire lenten season of repentance and reflection to help prepare for Easter and the coming of Christ.

I need those reminders in my life. How we must continually seek that replacement of the old with the new in our souls. That's what we're seeking to do with 60/60 . . . Asking God, 'What is it that you desire to replace in my life?' 'What's your heart for me?' 'How can I follow You?'

I've never been to an Ash Wednesday service but I'm planning on going to one today. Any suggestions? I'll let you know how it goes. . .

How are you replacing the old with the new today?

Dreaming Together

I had lunch yesterday with Kyle Livingston the Pastor at Southside Community Church. I love the guy, has a great heart and a passion to impact our City. We were talking and dreaming together about ways that we could partner up --- and with other churches --- in blessing our City.

God's really been talking to me about the next gear for Oso Creek . . . With Steve Garcia coming on in two weeks it's going to free more of my time to dream and lead in ways that will help us take our next steps forward . . .

. . . And I'm feeling repentant right now for allowing myself to be passive towards God's moving us forward over the last season . . . God's heart is that we would continuously, fearlessly pursue Him in every area of our lives . . .