Living Alive

I filled up my gas-tank this morning: more money than I want to mention to you.  I wish I could leave the car on empty. But – I thought – then I would get anywhere, would I?   What about spiritually?  Is my faith left on empty because it “costs” me too much to re-fuel? 

The journey brings us to the empty tomb.  Christ is risen!  This “empty” symbol is actually a free fill-up. The reality of the resurrection paves the way before us and propels us forward. With the accompanying presence of this risen One, we are guided and guarded each step of our spiritual travels.  But we can run on empty, so often.  We “run out” (faithlessness, exhaustion, frustration).

All along the way we need fuel so we can keep the faith. God provides just that.  The Lamb, the offering, the atoning sacrifice for our “running out” is Christ, “the Lamb of God.”

God re-fuels us, feeds us, in the Lamb’s Supper (Communion).  The Bible is filled with imagery of God’s gift of the lamb, sacrificed for us, to bring us back to Him. So, we’re living “on the Lamb” !

The Bread and the Cup satisfy the hunger of the soul.  Let’s not “pass over” the significance of this rest stop. The apostle Paul teaches:  “Let us therefore celebrate the festival…with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth”(1 Corinthians 5:7-8).

So, feed on the fuel that will get us to our destination!  Life everlasting!

Your Fellow Traveler,

Pastor Jason

How do your shoes fit?  When on a journey, it’s good to have the right footwear.

I mention this because I’m at a large conference gathering in roanoke, va right now.
So i’m doing a lot of walking around this huge civic center. it’s an awesome scenic setting – mountains in every direction.

It invites the idea of hiking, but I’ve got my “go-to-meeting” shoes on.

this morning i exit the darkened auditorium, into hot humid sunshine. there were empty shoes all around the sidewalks. Combat boots.
Dozens of pairs of empty, black, worn, combat boots.  And tags.

Names of soldiers, from Virginia, who’ve recently given the ultimate sacrifice in the war in Iraq.

Suddenly, i wanted to take off my shoes (i didn’t) for i realized i was walking on holy ground.  It’s thought-provoking.
Humbling.  I was moved to silent prayer.  But it really hit me, as i walked slowly around and through the display of empty boots….

Civilian shoes.  Shoes of the Iraqi people (maybe a few dozen shoes here: flip-flops, tennis shoes, casuals, and.. business shoes like mine.)

Now i’m thinking of the people who’ve been affected in that nation.  Not just a few. 10s of 1000s.

Then smaller shoes.  Shoes of a 10-yr old.  Infant shoes.  empty.
Names on these name tags that I can’t pronounce.  but hopefully I will remember those who wore these shoes.
Down all life’s roads we wear a variety of shoes.  these shoes will make a difference in how we travel, where we go, and our purpose in going.
running shoes, work boots, business shoes.

WHERE is YOUR journey headed today?  What shoes do you take with you? What shoes will you leave behind, when your journey’s at an end?

pastor jason

Journeys sometimes lead you to places you never thought you’d go.

I left the house the other day and drove to the gym. I didn’t realize, until I parked the car, that I was driving without my license. This sudden dread fell over me. Weird how a minor infraction, a typical forgetfulness can fill me with regret, frustration. It’s just a driver’s license, duley – I rationalized. Relax.

Well, leaving home (even for a short trip) without proper ID may not be a good idea, imagine TRAVELLING THRU LIFE without the proper spiritual ID. Many people don’t know Jesus’ true identity (matt 16:13-18) and, consequently, don’t know their own identity, either.

Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?” Sometimes a road trip helps us to know.

In Matthew 16:13-23, Jesus takes his followers on a 25mile roadtrip (they were hoofin’ it, mind you). Their destination, Caesarea-Philippi, is none other than the “world-center of sin” – “the rock of the gods, the gates of Hades” where the pagans worshipped Pan, the fertility god. Journey’s sometimes lead you to places you never thought you’d go.

Jesus takes these young followers to a forbidden place, not to warn them “don’t do that junk.” But to CHALLENGE them to storm the gates of Hell !!

“On this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus declared that His Church would supplant that rock of the gods. His worship would transform the world, more than any “god.” And even the gates of hell can’t stand in the way of people who trip thru life with Jesus.

What d’ya say to that?

“Who is Jesus?” Peter answers: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

What ’bout you?

Road-trippin’ – I love it. It’s good to get out on the open road. When was the last time you “got outta dodge” SPIRITUALLY ? We all get in a rut. Our routines rot. Get outta the same-ol’ same-ol’ and into something NEW.

Let me ask you: can Sometimes something “new” be something “old” but “new to you”? I’m suggesting the New Testament. Hey, you say “that’s 2000 years old.” Right. AND everytime I read it – it’s new. “New again” – now that’s a biblical theme all right!

This summer road trip through the New Testament is an opportunity for you to experience GOD, again, new. The journey is a chance to learn the Bible – to discover its TRUTH – to uncover its too-often overlooked teachings – to be re-introduced to the person of JESUS.

It’s going to be awesome! Come & join us on the journey.