During the past view days, we've been spending some time watching some DVDs made by Rob Bell. Throughout the summer, we will be going through the book, Velvet Elvis, which talks about repainting the Christian faith. The DVDs go along with the chapters in the books, but they are presented in such a captivating way. There are a few topics that have really hit me and made me think.

FOLLOW ME

Are we really seeking to follow Christ with all our hearts. Are we willing to be the type of disciples that want to do everything the way Christ does? Do we want to be exactly like Christ and be His mirror image? Disciples of rabbi's back in the day had this type of mentality; they wanted to have every part of their life to mimic that of their rabbi they were learning under. This really challenged me to think about my heart and my motivation in life. Sure I say I want to be like Christ...but am I really truely following Him with every part of my soul?

GET OUT OF THE BOAT

Thinking about the time when Jesus walked on water... Peter stepped out of the boat and started to walk towards His Lord. Of course we can't forget about the part that he looses faith and sinks back into the water...but Peter did get out of the boat! Do we have the confidence and the courage to step out of the boat and do things for Christ? Do we believe in the fact that Christ chose us to be His disciples and live a life that is glorifying to Him? How many times do I doubt myself and my capabilities? So many times I feel like Moses and say Lord what if I don't have the words? Lord, I'm not skilled or able enough. Lord, find someone else to go in my place. But God singles each of us out to serve according to His purposes. We are placed directly in the center of His will and He knows what He is doing with us--even when things don't seem clear and we don't understand. I want to be the disciple who is confident in God's love, confident that God has given me gifts to fulfill His purpose for my life, confident in my Lord, my Savior, and His plan.

HE WILL NOT LOVE YOU LESS

God's love is so abundant that each time we confess to Him, He responds to us saying "there is nothing you could do that could make me love you any less." God consistently shows us grace that we do not deserve. He reaches out His hand to us, despite all our sins and disobedience. Yet this does not mean that we should go on sinning, in order that God will continue to shower us with grace. This does give us the freedom to come humbly before God and tell Him about our sins and our problems. We should confess with an open heart, knowing that God will continue to love us...and there is nothing that we can do that will make Him take His grace from us...


We are excited about the way the Lord is working here in Mexico right now with us and with all the other interns. Please pray that we will be sensitive to the different things the Lord is teaching us through all these different experiences.