A start of a new day

The fast is nearing an end. There is some excitement about the food we can all start eating again. But mostly I have a deep sense of gratitude to all of you for making this experience one of the best of my life. I feel a greater sense of community in the body of Real Life. It has been my heart's desire to be a part of a church that examples the first century church described in Acts chapter 2. 42-45

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

My heart is filled with such thankfulness, that in my life I would have the privilege to be part of this church. I am starting thanksgiving early- not the food- but the thankfulness.

We are at a start of a new day at Real Life- whether you joined the fast are not - YOU ARE A PART OF REAL LIFE!!!! And God is doing a new thing! I believe many people who are far from God will be celebrating next thanksgiving, the joyful new life that only comes from a relationship with Christ.

May God be with you deeply in your hearts and minds tomorrow and may you be truly thankful. Remember you are not alone. God is with you and the Real Life family is with you.

We are starting a new day together.

One with Christ.

Hi everyone, I can't wait for Sunday. I am struck with a thought this week, we have incredible power, We have the power to be one with Christ- it is the power of choice. God has given me a free will to do whatever I want, to live however I like, He doesn't MAKE me do anything. I choose to be with Christ.

During the fast I have drawn closer to God, it was me doing the moving. God was always close to me I just needed to choose him.

We are going to celebrate communion together tomorrow. A symbol of our oneness with Christ, a symbol of our decision to receive forgiveness that I, for one, so desperately need. Like Ric said in his devotional today, we thirst for him- long for him and when we seek, we find.

What power God has given us! See you tomorrow.

Thoughts about finding

God promises that when we seek him we will find him. What a promise!

I was reading about Phillip and the Ethiopian. He was seeking God and Phillip helped him find Christ. The man said "what prevents me from being baptised now" Phillip said "nothing" and he was baptized right then.

I have talked with a few people in the last week who are holding back from being baptized.
reasons like:
fear
uncertainty of their relationship with God.
never really thought about it.

Let me encourage everyone right now about baptism.

1. It is a celebration about the new life we have in Christ.
2. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to Christ (doing what he says to do)
3. It is a great encouragement to others to seek, find, and trust God.

If you have made a decision to follow Christ or if you have come back to Christ then celebrate with baptism. There is a blessing waiting for you and all of RL church when you do.

Let me know if you want to celebrate with me on November 25th.

pastorjeff@seekreallife.com

Bummer

My flight was delayed and I had to spend another night in KC - Bummer!
I slept only 2 hours - Bummer!
I miss my family - Bummer!
I am sitting in the Denver airport waiting for my connection to Portland - Bummer!
I have eaten very little in the last 2 days - BIG Bummer!

But..... I have a renewed fortitude deep in me from God, a peace that overcomes the bummers of any given day.

I love the web. I feel just as connected with you all even when I am far away and all alone (OK, I admit I am feeling a little sorry for myself) God is Good even in Denver.

Hello from KC

Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days. I am in Kansas City for some meetings and finding a little challenge on the fast- I have been hungry but I am sticking to it. The men at the meeting have been encouraging- and teasing me for my food choices. Cucumber and tomato salad. Yum.

Sunday was so great to worship together. God is teaching me to rely on him in every way. I can - if I am not careful- pick up things that God wants to carry... like church finances. I start to carry that and God reminds me He will provide- He always does. So I need to trust in Him and not my own strength.

I love hearing from everyone about their experience. We are in this together.

I've decided I want pancakes on the 22nd. No sense waiting to decide what I will eat first. But mostly I want to continue to eat healthy and live in God's presence all the time. I am not going back I want to fail forward to the new things God has for me.

I'm Thinking

It has taken me all day to blog. I tried a couple of times but it just didn't work for me. I am deep in my message prep about our destiny is Christ. I thought a lot about it. The question of why kept coming back to me- how powerful it is when I can see the why for my life. Why am I hear? The direction and purpose for my life is right there for me but I have to take ownership of it. When I do, it changes my experience on this road of life completely, not the road but me on the road... how I look at life... how I live it, love it, do it. My soul longs for something that brings relevance to my life and my struggles.

It is like the fast- why sacrifice if it does not lead to anything? When we catch a glimpse of the life God has for us the hard stuff is still there but you do it with purpose and that changes the experience completely. Life is not mundane, life is exhilarating - a life of destiny.

The sweet side of sacrifice

Fasting has its good days and its hard days. We are seven days into this and the newness has worn off, it is easy to say " I'm out" why do this? Let me answer that question

1. REMEMBER WHAT IS IMPORTANT, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GOAL- DRAWING CLOSER TO GOD.

2. If you need to make adjustments - make them but stay with it by sacrificing in some way. What we are doing is redirecting our focus on food to a focus on God.

3. Sacrifice is by nature difficult. We are striving and straining to reach a goal, we are not simply going with the flow but against it. There should be some struggle.

Together we are doing something counter culture- we are denying ourselves instant gratification, for something deeper- a closer relationship with God. Setting aside the good for the great.

We have 14 days to go. -WE CAN DO IT- If you have not been apart to date join in. Make whatever adjustments you need to that allows you to have a meaningful sacrificial approach to seeking God.

You have all been such an encouragement to me. Your honesty and transparency have been a blessing. God is moving in the lives of RL people.

Seek God and he will be found. Thanks for being on the journey together.

Why 21 Days?

I had this question yesterday: Why 21 days? Well there is no definitive answer to that. Here is my thinking...

It takes about 3 weeks (21days) to set a new habit. If our goal is to draw closer to God, not just now but continually, 21 days makes sense. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel was waiting for a word from the Lord. So he fasted for 21 days before the Angel of the Lord could breakthrough to him. Do you need a breakthrough? I do. So it's 21 days for me and I did not want to go it alone. So that's how we came to 21 days.

Today I am preparing for Sunday -Destiny- God has a vision for each of us, a great destiny. He also has a destiny for us to live out as a church. To be relevant and life changing through the power of Jesus Christ in our community. It happens everyday one person at a time.

I have been over spicing my cooking. What do you do with a big pot of potato soup that tastes like a pepper mill? anyone? anyone?

Oh well. I will eat it anyway, but I might be the only one.

God thank you, I am closer to you today then I was last week, how wonderful it feels. My desire is a greater intimacy with you and you are meeting me right at the point of my need.

I have a lunch meeting today so finding a place to meet for lunch is a little tricky. But where there is a commitment there is a way.

I'm glad to be on this journey with you.

Monday, Monday

I could not blog on Sunday, the server was down for maintenance. Sunday was so wonderful for me. So many RL people are doing the Daniel fast. It's encouraging to be doing it together. I could feel the powerful presence of God as we worshipped together. I know God has so much power available for each of us when we seek Him.

Maggie had a rough night but I think we are on the mend now. I am spending the whole day at home(a rarity for me)

God, let me hear from you today, Restore my strength and my spirit. Help me leave the worries of life and the church in your hands today. You are in charge. I follow you. Amen

P.S steel cut oats are NOT worth the wait, I'm back to the regular stuff.

Sunday's Coming

I am putting the finishing touches on my message while waiting for my oatmeal to cook (steal cut oats take 30 min hope it is worth it).

I have loved reading the posts on "My experience" thanks for sharing, it is very encouraging.

Tomorrow we look to God together for power. I am so aware of my weakness. It seems things can get so big in my eyes, it blocks my view of God.

God help me see you, help me release the power you have for me. Help me follow with wild eyed faith. Amen.

Got to go Oatmeal's done.

Day Two

It's all about TRUST.
This morning we took Maggie in to have her tonsils out. You know what a protective Dad I am. We had confidence in the doctor, we had prayed, but in the end you have to walk out of the room and TRUST. I can't take care of her I have to rely on others.
In the waiting room God spoke to me - Do you get it Jeff? This is like your life... you need to trust me and let me do what I am going to do.

Second day of the fast, and a lot of people talking about the food and coffee - I am with you brother!

I want to encourage everyone to journal - just to write your thoughts, prayers, and emotions.

Mike's comments on the my experience page made me think... God what do I want from you? God, I have questions.

During the 21 days I am seeking God and then the answers to the questions. I want greater intimacy with God.

Father, I want you more than food or coffee. Father, I trust you I trust my family to you, the church to you, my life to you.

Keep seeking
Thanks for doing this together.

Day ONE

I'm sitting at the table eating my oatmeal. I have just read Faith's devotional. "Be strong and courageous" That's what I want. I also need a bigger God. It seems every time I really stretch and trust God in a big way, He gets bigger, but at the same time I am reminded that this is only the beginning. God is always bigger and bigger and bigger.

I love doing this together, Honestly I am not sure I could do it alone. Day one, what an adventure.

PS. still don't know what lunch is, we have to clean up from Neewollah - WOW what a great night! Thanks everyone for all your hard work we had over 500 attend. I'm random what can I say, by the way did anyone else see that second Jeff Guy!!