Tour De Turtle Pt. 2 and Other Firsts

Tour de Turtle and Other Firsts Part 1

Just so you know, I've been riding with a good friend of mine at a neighborhood park. What has become a morning ritual for us both has created a number of firsts of sorts for my son.

My little guy is learning to ride the bicycle. He's a late bloomer for that particular skill as many of his friends already know how to ride. But that's OK. I explained to my son that in the mornings after a long bike ride, my friend and I took a break on a bridge overlooking a reservoir. And for some reason, the turtles flocked to an an area just beneath our long shadows cast by the morning sun. So we just stared for a while, and then I had the brilliant idea to feed them. It worked. They came in droves. And I shared with my son that Daddy and his friend were feeding the turtles.

He would have no such thing. He HAD to feed the turtles. But he couldn't ride his bike. So I made a deal with him, being the compassionate and merciful specimen of fatherhood that I am. If he could ride his bike to the reservoir from our home, he could feed the turtles. So off we went. At times he whined, cried and threw tantrums along the way, saying he couldn't go on anymore and bike riding was just too hard. I knew better. As I pushed and he pedaled for what seemed like miles in the warm sun, he gradually began to depend less on my guiding hand, and more on his ability to ride. When we got to the park, he rode triumphantly by himself through the gates.

After much hi-fiving, we went to the bridge, threw down some food...but no turtles. What seemed like a letdown paled in comparison to the tremendous accomplishment just had. So no big deal. My son then proceeded to ride back much of the way on his own, towards home, and as he pulled into the driveway by himself in his glorious moment of victory, his mom also pulled in from work, eyes wide open, and so proud of what her son had just done! Very cool moment indeed in the Davis household. More firsts coming up. Check back for what happened next!

The Jesus Knock

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

So many times this passage gets used for come to Jesus moments. I've seen this used in many youth meetings and camps and conventions. While the intent is pure, I believe the interpretation is somewhat off. Jesus was saying this to a group of believers. Not unbelievers. So that means...

Jesus was knocking on the door of the church, where he should have already been inside. In a sense, Jesus was not there within the church at Laodicea. Jesus was saying, "Hey, I'm supposed to be represented by you, I'm supposed to be living through you!" "Invite me in and I will have true fellowship, true relationship, true communion with you!"

What do some churches do when they hear the Jesus Knock? They'd better tremble and seek the community of Christ once again. Note that this is NOT just about a group, but about an individual believer's response to being indifferent and non-impactful in their Christian walks. Lukewarm Christians equal lukewarm churches.

I would say there are many in our church that are aware of the Jesus knock. We even had a guy post a picture of this on our front Church door one Sunday! I am aware of the Jesus knock. I've heard it, and I realize my heart can become quickly indifferent to the things of God. I repent of this and seek to make Him known, and to have a relationship IN Christ. It's hard to admit, but I must be real and seek healing and renewal everyday. This passage points to renewal. But it also points to God's discipline and warning.

So, have you heard the Jesus knock lately?

God's Got Your Back!

This evening at 180 we had a pretty cool experience! I wanted to show you a picture
of the time we spent praying before heading out to do a "beach sweep." Seeing the sunset from this photo was a cool reminder that no matter where we are or what we do, the sun rises and sets, and in that time frame we have the hours to praise our God for his sustaining care and provision for us. We each are given the day. God's simple gift to us. Another way of looking at a sunset? God's got your back! The sunset on the backs of the students in the picture here are a reminder of that. The sun will be back around the planet in 12 hours. As we rest, and God's blessing the other half of the planet with the evidence of His glory, be mindful that he has his heart towards us 24-7. The evidence of creation doesn't end wth the sunset, but continues with the dance of the moon and the stars. (Sound poetic?) When we wake, we have the chance to praise God. The sun may set, but God's still there watching over us. A quote from Psalm 113:3:

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised."