Life just changed...How did you handle it?

You ever feel like just as you are getting adjusted to a certain season it changes? Life is like that isn't it, just when you start to feel comfortable in a certain place, just when you feel like you got it down, just when you think you know the ropes something new comes along and there you do trying to find your way in a new territory.

 

Yesterday I had an opportunity to share with our Graduating Senior Class here at Second about taking the next step after they walk across that graduation stage. New Season.

 

Finals are happening right now and many of our college students are wrapping up testing and excitedly stepping into summer. New Season.

 

I get the honor of walking with many of our young couples as they welcome a new baby into their family, adjust to life with a child (or multiple children) and watch them grow up as a family. New Season.

 

What advice does God's Word have for you and I if we are stepping into a new season of life, embracing a change, or adjusting to changes we didn't even see coming?  A couple thoughts from scripture have crossed my path lately that I thought were worthy of sharing:

 

Be Ready - 2 Timothy 4:2 challenges those of us who know Christ to:

"Preach the Word: be ready in season and out of season..."

No matter what life throws at you it doesn't disqualify or cancel God's call on us to Herold his good news to those we come in contact with.  Be ready, be sharing, in all seasons!

 

Be Watching - Joshua 3 tells of the Israelite nation embracing to finally cross the Jordan River.  They had never been this way before, in fact, Joshua reminds them to keep their eyes open and hearts clean before God because in this new season of life they will need to watch God's lead and watch the condition of their hearts, why - because the best days are yet to come.  Here is how chapter 3 verses 2 thru 5 read,

"after three days the officers went through the camp giving orders to the people: 'when you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord you God and the Levitical Priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.  Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before...Joshua told the people, 'consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." 

 

 

Life is about change, new seasons, and new adventures.  We're called to embrace them with eyes wide-open expecting great things as we faithfully walk with the Lord.

 

 

The Forge Men's - A Men's Gathering

Men, true godly men who understand what God calls us to be as men are in rare supply today.  I meet with many young men, who although they wouldn't share this, really have never been taught what it means to life life as a man honoring the Lord.  Maybe it's because so many fathers are abdicating their role as me "man of the house" or because so many Fathers are off chasing some other dream than the dram of instilling in the next generation the truths of God, or possibly it's because they simply are not in the home!  Either way I would encourage you men (of all ages & stages) to take a step towards correcting the course by saving the date on your calendar for May 14th's Men's event here @ Second Baptist Church.  (details below)

The Forge Men's - A Men's Gathering: Ready for a night of strengthening and growth with God and other men!

Instagramming our perfect lives vs Reality

 

Recently Read this article by Relevant magazine...totally agree witht he concepts of instagram envy, and our 1.2 truth lives that we post about.  I see this as a real enemy of genuine Christian Community...it's a good read if interested:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech/stop-instagramming-your-perfect-life

"Remember that the very best things in life can’t be captured in status updates." True

Second's College Spring Break Service week

This year our College Students here @ Second planned an entire week of serving their City themselves.  The wolrd has literally come to Houston so this year instead of traveling around the world to share the love of Christ our students simply traveled around Houston.  Here was their schedule:

Monday - Served/Volunteered at The Source http://www.thesourceforwomen.org/
Tuesday - Served Houston's Homeless @ Star of Hope http://www.sohmission.org
Wednesday - Ministered to one of our church's homebound couples
Thursday - Partnered with Church Under the Bridge to fed and minsiter http://www.1000hills.org
"We love because HE first love us" 1 John 4:19

Here are a few pics

 

 

 

 

The Passion Week Experience @ Second

I love the Christmas Season - it reminds me of the great gift that God sent to us so that we might be brought back to Him, but Easter is my favorite time of celebration and worship! Every year I'm Overwhelmed by the great price Christ paid for us (me) - on our (my) behalf - on account of our (my) sin!

Today I was reminded of this as my family and I walked through the PASSION WEEK EXPERIENCE @ Second.  Scripture says, "I have not greater joy than to hear that me children are walking in the truth" and while my kids are not quite ready to embrace Christ as Savior at 7, 6, and 3 yrs old through experiences like today's, walking through a visual portrayal of what Christ did for them, I can see those truth's being planted deep in their small hearts to be harvested in God's great timing, and it gives my great joy!

I'm so honored to be a part of a church, and church staff team that pours out their hearts, creativity, and energy, to put on such a powerful display of our Creator's heart for us depicted in Christ's sacrifice.  At moments I was overwhelmed by His sacrifice! (I even had to hand over the reigns to my wife, Erin once)

This Passion Week don't miss the opportunity to STOP, reflect, and remember the great price that was paid for you.  It's definitely worth the time.

"And by his will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice

of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all." Hebrews 10: 10

 

  To learn more about the Passion Week Experience, times, and locations visit www.second.org