SCY Youth Minister’s Weblog

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem there were many religions being practiced.  Jesus being the Son of God already knew the problems these religions caused for humans and their connection to our Creator.  We are already disconnected from God, and many things we do in our search for a filler for the emptiness of life are not helpful.

The Greeks had 100’s of gods.  The Romans embraced most idols and believed their earthly leader (even murderous emporers) was a god.  Buddhism, Hinduism, and even the Judaism of Jesus day all kept people from connecting to God.  Let us never forget the difference and uniqueness of our faith.  Jesus is the one and only Unique Son of God. 

Jesus taught us that ”the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”  John 10:10.  The thief will use any means possible (addictions, evidences against God, lazy approach to life, selfish desires, etc.) to keep you from God.  The thief also uses religions to steal peace, minds, hearts, to kill you inside and out, and destroy your connection to God.  Let us be clear to everyone that our place lives first and teaches second a pure dedication to Christ.  In so doing we will help ourselves, our families, and everyone we know from being taken in by Satan.

BECAUSE!  “Jesus came that [we] may have life, and have it to the full.”  I love this great life of faith.  It may lead to simplicity, lack of (worldly) productivity, not getting some extra attention, and curbing your appetite for entertainment, but it leads to LIFE, and a better life than any other. 

Find the life of overflow (connectedness to God) and live freely.

Other religions don’t have the unique son of God leading you into the life of connectedness to God.  They are flawed.  They do not love you.  They do not let you be free yet call you to love others as you are loved by God. 

Ask yourself> 

What does that life look like to you?  What would you need to remove from your present life to gain the life of overflow?  What would you need to add to your present life to gain the life of overflow?   

What a beautiful time to be alive.  And to be alive for us is to be in touch with God.  Nothing is more Right in life than to be close to our Creator God.  Never can any other thing substitute for a life that is with God.  When you are with God- in prayer, daily duties, sacrifice, friendship, goals, study, worship, you are alive and it is beautiful.  Maybe you know what I’m talking about, or maybe you don’t.  I am telling the truth. 

It is my prayer that there are beautiful things happening in your families.  We don’t see each other very often.  I pray you are whole, feeling good about your walk with God, feeling confident in your raising of children, in love with your spouse, honoring others and blessing them the way you have been blessed.  And in those things I pray your life is beautiful.  Admit that it is a beautiful time to be alive.

It is true that there are times of drought.  No water from above for those that are hurting.  Or at least it feels like that- sometimes it could be a small challenge from God for you to find water and be equipped to help the hungry find spiritual food.  But my response is usually that when I am dry, it is my own doing (or undoing), or it is the work of someone else in their hurting me- it is not because God wants you to suffer.  Imagine a downpour of Joy and love and you choose to hold an umbrella.  You don’t want to get out from under it becaues you don’t know the temperature of the water or how you will get dry or how funny you will look when drenched.  

Take away the umbrella.

Explore what God has for you.  Life is beautiful.  Even the clouds.  God is everything you could ever want or need.  I won’t try to get you to come to a class or event this time, but do find the life freely given to you from our Father.