Reflections: October 25, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Phil Shahbaz, Director of Community Life

Loving one another as Jesus loves us was the theme of Sunday’s service. It is also a theme that the disciple John resonated with deeply. In 1 John, he gave us a game-plan for how to love as Christ did. He was clear that it begins with a personal relationship with Jesus that organically leads to loving one another through our actions. The end-result is a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and with those around us.

As I reflect on the service, I am challenged once again by the rich and vivid example of Christ’s love that the college students at LBF gave us. They went to San Francisco to serve the homeless. In doing so, they began to love one another despite their burdens. 

On a personal note, I admit that I am a flawed man. The sin and burdens in my life often weigh me down. Yet I am loved by my Savior despite my flaws. We are all loved by our Savior despite our flaws. As Christians, we are living evidence of the life of Christ. Today should be the day that we approach someone and say, “forgive me.” Today should be the day we approach someone and say, “I’m sorry.” Today should be the day we show compassion, grace, and mercy to someone. Today, let us show proof of our relationship with Jesus Christ by finding the person in our life who needs to be loved, and simply loving them without condition - as Christ loves us. 

Feel free to write down your thoughts in our blog.

Reflections: October 18, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Sunday ended our series titled, Get Gorgeous. For the past five weeks we have been talking about the fruit of the Spirit. As I reflect on this series, I can't help but think about the Holy Spirit and my life. There is no doubt that as Christians we experience the occasional assurance that what happens in our life is a product of the Holy Spirit. Maybe it comes to us as an experience of joy or a moment of peace or the recognition that I was patient at a particular time.

 

But as I reflect on this subject of the Holy Spirit producing fruit in my life, I long for more. I long for the awareness that the Holy Spirit is so real that I really don't battle much with the desires of the sinful nature. This Sunday I mentioned John 15 and the words of Jesus. He is the vine we are the branches - what does this mean to you? Remain in me and I will remain in you - what does that mean? As people who abide in Christ, can we really ask for anything and it will be granted? Tell me what you think after you read John 15:5-8.

Reflections: October 11, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

There are opportunities to lose self control each day. Whether it be due to habits, impulses, or the things we are exposed to, we are all faced with the challenge of what to do in situations that test our self control. In 2 Corinthians 10 we are told to take every though captive to the authority of Christ. What dos this mean to you, and how do you apply it to the situations that test your self control? How do you take control of the tempting thoughts that try and rob you of your self control? Please share, as your life lessons may be an encouragement to the rest of us. Have a blessed week!

Reflections: October 4, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Peace - Most people seem to have a picture in their mind of what peace is. This Sunday as part of our series, Get Gorgeous, we talked about the fruit of the Spirit of peace. I shared about a three-fold picture of peace. That picture included peace with God, peace with myself, and peace with others.

 

Peace is something that we can't manufacture ourselves - it is a gift from God. With this in mind, what do you think is the key to finding peace in the middle of dark or challenging times? How do you find peace when life feels like a mess? Let's talk and learn together. I know that peace is something we all yearn for. How do you find peace no matter what?