If Jesus lived in Denver

  

If Jesus lived in Denver, what do you think He'd point to as a life situation people could relate to?  Maybe He'd comment on Peyton Manning??

"Peyton Manning plunges his right hand into a bucket of ice water and waits until his fingers are numb. The Denver quarterback then removes his hand and begins to throw to his receivers.  Manning wants to know how the ball feels leaving his hand in cold temperatures."  "Anytime you can have … a situation that you can simulate during practice that might be in a game, that's always a good thing" said Manning.

Maybe Jesus would laugh and talk about how that's pretty amazing, and that in a similar way following Him is "more about practice than about showtime?"  Maybe He'd say what we do when no one is watching really determines how we'll handle the hard times of life?  How seeing the world like He sees it and developing habits like He had are the only ways we can become like Him?  And how that kind of life is the most meaningful and fulfilling, the kind of life we were meant to live!

Following up with the Peyton example, maybe Jesus would point out how discomfort is not the sign of a flawed life, but the pathway to growth?!?  

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.  James 1:2-4 Message Version

Jesus would let us know how much He loves Peyton and is proud of him.  And how much He loves everyone in Denver, especially those who feel unworthy and unloved.  I don't know, maybe He'd talk about Russell Wilson too.?  But in Denver, maybe not.

To see Thee more clearly...

Day by day,

Dear Lord, of thee three things I pray:

To see thee more clearly,

Love thee more dearly,

Follow thee more nearly,

Day by Day.
 

Many know this song from Godspell (and were reminded of it by Ben Stiller in the movie “Meet the Parents”).

Interestingly, the song was borrowed from a prayer of Saint Richard of Chichester, circa 1220 AD

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ

For all the benefits Thou hast given me,

For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.

O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,

May I know Thee more clearly,

Love Thee more dearly,

Follow Thee more nearly

Seeing Jesus more clearly is the impetus for our new message series at Smoky Hill Vineyard, “Jesus in HD- moving from standard to high definition in our relationship with Jesus…”

We’ll be looking at a Bible story from the life of Jesus every week, and showing a video clip from the Lumo Project (sure to bring you in to the story). 

And we’ll reflect on questions like: Who is Jesus?  What was He really like?  Where am I in the story and what is Jesus saying to me?

No matter where you are in the journey you're welcome to join us.  To experience Jesus in this way can be life-giving and life-changing.  And that is the kind of hope we're after!  

   

Moving from 5 to 3 Resolutions

Maybe I’m just getting older but 2013 seems like a blur.  Have you ever felt like something 2 months ago must've happened a year ago?  Our planet seems to be spinning at double the speed…

Just sitting down to assess 2013 brings back a flood of memories- wonderful connections, encouragements, disappointments, learnings, miracles, and God’s faithfulness.  

So what about 2014?  A friend forwarded me these “5 Great Resolutions for 2014"

1.  Begin. 

2.  Work hard on the essential.

3.  Stay true to your path.

4.  Nurture your self-confidence.

5.  Be sincerely kind to those around you.

These seem to be more “how to approach" 2014 resolutions rather than being actual resolutions.?

So after a bit of thought (and with the new “Jesus in HD” message series running through my mind), here is my template for three 2014 Resolutions.

1.  Adopt one practice of Jesus that will become a habit.

2.  Allow Jesus to transform me in an area that needs to change.

3.  Become more dependent on being filled with the Holy Spirit (which will happen if I do the first two)

I have personal specifics for all three, and there is obvious family-wide “us” application for Smoky Hill Vineyard.  We intend to become more like Jesus in practice, to be transformed, and be filled with the Holy Spirit!

I’m excited to work through “the Good and Beautiful God” by James Bryan Smith with a couple friends.  A few of our small groups are going to utilize it.  What a great resource!

I’m praying 2014 will be a year of slowdown- savoring the goodness and mercy of God more than ever before, moving forward more thoughtfully, more like Jesus, no matter how fast the planet is spinning…