But I read this verse and just wanted to share it.

    And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, – Hebrews 5:9

I know it would be better to discuss this verse in context, but my heart had a moment of thankfulness because of Christ’s work on the cross. There is one source of salvation for fallen man. That source is Jesus. His perfect life, sacrificial death, overcoming resurrection is what secures our eternity.

I live with peace and security because I am not earning my salvation through works. Now the verse does mention obedience, but our obedience comes as a result of the Gospel and not in addition to the Gospel. Yes, I long to live a life obedient to Christ, but my works aren’t the source of God’s favor in me. My works don’t earn my favor, but instead because I am favored, I serve my Jesus.

My life is hidden in Christ. Not about me. No shame. No condemnation. Simply Jesus. My perfect source for eternal salvation.

That phrase rocked my world when I read his book, Let the Nations Be Glad in college. I am planning to read it again this year.

I am also spending some concentrated time in praying for the Nations. I came across this resource and wanted to pass it along to you. Take less than 2 minutes and watch the video. Then you can go to this site HERE and sign up to take the challenge.

Is 5 minutes a week really that hard to commit to?

So here is the first thought:

Not everyone that is growing in their walk with God looks the same. I know that was a deep thought. We unfortunately try to make it so cookie-cutter that I think we miss out of the awesomeness of God’s creative order.

Who is to say that the person that keeps doing all the talking is growing more than the person who is quietly sitting off to the side? You don’t know. That person to the side that is a little shy and quiet may be a ferocious follower of Christ.

I am NOT saying that you don’t have to share what God is doing in your life and how you are growing with him. Failing to do that is robbing yourself of your own joy.  When there are opportunities to speak, there are times you need to get over yourself and share. Your story could be beneficial for the group.

I just wonder how many of us are comparing others to a certain leader or person and not comparing others to Jesus? I think our discipleship efforts would be a little different if we were to start looking at Jesus instead of people.

I am so guilty of this. “Growing Christians look like this person or that person.” No, growing Christ-followers look like Jesus.

May not make sense, but don’t know if I am trying to. Just looking for an outlet. Any thoughts?

“I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

From C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity”

Please take less than 4 minutes and watch this video.

Francis Chan on Politics from Nate Hanson on Vimeo.

We talk about making a difference or talk about changing the world. Unfortunately, we look at the vastness of the problem. For Capstone Church, we see things like the need for Clean Water around the world. We think about the orphans around the world who need Dads and Moms. We think specifically about an entire country in Haiti that has so many needs (physically, emotionally, but most importantly they need the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

We look at those things and I pray that we don’t lose heart. Those problems are big. Those problems are bigger than you and I. Those problems are bigger than Capstone Church. But there is good news!

Those problems are NOT bigger than our God.

I pray that we don’t lose sight of that. Your desire for the orphan and the broken and the downtrodden is not greater than God’s. So I say we do 2 things as we start 2012 as a church as we continue to focus on the causes that God has put on our hearts:

1. Let’s look at our God. Let’s see his greatness. Let’s rejoice over his grace. Let’s be broken by our sin in light of his holiness. Let’s be amazed by his grace. Let’s be overjoyed by his mercy. Let’s be in awe of his majesty. Let’s be humbled by his power. Let’s live in his light. Let’s shout about his goodness. Let’s sing of his faithfulness. Let’s think about his love. Let’s live out his heart. Let’s declare his praises. Let’s long for his return. Let’s be desperate for his Spirit. Let’s pray with expectation. Let’s celebrate his work. Let’s beg for his presence.
2. Remember the One. We say that we want to change our world or our city and yet we won’t even talk to our neighbor (or worse our spouse). We have been given a simple command: make disciples. Who knows? God may give you an opportunity or a platform to influence 10, 100, 1,000, 1,000,000 people at one time. I can’t say that he will or will not. What I can say is that I know you have influence with 1 person. There is 1 person who you can influence for the name of Christ. There is 1 person that you can disciple to share and show the love/grace of Jesus. Stop waiting for the 100 and just focus on the 1.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

(Matthew 28:19 ESV)

Today, we spent time with Sarah’s side of the family. First with her parents (btw lunch was freaking awesome. I love breakfast food at any time of the day) and then we all traveled down the road to her grandmother’s house.

Just thought I would share a few photos from today’s festivities: