![BECOME [better]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaj2lb4BuaoOFzlFJFAG5EBey7mesTHwHfTWPntArXO32-1DUPmFIqmb3H3W_ATO_OqjXk0pXwa2vqLnPJkLKbvvQcgycscr-7UHYr_zYHe9nj_pKcT9nThyphenhyphenszMWzyC0s0-bAL-ciHLd_/s870/2013ECC_BECOME_Apprentice.png)
Welcome to The Year of Living Dangerously (TYLD). When we talk about 2012 as The Year of Living Dangerously at ECC, let's be clear about what we do and do not mean. We do not mean, as Pastor Bo shared in his sermon on January 1, that this will be a year of living stupidly. As he said, that is one way to live dangerously. That is not what we mean or what we are after. It is certainly not what Jesus is after!
What we mean is that when it comes to knowing God, following Jesus and pursuing God's purposes in the world, caution will not rule the day. Obedience will rule the day. Faith will rule the day. Joy, life, love, service, righteousness and justice will rule the day. These are not areas in which we should be cautious. These are areas in which we should boldly go forth, trusting God and willingly going "off-road" when he calls us.
So much of life in our society is about playing it safe, calculating risks and covering all of our bases. We do not like risk. I certainly do not like risk - not enough to make it a way of life, at least! However, I do believe that risk is an important aspect of faith. The logo for this year incorporates a caution sign, of sorts, but it is a caution sign with a twist. The sign shows a fork in the road. It "warns us" of the landscape ahead. There is a safe road and one that breaks through our overly-cautious approach to following Jesus. Our hope for us all in this TYLD is that we "break through" to greater levels of faith, prayer, community, mission and discipleship. We believe that doing so will prepare us for what God has in mind to do in and through us in the years to come.How do you respond when you hear us talk about risk and living dangerously? Does it challenge you? Concern you? Thrill you? Tell us why by joining this site (on the right) and posting a comment. Peace!
What do I feel when I think about taking risks and living dangerously?? ummm, heartburn, nausea, light-headed perhaps. I like my routine. Actually, I LOVE routine. I like knowing what is going on for the day and planning accordingly. I posted yesterday "Bring on the danger" but honestly, no, dont bring on the danger. Bring on the " put me in a new spot but let me know the outcome and reasoning behind it first". Just being honest. My faith has grown immensely in the past 12 months, but most of that was due to things being "done" to me, not things I was doing to myself. Its hard for me to think of putting myself into an a "dangerous" situation, even if it is for God. Even when it is for our Savior, the earthly outcome can be quite scarey. So, all this to say, I'm looking forward to learning how to extinguish this fear of change, this fear of going against the mainstream (no comments from the peanut gallery, I am normal to some extent).
ReplyDeleteAngie Pendley
PS--ignore the name on this, my twin and I have a blog and I cant figure out how to change the name on it when I comment on other blogs.
Two trees are placed before me and I choose LIFE in all its fullness. Let's roll, - Nicole
ReplyDeleteAngie, thanks for your willingness to come along for the ride, and for your honesty. Nicole, great choice! Let's roll, indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis has been something I have waited for in a church for many years but my fear it it will die out after a few months. We as people get excited about something and do it for a bit but then it never makes it to a place where it lives in our hearts to stays. Just like a rally or youth event. I have longed for chruch to live out the Bible in a stronger way. I joined this church becuase the first time I came Pastor John said "If we are to become more biblical Christians..." and I was like YES! that is what we need to become, more biblical Christians.
ReplyDeleteVictor, I agree on all accounts. I'm excited about the possibilities - I'm ready to move beyond the loss and challenges of the past few years and engage God's purposes for us. I'm also aware that all of the excitement could peter out. That's why, in the end, it can't just be about excitement. There has to be intention and commitment to press on and do what God calls us to do - even when it ISN'T all that exciting. And it won't always be exciting. Pray with us that God's Spirit will keep moving and challenging and encouraging us toward his purposes for the year, that these steps will truly transform us as a congregation and as individual followers of Jesus. That's what needs to happen. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete