Sunday, September 19, 2010

Memorize Ephesians With Me - Colorado Update



We are about four days in to our trek through Ephesians...how's it going? Remember to go easy on yourself. This takes some practice, most of us are not used to this kind of discipline, and it might seem clunky and a bad fit at first, but don't worry that's normal. G.K Chesterton once said "anything worth doing is worth doing badly". I love that quote, it helps take some of the pressure off. In fact that was something that I woke up with this morning, the thought that the pressure is off. Grace means the pressure is off. I don't have to earn, or measure up, or have it all together, instead we are welcomed, and accepted, and loved, just as messed up as we are right now. That's good news.

The last video post i mentioned that I was a bit overwhelmed at the response, 20 people in one day deciding to join in on this project. By the end of the day it was at thirty people, and this morning I woke up to another five. So our numbers are growing! Very exciting, there is so much in this letter that my heart needs to wrestle with, so much for the Church to re-awaken to that I can't help but think this holds great promise for our lives and for the Kingdom. That said I woke up this morning, a bit anxious about all the people coming along, and the high expectations we often have at the start of a project like this. I know from past experiences, that we can often walk away from these things worse for ware. We feel like a failure for not completing our goal, and we end up more discouraged about our spiritual walk, than when we first began.

So let me say from the onset, that the pressure is OFF! I don't care if you are able to memorize 1 verse or the whole thing. Our spiritual vitality isn't linked to having a bunch of verses crammed in our head. Jesus said "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" So lets let Jesus be our life, and the scriptures be our "pointers", something that will help us stay focused on him who is our life, OK?

Take ten minutes, read through the first 10 verses ten times out loud, then close the book and see if you can get through the first 2-3 verses without looking. Then read 1-10 again close the book and try verses 1-3 again. Just roll along with this for ten minutes and then thank God for speaking to you. Thats it!

Word for the day:
Eph 1:9,10

"God has now revealed his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure, and this is the plan, at the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, both in heaven and on earth."

Good news! Your life in Christ brings God pleasure, you please God, how bout that?!

PS. I'll be speaking at two schools this week in Colorado, Belleview Christian, for their Spiritual Life Retreat (we are at a camp in the Rockies!) , and Ravencrest in Estes Park. One for Jr. and High school students, the other College age. So, I'll be out of contact with the web for a few days. Feel free to post comments on the blog site, encourage each other, or report your progress as you like. I'll be back in touch as soon as I can.

I appreciate your prayers.

Hunter

3 comments:

  1. Thanks Hunter. For who you are and all that you do. Neede to hear the "no pressure" thing. Journey well.

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  2. I am still working at memorizing.
    Blessings to you for wisdom!
    Linda Theresa Peterson

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