Wednesday Night Wrapup 06-01-11

Tonight was the first Wednesday night of our summer at the Crossroads. We decided to start things off with a pool party. It was a good time I thought. A lot of our students were scattered different places due to cheer camps, family traveling, and other things. With all that going on, we still had a good crew for a fun time. The cool pool was very welcome as we set a record high here in Birmingham.

The goal tonight was to just gather students and adults together for a time of fun and fellowship with each other.  The teacher in me kept thinking that maybe I should prepare a devotion or something.  But I realized that it's good to just sometimes get the family together for some fun and conversations.  Just as it is important for a family to play together, it is very important for the church family to play together.  It is in those "different" times that some deep bonds can be formed.

I was stoked by a conversation that I had with a couple of students tonight at the pool party.  Out of the blue I was told by one to pull up a chair because they had some questions.  It was cool as I grabbed a chair and entertained their questions.  It started with "what are your thoughts/beliefs about how the world began?" and moved to...

• "was Adam and Eve white?  if not, why are they always depicted that way?"


• "if you were a soldier and kill someone in war, is that a sin?"


• "did the first humans participate in incest?"

There were more I know but those were just some that stood out.  It was great.  I know that I couldn't have planned something like that.  I was greatly reminded about the truth and urgency of 1 Peter 3:15.  I was also reminded of the fact that many people have questions.  They are just looking for someone who they can trust to give them an honest answer and not look down on their questions.

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The Birdhouse & Some Dialogue

The past couple of days have been very eventful. Yesterday, as I was getting ready to go into the office, I had to chase a bird out of our house. The stupid bird came in through the chimney and had taken a seat behind a chair. The interaction was something for YouTube. Everyone survived the ordeal though.
Today, I was doing my devotion and was reminded of a great truth: when we read God's word, it is an invitation to converse with the Creator of all things. In Daniel 9, we see him reading the writings of Jeremiah. What he read immediately drew him to prayer. I realized that as God speaks to us through His word, He is looking to hear from us. Here are some suggestions (most not my original) for the next time you read God's word to engage in dialogue with the Father:
1. When reading a difficult passage, ask God to give you understanding.
2. When reading Scripture that reminds you of someone's need, take time to pray for them.
3. When you come across something in Scripture that is contrary to what you previously thought, ask God to conform your beliefs to His.
4. When you read about God's faithfulness, take time to thank Him.
These are just a few ways to engage in a true conversation with Almighty God. He didn't tear the veil in the temple just to show His authority; He did it so that you and I could have discussions with Him.

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