Back in the day right? You remember beanie babies. Don;t say you didn’t because you know you still have them and love them high school students. I will never forget in college Cat had a job babysitting for a wealthy family. The little girl Cat watched had almost every beanie baby. It was off the charts. On Saturdays Cat was hired to sit out in front of stores in line with hundreds of people whenever a new Ty Beanie Baby was launched. This girl was freakie stalker freakie about beanie babies. Not to weir you out but one aspect of Jesus is that he stalker crazy about us. His love is off the charts. He once told a story that reminds me of this girl. Jesus said that a good shepherd knows when one of his lams has turned up missing. A good shepherd will leave the rest of the sheep behind and search high and low for the lost lamb until he finds it. No matter where you are in life Christ stalks us and hunts us down with his amazing love. In what ways has Christ’s love been overwhelming to you?
When I think about the real world I think about how all of us live within walls. Some of us like the villians and heroes in this video clip need props and tricks to make us strong. Now I am not talking about things that make you fly or things that allow us to fight others. Instead I’m talking about the things we put around our heart to keep us from getting hurt or being out of control. Some people put up walls against God by saying he’s not real but do they really know that for sure. Others put up walls against God by blaming other people. “I don’t go to church because of all the hypocrites.” Is that God’s fault and what about it being something between you and God? How are you trying to go through life with thick walls and protective reactions and barriers against change for the better?
One of the pretty cool things that Jesus talked about was eternity. No where in the Bible does Jesus say anything about any place where you hang in limbo until you’re good enough to go to heaven. In fact there are only two destinations that Jesus talks about going to when you leave this earth.
When Jesus talked about Heaven he had a lot to say but one thing that really makes you think is the statement in the Bible that says,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
In the video below Willy Wonka is taking kids into his Candy Factory for the first time. What do you think Heaven will be like?
Last night at the uprising we kicked off our series “whatchu know bout me.” It was really cool to hear your feedback on our go phone. Your comments our anonymous. The pay as you go phone was purchased for this series and will be shut off when we are done with the talks. Last night we asked the question:
WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?
We got a lot of text messages answer the question. You can text us your response or leave your response in the comment form of this post. Here were last nights texts…
- A yoda with a wickedly awesome beard.
- God is my guidance through life =)
- My best friend someone who i can talk to
- Jesus forgives me everyday, he gives me 12000000 chances even though i don’t deserve it
- crazy awesome homeless hippy guy
- I honestly dnt knw any more
- i think god is my best friend and partner for life but he will always be with me when ever where ever and he will always be there for me no matter what the situation is… your follower
- to me jesus is a hot juicy burger because youalways want more of him
- he is a good friend i can share anything with
- I feel as though god puts us through things to help us become more of the faithful disciples he wants us to be. not only does he care but he is the only one who truly understands us and what were all about. He forgives everything we do because its ok to not be perfect. He is amazing
- I think God is just a way 4 people to feel safe in knowing there is something waiting 4 them later on
- a way of life something to live for
- you know what i think about Jesus? Well after going to church for about a year now, he seems like a pretty cool dude. but ever since I was a young child, i always thought one thing about Jesus: He has an awesome beard.
- God is someone who is a lifesaver of mine. i almost don’t know who I would be today. But sometimes i feel like i can go to and then i think i would to rather something. but i have given my heart to god and he is like one of those somewhat close god. i love him
So if you want to answer this question please know you can be honest and say whatever is on your heart.
WHO IS JESUS TO YOU? 512 507 5813
So with this Jesus thing we’re getting to think about him and who he really is over the next four weeks. One of the things that some people don’t realize is that God is all about repair us and making us better. Jesus described this goal of God by telling a story about a guy who hated his dad so much he pretty much told him I don’t want to be a part of your life and I am going to go ahead and demand my inheritance now. The dad amazingly gave it to him and the son bolted off to go party with all of his new cash. It wasn’t long before he wasted it all on having fun and living for himself. Too proud to get help he tried to fix his own situation until he realized he screwed up major and made a fool out of himself. He humbled himself went back home and hoped he could big his father to forgive him. Instead of punking him and rubbing his face in the dirt the Father totally embraced him, forgave him, and welcomed him back. If you’re struggling and hurt you always have God to run back to. He will welcome you with open arms. Enjoy a funny video below about hugging.
Jesus calls himself a faithful friend in Matthew 11:19. But he also reveals his heart toward all types of people. His heart is filled with compassion for anyone who hurts and is trying to find comfort in everything but God. Check out this verse today and read it slowly.
19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ‘ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Maybe you didn’t know that throughout the Bible Jesus was known for being a friend to people who needed help. He did’nt really hang out with people who thought they were perfect and didn’t need his help. Today if you could unfold your pain before Jesus and ask him to fix one thing what would that be?
What would you do if you were in a college or high school playoff game and an injured opponent needed you to help them. If you help them you will lose the game. If you don’t help them you can win. It’s not like anyone will care or remember anyway. After all, you don’t have to help because they are on the other team.
That’s why the video below is such a great picture of what it means to put other people and their needs ahead of your own. Serving and loving people is a big part of who Jesus is. Even though Jesus didn’t have to do anything to help us he chose to put us first and lay his love on the line. We didn’t deserve his sacrifice but when we could do nothing for ourselves Jesus made sure we could be helped in ways nothing else can.
Here is the question….
What evidence from your own life proves that God loves you?
Text us, tell us a story, send us an emaiil.
Sometimes it’s hard for us to think that God could really help us. It’s even harder to want God’s help when everything is going your way. Most of the time we think about God when we are in desperate need of him. That’s definitely a great time to call out to him. Whether everything is going your way or you can’t stand life, nothing compares to knowing God and letting him be in charge. He deserves a chance to be in your game of life and have a shot at being on your mind. You never know until you try.
