Take a Chance

Hey all!

Happy new year to you and yours:) It was a nice relaxing holiday for us but I'm glad things are getting back to "normal" this week. I had no idea I'd miss you guys as much as I did!!

So last night we kicked off our series on "Chances" based out of the book of Proverbs. This is a series that compliments what Cypress Meadows is doing on Sunday mornings and has already proven to be a God thing.

Last night we talked about looking at our hearts like a stadium. Ever seat in our heart has something sitting in it. For some of us we've got ego or insecurities. For others we've got pride. For most of us our family takes up some seats, friends, jobs, work, sports, college prep, and so on. But our scripture found in Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that in ALL those areas we need to be acknowledging Christ. Which means, he should be the one sitting in each seat of our hearts and we should live our lives out of our love for Him first.

Does this mean that I wake up every morning and Jesus is sitting in every seat in the stadium of my heart? No. But as I make an effort to further my relationship with Christ I can look the ego, or insecurity or fear in the eye and say confidently, "Move, that seat is reserved for my Creator. You don't belong here anymore."

We closed last night with a challenge. Throughout this series in Proverbs we're going to be talking about taking the chances and opportunities God gives us and nudges us towards seriously and without hesitation but all of us have to take a step forward to make that happen. The question is, "What is that step for you?"

I was so amped about the line that formed after the close of our gathering last night. A lot of you were thinking hard about what your next step might be and you wanted confirmation or direction and help to make that happen. WAY TO GO! Keep seeking it out and God promises to lead you to it!!

If you didn't come up with a next step, don't worry. You will. Listen to God's nudging and remember our scripture (this version is from the Message translation which is pretty cool):

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."

I love you guys and CAN'T WAIT to see what God will do in 2009!!