Our new series begins Sunday, December 30 at all services! 

Discipleship is actively and intentionally choosing to live in a different way. Following Jesus means we put him into the leadership position. Maybe you've heard the phrase,"the view doesn't change if you're not the lead dog.” Consider your current view. Are you leading or are you following? Following Jesus means we make a conscious effort to live in a transformed way. We could say that living the way Jesus intended from the beginning takes practice, repetition and strong discipline. Notice the connection between disciple and discipline.

We all lived a life on our own before we met Jesus. We all bring the previous life experiences with us where ever we go. We cannot erase our old life or act like it didn’t happen. It has enormous value—the memories, the lessons and the people bring unlimited potential for God to do great things. God can use all we offer and so much more for something beautiful and good when we allow him. Previous life experiences can often derail a robust love for Christ and community. Can you imagine the new outcomes to our past experiences? 

Jesus offers a new life and an extraordinary way to understand the experiences of our previous life. Much like the process of wine making, everything is used to create something exceptional. In the crushing, in the pressing, God is making new wine. Our story is never wasted. If we are going to be true to ourselves and to God, we must be our most surrendered, healed and healthy selves. We have the potential to become the people God created us to be.Our souls are designed to respond to God's truth. But, the soul becomes clouded, shrouded in darkness. It is easy to be deceived in the dark.

We are constantly tempted to turn and go our own way.Temptation is real. If our temptations had 'warning labels' what would they say? I believe God constantly tends to our meandering much like a parent does to a toddler. Most of us don’t like the idea of considering ourselves as toddlers. But, we are toddlers who can be easily deceived. Deception is designed to draw us away from God's Truth so our attention, affection and worship is misplaced. God doesn't expect perfection, but he does expect us to be completely surrendered to him.

Come Sunday. Join us for worship. Listen to what we have to say. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and quite possibly in a new way.

"And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” Luke 5:37-38 NIV

Pastor Jen