Interrupted

Interrupted_Email

I’ve got an Olympic hangover this morning. I am sleep deprived. Why does Michael Phelps swim ONLY late at night? In TV reality, isn’t this taped? Hasn’t Phelps REALLY swam hours before? Why do I have to stay up so late to see him own the pool? Arrgghhh.

But the stories are worth it.

Did you happen to catch David Boudia and Steele Johnson winning silver in the Men’s synchronized 10m platform diving? They both claimed their identity in Christ is what makes all the crazy possible. If their diving defined them, they wouldn’t know how to handle things. That was so good to hear.

Then the story of Michael Phelps broke. Remember a few years back when Michael Phelps seemed to be in trouble with the law? There were drug charges and a DUI. He was sinking into a dark place of depression. He was unsure of what life would look like without swimming. Swimming, as his life, had defined him. He considered suicide.

And then he read “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. Warren opens the book with this classic line: “It’s not about you.”

David Boudia, left, and Steele Johnson wave to the crowd after being named to the U.S. Olympic diving team in the men's 10-meter platform at the U.S. Olympic diving trials Sunday, June 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)What is defining you these days? Things of gold, silver, or bronze? Perhaps it’s the acceptance and approval of others who also need validated? That seems tenuous at best.

On Sunday, we’re diving into (pun intended) the book of Jonah. It’s a whale of a story (more pun…). It’s a story about identity. Much was at stake. Would Jonah shape his own identity, or would he accept God’s? It would take a storm and a huge fish to sort things out.

What will it take for you? An interruption?

Our new series, “Interrupted” will be a seven-week trek through the book of Jonah. It’s so much more than a kid’s story. It’s historical, practical, and most definitely transformational if you can get past you.

Our text Sunday will be Jonah 1:1-3. You won’t believe how much we’ll glean from these three short verses.

Many are still flying high on God’s great work from last Sunday. Thirty went home wet! God moved and is still moving. The Gospel opportunity to dive into Jesus remains. The baptistry is still ready. I’m anxious to gather with you at 9 & 11 a.m. I’m excited to teach.

See you soon!
Blessings,

alan_signature3

Weekly Giving | 8.7.16

$46,652.12

Weekly Need $39,700.00

Posted in

Recent Articles