The Big Idea of the whole Story is God’s declaration, “I want to come down and dwell with you.” God continues to say in effect, “For me to live with you, there are some things that must be worked out.”

We need the blood of a lamb just as the Israelites did. Where will we get it? John 1:29 “Behold, the lamb of God

You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime, don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help, you will get through this.

The Most important part of the Bible is found in the first four words. What we do with those can change our lives forever.

The Bible is like a mural that tells a single story.

There is a why behind every what?

Why you live where you live, why you drive what you drive, why you married who you married,

Reused wood, Spools, Bagels, Coffee, Band - Music, Connect Card, App, Digital Giving,

Got one kid some luggage, got an outdoor scooter to get my kids playing outside and managing their blood surge, Got my father in law a traveling tool box so it’s easier for him to come help me build one of the many Holden projects. :)

Even in the short game -I’m playing the long game. Maybe you heard this” I wan air pods, I want an apple watch - Test first - Areo buds, and a knock off fit bit to see if they will be faithful in the little. (Sounds pretty scriptiual to me)

I believe that Jesus played the long game as well. That he was interested in the long term of us following him. Not just a feel good service but a very clear call to follow him and when we do what that means for our kids and their kids and generations of people begin to turn to Christ because of your one clear decision.

So why Imannuel - Why God with us?

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT

YOUR DEEPEST NEED BECOMES A GIFT WHEN IT DRIVES YOU TO DEPEND ON GOD.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3-4

… All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 
1 Kings 19:5-6

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9There he went into a cave and spent the night.And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”1 Kings 19:7-9

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”1 Kings 19:10

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 
1 Kings 19:11-12

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I fleefrom your presence?
8If I go up to the heavens,you are there; if I make my bedin the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me,your right handwill hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 NLT

YOUR DEEPEST NEED BECOMES A GIFT WHEN IT DRIVES YOU TO DEPEND ON GOD.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:3-4

… All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 
1 Kings 19:5-6

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9There he went into a cave and spent the night.And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”1 Kings 19:7-9

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”1 Kings 19:10

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 
1 Kings 19:11-12

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I fleefrom your presence?
8If I go up to the heavens,you are there; if I make my bedin the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me,your right handwill hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:23 NLT which means 'God is with us! It comes straight from the Hebrew name meaning

"God is with us", which was the foretold name of the Messiah in the Old Testament. It has been used

in England since the 16th century in the spellings Emmanuel and Immanuel, though it has not been

widespread. The name has been more common in continental Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal