Tithing? Generosity? Giving? Different? Same? Something more?

When we share our stories, specifically the ways we have responded to God's challenges, our faith can beget the faith of others. This is true of all areas... including finances, which may be the most unspoken conversations in the church.

Am I ready for a new role or responsibility? What do I need to lead?

To lead is to imitate Jesus who imitates the Father (John 5:19).

What certain disciplines of the Father are essential to become like the God? ... to become like Christ for the sake of others?

One of the reasons people have so much resistance to the church (in part) is the “elder brother” lostness that exists in the church.

Leaders AND members modeling:

... Judgment.

... Resentment.

... Condemnation.

We know "those" people. And... (gulp)... WE can be THOSE people.

Are we aware of our tendencies to be an overbearing big brother or sister?

With the culture that God has created in our church, how can we experience more people coming (and coming to faith) at Water’s Edge? Or… what may need to change to see the fruit of new life? Listen to our conversation as we study the ways God welcomes those who may be far from home guided by one of Jesus’s most beloved and convicting parables.

NOTE: The sound is a bit "wonky" from 2 minutes through 6 minutes. Hang in there.

Excerpt: A woman and a lost coin... How did this coin get lost?  No one really knows. 

Sometimes, we don’t realize how we got lost or that we are even lost.  

Similarly sometimes, we don’t need to explain to lost people where they are because we don't know. Instead, we can let he or she know God is constantly searching for them… and inviting them home.

Key Word: Sometimes.

“I don’t know all that is going on in your life. But I know there is a God who knows you and longs to be known in a deeper way by you.” 

There are many, many other times, we must tell people that their actions are hurting others and themselves and God wants to bring help, hope and healing.

And when someone comes home... we party!

Heaven parties when the lost and lonely come home. This happens as the foolish, the wandering and the defiant find their way… of being found by the God of unfailing love. In our sin, God searches. With our salvation, God celebrates. The joy of homecoming is so exciting, so inviting, so epic (and perhaps even irresponsible to few) that God’s earth is compelled to join the festivities.

Let this familiar passage in Luke 15 open our eyes (perhaps even wider) to Who God is and Whose we are.

And.... let's party.

A gift only becomes a gift when it is received. When we say yes to Jesus, we receive the gift of new life. But that isn’t the end, it is only the beginning and frankly it’s not the point. When we say “Yes” to Jesus, we receive the continuous gift that is the Giver.

As you listen, please also see the attached liturgy. Feel free to share with others.

Christmas reminds us where God resides. God dwells in the brokenness of the world AND in our lives.

Because of his love and grace, God moves toward us in our brokenness. The question is How do we move towards our... brokenness?

In the west, “leadership” is a highly venerated term. Terms like ambitious, commanding, cunning, negotiating, strategic all come to mind.

The word “leader” is not commonly found in the Bible. Instead, we should look to the term “shepherd”. Shepherds guide, provide, protect and praise God for God has done and who God has provided (Luke 2, cf. Psalm 23).

The world might just need less “leaders.” Instead, may we effort towards becoming gracious shepherds.

In the Incarnation, God allowed himself to be taken… and allowed much to be taken away.

Let's begin this Advent by discussing the profound depths of God's self-exile.