As we look forward to a brand new year I thought I would repost one of my favorites from the archives. Here is the Lion Chaser’s Manifesto adapted from Mark Batterson’s In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day.
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Don’t let fear dictate your decisions. Take a flying leap of faith. Chase the lion!
Mark’s newest book, ALL IN, will be the launching pad for a brand new sermon series as we begin 2014. It’s going to be a great New Year in God as we go ALL IN!
We have entered the Advent season on the Church calendar. “Advent” in Latin comes from a word that means “coming.” We celebrate and prepare our hearts for the coming of our King Jesus. We remember his coming in the past as a baby in the town of Bethlehem. We celebrate the present as Jesus comes into our heart. And we look to the future as He comes as King to establish His new Kingdom.
In the front of church we have an advent wreath with candles. Each week we light a new candle which symbolizes the expectation of our coming Messiah.
Week 1 - (Purple Candle) Represents HOPE, signifying the hope that we have in Jesus when we allow Him to lead us out of darkness into light.
Week 2 - (Purple Candle) Represents PEACE. Jesus came to bring peace. From the words of Zecharias in Luke 1:79….”He will guide our feet into the way of Peace”.
Week 3 - (Pink Candle) Represents LOVE. We are reminded that He is Love and that He loves us with an everlasting love and that we are called by Jesus to love others.
Week 4 - (Purple Candle) Represents JOY. The angel in Luke 2:10, "...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” As the day of celebration draws close we become excited with anticipation and joy. We are reminded that a life with Him is one full of Joy!
On Christmas Eve a final white candle is lit.
This Advent let us all prepare our hearts for the coming of the King.
