Your Weekly Update!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Home Groups start in one week!!!! September 2nd!!! Be there!

EXODUS: Ok, so THIS WEEK is the LAST week of Exodus! Don't miss out on what God has prepared for us as we listen to Clint wrapping up our study.

Food For Thought: I've been reading through Luke and I came across the famous parable about the Sower, ya know the one where tosses some seeds here and there, some grow, some don't because of the poor agricultural conditions. Well, this parable has never really stood out to me until now. For one, it's rare because Jesus actually explains the parable! When does he ever do that?! He always leaves it up to our interpretation, but not this one. No, that means it must be really important if he doesn't want any confusion on the topic. Second, I realized this passage could not be more applicable and relevant to our lives today! Just read it:

[11] Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. [13] And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. [14] And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. [15] As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
(Luke 8:11-15 ESV)

Wow! So we all hear the word but our "agricultural" condition may not allow us to prosper and actually grow. Each of us is in one of these conditions. Either we are the ones along the path who don't believe at all, or we can be among the rocks, the ones who seem on fire for a while but then quickly whither because we never had a solid foundation in our faith-come school and friends our faith seems to diminish far too quickly. There's the thorns, where the worldly influences are suffocating your connection with God, or there's the fertile soil where we are daily receiving nourishment from the Word and keeping our life connection with God strong. I can honestly say, that I think right now, I'm finding myself in the thorns. I'm allowing my worries, stresses, and petty, worldly problems to keep me from growing more. I know God has so much more planned for me but how can He and I continue in this process without me trusting Him? I know He's the best gardener around and we all must trust that he is going to give us the right amount of sunlight, water, and fertilizer. What about you? Where are you guys at? Comment on the blog and let us know where you're at and if you need prayer for anything!