Pastor Steve Peoples' Blog

 I recently watched a story on Dateline about Aron Ralston. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, here is his story in brief. He had set out for a hike in Blue John Canyon. As he passed through a portion of his hike he slipped and a boulder pinned his arm and he couldn’t get loose. After a few days he managed to cut off his own hand so he could possibly hike out of the canyon and live. After days without food and water he hiked out and was rescued. He had an amazing will to live. Most of us share that burning desire to live. We will do just about anything to live. But, that also raises a question for me. Do we really live or do we just survive?

 
If we are going to live we must really live, not sorta, kinda live but really live. Live in the way Paul explained living to the church in Corinth.
 
 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NLT)
 
Paul tells us that once we know Christ, we should no longer live for ourselves but rather live for Christ, who died for us. How can we live for Christ? What does that look like? In some ways it probably means for us to really understand what God wants to do through us. What does he want to do in us as well? Can you think of ways you could live for Christ? If so, start putting it into practice, now is the right time to really start living. Let’s start really living.

Friday night is going to be a great night. I am looking forward to gathering at the Kansas Museum of History with friends from our 4 campuses as we give thanks for a great year last year and look forward to what God will do in 2011 and beyond. I am convinced the best days for Topeka First Assembly are still ahead of us. We have had a great past but must still look to the future with eyes of faith. God has much for us to accomplish. If you haven’t signed up yet you still can, call the church office to reserve your seat. Great food with friends and a challenge toward the future, sounds like a good evening.  You can even come an hour early to tour the museum. Don’t miss it!

I have to apologize to everyone who has ever commented on my blog. The reason for my apology is that I had no idea anyone had ever commented until the other night when I had a conversation with someone who had commented on a post. They asked if I had seen their comment. Oops! I would have responded had I known. I just figured out how this whole comment thing works. So for that I’m sorry. I will make sure to check the comments regularly from now on. 

 
Some days you learn things you wish you had already learned. I guess the important part is to learn something everyday and apply it to life. Just so happens today I learned about how my blog works a year too late.

Angela and I enjoy getting out and taking walks. Due to the weather, right now there aren’t too many walks happening. When we are out walking we will see interesting things, cars, friends, even a dead tree or two.

 
Jesus and the disciples were walking from Bethany to Jerusalem and they walked past a fig tree. There was something unusual about the tree though. The tree had no figs on it and so as Jesus walked by he cursed the tree. I can’t say that I’ve ever thought of that when I noticed a tree that wasn’t bearing any fruit, but Jesus did.
 
The next day after walking past the same fig tree that was now shriveled up and dead, Jesus’ disciples comment that just the day before the tree was normal. Jesus takes note of it and gives them a little lesson.  Here is what he said.
 
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:22-25 (NLT)
 
How did he make that connection? I’m not sure but the lesson shouldn’t be missed. There is something about asking God and believing God that results in receiving it. I know this I have to believe more when I pray. I also realize this exchange between Jesus and his disciples also emphasizes the importance of forgiving people of their sins.
 
What do you need to ask God for? Help to forgive or faith? Maybe both?