Randomness from the weekend…
- Played some golf in the HEAT on Friday. Summer golf = great rates & hot weather
- Ate at man heaven Friday night: Texas de Brazil = all-you-can-eat meat
- Handyman on Saturday. I do not like house chores.
- Starla and I went to see Grown Ups Saturday afternoon. It was a typical movie for that genre.
- Hung out with some friends Saturday evening and started watching Book of Eli again – this time from the new perspective – it definitely changes the entire movie.
- When it is this hot in Vegas, hitting the pool is a must. Thankfully we have several friends with pools.
- We finished our The Big I series at GP on Sunday.
- I learned a ton about idolatry during this series. Very informative.
- This is one of those series I hope we grasp the depth of what we talked about.
- Some of the message thoughts:
Underneath every sin is the reality that we chose ______ over God in that moment.
It is impossible to understand our hearts if we do not discern the idols that influence and shape them.
The question is not whether we have idols but how are we freed from their control.
Questions that help us identify our idols: What do I think about? How do I spend my money? What controls my heart?
The tough questions uncover the counterfeit gods that often capture our hearts.
Idolatry is not just about disobeying God. It is setting our hearts on anything other than God.
Idols are replaced through joyful repentance.
Repentance: turning from our sin and idols to God
Joyful: seeing the beauty of the gospel which helps us see the ugliness of our sin
The only way to replace idols is when Jesus becomes more attractive to us than our sin.
Guilt and fear based repentance causes me to hate me. Joy based repentance causes me to hate my sin – which nailed Jesus to a cross.
Replacing idols is a lifelong battle. It is a process.
The way to replace idols is to get God’s truth in you.
- This series challenged us to really ask whether Jesus is enough for us or whether we cling to other idols for our value.
- We have really been pushing the envelope in some recent series to think deeply about following Jesus.
- Our band led a more scaled back acoustic approach. We even had a cello!
- Scaled back is good on occasion.
- We have had several guests in recent weeks.
- This time of the year we always lose some solid families to military assignments and gain some as well.
- It is cool to see some families who were sent somewhere else our first few years who are now back in Vegas on re-assignment and re-connecting with Grace Point.
- Relaxed in the pool Sunday afternoon! Needed that.
- Last full week of work for a while. Vacations and travel coming over the next month.
- Summers are tough in the desert but we are maintaining some solid Sundays.
Ready for 110 today!! Thank God for air conditioning.