Coming out of the box!

Last week's sermon, we started the tough series called, "Good Grief." We dealt with looking at the value of sorrow. Have you ever thought sorrow was worthwhile to go through?

We had examined how our culture views sorrow (ie. hide it, get over it, replace the loss), and comparatively how God shares with us about how to deal with sorrow.

Jesus gave a powerful example of dealing with sorrow in his reactions to the death of Lazarus (John 11:1-37). Jesus heard the news of his friend dying and he was struck by literally "snorting like a horse" (Greek word explanation of "deeply moved in spirit"). Then Jesus also, "wept" - which meant to cry quietly. Jesus seems to give us some freeing examples of inviting us to take time to grieve the losses we face. To take time and process who we have lost and the pain that has come. (yes we may not know the reason for the death, but we know there is a sense of sorrow for us).

As I ended the sermon, I called everyone to share the comfort that we have received from God with others. I compared the usual reaction of sorrow, to be like hiding in a box.....so I climbed (squeezed) in a little box....to illustrate the way we may feel alone and isolated in our grieving, and then invited the people that come together each week in our home for prayer, support, Bible study & mission (aka a Life Group) to help me out of this situation. They came forward and ripped off the box....put their hand on me, and helped me out of this lonely state.

Do you need to take time to grieve over a loss?
Do you have someone around you to rip off the box or to be with you in your "box?"
Do you believe God can comfort you?

A New Year...and some big questions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It's hear...another year, 2012! Have you found yourself saying, "Wow, where did 2011 go?" I sure couldn't believe how fast the month of December went. Gone....but what lies ahead? What good things will be waiting for us?

What good will you experience in 2012? Now when you hear that question - do you perhaps answer - a raise, a new relationship (hopefully not if you are married :), or some new opportunities? But did you ever think that 2012 could hold something good that at first looks horrible?

Do you ever consider that 2012 could be a year of experiencing some pain...which maybe causes you to ask some big questions? So often people ask me, "How can a loving God allow suffering and pain?" This is a very good question....and in many ways I don't know the answer; however, starting this Sunday, January 8th I will be sharing a sermon series called, "Good Grief: figuring out how the goodness of God is present in times of suffering & pain."

What's the biggest question you think needs to be tackled (even if you don't think it can be answered)?
Post them here or email me....