Starting Fresh in the Fall

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Colby High School's "Freshman Retreat". I participated in helping the Regional Prevention Center do their Jeopardy-like game to educate kids on drugs and alcohol. It was very enjoyable to see the kids come through before they begin another venture along life's path.

The very first thing on the agenda was a "welcome". Colby High's principal, Don Krebs, was one of the ones giving an introduction. His was also met with a charge to these new students. One of the things that he said stuck out. It was something that mayl come across logical and, possibly, kind of elementary. He said that the word freshman was a good name, because it meant that you get to have a fresh start as you begin this next chapter in your life.

High school is memorable for almost everyone. Something significant happens to almost everyone in those four years. I could write many stories on my ventures in high school. Some of these significant events are highs, where others are lows.

Though January is a time when resolutions are made (and dropped), this time of year is also good time to give yourself a fresh start. There is something psychological about the fall. It marks going back to school, fall sports, people getting together, and the temperatures start to cool down.

For a lot of students going back to school is a time they anticipate. They've had fun in the summer, but now they are ready to see their friends, get their new clothes, get their new school supplies, meet their teachers, and just get back into the swing of things. Each student begins the year with straight A's, regardless of how they finished out last year.

Whether or not last year's seasons were successful, this year's can be. A new start for every sports program out there. This is a good time of the year to start 'fresh'!

What about you? What are some things that have been dragging you down? What has been stressing you, lately? How can you use the fall to 'start fresh' again?

You may not be able to erase any situations, but this 'starting fresh' could be as simple as getting a new attitude about something or giving it another chance.

September is National Back to Church month. Have you been away for awhile? Maybe the reason you quit going was one of several. Everyone has their reasons why they may stop attending. Maybe it is because religious people are just 'hypocrites'. Maybe it is because you took a job. Maybe it is because you no longer believe in God. Maybe it is because there were not enough kids for yours to be around. Maybe it is because the preacher, or someone else, offended you by something they did or did not say. The list could go on and on.

Why not use the fall to make a fresh start? Not only are kids returning back to school, but maybe this is the time to return back to church.

It may not only be good for you, spiritually, but it may be a good idea to return to church from a physical standpoint, too. According to WebMD website that I checked out last week Harold G. Koenig, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, did a study consisting of 4,000 64-101 year olds and found that even after dissecting the group down in age, race, current illnesses and other health and social factors, "there was still a 28 percent reduction in mortality." (http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/spirituality-may-help-people-live-longer)

Which means that part of one being totally healthy, you not only need to exercise and eat right, but another factor is to be apart of a church!

So who's with me? Let's go to church and get a fresh start in the fall!!!

Monday Mentionings: Overcoming Discouragement - Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20, 27-28, & 30-32

At this time of year, we don't get the opportunity to have fresh vegetables from our own gardens. However, the time of year should not matter as to whether or not our faith is fresh. Discouragement can be one of the bigger things to keep you from having a fresh faith. Depending on what is discouraging you, it can loom in your mind filling each thought, causing your faith to lessen. As we reflect back on yesterday's sermon from Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20, 27-28, & 30-32, here are some applications to choose from to use...

1. You have been given senses, a voice, talents, and material things. You have also been given the Spirit, who will guide you. As you seek to find ways to share Jesus, use what God has already given you and ask the Spirit to guide you to help you in each situation.

2. God sent the spies into the land which God had already promised to give them (Numbers 13:2). God didn't send them into the land to decide IF they could conquer the land or not. As God sends you out into the mission field each day don't decide if you can "do the job" because God knows you can! Possibly use the following question, "What was one of the highlights of your time at church on Sunday?" Your answer doesn't have to reflect the lesson, but it will open up the door to talk about Jesus - whether or not they went to church on Sunday.

3. God has probably done some pretty amazing things in your life up to now. It could range from your salvation to healing a major health condition of you or someone close to putting you in touch with someone you never thought possible. If you were to be granted a wish to make an impact for the Kingdom, what would your wish be? Now that you named it...you did name it, right? If no...what is the wish? OK, now that you named it, is it possible to do it in our church? Why not? If it seems far fetched, think about what steps you need to take in order to help get you to reaching your "wishing" point. Maybe it is to pray, maybe just mentioning it to someone else, maybe just opening your eyes to the potential. No matter what you do, lean toward the side of accomplishing it, but don't, don't, don't let something discourage you from attempting to accomplish your goal. Don't let the letters I & M be a part of any probability to make it become an IMprobability!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

What will you and God accomplish this week? What "lands" will you two be able to conquer together?

I hope all had a great Thanksgiving!

Spying out the land ~

Monday Mentiongs: "Ripped Off" - John 10:7-11

When you go to the store, you, naturally, like to have foods that are fresh. "Fresh Faith" is our new series. When people are looking for Jesus, they are going to be attracted to the ones who have the "freshest" Jesus, not anything "moldy". In yesterday's sermon we looked into John 10:7-11 where Jesus tells His audience that the thief steals, kills, and destroys. Not a pretty picture, but we also must keep in mind that there is opportunity for what was stolen to be recovered. Here are some other applications to choose from to use this week...

1. What has the Thief stolen from you? Your passions/desires, your appetite for God's word, your purpose in the Kingdom, etc.? What caused you to put your guard down to allow him to steal any of these things? Write down 3 things you would like to do to enhance the Kingdom, then pray about them for the next month. If you want to share, I'll pray about them with you.
   
2. What has the Thief killed - pertaining to you? Have you lost the life you once had? This type of life is meaning the vibrancy for doing things for God. Did you once want to serve any time the opportunity was offered, but now, your vibrancy has died? Pray that God would give you the needed CPR to revive your spiritual heart!
   
3. What has the Thief come and destroyed in your life? Has he destroyed your prayer life, your marriage, your self-esteem, etc.? How have you dealt with this? Satan wants you to rely on yourself and not on God. The longer you let your "hot ember" of faith stay away from God, the happier Satan gets because he knows he's accomplishing his mission. Don't let Satan take you away from the fire! The way to defeat this giant is to pray to God that He will bless your efforts in making sure that Satan doesn't destroy anything in your life!
   
4. Lost something? God can help you find it again! David had his supplies and his family stolen. He went after them. Don't let anyone take what is rightly yours. Do just as David did - go find your property!!!
   

Freshness is appealing. May you have a faith that is refreshed each and every day so that your faith will be appealing to others!


Asking God to replace my faith with "fresh" faith ~