Resurrection

We lost a fellow camper this week. Joel Mills. He was lost in a boating accident. Day after day we prayed and prayed. A facebook prayer group was started and the number of people praying steadily climbed. Then his body was recovered from the lake and still we prayed, hoping beyond hope for a miracle. More were added to the group--songs and words of encouragement were posted. Scriptures about resurrection and life. The Mills family went into see Joel, and still we prayed. A memorial service was held yesterday and still we prayed. In defiance of death, the burial site was named "Ezekiel 37 Resting Place." And still we prayed.

Through this tragedy, the community was gathered together as one in prayer and worship. Unified we took our stand for our brother in Messiah. Unified we marched on the gates of hell with faith unwavering. And a resurrection happened--a resurrection in the body of Messiah. A revival started, and we pray that it never stop, that this move of the Spirit will never dwindle.

Because this week we were reminded that this is not our home. This is not where we belong. Our Messiah, our King has gone before us to prepare a place--a place with no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more death. A place where life flows like a river and joy abounds. A place where we will once again all come together to worship our Creator. Both those who remain here today and those who have gone on before us--we will all be united together with Messiah. And then we will be home.

So let us press on day after day looking forward to and hastening the coming of our Redeemer. Let us hold to the Promise, even now declaring the coming of our Great King. The world watches and mocks our faith. And still we pray. We will never back down. We will never be silent. For our God is not dead!

"But YHVH is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. Thus shall you say to them: "The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens." It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish. Not like these is he who is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; YHVH of hosts is his name."

(Jeremiah 10:10-16 ESV)

The Reasons

I originally wrote this three years ago. I've made a few updates since then, but the central message is still the same. It's not about us. It's about Him.

Why are we following this path of Torah?

Are we doing it so that we will be happy? Are we doing it to earn blessing or earn brownie points with our creator? Are we doing it because it makes us feel good? (Matthew 16:24-25)

Are we doing it to become holy? Do we think it will make us more righteous than everyone else? Are we doing it for salvation? Has it become a legalistic list of do's and don'ts? (Leviticus 20:8, Ezekiel 37:28, Titus 3:5)

Are we doing out of fear? Are we afraid that if we don't, that God won't love us any more? Do we feel like we need to earn His favor? (Romans 5:6-8; 8:15, Psalm 103:8-12)

Are we doing it because our friends are doing it? Is it how we become accepted? Are we doing it because it is the latest fad and makes us stand out? (Matthew 10:35-39, Mark 4:16-17)

Are we doing it out of rebellion? Are we trying to separate ourselves from other Christians (Christians who love God dearly)? Is this just a way of showing our independence—of breaking away from tradition? (Mark 9:50, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Romans 12:18)

Or are we doing it for more? Are we looking to our Father in heaven and saying “I want to love like He does”? Are we doing it so that the light of Yeshua may shine through us to the world? Are we doing it for the sake of His name and His Kingdom? (Ezekiel 20, Ezekiel 36:22, Matthew 5:14-16)

Chapter The Next

Well, I'm here. On my own in my first apartment. A new chapter in life. My very own set of ceramic bowls and plates--blue. They didn't have purple. My first printer. Still in the box. Much unpacking to do tomorrow.

A big thank you to Mom and Dad for helping me get moved and settled in. And thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. It means a lot to me.

I should be starting work as a meteorologist soon. Getting to this point has been a bit of an adventure. In more ways than one. Both on the job front and in life. To think...my first post on this blog was one year minus thirty days ago. Between then and now, we've been where the dinosaurs roam. Tasted surrender. Just one step after another. Reflected on the little things of life. Played in the land of square men. These are our journeys. Still the chase goes on.

I believe that God calls us to be faithful where we are at. And well...I'm here.

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15 ESV)