Countering entropy

“The second law of thermodynamics” states that “the entropy of an isolated system will tend to increase over time.”

We’re often faced with the fact that this world is such an incredible mess. Sometimes no matter how hard we try to work out our plans, things still don’t come together. For example, a repair project we started at work on Monday seemed to be ahead of schedule and going well. The planning was done superbly, and everyone worked like a well-oiled machine. Tuesday morning however, when the mechanics went to start the machine up, 2 parts fused together and therefore making it not functional- an scenario that was not expected. How disappointing! Despite all the efforts in planning well, we were caught by surprise by this failure.

This past Sunday during Second Hour, we meditated on Genesis 1:1-5:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”

Our God is one who creates order out of chaos. In the mess we as a human race have made in this world, He wants to redeem us and make all things right and new again. Thank God we don’t live in an isolated system, but instead He is active and working in this world. While the natural way is for things to go south and head towards chaos, Christ lifts us up and holds the world together.

What is getting you down today? A project that is failing despite all your best efforts? A broken relationship that can’t seem to work? A church ministry that doesn’t seem to have a lot of fruit? God delights in aiding us. I hope we can all ask boldly for Him to intervene to work through us in putting this broken world back together. While His way and timing may sometimes be hard for us to understand, we know that it is His nature to restore wholeness and order in this world.

-JL

A Life of Service…Why? SNL Large Group – Friday 2/1 7:30 PM Vine Campus

Have you ever seen the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles?  I just saw it this past weekend and was reminded why this movie ranked right up there with Kindergarten Cop as a couple of my favorite movies when I was in elementary school.   The movie centers on the travel between 2 guys, Steve Martin and John Candy.  Basically, Steve Martin is a busy business man trying to get home for Thanksgiving….who is joined by John Candy, as the most annoying person in the world.  So, what’s this have to do with service?  It got me thinking…as to how is it possible to serve people completely unlike me?  Why would I serve someone that gets on my nerves?  Is it my problem or theirs?  Why should I serve this person, when it seems like I get nothing in return?  Why am I looking for something in return?  We hope to tackle some of our current ideas of service and what it means to live as a servant in our next large group.

SNL and LW Joint Bowling Saturday 1/19

Hey guys, guess what…It’s ON!  We’re bowling this Saturday.  Meet at Vine Campus at 5:15pm.  PLEASE RSVP.  Hsu.Raychien@gmail.com

We’ll be having dinner afterwards.  Come join the fun….join the competition…join the fellowship.

New Year’s Resolutions

Last year around this time, I decided I needed to make a couple of New Year’s Resolutions. My plan was to keep it simple so to accommodate my inability to multi-task. I decided to read the Bible more, pray more, and exercise regularly.

I did not fare so well in accomplishing these resolutions, but I did learn a few things.

1) Reading the Bible more- When I open the Bible, basically to anywhere besides maybe the letters, I would be always thinking: what does this mean? (I guess I’m really thinking- how is this relevant to me? I have this problem today that I need some answers to!) I got tired of it pretty fast. Some thoughts came to mind around that time-What if though, I start looking at reading the Bible as this is God’s letter to us to tell us about Himself? What if reading the Bible is a way for us to spend time with God (yes, novel!) and get to know Him more? What if I’m sitting here without an agenda but just to study and admire God?

2) Praying more- I’m a worrywart, so my prayers are usually about whatever is worrying me at the moment. Usually, I keep worrying about it and then pray some more about it (yes, as if it’s how much I bug God that will get Him to give me what I want). What if, though, prayer is really another way by which we get to know God more? We come before Him with all our worries and requests, but we need to also then sit back and listen to what He has to say to us. He is not a genie or even a business partner! He wants us to know Him and have a relationship with Him! Good prayer then need to partner with good Bible reading so we’ll know what He’s saying.

This semester at Salt and Light, we will look together at some of the ways that God has provided for us to become closer to Him. Only as we know Him can we grow to become the people He’s called us to be. In fact, in John 15, Jesus used the image of Him being the vine and us being the branches. The branches will not be able to get their sustenance without the vine! We need to regularly draw from Him to live- let alone live the lives He’s called us to live.

So please come join us this Friday as we look first at the topic of prayer!

(As for the exercise resolution, I’m more at a lost. Although this may help: http://health.discovery.com/national-body-challenge/get-started.html)

JL

Prayer – January Large Group – 7:30pm Vine Campus 1/4/2008

How has your prayer life been?  Why do you pray?  When was the last time you were fascinated by God?  Many Christians wish they could spend more time praying but find that their minds wander and their hearts grow weary after only a few minutes.  Do you know how to pray?  Join us Friday 1/4 at Vine Campus, 7:30 pm as we explore these questions.