Quiet Time
by Mike Lyle on 11/16/10
Joelinda talked with us this past week about 'Quiet Time' and what it means for our spiritual development.
What comes to your mind when you think of 'Quiet Time'? Here are some of the answers that teens gave;
- time out
- it means I'm in trouble with mom
- it's hard to make time let alone 'quiet time'
- boring
- A fast way to fall asleep
You said it! Often we put negative connotations to what we might consider quiet time. And this holds true of our quiet time with our spiritual development or what others may call devotions or prayer time. I love how Joelinda described what she labels 'Quiet Time.' She said with joy, 'My Quiet time is a Date with Jesus.' Really! A Date with Jesus? I think that is revolutionary to what we usually consider quiet time. Think about it though. When you are going on a date you are preparing for alone time with either a best friend, your mom, your dad, or dare I say it, a girl or boyfriend. These dates are special because there is Togetherness, Purpose, Interest.
A date has that just-you-and-me feel to it. It is special and very impactful to the relationship. You get to know your date better, invest time with them, perhaps ask some really tough questions about where you are at in life, discuss your dreams and encourage each other. The same is true with our relationship with Jesus. We need to put that special time and effort in our 'date with Jesus.'
Jesus is, of course, the best example. He would often slip away and connect with his Father, God. (Luke 5:16; 6:12) It was this connection with God that allowed him to do what he did. In John 5:19 Jesus states, "I tell you the truth, the Son can only do what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." Before his death he went to the garden of Gethsemane to talk with the Father. Some really tough things were ahead of him and he wanted desperately to connect with God. Jesus even told the disciples to pray while he was praying so that they would not fall into temptation. Wow! Prayer and quiet time can help me battle temptation! I’m In!
This isn't some huge 'hit you over the head you're worthless' talk. This is an encouragement and hopefully an eye opening discussion that will help you invest more in the best relationship you will ever have, a relationship with Jesus.
Well, I think this is a good ending to our date, time together! See you next week.
YP Mike
A Shared Life
by Mike Lyle on 11/16/10
A Shared LifeActs 4:32-37 The whole congregation of believers was united as one- one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, 'That's mine; you can’t have it.' They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them. And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need. Joseph, called by the apostles "Barnabas" (which means "Son of Comfort"). a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought money and made an offering of it to the apostles. (The Message)
The word possessions jumps off the page to me (not just because it’s in bold). The obvious first reaction I have is, 'There is no way I am selling all my stuff and bringing it to some dudes called apostles!!!'
Check out this video from Friends where 'Joey Doesn't Share Food' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6fq3Jkh9Es
In our American culture, if we are honest with ourselves, we can be very self-centered. The Beatles coined the song, I Me Mine. Little children learn early, not necessarily from parental insight, to say, 'Mine'. We hold onto, sometimes hoard, items and things that we value. I think it is safe to say that I am selfish. This giving thing is hard because it doesn’t come naturally to me! At the same time I know that God calls us to be givers and to have a shared life. So how does this happen? It is God’s nature within us that pushes us to be thinking about others, not ourselves. God is the quintessential example of the giver. For God so loved the world that HE GAVE! Just look into the scriptures or look at someone whose life has been changed by having an encounter with God’s love. The result is giving. They buy in to the kingdom of God, God’s way of life.
Just look at Zacchaeus. When Zacchaeus had an encounter with God’s love, Jesus, he gave half of his possessions to the poor and was willing to give four times the amount of wrong he committed against anyone. I remember when God got a hold of me and changed my life. I said right then and there that my life was not my own, "God I give you my all." Phil Strout, our senior pastor, often says it this way, "I’m a nickel in your pocket. Lord, spend as you will."
God does call us to share. In this passage land and money are the possessions. This is not some formula for social living, it's the kingdom of God at work in the heart of man that prompts action to give.
Some questions:What do I possess that may serve as a gift to others? What might God be asking me to give for His Kingdom and His glory? Am I willing to give?
Fellowship
by Mike Lyle on 11/16/10
Hey Pathway Vineyard Youth!
Starting up a blog to keep you posted and up-to-date on Sunday Night Talks. This past weekend we participated in the 1st annual Pathway Family Festival. I was very much reminded how fellowship and community are so vital to our Christian journey as I wolfed down two Fried Doughs on Friday night and stood amazed at the spectacular fireworks display Saturday night.
You may recall the Swiss Army knife I found in the multi-purpose room (Reminder: don't bring knives to youth group :0) ). A Swiss army knife has a ton of really neat tools and blades for all sorts of survival needs. In our Christian journey one of these tools of survival is fellowship. Acts 2:42 states, "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer." I love this language of fellowship. For all you Greek scholars, the Greek word for fellowship is koinania which is also explained as community, communion and joint participation. You may have heard about this "go against the flow mindset", you know that little picture of a fish swimming up stream against the usual common flow of the river. There is almost a rebellious spirit about going against the flow. It would be like trying to walk in the opposite direction of a crowded Times Square during New Years Eve. That is hard work. but if you gather two or three people and start convincing them to turn around and walk with you the task becomes easier, maybe not at first but as you gain fellowship the group grows and gets stringer. Think of the first believers and apostles. They, in a sense, created their own crowd and started walking in the direction of Christian fellowship, which was a taboo to the Jewish and Roman cultures of the day. Revivals throughout the centuries have also sparked a "one accord" mentality and created crowds of believers united in community with shared participation in what God was doing. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we went after what God is doing in the youth of central Maine, your high school. This fellowship we have at youth group, also known as RIOT, could be that crowd that grows and grows and allows other teens in the area to jump in and join in the fellowship.
See you this Sunday!
YP Mike
