11.08.07 – RE:ading: Exodus 12:1-30

RE:flect

“…for there was not a house [in Egypt] without someone dead.” Did you get that. Reflect on that. Take some time. Think about all of the Twin Cities—each house with a dead member. 3.5 million people in probably 600-800 thousand households. Think of the news.

I have always wondered why we, as Christians, don’t continue our calendar with the Jews? I have thought it odd that we start a new year around the time of Christ’s birth and not the death and resurrection of Christ. One thing I do know… I remember that the Blood of Jesus Christ will be my Passover blood. I do not need to fear Judgment (just so you know, I am smiling and giggling in my head at Dunn Bros. Coffee today as I write this statement – it feels so good to know this!!!). If you look at my “blog” it says I am 14 years old. And I really do appreciate August 8^th more than May 23^rd. I was baptized August 8^th, 1993 – after a year long journey towards Jesus Christ.

In the same ways the Jews celebrated the Passover each year (remember this is the very supper which was the LAST supper with the disciples… the very one that our communion each Sunday finds it origin in)… I have also change my life around. I see it differently. I am not perfect, but I am better. I fail so much at my position as a youth minister—seriously. I get paid to make sure I am full of the living water of Jesus—to give to others.. and I find myself, my priorities getting jumbled. I find that I wish I could catch up on the important stuff… while the urgent takes over…

But beyond all these failings, and the consequences of learning the hard way… I have a new perspective no matter what heights I am on at camp (or at Dunn Bros. today), or the lows of angry students, parents… or standing before you on a Sunday—wiped out from an over-nighter, and unable to give you my 100%. Thank God that I can see 14 years… and his power, and not the 30 years of whatever I was doing! Thanks be to God, who has buried that former self... and Valley Christian Church will never know that Josh, the former one, the one dead in sin, selfish and scared. I am alive, I will be passed over, delivered - -and my NEW celebration is on each August 8^th (usually at 9-10^th grade camp by the way).

RE:act

So, have you fallen into the hands of a Mighty God yet? Will you be “passed over” in the time of Judgment – what the Jews call “The Day” (we will hear that a lot when we hit the prophets). If you have not – consider that any Egyptian that would have put the blood on their door post would have been saved (anyone!)… then consider… are you like the Egyptian? Outside of Goshen? Would you like to be saved by the God of the Hebrews… the True and Living God? Placing your faith in Christ fulfills the Exodus (the exit) of the Jews in such a greater way!

If you are already saved and live without fear of eternal judgment – take some time to enjoy this today. Really. Don’t you just want to smile… or run around Dunn Bros. cheering (accept I would be asked to leave, or arrested by the cops having coffee here). Do you want to start a new tradition where you remember your day of Baptism is a unique way each year to see where you have come from and how far you still have to go?

RE:ply

Hey…

You think about the prayer today. I am sure yours would do much better than what I could write today!

“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)