What we can learn from a mob flash

Ever since I subscribed to Netflix I have been watching some weird documentaries. They are often very thought provoking. They can be interesting, something that I strongly disagree with, or something that is just challenging. I think it is helpful to be challenged by things that we disagree with. Some parts of these documentaries can be rather offensive, but I do gain a broader perspective from them.

One documentary that I recently watched was 24 Hours on Craig’s list. Craig’s List is an internet site where you can buy used items, advertise events, and more. While some parts of it were weird and offensive with the perspectives of people who were emotionally/mentally disturbed (so I prayed for them), there were some things that were just quirky, and one thing that made me think.

One event that was advertised was called a “mob flash.” There were very specific directions for what to do in this mob flash. It was an invitation for a large group of people (anyone can come) to all meet at a particular place and does specific things at specific times. The documentary showed a random game of duck-duck goose with a couple hundred people. Anyone who wanted to was invited to meet and hang out afterwards. A person interviewed said, “I haven’t played that game since I was five! I had such a great time!

Another flash mob met in the lobby of a large business. At once they all acted like they were falling asleep. A few minutes later at the planned time everyone got up, looked refreshed, and left. Again, anyone who wanted to met at a place and hung out.
What an awesomely fun idea!

While I realize that not everyone can pick up and do something like that which is so spur of the moment, but many young people live just like that. I love the concept of meeting together for fun and letting relationships flow naturally. This is how my relationships have helped me grow in my faith. I believe that it just makes sense. Worship services, Bible meetings, and personal time with God is great and vital, but we can also grow through doing life together! We all need relationships that keep us accountable, teach us, challenge us, and encourage us.

My version of the abundant life

Jesus said"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 NASB) I realize that this has numerous implications. Jesus did not come to simply make us happy. He came to give us a fuller life-an eternal life, and a relationship with Him. I could go on and on about the difference that Christ can make in a person's life, but I will just say that He does make an incredible difference. We can be satisfied, fulfilled, and have inner peace.

With all that being said, I feel like one of the ways in which my relationship with God plays out is through being joyful. I really enjoy life. Smiles and laughter are often contagious.

I had spoken with a guy at the Juvenile Detention Center that I work with a few months ago about his eternal destiny. He told me, "I have a grandfather that is a preacher and I know a lot of what the Bible says. I know that according to the Bible if I were to die right now that I would go to hell. I'm not ready to change." At first this guy would get on my nerves occasionally, but now we get along well. He told me the other night-"Dave, you're not like 99% percent of the world. You just don't care what people think about you." I had encouraged him to seek refuge in the Lord on a couple of occasions, but I think that what God may be working through the most is being enjoying life and being silly. This same guy that I work with recorded my first utube video recently. It is really typical daily silly stuff that I do, but people have found it amusing and I hope that you will too. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sa1ixiJ6t0 If that doesn't work you can go to utube and search under Dave's safety dance. There are so many awesome silly moments that are not caught on video-but I am glad that I am finally on utube. Often most people settle in life. I hope and pray that people around the world would find more and more the truly abundant life that Jesus Christ intended us to experience.

That's in the Bible....?

I was talking with some friends recently debating faith issues in a non-attacking way. One guy said something that didn't sound quite right and said, "and that's in the Bible." It may have been in the Bible, but I'm not confident of it. There are a lot of saying that sound like the Bible, but really aren't there. It is important to be able to see what is cultural or from tradition and what is really from the Bible.

I don't have the entire Bible memorized by any stretch of the imagination, but I have been studying it for years-on my own, in church, and through formal higher education. Lately in my discussions about faith issues I have been trying to reference the book that I am quoting (or paraphrasing). I think it adds credibility to what I am saying and gives a point of reference for further questioning-which I think is very healthy.

The Bible is an amazing book. It was written over a period of more than 2,000 years with over 30 different authors and it doesn't contradict itself. I look for ways that it appears to contradict and I continue to find that the Bible is completely trustworthy. A book like that is nothing short of an incredible miracle of divine intervention. It's not a rule book in the way that a lot of people think. I see the Bible as God's love letter to humanity and as our road map for life. It is often easy to say, "oh I've heard that before" and to think that we know all we need to know. I would encourage everyone (myself included) to try to look at the Bible with a fresh pair of eyes. It is not like other books. It is worth reading through carefully, praying through, exploring further, striving to understand better, and trusting. It is so rich with truth. I recommend that we all give the Bible a chance as we hang out with God and let God pour the rich truths of this awesome book into our lives.