What’s the connection between Easter and fixing conflicts?  At Mosaic, we’re beginning a new, very practical teaching series on Easter Sunday morning:  “Resolving Conflict”.  A team of us will be sharing principles for identifying core issues and repairing primary relationships.  What could make your life better than that?  We often live with ongoing conflict–when it’s not necessary.

When the fixes we’ve tried don’t work- do we look outside ourselves and our home-made mechanisms?  Invest in yourself and the people you love.  Get some tools that will help you in the future!

April, May and June 2009 we’re dedicating to prayer.  We’re not just bringing our long list of “needs” to the Lord this time.  For the next three months, we’re setting our hearts to listen to what’s on God’s heart.  What are his plans for Mosaic’s future?  What obstacles are in our way?  What longer-term purposes are we to prepare for?

Over the next 10-12 weeks we’ll be sending out prayer emails- with scripture and prayer points, listening points.  PLEASE take the time to read them!

On Wednesday night May 20, and June 17, we’ll block out 90 minutes for prayer at the Walnut Hill facility.  Childcare will be provided.  No preaching will occur- just a brief opening sharing, the rest of the time will be for listening and intercession.  If Mosaic is your home church, please block out the time to attend one or both of these meetings.

PRAY for this Sunday.  Easter is one of the two largest visitor attendance Sundays of the year.  Is the Holy Spirit guiding you to invite someone in your life?  Follow His lead- we’re often surprised to discover how much preparation He’s been doing in people’s lives!  Remember–church attendance doesn’t change lives, God’s love does.  But He still uses us, and the training and care that people receive in community.

With gratefulness to God for this great Mosaic Family,

Don Riling  (lead pastor- Mosaic Church)

Comments(0)

One of the most profound statements in scripture is what Jesus says about children in Mark 10:14, 15. People were bringing their kids to Jesus to be blessed. However, the disciples didn’t think kids were a priority.  They rebuked the parents for bothering Jesus with the “less important”. The passage goes on to say… when Jesus saw this he became indignant. He said to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms and blessed them.

Jesus’ statement was insightful and showed his anger. Jesus was ticked off–I like that! He was irritated at the way children were not valued in the faith community. Also, Jesus essentially told his disciples–unless they were relating to the kingdom of God as children do, they were not going to be a part of it! Was Jesus saying that kids are closer to the kingdom than adults are? I think so.

As I see our younger Mosaic members every week, I think I have seen some of what Jesus saw in the children. He saw that kids were underestimated within the faith community. I believe Jesus saw God-given gifts in those children, but the adults had not and therefore were missing out! I also think Jesus was saddened–he saw that each adult was undervalued during childhood.

We were created to be part of the kingdom of God, a part of the body of Christ from birth.  Most likely, each adult reading this was undervalued from an early age. Why? Traditionally, the Church has not fully recognized God’s gifting in children, nor has it valued children as much as adults. (For further study, read 1 Cor.12:12-27.)

On the outside children are small in stature and physically weak. But on the inside, they touch a part of the kingdom that we adults have become disconnected from. As adults, if we neglect to reconnect with God, we will find ourselves on the outside of His kingdom.

This month take some time with the youngest members of our faith community and observe them. You are welcome to schedule a visit to any class with Susan Crist or myself. I hope you will see that the young ones have something we “more mature ones” need. I’m not going to describe it or tell you what it is, you’ll have to experience it for yourself!

-Eric

Comments(0)