Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

Consider the most recent statistics from the Pew Research Center: Currently, 43% of U.S. adults identify with Protestantism, down from 51% in 2009 One-in-five adults (20%) are Catholic, down from 23% in 2009 17% of Americans now describe their religion as "nothing in particular," up from 12% in 2009 Only about one-in-three Millennials say they attend religious services at least once or twice a month -From an email from the Leadership Network. so what do those stats say? 1. There is a lot of work to do. 2. The door is open for the harvest field. 3. The workers are few. 4. There is a lot of work to do. Who is with me? Let's Go and make disciples …. our backyards are a mission field.

The Age of Aslan. Key Verse: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1: 21 (New International Version) Read: Revelation 21 “And as He spoke (Aslan) He no longer looked to them like a lion; but things that began to happen after that that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all stories, and we can truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of The Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” (pg. 210 CS Lewis The Last Battle) Jesus. The Great Lion of Judah. Lamb of God. The One who took away our sins. Jesus, who came, lived, died, rose and is coming aga

Edmund the Just Key Verse: “Fear God. Do what he tells you.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13 The Message. Read Romans 3, 6: 1 – 11. Edmund presents the whole problem of mankind: sinfulness. Traitor. Tempted. He is caught in his own greed and by the White Witch’s lure. After Edmund is rescued, he and Aslan have a private conversation. No one hears what they say – but it changes Edmund forever. Afterwards, Edmund apologizes and all is forgiven. There seems to be two sides to Edmund. That of bad: temper, lying; and that of good: repenting, fights the battle, helps defeat some of the Witch’s schemes. Edmund is seen as unrighteous. One forgiveness is given though Edmund stands up for the truth and is still seen not as his former self but as an heir to the throne. Thoughts to Ponder: 1. What side of Edmund am I currently like? 2. How can I be more forgiving of others? 3. What is something I can do to see that justice and mercy is given to those that need it? 4. How hard is it to

Lucy the Valiant. Key Verse: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Read Daniel 1. Daniel 3: 16 – 26. Lucy was known as the youngest of the Pevensie children. She was the first to discover Narnia (though actually not the first human to be there though ummm Read The Magician’s Nephew aka The Professor who was there before). Lucy set an example of Faith and that of love in all she did. She didn’t back down. Lucy seemed very similar to the valiant antics of Shadrock, Meshach, and Abednego. Lucy had trust that Aslan(God) would be there to help no matter what. Lucy’s persistence to tell the story of Narnia was evident. I wonder how we are to tell our story being a part of God’s story? Thoughts to ponder: 1. How are you setting an example? 2. How is your own trust in God? 3. How persistent are you? Are you telling people the good news of Jesus? 4. Lucy, also played a

Queen Susan The Gentle Key Verse: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2 New International Version. Read Galatians 5: 13 – 6:10. As a daughter of Eve, Susan was the eldest. Susan tried to talk and see the sensible things in this world. Her own heroic moment was with Lucy to witness one of the greatest moments recorded in History. The death of Aslan the Lion. The parallel is seen in John 19:25 – 30.(go ahead and read that) And then the resurrection of Aslan. Susan had the mothering instinct. She was gentle and kind. One of her last quotes before entering the wardrobe from Narnia to home was …”let us go on and take the adventure that shall fall to us.” Pg. 187. Are you taking the adventure? Thoughts to ponder: 1. How can I be more like Susan to others? Be Gentle? 2. What does it mean to bear one anothers’ burdens? 3. What adventure are you on? How is your faith journey? 4. What do you think it would be like to

Peter the Magnificent. Key Verse: “You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” - Matthew 16:18 The Message. Read Matthew 16: 13 – 20. John 21: 1 – 19. “Rise up, Sir Peter Wolf’s Bane. And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword.” – pg. 133 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Have you ever dreamed of being a hero? As Peter learns, imagining brave feats and doing them are two different things. Peter, in the Chronicles, is similar to the Peter in the New Testament. Both made mistakes. Both overcame obstacles to proclaim who the true King was. Both used swords for battle. (Literally and figuratively) We, much, like Peter are in a battle today. Spiritual battles abound. The question comes down to what are you doing to make right choices and in your first battle? “Peter did not feel very brave; indeed he felt he was going to be sick.

Each Day this week I'm posting the devotional booklet I did for a theme of camp based upon the Chronicles of Narnia ..The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. With a sister church, Fairmount Christian hosting 7 shows based upon this ...I'd thought be appropriate for this week. Here is this intro: BTW the Camp was Park Springs and the dean was Dave Farris. 2006. HOW TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE QUIET TIME Starting this week, I'm going to be reviewing and posting a booklet from a week of Camp I did for 2006. The Theme was the Chronicles of Narnia and this was the opening of the booklet to have an effective quiet time. I'll be posting the First Devotional in the next post. Each day we looked at a different character of the Book. The 4 children and then Aslan. Each morning we set aside time so you can keep that appointment to grow closer to God. Some call this meditation, others call it devotions. It doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you spend time with God. Here i