Identity Renewed - Revolution ONE80

One of my favorite things to think about is identity. I think it's what the Bible is all about. Creating an identity for a people who want to live according to the truth. For the Israelite it was an identity as a people of the book, who obviously found their identity in the law because it was given to them by God. For us as the church it is an identity in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

One of my professors likened the Old Testament to a scrapbook. A stitching together of various memories and pictures, poem and songs, quotes and stories that are meant to show a larger story. What is the point of a scrapbook? To show identity to those who follow after. To show, this is who we are and this is why we are the way we are.

We've been talking about it our youth group Revolution ONE80...we've just recently added the "Revolution" because it describes what I feel needs to happen to see true ONE80 life change in our students and in our city. It's caused me to reflect on what goes into forming an identity and to respect how amazing of a job the Bible did at forming the identity of a people, especially seeing as it was written and compiled over 2000 some years and received by people in different cultures, socioeconomic standing, educations, and more. This is how I feel about our group sometimes, like it is very disjointed with student of every age, maturity, economic status, different schools and cities, and places on their faith journey. That's why I feel we need something of a Revolution. Something of the power of the Word and Spirit of God that will work beyond us.

So who are we? We are a passionate community of young people seeking to bring revolutionary life change to the youth and city of Santa Cruz by following the example of Jesus. Do I feel like that's who we are right now? Probably not, but that is who we are becoming.

Film Competition

Check out this film competition in Spain where people were asked to show what Jesus meant to them in one minute or less without using traditional Christian symbols, which some did, but that's okay. Many of the films are very creative and it seems like a great exercise to take part in.

http://www.el-es.es/videos.php?page=1

You can also vote for your favorite which will help the judges decide the winner.

Homeless Jesus

Came across this painting while looking for images for our "Last Days of Jesus" series at Revolution ONE80. Thought it was a moving and thought provoking image.

Video renewed

I finally got the sound working on the video from my last blog post. Sorry about that.

The Next Generation of Worship Leaders

Here's my girl rockin a tune on the guitar and singing backup vocals. Won't take too long until she's ready to sing lead for Dad who has trouble staying on pitch.

Family Quiz

I made this quiz for our Elephant in the Room series that our church is starting this Sunday. Totally unrealistic, but kind of fun and brings out some different family types we'll be discussing.

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Sabbath

December 28, our church didn't have service so Kendra and I visited Vintage Faith. Their hospitality director was speaking about Sabbath. Something I feel pretty familiar with conceptually and theologically. It is something that I am horrible in practically. I am addicted to doing. This is not just a personal problem, but I transpose it onto others as well.

Case in point, (besides the rest of my personal life) it is really bugging me that for our snow camp this year we are not having a morning chapel. I so badly want my kids to be doing God stuff, to be doing productive things instead of "playing" all day. I am having to breathe. Hopefully I'll learn to breathe in other areas of my life too.