Many moons ago one of our members asked me to design a quarter's class studies built around a theme. We came up with "A Place to Start Life Over". The theme caught on and has never left us. It's on our letterhead. It's on our canopy as one pulls into the parking lot. It's printed on the 4' x 8' rug as one enters the front doors. The phrase is on our hearts!
One man had not been to church in 20 years. Invited by his brother, when he saw the inscription on the entrance mat, he wondered if maybe he needed to start life over. He did and is now one of our best Bible class teachers.
Two congregations in Bristow, who had split a few decades ago, have now reunited and their new theme for their community? A Place to Start Life Over. Isn't this the call of God.......theme of Jesus? Isn't renewal the work of the Holy Spirit?
We remain amazed. The thought of starting life over is not our slogan. It's truly our life. We are renewed day by day. Every week someone is touched by the glorious thought that regardless of how dull and crummy we may have become, we can actually begin anew at this very moment.
Would you be encouraged at this moment that you are encountering friend upon friend who needs someone to assure them they can start over. I don't know of message which gives the general public more hope than this concept of God's.
6 comments:
I love living across the parking lot. Many mornings I've woken up and gone to look and remember that this applies to me too. Many mornings I need it.
God promised us His mercy is new every morning. It's so liberating to live among people who embrace His promise and offer it as their own to those who walk through the door.
If that's not our theme, we've missed a major aspect of who we are!
I like that it's just not a saying...it's a way of life. We may have it posted on cards, mats, and in the parking lot, but it's what we live. We have a body that is willing to let each person start over regardless of their mistakes. It's so refreshing to walk through the doors or pick up the phone and realize with each and every step and breath, we have a place on earth that we can start over. Just as each day with the Father, is a new day...to start over.
That is good news.
Amen!
Terry,
I am one that is grateful to get a do over from the one who gives a true do over.
Praise God for Who He is and What only He is able to do!
Paul
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