Yo Yo Effect

"Baby it's cold outside!" That's one of the creepiest "holiday" tunes played during December (have you ever paid attention to the lyrics??), but it's certainly the case today. Cold is normal for February, not the warm temps we had earlier in the week. Check out this tweet from Pete Delkus of Channel 8 in Dallas:


And here's the ten day forecast:


So... cool today, warm and sunny tomorrow and Saturday, cold and rainy (thank you, Jesus) Sunday through Wednesday, then warm and sunny again. I am a cold weather guy. But the bouncing around is making me crazy!

When I was a kid, I loved yoyos. My boys play with them too every now and then. I could never do any tricks with them, but it was always a fun, simple toy, that is until the string became tangled and you were left with a useless plastic or wood paperweight.


Our recent weather makes me think of yoyos. Down. Up. By the way: in places like Hawaii, where the weather never changes-- what do folk talk about? Anyway, life in the church often feels like a "yoyo effect" has taken place. Sometimes you are strong in your attendance and participation. And then... boom... it's been three weeks or more since you were in Sunday school. One of the biggest spiritual challenges folk face today is the church's lack of relevance. There are all kinds of reasons/excuses for it, but the reality is: the fully dedicated, in worship unless unable to come Christian is an endangered species. Here at Grace we see this in things like participation in Bible studies, Sunday school, or committee meetings. Up. Down.

This Sunday in the message we are still exploring the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:21-37 this week. Jesus speaks directly to our spiritual need, calling us to live in to a new vision of what it means to follow God. And our epistle reading, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, really pushes our yoyo tendencies: "And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh" (verses 1-3). Ouch.

If we each put a stronger effort in to our relationship with God, we will see renewed passion and vitality in our lives, our church, and our community. Just the little start we have made at Wakefield Elementary as readers is already making an impact, and there is much more to come. Let's not yoyo around with those kids, or anyone else God puts in our path. Starting this Sunday, let's show up for worship, ready to sing, pray, listen, reflect, and experience God's grace.

Just make sure to bring your sunblock, umbrella, parka, de-icer, galoshes, fans, and sunglasses.

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