This past Monday was the first on our Lenten Series called Radical Renovation. We learned that Just as a house can be rebuilt after it has fallen into disrepair or devastation, so God can enter into our brokenness and completely rebuild our lives so that we can become the kind of people in whom the Living Christ can become a tangible reality in this world.

What a wonderful thought. We can never become so rundown that God cannot renovate or rebuild us.

We talked about DISCIPLESHIP and SERVANTHOOD Monday evening. One of the Scriptures we read was Philippians 2: 5-8.

Our pastor suggested that we might not think so much about what we will give up for Lent as much as think about what we can do extra for Lent. He has asked us to Take Up The Cross..do some community service, or study the Bible more, or go that extra mile to help someone.

We talked about Mark 8: 27-38 This is where Jesus is asking his disciples , Who do they say he is, meaning other people, not the disciples. Then Jesus asked Peter, "Who do YOU say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

Jesus talked about what he, as the Son of Man would be going though. The disciples didn't get it. They just didn't understand Things of God vs. Thing of Men.

Radical Renovation represents change. Change in behavior or attitude. In other words, we can be changed to have an Attitude of Gratitude. We are not to let our possessions possess us. We can ask God to change that part of us.

We don't have the right to brag about being a Christian. It is our responsibility to teach others about God. Sometimes we get so caught up in our cultures that they become our religion.

We, just like a renovation, always seem to get into more than we bargained for. We want God to change us, but we want to hold on to it all. We need to give thing up and Let God take over.

Many times we want Christianity so we can be "religious" which has nothing to do with being a Christian. We want Christianity to be easy and convenient for us...Don't let it interfere with our own lifestyle. We don't want to give up our old ways and become new. We are too comfortable with the old building or the old behaviors.

A new way of looking at the word GREATNESS

Gratitude
Reliability
Enthusiasm
Accountability
Tenacity
Nobility
Excellence
Sensitive
Spirituality

The world's definition of Greatness is... "We are here to be served."
A Christian's definition of Greatness is... "We are here to serve."

We learned that there are three points of contact on the cross. They are The hands, the back and the feet.

Let's ask ourselves the question, "Am I here to be served or am I here to serve?

HE = Hope and Encouragement

Another Scripture to read is 2 Timothy 4:3

Discipleship...Following Jesus

Servanthood...Wanting to serve others rather than being served.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for your love for us and wanting to make us new and renovate us from the inside out. Let us look for ways to go the extra mile this Lenten Season and see how we can better serve others. In your precious name I pray, Amen