The beginning....

I am so excited for the opportunity to get to know each of you on a more personal level, and I'm even more excited that we have the opportunity to learn more about our Savior!

Here's how this will work:
Every day I will post a blog entry that contains a devotion, and some questions relating to the devotion. Get a journal, and write down how you feel before, during, and after reading as well as your answer to the questions! Write anything and everything you feel God teaching you. Writing in your journal will not only make it easier for our weekly discussions to stay focused, but will document how much you have grown and changed in your time with God. And, of course you are more than welcome to leave comments directly to the blog entry as long as it is related to what we're discussing or what God is teaching you. Let's save our silly comments & non-devotion related comments for facebook! :)

The only day that will not receive a blog entry will be Sunday. Our hearts need to be focused on serving God and others at MLC, as well as what God will teach us through Shawn & Blake.

We will meet every Wednesday at Atlanta Bread Company (exit 14) at 7pm! If you can't make it, send me a text and let me know. I understand schedules change, and not everyone will be able to come every single meeting. That's ok! Just let me know so we can be prepared! Also, if you want your parents to see what we're discussing, or learning about-feel free to give them the blog link!

Now that all the details are out of the way, let's get started on our first devotion!

I heard a story about a woman that went scuba diving....eh, she tried to go scuba diving. She and her husband were totally pumped about getting under the surface of the ocean and just exploring together. Until....her husband got sea sick and she had a panick attack. The waves were too rough, and nothing about this experience went well. She was so dissappointed, but determined to get a look under the surface, rescheduled for the next day. The next attempt at scuba diving went much better. She and her husband plunged under the surface and were amazed at all God had created. Blowfish, coral, pink fish, starfish....it was truly breathtaking. She was so excited that she came up to the surface unbelievable excited and screaming things like "Look! A fish! Can you believe it?" (eh, it's okay to be uncool when you're experiencing something incredible.)

What's this have to do with a devotion or you? This is what I'm praying God does for you and I both as we blog, journal, and learn together. I want so very much to go deep with God. You would not believe the treasures God has in store for you, under the surface. You can't find this treasure through superficial conversations, just attending EVOLVE, or just serving others at church. You have to go deep. Spend time with God on your own, read His Word, dive into the truth that you hear at EVOLVE. You have to go against the current of our society. There will be obstacles like schedules, laziness, and who knows what else....but with persistence we will get under the surface, and finally see the beauty of God's word. We will learn more about the God we serve and His characteristics, we will learn more about ourselves and our value, and we will grow as individuals and as a group.

Will you prepare your hearts and minds to go under the surface with me?


Read Isaiah 55 (I like the NLT version.)

Rewrite your favorite part of Isaiah 55 as a prayer. (For example: "Lord, I am thirsty for you, and I come to you. Your word is like water to me, and I need you.") Just pour your heart out through prayer. Let God know where you are right now. Are you drained? Are you wilted? At the end of your rope? Let Him know that you are ready to listen to His word, and have a desire for Him.