Tag: faith

Easter Mountain Climbing

As we observe Good Friday this week, we have time to reflect on a theme that we also explored last week—mountains. Specifically, we draw inspiration from Isaiah 2:1-4, where the mountain symbolizes a place of encountering God, learning, and mutual growth. This Easter, I invite you to view our collective spiritual journey through the lens of ascending a sacred mountain—a journey that ties in with our exploration last week of “The Second Mountain” by David Brooks.

The Mountain of the Lord: Easter’s Call to Ascent

Easter is a season of renewal, resurrection, and reawakening. It invites us to contemplate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ultimate journey from the valley of death to the pinnacle of new life. This ascent to the “mountain of the Lord,” as Isaiah envisions, symbolizes our call to move closer to God, seeking His ways and walking in His paths.

Connecting the Mountains

Last week, we reflected on the metaphor of climbing two mountains. The first mountain is about personal ambitions and success, while the second mountain focuses on selflessness, commitment, and service to others. This Easter, we’re reminded that there is yet another mountain to climb—the one where we meet God in His majesty, learning His ways and committing to walk in His paths.

From the Valley to the Mountain Top

Easter is a good time to reflect on the valleys of our lives—moments of suffering, doubt, and death. Yet, it offers a profound hope that, with God’s help, we can conquer these valleys! (can I get an Amen!?) The resurrection of Jesus signifies that the darkest valley can (and did) lead to the highest mountain, where eternal life and peace reign.

The Communal Journey Upward

Isaiah’s vision of the mountain of the Lord is not just an individual ascent; it’s a group invitation. “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.'” This echoes the importance of community and service we discussed last week. As we climb towards Easter’s promise, we do so together, supporting and uplifting each other in faith.

Embracing Easter’s Journey

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, let’s embrace the journey from the valley to the mountaintop. Let’s renew our commitment to learn from God, to walk in His paths, and to do so together as men who support each other in every way possible and always want the best for each other.

Reflection Questions for Easter Ascent

1. How does the Easter story of resurrection inspire you to get through valleys? And, if you are comfortable sharing, what valleys are you emerging from, and what mountain are you climbing now?

2. The journey to the mountain of the Lord is a communal one. How does your faith community come together to support each other in this ascent? How can you contribute to this journey?

3. Similar to the last question, as we collectively ascend the mountain of the Lord, what do the words “leave no man behind” mean to you? What are some ways we can live out that idea?

4. Imagine reaching the mountain of the Lord, as described by Isaiah. What emotions and thoughts does this evoke in you?

5. Isaiah speaks of learning the ways of the Lord. How can you, in this Easter season, commit to learning more about God’s ways and applying them in your life?

Embracing the Eternal over the Momentary

Today’s topic was inspired by Scott Edwards who bravely fought brain cancer for many years but ultimately passed away last week. Many of you in this group likely attended his funeral yesterday. His life was a great example of how we should dedicate ourselves to eternal purposes and not to short-lived or materialistic pursuits. So, we dedicate this lesson to Scott and the legacy of love and faith he left behind as he entered the gates of heaven.

We talked recently about how easy it is to get caught up in the worries and distractions of our daily existence. Yet, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 offers a meaningful perspective, urging us to look beyond the immediate: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Today we’ll focus on three key elements from this verse – minimizing worry, being present, and focusing on the eternal.

Finding Peace in the Midst of Turmoil

1. Embracing a Worry-Free Life: Our earthly troubles, though they may seem overwhelming, are described as “light and momentary” in the grand scheme of God’s plan. This perspective invites us to surrender our worries to God, trusting in His eternal wisdom and plan.

2. Being Present in Every Moment: In a world that’s constantly rushing towards the next big thing, this verse reminds us of the value of being present. Every day is an opportunity to experience God’s love and to showcase that love to others.

3. Focusing on the Eternal: Our culture often emphasizes material success and visible achievements. However, what truly matters is often unseen – the growth of our spirit, the love we share, and the faith that guides us.

Applying Eternal Perspectives in Daily Life

Not Worrying: How can we practically shift our focus from worry to trust in God’s plan? It involves a daily commitment to prayer, reflection, and consciously choosing to trust in God’s promises.

Being Present: It’s not just about physically being there, but also about being emotionally and spiritually engaged with those around us. It can be as simple as truly listening to someone or as profound as being fully aware of God’s presence in every moment possible.

Focusing on the Eternal: This means prioritizing our spiritual growth and the well-being of others over worldly gains. It’s about making choices that align with our faith and eternal destiny, not just with immediate desires or societal expectations.

Questions:

1. How effectively do you let go of worries and focus on God’s eternal plan in your daily life? If you are skilled in this area, please share some of your tips with the group.

2. “On paper” being present is so simple. So why is it so hard for us to master?

3. Can you share an experience where being fully present in the moment led to a deeper spiritual insight or personal connection?

4. In what ways can we encourage each other to prioritize eternal values over temporary successes? How can we best support each other in this worth pursuit?

5. How does the distinction between what is seen and unseen affect your decision-making and life priorities?

Aligning Our Resolutions with our Faith

As we usher in another new year, it’s common for many of us to set resolutions. But have you ever wondered how this tradition aligns with our Christian faith? In this post, we’ll explore the concept of New Year’s resolutions from a Christian viewpoint and how we can use this tradition to enhance our spiritual journey. New Year’s resolutions, while secular in nature, can have deep spiritual implications when viewed through the lens of faith.

Aligning Resolutions with Christian Values

1. Spiritual Growth: Consider resolutions that enhance your spiritual life. This could be committing to daily prayer, regular Bible study, or participating more actively in church activities.

2. Serving Others: Jesus taught us the importance of serving others. Your resolutions could involve volunteering at a local charity, helping neighbors, or simply being more present and available for people in need.

3. Improving Personal Virtues: Think about personal virtues like patience, kindness, humility, and self-control. Setting goals to improve in these areas can be an effective way to live out Christian values.

4. Physical Health: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Resolutions around better physical health – whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or quitting harmful habits – honor this biblical principle.

5. Family and Relationships: Strengthening family bonds and mending strained relationships can also be a focus. The Bible places great emphasis on the value of family and loving relationships.

Challenges and Staying the Course

It’s common to face challenges or even fail in keeping up with resolutions but every day is a new beginning in God’s grace. Persistence, prayer, and reliance on God’s strength are key to successfully sticking with resolutions. It’s also helpful to remember that resolutions are not just about personal improvement, but about growing closer to God and living out His will in our lives.

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions and personal transformation, it’s essential to reflect on the important message found in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse reminds us that our journey in faith is not just about superficial changes or temporary resolutions. It’s about a deep, transformative process that occurs when we truly embrace our faith in Christ. As new creations in Christ, we’re called to shed our old ways, habits, and sins, and embrace a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth. This transformation is at the heart of our Christian walk.

Questions:

1. What Christian values/concepts are important to consider when setting New Year’s resolutions?

2. How can you align your personal goals for the year with your spiritual life?

3. Do you have an example of a time when you struggled with a resolution and how your faith helped you to overcome that challenge.

4. How can we support each other in our community in achieving our resolutions?

5. What role does prayer and reliance on God play in setting and achieving your New Year’s resolutions?