My wife was given a beautiful book recently. It is the story of one woman's quest to live life fully. At one point the author pens this confession, "If I'm ruthlessly honest, I may have said yes to God, yes to Christianity, but really, I have lived the no." 
Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts


We live the no?

Humanity's inheritance: unbelief, discontent, distrust. Doubting the goodness of God. Unsatisfied with what he promises. And it goes all the way back to the garden. It began with the serpent's conversation with Adam and Eve, asking that opposing question, "Did God say?"

"The serpent said to the woman, 'You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" Genesis 3:4-5

Aha! It is the lie that grabs hold of the mind and strangles faith: God is holding out on me, and he doesn't really mean what he says.

Somewhere along the line the serpent whispers and we choose to believe the lie that God isn't good and he is holding out on us. We want more! Suspicion and ingratitude creep in, growing like weeds in an untended garden, choking out the peace and joy we were meant to experience through faith as creatures who were created in the image of a faithful God. We give God his due, but live as if he doesn't exist...or he is powerless...or he is indifferent to what happens here.

We have said yes to God, yes to Christianity, but we live the no?

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!"
Psalm 84:11-12

Today, friends, may we stretch out our arms in gratitude and surrender, boldly daring to trust, choosing to live, doing the yes.

Live the Yes!

Greg

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Sunday, April 15:  Breakfast Club
Meet at Greg & Jeane's house at 10:30 AM for potluck brunch followed by Communion Service. Join us for this good time of fellowship. Please car-pool if you can; parking is limited.


Monday, April 16:  Beth Moore's "Daniel" DVD Series
This week we pick up on Lesson #5 - The Handwriting on the Wall. We get this well-known phrase right out of the scriptures from Daniel, fifth chapter. Come find out what happened when Belshazzar saw the handwriting on the wall. Peace Lutheran Church at 7:15 PM. Bring a snack to share if you wish.

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COMING UP

Saturday, April 21:  Life Discovery Garage Sale, 6:30 am - 2 pm
Spring is here and it's time to clean out that garage or closet. All proceeds will go to Life Discovery.

The garage sale will take place at Elly's house: 3615 W Mauna Loa, Phoenix 85053.
Items can be dropped off at Elly's on:
Thursday, April 19th, 6-9 pm, or
Friday, April 20th, 5-9 pm, or
Call Sandy at 623-581-0499 if you need to arrange another time on Friday. (If you have larger furniture items, please plan to bring them on Friday.)

We are also in need of people to help on Saturday. If you are able to help out during the sale please contact Sandy at 623-581-0499. Thanks in advance for showing your support. Let's make it a good sale!


Sunday, April 29:  AZ Science Center Van Gogh Alive Exhibition
Group Tickets: $20.00 per person
Spend a Sunday wandering through the many great exhibits at the AZ Science Center. Over 300 hands-on exhibits in five themed galleries. Cost of the tickets include entrance to museum, Van Gogh Alive and Planetarium Show - Grand Tour of the Planets. I-Max Theater shows available for additional cost. A reasonably-priced restaurant is on-site.

Meet at the Park & Ride at Bell Road and I-17 at 9 AM on Sunday morning, April 29.....or meet outside the museum at 10 AM. We must go in as a group to qualify for discount tickets. Your money for the ticket must be paid by April 15th! Call Elly to sign up at 623-210-1300.