Dead is Dead

   Hello followers of my blog. This Sunday July 3 we continue our journey through a very helpful book on spiritual transformation called Lazarus Life by Stephen Smith. This week we talk about Lazarus is Dead and in the tomb. Dead, Dead.

   There are always times when we feel that something died, don't you? Things die. Plans and dreams we have. Just look at the struggle we are having as a nation with the dream our forefathers and mothers had for this land, including those who came here across the ice bridge into Alaska a long long time ago. Looking for something better, for a chance to follow a dream.

   God can really help us transform and become new creatures when we admit that it's dead. Until then we think if we do something right, it will all change. We think if we can just push the right button, come up with the correct diagnosis and follow the prescription, or even say the prayers right, we will get back to where we want to be.

   The trouble with that plan, is it mostly leaves God's plan out of the picture. God sometimes wants our plan to be dead, so the Creator can make the transformation that will bring us back to real life, God's life plan. Being dead means we finally let go and let God. It's too bad most of us have to get that dead, before we admit we really need God's help to do this right. The Lazarus Life story gives us some ideas when we are that dead, and I hope to explore them in the sermon coming up this weekend.

   The hardest part is really using the dead time, to reconnect to our Creator. To admit that we have planned ourselves to death, and we would not want that anymore. God comes in with a gift of love and forgiveness, and with our permission to make changes and to guide our changing, we can come back to life. To have life as it was supposed to be in the first place.

   I'm in just as much need of transformation as anyone. I can be as stubborn as a mule, just ask my kids and my wives. (see what stubborn can lead you to!) One at a time, however. There are lots of plans we make, even if we think they are what God would want, that have to be put in the tomb. Tomb time is hard, but important.

   May God comfort you through the tomb time. May you give God a moment or two or plenty, to help you transform to be able to come out of the tomb. I'm trying, come and join in. Comment below, it will show up in my inbox.

Pastor Jeff