LIFE-TOGETHER THEMES

As as reflection of the life we have lived together over the past 10 years, here are a few overarching themes that have built and formed us that we shared on our last Sunday Gathering as a church community.


1. REMEMBER YOUR IDENTITY

Being comes before doing. Identity comes before activity.

“God, before doing hard things, remind me of my adoption. Before any gospel activity you’re calling me to do, remind me of my identity as beloved.”


2. REMEMBER JOY

Find the joy. In the lowest moments, fight to see the joy.

“God, when I am weak, give me your joy. When I am anxious, spark in me your joy. Strengthen me with your joy.”


3. REMEMBER TO NUMBER YOUR DAYS

Our disordered view of the past brings nostalgia or shame and our disordered view of the future brings doom and gloom. The gospel of Jesus allows us to see our past with gratitude and our future with hope. So, we live faithful in the present, sure he has redeemed our past and has secured our future.

“Teach me, God, that my days are limited and when I live into that, make my heart wise to live in your way.”


4 REMEMBER THE FREEDOM OF BOTH/AND.

Ditch the extremes. We can live in the realm of identity and activity. We can live in the world of joy and grief. We can live with with wisdom for our past and hope for the future.


But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
— 2 Peter 3:18
Tony Villatoro