When was the last time you stopped to check your perspective? When was the last time you took a time of quiet to hear from God? In the midst of a society where busyness means you are significant and important it is hard to do this. But, it is something that we need to be doing. When was the last time you put aside the busyness of life and took time to just hear from God?

 

            We all have a story. This story is of our lives - how we got to where we are now. The events, people, decisions and places that have shaped us. Have you ever thought about your story? Have you ever taken time to look at your life and how it has made you who you are today? We are all also invited to be a part of God's greater story. Have you ever thought about your part in this greater story?

  What would you say your values are? Are they actually how you live or are they ideals you would like to live out? Knowing what our values are is important. And knowing what values we live out is also important. So, what are your values? What does the way you live your life say your values are?

Do you ever feel like you are running on empty? Like you have nothing left to give? Nothing left inside of you? No emotions - no passion - no feelings - nothing? What do you do when you are in that spot? How do you get out of it?

Are you comfortable with the way that things are going in your life? Are you just going through life with no thought as to what life is like for other people around the world who do not have as much as we do? Sadly, this is often me and the way I am. But, it is not the way that I want to be.

             Do you have people around you that you can call on when you are in need? Do you have people around you that will celebrate life's joys with you? Do you have people  Naround you who will walk through life's sorrows with you?

In John 10:10 Jesus says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." I have so often wondered what exactly what Jesus meant when He said those words. What does life to the full really look like? What does it mean?

The following is a summary of what Mike Penninga shared at Alive's kickoff Monday September 22^, 2008.

Lots has happened since we last met in this place at the end of May.

And in my life, the last three months have brought me to a place I wasn't planning to be in when we wrapped Alive for the summer.....

Ever heard someone say that we need to be careful we do not become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good? Do you agree with that? Or is it maybe the opposite of that we need to worry about?

Have you ever thought about how you enter God's presence? Do you just rush in in the midst of your busy day? Do you run into church right before it starts with little or no time to spare? When you are in the presence of God are you just there to bring Him your "shopping list" of requests? Or do you spend time listening to Him as well?