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Acts 1:6-11 - Questions for Reflection/Prayer

"Therefore let this principle abide with us, that on the road we ... live as travelers, as pilgrims, as guests of the world ..." - 6th Century Irish mystic, Columbanus

In this week's sermon, we explored a classic way of looking at our Christian life:  a journey back home to dwell with God.  This pilgrimage is embodied in one of Jesus' most famous parables:  the story of the prodigal son.  We begin at home.  We choose an alternative path.  We find life's trials too much and our capabilities too small. Perhaps we have a change of heart.  We realize what we've left.  We desire to return.  The moment we set out for home, we find our "father" running to meet us and embrace us.  We are received.  We are embraced, and riches are poured out upon us in an extravagant manner.

In Acts, chapter 1, we see Jesus completing the journey for us (Heb. 12:2).  He ascends into heaven, thereby opening up the possibility for our own return to the Father.

1.  Where do you feel like you are on your journey towards God?  On a week to week basis, do you find yourself feeling "far from home" more often than not (including feeling estranged from yourself)?

We looked at three major dangers lurking in the "adulthood" of our journey through life:  currents, focusing on mastering our craft, and succumbing to worldly comfort.

2.  Of the following currents, which ones pose the greatest threat to you:  the current of materialism (and its friends, envy & jealousy), the current of fear, or the current of paying too much attention to media cycles.

3.  It's been said that Americans live to work, whereas other cultures "work to live."  How would you know if you are putting too much of your self-worth into your performance or career?  What do you think Wes meant when he said we are called to be "kingdom-dwellers not kayakers?"

St. Augustine is famous for saying, "our hearts are restless, O God, until they rest in thee?"

4.  What activities or habits help you to feel at rest in God?

5.  List three goals for yourself this week that will help you rest and draw your strength and encouragement from God (i.e. - "I will spend five minutes a day reading my Bible," or "I will slow down when I'm eating my lunch this week and try to be mindful.")

Final reflection:  Take a moment to read these thoughts from Richard Reece.  Ask God to help you move beyond false gospels to find a deeper current of joy and peace in Christ:

"We can't go online, listen to television or radio, or even open our mail without being assailed by the seductive and well-financed preachers of consumerism, narcissism, and fear.

"The false gospel of consumerism insists that happiness can be found in things, that our security is in direct proportion to our possessions.  Even - it's called the 'prosperity gospel' - that material success is evidence of God's favor.

"The false gospel of narcissism proclaims that our worth is determined by our physical looks or by the admiration of others.  That our highest aspiration should be celebrity, or at least a record number of friends on social media.  That I make moral decisions based on 'what's in it for me.'

"The false gospel of fear sounds a constant alarm, threatening the loss of our possessions, our freedom, or even our lives at the hands of whichever 'others' we blame at any given moment.

"Our Gospel, the one we are called to preach by our words and acts, contradicts each of these.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses the poor and the meek, and it embraces the outcast.  It preaches putting the needs of others before our own.  It tells us, 'fear not,' because the love of our Lord is perfect, and 'perfect love casts out fear' (1 John 4:18)."

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