The “Compass” is back! Over the past few weeks our communications team has been working feverishly to streamline all the ways in which Mariners’ information is conveyed. What that means for us: better web design, smoother communication, easier interaction, and the reintroduction of the hotly anticipated Compass note.

Last week, Doug Fields introduced us to the Gospel of Luke. Luke begins his gospel without fairy tale fluff or mythical fantasy. He talks about conveying to his benefactor with certainty the things that he has been taught about Jesus. In so many ways, Luke’s gospel is for us. It’s about regular people who weren’t eyewitnesses to Jesus, trying to understand if he really is who he says he is. That’s why this series, THE OUTSIDERS GUIDE TO JESUS, is such a great one to include friends who have “been taught” or who have heard things about Jesus, but aren’t yet fully convinced about him.

When people encounter Jesus, they find that he calls them to a life of adventure. And, while we really do like the idea of adventure, we’re a little scared off by that idea. To make the point, Doug gave us the image of three different kinds of bikes (Perhaps you remember that video of the father helping his kid to take his first bike ride).

For a lot of us, we choose a tricycle kind of faith where life is unmistakably safe. It’s a life filled with predictability with very little challenge to our present way of living. Others of us choose a “big girl/big boy bike” with training wheels. It’s the kind of faith where life is full of a lot more motion and activity. The training-wheels-faith has the illusion of being fully adventurous without any of the risks associated with adventure. But there was one more model: a real bike without training wheels. It’s the kind of faith requiring trust. It’s a faith that Jesus calls his people to choose. It’s a faith where there is more freedom and more danger than all the others. But, it’s the kind of life we were intended to have. It’s the life of fullness we have been seeking.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll encounter Jesus calling people to follow him. We’ll see the way in which Luke talks about God’s intention to “enflesh” Himself amid people who suffer shame and grief, pain and abandonment, and loneliness and isolation. Regardless of what people think about the Bible or whatever impression they’ve been given about God, it is very difficult to argue about the goodness of Jesus and His ministry in the world. I’m excited to continue in that journey with you this Sunday.

-Jeff

P.S. Don’t forget that October 27th is our 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch here at Mariners MV (after each of the Sunday services). Plan on treats, games, $5 pumpkins, and making new connections. It’ll be a great time to invite your neighborhood friends to join us.