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A
Journey to Undiscovered Wonders |
 Greetings from Utah where the Geis family is enjoying some rest and
renewal this week! Sandi and I have had the privilege of being in all of the 48
continental states of our beautiful land. But a few of those states, like Utah,
have been ones where our visits have been merely a matter of passing through.
This year we decided to get more "personal" with this territory and explore it
more deeply.While we had heard stories and seen photos of places here, the beauty we have witnessed is beyond what travel logs, and even personal stories, could prepare for us. There are so many different facets to the land. God has created here some of the most unique features I've ever seen; and just when I think I've got the picture, I see something new and wonderful around the next bend in the path. Though we are away, my family is not far off in our prayers and heart for
you. Daily we remember you before our Heavenly Father, while we explore this
amazing landscape. Especially this weekend we are praying for you because of the
spiritual journey we are preparing to take together: 40 Days of Community. |
 Over the past several weeks, we have been talking up this exciting
"landscape" we are preparing to visit. The kick off for "40 Days of Community"
begins next Sunday. It will involve 7 Sundays of gathering together in worship
and 6 midweek gatherings in our homes (August 22-October 3). Both venues
(worship and home) are important to take in as we share this experience with
Jesus and His Church. Like my previous visits to Utah (just passing through),
life in God's family is deeper than simply going to church. Much of the joy and
wonder of God's beauty is found in more intimate journeys like the small home
groups we are asking you to participate in for our 6 week tour. If you haven't
yet committed to participating in a home group for these 6 weeks, my family and
I (along with more than 100 prayer partners inside and outside of our church)
are praying that today is the day you sign up for the tour. I'm convinced that
the journey will give us all a richer and more appreciated picture of the depth
and majesty of what it means to "Meet Jesus," "Experience the Support of a
Church" and "Live as Disciples."There are two major reasons why I haven't seen much of Utah prior to this
trip. The first is a lack of time; the second a lack of planning. Likewise the
beautiful dynamic that God has created into the tapestry of being His Church is
often missed for our lack of time and planning. Life is busy, very busy. But
just as many of you have encouraged me to take time off, I'm convinced that
life's busyness is precisely the reason we need this 40 day "vacation" together.
You'll probably have to give up some time elsewhere to add a midweek commitment
to your schedule along with a weekly commitment to worship. That won't happen
without a personal and prayerful plan. Just as Utah isn't on the way to the
places I'm heading, so this 40 day journey is probably not on the way of what
your late summer and fall plans are at this point. It took an intentional
decision and plan for me to experience this hidden wonder. It will take the same
kind of intentionality for each of us to take in an even greater experience. But
this comes with a guarantee from God. "Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered" in the name
of Jesus, we're promised His presence. And in the presence of Jesus, how could
there ever being anything less than awe and inspiring mountain tops! I'm
convinced we need this! |
 There's also a field temptation in the details. My family and I have done a
lot of hiking in Utah. Some of it has been, frankly terrifying to me. One such
experience was our hike to "Delicate Arch" in Arches National Park. It's a 1.5
mile hike that has a steep 480 climb. That didn't bother me much, but what did
trouble me was the last 200 yards are along a 6-8 foot wide ledge along a 200
foot drop-off. I wouldn't walk on the roof of 20 story building, let alone a
ledge! The night before I tossed and turned with fear about the journey. I
prayed a lot, not only for myself, but the safety of my family. The next
morning, I made the trip. Why? Three reasons: 1) I believed God was present in
my prayers and with my feet, and that this wasn't a journey of testing God
unnecessarily; 2) I knew thousands of people make the journey everyday and
return to tell of it with great joy; 3) I didn't want to miss out on an
experience of a lifetime.I had my moments of nervousness, but the experience eclipsed all my fears. It
was one of the most remarkable experiences to share with my family, with God and
to see with my own eyes. You can't compare photos and eye witness accounts to
actually being there! |
 My experience at Delicate Arch made me think about our 40 day journey. I
think we all have some fears that might keep us from getting involved in a home
group, a service project or just something a little bit different from my
routine in church life. I might be afraid of things I might have to set down to
do this or I might be afraid of walking out on the ledge of meeting people I've
never met before. But months of wrestling in prayer have convinced me that 1)
We're going to meet Jesus in this journey, He's present with us; 2) Many have
made this journey and return to tell of it with great joy, this is a significant
opportunity to experience the support of a church family; 3) We don't want to
miss out on an experience that will embrace new heights and glorious vistas
where we live as disciples.I'll be back next Sunday as we head out on this journey together. Pray for one another. Encourage one another. Jesus is going along with us and it will be glorious! From Utah, our family is praying with you. We're ready. With Jesus and His Church the view, the experience, the wonder, the grace of it all is certain to be breath-taking! "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)
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