Whenever I pick out a greeting card, I notice it takes me a lot less time than most women I see in the store. I figure a greeting card is going to be in the ball park but what I write in the card is probably going to be more meaningful and accurate. What if your only expression of communication was greeting cards? Do you think that would make a good connection? Probably not.

This past Sunday we watched this video about the Bible:

I like that he says he reads the Bible to really know God. Some people might say they just feel God, but there has to be more than just some feelings. The Bible can really help us know God and see who he really is and the great values of His character. This is the heart of this series The Shadow - to know God, His story and to connect our story into His story.

Our Lead Team at The Journey has been reading a 40 challenge book called Draw the Circle. It's all about prayer, our connection with God, and our faith. The author, Mark Batterson, shared about his connection with God. He wrote that he felt like his vocabulary was small when it came to God. He was depending on church worship songs. We felt like he had nothing to say to God if there weren't lyrics on the screen. But those songs are kind of like greeting cards because they are words penned by someone else. Do we only have a greeting card relationship with God? The Bible can expand our vocabulary, understand and enhance our relationship with God.

In Colossians 1 in the Bible, Paul says he is praying for them to growing in understanding and wisdom so their lives will bear fruit. As you see the shadow of Jesus through the Bible in this series, I hope you grow in understanding of His story and His character. I hope you not only see the shadow of Jesus in the Bible, but in your life as well. But that's not going to come by just listening to me; you need to go beyond the greeting card. Don't just listen in church and sing some songs penned by others. Own it yourself. Read God's words in the Bible. Grow in wisdom and understand. Put his ways into practice so your life will make sense and you'll be fruitful. Remember a shadow is an indication that someone is there. Live in such a way that there's a shadow - an indication - of Jesus in your life.

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