Death Became Us, Life Becomes Us

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a zombie? To die and then come back to life? What would that be like? What got me to ask myself these questions is the story of Lazarus. Now he wouldn’t really be considered a zombie, but technically he was. He died and 4 days later was raised from the dead.

The main question that keeps brewing in my head is “How would Lazarus live his life after his resurrection”? Would he dig up his savings account out of the field and buy a new donkey so that he could do the traveling he’s always wanted to do? What about trying all the things he never got around to doing in his previous life? Or would he find a wife and start a family?

If you think about it; we as Christ follower’s are all zombies. A breed of zombies that don’t hunger for flesh but for the Spirit. We were raised from the death of sin and made alive in Christ. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” -Ephesians 2:4-5. We are all given a “second chance” at life when we hand it over to Christ. No longer are we dead! As Dora the Explorer would say it “Can you say “Celebrate”? Very Good!” I fully believe that when Lazarus came out of that tomb; the very first thing he did was rejoice and praise his Lord and Savior. If his faith wasn’t very strong before, it would be powerful now.

God can do some amazing things in our lives if we just let Him. For me, it was the scare of cancer that pushed me over the edge. My faith became real and is continually growing inside of me. There is no regrets, only dedication. He is my life because before Him I didn’t have one. We’re alive, every breath is new, every heartbeat is precious, every sight and sound is breathtaking. We live. Now live like it.

One of the Greatest Things

Cassie with two of her children, Alex and Zoe

One of the Greatest Things
by Cassie Riley

There have been many amazing things that I have been able to be a part of during the course of my life; events that have truly taken my breath away and moments that will last in my memory for a lifetime. I have a top ten list of these wonderful things, and included in that list is my ministry. I remember the day that God began to tug on my heart about leading the kid’s ministry for Revolution Church. It was a bit scary to think that God wanted ME to work with children. I can also remember thinking, “No can do, God. You must have the wrong person.” But none the less, I answered His call and Kidopolis is truly one of the greatest things that happened to me. Without it, I don’t think that I would be complete.

You’re probably thinking I must be out of my mind, but I assure you that I am not. I simply discovered the person God designed me to be. Every week I look forward to teaching the kids about Jesus. Each day my mind is filled with thoughts about how to make the ministry even better. I desire in my heart of hearts that children enter into a lasting relationship with Christ. This is not an easy task, but it is so worth the effort. It can be very intense sometimes, and yet I find that because I am serving in the capacity that God designed me for I am energized and eager to serve each week. So my question for you is, “Are you serving in your energy zone for Jesus?” “Are you listening to His call?” If not, you’re missing out on one of the greatest things in your life.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

What’s Orange Leaf?

What’s Orange Leaf?
By Shea Clark

Recently I was introduced to a magical place called Orange Leaf; a self-serve yogurt parlor. When you go in, you will notice 1) it’s always busy 2) there is a beautiful wall with self-serve yogurt machines in them that any sweets lover will drool over 3) they have awesome toppings including kiwi, strawberry, candy, and brownie that you put on as much as you like 4) the prices are amazing 5) while enjoying your new love you realize that all the songs playing are Christian. After realizing this, my husband decided to find out if this is a Christian company and the answer is no, but the owners and the managers are. So they decided to play all Christian music. You can find this Orange Leaf on the corner of Tyler and 21st street in Wichita next to the Warren Theatre in that area with the new world’s largest IMAX opening in the near future. So be sure to check out my new regular must-stop if you are ever in the Wichita area. Also here’s a fair warning: you will always self-serve yourself more than you realize.

Catching up with the Maydens

By: Julie A. Eastin

In last months issue ReVo had the opportunity to interview Kelly Mayden and share their journey to adopt two little girls from Bulgaria. We were also able to help promote The Murder Mystery Dinner to help raise money to aid in the adoption cost. It turned out to be an exciting evening filled with laughter, fun and love for two little girls waiting to be with their family, the Maydens. It was amazing to see God work and for so many to come together and support the Mayden’s during this time.

We are proud to announce that a night of mystery, murder and mayhem brought in over $1,600.00! We also learned that the entire $5,000.00 was raised though various donations and together with the matching grant from Lifesong that is a total of $10,000.00 that will go toward bringing Yana and Tavi home!

Kelly’s first trip to Bulgaria will be January 16th and she will return on January 23^rd. She will be accompanied by Michele McGee from Revolution Church to offer support and assistance. The follow up trip to bring Yana and Tavi home will be from 4 to 6 months after the initial trip. You can follow the Mayden’s journey online at their blog, Trusted With Much… Our Journey to Yana and Tavi at http://trustedwithmuch.blogspot.com/

Please consider continuing to support the Mayden’s through donation. That can still be by way of Lifesong or directly to the Mayden family online at http://www.reecesrainbow.org/familysponsorshipgettingcloser.html

Every dollar helps to cover such costs as government agencies, authentication fees for documents going abroad, travel to and from the Bulgaria, accommodations in-country, long distance communications and much more and don’t forget prayers are always welcomed!

Please note that donations made directly to the family are not tax deductible but are simply blessing’s of love and support.

ReVo would like to give thanks to all those who have given so generously for this wonderful and truly inspirational family. We would also like to give special thanks to the Maydens for sharing their journey to Yana and Tavi. You have our continued prayers and support from the entire ReVo team!

Follow the story of the Maydens in The Mayden Bunch

Things to Know

by: Jeff Piepho

Why aren’t there Dinosaurs in the Bible?

Abrupt Answer: They might be, but Dinosaurs are unimportant for what God is trying to communicate to us.

Adequate Answer: Some people believe that dinosaurs are talked about in the Bible. Others laugh at such a notion.  Truth is, whether dinosaurs are in the Bible or not, it doesn’t really matter.  Just because something isn’t mentioned in the Bible doesn’t mean the Bible is wrong. The Bible never mentions lava – does that mean the Bible is wrong or that lava doesn’t exist?  No!  It never talks about knee-caps… does it mean we don’t have them or that the Bible is wrong? No! It simply means that it isn’t important for what the Bible is trying to say.

Analytical Answer: The MOST IMPORTANT thing to realize is that just because the Bible doesn’t talk about something does not mean it didn’t exist or that the Bible is wrong. The Bible isn’t an encyclopedia of things that existed – it is a book for humans giving them an explanation of God and telling us HOW we can be saved! It is a love story to us from God!! For example, it would be pointless to write a book about Christmas Trees and include facts about fireworks on the Fourth of July.  Dinosaurs’ being in the Bible is the same thing. God is trying to tell us something, and dinosaurs probably just didn’t fit into what was being told. It does not mean the Bible is wrong, or that Dinosaurs didn’t exist.

Just so you know, however, some people do believe that dinosaurs are in the Bible. Personally I don’t really think that they are mentioned. But I have been known to be wrong. There are texts in the Bible that mention creatures such as the Leviathan or the Behemoth and it’s possible that these are dinosaurs.  I tend to look to science, since they answer questions like “when did Dinosaurs exist?”  Scientists would demonstrate that humans and Dinosaurs never coexisted, so that would be an excellent reason why Dinosaurs aren’t in the Bible.

Is the United States Government Investigating UFO’s?

Abrupt Answer: No.

Adequate Answer: They say no, but citizens everywhere say there are.

Analytical Answer: I actually read a book about Area 51 once.  There were lots of conspiracy theories and wacked out ideas.  One point they made was that the private security team patrolling Area 51 had a radio frequency not registered or paid for by NASA or the military.  Upon further investigation they discovered this frequency was paid for by the United States “Forestry Service.”  That’s odd.  Upon further investigation they discovered that the Forestry Service has more black money (money they don’t have to explain what they used it on) than the military!  How very odd.  Of course, this doesn’t prove anything and might not even be true.  In fact, statistics demonstrate that life is very rare and probably is only here on Earth.  You need a multitude of factors like plate-tectonics, liquid water, giant gas planets outside your own planet, perfect distance from the sun to form a galactic habitable zone, proper atmosphere, correct positioning of your solar system within the right galaxy, the right type of cosmic radiation pouring in from other stars, and on and on.  Life is rare.  Of course, as Christians we say life appears “wherever God puts it.”  So anyway, NASA does have proof of real aliens.  Go here to see it, if they haven’t taken it down already ’cause the proof is 100% and just awesome!!!   http://www.nasa.gov/EvidenceForAliens