Re:Generation

Next month, we will be starting up Element again. Although there have been some changes, and I have no idea who is left to participate and help (besides a few), I'm still excited about it. I've decided to go with the theme for the entire year called "Re:Generation". This post is to help explain a little as to what that means.

Re:generation is a wordplay that has kind of stuck with me for about 7 years or so. There was a youth ministry in Colorado called "re:generation ministries", and I've liked the idea since. Two thoughts:

1. Regeneration is a real word. If you look it up in the dictionary (or in this case dictionary.com), it's defined in this way: "Spiritual or moral revival or rebirth." Over the last few months, this idea of a spiritual rebirth or revival has really resonated with me. (Hence the title of this blog - "vita renavatio", or "life reborn")

2. When you start thinking about the "re" part of "re:generation", you begin to realize that there are a lot of interesting words that begin with those two letters, words that have real spiritual significance: reformation, reunion, revival, restoration, repentance, and one of my favorites, revolution.

This year in Element, we are going to take a look at a number of these re words and figure out what it takes to be a generation of people called by God in the world and in the time we live in. Here is the schedule for the first three months:

February 18 - Re:Focus

March 11 - Re:flect

April 15 - Re:volution

If you've been to Element, you know that each one has been different, and you never know what to expect. This will continue with the Element gatherings of 2007. A great passage for those who attend Element, who I'm beginning to call the Re:Generation (regardless of age):

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false. [a]

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [b]
Selah

Psalm 24:3-6

(By the way, the Japanese symbols on the guy's hand on the graphic does mean something. A Buddy Jesus doll to whomever can guess what it means. Hint: It's an Re word.)