Felt board Jesus

I grew up with a felt board Jesus. He was a historical figure made of fuzzy material and lived on the pages of a big thick book, ink and paper. He was born in a manger, feed a multitude, healed and preached and died on a cross. I believed in him. I feared him. He was an awesome figure that lived long ago and did amazing things... But in today's world he only lived on that felt board... and maybe far off in heaven.

I learned about felt board Jesus at vacation bible school. My mother sent me to as many VBS as she could find when I was young. I don't know if she just wanted to get rid of me for a while or if she was hoping something would sink in. But at each different church I would see felt board Jesus and learn of his deeds and learn how he is far away in heaven. He was looking down on me from far away and someday I might meet him again in heaven if I was a good enough person.

This was my Jesus for so many years. I believed in felt board Jesus... I believed in a distant, historic Jesus that lived in the pages of my bible and far away in heave... but didn't have much effect on my daily life... I had to be good- good enough to see meet him in heaven.

I couldn't. I always failed. I couldn't make the grade. I couldn't be as good as that man in history... that bearded man made of felt.

But that all changed when I met a group of radical kids lead by a kooky lady and a wacky, bearded pastor. They didn't talk about a felt board Jesus. They lived in communion with a living, breathing God that was just as assessable today as he was when he did those amazing things 2000 years ago. This group took Jesus off the felt board and brought him into their hearts where he could perform those same kinds of miracles today. They moved him down out of their minds and invited him into their hearts where he could transform them and make them into new people. They allowed him to do all the work, as redeemer and savior... that heaven could become more than a place you are never good enough to reach, to a home where your best friend is inviting you back home.

If you still only know felt board Jesus, take him down today. Take him down out of the pages of history and let him work miracles today.

Alive

Thrown

He.... He's alive today... He's alive today.... My God's alive!!!
He.... He's alive today... He's alive today.... My God's alive!!!
He.... He's alive today... He's alive today.... My God's alive!!!