The Gift of Magnifying Glasses & God's Kindness

I was given a good gift this morning:  I had just enough alertness, just enough desire to ask God to help me see something from his Word. I have been lacking faith and giving in to fear. In fact, this seems to be a theme in my family - work fears, school fears, friend fears, future fears. We're dealing with some stuff!  So, the Captain Obvious in me sensed it was time to be open to the Lord.  A stellar cup of coffee (with real cream!), my Bible, journal, favorite pen,  mediocre pencil, and I was ready.

I pushed Advent devotionals aside and opened the Bible to Luke 1.  If you are curious about what happens when the Godhead, angelic and human beings converge, look no further than Luke 1.  If you, too, are struggling with fears, you will find encouragement here.  Instruction for next steps is here, too.  Two angelic visitations are must-reads this season:  Gabriel appears to Zechariah to prophesy the birth of John the Baptist, and then to Mary the birth of Jesus.  It's what the angel says and how the people respond (and why) that gives me pause.

First:  "Do not be afraid,"  Gabriel tells Zechariah and Mary (ESV).  As he gives them a command, he also calls them by name. This must have brought comfort- the God who sent him knows their name.  Further, as Gabriel commands them not to fear (when fear is the very natural human response), it is like he is pointing out a fork in the road and the choice inherent. Stay in fear and disbelief, or move on in faith which leads to transformation.  One road is less traveled by.  Often, when I am stuck in  fear-mode, I am unaware of it.  Angelic encounters are not my norm, so my Wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit, must point it out. This is one of his functions for believers: "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth," (John 16:13). This is the tone it seems Gabriel uses for Zechariah and Mary.  They are frightened and need to be reassured of truth:  God knows them; they do not have to know fear. 

Second, these visited people do not merely listen to Gabriel; they ask questions!  God communicates with his people, and these encounters in Scripture are one way we see the relational nature of God.  Zechariah and Mary both have questions, and Gabriel answers.  Zechariah seems to push back in his questioning.  (I like Gabriel's over-riding response to this priest:  "I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you...!" Luke 1:19.)  Mary's question seems to be a request for details: "How can this be...?"  Zechariah is silenced.  Mary is given opportunity to respond in faith!

These holy encounters bring encouragement to me and they also give next steps!  Mary's faith has surpassed her fear.  How? She states what is true - "I am the Lord's servant."  She submits herself to God's will - "Let it be to me according to your word," (Luke 1:38). Then she takes it one crucial step further.

Mary hurries off to visit Elizabeth- her cousin and Zechariah's wife. The Holy Spirit has come upon them both, and they burst into praise of the Most High.  Mary's song is staggering.  She begins, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."  Consider that first phrase.  We exist to magnify or make much of something or someone.  Furthermore, what we make much of looms larger in our minds; our minds are key to our transformation ("Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," Romans 12:2).  Profoundly, Mary declares that her soul makes much of God!  She is living with a magnifying glass over God's goodness.  Truth transforms our minds; praise has shaped Mary's soul! 

Zechariah turns to praise, with time.  Outward praise was not possible for him as a first faith-response, though, as the angel silenced him for unbelief.  A few verses prior, we are told that Zechariah and Elizabeth "were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord" (v. 6).  This is not an ungodly man, but rather a God-fearing man who had forgotten to look to truth and perhaps looked to human reasoning.  And so he waits nine months in silence.  When the silence is lifted, much like Mary and Elizabeth, he was filled with the Holy Spirit  and "he spoke, blessing God" and he prophesied powerfully.

I am more like Zechariah than Mary.  I can quickly turn to magnifying human reason; I can push back with demands in questioning God's plan.  I can experience the consequences, too, because these actions equate to a prideful heart, not a humble one. 

Oh, to be like Mary - that our souls magnify the Lord! Resting in the knowledge that God knows us and goes before us with his good purposes.  Renewing our minds with truth and so be transformed.  Like Mary - whose magnifying glass on God's goodness resulted in a megaphone of praise.  

The good gift I received today?  The kindness of God leading me to repentance, which resulted in my heart praising Him (Romans 2:4).  He was so kind to answer my prayer to meet me.  He uncovered my fear, so that I could confess it.  God met me in my fear to move me to faith.  Finding my voice in Mary's: "My soul magnifies the Lord.  My spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Christmas Prep :: "C'mon In!"

Into our hearts and homes,

Come Lord Jesus

“C’mon in!”  I love those friendly, beckoning words.  I had the sweetness of growing up just blocks from my maternal grandparents, and an open invitation to come.  I loved going to Papa’s and Grandma’s house!  When I would call ahead, they would be waiting at the door with warm hugs and smiles.  “C’mon in!  Are you hungry or thirsty?  Do you want some pop?  There’s candy in the dish!”  My grandparents were always ready and eager to welcome me (and my brother, cousins, and even friends).  They were always stocked up on that which drew us the most:  sweet treats, time, and attention.  In a word, it was love beckoning us to come.

We are in the season of Advent.  Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter.  One aspect I love about this season is that it is a set period of time with clearly defined borders!  There is an intensity to the Christmas season that could not be sustained year-round.  And so it presents a distinct opportunity for the believer or seeker.  For 25 or so days, we get to re-order our calendars, our homes, our hearts as we prepare for  Christmas.  Observing Advent with is an intentional way that we remind ourselves for what - or for whom - we prepare.

This Advent, I want to welcome Jesus into my days in the way that my grandparents welcomed me.  Is my heart eager?  Have I made room?   I am not Super-Christian; I need practical helps and resources.  Our favorite is the Advent wreath that makes the centerpiece of our kitchen table.  When our children were little, we lit the candles each night, dimmed the lights and enjoyed the elegant feel!  (Yes, even with toddlers!)  Then, we sang a Christmas carol to end our meal.  At some point, pre-teens deemed the singing awkward.  In came a family Advent devotional that we read during dinner.  (http://theccckids.blogspot.com/2015/12/advent-devotional-ideas-for-individuals.html has Advent devotional book ideas.)  The visual of the candles, the focus on Christ in the reading or singing - wow!  Powerful and effective heart recalibration all throughout December.  

God came near in the person of Christ.  Let it be said that we are people with ears to hear God beckoning us, “Come!”   

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart….”  (Hebrews 10:22)

Advent Devotional Ideas for Individuals and Families

                           

  ,

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 

What I like about this book targeted to families:                     

1)  It's comprehensive - providing a reading scripture, 

discussion starter-questions and then 

follow-up scripture verses for taking it deeper. 

2)  The daily readings seems applicable and accessible.  

This hits the sweet spot for a family like ours with

elementary, middle and high school kids. 

3) It's affordable.  $1.99 on a Kindle right now.  I went old-school and bought it hard-back for $9.99.

Good News of Great Joy 

What I like about this book targeted for adults

1)  It's John Piper.  It will not be Christmas Cotton Candy.                               

2)  Refer to number one.  Just kidding. It is

written at a level teens and tweens can grab hold of,

if they have the desire.  Some words will need adult

explanation or a handy dictionary.

3)  It's brief and yet very thought- provoking.

"Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight.  

It will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Savior."

Prepare Him Room

What I like about this book targeted for young families:
with busy families in mind, and therefore contains three
devotional readings per week.  No falling behind or
reason to stress during the weeks with concerts and parties
that exceed bedtime or don't find us home for the dinner hour.
That's money well spent!

1)  The intentionality of the structure. See quote below.

2)  There is a beautifully, scored, powerfully written CD that
can be purchased in tandem.  I highly recommend it.  If the
book is geared towards children, then the CD is geared toward
adults = win, win.

3)  Comprehensively written by a man who has ministered to 
children and families in the church for decades and gets it.

"Prepare Him Room is divided into 4 sections each with 3 parts. 
Each section covers a week, offering 3 devotions per week. 
The layout for each week covers three main topics: 
1) God's Promise, 2) The Angel's Announcement, and 
3) The Fulfillment of God's Plan."

Drawback:  This is brand-new from a small publisher and will be at a higher price point.
Still, combined with the CD, I think it is money well spent.

December Scripture Writing Plan
 Here is what this blog-author has to say:

 "Writing scripture down each day is such a great way to really focus on God's word!
During this super crazy hectic time of year- this is one way to spend a few minutes each day focusing on what is truly important!"       

I can attest that one key way I hide God's word in my heart is by writing it out in my journal.  Reading is great, but writing forces me to slow down, copying it precisely. Read and re-read, meditate on it (which is basically just thinking intentionally and prayerfully) and then I pray about it.
                                                                                                          

Dads - Lead the way! A letter from your Pastor

Dads, 

Again this Thanksgiving, my family will base our expressions of thankfulness to the Lord on the five "L's" of our family motto: Love, Lord, Learn, Laugh and Leave.  I recommend this very practical way you can facilitate sharing and prayer around your table this year.  You can tailor this to the ages and stages of your family members.

Where to start?  I introduce our time by providing a card with the five L's written on it. Prompt with a question related to each word, and then give a few minutes to allow family members to jot their thoughts down. (Young children may enjoy drawing pictures instead.)  As people share aloud, I record their thoughts and emailed them to turn these thoughts into prayers for the coming year.

Laugh. Begin with lightheartedness:  "What made you laugh this past year?" (An embarrassing moment, a favorite TV show, a favorite sport's event.)

Love.  "What do you love more at the end of this year than you did at the beginning?" (Sleeping in, school, daily personal worship, unhurried family time). 

Learn.  "What life-lesson did God teach you this year? (Maybe a lesson related to one of the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.)

Leave.  "What did you leave behind this year? (Middle school, a sport or hobby you used to live for but now have outgrown, a friend who was not such a 'good' friend, etc.). 

 

Lord.  Taking it deeper:  "How have you grown in your love of Jesus this year?"  Or, "What did you leave behind in order to follow harder after Jesus this year?"

Men, this may seem risky!  You may need to lead in an area that does not come naturally for you. Listen, it will be worth it. Inevitably, the five L's not only promote personal sharing about the past year- they help give direction to our discussions and prayer for the coming year.  Regardless of a family's season of life, much of our human experiences relate to Love, Lord, Learn, Laugh and Leave.  Keeping notes over the coming years will provide a book of remembrance to God's faithfulness in each others lives as we prepare our children to "leave" our homes and establish new families where Christ is central.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor Tim Kirk

PS - Ask family members to TURN OFF all electronic devices during sharing and prayer time!

 

Thanking God with Empty Pockets

Thanksgiving. 

The purpose is in its proper name, but it's a day that can go against the grain of our nature.  

Thanksgiving is a spiritual discipline in that it trains or teaches us.  The Bible commands us repeatedly to "give thanks."  But what about when a thankful heart is not naturally emerging?  What do we do with those pockets in our hearts that hold fear, bitterness, shame?  During a time of thanksgiving, we don't dare bring that out because there is no gratitude to be found hiding there.  I battle the pockets.  Especially one that formed a few years ago.  

Thanksgiving of 2011 commenced with some anxiety:  A specialist was predicting that I had thyroid cancer and treated my neck like a pin cushion for a biopsy, the results of which were due the week after Thanksgiving.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 is a doozy of a Scripture:  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit."  Well, with some tears, my family, particularly my dad, welled up with thanksgiving for my life!  (Aw shucks!)

While my results were negative, anxiety heightened:  My symptoms were eerily similar to some my dad had been experiencing. Dad got biopsied; the second week of December, learned that it was cancer.  Then, it was terminal cancer.  On January 10, 2012, my dad died.  My heart was like cargo pants- pockets were many and deep.

Approaching Thanksgiving 2012 was a bit terrifying at worst and dreaded at best.  How do you honor God in giving thanks when you are not thankful?  Hurt, fearful, angry- yes, but not thankful.  Enter spiritual disciplines.  When you have trained your heart to God's commands - especially in easier seasons with lighter burdens - then the discipline is in place in your life when the season is hard and the burden is heavy.  So that holiday, a trepidacious, now smaller family gathered for Thanksgiving. The unspoken was that we would "give thanks."  (I had 36 years of training on this one.)  With fear and a measure of faith, we shared around the table our thankfulness. Tears were flowing, but so was grace. Not every deep pocket was emptied, but it was a start. The spiritual discipline that honors God blesses us.  Our hearts need to give thanks. 

The lighter side to our Thanksgiving that year (because this post needs some levity):  A decision made that evening as a family (my widowed mom included).  Dad was fun!  We needed fun, as in, "God bring back some fun or we die of sadness."  And so the idea came that we should buy a ping pong table.  Black Friday, my mom bought one (who knew she was so good!?).  We played, and played, in laughter and smiles and spirits refreshed.  Even Great-Grandpa played (not too shabby!). 

Obedient hearts and ping pong were grace that God gave on that day, but the ongoing provision is the beckoning to empty my pockets. You and I were never created to live with hearts full of hurt.  The year my dad died, the tears I cried were fierce and many.  I saw pockets shoved full and then (sometimes) emptied before the Lord day after day.  But this spiritual discipline of coming before Him gave my heart and mind necessary training.  A  sensitivity emerged to the weight of heart-pockets harboring hurt, anger, fear. I saw how trustworthy Jesus is with vulnerability.  I felt how free I was to question and doubt and not be condemned by my God.

What does this have to do with Thanksgiving and our everyday lives?  The command to "give thanks" is a beckoning by a gentle Savior, not a drill sergeant.  We don't give thanks with tight fists and clenched jaws to a demanding master.  We come to Jesus, emptying our pockets, to bring the hard and hidden things into His light. To lay bare that which we would rather hide. Because He cares and is safe. When we trust Jesus enough to bare our souls and empty our pockets, there is grace.  Because to empty ourselves in the presence of Christ means to receive his fullness.   

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after the other. 
John 1:16

Grace and peace to you this Thanksgiving.

Feed My Lambs (not "Baaaaa humbug!")

How serving others nourishes you, too

I like to think and can be guilty of over-thinking.  Awhile back, I was not thinking about feeding lambs, but the Holy Spirit led me to someone who had:  Charles Spurgeon.  Think with me!

To give some context, pretend being a beachcomber (humor me!):  Peter and Co. had just finished night-fishing with fishermen’s worst fear - empty nets.  But the Resurrected Jesus is on the shore and directs the men to the other side of the boat, and alas the nets were drug in bursting with the catch of the day!  “‘Come and have breakfast!’  ...Jesus...took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish” (John 21:13).  (Reminds you of another meal they had recently partaken of together, yes?)  Following this soul-satisfying fish-fry, Jesus has poignant words with Peter, the recent three-time deny-er.

“Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15, ESV).

You know this account!  The Lord probes three times.  What I did not know is scholars’ teach that the first command to “feed my lambs” refers to teaching those young in the faith, both children and “baby” Christians.  Spurgeon emphasizes the teaching of children in the church.  

Do you know what catches my attention and fills my net?  Spurgeon maintains that [teaching and training children is a] most beneficial work to ourselves.  It exercises our humility and helps to keep us lowly and meek.  It also trains our patience; let those who doubt this try it.  Let me name some who experience this:  Mike and Doris Alderink in Preschool Community; Nene Akinbola and Randa Nader in Children’s Worship; Patti Fraley in Kids’ Community.  If you want big-souled, large-hearted men or women, look for them among those who are much engaged among the young, bearing with their follies, and sympathising with their weaknesses for Jesus' sake.

Be encouraged!  Jesus’ encounter with and command to Peter is for us all:  The fisher of men comes to find us; he beckons us to come to Him.  He himself nourishes us for the purpose of nourishing others!  What a Good Shepherd!

Listening for his voice together,

Sara Nist

All words in italics are direct quotes from Spurgeon, Come Ye Children.

To read the chapter, Feed My Lambs, copy and paste this link:  www.spurgeon.org/misc/cyc.htm

Assume The Ready Position!

"Feet spread shoulder-width apart, firmly planted.  
Knees slightly bent.  
Both hands on the racket, held out at the waist. 
Eyes focused ahead.  
Assume the ready position!"  

This summer, my sweet ten year old wanted to get in on the family action of tennis matches, so I sought to teach her the basics.  The Ready Position is fundamental to tennis - it all starts here!   In this stance, you are balanced, alert, and ready to receive what is coming.  Since this is not ultimately a blog about tennis, I feel an analogy coming, too.  Are you, er, ready?  

This fall, I signed up for a women's Bible study at church.  This was not a terribly difficult decision:  I had the time, I like spending time with women, and I believe the Bible to be good for me.  In the spirit of full disclosure, I should add that I was not especially enthusiastic about this particular study:  "The Promised One:  Seeing Jesus in Genesis."  Oh....Genesis.  Where it all starts.  Yes, I am familiar with Genesis.  You, too?  Gardens with forbidden fruit.  Animals marching two by two.  Sigh.  Enthusiasm waned a wee bit, but I plunged into the study nonetheless.  I completed weekly lessons; I participated in weekly gatherings.  In short, I assumed the "Ready Position!"

Now seven weeks into this study, I stand corrected.  This study has been anything but been there-done that.  "Seeing Jesus in Genesis" has required being firmly planted in the Bible for long periods of study time.  Both hands have been on the Bible as I flip from Genesis to Revelation and everywhere in between.  Re-reading Scripture like hidden treasure.  Seeing Christ with fresh and focused eyes.  Knees bending under the weight of who this great God is. Ultimately, taking the ready position of worship.

In tennis, you show up to play.  You are not in control of what is coming your way, but there is a stance you take to be ready.  This is analogous to the Christian life:  We have shown up to play - we have accepted the invitation to come.  God is in control and yet he has given us clear instruction on how we assume the ready position to receive.  It has to do with His Word; being in community with other believers in Christ; focusing on the person of Jesus and expecting Him to show up (asking Him to show up!).  We bow our knee in worship of the One who is and who was and who is to come.  

Game on. 

Great Expectations vs I Shall Not Want

Is there a particular word that you dislike more than others?  A cringe-inducing, grates-on-your-nerves word?  I have one.  If I use it in conversation or speak about it like I know, it's fine.  Even "spiritual."  But if it sneaks into my heart and mind uninvited, look out.  It's the "S" word.

I tend to have high expectations for life.  I resonate with Thoreau - I want "to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life."  (Um....gross!?  But I digress.)  Adventure, fun, exploits, insight- did I mention fun?  I seek after a full life, well-lived.  It takes zeal and courage.  Can you relate to the courage needed when hoping for a new thing, a bigger thing?  The excitement that comes with careful planning towards your passion?  But the new or bigger thing doesn't always happen.  The prayer gets answered with a loud "No!"  Your expectation is not met.  When hopes are dashed again, discouragement can set in.  What then?  

For me, discouragement takes a nasty turn when it is not spoken aloud to a person of trust, wisdom, and compassion.  And for me to speak out loud my discouragement takes courage!  These feel antithetical:  If I am already discouraged, and it takes courage to talk, then the likelihood of me sharing it with another person is not exactly an ace in the hole. But there are Spirit-led times when I do share my feelings and doubts; God brings it to light, where His truth can reveal lies I have believed about my circumstance, or about my God.  But I cannot represent as one who does this well and often.  So many times, I keep discouragement to myself for too long. What then?  A critical spirit can take root.

This cycle of Great Expectations met with Acute Disappointment turns into Critical Spirit dawned on me this week.  A dear friend confessed having a critical spirit; I realized I am guilty of the same.  As I prayed over this, this cycle seemed to come into view.  I can trace back the lines of this in my life:  I think I see God's work on the horizon; I am watchful.  He seems to be on the brink of a new thing.  I pray.  I plan.  Baby, I am on board with the New Thing, yes and amen!  Then the new thing doesn't happen.  Or worse, the work seems to move from high-speed 5th gear, shoved abruptly into reverse.  No, no, no!  In my own power, I cannot handle the disappointment or its best friend, disillusionment.  So these joined forces form a critical spirit.  As in, I am on a fact-finding mission to determine causes and some one or thing is usually to blame (says my disappointed and disillusioned heart), and I am fairly determined to find out.  Trouble is, this usually becomes a vicious cycle. 

How do you break the cycle?  I could request a personality transplant.  I could become chronically complacent with low-expectations.  (Who wants to suck life's marrow anyway?)  How do I handle the disappointment?  Is it a sin to be disappointed?  I don't see evidence of that in the Bible, but I do know how damaging is a critical spirit.  The only way I know to handle this is by using the dreaded "S" word.

Surrender.  Oh, for the Christian to sing about surrendering all to Christ - so sweet, so simple.  SO ridiculously hard when we have hard-fought for something big.  But what else is there to do but surrender?  Being critical usually leads me to anger.  Anger is an interesting motivator and energy source for awhile.  Till its ugly side effects are seen or felt.  Till its obvious that it is incredibly depleting.  (Because the joy of the Lord is my strength, not the anger of my jaded self.)  When I have sought God's will and still experience acute disappointment, a critical spirit sets in unless I can share it with another, and then surrender.  What does that even mean?  I let go of what I wanted so badly.  I imagine opening my tight-fisted hands and dropping the thing (or the hopes of the thing) into God's hands, believing Him to be wise, and loving, and good.
 
This song cuts me to the quick.  Titled, "I Shall Not Want," it names our fears and unmet longings.  With them comes the reminder of the promise of God's goodness as recounted in Psalm 23, "surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life....I shall not want."

What Have You Become?

This is like a Choose Your Own Adventure blog post.  Did you read those growing up?  I binged on them one summer.  My paperback page-turning skills were mad that year.

Read the whole post or just the Truth Section or just the Dare Section.  So fun! 

Truth:  I am sad to see Christ Community's summer sermon series on the Ten Commandments come to an end.  I am still ruminating on the teaching; still surprised by the depth of this "good" book (and for the record, who coined that term?  What an underwhelming term for the inspired word of God!); still needing to look more deeply into this mirror, to face the necessary changes with grace and courage.

Dare:  How to Kill "Church Greeting Time" in 10 Easy Steps:
It's that time in the worship service again.  Check your breath, fix on a smile, and greet someone!  Only today you are instructed to "Confess your sins one to another during today's Greeting Time, and you will be healed.  Model this special confession after the Ten Commandments."

Take a deep breath, turn to your unsuspecting seat neighbor, and begin:

"Hi!  I am Sara.  I...

1.  set myself up as God,
2.  am an idolater, 
3.  abuse of God's name, 
4.  keep an unholy Sabbath Day,
5.  dishonor my mother and father, 
6.  am a murderer,
7.  am an adulterer,
8.  am a stealer, [not to be confused with Steeler - little preseason football humor],
9.  bear false witness against a whole lotta people,
10. and I am also a coveter.   I not only set myself up as God, I want other things more than I want God, too."    "What's that, you say?  You are looking for the closest exit?"

Truth:  A favorite quote from the sermon on the 8th Commandment, You shall not steal:  "You become like your offering.  The treasure you seek becomes the master you serve."  Here is what I wrote in my journal the next morning:  

• If I treasure my family's happiness above God, my family's happiness (or lack thereof) will master me.
• If I treasure my own comfort, then I will be a slave to pursuing what feels good.
• If I treasure Christ - living to make much of God - Jesus will remain rightly as my Lord and Master, and "all these things will be added to me as well"  ("these" meaning the kingdom of God and his righteousness, not my family's happiness and my comfort!).

Last summer I was working a lot on my landscaping- a good thing!  I love gardening and landscaping; it can be such a stress-reliever for me.  Outside, alone, praying about and processing life.  However, I had a distinct thought toward the end of the season.  Having devoted an inordinate amount of time, I said to myself, "This has mastered me!"  No triumph; little satisfaction.  Much regret.  This summer, my yard is a mess of weeds, my garden was laughable. The love of tennis threatened to master me, save that my tennis partners are not always available; alas, I have not been mastered.  A few close calls....

Dare:  "You become like your offering.  The treasure you seek becomes the master you serve."  What "treasure" is threatening to become your master?  

• Do you treasure nutrition for your family?
• Do you treasure education for your family?
• Do you treasure manis & pedis and highlights and lowlights..er...for your family? 
• Do you treasure social media to promote your family?
• Do you treasure cultural enrichment for your family?
• Do you treasure your well-appointed, crazy-high mortgaged home for your family?

You get the idea!  Consider what threatens to master you.  Often, where our thoughts go the fastest is the path to follow to find our true master.

Truth:  When we treasure Christ, we see what a gracious, giving, joyful master He is.  How do you know when He is your Master?  Here is a glimpse: When, after catching a child doing wrong and I harshly appoint consequences, Christ has not been my Master.  When the Holy Spirit nudges me to speak or act in a way out of character for me that blesses another, Christ has been my Master.  

Treasuring Christ is not a one-time, forever declaration.  Treasuring Christ is a moment-by-moment surrender to the Holy Spirit of God within- acting in obedience.  Treasuring Christ is devoting your time to getting to know the God who intimately knows you; devoting your talents to serving the God who has served you.

Dare:  Take some time to prayerfully ask yourself this question at the end of the day for the next several days:   

What did I treasure today?  (Where did I invest my thoughts, efforts, money, affection?) 
Could I stand before Christ and say, "You are my treasure!"?

And when you fail (because you will), will you preach the gospel to yourself? 
All my efforts could never be sufficient to treasure Christ in the manner He is due.  But grace abounds!  Jesus perfectly fulfilled the 10 Commandments because I never could.  Today, I confess to you Lord that I treasured _______________________ above Christ.  Forgive me! Thank you that you clean me up to present me blameless before our Father.  Thank you for treasuring me so much that you sent Christ for me.

For your glory!  
Amen.

 







 
 

S T R E T C H E D

Do you remember that time in the Bible when Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?"  Peter answers with, "Lord, you know I love you!"  Can we add a question mark to the end of his statement, because I imagine Peter offered it more like an indignant question than a declaration!  Befuddled Peter gets exhorted to simply "Feed my sheep."  Gulp.  What?  Take a deep breath!

Today, I sense Jesus asking me, "Do you trust me?"  The Peter-esk answer is, "Lord, you know I trust you."  Peter seemed surprised by Jesus' question.  You KNOW I love you!  My reaction is not one of surprise - more like leeriness or feeling guarded.  If pressed, my honest answer often includes caveats and conditions.  "Well, [pause] I'll definitely trust you in this circumstance, if you first provide in that way."  Or, "I can trust you this hour, but next hour I will probably not."  I am resigned to confess, "No, I don't trust you enough."

Trusting with conditions or not trusting fully may be like showering with your clothes on!  It doesn't work that way.  Or maybe it must and we will, in our human weakness, trust imperfectly all the days of our lives till we have crossed into eternity.  I don't know.  But I do know that I am being called to trust God with more, and to a greater degree. It feels like I am being stretched like a rubber band.  And when rubber bands are stretched without being handled with care, they fling in crazy ways!  But I have seen my God handle me with care.  God is my provider and this is a truth that has comforted and given courage.  Being stretched but faithless will find me brittle or broken. Being stretched while seeking to rest in my God - this is fertile ground for growth.  God's goodness does not hinge on my trust.

Take a deep breath!  "Oh for grace to trust Him more."

These Two, Powerful Words...

Yesterday, I found myself struggling to forgive an offense.  The size and type of offense are not what matters.  The old pattern of dealing with it - now that matters.  How I deal with an offense has the power to change the course of my hour, my day, my week.  (Such an understatement!)

Rewind to this winter:  I studied the book of Ephesians in the New Testament with a group of women each Friday.  The author is big on repeating sentence structures and concepts that build upon one another.  In chapter two, the Apostle Paul starts with bad news- hard truth.  Think death, disobedience, and wrath!  Two powerful words change the trajectory, though; one powerful, little conjunction:  "But God...."  The reader's attention is abruptly turned to good news and astounding truth of mercy, love, and life.  

Paul continues this same structure of bad news/good news in the next section, this time with Christ as the subject:  "But now in Christ..."  And then believers in Jesus become the subject the next time with, "but you...."  Yet further into the book we read, "but grace..."
Studying this book captivated my heart and mind like a roller coaster does my body!  I've been drawn to this crazy coaster that scares me to death; the lap bar holds me captive (I change my mind with every click-click-click), but exhilaration follows.  I need Scripture to captivate my mind, because my emotions are not unlike a roller coaster. Rides given daily, my friends!

What does this have to do with struggling to forgive an offense?  So, I find myself offended, and then seeking to understand (in my own mind, from my own "wisdom") why the other person acted in that manner.  This tends to be my go-to method, my pattern of beginning to deal!  But God.  What!?  But God.  It is the strangest thing- a thought not from my mind, but His.  A still, small voice quieted me with those two, powerful words.

God by his Spirit took me back to what had captivated me in Ephesians.  Bad news, hard truth does not stand alone!  It serves a purpose.  I serve a God who came near.  And He did not merely come, but He came to set captives free.  He came to take the old and make it new.  He came to suffer the worst kind of offense.  He came in power, and through Christ, that power is working in me.  Do you see that pattern?  Bad news - hard truth that shines a light on the good news of astounding Truth!  "But God" is whispered to my heart.  This conjunction joins the truth of the offense with the truth of God's solution- Himself.  "But God, being rich in mercy...."  This reminder quieted my thoughts of the offense.  It placed my focus on the One who can make things right.  It contrasted my sinfulness with God's holiness.  The offense lost some of its sting.  Could this be the new pattern God uses to help me deal with offenses?  Repeating truth and allowing the Holy Spirit to build concepts of truth so that a new structure is in place, one more fitting for a holy temple?  

But God.  How much would change in my life if the Good News was always applied to my bad news?  How much would change in yours?

"But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift..."  (Ephesians 4:7).  

Are You a Jonah?

Now, before you answer that question, I think you will need to spit out that mouthful of seawater you just swallowed.  Okay, good.  Now we can have a conversation!

So again, "Are you a Jonah?"  I am.  Like Jonah, God calls me his own.  Like Jonah, God has given me sending orders.  Like Jonah, my first response is typically "No."  More accurately, "WHAT?  Are you crazy?  Reach out to that person?  Say yes to that task?"  [Insert Road Runner noise, speeding in the opposite direction.  But no, I've never been to Tarshish.]

We are going to delve into the life and book of Jonah at Christ Community, both in VBS and weekend sermons.  Looking at this account with fresh perspective is good for the soul!  We will be reminded of God's unfathomable character - his sense of justice; His extension of grace; might I add God's sense of humor?

We will be forced to reckon with our sin nature - our natural tendencies to run, to reject, to accuse.  Listening to these lyrics this week reminded me of Jonah:
"I am a sinner
If it's not one thing it's another
Caught up in words
Tangled in lies
But you are a Savior
And you take brokenness aside
And make it beautiful
Beautiful"

These lyrics remind me of me, too.  What about you?  Are you a Jonah?  We need to be confronted with our sin.  We will be reminded of the Truth that sets us free.

Take a listen.  See you this weekend!

Fall in Love....Read.

Books

I love books.

I love books in the sun.

I love books on the run.

I love books at my school.

I love books by my pool.

On a picnic blanket, laying in the grass.

On a bouncy trampoline, stopping to rest, at last.

How do you love your books?

  

Are you familiar with the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics?  I have no clue what the first law is (some of you are mentally informing me as you read).  But I do know the 2nd law, and this premise just really lights my fire, in a good way!  I love it because it makes sense of the disorder of life.  The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics - in my words - states that anything left to itself tends toward a state of disorder.  This is encouraging and instructive.  Why, you ask?  Because it explains why my home and car tend toward states of disorder.  Why my brain does.  Why my heart does!  This encourages me because it is normal- expected, even.

This 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is instructive, too.  It teaches me to prepare for the disorder and plan accordingly.  So, my son cleans my ultra-cool minivan each Saturday.  My daughter runs the vacuum.  (Teaching life skills and conquering disorder!)

What do books and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics have in common?  Well, in our house, we like to read.  We also like a bit of laziness.  So you put the two together and we end of reading anything and everything that crosses our path; this does not amount to quality literature ("Trending on Facebook" sidebar is so tempting!)  Our intentions to read great books start strong...... but start to slide.  

If this sounds like you, have no fear!  A quality summer reading list is here.

On the opposite spectrum and rarely read?  Take heart!  An engaging list is here.

The following links contain great books with which you just may fall in love.

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2014/03/04/a-complete-classical-christian-school-reading-list-grades-1-8/

http://www.sonlight.com/search.html?search=summer%20reading

Register for VBS!

How to Register For VBS at Christ Community Church 
& What is Required for Serving in VBS:

1) Registration:  http://goo.gl/forms/M8JFkPtDsm

(Necessary for every child entering 5th grade or younger, even those needing childcare.)

2) Medical Release:    http://goo.gl/forms/qijFRXChkn

(Necessary for every child and teen at VBS.)

              All Youth Who Desire to Serve in VBS:

                   *Mandatory VBS Training Time 

           on Saturday, June 6th - 10 am til noon

                           Snacks Provided!

                   Meet your leader and team

This meeting is also for adults who will serve as area leaders,                 Art Track and Sports Track, and as small group leaders.

                

*If you are unable to attend, you must come to the make-up 

meeting on Sunday, June 14th at 9 am  til 10:15am.
**Failure to attend one of these meetings (for youth) will result in not serving in VBS.  

 Led by Sara Nist and Mike Veitz.

Here's My Heart

Here's My Heart - Is it safe with you?

I think this is a fundamental question consciously or subconsciously asked by every person who walks this planet:  "Is my heart safe with you?"  The need to feel safe is so deeply embedded in our souls; it is an underpinning of everything we are and do.

I see it in my relationships with my kids.  They desire to share their hearts with me, but am I safe?  Am I trustworthy?  Sometimes I feign attention and miss the important. Just as bad is when I hijack their vulnerability and try to teach instead.  

I see it in my relationship with my husband.  He needs to feel confident that he can risk failing and yet still have a wife that cheers and supports.  Can he share big dreams and know that they will be valued and not undermined?  

I see it in my relationship with my God-  me seeking safety in Him. I repeatedly ask an unspoken question of Jesus: "Here's my heart, Lord.  You see it to the depths.  Yet, can I open up my heart to You?  What do I get in return?  What do I risk?"  

I have a two choices!  (You do, too.)  I could open my heart to Jesus.  Opening my heart means a step of faith. Though my head tells me He is good and loving and able, my heart can lie viciously and trust feebly.   Keeping my heart closed seems simpler and the more in-control choice. But keeping my heart closed means I try harder; manage better, or blame more. For me, this manifests itself in stress, anger, or isolation. The closed-heart is not pretty.

When I recognize that I need to open my heart to Jesus, I can be assured that a work of grace has already begun!  God by His Spirit draws me once for salvation but never stops drawing near!  Grace upon grace upon grace.  I need to consciously (sometimes out loud) name what is happening in my heart as I risk coming into Jesus' presence in search of safety.  Do you know what I find?  Rest, not increased pressure.  Comfort, not condemnation.  The closed-heart leads to condemnation; closing myself off from my Author is to open myself to my accuser.  The heart open to God is lovely- able to give and receive love. 

So right now, I am needing to do hard things.  (Maybe you do, too.) This is provoking, because I dislike hard things.  Last week, we talked as a family about what animal we each would be if we could not be human!  Dolphins, lions, bears were chosen, but I decided I would be a deer. Ironic, because deer run at the slightest provocation!  Fitting, because I can run to Jesus.

Below is a link to one of my favorite songs.  It's like an open-hearted prayer.  For me, after I have wrestled with God over the hard stuff - perhaps thrown a tantrum or two - I am worn out, ready to submit, seeking rest, and ready for God to "speak what is true." And He does.

Here's My Heart - I Am They

St. Patrick's Day - A Tale of Redemption

   

What do Veggie Tales, Kings Kaleidescope and Keith and Kristyn Getty have in common?  If you guessed "Links on this St. Patrick's Day Blog Post" you would be correct!

I love St. Patrick's Day!  Not for the green beer or green rivers.  Possibly a little for the fun Irish  sayings:  "Top o' the mornin' to ya!"  When you step aside the silly legends, Paddy Parades, and fun frolicking, you are left with a missionary tale that points to the providence of God.  (Incidentally, this story resembles a treasured Biblical account of the story of Joseph being sold into slavery- look it up - Genesis 39.)

So in our household, each March 17th, we get our green on and grab some great resources to help separate fact from fiction.  In some small way, this is how we redeem the culture instead of running from it.  

Check out these fun resources: 

• One for the kids - Veggie Tales Classic  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5ejLGEnZk&list=PLB5567E17B236276A
• One for the adults   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOqWT2tk9Js
• One with Kings Kaleidoscope, because they are just so cool, and because Be Thou My Vision has Irish roots, like a potato.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxP45fCBdtw
• One with the Gettys - does it get more Irish than Keith and Kristyn?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6h7nSDtW-E

Christ in the Passover

Christ in The Passover

This Easter season we have a great opportunity to taste, smell, see and feel the Exodus deliverance of the ancient Israelites.  On Thursday evening of Holy Week, Jesus gathered His disciples together for a Passover meal.  This meal commemorates the night long ago when the Lord judged the Egyptians and emancipated His people.    Pastor Tim Kirk

We would love for your family to come experience Christ in the Passover  with us.  This will be a Seder Supper led by Jeremiah (and Hannah) Zaretsky, Chicago director of Jews for Jesus.  [See photo below.]  

The Basics:

• Thursday, April 2nd 2015 
• Christ Community Church, in the Commons - 6:30-8pm
• $8 for an individual; $20 for a family
• Experience a symbolic and interactive Jewish Seder, appropriate for all ages.
• Enjoy a catered meal together.
• Register online at www.christcommunitycarmel.org

Helpful Info to Prepare:  At Christ in the Passover, we will take part in a traditional, Jewish Passover Seder. (Seder means "order.")  The Passover points us back to the book of Exodus when God through Moses led His people out of slavery.  

Recall the events of The Exodus:  God instructing Moses to tell Pharoah, "Let my people go!"  Read through the ten plagues, and pay special attention to the final, tenth plague:  The angel of death passing over every household in which the doorpost was covered with the blood of a lamb. This points us forward to Christ, who became our Passover Lamb.

Recall the events of the night that Jesus was betrayed:  Washing the disciples' feet; sharing a Passover Meal together; praying in the garden; Roman soldiers coming to arrest Jesus.

A Hebrew blessing spoken corporately in the Seder:

Baruch atah adonai, elohay numelech hadlam boray pree hagafen.

Blessed are you, O LORD our God, King of the universe, who makes the fruit of the vine.

Why is this night different from all other nights?

This is a question asked by a child during a Seder.  

Won't you come and find out?