Cairo Conversation

Mission is more and different from recruitment to our brand of religion; it is the alerting of people to the universal reign of God through Christ. South African Missiologist, David Bosch

A cacophony of sound emanated from the streets of Cairo as tributaries merged into a central river of traffic known as the Ring Road. I quickly gained an enormous amount of respect for our bus driver in the midst of such turmoil and chaos. Perched within the precarious safety of our air-conditioned bus, I noticed many of the men bobbing along the endless sea of people had black smudge-marks on their foreheads. I asked our Egyptian guide about the black marks. He said they were zebibah (a prayer bump). It was a mark of piety. It represented the prayer life of a devout man.

Later that same day, I stood barefoot on the scarlet carpet within the Alabaster Mosque. Hundreds of world travelers whispered native languages in excited hush tones as they exchanged words of awe and wonder. I silently marveled at the architecture. You may watch a quick travel video here to see for yourself. The Mosque of Mohammed Ali could no doubt rival Notre Dame or Westminster Abby.

My gaze drifted toward our tour guide who patiently stood next to me with his hands folded behind his back. He looked like a proud parent. It was then I noticed he didn’t have a black mark on his forehead. I leaned toward him and privately asked why he didn’t have a black mark on his forehead. He smiled as he looked down at me but he didn’t answer. Then, I said, “I am glad God looks at the mark on our heart and not at the mark on our forehead.” In the midst of the cacophony and splendor two Christ-followers shared an unexpected moment of grace.

This Sunday we begin a three-part series called i-3: Integrate, Infuse and Ignite. Integrate messages are designed to help us learn how to merge simple, ordinary and practical ways of sharing our faith into the never-ending stream of our daily life. We can discover together how we may have a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God in ordinary and often unexpected ways. Our September Infuse messages plan to challenge us to become better leaders by becoming more responsible in a winsome Christ-like way. The Ignite series will introduce the Holy Spirit to our congregation in a fresh new way. We will host an event called the Ignite Weekend Experience on October 24-26. Plan to join us--we’re onto something exciting!

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.        I Peter 3:15 NIV

Longing for a Hero

We get lost in desires and never find what our soul longs for. Erwin McManus Soul Cravings

Who is your favorite super hero? As a kid, I liked Aquaman. He could exist beneath the waves unencumbered and had the power to communicate with under water creatures. He was part of a team of crime fighters called the Justice League of America. Even though he will forever be the butt of jokes thanks to his fishy powers, comic readers have come to love Aquaman as a noble (and very powerful) figure who is forever torn between the worlds of land and sea.  In a 2011 reader poll, Parade magazine ranked Aquaman among the Top 10 Superheroes of All Time.

I think there is something within us that wants to believe we could be like them. Secretly we may hope there is some hidden unique power within all of us that needs to be discovered as significant and somehow be used for the greater good of all humanity. Film producers sure recognize how lucrative the market can be for super hero movies. Hitfix researched the greatest superhero moves of all time. You can read their discoveries here.

Super heroes are cartoon characters. They can inspire us and help us dream big dreams. But, they're not real. And beneath life's debris pile, we're tempted to give up believing that we could ever have anything in common with such extraordinary individuals. Sadness, disappointment or even resentment can creep in and soon we become resigned to accept a misconception about ourselves. Eventually, we may give up believing altogether that we are extraordinary or that life has a greater meaning and purpose.

However, imagine the impact to the human soul, if we realized that God really did place a soul craving within each of us that drives us to search for meaning, destiny and purpose? Maybe the inner stirring we sometimes feel is really God nudging us toward his preferred future for us. God has a clear vision for our lives and for the world. Maybe dreams, aspirations and callings don't really even belong to us but belong to God. He just allows them to inspire us. Desire, calling and ambition all have deep significance when they are from God. Join us this weekend for worship as we talk more about destiny and possibly discover how to fulfill yours.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 Amplified Bible

We Cannot Live Unaffected by Love

"We cannot live unaffected by love. We are most alive when we find it, most devastated when we lose it, most empty when we give up on it, most inhumane when we betray it and most passionate when we pursue it."  Erwin McManus

Love seems heroic and astonishing when we listen to a much loved bedtime story as children nestled safely in our comfortable bed. After overcoming what seems like an insurmountable obstacle, love conquers all and the hero and heroine live happily ever after in the end. Some people believe love is a worthy pursuit. It's worth living and dying for and can motivate people toward extraordinary outcomes.

But, love can also be confusing for most of us. Broken and confused hearts can influence our totally rational brain and lead us into all kinds of irrational messy situations. I think this is probably why a lot of people search for answers or insight and other people make a lot of money doling out advice. Love can be illusive but remains the primary focus of our personal constitution.

Maturity is a great teacher. It can reveal much truth about our motives and challenge us to broaden our scope of understanding. Maybe what we initially call love is really infatuation. It's our selfish motives that need changing. Love can't be limited to our emotions. The bible defines love as a choice which requires discipline. And then, there is sacrifice. I think Jesus has a lot to say about love and its power to transform us. We will discover some of what he says as we continue with our Crave series this weekend. We will develop the idea of intimacy with God and be challenged to consider our motives in regards to love. Don't miss worship this weekend. Who knows, maybe the answer you've been searching for is waiting for you right where God intended it to be.

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9 NIV

Stop Looking in All the Wrong Places

Most people don't sell their souls to the devil all at once. They end up giving them away in little bits over time. We're all trying to figure ourselves out and most of us don't do a very good job. So, we settle for quick unencumbered solutions to very complicated and complex questions. Most of us are driven by desires we don't understand. We want to have things in common with others but we don't want to be common. We all search for meaning but have a tendency to search in all the wrong places. Maybe there should be a Country and Western song from the 1980's playing in the background as you read this blog. 

Many of us want to discover something unique about ourselves and why we are here on the planet. It's possible that deep down in our souls we're all hopeful that we're here for some truly significant reason. Once we find the reason, our lives will take on deeper meaning, our relationships will be released to discover deeper levels of intimacy and our existence will be confirmed by the truth that each one of us is worthy of love and irreplaceable.  You may already know the central themes of the Bible and that God unequivocally expresses his absolute and unconditional love for us. Sadly, many in the world don't know the truth and are trapped in hopeless labyrinths of confusion attempting to find love, purpose and meaning on their own.  

We are designed to love and be loved by God. But sin has hijacked our God-given desires for love, connection and meaning. Sin sometimes creeps into our soul as arrogance. Arrogance blinds us. We might even argue that it is impossible to truly love someone and be arrogant at the same time. Arrogance can become a coping strategy for people who are afraid to love or who have been so hurt by prior relationships they give up on love all together. There are many stories in the Bible that illustrate our point. But, King David's defining moment chronicled in 2 Samuel 12 is our selection for the series opener as we dive into our Summer Series called Crave. Stop looking in all the wrong places and find your heart in the right place this weekend at any of our worship services. See you at church this weekend.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV  A Psalm of David

How is it Going with your Doing?

 

"I am more and more convinced, that the devil himself desires nothing more than this, that the people of any place should be half-awakened, and then left to themselves to fall asleep again. Therefore, I determine, by the grace of God, not to strike one stroke in any place where I cannot follow the blow." John Wesley March 13, 1743 Journals and Diaries II

 

How is your doing? Maybe I could re-phrase that question by asking you how it is going with your doing? John Wesley believed small groups were instrumental for Christian growth and maturity. Not only did he want people to ask one another about their inner world meaning their feelings, attitudes and struggles-but he also wanted people to live out their faith in action.  Wesley believed that sharing how well you were living out your faith in action pushed you to live a changed life. Not incidentally, so did the Apostle Paul.

 

What is the gospel? You may wonder and many of us do! Paul pares through all our Christian rhetoric with the precision of a master swordsman with one swift move. He cuts away sentiment, argument or confusion and allows us as readers of his letter to the Corinthian church to hear his clarion call with utter clarity. I heard Paul and John Wesley call out the gospel on a hillside in Bethlehem last week. How is it going with your doing? A tree is known by its fruit. The farmer in this photo is Daoud Nassar. He is a Palestinian Christian whose family has owned one-hundred acres of vineyard, orchard and farm land for generations going back to the Ottoman period. Bulldozers destroyed 1,500 fruit trees two weeks before harvest two weeks ago. It takes ten years for an olive tree to bear fruit. They are all gone and buried beneath the soil. You can read about this story here: http://972mag.com/photos-israeli-authorities-destroy-palestinian-familys-valley-of-fruit-trees/91701/

 

We prayed for Daoud on his hilltop. But, I still feel a sharp pain from the edge of the gospel's blade. How is it going with your doing, Jen Wilson? The Apostle Paul challenges me to disown fears and trepidations about my reputation. They must take the back seat to the gospel. I hope to return to the Tent of All Nations and plant a tree with Daoud because the gospel compels me to do so. Maybe you can come along. Next year in Jerusalem-as the saying goes.

 

We only have two weeks left of our Forged series. We plan to move on from the church of Corinth to explore the machinations of the soul during our summer series called Crave. Wheatland will celebrate Father's Day by hearing from influential men who are fathers from our congregation. The following week we will commission short-term mission teams and wind up our series with a fresh call to the gospel.  

 

The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; I Corinthians 15:3-4 The Message

 

 

 

Try Living by Love to Honor Christ

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession...Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” Dietrich Bonheoffer

"Aren't you the pastor?" It's the question every pastor secretly dreads because pastors are sometimes held to a different level of behavioral expectations. We are often scrutinized for how we dress, what we think, where we shop and how we serve our greater community. Unfortunately, the scrutiny often includes our family. Rumors, innuendos and gossip spread like wildfire if a pastor is seen at a 'questionable' establishment or witnessed doing something 'questionable.'  I've heard my share of stories from colleagues and their families about how they cope with unrealistic expectations, maybe you have too. However, judgments like this are not limited to clergy. They include all vocations from teachers and police officers to athletes and physicians.

Few people think of the impact their judgment makes before they make their comments. Psychology tells us that the person making the comment is doing so from a diminished sense of self-worth. But, the venom of a well-placed verbal strike can leave a heart paralyzed for life. We often fail to remember the truth when we are the recipient of someone else's poisonous judgment. Maybe this is exactly what Paul is trying to tell the Corinthian church.

The Apostle Paul appealed to the heart of the Corinthian believers. They were to live out their lives with a transformed heart of love and not with a self-sanctified attitude of superiority. Sometimes Christians are tempted to misuse their freedom in Christ to build up a false sense of self-righteousness. Paul admonished the Corinthians and reminded them of their responsibility to the greater Christian community. They were not to become a stumbling block for anyone. Paul summed it up clearly. Christian community is built on a foundation of love and to live any other way is to cheapen and diminish what Christ did for us all. Paul was always the champion for humility. He was very much aware of his temptation to sin. But, he was also convinced of the great love Christ Jesus had for him and for the lost world he came to save. Maybe we can be, too.

'yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.' I Corinthians 8:6 

$$ Not an Indicator of a Healthy or Happy Marriage

Have you ever heard that your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of your life? I sometimes wonder who placed such enormous pressure on this one day. I think it has more to do with impressing people than predicting the longevity of a marriage or the happiness factor of the couple. Weddings are big business in America. Have you ever wondered what an average wedding costs these days? I thought you might be interested. You can find the most recent results of the Real Wedding Study here.

We try to present our very best on our wedding day. Perfection can be the rule of the day. Couples will sometimes diet and exercise for months just to appear perfect and fit into perfectly fitted dresses and tuxedoes. Photographers flutter nervously trying to capture the perfect moment. They snap photos at a paparazzi-like pace just to capture the magic of the day. The wedding ceremony is steeped in ritual and tradition. There is often a lavish banquet that follows. Then the couple is to live out their hopeful proclamation of the perfect marriage as a result of their perfect wedding day.

John's gospel includes a story about a wedding at Cana. Jesus attended with some of his disciples and his mother. This is one of two occasions we encounter Jesus' mother. The other being at the foot of the cross. A social disaster took place. Something was not perfect. There was no more wine. The family would have to endure the guilt and shame of not meeting the standards of perfection. However, Jesus responded to their need in an unexpected way.

The wedding banquet is a familiar biblical image which represents the ultimate union of heaven and earth. It's a foreshadowing of what is to come for the consummation of God and his people. The water jars used for Jewish purification were filled with new wine. This transformation was a sign that God was about to do something new through the Jewish system. God would bring purification to Israel in a whole new way. The new wine has special significance for those outside Israel, too. Jesus provided an internal cleansing the Jewish purification ritual could never provide. But, the new wine came at a significant cost. Jesus responded to our need in an unexpected way. He incurred the cost of our disaster. But, his provision would cost him his life. His blood is our new wine. We receive an invitation to the ultimate wedding feast because of what Jesus did instead of bearing the judgment of our imperfection ourselves. God invites us to attend the feast! Drink the new wine! Share in the joyful celebration!

Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best til now." John 2:9b-10 NIV

-Pastor Jen

Judgment: Give it Up!

It happens faster than I realize. A split second is all it takes to make one. It can ruin a developing relationship, quench a lifelong desire and drive an isolated and lonely soul further into the abyss. Judgment. We all make judgements. But this Lenten season, I want to do something radical or out-of-the-box. I want to give up judgment for Lent.

Personal history influences my judgment in complicated ways. Certain prejudices were part of my family of origin. I learned to laugh at certain jokes or make dismissive decisions about people who were different than me. It is so tempting to reject someone based on their beliefs, appearance, social status or physical abilities. What's so astonishing is how quickly I disregard someone or something based on my own assumptions. That's why I think God wanted me to do something about it.

For the next forty days, I want to learn how to stop my automatic judgment response and replace it with something God-honoring, like grace. All too often, I find myself sizing someone up far too quickly. The human mind is a very complex system that I know very little about. It connects memories, emotions and physiological responses that very intelligent people devote their entire careers trying to comprehend. What  I do know is the damage I can inflict on myself and others when I make a misguided judgment.

While we're being honest with each other, here's another confession. I can be harder on myself than I need to be. I can be my own worst critic. I tend to judge myself on my performance not who I am in Christ. I need to stop judging myself by some ridiculous perfectionist standard that I have in my mind. Because I can be far more grace-filled with others than I am with myself.

So, I challenge you to join me during the forty days of Lent as I learn how I can give up judgment. Maybe we can all take Jesus' words to heart and further his kingdom not only in our world but within our own heart.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2 NASB

-Pastor Jen

Faith: It's a Big Deal

The Bible has a lot to say about faith. It's kind of a big deal. But, maybe you're like me and wonder from time to time what exactly faith means. Is it a noun, verb or adjective? Is faith catchy like the flu and can I spread it to others? I've often wondered if God can give me faith or if it's something I can produce on my own. There have been times during my own faith-journey when I've learned to relinquish my own rebellious attitude and I choose to surrender to faith itself because it feels like faith is a complex combination of it all.

The writer of Hebrews defines faith this way: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1 NIV) During my lifetime, I have learned to question myself when it comes to my emotions, feelings and previously held convictions because they often get me into trouble and get in the way of making good decisions. I have been 'sure and certain' of a lot of things in my life only to get burned in the end. Maybe faith is not contingent on my past experiences but focuses solely on my future. Could I have faith in God that allows me to be open to future positive outcomes and is not tied to negative events or activities of my past?

This weekend we will hear the final message of our generosity series 24/7/365. We will celebrate our faith as we make commitments to God about our financial giving. Each of us will have an opportunity to fill out a card with an amount on it that represents what we will give in the future to Wheatland and the vast mission and ministries we lead.

I pray you will discover the great faith stories written down for us to explore in Hebrews 11. The people mentioned in this chapter of the Bible are considered biblical heavyweights with good reason. They were commended for their faith. They believed that God would prepare and deliver a better future for them. None of them received what had been promised. You and I can receive what was promised to them through our faith in Jesus Christ. What better future can any of us dream or imagine that God hasn't already placed in the hearts of those who believe? Come and see what The Lord has done and what he will do by faith. Magnificent. Beautiful. Faithful. God.

I Found Something More Valuable

Zacchaeus is a popular guy in Christian Children's literature. Songs are written about him. His image appears in coloring books, on flannel boards during Sunday school lessons, and he's been portrayed by bathrobe wearing-dishtowel covered dads. Zacchaeus climbed the Sycamore tree to see Jesus. Many went to great lengths to see Jesus during his ministry. But Zacchaeus was blessed to receive Jesus into his own home and finds something far more valuable than power, authority or possessions at dinner.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector. Not only did he make money legitimately by collecting taxes for the Imperial Roman government, but he most likely made money from other tax collectors who worked for him in the region of Jericho. He lived in an extravagant home, ate lavish food and dressed in fine clothing. Everyone knew their tax money went into Zacchaeus' pockets and there was nothing they could do about it. Sometimes we can identify with the people of Jericho. Maybe we're stuck in a situation that seems hopeless. That is until Jesus comes to town.

Jesus had a reputation for hanging around tax-collectors. He even included Levi as one of the 12 disciples. Once again, Jesus relaxes among the wrong people and the crowd outside grumbled about it. Zacchaeus was a public official who had a change of heart. In Judaism, repentance involved restoration and making amends. Zacchaeus was a lavish guy. He was determined to make a public declaration of his inward transformation. Zacchaeus diminished his own cash reserves by half and promise to give back four times the amount he extorted.

Jesus responded to Zacchaeus' extravagant repentance by including him with the true family of Abraham. We can only imagine how this enraged the religious officials who believed they were the rightful descendents of Abraham. Zacchaeus doesn't follow Jesus. He stays in Jericho to live out a new life and re-establish himself as part of the renewed and restored People of God. Zacchaeus did nothing to deserve the lavish gift Jesus offered him. He simply accepted it and decided to live differently from then on.

I found a video from the Skit Guys that may help describe what happened in Zacchaeus' life. My prayer is that you can experience the same thing in your life. Watch here.

 "Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'"Luke 19:9-10 NIV

-Pastor Jen

Photo Credit: Rick Camacho via Compfight cc

What's Your Generosity Story?

Generosity. Wikipedia defines it as the habit of giving without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait. Generosity for the Christ-follower is a way of life. It is directly related to our maturity and timing in faith.

Every moment of every day God gives us the privilege of partnering with him to accomplish Kingdom-sized goals. We bring honor and glory to God when we act according to his direction and work toward realizing the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven. Wheatland does amazing work in our communities and across the globe. We believe to our core that by being a connected, devoted, generous follower of Jesus Christ, we can love God, love others and change the world. This commitment to world changing requires our efforts 24/7/365.

"24/7/365" is the title of our next series which focuses on our generous response to what God is doing in our lives. The series will focus on four different types of givers: a widow who captured Jesus' attention by giving from her poverty, Zacchaeus who was so utterly transformed by Jesus he put all his cards on the table and went "all in," Abraham who set up the tithe as a blessing not a duty and the ultimate giver who gives by faith.

Each week we will examine the biblical story and discover which type of giver describes us as individual givers. We will also share personal stories about times when generosity effected us. Celebration Sunday is the final Sunday and our opportunity to make a pledge to God and confirm our participation in the church that is active 24/7/365. The church is eternal. It's is God's big idea to bring hope to a lost and broken world. It will be an awesome time of learning, challenge and commitment.

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Hebrews 11:1-2 (The Message)

-Pastor Jen

Photo Credit: micah.e via Compfight cc

Our Most Influential Thoughts

Maybe you've read or heard the quote, "An idle brain is the devil's workshop." This quote has been around a long time. It comes from H.G. Bohn's A Handbook of Proverbs, published in 1855. Often, the word "brain" is substituted by the word "mind" and "workshop" is sometimes changed to "playground" in the modern daily use of the expression. Its meaning is, simply put, if a mind is not kept busy with good things, wicked or evil thoughts and ideas are likely to enter.

So what has filled your mind? Consider all the experiences, images, songs, words and phrases, thoughts, memories, prayers, and other stuff that has been absorbed or dumped into your mind. Our quick fix is to ask God to erase all the bad stuff and allow only the good stuff to remain. But, that doesn't work. It seems like the bad stuff comes to mind far too often and quickly. It's so tempting to get weighed down, feel guilty or get mired in past failures and mistakes. The Apostle Paul suggests a different approach.  

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8-9 The Message

We wrap up our series this weekend with a challenge to put into practice what we've learned. There are times when we need to press on, endure and persevere even when we're not feeling it. We need other Christ followers who really know us and our story to help us through challenging times. Christians serve and suffer with one another. We live life together because we know our faith will be challenged and we are tempted to do all the wrong things daily. There will be times when we're just not feeling it. We believe a Christian small group is crucial for developing spiritual maturity and can be our only defense against the spiritual forces of darkness that own this world. Imagine the infiltration God's Kingdom not by force but through the gradual transformation of individuals working in groups to change the world. Sounds like God's perfect plan to save the world, doesn't it?

Ordinary things with Extraordinary Grace

Drudgery. It's the touchstone of our Christian character. Drudgery is removed from the mountain top or the isolated valley. It is far removed from the ideal and surreal. It's the grubby things of our daily life that when we come into contact with them we know we are authentic and spiritually real. It takes the inspiration of God to live out the day to day routine. Some people do a certain thing like drive the kids in carpool or walk away from a juicy piece of office gossip in a way that is utterly transformational. They do a common thing with uncommon grace.

The Lord starts in our drudgery. It may be the most common thing we do, but when we do it with a sense of divine initiative we are transfigured. Imagine the Lord of lords and King of kings becoming human. Read the passages of the gospels and find the ordinary things Jesus does with extraordinary grace. We have a tendency to believe the Christian life is supposed to be lived out in the extremes. But in all honesty, the Christian life is lived with integrity in the drudgery of life - when we're just not feeling it.  I found an inspired cartoon that demonstrates this point in a funny wayhere.

The Apostle Paul doesn't give an inspiring speech to the Philippians like the blue-faced Mel Gibson in Braveheart or a battle-ready Russel Crow in Gladiator. He simply tells it like it is by saying,

"Not that I've already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize  for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

Blessed self-forgetfulness can be a definition of humility and something we are learning about during this sermons series. We will experience something new this weekend at Wheatland. We are celebrating with our congregation at both sites! Five Preacher Weekend is an opportunity to share the incredible talent we have and give new leaders an opportunity to preach at each location. We will consecrate our Congregational Care Team members and welcome new members into our community. I wouldn't miss this if I were you! See you Sunday.

-Pastor Jen

Dying Every Day

There's nothing quite like the first days. The first days of a new job or relationship captivate us with anticipation and excitement. We rise with the dawn and cannot wait to get to work! We constantly check our phone for any hint of communication from our new person of interest. Our expectations skyrocket. Creativity seems to ooze from the very fiber of our being! We over look little things that normally drive us crazy. We ride the intense whitewater of our emotional rapids that carries us into a what we may begin to believe is a whole new way of being!

And then it happens. Reality.

The first days reflect a lot about us. The white knuckle ride through the first days reflects a lot about our character and what may be guiding us or missing in our lives. Someone or something fills a void in us. Sometimes we didn't know it was there. The initial burst of emotions from first days can be exhilarating but it can take a huge emotional toll on people we care about unless we develop a Christ-like character and think about the long-term effects of our actions.

I hope you check out the second chapter of Philippians this week. I am sure it sounded as radical to them as it does to us today. Paul challenged the Christians of Philippi to look not to their own interests but to the interests of others. In other words, put your interests aside and think before you act. He reminds them of Jesus who didn't take being God for granted but humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross!

 And there it is. Reality.

The most incredible Christ-like followers I know die on a daily basis. They reflect the character of Jesus. They are humble and obedient. They make the hearts and minds of others a priority. They recognize their own selfish desires that often parade as needs. It takes incredible self-control to step back, make a personal assessment in any situation and die to personal interests. Philippians chapter two helps us understand why the name of Jesus is above every name and why every knee shall bow. I challenge you to check it out.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV

I'm Just Not Feeling It

The holidays are over. Maybe you made a resolution to get into shape, go gluten-free, reduce your debt load or get back to church. All of these are excellent areas of focus for 2014. But, secretly have you wondered why you may be tempted to wander away from church or give up on your relationship with Jesus altogether? Did the good feelings of connection you once had fade with time? Has reading your Bible become dull? Is your prayer life reduced to simply going through the motions?

Almost everyone I know has experienced a disconnect from church, the Bible, prayer and even Jesus at some point of their spiritual journey. If you haven't felt it yet, trust me, be prepared to experience a spiritual separation at some point during your faith walk. I found an interesting post I think may be helpful here.

Maybe you've thought about ending your relationship with Jesus. You are not alone. Throughout our next Sunday morning series we will explore some of the reasons Christ followers may experience a faith disconnect.  You've probably heard the popular phrase, "I'm just not feeling it." This phrase happens to be our series title and one of the most popular break-up lines used when ending a relationship. It's like saying, "it's not you, it's me" or "we're just growing apart" or "we're just different people today than we were back then."

One sure-fire remedy to the spiritual disconnect is being connected to a trusted group of dedicated Christ followers. The New Testament is full of great stories about how regular people develop a long-lasting relationship with Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a small group of Christians in Philippi. The letter, also called an epistle, includes four chapters we will study together. We're even going to challenge you to memorize Philippians 3:12 and add it to your spiritual repertoire! Faith in Jesus lived out in community becomes a powerful catalyst to experiencing God in our everyday lives. Check out what small groups are currently available or connect with other people and create your very own group. You could be a vehicle of eternal hope and reconciliation Jesus works through to change the world!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12 NIV