The Star

 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

Christmas is a mixed bag for most of us. Complicated emotions permeate the season. Hopes are high. Time is sparse. And traffic is atrocious.

It’s easy to get lost along the way. So, we can be thankful for the star.

Last Sunday, we talked about the star mentioned in Matthew 2. We learned that the star illuminated the way, created concern from enemies, declared that God is with us, created excitement and brought protection for the journey.

As we focus on the way the star can light our way to Christ this season, it’s my prayer that we approach Christmas with great expectation – the same expectation with which the Magi approached Jesus.

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

Faithful Fasting

Have you ever been guilty of making the statement that God isn’t speaking to you? For a stretch of time in my relationship with God, I felt very distant from hearing His voice. I desperately wanted to feel closer to Him, but just couldn’t seem to figure out why I was stuck in such a rut. On a Wednesday night in youth group several years ago, I heard a message that dramatically shifted my perspective. I am not even sure what the particular sermon was about, but I distinctly remember feeling convicted by God to be more generous with my time to Him. I felt as though He was telling that if I wanted to hear His voice, I needed to fast. I needed to sacrifice. I needed to approach God more in worship. I needed to spend more time reading His Word. I needed to be more faithful in the day-to-day rhythm of life.

This Sunday, Pastor Aaron taught on the subject of faithful fasting. As I listened to this sermon, I was challenged once again to make a greater effort in setting aside my desires and time to reflect on God’s Word. As we learned on Sunday, the Bible has a countless number of instances in which followers of Christ fasted. Daniel fasted (Daniel 9:3). Esther fasted (Esther 4:16). Paul fasted (Acts 27:33). Nehemiah fasted (Nehemiah 1:4). These are a few among the many occurrences mentioned in the Bible in which God’s people spent time in prayer, sacrifice, worship, and meditation.

In the busyness of life, it can be so easy to forget or overlook this basic principle that is a constant theme throughout the Bible. It is so important, however, that we do not neglect this practice. Giving our attention solely to God prepares us better for the challenges in life. Fasting allows us to find deliverance, seek repentance, and align more closely to the Spirit. Furthermore, it is a way in which we may show God our faithfulness, gratefulness, and adoration.

This week, I challenge you to examine your life and pray about what may be an appropriate fast for you. Whether it be something as simple as fasting Facebook, or is a traditional Daniel fast, I challenge you to sacrifice something significant. God gave us the greatest sacrifice of all in His Son, Jesus. Let us devote our time and attention to the One who has given us everything and the One who directs our paths. 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

The Meditation Mandate

Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

The word "meditate" is often associated with emptying one's mind to achieve a particular state of thinking more clearly. Conversely, Biblical meditation involves actually focusing on scripture and thinking deeply about it. Doing this in turn helps us to apply and live out the truths within the Word of God.

Here are some practical steps to implementing biblical meditation in our lives:

Prepare - Ready yourself to meditate on His word. That may look different for each person. For me this involves a cup of coffee, a comfy chair and/or blanket, my bible, a good journal and a pen.

Rewrite - Write the verse down on paper. Write it in several translations. Write it in your own words. The physical act of writing helps lodge the verse in your mind.

Pray the passage - Literally use the words of the verse as prayer. Ask the Lord to help you do what the verse says.

Look for applications - Throughout your day, look for specific ways to incorporate the scripture into your life.

Be patient - Learning to meditate on scripture takes time. Don't hurry through the process. Take your time and let the Lord speak to you.

Will you take time with me this week to truly begin to learn to meditate in His word? I'm looking forward to life change through doing so!

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Brigit Edwards

Complacency

“I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs--who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing either good or bad.’ Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.”

Zephaniah 1:12-13

I’m going to be honest here – sometimes I come out of a Sunday message thinking it’s mostly directed at other people. While I might not be thinking of any one person or group specifically to which the message would apply, it’s not always clear where the personal application is supposed to be. But maybe the best course then is to keep looking.

I have a number of flaws to which I’ll readily admit, but I don’t consider complacency one of them.  After all, I spend a great deal of time and mental energy most days trying, and more often than not failing, to improve myself. I’m not satisfied with my work habits and productivity, the depth of my relationship with God, how often I exercise, how often I pray, and how I respond to the needs of others. Most of the time, I consider this striving to improve an asset. Though what this effort leaves with me, instead of wisdom or character improvement, is an abiding discontent.

But discontent is almost the opposite of complacency, isn’t it? Complacency at a glance seems like being content when you shouldn’t be – not recognizing where you need to improve, ignoring a lingering problem or even an imminent threat, or living at lowered awareness. It’s being unteachable when there are vital lessons to learn.

That’s all true enough, but maybe there’s more to complacency. As we heard in the message, complacency invites correction. It often begins with a mindset that becomes a belief, but more to the point, it diminishes God. The complacent, like those in the verse from Zephaniah above, picture God as neutral and detached from their own lives, leaving them to their own devices. And I’ve been there. It’s on my go-to list of explanations whenever I pray and don’t hear an answer from God right away. I try to convince myself that maybe God isn’t resolving a problem in my life because He expects I can fix it myself. God’s purpose is not to coddle me, after all, and my prayers might be more effective and faithful if I know I’ve exhausted every other possibility and the answer will have to come from Him.

When I rely on my own efforts to resolve a situation, I diminish the chance for the Lord to be more active and bear more fruit in my life. I make Him a kind of last resort – and so in any struggle where I’m not quite there yet, I don’t involve Him enough. And that can have consequences.

As a friend reminded me after the service, the opposite of complacency is not discontent – it’s intentionality. It’s purposing to bring God into every aspect of your life, great and small, and to make Him Lord. It’s resolving to be Spirit-directed, and embracing the notion that God is for us – which is a far cry from neutrality. And then, when we actively intend to bring everything to him in prayer, these other things are added to us. And the peace of God (which is a terrific analgesic for discontent, by the way) will go forward with us always.

Written by: Chad Halcom

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

Double Lives

When I read the Bible, I tend to assume that my thinking and understanding of the Gospel is beyond the Pharisees’, but the more I read, the more I realize that I can actually relate to many of pharisaical shortcomings. In Matthew 23, Jesus warns the Pharisees about the danger of living a “double life.” As He states in Matthew 23:27, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” Yikes! This verse is convicting. In this portion of scripture, Jesus is NOT amused with the façade that the Pharisees have created. Obviously, Jesus is not fooled by it, and He is cautioning that there are consequences of living this double life.

Personally, I know there have been instances in my faith journey that I have made my relationship with God appear better than it is. The reality is, I am not ever going to be perfect. However, my goal should not be to make sure I look perfect, but to work towards becoming more like Christ. Furthermore, I must be willing to be honest with myself and others when things are not good.

On Sunday, Pastor John Opalewski offered four consequences of living a double life:

1.      It hardens our hearts
2.      It messes with our heads
3.      It makes us miserable
4.      It jeopardizes our future

As these consequences suggest, living a double life can be very taxing. We can become slaves to keeping up the name of our fictional “self.” This avoidance of vulnerability can wear us down, and ultimately can hinder us from ever truly addressing our faults.

However, there is good news! Jesus welcomes repentance, and He desires that we seek restoration. In response to finding oneself living a “double life,” Pastor John provided three solutions:

1. Repentance
2. Re-engagement with God
3. Re-connection with people

This week, I challenge you to self-assess the gap between how you portray yourself to be and where your heart truly lies. In areas that you find you are struggling most, I encourage you to seek repentance. Vulnerably submit to God and be genuine with those around you. Remember the fact that Christ welcomes repentance and seeks to guide us in becoming more like Him. 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant

Bouncebackedness: Overcoming

DISCLAIMER:  I’m about to share a very personal story that includes lot of medical information. While it may be new to the reader, this road and the medical support we’ve received over the years is not new to us. You’ll probably read this and have all kinds of questions and ideas that come from a place of love and concern. Please know that this isn’t written to garner sympathy, but rather to show the surpassing grace of God and how good He’s been on this journey. If you have any questions or suggestions, please refrain from bombarding Aaron with them. He doesn’t let this situation define him. You can contact me, if you’d like and I’d be happy to answer any questions you have. Thanks! Love you!

“…I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7b-8

We were young as we sat across the table from one another in October of 1998 – 24 and 22, on the precipice of building a life together. Engaged for two months, our plan for the evening was to finalize our wedding guest list over dinner.

Halfway through our meal Aaron dropped his fork suddenly and said, "Something's not right. I need to go the ER."

What started out as leg cramps turned into a three day stay in the hospital hooked up to IV fluids in an effort to flush his system. He was in danger of kidney failure.  Scary phrases like "astronomically high levels of muscle enzymes in your blood" and "you shouldn't even be able to walk" shook the world we were building for ourselves.

The weeks to come were a blur of tests and biopsies and words like “neurology” and “metabolic” and “disorder” and “quality of life.”

But soon, a diagnosis was in sight. The team of neurologists had narrowed it down to one of two possible maladies - one of which was ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). If that was the case, the prognosis was bleak. Aaron sat me down and told me that if the final test came back positive for ALS, he would break off our engagement. Chances were that he'd be dead inside of a decade and didn't want me to spend my 20s and 30s caring for a dying man. 

The diagnosis finally came:

Myophosphorylase partial deficiency - an extremely rare glycogen storage disorder. His body is unable to store energy (glycogen) and therefore when immediate sources of energy are depleted, his muscle tissue breaks down as his body attempts to use it for energy. This in turn thickens his blood into an enzyme-rich slurry that his kidneys can’t filter.  It’s genetic. There’s no cure. It had remained dormant until he went on a no sugar/low carb diet to drop a few pounds for our wedding.

Thankfully, the prognosis was so much better than we originally thought. We moved forward with our plans of making a life together.

His doctor told him that he is to constantly stay hydrated to keep his kidneys flushed because his body will most likely always be breaking down muscle tissue to some extent. To minimize that, he was instructed to avoid activities that isolate muscle groups. And exercise designed to build muscle would have the exact opposite effect on him. He is only allowed to do cardiovascular types of exercise – no weight training. Other than that there's no real treatment other than vitamin B supplements. His doctor also said that a factor he had working in his favor was that at the time of his diagnosis he was very strong and had significant muscle mass.

But he’d suffer with chronic pain for the remainder of his life.

It took him several years to fully grasp how to manage this disease. For the first three years after his diagnosis, he landed himself in the hospital once a year because he was 20something and invincible and didn’t follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter.

For over 17 years, each morning as I’ve laid next him, I’ve heard him sigh deeply as he prepares to gather the strength to hoist his aching body out of bed. Hunched over, he shuffles toward the shower like a man twice his age with his hands balled up into cramped fists. The hot, running water of the shower slowly loosens the knots throughout his body.

But on any given day, if I run my hand over his back, I feel a large, solid clump of muscle. It’s never in the same place. The pain and cramping migrate daily. Sometimes it’s in his calves or thighs and sometimes it’s in his arms. 

He rarely complains and he doesn’t “look sick.”  He plans the physical activity of his day around the pain. And yet, he’s the hardest-working, most productive person I know.

On really bad days, he doesn’t say a word, but I can see it in his eyes – they are puffy and sad. And on those days, when I lay my hand on his arm, I can feel the muscle vibrating below the surface of his skin. It’s not visible to the eye…only to touch.

As he said on Sunday, we all have a “something.” For some it’s physical. For others it’s emotional or spiritual. A thorn in the flesh can easily become a point of defeat, doubt and disillusionment. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the podcast from Sunday, I would encourage you to go do so. Right now. I’ll wait. J

I pray for his healing with regularity. We know that he’ll be healed one day – in this life or eternity. As believers we are promised that. But in the here and now – in the weakness – when he could feel really sorry for himself or get angry at God he remains in awe of Him. I’ve never met anyone who loves Jesus as much as Aaron does. He exemplifies what a “relationship with the Lord” looks like. They talk to one another regularly. God speaks to him, encourages him, and gives him insight, wisdom and discernment in unbelievable ways. He weeps with emotion at the goodness of God and the potential of what God can do in the lives of others.

I know that the thorn in his flesh – although he’s prayed for God to take it from him on numerous occasions – has brought 2 Corinthians 12:9 to fruition in him:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Often in the agony of the unanswered prayer, God uses our "something" – our thorn – to further His purposes and perfect His will.  If you’re suffering with a thorn in the flesh today, I would encourage you to ask for His grace to allow His power to be made perfect. You are loved. You are seen. You are not alone.

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Bouncebackedness: Generosity

I have an ambivalent relationship with the game of soccer. My family loves it, my stepfather was a coach for years, and my brother played well into adulthood, while my own grade school years playing were mostly a struggle. After a year or so, my first coach talked extensively with my family about joining an expansion team in the league the following season. Only after the fact did I learn the endgame: I would know no one on the new team, the practices were much farther from home, and the move had served primarily to help my old coach open a slot on his own team for a better player. That taught me a lot about soccer and life which had nothing to do with ball control or goalie distribution drills. Mostly, however, it taught me about myself. Amid my resentment and hostility with my new teammates, I came to realize that I spent more time thinking about the soccer team than anyone else in the uniform did. And I wasn’t much better for it.

In my soccer experience, negativity and turning inward were a natural response to the challenges I faced. However, there was an alternative response that I could have pursued. As we have learned in this teaching series, people who are suffering can still retain some capacity for kindness and generosity. By doing so, they look beyond their own pain, and move their attention elsewhere. 

Paul gives the Corinthians the example of the generous Macedonian church to the north, who “in the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty, welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3).

It’s probably not lost on his audience that Macedonia was a rural region of the Roman Empire at the time, where Corinth was a bustling and affluent port city and cultural center. Maybe it's not coincidental that we don’t seem to have any epistles in canonical scripture for the churches in Macedonia, Antioch, or Smyrna (which gets only a passing admonition among the churches in Revelation chapter 2, to “not be afraid of what you are about to suffer”). I strongly suspect that the churches in these places of suffering and hardscrabble perseverance didn’t develop the vices that required the writings of Paul and the other apostles. They got over their baggage – maybe because physical necessity forced them to, or maybe because grace moved them beyond their own ability.

What if the grace of God empowered you to give beyond your own ability?

It never occurred to me that giving to others was a measure of resilience, but the more I pray and meditate on it, the more it makes sense. The enemy would like nothing more than for our suffering to turn our thoughts inward, make us overlook our neighbors and reduce our capacity to love. It’s reasonable to assume the best lesson to learn would be the opposite. In so doing, we show ourselves and our Maker that darkness hasn’t diminished our light in the world.

And if you don’t believe me, think back on some of your darkest hours and thoughts in life. Isn’t it ironic that, even in the moments when you are miles from boasting or loving yourself, you are still entirely focused on you?

Maybe, as we heard this week, our struggles come from being in awe of something else more than of God’s grace, and needing to be slammed with the magnitude of grace one more time. Sometimes I wonder if the greater gift of grace is deliverance from hell, or deliverance from self. Sometimes I wonder if they are two gifts, or one and the same.

Written by: Chad Halcom

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

Bouncebackedness: Part 4

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Sunday morning was that time as a kid when your mom or dad said something to you about yourself that you knew was true, but you were hoping wasn’t.

“You’re hurting your little sister/brother.”

“You know how to act better than this.”

“You are looking for attention.”

We all know the feeling: the feeling when you hear out of someone’s mouth what you haven’t yet gotten the courage to come to grips with in your own heart. While the instances above are familiar and pretty mild, this isn’t always the case for many of us now, and certainly was not for me listening to Pastor Aaron’s speaking and Paul’s writings on self-reflection and apology.

These two things are practically inseparable in our quest to become better representations of Jesus on earth. I used to be terrible at being sorry. I don’t even mean just apologizing, I mean being and feeling apologetic for any negative input I had placed in the world around me. Or any negative input I had inside myself, whether it made an appearance to anyone else or not. I did not grieve in the spirit of Heaven, I didn’t have godly strife—strife that searches for holiness and purity for no other cause than that of God and His will. My wrongs and flaws sat untouched so long as I could keep them contained under wraps.

In the world, I grieved heavily about my flaws. Do you know what I’ve come to discover time and time again? Grieving in the world is guilt. It is festering and clingy and it latches on to you. And ironically enough, it is self preserving. Guilt will keep you from being free because you feel too guilty about having guilt to receive any freedom. Grieving in the world in this way will turn your face to all the ways you could let others down, but never will it turn your face towards the cross.

Only the type of self-reflection that we lack so often, that turns our grief to Heaven, towards a hope for being better today than we were yesterday, leads us to repentance. I know, that word sounds stuffy and boring and traditional. It’s the epitome of having to identify our shortcomings in a moment of humility—something we’re never fond of doing. It doesn’t feel good at first. But perhaps it’s time we stopped feeling so good. I’m not advocating for wallowing or being ashamed—quite the opposite. I’m suggesting that perhaps, if we look at our culture today, and our nation, might what we see be the result of feeling ‘good’ for too long? Might we all benefit if we took time to self reflect, to strive and ache over the things God wants for us and our character, to humble ourselves to the reality of the things we could be doing better in our individual lives, and feel good not about ourselves in those moments, but in the hope we have inherited, and the magnificent grace that flows so freely to us?

This week, this month, I give you a challenge possibly more comforting than usual in the midst of all that is happening. Do not grieve in the world, do not give your strife to the things that pass and will pass again. Instead, spend some time looking within. Without gain or promise from the world, grieve for Heaven, repent with a heart of pure motive, and do not wait for the healing of the world around you to receive your own.

Written by: Bri Vanderveen

Edited by: Jenelle Kelly

Bouncebackedness: Groans

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1-5

This week, I have been checking weather updates and social media posts intently, as several people I value, quite literally, have been “stripped of their earthly tent.” Most are probably very aware by now of the devastation of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. The people of Haiti have a special place in my heart, and knowing that they are enduring such great suffering right now saddens me deeply. It doesn’t seem fair that a country with the least amount of resources, and the least amount of protection from natural disaster should have to face this.

As I have been reading the updates from Hut Outreach and Arise Haiti, two organizations I have had the pleasure of partnering with, I am blown away by their dedication to God amidst tragedy. Many of these people are dealing with flooded or completely lost homes, and a great lack of resources. Nonetheless, these individuals have made it a priority not solely to meet their own needs, but to enter into a community that is faced with devastation and offer help.

As I reflect on Sunday’s message in relation to this story, I see a beautiful example of people bringing God glory amidst a groaning nation. Living on earth is something that was never promised to be easy. The members of Arise Haiti and Hut Outreach have certainly encountered an event worthy of groaning. However, they possess a beautiful “deposit” of eternity within them. They possess the Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that they continue to grip tight to God’s presence and love during this time, and are able to bring God glory here on earth, until they enter into eternal glory with Jesus.

If you are facing any challenges right now, I encourage you to cling to the “deposit” God has placed within you. While our life on earth may strip us of the things we value the most, nothing can keep us from the love and glory of our God that was, is, and is to come. 

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Bouncebackedness: The Ball or the Egg

As I sit down to write this, my phone continuously jingles with updates from a group text I’m in with my co-workers. I work for an inner city non-profit that focuses on empowering and building up elementary school children.

This morning, the older brother of two of the children in our program was shot while walking his siblings to the bus stop.

It looks like he’s going to be okay, but it was really frightening for a stretch as the texts flew in while the situation developed. Unfortunately, where I work, this is the rule and not the exception.

Life is difficult.  As tragedy unfolds daily and crises occur constantly, I often wonder if resilience is even possible.

This series on “bouncebackedness” – or the art of learning resilience – is something that only applies to you if you’re human.

This past Sunday, we focused on the fact that our “jars of clay” – the bodies with which we travel this life – can really get banged up.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-9

So, how do we come back from the bumping and bruising and breaking caused by our life? It’s easy to read those verses and focus on the fragility of the clay jar. Don’t miss the little word nestled in there: treasure. That’s the thing about jars of clay – they aren’t super durable. But the treasure within is.

I can’t get this quote out of my head:

“Sometimes we focus on the container and not the contents.” – Lead Pastor, Aaron Hlavin

So what are those contents? What is it that I cart around in my clay jar that’s of so much worth? It’s Jesus and the hope and the grace that He offers. The life He so freely poured out for us. I carry that in me. I’m learning how to offer that to those around me.

I recently attended the viewing of a woman who had passed away. I stood in the funeral home with her mother – who was no stranger to tragedy. In the past eight years, she’d lost a granddaughter, a husband and now a child.

Yet, she recounted to me all the ways the Lord had been faithful in her many years, including as recently as that day when she was able to share Jesus with her former employer in front of her daughter’s casket.

If she had wanted to express the grief she was feeling and the unfairness of life, no one would’ve faulted her. But she chose to focus on the contents of her earthen vessel. And she poured that treasure into my life that day.

I was humbled.

A couple of weeks ago, Aaron and I visited a woman at her home. She’s under the care of hospice – weak and frail. She, too, is no stranger to loss – two children and a husband. But the joy of her life is her two adult grandchildren. Her eyes brightened when she talked about “her angels.” With tears in her eyes, she shared of God’s faithfulness.

Again, I was humbled.

Both of these women of God could’ve easily focused on the trials and tribulations of life.  But instead they chose to focus on the treasure. On Jesus.

Lord, help us – help me – to be resilient. Help me pour You – and the salvation that you offer – out to a dying, broken world that needs the contents of my jar so much more than it needs the cracked and broken container. Make this clearer to me day by day, as I bounce back from the bumps and bruises of this fallen world. You are our hope. You are our reconciliation. You are our everything. Let us never forget that.  

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Brigit Edwards

Bouncebackedness: The Crushing

Once I took a spiritual gifts test that supposedly showed me one of my two spiritual strengths was mercy. I was relieved to see it because I figured I could avoid confrontation. After all, if I’d had discernment I’d know when my brothers and sisters needed correction, and I’d have an obligation to confront them. And who needs that drama?

I had the good sense to know it isn’t over when you deliver a (hopefully) loving rebuke because you’ll spend forever worrying that your words weren’t received the right way.  Maybe someone is even watching you just for the opportunity to show you up and call out a hypocrite?  And then, when do you know if you’re expressing your discernment to others, versus a less spiritual arrogance or discomfort? What if you bring condemnation and division instead of restoration because you didn’t have enough discernment about your own discernment? Yeech. Pass, on that burden. Mercy it is, for me, because I assume it’s hugs all around and nursing the wounds for people, once the big standard-bearers come through with their needed rebuke.

Ruminating might be the right word for Paul’s tone in much of II Corinthians.  In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian Church, he gave a frank dressing-down of shameful behaviors. That’s tricky to deliver long-distance, and Paul had agonized that he “wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice,” and “that even in Troas where the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind… .” (II Corinthians 2:3, 12) This concern followed him back through Macedonia until he is finally assured that the local church has bounced back in a godly way from his words. “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed… .” (II Corinthians 7:8-9).

Just a few years ago, the word “bouncebackability” was added to a new edition of the Oxford English Dictionary – and I have never had the ability to bounce back from it, since resilience has an identical meaning with the added perquisite of being an accepted, real word. I can recognize that, in Christ, Paul was able to bounce back from his own anxiety over his correction to the Corinthians. Helping him, I’m sure, was the Holy Spirit allowing him to discern that It had inhabited his words, and they reaped healing. But that is perhaps the challenge of operating in discernment, or any spiritual gift: knowing when to properly use it, and having to wait in faith for your spirit-directed actions to bear fruit.

Maybe like Paul, when we bounce back from second-guessing ourselves our faith is restored and rewarded. But it’s also good to make sure we bounce back in God, not in ourselves, and remember where to place our confidence.

Written by: Chad Halcom

Edited by: De Ann Sturdivant

Choices

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 1 Chronicles 16:9a

Commitment is a big word. In marriage, it is a promise of faithfulness and partnership. In the workplace, it is illustrated by doing a job with excellence. In sports, music, and many other facets of life, commitment may be demonstrated by persevering amidst challenges or dedicating oneself to a set goal.  Regardless of its application to life, commitment can be a daunting task. In particular, it can be quite intimidating to take responsibility for future choices when there is no clear picture of what the future holds. Nonetheless, God has called all of mankind to a lifetime of commitment, and the way in which we respond to this call is a direct reflection of how we value Him.

The reality is, every day we make choices. God did not create us as robots. He gave us the freedom to choose to give (or not to give) our lives to Him. As Christians, we have made the verbal “commitment” to accept Christ as Lord of our lives. Granted, with this commitment there is an expectation to eventually enter into eternity with Jesus. However, what we sometimes may lose sight of is the fact that before reaching eternity, we must choose to commit each DAY to God.

On Sunday, Pastor Aaron highlighted five vital choices that reflect our commitment to God.

1.       I choose to take responsibility for my spiritual growth. (James 4:8).

2.       I choose to practice contentment in all areas of my life. (Philippians 4:12).

3.       I choose to serve with regularity in my church. (John 12:26).

4.       I choose to invite one person a month to church with me (Colossians 4:2-6).

5.       I choose to bring the full tithe to God each week (Deuteronomy 10:14).

These five choices are simple in theory, but take effort to truly carry out. It is one thing to say we are committed to God, but to live a lifestyle of commitment is powerful. When we truly own our faith by studying the Bible and praying, expressing gratitude in all things, giving freely to others, sharing the gospel, and giving financially to grow the Church, we are backing our promise. We are honoring God. We are living faithfully.

In 1 Chronicles 16:9, it states that God strengthens those who are fully committed to Him. Not only has God offered eternal life to those who commit their lives to Him, but He also offers strength. He doesn’t neglect us as we walk through challenges on earth. Rather, He walks with us and empowers us.

This week, I challenge you to examine your commitment to Christ. Have you settled into a habit of partial or wavering commitment, or are you fully devoted to God? Let us all strive to choose commitment in all aspects of life, even when it may be difficult.

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: Jenelle Kelly

Freedom Christian: Washington Launch

Wow, this past Sunday was an epic day at Freedom Christian. The commissioning of the Washington Launch Team was both powerful and emotional. And now we’re on our way to September 18^th, the official launch of the Washington Campus. There are still many details to work on, things to think about, and adjustments to make.

One of those adjustments will be the use of video for preaching. We’ll be looking at Pastor Aaron’s mug (sans makeup?) on a video screen most Sundays, and perhaps a few of us wonder what the video experience will be like. You may even be asking: “Why video?”

Here are some thoughts to the question of “why?”

Video allows us to:

·         Promote a unified vision—Connect-Grow-Serve across two campuses (and multiple cities).

·         Reach and disciple more people.

·         Expand local community involvement of the Freedom Christian folks who live in the Washington area.

·         Provide excellent pastoral care – the campus pastor, the leadership team, and Life Group leaders will be an extension of Pastor Aaron and the great pastoral care he provides.

“OK John, but a video sermon still seems uncomfortable to me.” Well, here’s what I know:

·         Most of us get the majority of our info from a screen these days.

·         When attending any church that uses screens to make it easier to see the preacher, most people end up looking at the screens and not at the pulpit. When I was at District Council in Grand Rapids earlier this year, I found myself watching the enhancement screens instead of looking at the preacher behind the pulpit. Pretty sure I’m not the only one who does this.

·         We’ve been blessed with some awesome video teaching in the past – Andy Stanley, Mark Batterson and Francis Chan, just to name a few. The anointing of those men was not diminished by the video. People attending those sessions at Freedom were moved to action as though those men were physically in the room.

So… here we go! Laura and I are excited to take the journey alongside you!

Written by: Pastor John Opalewski

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

Treasures in Heaven

Right around the turn of the century – when we youth pastored the greatest group of kids you’ll ever meet – a tall, awkward, hyper young man made an indelible mark on All Access Youth Ministries. He vibrated with constant energy; a never-ending source of ridiculous stories, spot-on impersonations, hilarious accents and outrageous antics.  

While it’s closing in on almost two decades ago, I can remember like yesterday, squeezing into a full elevator during Youth Convention. Suddenly, I feel something large and heavy on my shoulder. He placed a large, lifelike rubber spider on my shoulder. I freak out a little. A lot. My physical reaction may or may not slam him hard into the wall – which causes the elevator to lurch to a stop. Of course, the passengers erupt into screams. I sigh heavily thinking that we’d be trapped there for hours (it was already 3 o’clock in the morning), and that I was being punished for all the things I’d done wrong in my life. Thankfully, the elevator groans back to life only moments later.

We enjoyed full and exciting years of youth ministry with this young man. Then, one day, he introduced us to a young lady he met at work. I first became truly acquainted with her on yet another weekend retreat. Late one night, a group of us girls wound down the events of the day in our hotel room. She sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed as we chatted. At one point, she became so animated in telling a story that she completely somersaulted backward off the bed – meanwhile flailing her arms and legs and long, long curly hair. I still giggle when I think of it.

 I loved those “kids.” Those kids grew up, got married and answered the call of God.

I was in awe, admiration and thankfulness to God for his faithfulness that I sat next to the two of them at lunch last Sunday and watched them converse effortlessly in Mandarin Chinese with two exchange students. From my vantage point, the conversation seemed easy and rich – and generous. It would’ve been simple for them to just selfishly enjoy lunch with old friends. But they used the opportunity to be generous with their time, their words, and their God.

I watched the natural overflow of the message Geoff had spoken to our Freedom Family last Sunday. He was truly practicing what he had preached. As I watched them so graciously give to those students, I was reminded of the words he spoke on Sunday to our Freedom family.

 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:21

Geoff talked about what it means to be rich, or “generous” towards God. When we are generous with our time, talents, words, creativity, physical bodies and our silent times, we glorify God. We aren’t storing things up for ourselves. We’re pointing to Him. We’re magnifying eternity with our perspective of the present.

Since Sunday, I have been intensely evaluating the ways I can be generous toward God:

With my time

More often that I care to admit, I waste time. I spend too much time on Facebook and Instagram. I binge watch Netflix. How can I utilize that time more effectively in magnifying eternity?

With my talents

I’m really good at planning and organizing. But often, I wait till the last minute or I don’t distribute and delegate well. How can I use my planning and organization skills to orchestrate ways to point people to Jesus?

With my words

I am not generous enough with my words. In fact, I’m pretty stingy with them. Sometimes, I know I should encourage someone or speak life into a situation. But I just don’t. I think it’s because I’m afraid that a full-blown conversation that I just don’t have the emotional wherewithal to have will ensue (it’s an introvert thing). Lord, help me offer life-giving encouragement on a regular basis whatever the cost.

With my creativity

I write. But sometimes writing and sharing it with the world scares me because people generally feel very free to criticize the creativity of others. I don’t like that. But my creativity can be a way to show someone eternity with Christ. That’s worth any amount of criticism I may receive.

With my physical body

I don’t like to exert myself. I hate sweating. Therefore, I am out of shape and tire easily. How much more could I accomplish for the Lord if I’d just get myself a little more physically fit? What’s a half hour earlier in the morning for a run on the treadmill in light of someone’s eternity?

With my silent times

 Introverts covet their silent times. On my commute to and from work I want to be entertained and numbed by the music and podcasts I listen to. But am I being generous toward God with those times?

So, to that tall, gangly kid who, on the aforementioned retreat (right before the fake spider incident), rolled up the huge floor mat and pretended it was a giant cigar (and knocked over a garbage can in the process – he left that out of the story on Sunday), I say “thank you.” Thank for reminding me to magnify Christ with my generosity toward God and others. You did so powerfully last Sunday with your words; but even more so with your actions. 

Written by: Jaime Hlavin

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant

Steps- Part 5

In my lifetime, I have witnessed Christians pull out all the stops in the name of evangelizing. Thousand dollar lights, highly skilled musicians, massive, stadium-style events with nationally renowned speakers, entire carnivals, huge giveaways, and Starbucks gift cards galore. We LOVE finding ways to make church the hottest thing around, in hopes that our hospitality and enthusiasm will draw those around us into meeting with Jesus.  

I’m not knocking these strategies. I think it’s an incredible thing when people come together to invest into the lost as a way of reaching out. However, I think in our daily lives, we overlook an opportunity for ministry with just as incredible of a shock factor. That thing is grace.

I’ve come to learn over the past few years that no one expects grace anymore. In a high-demand world with a rapidly growing “look out for yourself because no one else will” mentality, grace is a foreign concept. Not only is it unexpected to give it, but also to receive it. The idea that I can mess up or wrong another and receive grace for it sounds like something out of a sermon because that is the only place we hear that idea anymore. Though it can emotionally be tempting not to do so, meeting the failings of those around you with the same grace God provides to us every single day catches our culture off guard, and grabs the attention of their hearts.

Working in the service industry, I can tell you that mistakes met with humanity that looks you in the eyes and extends compassion beyond a “victim’s” capacity can change the course of an entire day. It’s a breath of relief. These people officially have my attention, my interest, and my openness to listen to what they have to say. And that’s only over a couple dollars of food. Imagine receiving the same grace over something serious: a betrayal, a bad attitude, or a personal conflict. To have someone’s attention, interest, and willingness to hear what you have to say because of the place of safety you have created is to have them in the perfect spot to hear the gospel. It’s like a free sample. You think me having mercy on you for bumping my car is great? You should try permanent grace over everything you do forever. It’s fantastic.

On Sunday, Pastor Aaron shared the final part in the story of Joseph. The manner in which Joseph handles the final reconciliation with his brothers is a perfect model of the grace with which God wants us to be able to extend to others. The dignity of keeping it between those involved (“Make everyone go out from me,” Genesis 45:1), the very real vulnerability and intimacy of the moment (“Come near to me please,” Genesis 45:4), and the humanity displayed by Joseph in relating himself to those that betrayed him as family (“I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt,” Genesis 45:4) show a value for Joseph’s brothers as whole, complete individuals and not simply as categories, or occasions in time. The end result, as we know, being peace and unity as Joseph is laid to rest by those who once betrayed him.

This week, I pray you all take stock of your own attitudes and reactions to those in your life. Let us not seek to be justified, but to be extraordinary, and to use grace to grab the attention of the hearts we come into contact with. 

Written by: Brianna Vanderveen

Edited by: Tamara Sturdivant