Don’t abandon any new spiritual practices you’ve committed to, simply because you aren’t seeing the instant results you hoped for. Stick with it and know that THE author and perfector of your faith is changing you as you continue to avail yourself daily to Him. Before you know it, you’ll be hovering mid-air and won’t know how these wings appeared from nowhere.

Pastor Gary Smith

Creative Arts Pastor

Moses’ staff was a symbol of who he was and what he did for a living. His willingness to do what God told him to do with it unleashed incredible power and influence in Moses’ life.  And just like Moses used what God had given him, I believe that God intends for us to use the things he gives us–the skills, the abilities, the experiences, the way we’re wired. He made us this way, so why wouldn’t He want us to be who we are? In fact, God is most pleased when “you be you.”

I’ve struggled at times with this very question of the way I’m wired–why would God wire me up this way if not for the purpose of using the way I’m wired for his purposes and glory? Rick Warren says in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” that when God sees one of his children doing the things he wired him or her up to do, He is pleased.

It reminds me of that old movie, “Chariots of Fire,” and the scene in which Eric Liddell has a conversation with his sister, who seems a bit put off that he is pursuing his career as an Olympic runner, seemingly forestalling their plans to go to China as missionaries. He explains to her (I’m paraphrasing), “God made me for a purpose–he made me for China. But he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.”

I’m realizing (and it’s taken a very long time) that the thing that pleases God the most in my life is when I do the very things that he has made me for. It’s tempting to think that somehow our gifts and abilities are less “spiritual” than those of people who are wired up for the more traditional spiritual professions–preachers, teachers, missionaries, etc., and to consider ourselves as being less useful for God’s purposes. But the truth is that when we do the things that God uniquely wired us up to do, He is pleased.

So, what’s that in your hand?

Lance Hagenbeck

Worship Pastor

¹ Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Beon your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. {Luke 12:1-3}

In this case I am taking inventory…

Of my words…

Because words are eternal aren’t they?

Once we speak them, there is no retrieving them.

As simple as that sounds, that little statement (Don’t react, respond) has changed my life.  It has the power to help cultivate health and stability in your family and other key relationships.  Think about it.  Many of the words people regret ever speaking can be tied back to moments of impatience, anger, or simply speaking before understanding the “other side”.  What if instead of speaking our mind, we were silent?

Waiting to cool down.

Actually giving thought to our words before we say them.

How much regret would we avoid?  How much peace would we harness?

The truth is, words are powerful.  The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  I would argue that not just the words themselves are powerful, but also the attitude in which they are spoken.  A pause and reflection on what we were about to say can bring a ton of clarity and give us a chance to align our attitudes.

I’m not saying we should avoid difficult conversations.  There will no doubt still be difficult things we’ll have to say.  However, “truth” is never poisonous if it’s said at the right time, from the right person, and with the right attitude.  But how are we to know all of those variables align before we open our mouth?

Don’t react, respond…

I guess the only way we can tell if our words are poisonous or not, is by tasting them before they come out of our mouth.

Written by Pastor Dave Brickey

This week the schedule took me through Luke chapter 3.  John the Baptist was explaining to the crowd that had gathered what God wanted them to do. After telling people who had 2 coats to share with those who had none, and telling those who had food to share with those who didn’t, he turned to the tax collectors and soldiers who had typically abused their authority.  He said something so small but so profound…

“Be content…”  (vs. 14)

For some reason this particular verse jumped out and captured my attention.  In a world where everyone is kicking and scratching to make another dollar or willing to do anything it takes for personal gain, God looks down and says “Be content.”

We just came off of a Christmas season where we, as Americans, spent more than ever before… In the middle of a recession!?!  I believe God loves giving gifts and we should as well, but how much of that was driven not by our love for those we were gifting, but by greed and image?  I’m inspired by the students in our youth ministry who wore the same shirt for 30 straight days to build awareness that in many countries around the world children only have one shirt!

I know this, the next time I’m digging through my closet and can’t find the “right” shirt I’ll remember John’s words in Luke 3 and I’ll be content with the many ways God has blessed me.  There is no point focusing on what would make me look better to the people around me.  I’d rather focus on how God sees me.  When I really think about it, He has blessed me with far more than I deserve anyway!

We’ve referenced the story of the children of Israel and their journey into the Promised Land amidst the rugged terrain of incredible challenge and difficulty, and within the landscape of undeniable provision from the hand of God.  Alas, their travels brought them to one more impasse in Joshua 4, crossing the Jordan River.  God’s presence in the manifest form of the Ark caused the waters to stand at attention, once again providing dry ground for God’s people to go where He was leading them.  Upon arrival at the other side of the river, the people constructed a monument; an altar built from the very stones of the riverbed they had just crossed.  This alter would be a place to remember how God’s faithfulness knows no end.

It is easy for me, and I suspect for you, to get so wrapped up with where God is leading us, into the task, project, or opportunity at hand, that we sprint into tomorrow without taking a full-hearted pause to remember God’s faithfulness.  Easier still, we can allow the difficulty, heartbreak, challenges, mistakes, and disappointments to so overshadow God’s faithfulness that we can scarcely remember the ways He has blessed, healed, and provided for each of us.

I would encourage you to join me in looking back at the riverbed of your 2011, and pick out a few stones – moments of God’s obvious provision, reasons to be grateful, instances where grace emerged and surprised you in amazing ways, and allow those instances to build your faith and become “rocks” that give you the confidence that your Daddy, Father, Abba, God will lead you through anything you face in this New Year.

So, take some time and review 2011, dig up some rocks that you can reference today and tomorrow.  Join me in saying “God, you ROCK… times 10!!”

Memory Verse

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.”  Matthew 1:23

To summarize Luke 10:38-42, Jesus and his disciples stopped by Martha’s house for dinner.  She was cleaning and cooking like crazy to show her gratitude, but her sister Mary, who I’m sure was recruited to help, bailed on her and just hung out with Jesus leaving all the work for Martha! Prompted by Martha’s complaining, Jesus used the moment to teach a valuable lesson on priorities. He said in verses 41-42, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus’ message was clear, and it is that same message that rings true for all of us during Christmastime.  There are many things we “have” to be doing – family coming to town or traveling to visit family, Christmas cards to send, presents to purchase, meals to prepare, homes to clean, decorate and clean again.  Add all of these extra activities on top of the normal day-to-day activities, and where does that leave us?  While many of the holiday traditions are wonderful, Jesus never asked us to show the love of God to others though our hard work, or to prove our love for Him by filling all of our time with business.  Jesus wants our best; He wants our quality time.

I’m married to a woman whose “love language” is quality time.  As I strive to meet her needs, I am also learning more about my relationship with God.  Sometimes the greatest gifts are those that cannot be purchased and wrapped.  Sometimes the greatest gifts you can give are the gifts of a clear calendar and undivided attention.  This year I encourage you not to just give God his normal 15-minute devotional time, but to sit at His feet for a while.  That is a gift that can never be taken away, and one that will never goes out of style.

Brandon Liebe

Connections Pastor

Memory Verse

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Now don’t get me wrong, I pride myself in finding the “perfect” gifts for the people in my life too, but this year, as I have been reflecting on the story of Christ’s birth, I was reminded again that in the history of mankind, there has only been one perfect gift given, the perfect gift wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The gift of salvation presented to us as a baby.

What a miraculous gift! Can you imagine what it must have been like to hold Emmanuel (God With Us) in the form of a precious little baby? Then to raise Him and watch as He gave His life on a cross for you and me, so we might have eternal life. It’s hard for me to fathom that type of love. The closest thing I will ever know is how dearly I love my own children.

But, when Jesus was born not everyone recognized Him as that perfect gift. In Matthew 16, the Bible talks about how King Herod sent his soldiers to kill all the boys in Bethlehem that were 2 years old and under. Then when Jesus began His ministry as an adult the Pharisees couldn’t see past their own pride to accept the gift of salvation and the message Jesus was preaching. How sad it is to think we still do that to Jesus today.

Yes, we all have our bad days. We deny Jesus and put Him aside for “more important” things. It can be very discouraging at times to follow Jesus, because sometimes we get more than we bargained for. But, despite all of that, I think it’s exciting to have Jesus as a friend. It’s not always easy, but it can be very exciting.

The gift of Jesus is more precious than anything this world can give us. It’s not a gift to keep for ourselves alone; we need to share it with as many people as possible. The gift of Jesus is a gift we can unwrap all year long.

I have realized that the greatest gift we can give our children, relatives and friends is not expensive, lavish toys or things that are placed under a tree once a year. It’s the simple gift of Jesus that will give them wealth of the lasting kind that can be enjoyed for all of eternity.

My hope and prayer for each of you this Christmas season is that you will unwrap the most perfect gift of all, Jesus Christ. I wish with all my heart that you will accept the gift of salvation and proclaim Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Merry Christmas and God Bless.