Rocking the Parade of Life

Communion is about remembering we are sinners, confessing our sins, and praising God for forgiveness and our new life in Him.  But, if God is all knowing and is in control of everything- in other words, He knows everything about the past, present, and future, are we like puppets?  Are we predestined to live a certain life?  Why ask for forgiveness?  Why ask for forgiveness if He already knows we are going to sin?   Good question right?  Let’s talk about something else!

The Louisville Constitution Parade was awesome!

We had our golden oldies hanging out in back of a sweet Toyota truck (we have the coolest experienced wise people around).  We need to hang with them more often!  We had our youth carrying an awesome banner leading the way.  We had an awesome float tribute to religious freedom with Tony and Carly singing.  We had representatives from all different missions with over 60 people.   I mean, when you have 10 ft tall Brannon at the front of the parade walking with a viking hat (hat with horns) and a motorcycle in the middle, who wouldn’t want to go to this church right? Other than McKenna getting sick from breathing in car exhaust, and the struggle to have enough candy saved for the end (you wouldn’t believe the number of older people fighting the younger people for candy), it was fun.  We won third place! 

God sees our lives like a parade.  He sees the beginning.  He sees the end.  He sees the main path, but He gives us free will to do what we want in between.  He also gives us freewill whether or not we want to finish the parade.  He knows we may stop and talk, give too much candy here or there and not enough elsewhere.  He knows we may tear the flag while marching.  He knows accidents might happen.  He forgives us when we make mistakes and aren’t perfect.  This allows us to forgive others.  Speaking of forgiveness, how much should we forgive?  “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  Matthew 18:21-22 NIV

He gives us power through his Holy Spirit to walk and run in the parade. He gives us His word and each other to help us have an awesome float and to help us find the best path to the end. He wants us to finish the parade and to finish strong. 

Communion reminds us to forget the past and start new.  It reminds us to press on toward the goal. Philippians 3:13-14  “Brothers and sisters, 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.”  

Prayer: Thank you for the exciting parade of life.  Thank you for forgiving us.  Please forgive us of our sins and help us forgive others.  Help us to grow as a church.  Help us be strategic as a church and use our talents to best represent you in the parade of life.   Amen

New School Year. New Beginning.

How many are excited to go to school this week?  How many wish you could have a few more weeks off?  I felt both ways when I was young.  I remember the first day of school.  I was excited to see my friends again.  I was excited to start new.  New beginning. I remember one year around the Middle School days wanting to look like Don Johnson and thinking that that was going to be the key to kind of fitting in.  I remember getting to school and thinking I must’ve missed the memo.  “No one else looks like this.”  Awkward!

Speaking of awkward, I remember I would want to do some extra stuff like speak up in class, try to make new friends, volunteer to participate,  football, wrestling, and baseball.  I would have in my mind how cool it was is going to be and then I would get there and I get nervous and it would be hard.  But a lot of people around me encouraged me not to give up and I believe the Lord used those people to help me grow into who I am today.

I remember some of the moments were so much fun and I felt like I was doing the right thing in the right place and other times I felt like I was alone and that nobody liked me.  There would be times when the playground or cafeteria/hall time was amazing.. It was all good and other times it was like I had no one to play with or I had no one to hang out with.  There would be times when I would feel like an outcast and all alone.

No matter what happens to you all, we here at Louisville Christian want you to know you are supported and that you have family that cares about you. We understand. We also know your future is bright.  We will celebrate the victories you experience which will be numerous and we will also be here for you when you feel lost or alone.  

Keep in mind, as you start your new year, that you are created in Christ Jesus to do good works and that you don’t have to be like everyone else. You are saved, and Christ is going to make you new.  He is transforming you which will make you a leader for those around you.  You are called to be different.  You are called to be a light, an example, and encouragement to all around you. Your future is bright no matter where you have been or where you are right now.

The songs we sang this morning before this moment are perfect for representing your journey in Christ during this time of remembrance. You see, we take communion because just like starting new in school, we get to start new when we are in Christ.

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Father- You are good, You are love, You are light, You are hope, You are peace, You are joy and You are life.”   Thank you for Jesus.   Thank you for making us new so that, we are not only saved, but we can run and sprint out of the grave.  You are transforming us.  You are helping us be over comers and leaders.  Work in us.  Help us do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.

My Gratefulness Journey: A Brief Communion Meditation

Gratefulness or praise has been a journey for me.  The earliest memory of becoming aware that gratefulness would be elusive for me would have been around 12 years of age.  I know this behavior happened earlier, but that is my earliest memory of being aware that gratefulness was something that would have to be trained.  

I wanted a new three wheeler front tire for Christmas really bad!  I thought about it for months. I looked at them in the DirtWheels magazine all the time.  When I got my tire, I remember my mind quickly going to the thing I wanted next. I remember thinking…”this is weird.  Why am I not more grateful for what I wanted forever?”

I remember in my mid 20s battling negative thoughts and hearing the quote, “the antidote to negative thinking is not positive thinking, but gratefulness.” I remember starting to write prayer journals of praises because my mind didn’t want to go there naturally.  I would go on runs thinking, I am just going to praise God this morning, but in 30 seconds I would start to think about things that were wrong or things I needed to work on.

I remember falling in love w James 1:2-3. “Consider it pure joy when you endure trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  Then I learned the navy seal motto is that they thrive on adversity when reading Marcus Luttrell’s book, Lone Survivor.  In it, he writes, “I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission.”

Gratefulness takes work. It is not something that comes natural. We have a grateful muscle that we have to work out.  We can’t rely on our feelings to lead us to gratefulness.

The people who really amaze me are the ones who can go through adversity, crazy hard times, and praise God anyway.  How do they do that? Some that I know seem to have a strong understanding of eternal matters.

As we prepare for communion, we are reminded of the major reason for our gratefulness.  The bread represents His body that was broken for us and the blood represents His blood that was shed. One last thought.  

My latest run in with gratefulness was Jan 6 when Tony lead us in “I Raise a Hallelujah”.  His dad dying of pancreatic cancer, Tony is raising a hallelujah. In front of everyone, without a tear in his eye.  He is raising a hallelujah. I would like to read these lyrics as our prayer:

Raise a Hallelujah Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemiesI raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!
I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!

Sing a little louder (In the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (Louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (My weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (Heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder (In the presence of my enemies)Sing a little louder (Louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (My weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (Heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder!

I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
Songwriters: Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helse


#2As we prepare for communion this morning, I would like you to consider the possibility that lack of gratefulness is a major reason for our inability to resist temptation.  

When I was about 13 years old, I remember wanting a new front tire for my three wheeler.  I imagined it giving me better control and looking really cool. I planned the kind I wanted for months.  I thought about it all the time. I would get the dirtwheels magazines and could see myself on the cover of the magazine.  Christmas came, I got what I hoped for and I remember my mind going straight to the next thing that I wanted. I was happy I got the wheel, but once I received it, I didn’t take much time to be grateful for the gift I had received.  

Over the years, I have learned that gratefulness does not come natural.  In fact, I have learned that gratefulness takes work. When I am grateful, I am in a better place.  We have a gratefulness muscle. It takes work to be good at being grateful.

On a scale from 1 to 10, how easy it is it for you to be grateful? How much of the day do you spend thinking about things for which you are gratefulness? Is it easier for you to be grateful or to feel like you deserve more?

Satan wants us to believe that God is holding out on us.  Why is it that the one apple Eve ate, was the one she was not supposed to eat?  Could it be she wasn’t grateful for what she had, and just wanted something more believing that God is holding out on us?

Indeed, perhaps lack of gratefulness is a major reason for our inability to resist temptation.  Our sin, leads us here to this moment

Luke22:19-2019 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.Prayer:Grateful for Jesus.  Thank you for His example.  Thank you for forgiving us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that helps us be transformed.  Thank you for your love that surpasses knowledge. Thank you for being patient with us. Help us grasp how wide and long, high and deep is the love of Christ.  Father help us build our gratefulness muscles so that we can truly grasp the power of your love in our lives.

Teeter Totters and the Pursuit of Perfect Balance: Communion Thoughts February 2019

Where have all the teeter-totters gone?  When I was a kid, it seemed like every playground had a teeter-totter.  I would often run to the teeter-totter and hope for the ideal partner.  I wanted the perfect balance experience.  I quickly discovered the perfect balance experience was almost impossible.  It seemed I would either be held captive by someone who was heavier and I would often be left suspended high while they laughed knowing my fate was in their hands, or I would be the one in control having to kick my legs hard to allow my partner to have a moment in the downward position.

The best teeter-totter experience probably requires constant corrections of weight distribution unless the partners are the exact weight.  The fact is, life is similar.  We strive to be transformed.  We hope to find the best possible balance in life to be the best we can be.  However, a heavier partner of bad news, an uncontrolled appetite, or relationship gone bad can leave us dangling in the air hoping for a break.

One of my most memorable experiences on a teeter-totter was in the late 80s.  I must have been nine or ten years old.  My partner had me suspended in the air (like always) at Round Lake Christian Assembly in Lakeville, Ohio.  He lost interest and jumped off.  I came crashing to the ground onto my outstretched hand trying to ease the fall.  It could have been worse.  A small slice was taken off my finger, however, this was quite traumatic.  I don't believe I ever got on a teeter-totter again.  In fact, the very sight of a teeter-totter, or going back to where that teeter-totter used to be at Round Lake can quickly bring back unpleasant memories and feelings associated with the moment in the late 80s. Some might refer to this as a "conditioned reflex."

Our pursuit of ideal balance in life, may leave us with unexpected feelings of pain, hopelessness, or frustration.  Sometimes, we may have "conditioned reflexes" from these experiences that leave us wanting to hide or give up never to return to the pursuit of transformation again.  However, Christ can recondition those reflexes.  His grace provides balance to move forward when we mess up.  His power gives us strength to get back on the teeter-totter when we would rather run the other way.  His forgiveness helps us understand we may not find that perfect balance until we see Him in heaven some day.  His resurrection gives us hope in the impossible becoming possible!

The Reckless Love of God

Reckless love-  August 19, 2018 Communion Thoughts

I wonder what thoughts came to mind as you sang that song?  Which words or phrases struck you most?

For me, it was reckless.  

In some situations, reckless means carelessness and thoughtlessness.  Thoughts of a teenage boy or man in his 20s on a motorcycle or ATV when angry, experiencing a loss of some sort, or seeking an adrenaline high first came to mind.  But, I don’t think that is what the word reckless means in this song.

Wen Reagan, adjunct instructor of church history and worship at Duke Divinity School suggests:

“By the world’s standards, God’s love is foolish. It’s extravagant, inefficient, scandalous. It throws a feast for the returning son who ran away with the inheritance and blew it. It hands you its coat when you steal its shirt. It blesses its enemies. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. As Christian mystic Saint Therese of Lisieux explained, it’s never calculating or strategic. As songwriter John Mark McMillan put it, it’s a sloppy wet kiss. Or, in this case, as Cory Asbury sings, it “leaves the 99.” Other sheep, that is. What kind of shepherd leaves the whole herd just to chase down a lost one? Some might say a foolish one. Or a reckless one.”

Have you ever been that sheep?  Have you ever hid in the shadows or raced away up the mountain?  Have you ever ran into a room and closed a door because you were so upset?  To me, this song is about a reckless love of God that fiercely knocks that wall down to pursue you...but it might also be about something else...overwhelming.

This past Thursday, I was running down the trail listening to Reckless Love over and over praying about what God wanted me to say this morning.  As I came up out of the trail, I saw friends (a young couple with three kids) who had battled a crazy tough diagnosis and experienced miraculous positive outcomes through special care.  Just a few months prior, most would have never imagined healing in this world for their situation. However, there they were on a bike ride when a few mos prior it would have been easy to see how the story would not lead them to this moment.  The wife said, “that is my favorite song right now.” I wanted to stay and have a longer conversation, but was already late taking my oldest to baseball. We exchanged words of encouragement and I went on my way. As I ran off (and days following),  I wondered why it was her favorite song. Was it the idea that God's love was reckless?

This morning, knowing she was a blogger, I had a feeling there would be a blog entry about the song.  Sure enough, there was an entry titled “Overwhelmed”. She shared a story of when she had a moment alone in her car. She had watched a video from weeks prior of a turning point in their battle. The video reminded her of the weight of their circumstance. She writes, “The word “overwhelmed” is usually used in negative circumstances. Parents that are overwhelmed by taking care of their kids and their house and their jobs. Families overwhelmed by bad doctors reports. Students overwhelmed by homework. At one point or another we have all been overwhelmed by something, or many things!

But I wasn’t overwhelmed with grief or sadness or fear. No, it wasn’t that. Seeing that video showed me how far God has brought us. I felt the overwhelming love of God in my life. As I was watching the video this song came on the radio. I laid my head back and listened to words, grateful that our story is what it is thanks to Him”

“I hope this song moves you as much as it moves me. Music has a way of doing that. I want to encourage you today. Whatever it is that your are going through, His love is greater. Rather than being overwhelmed by your situation, choose to be overwhelmed by His love.”  

Maybe you can somehow relate.  Or, maybe you haven’t felt emotionally moved by God’s reckless or overwhelming love.  If not, that is ok. At communion, His reckless and overwhelming love does not necessarily have to be felt.  It is celebrated as fact. The prodigal son, undeserving, gets pursued. We are him. The juice we drink reminds us of His blood and the bread we eat reminds us of his body.  As you focus on this moment, maybe you will feel overwhelmed by His reckless love.

References:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/april-web-only/reckless-love-cory-asbury-bethel-music-and-justin-bieber.html

http://www.oureverydayadventure.com/2018/08/17/overwhelmed/

June 10, 2018 Communion Thoughts

Welcome visitors   We are now getting ready for communion.  A time when we remember Jesus’ body that was broken or sacrificed on the cross for us.  We remember his blood that was shed and. We take communion as a way to remember this sacrifice and his resurrection which is the foundation of our faith.   We also confess our sins and remember our forgiveness.

The song we just sang is title, “No longer Slaves.”  Of what fear are we no longer slaves? The first verse states “you unravel me with a melody.  You surround me with a song of deliverance from my enemies.” I think about David. The David who beat Goliath with a slingshot.  David, still battled fear. In Psalm 25:20-22 he states. “Guard my life and rescue me. Do not let me be put to shame for I take refuge in you.  My hope Lord is in you.” David battled the same day to day fears we battle. He had spiritual highs and lows. Times when he was super confident and times when he was very afraid.  I think of the playground as a kid...bullies that may have been around, but when my Dad would be near, all of my fear would be gone.

The song continues:  “In my mother’s wound, you have chosen me.  Love has called my name. I’ve been born again, into a family. Your blood blows through my veins.”  1John 4:7-8 God is Love- The kind of love that seeks the best for us.

John 4:18 States that perfect love casts out fear.  That there is no fear in love. In verse 17, he states, “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement; In this world we are like Jesus.”

Two fears.  Fear of judgment and fear of day to day life events.    

“We are surrounded by the arms of our father and surrounded by songs of deliverance.  We’ve been liberated from our bondage. You split the sea so I could walk right through it.  You drowned by fears in perfect love. You rescued me! We are no longer a slave to fear. We are children of God.

Helpful videos from Dr. Newman-Toker

https://novel.utah.edu/Newman-Toker/collection.php