Bread of Life - I Am Series - Week 1

“Whatever you may be hungry for — it all begins and ends with Jesus, our bread of life.”
— Pastor Kyle

I don’t eat bread. Well, I don’t eat bread often. A few years ago I learned that I have a slight allergy to gluten, which means I’ve cut regular bread out of my diet completely. I miss bread, a lot! I know, you’re probably thinking, “Kyle, there are gluten-free bread options.” Thanks for mentioning that, I’ve actually tried several types of gluten-free bread, and the truth is they simply don’t taste the same.

Bread is a wonderful thing. Interestingly, scripture uses bread as a metaphor to talk about aspects of the spiritual life. Did you know that bread is mentioned a few hundred times in scripture? It certainly mentions the physical bread that one could eat, but the bible also uses bread as a metaphor to help us better understand both the spiritual life and God himself.

In the story of scripture bread is used to help us understand a significant aspect of the character of God — that he is our provider. One of the most famous stories of God as a provider, of actual physical could be eaten bread, is found in Exodus 16:2-4: “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.”

Another famous example is when Jesus feed the five thousand in Matthew 14:15-20, “As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Incredible!

While God providing actual bread for people to eat is an incredible miracle and shows the character of a God who cares deeply about daily life, Jesus takes the metaphor even further when he says in John 6:32-35, “Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

In this case, bread helps us understand the concept of “spiritual hunger,” and how Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy that type of hunger. The thing about Spiritual hunger is that it is a lot harder to put our finger on. We don’t necessarily feel a hunger pang for connection with God like we do in our stomachs when they are empty. So often, it’s only after someone else points out our need for God, that we realize our soul is longing for some type of fulfillment. I’m writing to remind us all of our need for God. The truth about this longing is that we can, at times, interpret that desire as a need for something other than God. We might try to satisfy that desire in several ways, but our need is for God and God alone.

Jesus, the bread of life, can satisfy our spiritual needs better than anything else we try to fill our lives with. But even more than that, Jesus connects us to God by satisfying our spiritual hunger when we can’t even put our finger on what exactly is wrong. The reality is Jesus knows what we need even better than we know ourselves. One commentator I read this week wrote, “Certainly God can meet our need for spiritual nourishment in more mundane ways — a quiet morning walk at sunrise, a run-in with an old friend at the grocery store, a scripture verse or hymn that seemingly just pops in your head. The thing is, unlike regular food, Jesus is always available to us and always present for us. Jesus, unlike bread, doesn’t get moldy, stale, or run out. Jesus’ love for us is free — no need to put “pick up some more Jesus” on our grocery shopping list or wonder whether we’ll need to work a few extra hours to make sure we have enough Jesus on the table! Jesus is present to satisfy our spiritual longings at all times.”

Whatever you may be hungry for — it all begins and ends with Jesus, our bread of life.

Easter 2021 - Jesus is Calling Your Name

“A key aspect of the message of Easter is to recognize the “with us” aspect of God in Jesus”
— Pastor Kyle

The gospel is all about victory.

We see this in many places throughout scripture. N.T. Wright comments that “Paul assumes this. John assumes this. And if we’d asked them what that victory was or how it was achieved, they would certainly have spoken of Jesus’ death on the cross.”

Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) says, “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” In another translation verse 15 says, “It looked as if the powers of the world were triumphing over Jesus, but actually, it was the other way around.”

Wow! Did you know that it is possible to live knowing that the powers of death, despair, and hopelessness do not rule the day? In fact, it is possible to live knowing they are completely and totally defeated. That is excellent news, news we all need to hear especially in the difficulty of this past year.

A key aspect of the message of Easter is to recognize the “with us” aspect of God in Jesus. Most Western forms of Christianity have made their main emphasis, or the ultimate aim of being a Christian, to go to heaven when you die. While being in eternity with God is certainly one of the incredible realities of faith in Jesus, we should not lose sight of the fact that Jesus’ defeat of death makes a huge difference here, now, today.

When you give your heart to Jesus, you will likely experience a significant inward difference. Often it’s described as a weight lifting off ones shoulders as you realize the power of forgiveness. There’s also an inward experience of deep love as God welcomes you as a daughter or son into the family — fully adopted and given a full inheritance right away; it can be beautifully overwhelming! From that moment on you have something new to live for — Jesus.

Often filled with gratitude at receiving these incredible inward gifts, gifts you might feel you don’t deserve, you begin to see the world differently. You begin to see the people around you differently. It’s almost like your capacity for love expands beyond what you thought possible — like what happens when you have kids of your own. All of a sudden, there are new ways forward through the most difficult things in life, and Jesus is walking right beside you the whole time.

Christ made all of this possible by defeating everything that kept us from this kind of relationship with him — and his invitation to us, to join him, is a gift. In fact, this invitation, the opportunity for you to experience this incredible freedom, life, and purpose is before you right this moment. It’s an invitation to join a new type of life here and now — what the bible calls the Kingdom of God.

Today is about recognizing that God came onto our broken planet and into our broken way of life to remake things, to remake you and me, and offer us renewed life here and now. Because of Jesus’ actions that day you and I can live filled with hope for the future, purpose for today, all while experiencing a deep sense of inward love.

This is a journey. We can do it together. Following Jesus isn’t always easy, and we are not perfect at it, but we commit to walk together, encouraging each other with God’s help today, tomorrow, the next day, etc. Will you join us?

Happy Easter! Christ is risen. He is victorious. Everything is made new.

High Drama in Jerusalem - Palm Sunday

“The heart of the New Testament picture of Jesus is the story of a God who comes to pitch his tent in our midst and to reveal his glory right here”
— N.T. Wright

One thing I’ve learned in studying the Bible for many years is that Jesus is never what I expect him to be. Often he leaves me scratching my head as he does something spiritually profound, and yet hard to understand. The story of Palm Sunday is just such a moment.

At first glance the scene seems a bit surreal. I imagine Jesus rolling into town with people shouting, praising, waving beaches, and getting caught up in the excitement of it all — even though he rode in on a donkey. It was Passover and that meant that the streets would have been filled with onlookers and visitors from all over. Passover meant more people, more attention, and potentially more trouble.

Jesus is certainly a triumphal king as we will celebrate one week from today — but the profound nature of what Jesus is doing in this story has more to do with the brokenness of the people and world around him. You see, Jesus didn’t come to be showered with praise, kingly robes, or a crown of gold. Jesus came to a broken world with broken justice, corrupt power, and failed love. He came to bring renewal; a do-over, and we needed it.

N.T. Wright writes, “The heart of the New Testament picture of Jesus is the story of a God who comes to pitch his tent in our midst and to reveal his glory right here… The gospel is not about a distant god playing puppets with his world and with humans. It is about God coming to the place where the world is in pain, where the personal and political and societal tensions have reached a screaming point, and standing there to take the pain of the world into himself, to be with us in the midst of it all, and right there to reveal the glory of his self-giving love.”

Isn’t that a picture of our world over the past year? One of pain, suffering, political tension, and societal unrest. Things both inwardly and outwardly seemed to have reached a screaming point. N.T. Wright continues by commenting that “our world just now is reeling from so many broken dreams, from the schooling prospects of children in lockdown to the terrible plight of so many refugees, to the persecution of minorities in many countries and right home to the horrible rising tide of COVID deaths in our homes and down the street.”

We are exhausted, and what do we see? Our God, Jesus, not distant leaving us to deal with our suffering alone, but coming to dwell with us, his people, in our pain and suffering. Jesus knew the cries of those around him were voices of people broken and hurting. But God didn’t wait for us to clean up our lives or our world. He came down to the place where our hopes and aspirations had crashed to the ground. God literally came to the most broken places of our world, our life and meets us. Hallelujah!

I wonder if Jesus rejoiced knowing the outcome of his journey into the city of Jerusalem would eventually be an invitation, for all humanity, to a new reality of life where death, suffering, pain, and separation from God would not get the last word. An invitation to the reality that the creator of all things came to us to put all things back to rights and then invited us to join him. Jesus came to us, to redeem, renew, restore, and relieve our suffering. That’s what he did for us on the cross. Are you in need of some renewal? If we are honest, the answer is, “absolutely, most certainly yes!” Well, then, you should know. Jesus offers that to you - how will you respond?

Now, when I read this story, it seems clear that those singing mostly missed the point that day. What they wanted was so small compared to what was offered. What about you? Have you experienced Jesus with you in the midst of your suffering? Spend some time carefully reading the story of the last week of Jesus’ life, starting here in John 20 with the Triumphal Entry. As you read it, remember Jesus actions back then are, in part, for the opportunity you have this very moment - a brand new life with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Thank you, Jesus. Hosanna!

Unsettled Series - Active Love

“Here comes Jesus with this pesky admonition to love our enemies, but if you are a follower of Jesus you don’t have a choice. ”
— Pastor Kyle

Love my enemies?! Really, Jesus. Couldn’t you have left that one out? It’s hard enough to love the people I like — can I get an “Amen!” I’m not certain if I’ve experienced a year when the difficulty of loving others was more pronounced than in the pandemic- filled year of 2020 — how about you? 2020 was full of disagreements — stay-at-home orders, masks or no masks, a divisive political cycle, extreme civil and racial unrest, etc. — it was almost too much to handle, and those disagreements still exist. Maybe more so than ever it’s easy to identify those whom we consider to be our enemy.

With all that in mind, here comes Jesus with this pesky admonition to love our enemies. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-44 NLT).” This is a declaration of Jesus. Meaning, if you are a follower of Jesus you don’t have a choice but to try to love those you consider your enemies; no matter how you feel about them. Jesus goes on to say that loving only those who love you is common to all people, even the despised tax collector. But, we who follow Jesus are to be different as we live out the faith modeled by Jesus.

What Jesus is saying is that the love of neighbor and enemy alike should characterize the disciples of Christ. The reason God calls us to this kind of love is because of the way he has loved us. One author I read this week wrote, “We often forget what our lives were like before God saved us... Paul described our condition before Christ as outsiders.” In Ephesians 2 Paul wrote that we (gentiles) were separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, not part of the original covenant promise, we were without hope and without God (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Wow, that’s a fun description of our condition. In effect were enemies to God. Yet, God sought to welcome us back. His perfect love has cast out fear, turned strangers into sons, and the distanced into daughters through Jesus. “Wow, well, okay Pastor Kyle, when you put it like that.” Exactly. What Jesus did for us was incredible — and it calls us to a different way of living.

Jesus was able to model something our culture desperately needs — spaces of welcome where strangers, enemies, outsiders, and others can become our friends. Did you know we are part of one of those spaces? A ‘pocket of love’ in the midst of our neighborhood — it’s called the church. The church is to exist not as a haven from the world but as a place of hope for the world. Can we partner together to love those around us? Even the ones we consider our enemies? This week as you think about this, come up with a few different ways you can practice love especially to those around you who might be a bit difficult. The good news is that Jesus has already shown us the way.

Unsettled Series - Unmasked Hearts

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. ”
— Matthew 6:1-2

I’ll never forget that day. I’d just received an email from the university’s student ministry office that as far as I knew included a big mistake. It read, “You have been selected as the Bass Player and main Worship Leader for the George Fox University Chapel Band.” The Chapel Band was the student lead worship group that played at all chapels and various events for the university, including around the community, often operating as a liaison between the university and local churches in town. This was a big deal. The problem, I never auditioned to be the lead singer/worship leader.

I’d auditioned to be the bass player because everyone knows that the bass player is the most important member of any band (wink, wink!). The instrumental auditions happened after the vocal auditions, so when we instrumentalists came into the room they asked if anyone would be willing to sing along while everyone rotated through their auditions, I volunteered. Two days later I received that email.

Never had I felt so unprepared for anything in my life. I was excited about the opportunity to play the bass, but I was extremely intimated and overwhelmed at the idea of singing in front of so many people, and not only singing, but helping to lead people into worship. So, I did the only thing I knew how to do at the time, pray.

The next day I went into the small prayer chapel on campus and I made sure to visit while no one else was inside, I wanted to be alone. I laid down on the ground and started to pray, “God, why did this happen? I honestly feel as though I have no idea what I’m doing. I don’t know what else to say, but I’m desperate for your help.” God’s Spirit comforted me that evening. I stayed in that prayer chapel for a long time. When I left, I walked away feeling confident that God was with me - even if I was still scared out of my mind.

As I look back on that story, I’m thankful that the unexpectedness of the situation drove me to prayer and reliance on God. There have been many times over the years when I’ve entered a situation feeling confident in my knowledge, experience, or skill. That approach rarely leads me to complete reliance on God. In fact, it leads me in the opposite direction, Look at me! Look at what I can do … “for they have received all the reward they will ever get (Matt 6:5).”

I look back on those days and see myself as not wearing any masks. I couldn’t manufacture confidence, experience, or skill in something I’d not done before. Rarely had I been in front of that many people on a stage, leading a band, and asking people to give their hearts more fully to Jesus. I look back on those days and see a version of myself who was not “blowing trumpets in the synagogues” or “calling attention to acts of charity” but simply open to God - what other choice did I have?!

All these reflections lead me to ask some hard questions here and now. Am I still desperate for God’s help in my current context and calling? Am I as honest, as I was back then, about my need for God’s help and direction in my daily life? Am I wearing any masks (spiritually speaking!) trying to look capable, competent, and skilled, and is there alinement between my inner life and outward actions? We are reminded in this passage that God sees everything and I want my reward to be eternal and everlasting. I want my reward to be God himself. How about you?

Unsettled Series - Those Who Mourn

“The closer we grow to God, the further we realize we are from Him and yet the closer we long to be.”
— J.D. Walt

I read an article this week that said, “One doesn’t read Jesus long until they realize he is speaking from a very focused and even fierce point of view. He focuses with laser-like precision on how the Love of God works on and in a human person.” What a great perspective to have as we consider the impactions of biblical mourning. 

One of the greek words translated as “mourn” in the bible is ‘koptō’ which means “to be cut off.” What I find so fascinating about this word and the meaning of biblical mourning is that we are to lament, grieve, and even weep or cry out that we are essentially “cut off” from God - and its all of our own doing. Think about that! 

Because of the past year we all have a deeper understanding of the concept of mourning as we’ve experienced being ‘cut off’ from our loved ones, our friend groups, our social circles, as well as our routines, activities and places that anchor our lives. Still others have lost someone dear to them as a result of COVID. We know well what it means to cry out, “I just want this pandemic to be over.” Yet, even amid pain and loss, we can remember what Jesus said, “For those of you who truly understand and experience mourning, God will bring you comfort (my paraphrase).”

Wow! Right out of Jesus’ mouth. For those who’ve experience the depth of being cut off from God because of their sin, YOU WILL BE COMFORTED! Incredible. I don’t know about you but that leaves me a little taken back. Jesus’ words hit me like a conversation with a good friend when I’m feeling lonely, or like a deep breath I take at the beginning of a few days away when I’m standing on the beach first looking at the ocean - relief.

Maybe you’ve had a chance to listen to the message (see video above) or listen to our discussion podcast (see link below - by the way, these are all designed to work together), but we find examples in scripture of God pursuing someone out of his abundant love even in the midst of that persons pain. The story of Peter is one example. 

I’m stunned by the possibility that God chose to comfort Peter even after he denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. Mark 16:6-8: “the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” 

Did you see that? Why would the angel single out Peter in this verse? Is it because Peter is no longer considered a disciple? No! What I think is happening is that this is a picture of God’s particular comforting of the heart of one of his beloved friends in the midst of his feeling ‘cut off.” One commentary I read this week said: “This [moment] is not intended to exclude Peter from the disciples, but rather to ensure that Peter gets the message. God is hunting down the miserable Peter because he wants to have mercy on him.”

Could it be that in the moment when humanity first learns of the saving work of Jesus, in this seminal moment that changes the course history, God took a second to make sure that Peter was comforted?! Incredible. If God will do that for Peter, in moment like that, I can guarantee He will to do the same for your hurting heart. Jesus has been redeeming broken stories and reclaiming broken lives from the very beginning - He’s very good at it! Are you mourning today? Run to Jesus. He will give you comfort.

Unsettled Series - Anger Issues

“Jesus speaks directly to the issue of anger in the sermon on the mount and in doing so he continues to deepen the faith of those listening to his powerful message.”
— Pastor Kyle

Did you know that anger is mentioned about five-hundred times in the bible? That is a lot. The only other emotion mentioned more than Anger is love. It’s clear that the bible has a lot to say about anger and the biblical authors recognized that anger was a significant part of the human experience. Has that been true in your life? Maybe from time to time? Have you faced circumstances or relationships that caused you to become angry? How did you deal with that anger?

Jesus speaks directly to the issue of anger in the sermon on the mount and in doing so he continues to deepen the faith of those listening to his powerful message. Jesus essentially says, “Listen closely, you think you're justified if you get mad but not mad enough that it leads you to murder someone (sounds a little extreme today doesn’t it) just like the law says - but if you are going to follow me you need to be concerned with the base level of your anger, it matters.”

Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”

This is important to think about especially because of all that has happed in 2020. The pandemic, an extremely divisive political season, and multiple levels of cultural difficulty have turned up the anger level for all of us. 

Anger, at its worst, devalues a person to the degree that one might consider someone else as having no created value. In other words anger, at its worst, fails to recognize that another person, even if that person is someone you disagree with or have been harmed by, is still a person deserving of the recognition that they were created in the image of God. This type of anger seeks the ‘complete destruction’ of someone else - this is the definition of the word “idiot” in the passage above and is completely opposite of the heart that are to embody as followers of Jesus. I know, that’s hard to hear. 

Anger at its best is a powerful emotion that can be used in positive and redemptive ways when in the face of injustice, oppression, or the marginalization of the vulnerable in our world. Anger can lead to healthy or unhealthy behavior. Careful assertiveness is a healthy response to anger that involves problem-solving, compassion, and even love. While, aggression is an unhealthy response to anger that involves hurting or controlling others, revenge, or hatred. Again, some personal reflection here is helpful. How do you usually respond when you experience anger?

What should you do when you get angry? Here are a few helpful suggestions: 

  1. Don’t ignore it. Anger usually finds an expression. Deal with anger as quickly and responsibly as possible—before the sun goes down—so that you do not “give the devil a foothold.”

  2. Pray about the anger, asking God to give you deep insight.

  3. Focus on the source(s) of your anger. Make a list. This will likely finding some clarity.

  4. Change locations (if you can). Getting away from the moments/places of heightened crisis can help defuse the situation. Do not allow anger to cause you to act in ways that you will later regret.

  5. Talk with a trusted friend who is unrelated to the anger-provoking situation who can help keep you grounded in faith and encourage you through prayer and scripture.

I know this is just scratching the surface on the topic of anger. Dealing with anger can be a very difficult spiritual and emotional reality. I know. I’ve faced several situations in my own life that have caused significant pain and anger. It’s not easy - and we are all a work in progress. Yet, for those of us who follow Jesus. Our call is go beyond the “letter of the law” to deeper heart change. I’m glad Jesus calls us to this more difficult work of life and faith. It’s not easy, but together with God and each other we can become who God has designed us to be.

Unsettled Series - The Panorama of Grace

“I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.”
— Matthew 5:18

I just checked. I currently have only three panorama pictures on my phone. Only three panoramas out of 7,069 pictures and 626 videos are currently stored in my photos application. That’s not many! The truth is that I’m not very good at taking panorama pictures, so I usually don’t.

To prove it, below, you can see the last panorama picture I took. It was on a hike with some friends around Crater Lake in Oregon - it’s not a great picture. You can see my finger, the bright glare of the sun, and a lot of blur.

Screen Shot 2021-02-15 at 12.59.47 PM.png

As we continue to move through Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7 we come to this passage in Matthew 5:17 where Jesus says:

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

The message version of the bible puts it this way:

“Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.

Jesus takes a blurry picture of God’s attempt at redeeming humanity (at least it was blurry to those he was addressing at the time) and makes it crystal clear - he says if you want to understand what God has been trying to do, look at me - I am the answer. Jesus brings into focus his ministry using the law and prophets as his panorama as it were. He helps his listeners understand the broader context of his ministry and how He brings God’s plan into focus. God’s plan is the saving and redeeming of his creation. God wants to “put things back to rights” as author N.T. Wright likes to say - and the culmination of that plan is Jesus.

Then Jesus ends by saying something that would have blown the minds of those immediately around him. He reframes for his listeners what the plan is - not perfect keeping of the 613 laws, but a transformed and changed heart. How is your heart these days? Is it soft to the unfolding grace of God in your life?

I want to encourage you to watch this video by the bible project to help you put into context what Jesus came to do - it will give you an understanding of the panorama of God’s grace throughout the work of human history - and right to your heart!

Resources:

Unsettled Series - Salt & Light

“What on earth could I do? But it was clear in my heart, I had to do something. ”
— Amy Wolff

What has been your impact on the world? Have you ever thought about that question? Do you know that you matter in a deep and meaningful way to the people and events around you? That you can make a difference? In fact, not only do we get to impact people and events around us, we are invited to do so by Jesus. 

I love the metaphors Jesus uses in Matthew 5:13-16:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

For Jesus salt wasn’t only a spice put on food for flavoring. It was a primary way the ancient world preserved precious food. Jesus uses this multilayered metaphor to encourage those who follow him to impact the world. Using the salt metaphor Jesus is teaching that one outcome of those who display the kingdom tendencies highlighted by Jesus in the sermon on the mount is one of preservation, or the ability to “arrest the decay” of the society in which they live. Wow! You matter. 

With this in mind, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Amy Wolff. I’ve known Amy and her family for years going back to when I was in Jr. High. Her brother and I were friends and Amy’s mom, who is a Pastor in Newberg Oregon, has been a spiritual mentor of mine. Amy, has had a significant impact on the world and it started very…unintentionally.  Here is bit of her story. She’s an example to all of us that God can use even simple acts of kindness to major effect. You Matter. 

“We were hanging out with friends when one of them mentioned the suicide rates in our community and I about fell out of my chair. I felt completely hopeless and ill equipped to be part of a solution. After all, I wasn't a therapist. I didn't know of anyone suffering with thoughts of self-harm. What on earth could I do? But it was clear in my heart, I had to do something. The idea of encouraging yard signs had been bouncing around in my head for years but it was always 'just a silly idea'.  That is until May 2017 - then it became the something.” - Amy Wolff

Take some time to look through Amy’s website, read her story and reflect on the ways God is using you as salt and light for the kingdom of heaven.

Unsettled Series - Kingdom Tendencies

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.”
— Matthew 5:1-2

It’s true that when you think about the sermon on the mount, Jesus’ most well know sermon found in Matthew 5-7, you don’t usually think of the word unsettled. Yet, when Jesus preached this message he did so knowing that the content of his teaching would directly challenge many cultural norms of his day.

As he sat there on a hill with his disciples listening closely, Jesus reinforced what it looked like to be a member of the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, we can actually read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) as being descriptive. In the Beatitudes, Jesus described both what he did in his incarnation and ministry as well as what God’s kingdom people are to be like. The unsettling part of reading the beatitudes can come when we ask spiritually reflective questions such as: 

  1. Do these kingdom tendencies describe my daily attitudes and actions?

  2. Do I embody a worldview marked with these specific kingdom tendencies?

  3. How and when do I slip into modeling current cultural values that are not in line with the way of Jesus?

Ouch! These are tough questions. They are unsettling questions, especially when we realize that we might not like the answers. In our weekly teaching and our weekly discussion podcast we make a list of what might be some current “cultural beatitudes.” They go like this: 

Blessed are the rich, in things, and self-assurance. Blessed are those untouched by loss. Blessed are the powerful. Blessed are those who are “realistic” about righteousness, compromising when they need to. Blessed are those who demand and exact an eye for an eye. Blessed are the crafty and opportunistic. Blessed are those who are bold enough to fight. Blessed are those who, by doing good things, receive many accolades. Blessed are those who are widely praised and adored.

Does that list seem familiar to you? Do you see these “cultural tendencies” on display in the world around you? Are any of these cultural tendencies on display in your life? Jesus’ way is different. While his way isn’t always easy, it is good - and he helps us as we journey in faith!

Exercise: 

Compare Jesus’ list of kingdom tendencies found in Matthew 5:3-12 side by side with the list of “cultural tendencies” listed above. Spend some time in prayer, reflect, and write down what tendencies are on display in your life. Then make a plan for how you might more fully live into the way of Jesus.

I’m so thankful for Jesus. He’s a good pastor as he both teaches and models for his followers what it looks like to be a member of his family! What a grace-filled invitation. 

Rhythms of Grace - Silence & Solitude

“Solitude is the place of the great struggle and great encounter—the struggle is against the compulsions of the self, and the encounter is with the loving God who offers himself as the substance life.””
— Henri Nouwen

Can I be honest with you? The rhythm of silence and solitude has been the most difficult spiritual rhythm to develop in my life of faith. This is a bit surprising to me as I tend to be introverted in how I recover from the busyness of life AND I was theologically trained by the Quakers who are famous for having cultivated a significant rhythm of quiet attention to God’s presence. Go figure.

There’s no getting around the fact that silence and solitude as spiritual practices are not easy to incorporate. One of the difficulties of this spiritual rhythm comes when we realize just how “noisy” our inner reality is. Not only that but like Elijah in 1 Kings 19, the fear, stress, and anxiety we experience in life can leave us disillusioned, burnt out, angry, and lashing out at others or even God. This experience can leave us feeling spiritually deformed rather than transformed. Henri Nouwen writes:

“In solitude, I get rid of my scaffolding: no friends to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend, no music to entertain, no books to distract, just me — vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, and broken.”

At first, that doesn’t sound so pleasant, until you realize that, the heart of this practice is to invite Jesus into that place of vulnerability. And as a reminder, God is a good father, loving, full of mercy and grace. There is nothing like having him speak life into the depths of your being.

In the scripture, Jesus began his ministry with forty days of withdrawal into the desert. He fasted and prayed in silence and solitude. He was alone, hungry, hot, thirsty, surrounded by animals, and tested by Satan. We read this and we might feel sorry for Jesus as we empathize with his situation.

The truth is that Jesus was sustained throughout his forty days by the Father, the Scriptures, prayer, and the ministering angels that came to strengthen him. Throughout Jesus’ ministry we see him withdraw from the crowds again and again – often getting up early in the morning to be quiet and alone. Henri Nouwen continues:

“Solitude is the place of great struggle and great encounter—the struggle is against the compulsions of the self, and the encounter is with the loving God who offers himself as the substance life.”

That is something I desperately want - Jesus to be the focus, purpose, and substance of my life. These things can be developed in silence and solitude.

How do I develop a rhythm of silence and solitude: 

  1. Schedule it - put it on your calendar. Heathy spiritual rhythms are as important as anything else that would normally go on your to-do list.

  2. Start Slow - Silence & Solitude are practices that get easier over time. Don’t dive into the deep end and start with a long period of silence or solitude. Start with 5 minutes and go from there.

  3. Anchor your thoughts in Scripture - as you begin this practice you’ll notice how distracted your thoughts are, that’s okay. To aid you as you focus on the Lord’s presence, memorize a verse or a phrase in scripture that you can repeat to yourself as you work through the distractions.

  4. Bring a Journal - Journaling is helpful in two ways: first, you can write down all your distractions letting them move from your mind and heart onto the page. That can free you to focus on God’s presence. Second, you can write down anything you might get from the Lord as you linger in prayer.

  5. Don’t give up - five minutes, at first, will feel like two-hours, but don’t give up it will get easier. Your motivation will change as you begin to form a deeper intimacy with God - soon you will look forward to your opportunities for silence and solitude.

Rhythms of Grace - Sabbath

“Something about the beauty and the kindness and the concreteness of [Sabbath] pierced my self-sufficiency and melted the hardness of my activism; all I wanted to do was fall down and worship a God who would think to give us such a gift.”
— Ruth Haley Barton

When my daughters were very young, I sat in church one Sunday and listened to a beautiful sermon about Sabbath rest. The pastor encouraged us to challenge our culture of busyness and to rein in our packed calendars so that we might embrace the practice of Sabbath rest as we were created to do.

I was inspired. My spirit and body ached for the deep rest that the pastor described. As a young mom, I was tired all the time. As the service continued, I started to mentally go over my family’s calendar, determined to make the cuts necessary to create room for Sabbath rest. I envisioned a full night’s sleep, a hot breakfast, happy and well-rested children, good coffee and good conversation.

By the time I returned home, though, my hopes had deflated. The events on my calendar were not expendable – they were doctor’s appointments and oil changes, church small group gatherings and preschool field trips. And even if I had canceled any of these things, the “free” time would be anything but restful. I was a mom to a preschooler and a toddler – my days were full and exhausting, but at the end of each day, it would have been hard to describe what had filled the hours. Diapers, nap schedules, futile cleaning, meal preparation, more diapers, laundry, answering the endless questions of a preschooler, and a million other constant and immediate tasks. A day with nothing on the calendar would not eliminate this kind of busyness.

I felt defeated. Here I was instructed as a follower of Jesus to observe the Sabbath, and I recognized Sabbath rest as a gift from God, and yet there seemed to be no way to actually practice it. I felt like a failure.

Later that same day, as I read scripture for a few minutes before going to bed, I came across these words in Isaiah 40:11 -

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

He gently leads those that have young.

In that moment, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that God knew the details of my life. He knew that my baby did not sleep through the night. He knew that my lunch on most days was the crust from my daughter’s sandwich and the same cup of coffee that I had reheated three times. He knew that the responsibilities of parenting would continue even on a day set aside for rest. And he promised to gently lead me. Gently. Not with judgment or rigid requirements. Not with demands that I simply couldn’t meet. Gently.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us into true rest, a rest that only he can offer. Notice his gracious words of invitation:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. (The Message)

Did you find yourself taking a deep breath as you read Jesus’ words? Are you tired? Check. Worn out? Check. Burned out on religion? Check. Jesus invites us to get away with him and to live again. By walking and working with him, by watching how he lives, we can learn how to take a real rest. His ways are not heavy, nor are they ill-fitting.

I am encouraged to know that Jesus’ time of rest was frequently interrupted, even as mine was as a young mother. He regularly retreated from his work to rest and pray, to spend time with his Father; but sometimes, the crowds followed him to ask for teaching or healing or simply to be in his presence. As a human living in an imperfect world, Jesus faced demands on his time, responsibilities, interruptions, and immediate needs, just as you and I do. And yet still he tells us, “I’ll show you how to take a real rest…watch how I do it.”

Let me encourage you to get away with Jesus. Spend time in his presence. Watch his ways and find rest in him. This is Sabbath. While your season of life may not allow for the Sabbath of your dreams, Jesus invites you into a time of rest that he himself orchestrates, a rest deeper than anything we could ask or imagine. He knows the realities of your life, and in his gentle and welcoming way, he promises to show you how to take a real rest in a perfectly-fitting way.

Rhythms of Grace: Scripture

“What I mean to insist upon is that spiritual writing - Spirit-sourced writing - requires spiritual reading, a reading that honors words as holy, words as a basic means of forming an intricate web of relationships between God and the human, between all things visible and invisible.”
— Eugene H. Peterson, Eat This Book

I recently bought a helpful resource called Unfolding Grace. It’s a book that highlights 40 major passages of scripture in the bible. It’s written in a more narrative form and its goal is to tell the overarching story of scripture in an engaging way that’s easy for people who may be at the beginning of their journey with God. This resource also comes with a workbook which provides an opportunity to answer some questions about what one might be reading. I like these resources. I also really like the title they choose, “Unfolding Grace,” what a great way to think about the story told in scripture. 

Much could be said about the beauty, majesty, power, and wonder of scripture. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that,

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

It’s not hyperbole to say that in the pages of Scripture you will find life. God reveals himself and the story of his unfolding grace in the pages of this sacred text and it can speak directly into your situation. I write this as a gentle encouragement to develop a rhythm of time with the book that is the primary text for all Christian spirituality - and the primary venue of God’s revelation to the world.

Eugene Peterson writes in his book, Eat This Book, “Reading [scripture] is an immense gift, but only if the words are assimilated, taken into the soul - eaten, chewed, gnawed, received in unhurried delight.” When is the last time you sat down with the Bible in unhurried delight?

Almost four years ago I drastically changed my schedule. I had recently returned from an overseas trip and found myself waking up each morning around 4:00am. Those first few mornings were an incredible gift. I was wide awake and so decided to take advantage of the quiet (which was a dream come true with young children) and spend time reading the bible. My heart was so refreshed and enlivened by the words of scripture on those mornings that I decided to make that early morning routine permanent. These days I wake up around 4:45am, go for a run, then spend time in scripture - it’s still a joy!

Honestly, there are some mornings where I find myself giving in to the temptation to spend too much time reading the news, or looking at social media - which these days feels like is instant “doom spiraling” - but I always come back to scripture even if it’s for a few minutes and find a loving God who confronts me with the truth and invites me into an ever-deepening relationship.

In fact, I think during these very difficult days with all that is happening in our country it’s exceedingly important for each of us to reflect on the volume of time we spend letting various news sources shape our heart and mind. We also need to be reflective on those particular sources we rely on for our information. How does the volume of time and the sources you choose compare to the amount of time you let the scripture and the truth of Jesus shape your thinking and actions?

The way of our culture is not the same way of the Kingdom of God. It’s clear to me in these days there has been some tangling of concepts about what it means to follow Jesus and our hope for a particular cultural and/or political outcome. The best avenue we have to begin some needed disentangling is to spend copious amounts of time with and in the scripture. May I ask you again, when is the last time you sat down with the Bible in unhurried delight?

I want to encourage you to carve out some time for this vital rhythm. Even if you’ve been following Jesus for a long time, don’t be so familiar with the story that you lose a sense of awe and wonder at the truth told in the pages of the Bible. Below you’ll find some resources that might help you rekindle a love for Scripture and carve out some time for this vital rhythm. Don’t be afraid to get caught up in the story of God’s unfolding grace that is focused on our redemption and the redemption of the world. Blessings on your week!