A Better Love Story

I don't think the Christian blogisphere needs another opinion on 50 Shades of Gray. I've read a number of opinions on the film and what an appropriate response from Christians should be. 

That horse is dead. (Unfortunately, dead horses still earn 80 million at the box office on opening weekend.)  

I lament that the Church is often reactive instead of proactive. We wait until a movie like this is released, and then we react as if God is back on his heels. The best response to the destructive sexual narratives of our culture is to tell a better love story. 

I did not plan it this way when I set my 2015 preaching calendar back in November, but our February sermon series through the Song of Solomon coincided with the release of this film. God is not back on his heels. He gave us "The Song" several thousand years ago as a way to tell a better love story. I have purposefully refused to draw excess attention to any singular destructive sexual narrative of our culture because I'm convinced God's love story is enough. The exaltation of the good is always better than an exposition of the bad. 

On the same night the world was flocking to see 50 Shades, we gathered as the people of God and invited our friends to see City on a Hill's latest production, The Song (www.thesongmovie.com). I don't normally promote Christian movies. Sometimes I wonder if bad acting and cheap production does more to push people away from faith than draw them in. However, this movie is good...really good. It's a 21st century telling of Solomon's story. It's his love story, but it's also about his search for ultimate meaning. (The music is amazing, too. I immediately downloaded it after the movie.)  

We will finish our walk through the Song of Solomon this Sunday. My prayer is that reflection upon these texts have increased my congregation's understanding of God’s vision for romance, intimacy, and marriage. 

Our culture doesn’t know as much about love as it thinks it does. Our music, TV shows, and movies try to capture the emotion and feeling of love. However, they do little to fully explore the deep and rich reality of love.

Christian tradition is clear as to why they miss the mark: Love cannot be separated from commitment. Our culture is in “love with love”, but not so much "in love" with the commitments necessary for love to be fully realized and experienced. The pinnacle of commitment is the covenant of marriage. Marriage is the soil in which the seeds of love are able to grow.

I’m no horticulturalist, but I know that shallow and inhospitable soil equals bad fruit. Is the same not true of love? The sweetest fruit comes from trees rooted in good soil. Soil is cultivated, tilled, enriched, and watered through the commitment of the farmer.

How is the soil of your marriage? Are you tending it daily? Are you committed to keeping out weeds and other destructive influences? We all want to enjoy the fruit of love. I pray we also learn to appreciate the commitments that must precede the harvest. In this way we will allow the beauty of Christian marriage to tell the world a better love story. 

M15 Conference

I spent this week at the Mission ’15 conference, or “M15” for short, or #M15 for you twitter-heads. It’s presented by the USA/Canada region of the Church of the Nazarene to equip pastors and leaders to engage in the mission of God.

We had some difficult conversations at M15: How do we reach a post-Christian culture? Is one form of worship better than another? What does it look like for the Church to remain true to the biblical teaching on homosexuality and marriage, and yet, be loving and Christ-like to our LGBT neighbors? How do we pass along the faith to the next generation?

Needless to say, my brain is on overload!?!

I don’t have time to sum up the fruit of these conversations, nor would I dare to say we answered all of these questions. I will tell you this: I left Kansas City optimistic, hopeful, and determined. Many people are ready to write the obituary for the Church. I admit there are serious challenges ahead, but God confirmed to me that our church, Bentonville Church of the Nazarene, has been raised up for “such a time as this.”

I hope you share my optimism, hopefulness, and determination. If we ever been begin to doubt, let’s lean hard into this promise: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thes. 5:24) 

It's a Wonderful Church

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, I appreciate a good Christmas movie to bring the family together when it’s too dark and too cold to do anything outside.

Here’s a quote from one of our favorites, “Every time a bell rings, an angels gets its wings.”

As you probably know, Clarence got his wings and George Bailey was able to see what it would be like if he had never been born. It was an eye-opening experience that made him fully appreciate all the small and big ways his life had made a difference in his community. In the end he discovered just how “wonderful” his life was!

Have you ever stopped to think about how “wonderful” the Church is? If you haven’t, give me a chance to earn my wings: What if the Church ceased to exist? The local church (little 'c') is the most visible expression of the universal Church (capital 'C') so as I ask myself that question, I can only do so with Bentonville Church of the Nazarene in mind. 

·         Where would I go to encounter God in worship, to feast on his Word, and to develop relationships that feel like family?

·         Who would partner with my wife and me to disciple our boys and teach them about Jesus? 

·         Who would I rely upon to give Luke a pre-school education like the one he is currently receiving through In His Image?

·         How would families facing hunger insecurity in Bentonville get food on Mondays?

·         Who would supply OHMS students in need with weekend snack packs and new shoes?

Can you imagine going through life without a dedicated team of pastors who are called to teach the Word, lead in worship, cast vision for the future, administer the sacraments, marry the young (and old), comfort the hurting, mourn with the grieving, and equip the believers for the mission of God?

Take a moment and think about it.

Just so you know, the Church isn't going anywhere. I've read all the statistics saying the North American Church is in decline, but I refuse to believe the sky is falling. God is on the move, and he is transforming lives through his hands and feet known as the Church. 

However, taking a moment to imagine life without the Church is a beneficial exercise for us all. No one thinks about these things when everything is going well, but perhaps we should. It's a good way to not take for granted what God is doing by his grace and through his Spirit at work among us. 

It's not perfect, but it's a “wonderful” Church!

Our Only Hope

I'm always amazed at the power of hope. Hope enables people to do the impossible. No one has ever done anything great for God without putting their trust and hope in Him.

Sometimes I wish God would give us information instead of hope. I wish he would tell us exactly what to expect, when certain challenges would arise, and how he is going to deal with them, but he doesn't. He has always called people to places that make them hope. I was reminded of that as I reflected on this scripture:

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."(Psalm 71:14)

What is God wanting you to do? Where is he leading you to go? How is God wanting you to change? Whatever, wherever, and however would be much easier with information, with something tangible, with something we could understand, control or manipulate.

This was the challenge for the people of God living in Canaan. The gods of the Canaanites did not operate on hope and faith. The idols of the land were built around that which could be physically touched and was within the realm of human comprehension. That was the appeal of these religions. The people of God were constantly being allured from a life of faith to a life of control. They exchanged the mystery of God for the user-friendliness of the Canaanite idols.

This temptation is alive and well today. What plagued the ancient Israelites confronts us today, but in a different form. There are all types of recycled idols from the days of old that have become the recycled lords of today.

I'm finishing a sermon series entitled "Jesus is Lord." I want us to think seriously about the hope that we have in that confession of faith. Do we hope in that which we can see and control? OR Do we place our hope in the one who has conquered death? When we proclaim that "Jesus is Lord" we are placing our hope in Him...wherever, whenever, whatever, and however. Jesus is our Lord...Jesus is our only hope.

A Back to School Prayer

It happens every year about this time. There is the smell of newly sharpened pencils in the air. Old and outgrown clothes are being replaced with this year’s latest styles. Students are reveling in that “new backpack” scent similar to the way their parents savored the first few weeks of driving in the new mini-van. Every tree quivers in its roots fearing that its lasting contribution to the ecosystem will be either “wide ruled” or “college ruled.”

It’s back to school time. For the first 20-something years of our lives, we are marked by this rhythm: August to December followed by a break, January to March with a little break, and April – May followed by a long break for the summer. We enjoy the summer sabbatical only to gear up to do it all over again.

At some point, however, we receive a piece of paper that says we are adults, that someone should give us a job, and that we should move out of our parents’ house. To help ease the violence of that transition we are given 2 week of vacation. Thanks corporate America. No more fall breaks, Christmas breaks, spring breaks, or summer sabbaticals. Welcome to the real world.

As a graduate student I had one foot in the rhythm of work and one foot in the rhythm of learning. I’m now almost a decade removed from any connection to this way of life, and I’m finding that exchanging these rhythms impedes our ability to be “life-long learners.” This is detrimental to our walk with God because at no point in my faith journey will I will receive a piece of paper from God that says: “Be it known to all present that John Mark Snodgrass has completed the courses and requirements necessary to be fully restored in the image of God and is Christ-like in every way.” 

I’m afraid that many of us function as if the moment of forgiveness is the terminal experience of the Christian life. A prayer of confession, the act of repentance, and the sacrament of baptism are not the complete fulfillment of God’s purposes for our lives. These moments are not the end, but only the beginning of what God wants to do.

Let's try something different this school year. With the smell of freshly sharpened lead in the air and with the sound of diesel powered buses rolling through our neighborhoods at ungodly hours of the morning let’s approach each new day as an opportunity to draw closer to God. In Scripture, this is called sanctification. It’s God’s way of finishing that which he started the moment you gave your life to Him, and there is a certain rhythm to His work. I pray that we would not be so caught up in the rhythms of this world that we miss the best God has for us.

If you have kids in school this new school year will provide reference points to remind you of God's work of sanctification. For me it will be the early morning walks to the bus stop. I hope to fill those walks with this thought to keep me in rhythm with God's purposes for my life:

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

A Global Family, Church, and Mission

I really enjoy working in downtown Bentonville. It affords me the occasional stroll to the Square, which cannot happen without a visit to the Spark Café for ice cream. I made the mistake of ordering something other than mint-chocolate chip one time. It’s not that butter pecan was that bad, but it was clearly NOT mint chocolate chip. Case closed.

I decided to take one of these walks last Wednesday. When I got to the Square it was adorned with all the flags of the different nations that will be represented at this week’s shareholder's meetings. Guests from all over the world have converged on our little town. I had the chance to interact with one of our international guests, and my prayer is that he was able to experience a little Southern hospitality. I actually was able to keep him from making the mistake of his life by recommending the mint-chocolate chip. Tragedy avoided.

The wheels of commerce that drive our town extend around the world. Many of my parishioners work in the retail industry are intimately connected to the global economy. My shareholder report reflects a profit in 27 different countries. That’s really impressive.

As I enjoyed my ice cream on the Square in the presence of these 27 flags, the Lord began to speak to me about my connection not to a global economy, but to a global family. As a connectional church, we are united with brothers and sisters in the Church of the Nazarene in over 160 world areas. In just a little over 100 years, we have taken the Gospel to the “uttermost parts of the earth.” This mission is to “make Christ-like disciples in the nations”, including nations that will never have a flag represented on the Bentonville Square, but are eternally important to God. We engage in this mission without regard for a nation’s GDP or the average annual income of its citizens. Our reasoning for entering a country is simple: Do people there need to know Jesus? The answer is always the same, and so we go.

Ironically, our students leave today to go to the Dominican Republic, a country not represented on the Bentonville Square. The people they will be serving this week would have difficulty finding something they could afford in a Supercenter. We send our students to the Dominican Republic, however, because we are driven by God’s mission. This mission is much different than the one that drives the economy. The one who calls us to go says this:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)

Living this verse out makes for a lousy shareholder’s report, but it produces a great Church.

Dedications, Graduations, and Grace

Last week I was able to dedicate two beautiful babies. This is one of the most significant things we do as a church. When parents present their children for dedication they are signifying their commitment to the Lord and making a promise to raise their children in the church. We pray a blessing over these children confident of God’s prevenient grace that is at work in their life. Prevenient grace is grace that goes before our conversion. Prevenient grace becomes saving grace when a child is old enough to make a commitment to follow Christ. We dedicate our children in full confidence of this moment.

This week we will celebrate the high school graduation of our seniors. Last week’s dedication ceremony and this week’s graduation celebration is another example of how every season of life finds expression in the Church. In one week’s time, our church will experience 18 years of God’s grace at work among us. I’m thankful that many of our graduates have testified that God’s prevenient grace has become saving grace. Some of them experienced this saving grace at a camp, or on Wednesday night, or on a mission trip, or possibly at a Nazarene Youth Conference. However they experienced it, we thank God for his saving grace, but now we pray for keeping grace as these students move on to another season of life. God’s grace pursues us, saves us, and keeps us.  

As we think about these students and the life God has planned for them, I’m reminded that God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). God has a great future planned for each one of them – one that is better than anything they could imagine.

Over the last few weeks I've been preaching on how the resurrection changes everything. That includes our future. Because of God’s grace and the power of the resurrection at work within us, our future is bright.

In order to fully embrace God’s future for our lives we must be free of the pain of our past. The mistakes we’ve made in the past have a tendency to haunt us. It’s easy to dwell on what we could have done differently and should have done better. Jesus’ disciples knew what it was like to be plagued by their past, especially Peter. In Jesus’ last appearance with his disciples he restores Peter, ensuring that he does not allow debilitating guilt to ruin the glorious future made possible through the resurrection.

Maybe you don’t feel like you have much of a future. You can’t imagine being as hopeful about your tomorrow as some of these high school graduates are. The empty tomb proclaims there is always a new day in Christ. God has something special planned for your future.

Today is the National Day of Prayer

Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer. This day was established by President Truman in 1952 as a call for people of faith to pray for God’s protection, provision, and blessing upon our nation. I was able to participate in multiple events that commemorated this call to prayer.

One of the events was on the Bentonville Square. The Daily Walk, a ministry to business professionals, sponsored “Prayer on the Square.” Several hundred people gathered on the steps of the courthouse, sang a few worship songs, and prayed for our nation. It was attended by several of our elected officials, including the Mayor of Bentonville, and I was greatly encouraged to hear these leaders praying over our city and for our families.

In this age of political correctness and hyper-sensitivity to all things religious, it felt strange to be lifting my hands in praise in the shadow of a county seat of power. As the American and Arkansas flags flew above me, I kept looking over my shoulder wondering if some lawyer from the ACLU was going to come in with a bull-horn and shut the whole thing down. Gatherings like this in the USA are becoming the exception and not the rule. Moreover, I was reminded of all the places on this planet where a gathering of believers like this would not be possible.

While the loss of overt Christian influence in our government is lamentable, the Lord reminded me of this: no government, no power, no amount of legislation, no amount of resistance can stop God’s kingdom purposes from being realized through the work of His people who are empowered by His Holy Spirit. In fact, the Church has historically thrived in contexts that are hostile to its message. While I do not welcome the secular values and growing opposition toward the Church that is present in our government and society, I know that God’s presence is a promised reality in scripture and his ability to work through His people in the midst of such challenges has been proven again and again.

With this in mind, I hope we, as the Church, realize that prayer must be a constant practice, and not just a novelty that we display on the first Thursday in May. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “Pray without ceasing.” As you consider the direction of our government, our ambivalence in regards to basic morality, and the current pulse of our culture, has there ever been a greater need for God’s people to pray?

Let’s stand with the Apostle Paul. It's a stand that will not require new legislation. A boycott will not be necessary, nor a march on Capitol Hill. As God’s unique covenant people in the world let’s declare today as the National Day of Prayer.

The Playlist of Jesus

Do you have a favorite playlist? It’s that list that you go to in the airport, driving in the car, exercising, or just cleaning the house. I still think it’s cool that we can organize music, create unique playlists, and essentially carry 1,000 CDs around with us in our hip pocket. No one under 25 thinks it’s that cool, but I still do. Those of us who spent hours in our bedroom making a “mix tap” or trying to master the art of “high speed dubbing” will always appreciate the ease of the digital music revolution. Sam Goody’s, Camelot, and F.Y.E.…not so much.

You may not know this, but Jesus had a playlist. It was his go-to list of songs. I have been preaching through the statements that Jesus made from the cross in the“Red Letter Day” series. If we listen closely, we hear lyrics from his playlist: fragments of Psalm 22, 31, 42, and 69 are on his lips as he dies.

That’s the power of songs. Songs have a way of giving expression to the deep need of our souls. A good song can bring comfort, offer encouragement, and inspire us. Songs connect people and bring ideas together in a way that prose cannot.

Jesus quotes a lyric from Psalm 31 on the cross, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” It’s a song of simple trust, and at the same time is very profound prayer. Jesus had always committed his way to the Father. Now, in his moment of death, he once again offers himself to the Father’s care.

While we may not die on a cross, we will die. It’s a part of life. I’ve been beside people who have passed from this life to the next. Many times I've sung with the family as they usher a loved one into eternity. Even when mind and body fail, the songs of trust that we learn in worship stay with us. I’ll never forget the time a women who didn’t even know her name because of Alzheimer’s sang “Jesus Loves Me” just before she died. That’s the value of a good playlist.

Do you have the right playlist? Are you singing the right songs? Are you connecting with God in worship and Bible study? These are the things that teach us to trust so that when our time comes, we can pray with Jesus, “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit.” We will not have the confidence to commit our spirit to God in our moment of death, if we have not also committed our time, our ambitions, our money, our family, and our careers to the Father in life.

"Father, help us to surrender to you with every detail of our lives. Teach us your songs so that trust and faith might awaken in us."

Red Letters from the Cross

I got my first cell phone when I was a sophomore in college. I was one of the only kids on campus to have one. I remember trying to explain to my Grandpa why it didn’t have a dial tone. It was one of the first Nokia phones that was actually small enough to fit in your pocket, however, I bought a clip that enabled me to wear it on my belt. I was cool.

Here’s what I remember about that first cellular plan I had with GTE Wireless: for $49 a month I was able to talk to anyone in the 615 area code for 30 minutes. Long distance calls were .30 a minute, as was every minute over my allotted 30. Text messaging? What was that? Attached to my belt, was a device that enabled me to communicate with anyone in the country, but it was going to cost. I remember not using that phone a whole lot, but when I did my conversations were short, direct, and to the point. I did not have the money to waste words. I had to communicate that which was most essential in the shortest amount of time possible. 

I'm currently preaching a series on the last statements of Jesus from the cross entitled, "Red Letter Day." As we explore the “red letters” of Jesus from the cross, we see that Jesus is making his words count. The effort required of him to speak from the cross meant that what he had to say was extremely important. Although not as eloquent as the "Sermon on the Mount", these words from the cross teach us about the significance of this moment and allow us to peer into the very heart of God.

If you knew you only had a few hours to live, what would you say to your friends and family members? What message would you want them to hear? What memories would you want them to cherish? We could think of all kinds of flowery and elegant words to share with our loved ones, but our dying words will only be as significant as the life we have lived. No amount of eloquence on our death bed can redeem a life wasted on our own selfish pursuits. That’s what makes the “red letters” from the cross so special. They are validated by the kind of life Jesus lived. My prayer for the “Red Letter Day” series is that God will use it to help us live in such a way that validates what we say.

The Hope We Have

The God Space sermon series has really challenged all of us to be intentional in our conversations, interactions, and relationships with others. Our motivation for sharing our salvation story is a response to God’s love that has been shown to us.

As we become constantly aware of “God Space”, we will have the chance to turn a normal conversation into a spiritual conversation. However, most people don’t want a spiritual smorgasbord of information about our story. Rather, I think we should be prepared to share “spiritual appetizers” with those who are curious about matters of faith. In this way we will be prepared to live out 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Doug Pollock in his book, God Space (2009, Group Publishing), offers 15 questions to help us work through our salvation story. I’ve included the questions here along with a few responses from some people in our church. As others respond to me, I’ll post them here. My goal is that a beautiful tapestry of faith will emerge as we share different elements of our salvation story.

As a spiritual exercise, I would encourage everyone to download this word document with the 15 questions in it. Over the next 15 days, take a few moments and type out a 7-10 sentence response to each of these questions. This essentially will serve as your spiritual autobiography, and will prepare you to share the hope that you have.

Blessings,
Pastor Mark

How would your family and friends have described your life before God showed up in it?

What phrase sums up your attitude toward the life before you came to know God?

It was all about me! Before I came to know God I was extremely self centered. In every situation, circumstance, and relationship what was most important was what I personally could gain. My thoughts, words, and actions were predicated off my wants and needs being fulfilled at the expense of others. I was so self-absorbed I did not see the needs of others much less try to meet others needs. Bottom line: I was a taker. I believe most of this attitude stemmed from my own depravity, but also know it was a defense mechanism coming from a broken home. I learned to fend for myself and become self reliant in an unhealthy fashion. I trusted no one and invested very little of myself in anyone. I lived a very shallow, self centered, godless existence.

Michael Cochran

How did you attempt to meet the needs in your life apart from God?

What things motivated you most before you became a Christian?

I think the things that motivated me prior to my conversion plagues many other young adults as well. The desire to be successful, to be recognized in what I did, to advance in my job, to earn as much money as I could, etc. I still have some of those same desires, but I think the thing that changed the most was that it was not all about me anymore. It was about the One who works through me. In everything I do, I want to draw others to Christ. I want lives to be transformed by the one who transformed my life. Today I would say the things that motivate me are different from my pre-Christian days. Quite simply, they are the love and grace of God!

Diane Solberg
Where did you find your sources of identity before you encountered Jesus?

What or who did God use to awaken you to your need for him?

My wife was 5 months pregnant with our first child. We had been married for over five years and were childless. We were very happy at the prospect of our first born. My wife was on her way to work and her car was struck from behind by a careless driver pushing her into an oncoming lane of traffic where she was struck again and the car pushed over an embankment. She was severely injured I was told by the Doctor that my wife will be fine; but the baby will miscarry. Devastated, I went to God for the first time in years. I wasn't close to God at the time. I prayed that God would spare my wife and child and promised to turn my life over to him. My wife recovered and a fine healthy boy was born to us in about 4 months. I have tried to be faithful to that commitment since then.

Daniel Church

What struggles, doubts, and fears did you have about making a commitment to Jesus?

When and how did you make a commitment to Jesus? (Be specific)

How did you know for sure that a spiritual rebirth had taken place in your life?

What kinds of "aha's" do you remember experience when you were awakened to the reality of God?

There was a period in my life where I began wondering off the path. I wanted to do things my way and experience my own freedom. My relationship with my parents was being strained and everything around me seemed to be crumbling down. I had a boyfriend at that time that wasn't following God, and I thought he was my world. I began to notice that I was pushing my family and close friends away and even God. I began doubting life and who I was. I felt more lost than ever, and I hated who I had become. I was selfish, thinking I could handle life on my own. I had to lie to myself just to make it seem ok. Being influenced by the world, I began to tear myself down and harm myself because I wasn't perfect enough! My heart ached for something more, and I felt I was spiraling down into a dark hole that I couldn't get out of I was losing hope!

One night I had an argument with my family, and I had had enough. I went upstairs to my room, locked the door, went into my closet, and closed the door. I fell to my knees and began sobbing. I was done with life and everyone! I began begging God to help me and to not forsake me. At that moment I felt a warmth that I hadn't felt in a long time. God had always been there and I needed His light to get me back on his path. I literally felt His presence with me and I realized that I must draw close to Him and allow Him to heal my hurts and to forgive me. I felt relieved and so loved. From that moment I knew I was going to be a different person and truly try to live a life for Him and not me. A lot had changed after that prayer in my closet, and God opened up my heart and eyes. Don't get me wrong I still had a lot of challenges and hard times, but I knew God was always there to guide me. That little moment changed my life, and it affects me till this day. I'm so thankful God reached out his hand that night and pulled me out of the darkness.

Jessie Carter

What changes did God begin to bring about in your attitudes, actions, and appetites? Were they immediate, or did they take time? Explain.

As you look back over your journey to faith, what misconceptions did you have about God or Christians?

One of the biggest misconceptions I have had about Christianity is that the only righteousness that God accepts comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Period that is it. This is sooo hard to accept for some reason. Jesus' righteousness is credited to me because of what he did on the cross for me. None of my "righteous acts" puts me in a better position or makes me more acceptable. In fact, they are like filthy rags before our Heavenly Father (Isaiah 64:6). We like to make salvation something we work for and therefore something we earn and deserve because of all our hard work and time we put in. It is so simple yet so amazing! "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Michele Parks

What Scripture verses or quotes has God used to leave a lasting impression on you?

Luke12:48 speaks to me often, especially in moments when I'm too self focused.

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  I don't understand why I'm able to put my kids to bed each night with full bellies and other moms, both near and far, must put their children to bed hungry.  I can't imagine what that feels like.  I quote this verse often to myself in hopes of finding my "much more".

Aimee Vernon 

What life lessons do you feel God has taught you along the way?

I have learned many life lessons as I have been on this journey as a Christ follower. The one that I continue to learn sometimes daily is that God is in control and will be there for every situation that life throws at me. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says " Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
I take such comfort in knowing that God is not blinded to the troubles that we may have but that he does care and will meet our needs in due time!

Larissa Goff

Is there one particular experience in your walk with God that left an immediate and lasting impression?

The experience in my walk that made an immediate and lasting impact was a mission trip I took about 14 years ago with my youth group. I experienced God in an entirely new way. He met me on that trip and opened my eyes and my heart. I remember praying and seeking Him for hours, just extremely hungry for His Spirit. One day as we were praying I remember the Lord saying, "Aaron, I have some of you, but I want your entire life! I want every bit of you to be committed to me." In that moment I remember surrendering to the Lord, and since that day I can honestly say that my life is different. I still stumble, but my confidence is no longer in myself instead it rests in God. He changed me that day, and I am forever grateful.

Aaron Webster

I grew up in the Bentonville Church of the Nazarene, but when I reached Jr. High age, we had a new pastor come to BCN with ideas that my dad could not agree with. So being the typical Skaggs male, he said little, but did not support those ideas. Before long, that pastor caused lots of damage toward our family by spreading false info to others. As a result, we left BCN to begin looking for another church to attend. Needless to say, experiencing that as a teenager, I had some very bitter feelings for that pastor, BCN, and the church in general. It wasn’t until college that I heard the Lord speaking through an evangelist, telling me that I had to let go of all the bitter feelings I had built up from those experiences. I remember a very warm feeling of relief wash over me when I went forward to ask forgiveness and leave that bitterness on the altar that night. I graduated from college not long after that, and had an opportunity to take my grandparents to BCN one Sunday that next winter during some bad weather. I took a deep breath as I walked back into BCN after being gone all those years and was able to not only endure, but enjoy worshiping there again. And as a minor side benefit, I saw my future wife Sharon that Sunday morning leading the music. Ain’t God good???

Steve Skaggs

God Space in the Birmingham Jail

Over the last few weeks I've been preaching through the book of Acts. My goal has been to highlight how the early church created “God Space” by boldly taking the good news of Jesus into "Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth." Believers filled with the Holy Spirit entered into homes, marketplaces, and the city squares and by their obedience created space for God to work in the lives of people. As you read through the sermons of Peter or the adventures of Paul, it’s clear that God’s plan is to use the Church as His agents of forgiveness, peace, and hope. I firmly believe that “the local church is the hope of the world.” (Bill Hybels)

This is an amazing task that the Church has not always accomplished very well. There have been moments in our history where the accomplishment of this mission was in serious jeopardy. That certainly was the case when Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote these words:

In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? …If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. (Letter From a Birmingham Jail)

I’m glad Dr. King didn’t give up on the Church, even when self-proclaimed Christians opposed the fight for equality. We don’t always get it right, but God doesn’t give up on the Church. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings hope for the hopeless and liberation for the oppressed. This news is too good to be suppressed by fear, squelched by intimidation, or neglected by complacency. As evidenced by the heroes of the American Civil Rights movement, the Gospel message entrusted to the Church has the power to transform individuals, break the power of oppression, and revolutionize societies. As we enter “God Space” on a daily basis, I pray that we would fulfill our mission with just a measure of the same boldness, tenacity, and steadfastness that was embodied in this movement.

The Untameable Tongue

We went to Paul’s kindergarten orientation yesterday. Maybe kids have changed since I was in school, but I imagine that some astute classmate will realize the wealth of comedic relief that a last name like “Snodgrass” provides. I’ve heard all the variations and different ways of distorting and rearranging this name to make reference to that which flows out of our nasal cavity. I’ll be surprised if Paul hears anything new. I can only hope that he eventually gets into a gifted program. Maybe then some bright and aspiring student will come up with something original.

I remember coming home to my maternal grandmother crying that I had been made fun of that day at school. Her last name was Daniel and maiden name was Brown. I doubt she had first-hand experience of what I was going through. She did, however, comfort me with some age-old wisdom that so many in my situation have heard before, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

We have the best of intentions when we recite this little maxim; however, it’s simply not true. Words do hurt. We eventually learn to easily dismiss things as petty as variations of our last name, but words spoken in anger, gossip, slander, and lies against us hurt badly. In the book of James, we are called to get a handle on our speech. He calls us to “tame our tongue.” Like so many things related to our growth into Chirst-like maturity, it’s easier said than done. However, as I read James 3, I believe it’s possible. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be the kind of people who use their speech to glorify God, encourage others, and build up the body of Christ.

Living Like You Were Dying

Taken from the Live Like You Were Dying Daily Readings ... Week 4; Day 5

As we come to the end of this 30-day journey, we conclude with some thoughts from a young man whose life, even at only twenty years, resonates with the source of our study.

Michael Simon believes that the song, "Live Like You Were Dying" is sort of a theme song for him.  "I grab life by the horns and dont let go -- seizing the day and squeezing the life out of it for all it is worth.  Because of my mother's nine-year battle with breast cancer, I don't really take time for granted.  I don't leave questions unasked and don't hesitate to express love in any form."

Here is a young man who has lived for the last nine years considering each day in the company of his mother to be his last.  Three things he brings up here are significant conclusions for our study.

1.  Make the most of every moment.  It may be the last.

As we have seen, times is a precious commodity.  Michael realizes that and spends it wisely and passionately.  He is acutely aware of time passiing, and each new day he has with his mother is a blessing.  And this has been going on for nine years!  His example gives a realistic picture of what living like you were dying can actually do for you.  It puts you in a state of suspended animation that forces you to not take anything for granted but to be thankful in all things.  It is like a "time alert" that steps up all areas of alertness.

Jesus spoke of this mindset in Marks 13:33 when he said of his return:  "Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come."  He is telling us to live each day as if it were our last.

2.  Live with no regrets - no unfinished business.

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:13-14).

Michael doesn't look back.  What has happened has happened.  He is more concerned with discovering the "what now's" of the present and the future than he is the "why's" of the past.  He doesn't leave anything unasked, and I have a feeling he's not waiting around for the answer, either.  Answers come to those who seek.  Michael has no regrets because he knows everything that happens, happens for a reason, and his life is all about wrestling those reasons out of his experiences.

3.  Love with urgency

Michael doesn't hesitate to express love in any form.  I would take this to mean that he shares his love for his mom in words, in deeds, in remembering what is important to her, in sending her notes and reminders of his love, in listening when she needs to talk, and being silent when the last thing she needs is someone giving her advice.  Maybe he takes her to places she loves where she can do what she loves to do.

And here's the final word and it's very important.  Michael lives this way in relation to his mother, but everyone else in his life gets the benefit, because this intensity spills over into all of his other relationships and responsibilities as well.  because of her, he takes nothing for granted.  Can you say the same?

Reflective Thoughts ...
1.  What have you learned as a result of this study?  How would you like to live differently as a result of these last thirty days?

2.  As we conclude this study, ask God to put you on a time alert -- to view life in slow motion so as to appreciate every moment for what it is.

3.  Commit yourself to continuing to meet with your group or even one other person weekly to remind each other to live like you were dying.  It's only as you actually face this possibility together that you can benefit from its perspective.

Making Peace

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings ... Week 4; Day 4

A current expression of unusual forgiveness from a human standpoint was set in motion on April 16, 2007, when a twenty-three-year-old Virginia Tech student coldly and methodically took the lives of thirty-two of his classmates before turning the gun on himself and ending his own lonely, tragic life. As the events were reported and interpreted, conflicting opinions surfaced about how many died that day. Was it thirty-two, or thirty-three? Those who say thirty-two refuse to place any value on the life of someone who would do such a thing. He was an animal or a demon -- short of being human -- and unworthy of being given the same values as the lives he took. Those who say thirty-three saw the shooter as a person with value as well, a deeply disturbed person with no friends but still created in the image of God.

The difference between these views has huge implications on forgiveness.

An alumnus of Virginia Tech reported it was clear that those who planned an on-campus memorial to the victims intended to mourn the death of thirty-three people by puttong out as many stories in memory of each life.

"Memorabilia was left at each stone for the respective persons," he wrote, "even the shooter.  So many artifacts were left at each stone that most of it has been moved inside.  There was a table each of those killed including Seung-Hui Cho, the shooter.  On his table one item that touched me was a simple 3 x 5 card with the words 'I forgive you' on it and no signature -- almost as if God had left it there for him.  His table was full of as many artifacts as anyone, most of which reflected this feeling of forgiveness."

This is an extraordinary inclusion.  Those who advocate such quick forgiveness must know that the alternative is to seethe with anger, resentment, and bitterness that can eat away a person's insides and render one incapable of kindess or grace.  To refuse to give forgiveness is to become, yourself, a victim of another's crime.  Those who refuse to forgive the shooter are perpetuating the control of his act over them.  By forgiving, you take away that person's power over you.  You turn things back over to God and trust him for justice to be done more wisely than you or I could ever determine it.  There is no healing of wrongs done to us apart from forgiveness.

If Christ can forgive all of us for crucifying him with our sins, what crime is so great that we can't forgive someone who has sinned against us (a sin already forgiven by the cross)?

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."  (Ephesians 4:32 NLT)

Reflective thoughts -
1.  Read carefully the account of Jesus' death in Luke 23:26-49.  Reflect on what Christ has to endure so you could be forgiven.


2.  What can you learn from these students at Virgina Tech that is applicable to your life?

The Power of Forgiveness

Taken for the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings ... Week 4; Day 3

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

These familiar words in Christ were uttered from the cross about the people who were in the act of crucifying him on false charges.  It's hard to imagine a more demanding circumstance for forgiveness to be offered.  It is the ultimate example of forgiveness, and it was extended to us in that we all participated in his death via our sins.  It is a high standard indeed that Christ set.

A current expression of unusual forgiveness from a human standpoint was set in motion on April 16, 2007, when a twenty-three-year-old Virginia Tech student coldly and methodically took the lives of thirty-two of his classmates before turning the gun on himself and ending his own lonely, tragic life.  As the events were reported and interpreted, conflicting opinions surfaced about how many died that day.  Was it thirty-two, or thirty-three?  Those who say thirty-two refuse to place any value on the life of someone who would do such a thing.  He was an animal or a demon -- short of being human -- and unworthy of being given the same values as the lives he took.  Those who say thirty-three saw the shooter as a person with value as well, a deeply disturbed person with no friends but still created in the image of God.

Funeral and memorial services are sometimes tough on family members.  At a loved one's death, we rejoice in the hope of heaven, but we also feel our own mortality more than ever.

We wonder if we have sufficientely said our peace.  Have grudges been resolved and disappointments been forgiven?  Could we have done something to shave the distance that still existed between us?  A helplessness sets in as the end nears.

But there is also a warm, enveloping blanket of God's grace over this all.  We feel our own mortality, see someone else's, and yet somehow there is an ability to accept, as the Serenity Prayer has it, "what we cannot change."

The only regret we may have is:  Why didn't we come to this realization sooner?  Why do we have to be near the end before we can let go?  We apply God's grace and forgiveness at the end because we don't have a choice; we need to learn how to do this while we do have a choice.

Forgiveness is all about letting go.  Those who don't forgive are the ones who find themselves mired in their own hostility and blame, headed toward becoming the very thing they hate.  We think we are setting the other person free by forgiving, but we are really doing ourselves the biggest favor.  Forgivess becomes for us a sigh of relief -- a newfound freedom.

The Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr, and popularized through Alcoholics Anonymous movement, is a fitting prayer for living like you were dying.
 
       God grant me the serenity
       To accept the things I cannot change;
       Courage to change the things I can;
       And wisdom to know the difference.

Part of what we cannot change is what others have done to us.  Part of what we can change is to forgive them and release them from our judgment.  It takes courage, but we have to forgive in order to be at peace with others and ourselves.  We can forgive.  We can let it go.  And the sooner we do this, the better.  Don't wait until someone's deathbed, or your own.

Many people do not realize that the Serenity Prayer doesn't end there.  The rest of this prayer may not be as well known as the first four line, but it is well suited for our study.

     Living one day at a time;
     Enjoying one moment at a time;
     Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
     Taking, as He did, this sinful world
     As it is, not as I would have it;
     Trusting that He will make all things right
     If I surrender to His Will;
     That I may be resonably happy in this life
     And supremely happy with Him
     Forever in the next.
     Amen.

This is the essence of forgiveness:  surrender of our expectations, our rights, and our pride to God's will; giving him control in our lives and trusting that he has our best in mind in all circumstances.

Some of you are trapped in the hold of particularly helpless form of unforgiveness, because the person you are unwilling to forgive is no longer alive.  You can't find peace, because you can't go to them, nor can they release you.  But God can release you, in fact he already has.  All that remains is for you to believe him and let go.  So let it go, and step into the freedom of God's forgivenss, both for you and for the person you need to forgive.  It's your choice now.

Reflective thoughts:

1.  When was the last time you lost a relative, friend, or neighbor?  Were you on good terms? Were you close?  Could you have been closer?  What were your regrets?  Now take those regrets and apply the lesson learned to someon who is alive.  Determine a plan of action for that person.

2.  Is there someone with whom you have having a conflict?  If that person were dying, would you go to them?  What would you say?

3.  Are you unable to forgive someone who has passed on?  Even though they are gone, it can be helpful to write that person a letter, and set them and yourself free.

Why Not Forgive

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Reading Journal ... Week 4; Day 2

"What do we think we are gaining by not forgiving someone?  Have you ever thought about that?  Being unforgiving is something of which we're not very conscious; it's a natural human reaction to being hurt.  That's probably because, if we actually thought through what we were doing, we would see how useless it is.  However, today let's think about it.

The main reason we withhold forgiveness is most often a desire for justice, which isn't entirely wrong.  Justice is good and right, but not in our hands.  Only God can judge fairly and impartially.  Yet someone needs to pay for wrongs done, and we think that by not forgiving someone we are evening the score.  If someone has hurt us, we believe our refusal to forgive is a way of hurting that person back -- letting the offender know just how serious an offense they have committed.  We might even think we are giving God a helping hand with justice.  To forgive would be to "let them off the hook," when what we really want to do is inflict upon them something of the pain they have caused us.

But think a little further about this.  What do we actually accomplish by refusing to forgive?  Usually not what we seek.  Payment extracted is rarely equal to the crime.  We damage ourselves far more in this process than we do anyone else.  We think we are making a big impact by not forgiving someone when, in fact, we are only carrying on our own private vendetta in our heads.  Hold a grudge and so what?  Everyone's lives move on -- everyone, that is except our own.  That is how it goes when we deny forgiveness:  we try to punich someone, but in reality, we are the ones who remain in prison.

If justice is the big deal (and it is) we are not good disseminators of it.  Here's what the Bible says about this:  "Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord" (Romans 12:17-19).

Justice will be done, but not by our hand.  In fact, we don't want to have anything to do with this business, because if we do, we are placing ourselves under God's judgment as well.

Which do you want for yourself:  God's justice, or God's mercy?  I can't think, given this choice, why anyone in his right mind would choose God's justice; and yet, when we judge someone else, this is what we are doing.  We are announcing to God that we are choosing that we are choosing justice over mercy.

On the other hand, if we want mercy, then that is what we must give.  We can't have it both ways.  We can't have mercy for ourselves, and justice for all the people we don't like.

So "as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Reflective thoughts -
1.  Think about a time when you were denying forgiveness to someone.  Sometimes unforgiveness disguises itself.  Search your heart.  Is there bitterness, cynicism, or distrust?  Seriously consider this question, "How has my lack of forgiveness impacted my life?"

2.  This week, be a peacemaker.  Don't be so easily offended.  Don't cling so tightly to your rights.  Be a little more understanding and see if anyone notices.

No Record of Wrongs

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings ... Week 4; Day 1

"...and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."  Those seven words from the song "Live Like You Were Dying" are definitely worth pondering.

What causes us to deny forgiveness?

Revenge.  When you have been hurt deeply, the natural human respons is to want the person who hurt you to go through an equal amount of suffering.  Even the Old Testament law calls for an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  It is an equal and fair form of justice, but God's grace works on a different basis entirely.  Grace refuses to seek revenge and it forgives.  Jesus modeled this for us.  1 Peter 2:23 (NLT) says, "He did not retaliate when he was insulted.  When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."

God knows that if all of us were to receive just payment for our sins that would be the end of the human race, so he has forgiven everyone and asks us to do the same.  It's a remarkable turn of events but it's the only way there will be any healing or restoration in broken relationships.

Another reason we might deny forgiveness is that we want to hang on to our hurt because it has become our identity, a ready excuse, a smoke screen that blots out other problems we don't want to face.  Consider the beggar in John 5:6 who had been sitting by the healing pool for thirty-seven years when Jesus came up to him and asked him if he wanted to get well.  He didn't exactly say a hearty "Yes!" Instead he went into his well-worn excuse -- his catch-22 that no one was there to life him into the pool -- and skirted the question entirely.  Some of us have been so identified with our anger and bitterness that we are afraid to let go and forgive.  How differently we would live if we refues to use our hurt to gain attention and sympathy.

Or perhaps we deny forgiveness because we have never believed in our own forgiveness.  Ture forgiveness begins there.  If we can't forgive ourselves, we are going to find it impossible to forgive anyone else.  Judgment and blame of others always grows out of unresolved guilt.  Forgive yourself first by accepting your forgiveness from God, and then offer that forgivenss to others.

Living like you were dying cuts through all of these diversions.  It's pointless to go to the grave with an unforgiving heart.  Dying puts a real crimp in anyone's plans for retribution!  Like the cartoon of a gravestone that reads:  "Now will you finally believe I was really sick?" there's just no benefit for the dead!  You might as well forgive now.

One of the definitions of love in 1 Corinthians 13:5 is that "[love] keeps no record of wrongs."  It's that simple.  Ask God to give you short-term memory loss when it comes to people who have wronged you. 

It's the only way to break the cycle of retribution that causes wars in our relationships.  Start by receiving your own forgiveness from God.  Then settle the issue once and for all against those who have harmed you by forgiving them first in your heart and then, if possible, to their face.  Stop being a scorekeeper and throw away your scorecard.  An unforgiving heart is an unnecessary tragedy that only hurts the one who possesses it.  You have precious little time life.  Just let it go.

Reflective Thoughts -
1.  Is there something in your life for which you are having a difficult time accepting God's forgiveness?

2.  Search your sould and see if there are any grudges toward someone deep in your heart.  You may need to spend some time doing this because we train ourselves not to see these things and allow them to eat at us slowly.  Ask your closest friend, spouse, or children who they think you need to forgive.

3.  If you are holding a grudge against someone, forgive that person in your heart right now -- don't wait another second.  God is ready to embrace you in the courageous step.  You are not alone.  Now make a plan to extend that forgiveness face-to-face if necessary.

Overcoming Love

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings ... Week 3; Day 5

"The end of all things is near.  Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:7-8)

I bet you didn't know that Peter told us to live like we were dying.  Here is what he said about it:

Because the end of all things is near,
      1.  Be ready to pray
      2.  Love deeper, and
      3.  Love in such a way as to overcome the barriers to love.

Sound familiar?  Peter would have liked the "Live Like You Were Dying" song.  It has all the elements he felt were important to focus on with limited time left.

Are you surprised he put prayer at the top?  If you knew the end was near, prayer would seem like a natural thing.  You would want to get connected with where you were going.  Prayer is eternal.  So daily be in a spirit where prayer is a breath away.

And you would want to love those around you deeply, because love give life meaning and connects you to those who are most precious to you.  Love is of God and lasts forever.  When we get to heaven we will love everybody, so we might as well get started now.

You would also want to love because love overcomes the barriers that keep us from each other.  It covers over a multitude of sins.

Sin separates us -- our sins against others, their sins against us.  We let each other down.  We belittle, judge, gossip, and otherwise destroy one another.  But love is so powerful; it can overcome all of that.  It covers it over.  It buries it.  This is not even forgiveness.  It is God's love working through us -- a love so great that is can overlook offenses.

There are a lot of things that love does.  1 Corinthians 13 lists many outward expressions.  Peter has chosen one aspect of love particularly applicable to the shortness of time.  When time is short, you want to set things straight.  You don't want to leave this life with unresolved hatred in your heart towards somebody.  When my father died, he had everything already taken care of right down to the flowers on the casket.  He was meticulous about this.  He made sure all his affairs were in order.

In the same way, when you live like you were dying, you want to have all your relationships straightened out and in order, at least on your end.  We have no control over how others feel about us, but we can love them, and do so enough to absorb however they have harmed or offended us.  Love makes up for all offenses.

"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."  (Proverbs 10:12)

Reflection thoughts -
1.  Is there a relationship where you need to apply this kind of love?  Is there any reason why you can't love this way?  Ask God to help you.  He is the author of this love.

2.  Covering over wrongs done to us means we have to let go of them.  This can be difficult because it means letting go of our pride, but we need to do it.  Pray for God's ability to truly forgive those who have wronged you.

3.  Spend a few moments right now thanking God that his love has covered over all your sins.

Risky Love

Taken from the Live Like You Are Dying Daily Readings … Week 3; Day 4

“She would go to church if she felt like she would be accepted, but her sense of shame keeps her back.  She’s gotten as close as the parking lot, but cannot gather enough courage to get out of her car.  How will she explain this aborted trip to three anxious kids after talking them into coming?  She doesn’t know, but she decides that will be easier than explaining why she doesn’t have a husband to all those happy Christian families she supposes are inside.

Then the memories of the church women’s retreat someone convinced her to attend come rushing back to her.  All of the teaching and discussion had been about marriage.  Most of the jokes were about everyone’s husbands stuck at home with the kids.  She did not find this funny.  She would have taken any of their husbands for even a day of relief and role modeling for her fatherless sons.  A new relationship with one of these women would have made the weekend worthwhile, but no one sought her out or made any attempt to follow up.  They were all too caught up in the similarities of their own lives and shared experiences.

Unfortunately, this is a scene played out in all too many churches that have not learned to care for those at risk in their body.  Jesus said, “If you love only those who love you, what good is that?  Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.  If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?  Even pagans do that.”  (Matthew 5:46-47 NLT)

Or to put it another way:  If you only love those who are just like you, you are acting like a country club and not a church.

One of the surest ways love can be recognized in the body of Christ is the degree to which love is extended towards those who may not able to give anything back, at least not right away.  Many of these people stay away due to guilt and a sense of condemnation.  The initial challenge is to help them know they are welcome.

One way to do this is through acts of kindness or love in action, such as advertising free services to single moms (or whatever group you might agree to target) – car tune ups, house repairs, yard work, babysitting – no questions asked.  It’s all about being sensitive to those outside our norm.  We picked single moms so we could go a little deeper with this, but the same applies to pregnant girls, the physically and mentally challenged, kids on drugs, single dads, seniors living along, recovering addicts, and the list goes on.  This is both risky love (outside of our comfort zone) and loving those at risk.  The hope is that new and accepting relationships can naturally flow out of these acts of kindness so that some of these people will get farther than just the parking lot.

It’s time to love deeper.  That deeper love will be risky, but only then will it get beyond what tax collectors and pagans do."

Reflective Thoughts –

1.  Reread paragraph 2.  To what extent can we create pain in others without even noticing it?  How can we become more sensitive to those with different life experiences than our own?

2.  Come up with a game plan to put love into action.  How can you enlist the support of others in the church to do this?  Be sure you treat those you reach out to with dignity.  One of the best ways to do this is to listen to their story.  Make sure they feel like a friend with something to offer.  The last thing anyone needs is to be patronized.