What Do You Want?

Pastor Terry White was clearly moved by last week's tragic shooting at a Baptist Church in Texas, fully conscious of the reality that a church sanctuary is intended to be a safe place, a sanctuary in the true sense of the word. We were reminded of the pain many people must carry in a broken world, and today's service was intended to be a time of healing for each of us.

Announcements
Joanne shared that this Wednesday we will be packing of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. You may bring items for boys or girls in variety of ages. Join us.

Veterans Day was yesterday and Pastor Terry preceeded worship by having our veterans stand up to be honored, those who have served on behalf of our freedom. There was an impressive outpouring of appreciation. 

Darlene shared that our Faith & Fabrics group meets 2nd Thursday of the month from 10-2.

Terry pointed out that we have now added a visitor card to the seatbacks. It includes a place to write your prayer requests so you can drop these into the offering plate when it comes around.

* * * *

Each of the bulletins today had a Post-It note in it and we were asked to write out a list of things keeping us separated from God. Terry then asked us to write I John 1:9 at the top of this list: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

The theme for today's service is Healing. It's time to surrender to what God is doing in us. "Time for a milestone, to begin again, re-evaluate who I really am.... It's time to surrender to what's going on inside of me... Time to face up, clean this old house; time to breathe in and let everything out."

Terry read some passages pertaining to our theme today:
Joel 2:12-17

Psalm 139:1-6, 17-18, and ending with verses 23-24.
Search me, God, and know my heart; 
 test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
See if there is any offensive way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting.

Romans 14:7-12

Luke 5:17-26

Darlene and Terry sang a moving and sensitive duet during the offering, a prayer for healing, wisdom, comfort, and blessing.

We closed with the song "Whom Shall I Fear?"

Healing (Part III)

Temps hit 50 yesterday afternoon, with sunny skies and a firm clue that spring really is coming before too long. The snowfall this morning reminded us that it's still winter, but we're gathered together here to be warmed inwardly, no matter the weather.

Pastor Brad welcomed us and noted that today we will continue with another aspect of healing... the problem of anger.

Announcements
1. Seeking volunteers to help with the sound system. (See Brad or Brooke)
2. It's not too early to think about this summer. If you're interested in helping with VBS this summer please see Brooke.

The worship team then lead us into worship with a song that included this affirmation, "Greater is He that is in me when you praise the hurt away." Brad thanked God for His presence here and offered our worship up to Him.

Chuck read the familiar passage from Corinthians, "If one part suffers, every part suffers." We can't live our lives like islands on the seas. We need are connected and what happens to one happens to all, whether pain or honor. The worship team then sang "I know the Master of the wind." We then together sang from the blue Praise Book.

The offering taken, we spent a period of time in prayer before Pastor presented the message.

Healing (Part III)

Today's message would be drawn from Ephesians 4. The theme centered on anger, in this with regard to our own anger.

Not all anger is bad. It's a matter of what we're angry about. The words anger and fire are in the same verse in one place, and that applies because fire can warm you in the winter and cook food, but can also destroy your house.

Are you giving the devil a foothold? The passage Brad pointed out begins with verses 26 and 27. Anger is a means of opening the door for the evil one to walk in. When Cain killed his brother Abel, God gave a warning because He saw Cain's anger. Be careful.

Then there's the kind of anger which we conceal but it's there. We keep it under the surface but it's there. Angry with people at work, or spouses or the political landscape, and then transfer all that toward anger with God.

There are two kinds of anger. First is the rager, a hot-tempered person who lets everyone know it. Proverbs 29:11 says, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but the wise man keeps himself under control."

Some people think it's OK to blow up and it's over. They just move on. Problem is, we leave a whole lot of wounded people in our wake when we are this way.

The second group is not ragers, but they are suppressors. Psalm 32: 3 says, "When I kept silent my bones wasted away..." There's a smoldering beneath the surface that will also do damage. This stewing is destructive. It destroy's marriages. It destroys lives.

Luke 15:28 is the story of the Prodigal Son, and when the older brother sees the way the younger brother is welcomed home he begins to stew beneath the surface.

What kind of anger is this? Is it the kind of anger the reflects the character of God? Or is it sinful anger? If the latter, we need holy water to pour over that and put the fire out.

"Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." In other words, drop it.

James 1:19-20 is another insightful passage. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to become angry. Brad shared that he used to have such a serious temper problem he had a nickname given to him because his anger could flare from zero to 100 in seconds.

Yes, Jesus got angry, but He didn't sin. On one occasion he healed a man with a withered hand, and the Pharisees were so critical of Him for helping this man on the Sabbath. The religious leaders tried to trip Him up and though it made him angry He did not hold back His compassion for the man.

Brad then said we need to be angry about the right things. When it's sinful anger we need to drop it. When it's sanctified anger, something that grieves the heart of God, how do we respond?

If it is anger that is hurting other people we need to put it out. Pour the water of the Spirit of God on it. But if you are angry at things that anger the heart of God, throw gasoline on that fire. Let God ignite you to make a difference for the kingdom because fire can be both good or bad.

In all cases, bring it before God in prayer.

Healing

On this Second Sunday of Lent Pastor Brad welcomed us with warmth while noting that a lot of young people are missing this a.m. because the youth group had an overnight last night. Our theme continues along the overarching theme of healing. Today will address emotional healing. Some of our self-messaging hurts us, Too often, even when so many good things are happening in our lives, one criticism can send us into an emotional tailspin. Brad's aim today is a message of hope.

Darlene opened with with a gentle meditative rendition of "I Surender All." Brad and Darlene then led us in singing several songs from the blue songbook.

After the offering was taken, we shared news, needs and spent time in prayer.

Healing

As I open up the service, our goal today is to let the power of God come and deliver us from those false voices that we carry day after day through life so we can embrace the words that God declares about us.

What kind of negative emotional wound have you left yourself open to?

Brad said he would give us prompts to trigger where we might be struggling.

1) I want you to envision in your mind's eye a Chameleon.
When we feel we don't fit in we tend to compromise who we are and become something we're not. I Samuel 15:24 provides an example of this. There are all kinds of things people do to fit in, things that are not good for us. Too often we buy things we don't need to impress people we don't like.

2) Now picture Lady Gaga.
"No matter what I do is not good enough. I don't measure up." Lady Gaga is a performer, and we think we have to perform. "If I perform well enough maybe Jesus will love me." In the story of Martha and Mary, Martha caught up in trying to impress.
For some of us it's sports, or providing for our family. Are you burdened by this pressure of always trying to measure up.

3) Think about Elmer's Glue.
We want to stick, get clingy. Driven to connect with someone, trying to validate ourselves through being in a relationship, even one that's not good. Brad cited John 4:17, the story about the woman at the well who entered multiple relationships in an attempt to satisfy a need that only God could fill.

* * * *
Our goal is healing. Hold these truths, not the lies you tell yourself.

Embrace the fact that you are forgiven.  II Corinthians 5:17 We are new creations.
It's time to claim that forgiveness and walk away free.
Ephesians 1:7 "In Christ we have the redemption through His blood."
II Corinthians 1:21-22
The Bible is our "All Access Pass" that says we have access to the very throne room of God. Because of who we are in Christ.
John 8:36  "If the Son sets you free you are free indeed."
You are free to become everything Christ intends you to be.

Shut out the lies and listen to the truth of what God says about you:
You are forgiven.
You are secure.
And you are free in Christ.

Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Healing

"Good morning. How's everyone doing?" Pastor Brad welcomed us and shared a little but about the Ash Wednesday service and the theme for this time of Lent. Lent is forty days, and traditionally a time of new beginnings. The overarching theme is one of healing. There is so much brokenness in the world. It's not just out there but in here as well. What will it take to heal us so we can move forward in our faith walk.

It can be any number of things that hold us back, but what we have is Jesus who promises to make all things new. Brad's prayer for each of us is healing not only now but all through Lent.

Announcements
Next Sunday we are having a special dinner for the contractors who worked on our church. It's our way of saying Thank You.

The quartet opened with Led By The Master's Hand by Mosie Lister. Brad asked for God to bless our gather and we continued with singing. "There's victory in Jesus, my Savior forever." We proceeded to sing choruses from the blue songbook and then took the offering while the quartet raised our spirits with a rousing "Heaven On My Mind."

Susan Jessico called the kids to come forward for a special Valentine time. The kids were asked, "How many times is the word Heart used in the Bible?" The kids guessed numbers from 3 to 21 but the correct answer is 570. Hearts have a lot to do with love... and so she asked how many times the word Love is used. The children guessed much closer this time, and the answer was 551. The best expression of love is found in John 3:16.

The needs of our church family were then lifted up in the time of prayer that preceded the message.

Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Healing

The starting point for the sermon was Psalm 109. In verse 22 the psalmist states, "For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." But the good news is found a few verses later. "I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy."

Brad outlined the various ways we can be walking wounded, and encouraged us to be aware that we're not alone, neither the first nor the last. The wounds can be a result of many things, including abuse and horrible things we can't imagine.

What Lent is about finding genuine healing. To this end Brad offered is three prayers to make our own.

1st Prayer: "Lord, renew my mind with Your truth." Romans 12:2
There are all kinds of lies we tell ourselves. What is it that holds you back?
Brad led us to Ephesians 4:22-23 where it says, "Be made new in the attitude of your minds."

2nd Prayer: "God, would you restore in me what has been lost?" God specializes in finding what is lost and healing what is broken. Several of Jesus' parables touch this truth. What have you lost? Maybe it's hope that God wants to restore in your life.
Jeremiah 30:17  "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the Lord,

3rd Prayer: "God would You help me release my offender?" Forgiveness is an essential step in moving forward. "Forgive as the Lord forgave you," says the Scriptures. Until we release the one who hurt us, we are forever linked to that hurt. Carrying our hurts gives us false power so that we feel we have a right to behave badly. Holding a grudge against those who hurt you only hurts you more.

Whatever the offense, we have to let it go.

When Jesus was on the cross, and the world had done its worst to Him, he said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Our prayer during Lent this year is that you would find healing during this time. Let go of your wound, lay it down at the foot of the cross. Allow God to show up and do what only He can do.

The Ten Lepers

Eric Borndal, who leads our youth, welcomed us this morning and led the service. This weekend Pastor Brad is on a foray somewhere in the wilderness in pursuit of morel mushrooms.

The announcements today were brief, but no less important for their brevity. Paula Saxin made two announcements. The first pertaining to a memorial for Ben next Saturday. A light lunch will be served. The second was a reminder regarding a June church rummage sale in which half the proceeds will go to the Breaking the Bonds outreach that seeks to increase awareness of and put an end to the trafficking of women. Susie Newman stood and gave practical instructions regarding the picking up of things which had been donated to the art show.

If you did not see the creativity which was on display, you missed something. There was a lot of talent on display here this past week and we're hoping next year to see even more. Thanks to all who contributed.

Darlene played a moving introit again, helping shift the mood from light hearted church business to reflective preparation of the heart and mind for worship, which today was led by Pearl, Ellie, Chuck and Ken, accompanied by Darlene.

Ed Newman led a children's moment this morning, illustrating some Biblical truths from a painting the kids did Wednesday night at Adventure Club. The project involved having each young person choose a color, choose a brush and choose a location on the painting to paint a stripe. (The image above is the finished piece.) Ed commented on his delight in watching each one choose a color, a brush and apply the paint. He noted that God, too, delights in us and enjoys seeing our choices, our creativity, hearing us sing, all that we do to bring beauty to the world.

Then Ed asked one of the children which stripe she painted, and she pointed out the stripe second from the top. When he asked if she knew who painted the other two stripes on the sides of hers, she didn't... The point was made that often unaware of how our lives touch the lives of those around us.

Ultimately, God is delighted at the various colors our lives contribute to the larger painting that is our church family. Though from our human vantage point we cannot see it, from His perspective it is a work of exceeding beauty.

Today's Scripture readings were from Acts 4:5-12 and John 10:11-18. After a time of prayer, and a hymn, Leonard gave the message.

The Ten Lepers

The passage upon which today's message was based is found in Luke 17:11-19, the famous passage where Jesus heals ten lepers. Despite the familiarity of this passage for some, Leonard brought us insights and observations that made the text fresh and alive.

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

In verses 12 and 13 we read that the lepers stood at a distance a shouted to Jesus. This is because in accordance with the Old Testament rules and the laws of the day, lepers could not approach people. They were unclean, and had to let it be known as such.

Leonard noted that Jesus did not do all His miracles or healings in the same way. In this instance he gave them instructions to go show themselves to the priests. When they followed His command, they were healed along the way.

One of these, a Samaritan, when he discovered he was healed returned, praising God and throwing himself at Jesus' feet.

It's a passage that contains many lessons for us, but the one Leonard effectively highlighted was with regard to gratitude.

Leonard asked two questions regarding gratitude. (1) Are we expressing it? And (2) are we expecting it?

With regard to the latter, we seldom get as much as we think we deserve. The result, if we allow ourselves to dwell on this feeling of being unappreciated, is bitterness. Expecting gratitude and not getting it will eat away at us.

It's important to talk about gratitude because gratitude has a real impact on our relationships. In this story, the Samaritan came back to give thanks not because it was a rule to follow, but because it was an attitude and an expression from his heart.

Sometimes, we expect others to thank us, to express their gratitude, and it spoils it. We can even get it into our heads that God, who owes us nothing, ought to be grateful for us and that sometimes we expect gratitude from God, who has already given us more than we deserve.

In chapter 6 of the Book of Esther, King Darius was having difficulty sleeping one night so he ordered the chronicles of his reign to be brought in and read to him. When he hears of the good deed of Mordecai who uncovered a conspiracy against the king, he asked if Mordecai had been thanked or honored in some way. It was important to show Mordecai the king's gratitude.

Leonard pointed out that God rewards us not for having followed the rules, but rather when our praise or good deeds are a generous expression of the gratitude that is in our hearts.

Paul at one point asked God to remove a "thorn in the flesh" which was problematic for him. But God did not remove this thing. Rather, He said, "My grace is sufficient for you."

Sometimes our expectations will only leave us disappointed.

Leonard then directed us to how Medal of Honor winners often achieve their awards. The classic example is a hand grenade which a soldier dives onto, sacrificing his life in order to save the lives of his brothers in arms. We learned today that the son of one of our former pastors died in Viet Nam in this manner, sacrificing himself to save others. And how like our Lord, who likewise gave His all to save us.

Leonard told an emotional personal story about his father who expressed gratitude to Leonard on one occasion and how much it meant to him. Unexpectedly, his father died shortly thereafter. Leonard was moved when in the aftermath of his father's loss many other people expressed gratitude for his father. Leonard said that even if you can't express it directly, these indirect expressions can be very powerful.

We were urged to share our gratefulness for spouses, and others. And to not expect too much in return. In this story we see that even Jesus only received 10% of the thanks which He deserved.

The message touched many, and after the service I believe there were many expressions of gratefulness conveyed.

Jesus and the Leper

This second Sunday in Lent Pastor Brad Shannon welcomed us with these words, suitable for the day. "I'm glad you turned your clocks ahead and made it here today." And, with a nod toward his theme, "If you are feeling alone or lost this morning, there are no undesirables in God's kingdom."

Announcements included the following:
1. A Saturday morning men's Bible study will begin on the 21st. Breakfast included.
2. Donations of furnishings, necessities for the Stroscheins will be welcomed as the family now has a place to call home again.
3. Camp is coming. Time to get downpayment in place. Anyone wishing to donate for camp scholarships see Cheryl Borndal.

After a time of worship, Norm Livgard shared a video about a children's home in Mesa, Arizona called Sunshine Acres. The video told the story of how the James and Vera Dingman came to the dry Southwest and God opened their hearts and home for needy children. The manner in which the Lord has provided for this "Miracle in the Desert" left Norm and his wife deeply moved. The home now has sixty youth.

The Scripture readings were from Gen. 17:1-7 and Mark 8:31-38. Pastor Brad then took the pulpit.

Jesus and the Leper

He began with an amusing story about a little boy who came home from school and commented on how a couple of the other kids on the bus didn't smell too good. The mother, being conscientious, said, "Well, son, you didn't say anything, did you?" The boy, proud of himself, said, "Oh no, Mom. I just held my nose."

The story did set up our message today. There are people who are different from us, and some whom we keep our distance from. But Jesus seemed to disregard these social conventions.

If you measure people by the company they keep, you're bound to see Jesus doesn't fit this rule. Despite being the only perfect person in history, he attracted some rather imperfect people.

In Luke 4, when Jesus was invited to teach at the outset of His ministry, He read from the prophet Isaiah, essentially announcing that He had come to preach the good news to the poor and oppressed, the captives and the unwanted. This was indeed Good News for everybody.

The text for Brad's message was Luke 5:12-16... another "ordinary day" in the life of Jesus. A man covered extensively with leprosy throws himself at Jesus' feet, begging, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Luke writes,

13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.

The actual word translated "touch" here means something more than a little tap. Jesus "fastened on to him"... a remarkable act in light of the cultural stigma associated with leprosy in that era.

To give us a sense of how terrible a disease leprosy is, Brad cited the works of Dr. Paul Brand, a Christian doctor who worked with lepers in India. Brand said that in the late stages of leprosy there were be a loss of feeling in the extremities. The poor, outcasts in India, while sleeping would not feel the rats gnawing on their fingers or toes as they slept in the streets.

Leprosy was a physical disease that also carried a moral stigma. They were both physical and moral outcasts. The disease was seen as a curse from God and the external uncleanness was a sign of their inward uncleanness. When they learned they had the disease, they were separated from the spouses, kicked out of their homes, lost their financial position. They were isolated in every way. If they walked near other people, they were supposed to shout, "Unclean, unclean!"

How awful it is to feel untouchable. Oscar Wilde, in his poem Ballad of Reading Gaol, said it aptly:
"We did not dare to breathe a prayer
or give our anguish scope,
Something was dead in each of us
and what was dead was hope."

That's what feeling unwanted and untouchable does to you. It sucks hope right out of your life. You are alive but feel dead. It is anguish to come to that place in life where you know all the words and none of the music. How long had it been since this poor leper had be touched, hugged, embraced?

The religious people, the rabbis and pharisees, taught that to touch an unclean person made you unclean. The rabbis were too holy to be touched by marginalized people. The great irony is that the only rabbi this leper could approach was God Himself.

Brad turned it around and asked how approachable we are? He asks that question of himself. Am I approachable? Are you approachable by your spouse, your kids, your peers? Jesus was approachable.

Jesus knew this man needed to be touched. We all need to be touched. Along with laughter, touch is something that helps us live longer.

Every society has its untouchables. It could be race, social standing, education level, special needs, the way we look, piercings... all these things can separate us.

Today there will be somebody in your world waiting for someone to touch them. Will you touch them? Will extend a hand, put an arm around the shoulder? Offer a warm embrace? Maybe all they need is an acknowledgement that you know they are there.

We all have value and a need for a touch. Someone once said, In a contagious world we learn to keep our distance. Only when you get close enough to catch their hurt will they be close enough to catch your love."

In Psalm 34 it says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

For Jesus, healing the body was not the ultimate goal. Rather, He healed to show that God was not indifferent and distant. Philip Yancey put it this way. "By no means did Jesus eliminate all suffering. He healed only a few on one small patch of the globe. But He did answer the question of whether God cares."

We live in a contaminated world, and it's contaminated on every level. It should have been quarantined from Heaven. No reasonable God would go near it. But Jesus is no reasonable God. He took on our uncleanness, yours and mine. Instead of the world infecting Him, He infected the world with His immaculate infection... and it's still spreading.

Bonfire @ Borndals

To help kick off a new season of activities at New Life Covenant, the Borndals invited us all to their home for a bonfire cookout and pot luck. It was a very special time. The Borndals has a large yard in which the youth of all ages could release energy and enjoy the fresh country air, playing games and just being free.

The fire pit was attentively maintained and the Borndals were wonderfully warm and attentive hosts for all who were able to be present.

I, your faithful blog keeper, have been a bit under the weather these last few days and wasn't sure if I'd make it tonight. Alas, I was finally unable to keep myself away and decided to bring my camera to document a small portion of the later evening. And I was glad that I did. As I was leaving I felt so nourished by the warmth of our church family. We are truly blessed that in a world of so much sorrow and pain we are not forced to travel life's roads alone. We are part of a fellowship. We are connected to others whose strength can support us when we have no strength to go on.

Tonight, despite feeling run down, I felt lifted up. The warmth and the energy of love flowing from so many good hearted people is a source of empowerment and soul nourishment that we can often take for granted.

What a blessing and a privilege to be part of this church family. Here are some photos from tonight's gathering.

By clicking on the images they can be enlarged.