Love Leads to Joy

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We started our Advent journey with a hopeful lament. Hopeful because we believe in God. Lamenting because it makes space to be honest so we can be present for what God wants to do in us. Over the last week, we’ve looked at different ways that God shows his love for us.

He is a Good Shepherd, as in Psalm 23 – leading us and caring for us. His mercy and his goodness chase us! He honors us by serving us, as Jesus washed the disciple’s feet in John 13. He gives us what we need, as Jesus fed the disciples breakfast in John 21. These are beautiful pictures of God’s “chesed” love. Chesed is an Old Testament word that means “steadfast, loyal, gracious, constant and loving-kindness.

This Third Sunday of Advent, we talk about joy. Not the joy that happens just because we got the present we were longing for or because the greatest thing happened. The genuine joy that doesn’t depend on any certain outcome because it comes from God. We cannot manufacture it, but we can cultivate it and let God grow it in us.

God’s amazing love leads to gratitude. Gratitude leads to joy. You might think that sounds too simple, but I dare you to try it! Just try and think of the ways God loves you, all the people and provisions he has blessed you with…and not feel joy in your heart. I bet you can’t do it! 

Joy to the World!
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Preslie Hirsch on Unsplash

Time and Tradition

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We began our Advent messages last week learning about hope from David in Psalm 25. This week we will study Zachariah’s Song in Luke 1. We’ll see the hope that he demonstrated as he reminded the Israelites that God kept his promises because of his love for them.

As far as we know, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth were a typical, and probably traditional Jewish couple. Except they had been unable to have children. They surely hoped and waited for a very long time. But at their age, (Scripture’s words, not mine.) they no longer held much hope for having a family.

But then, an angel showed up and his message from God changed everything! There was a prophecy, a pregnancy, and a mute husband! Luke 1:26 begins, “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy…” Liz Curtis Higgs, author of The Women of Christmas this sentence is proof that God values women because he uses a woman’s pregnancy to mark time.

I think this time of year often makes us reminiscence. Todd and I were talking this week about how it makes us a bit sad that our family traditions have changed. I miss baking cookies and fudge with my Mama and aunts. He misses nearly the entire Olson family gathering for Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

But just as God changed the timing and the traditions for Zachariah and Elizabeth, sometimes he changes them for us as well. It is OK for us to miss our loved ones who are gone. It is OK to honor the past. At the same time, it is also good to be joyful about the present and the future. God’s love held us then and it will hold us now.

P.S. – A note to help us slow down as we mark the time of Advent. I encourage you to choose your favorite Christmas carol or song and memorize more than the first verse. Then you can sing it to yourself as you mull over the meaning.

Let’s be Changed in our Waiting,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Mario Losereit on Unsplash

Start a New Year with Advent

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Happy New Year! Yes, I know it is only December 1, but the Advent Season marks the beginning of the new year in the Christian calendar. I don’t know about you, but I could use a fresh start right about now.

I’m excited about Advent and our devotional book Changed in the Waiting. In just the Introduction and Day One I feel as though God is already speaking to me. I want to encourage us to approach the season with reflection. The world will tell us we don’t have the time but I pray we will ignore the rush and the hustle and listen to God instead. During our Spiritual Renewal weekend, we sang In Christ Alone. The line that always catches my ear is “What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.”

I plan to cease my strivings this Advent and mark the time of waiting to allow God to teach me and shape me. This means I will stop or do less of some things (like scrolling social media or watching too much television) so that can be more present with God and my loved ones.

I’d like to extend the same invitation that author Michaele LaVigne closes the introduction with. “These (themes hope, love, joy and peace) are not just things to observe from afar; they are the very gifts the Spirit seeks to grow in us as we wait. … But it’s important to remember that these are indeed practices, not performances. The goal is to become more aware of God’s presence and activity in our lives, not ace an assignment. I invite you into a posture of curiosity and receptivity as you engage with the readings, practices, and questions for each week. It’s okay if it’s unfamiliar or challenging, or if some days click better than others. We trust that the Spirit knows what the Spirit is about, even if we do not.”

Let’s be Changed in our Waiting,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Grace and Thanks

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The moment I realized I hadn’t blogged yet this week, God gave me my topic. I was sitting in the spot where I have devotions. I can look through a glass door where I have a row of prisms. That morning not much light was coming through and the prisms were dark in color. I realized they were still beautiful.

And I thought, how like God that is! There is beauty when the sun is shining brightly and there is beauty when days are dim or overcast. Sometimes we have to look more to find the beauty, but it is there if we choose to adjust our view or perspective.

What perspective do we hold is a good question to ask ourselves as we approach the holiday season. A few years ago I read a book by Ann Voskamp called One Thousand Gifts that challenged me to be more grateful. For the year before Voskamp wrote the book, she kept a gratitude journal. She wrote at least three gifts per day – hence 1,000 gifts.

Voskamp uses a Greek word eucharisteo (pronounced you-cha-wrist-tay-o). It encompasses the Greek words charis (pronounced care-us) and chara (pronounced car-uh), the former means grace and the latter joy. It’s the word we get Eucharist from to refer to communion because Jesus used it during the last supper.

Luke 22:19 says, And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus knew what was coming..that his body would be broken and his blood spilled…and in the midst of it he still gave thanks.

Voskamp says the lesson from this is to see all, the good, bad, and in-between as grace. When we see all as grace (charis) and give thanks (eucharisteo), we then get a deep joy (chara). I pray that for you and me Friends! God Bless you this Thanksgiving.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Praying and Stumbling

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I hope that you have joined us in praying for revival for the last 40 days. I hope that you continue to go deeper in your prayer journey. This week during my devotions I read 1 Samuel 2:1-10. It is Hannah’s Prayer when she brought Samuel, the child she prayed for, to the temple to leave him in God’s service as she promised.

Some people refer to it as “The Magnificat of the Old Testament” because it is similar in theme to Mary’s Prayer in Luke 2 when she is told by the angel that she will bear Jesus. It’s a beautiful prayer, giving praise to God for the way He cares for his people.

Verse 4 caught my attention, “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.” This verse is one of many where God reverses the places of people – such as humbling the proud but lifting up the humble. In this case: the strong, the warriors have their weapons broken; but those who stumble are given strength.

May I be honest Friends? I often feel like the one who stumbles. I feel like I fail God far too often. It’s not that I commit some big sin, it’s little things. Did I waste too much time? Was I too busy to see an opportunity? Could I have been kinder to someone?

If you ask my loved ones, I’ve always been hard on myself. I suppose that’s part of it. But this verse was grace to me that when I feel like I’m stumbling through life, God gives me strength.

Todd asked me this morning if I was blogging about revival, or our theme of encounters. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I realized I was writing of my own encounter with God in the present. It was a reminder that when we pray, we need to pay attention to see what God is doing. We need to slow down and have the quiet moments to allow God to work in our hearts and through our lives.

I hope and pray this is happening for you as well. I know sometimes we feel like we can’t slow down. But sometimes I think that is a self-protective mode because we are afraid the work God wants to do may be painful. And it may, but we can trust Him that it is for our good.

Sometimes healing or growing feels like stumbling. But God will give us strength.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash

Peter’s Re-Call

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On Sunday, November 10 Pastor Todd spoke from the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts on how the disciples followed Jesus’ final three commands to them. They waited in Jerusalem (in prayer). They received the Holy Spirit infilling on the day of Pentecost. They then burst forth to witness to anyone who would listen.

Pastor mentioned there are many patterns of three in Scripture and that our brains see a three-part pattern as completed. I realized that I recently heard another story of the disciples and a three-part pattern.

Last week at Nazarene Discipleship International Leader’s Conference, we heard a message from Rev. Cricket Albertson, a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and Executive Director of Titus Women Ministry. She shared the story in John 21 where Jesus has breakfast with the disciples after his resurrection.

Then Jesus and Peter have a private conversation. Three times Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” Three times Peter answers “Yes, Lord.” Three times Jesus replies, “Feed my sheep.” Remember this is post-resurrection, therefore it is also after Peter denied Jesus three times the night he was arrested.

It was probably painful that day on the beach for Peter to have Jesus question his love three times. But it was also healing to him. It was also a reaffirmation to Peter, as Jesus says to him again, “Follow me!”

I treasure this story in the times when I feel like a failure. Peter was one of Jesus’ closet earthly friends. But on Jesus’ worst night, Peter deserted and denied him. Jesus gently restores Peter with this three-part call. When we see Peter next, he is waiting and praying in the Upper Room. Then, being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter is part of the Early Church that changed the world! May it be so for us.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Michał Mancewicz on Unsplash

Be Kind with your Freedom

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This coming week is Election Day. Somedays it feels like the closer the election gets, the further it pushes us apart. I see and hear people make statements that infuriate me. I see and hear people make statements that make me want to cry.

For the most part, I hold my tongue. That’s how I was raised. I was taught that it was a privilege and a responsibility to educate yourself about candidates and to vote. I was also taught that your vote was your’s alone, you did not have to share how you voted with anyone if you didn’t want to. In fact, I think my parents didn’t always know how each other voted.

I was not taught to make judgements about people’s salvation according to whether they were Democrats or Republicans. I was not taught to treat someone poorly if they believed differently that me. It makes me sad when I see people treating each other so ugly, because it goes against all that Jesus said.

Galatians 5:13-15 is good advice election season. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

God will not be surprised by whatever happens this week. God will still be God no matter who is in the White House or the State House. As we exercise our freedom to vote and to speak our minds, may we still love our neighbors, may we still be humble and kind.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Priyanka Puvvada on Unsplash

When We Curse Rather Than Bless

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This has been another week where a lot of different threads of ideas have been weaving their way through my brain. October 16-18, Pastor Todd and I attended the Chic Shaver Center for Evangelism Conference at Olivet Nazarene University where we were poured into by other pastors, professors and laypeople. We were encouraged and challenged to share the gospel with everyone we meet.

One method of doing this is to B.L.E.S.S. others. Begin with prayer. Listen to people. Eat with people since sharing meals deepens connections. Serve others as Jesus did. Story – share our stories about what God has done for us and can do for them.

Side note: If you don’t know who Dr. Chic Shaver is, he is a small humble man who was a professor at Nazarene Seminary for 30 years. His Basic Bible Studies havesold over 750,000 copies and been translated in over 55 languages.

We missed you all last Sunday, but I listened to the service later. I was challenged again as Pastor Rob spoke of giving up our judgmental glasses so we can see others with compassionate eyes. Then I saw something this week that indicated to me why it is so important for us to see people compassionately as Jesus did, and to share the gospel so people can come to know him for themselves.

It is a chart showing how different groups of people, by their race, political party or religion (as they chose to identify themselves) who think immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of the U.S. The source is a survey done by the Public Religion Research Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization. (www.prri.org)

That anyone would make this kind of statement is both heartbreakingly sad and scary enough to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. It’s sad because it’s the complete opposite of compassionate. It’s scary because it’s the kind ugly rhetoric promoted by Hitler. I know that is a strong statement, but there is a great deal of historical evidence demonstrating how the Nazis promoted this idea. Here is one example: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/aryan-1

May God forgive us of attitudes like this.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
– 1 John 4:20-21

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Do We Huddle or Serve?

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Ever been lost or left behind? I have and it was terrifying. The first memory I have like that I was eight years old and my parents and I went to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. My parents thought I was following them, but I guess I stopped to do something. I turned around and couldn’t see them anywhere. I looked around and saw a big ship at the end of the street. It wasn’t on water; it was just for a fun pirate theme. My little eight-year-old brain thought… “Oh, I can climb up high on those ropes and then I’ll be able to see them!” I started climbing and shortly I felt a tug on my ankle. It was my Dad, and he and Mom were mad that I ran off to play by myself! I know now they were just as scared as I was, if not more.

As Jesus followers, we don’t want other folks to get lost in their journey. When Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, he didn’t only say to “Go and make disciples.” He also said to baptize them and teach them all he had commanded the disciples.

Teaching is what a Jewish Rabbi did. His disciples would follow their Rabbi constantly for several years before they would take on their on students. It wasn’t like a weekend class and you were done. It was a lengthy process, and for good reason.

Have you ever been shown how to do something once or twice and then left on your own? You don’t feel very confident and there is a lot of winging it going on before you really get the hang of things. Sometimes it’s necessary, but it’s not the best way to learn. As Jesus followers, we should work to do better. We should come alongside people, walk through life with them and teach them. They will likely also teach us something on the way also.

You may be wondering about the title of this blog. I read a question lately that I think we all need to ask ourselves. Is our church a holy huddle or a serving community? Do others think we are a group that gets together for a pep talk every Sunday to then go out and just try to live ethically? Or do they think we are a group that gets together to worship God and then work together to be good neighbors who serve our community?

Coaches don’t have their teams huddle and then do nothing. They huddle to plan, and then they take action. We should too. So, how will you serve someone in your community this week?.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Blessing Our Community: Our Heroic Calling

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Last week in service, we learned that Jesus was a hero. He wasn’t the military leader who saved the Jews from Rome as they were hoping. He did something better.

Jesus was a hero because he conquered death. He rose from the dead and was seen by approximately 500 people. There were too many witnesses for it to be disputed. Because Jesus conquered death, we have a chance at eternal life.

Jesus was a hero because of his radical teachings. He took the 613 rules the Pharisees insisted upon and simplified them down to two things: Love God and Love People. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always loved a teacher who can make things clear and simple.

Jesus was a hero because he served the needs of others. Jesus was and is the Son of God, King of Kings…but he said that he did not come to be served but to serve. He taught that serving is the way to be a great person.

This week we learn that Jesus didn’t just teach about serving others, but he calls us to serve others. In Luke 10:25-37 we find the story of an “expert in the law” who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus knows this is a trick question meant to trap him. After all, every hero must face villains. So Jesus turns the question back on the expert, asking him what he reads in the law.

The expert states the two laws that every good Jew knew by heart. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” (from Deuteronomy 6:5) And, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (from Leviticus 19:18) Jesus tells him that he is correct and by doing these things he will live.

But the expert asks for clarification, or maybe a loophole. “Who is my neighbor,” he says. In reply Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. He concludes by asking the expert, “Which of these three (priest, Levite or Samaritan) was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” When the expert replied it was the one who showed mercy, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.”

Go and be a neighbor to everyone. Go and show mercy and generosity, like the hero of the story.

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy