Peter’s Re-Call

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

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

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?

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

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

Blessing Our Community: The Greatest Hero

It’s always interesting and sometimes amusing to me to see God at work. As we have recently
begun the Autumn season, I think of the lessons nature can teach us. There are rhythms to the
annual seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. There are also rhythms to the seasons of our life:
infancy, childhood, youth and adulthood. We can fight the rhythms, or we can flow with them.
There have been many seasons of my life where God uses a variety of mediums to teach me
something. I read an idea or concept and then suddenly it’s as if I see or hear something related
to it all over from completely different sources: social media, authors I follow or the radio. It’s as
if I take notice of something, and God says, “She needs to hear that umpteen times to really get
the idea.” I think of it as him weaving different colors of threads from different places to make a
solid picture.

Currently, the idea God is weaving threads of is to examine what the world considers heroic vs.
ordinary. I studied this idea first in the book Holiness in a Restless World by Joshua R. Sweeden
and Nell M. Becker Sweeden. The Sweedens speak of how the idea of heroism has negatively
affected how we think about living a holy life. “In contrast to the heroic impulse, it is time for
Christians to recover what it means to be placed in the commonwealth of God – to locate
ourselves faithfully in the daily interactions and transactions of life with God’s creation.” (p. 12)
Secular heroes often have no real home or family connections to help guide them. In contrast,
Christians are to find their home among God and his people. Christians are not to isolate
themselves but rather be part of their communities.

So, imagine my surprise, when just a few weeks after reading about heroism in that way, I see
Pastor Todd’s title for September 29 – “Blessing Our Community: The Greatest Hero of All.”
Jesus is a hero. But not in the sense the people of his day wanted him to be. He never called
himself great. He often tried to avoid public attention.
Jesus said whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Jesus said that he came to serve.
Consider that a moment. Jesus, God’s Son, King of Kings, one who could command us to bow at
his feet…came to serve?!

Yes, Jesus was a hero. Just not in the way we were expecting. He was a hero because he engaged
and blessed those who needed him. Jesus spoke with and touched the lowest members of society,
the “untouchables”, and spoke harshly to those with wealth or standing who ignored the needs of
others.

If we are to be heroes in a positive way, we must follow Jesus’ example to bless and care for
those around us. Often that means caring for someone’s physical needs before we address their
spiritual needs. It’s difficult to ponder God’s love for you with an empty stomach.
If our hearts are really broken for lost people who need Jesus, we will befriend them. We’ll listen
to them with curiosity instead of condemnation. You never know where a conversation that starts
with kindness might lead! Author L.M. Montgomery said, “All things great are wound up with
all things little.”

I think that relates to another quote from the Sweedens. “Holiness is an encounter that occurs in
the improvisation of daily life. Scripture testifies to a God made known most commonly and
consistently in simple and ordinary ways. God comes to us in our humanity.” (Holiness p. 13)

I pray we will heroically bless our community in simple, ordinary ways!

Grace & Peace,
Pastor Cindy

Vacation Bible School At Pella Nazarene!

If you haven’t heard Pella Church of the Nazarene is hosting the 1st grade children for the Pella Union Vacation Bible School. What a great opportunity for our church to invite the community into our building and among our people! We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share God’s love with children and families in Pella. Here are the details:

Theme: Son Rock Kids Camp
Times: 9:00-11:30 AM Monday-Friday
Location: Pella Church of the Nazarene – 303 University Ave Pella Iowa

Now, what we need is for you to help. We need volunteers for all kinds of job like snacks, activities, crafts, and just being present.
Please prayerfully consider loving on our community. For more information contact Robin Hammann (robin.hammann@gmail.com.)
You can follow this link to sign up: (https://www.vbspella.org/volunteer-registration)

Advent Week 2: Peace on Earth

Advent Week 2: Peace on Earth

Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Origins of Advent

Advent is not a new tradition. Scholars believe that the Advent period was a season of preparation for new Christians as they move towards the Feast of Epiphany in January. Advent is rooted in the latin word for “arrival.” It seems that over time the Advent season became tied to Christmas sometime in the middle ages. Today, most Christians hold Advent dear as a time to focus on the coming of Christ and his birth story.

We are entering week 2 of Advent. The theme this week is Peace! This peace isn’t necessarily a respite from war. This word in the Hebrew is shalom. It more closely means complete or perfect. Jesus IS God’s peace. His perfection.

Peace on Earth! That’s right! Jesus is born. So, God’s peace, His shalom is now come to earth in human form! The angels proclaim it to all who can hear. Peace on Earth! This isn’t just an absence of conflict. This is the coming of tranquility and harmony. Jesus is the harmonizer.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14

Finding Peace in Today’s Christmas Season

The challenge is how do we find this peace in today’s hectic, over-marketed and under-spiritualized season of Christmas. It starts with an intimate seeking of God and his son. Read the Christmas story. Soak in the fact that God sent His peace to each of us. Set aside the fuss and reflect on what it really means to be in His Peace! If you can hone in on that peace this will be a Christmas to remember.

How do you find peace during this season? Share your own experiences or strategies for finding peace during the holidays.

Advent Week 1: Anticipation of Hope

Advent Week 1: Anticipation of HOPE!

Isaiah 40:3-5: “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'”

The first week of Advent marks the beginning of a season of preparation and anticipation for Christmas. This week is traditionally associated with hope, a sense of longing, and confidence in the promise of something good to come. Just as the prophets of old looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, we, too, are invited to embrace the spirit of expectation during this sacred time.

The first week of Advent reminds us that we are not alone in our yearning for something more, something beyond the ordinary. We are part of a long line of people who have hoped for a savior, a light in the darkness, a reason to believe in the world’s goodness. This hope is not based on wishful thinking or fleeting emotions; it is grounded in the unshakeable belief that God is with us, always present, always working to bring about good in the world.

As we embark on this journey of Advent, let us open our hearts to the promise of hope. Let us allow ourselves to be filled with anticipation for Christmas’s joy and wonder. Remember that we are not waiting in vain; we are waiting for the arrival of the One who will bring peace, love, and salvation to the world.

Thanksgiving: A Biblical Perspective

Thanksgiving: A Biblical Perspective

Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition that brings families and communities together to express gratitude for the blessings of the past year. As Christians, we can approach Thanksgiving from a Biblical perspective, recognizing that gratitude is not just a seasonal practice but a way of life that aligns with God’s Word. Let’s explore some key biblical principles that can deepen our understanding of and engagement with Thanksgiving.

Gratitude as a Command:
In the Bible, gratitude is not merely a suggestion; it is a command. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that regardless of our circumstances, we are called to be thankful. Even in times of adversity, we can find reasons to be grateful, knowing that God is with us and working all things for our good.

Thanksgiving as Worship:
Thanksgiving is not just a social gathering but an act of worship. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” When we give thanks, we are acknowledging God’s goodness and sovereignty in our lives. Our gratitude becomes an offering to Him, recognizing His love, care, and faithfulness.

Blessings and Stewardship:
As Christians, we are stewards of the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Whether it’s our time, talents, or material resources, we are called to use them wisely and share them with others. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reflect on how we can be better stewards of what God has entrusted to us, showing love and compassion to those in need.

Generosity and Giving Back:
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to reflect on the principle of giving. Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As we count our blessings, we can consider how we can give back to our communities and support those less fortunate. Engaging in acts of charity and kindness is a tangible way to live out our faith during this season.

Fostering Unity:
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together. In Ephesians 4:3, we are encouraged to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” As we gather with loved ones, we can seek opportunities to promote unity, forgiveness, and reconciliation within our relationships, reflecting the reconciling work of Christ.

Thanksgiving from a Christian, Biblical perspective goes beyond the traditional turkey feast. It is an opportunity to deepen our faith, express gratitude in all circumstances, and live out our Christian values of love, generosity, and unity. As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with thanksgiving to God for His abundant blessings, and may we seek ways to share His love with others in the spirit of Christ.