Time really does fly by!
It is difficult to believe we have reached the half way point for this year, let alone the summer. Last month seems like it was still February and last week felt like Memorial Day Weekend. I have never really believed time flies. After this summer, I might have to reconsider. I have spent a good amount of time lately considering time - what we do with it, how we make the most of it, and why we are so good at squandering it. This could just be my age, being a few weeks away from ANOTHER birthday. I am sure I am not the first to get philosophical regarding the unending drumbeat of time. Nonetheless, consider a few of these questions as we prepare to talking about what we pass on this week in worship: 1. Your life is simply what you do everyday. Do you like your routine? It is your life. 2. What did you think would be different right now? Do you have the courage to reflect on how your life became what it is? Healthy or unhealthy? 3. "Show me who you spent time with, and I will show you who you are becoming." -Craig Groeschel. If someone spent forty hours a week with you for five years what would they become? We grow in the image of those we love and those with whom we spent time. What are you passing along? This Sunday we will talk about an action plan for making the most of our time through passing our life on to others in an intentional way. For all of us who have wondered "where did all the time go?" or "How can I make a difference?" This message is for you. We look forward to seeing you Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00 AM. Why not let this be the week you invite a friend or coworker to worship? You may never know the difference it makes in their life! -Pastor Geoff Over the last several weeks, people have asked how we are doing after the birth of our son. I will be honest, the first week I had no clue how to answer because I was barely awake! And that was nothing compared to how Marissa had to feel. While I am sure some things have leveled out and I know Marissa is feeling better, I realized something enlightening this week. The thing that has really changed is ME. I had to adjust to the new normal. Getting less sleep than I have since college seemed so destabilizing those first few days. Then I learned to adjust, respond, and keep going. This is the new normal for me. And all the wishing in the world will not grant us a ten hours of uninterrupted sleep.
People tell me frequently that their life will change to incorporate faith, that holy habits will be cultivated, once "life slows down" for them. When things "return to normal" the changes they desire will take finally be able to take root. But if we keep waiting, changes in us never will happen. We live with the myth of 'normal,' a life without deadlines, budgets, children and social obligations. In fact, normal is now; it is right in the middle of our over-extended, over-programed, and over-spent lives that God is ready to begin the process of restoration. If we wait until things are better, we will always be waiting. If we ask God now, He is more ready than we realize to build peace, joy, and contentment into our lives - right here and now. So let's not keep waiting until all returns to 'normal'. Let's invite God to be with us here and now. Last week I did a wedding for a couple I don't personally know at the Moose Lodge on the south side of Chicago. It felt like I had gone back in time 40 years. Everyone had a stereotypical Chicago accent. I lost count of how many firefighters and cops I met out of the couple dozen people present. Everyone was Catholic, and they couldn't believe I was married. The no smoking rule in IL clearly did not apply. I half expected Mayor Daley to walk through the door.
The wedding started a full 50 minutes late. As we were waiting, (not so patiently) people one by one started up conversations with me, clearly curious as to what I really do. And one by one, people felt this strange permission to air their spiritual grievances and questions. Nothing they said surprised me or shocked me. The only thing I was taken back by how how willing people were to share and to listen to spiritual matters, why they left the church, why they still pray, a priest that had an impact on them at a young age, and what it might take for them to take faith seriously again. I walked away wondering how long these people had been wanting to talk about God. I was bothered that the wedding started so late, but I was grateful that God had arranged those conversations. People are more open than we realize to talk, question, share, and learn about faith. A life without faith is a saturated with feelings of separation, isolation, and despair - many of you have lived that and know it. People want another way. Jesus is that other way - offering meaning, purpose, love, and value. Even in the least likely of situations, we can see that God is providing an opportunity for us to share Jesus with those around us. So the next time you feel like your time is being wasted (as I felt last Saturday) be prepared. It might just be an opportunity for you to share Jesus, and that might not be as difficult as you think: 1) Listen. Listen. Listen. Most people want to be heard more than they want to be corrected. 2) Simply share what God has done in your life. Do not worry about getting caught with a question you do not feel equipped to answer - your story is yours. People almost always love hearing a good personal story - and will respect it and you for the authenticity. Just tell the story of what God has done and is doing in your life. 3) Offer a simple invitation to worship. At Big Life C.C., we have done the hard part. We have wrestled with the theology, distilled the Biblical mandates of Jesus, and built a church that is simple and accessible. All you have to do is offer them an invitation to the experience that has made a difference to you. We will trust God to do God's part, and the church will do its part! I am not a 'runner' ... BUT...
I ran track in middle school. It might be hard to believe, but I was a sprinter. Unfortunately, I had a very short stint as a competitive runner, not because of my lack of speed, but my inability to pass the baton in the relay! It made little difference how fast I could run, because I would inevitablydrop the baton in the exchange to another sprinter. While others were racing down the track, our team was disqualified because I could not find a way hand off what was given to me. Faith functions much the same way. The goal of following Christ is not simply to receive faith in Jesus but to hand it off. We can exert all kinds of energy running the race of faith: worshipping with passion, praying with intensity, studying God's Word daily; but unless we find a way to hand off that faith through the simple acts of invitation and generosity, we are in danger of becoming like my track team. Going through the motions, exerting effort, but not able to extend our faith to include others. This week you have already had multiple opportunities to hand off your faith. God places people in front of us for a reason each day, and that reason is for you to show and share the love of Jesus. Something as simple as inviting someone to worship this week could reroute the course of their life, their family, and their eternity. It's pretty easy to say, "I think you'd really like my church; it's really made a difference for me. Would you like to come with me Sunday?" So why wait? This Sunday we kickoff a new series on suffering we are calling, "Very Bad Things." Over the next month we will squarely confront the issue of suffering, evil, and where we find God in the midst of pain. Do you have any friends who have kept faith at arms length because of the suffering of their lives or someone they love? I know I have. Why not pass along an invitation to worship this weekend? You may never know the difference it will make in their life! On this Good Friday (originally called God Friday) we are tempted to race to Easter Sunday. Yet, the freedom of Easter is only found in the suffering of Friday. There is no resurrection without death. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. 1st Peter 2:23-25 In the moment, bad things can be overwhelming. God's way is to transition even the worst, into something new and even beautiful. There is nothing in this world worse than isolation from friends and loved ones, wrongful insult, physical torture, and finally death on a cross. And yet, the resurrection and the Christian faith, the triumph of love, and hope itself was just three days away. Good Friday faith is the freedom to suffer with a God that chose to walk through suffering and alongside each of us as we suffer and then let life go as we move into what is next. In a culture that prizes grit and determination and survival, we worship a God whose body was broken on a cross, willingly, and announced “It is finished.” While God is ultimately in the resurrection business, daily, we let go not simply to rise again. We let go because God is enough. God is with us through it all. God has been there and has made the way. We choose faith in Him who understands, lived it, died it, and creates a way through it to everlasting life. I was picking up a pizza at a local tavern last week. The women at the register asked how the church was going, and I used it as an opportunity to invite her and her husband to worship on Easter. She said she appreciated the invitation but did not want to be lumped into the group of people who "only go to church on Easter." I told her if you only go to worship once year, make sure it is Easter! There is no better day to worship God than Easter!
The fact is, Easter will be celebrated around the world by more people than we could ever count. People who come every week and people who come once a year will prioritize this one day and seek a message of faith. Folks who will hang on to every word of the message and folks who will not sure why Christians are so excited about the resurrection will be in a church on Easter. Those who are proud of their faith and those proud that they do not adhere to faith will show up. Some will be happy they came with their entire family, and others will come just to make their family happy. Many of you who read this weekly email have gone all in living the values of Big Life and would even be at church in the middle of a snow storm...like you were all winter! Yet others of you are in a different place. Maybe you came once long ago and can't bring yourself to unplug completely. Maybe you came a few times and then life changed or the time got away from you. Or maybe you feel your life actually is too busy to worship consistently. Let THIS be a week that you choose faith. Do not let anything stand between you and celebrating Easter with the rest of the Christians in the world. I am not sure what will nudge you out the door this Sunday, but I hope something does. We would love for you to make plans to worship this Sunday at either 9:30 or 11:00 at Big Life C.C. As we gather to worship this Sunday, we each will choose to make the most of it. So sing a little louder, give a little more, shake a few more hands, welcome a few moe people, and pray with a little more focus than you would on another day. The resurrection is the reason for our faith. It is the capstone of Jesus' unique place in history and in our worship. It is the promise of God that life is stronger than death and love is stronger than hate. See you this Sunday as we celebrate Easter! Invite a friend, family member, or coworker to come with you to Easter at Big Life C.C. -Pastor Geoff Are you owning your influence?
Easter is less than a month away, April 20th. I will not lie, I love Easter. The season, the contagious joy, and the message of eternal life are what our faith is all about. There is no better time to offer faith to someone in your life than Easter. People are uniquely spiritually receptive to consider faith and a visit to church. Here is how to own your influence during this important faith season leading up to Easter. First, make every effort to be in worship at Big Life in the coming weeks and on Easter Sunday. You will be glad that you did. Second, let a friend, coworker or family member know you are saving them a seat on Easter Sunday. Tell them a little about Big Life C.C. has made a difference to you. Why do you think they will like it? Finally, ask God for a refreshing of your faith, a resurrection. I have heard from many of you that the Messages on our influence at home and work and starting to use the Bible were some things you needed to hear and live into. These are resurrection habits that will bring new life to your faith and to others. While we believe Jesus rose from the dead 2000 years ago, we also believe he is still raising people from death to life today. Are you in need a resurrection this Easter? Ask God to bring to life parts of you that you thought would never live again. Easter is the core of what our faith is all about. New life, fresh hope, and enduring faith for any who will believe. Make plans to worship April 20th with your family and friends at Big Life Community Church. This Sunday we wrap up our series "Outsourcing." You will not want to miss this final call to action. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00 AM! Geoff Lead Pastor It would be easy to interpret the church's celebration of Saint Patrick as just about Irish/ Celtic ethnicity. But the real reason is far closer to the heart of this church's ministry!
Saint Patrick was not Irish; he was born in England. However at the age of 16, he was kidnapped and enslaved by Celtic raiders from Ireland. The Irish natives were a violent, clan-based people, with no Christian influence or heritage, rather a Druid / Celtic polytheistic religion that even utilized human sacrifice. Patrick later described that the time he spent as a slave was when his faith turned to Jesus and solidified, on the fields shepherding as a captive, and he converted to and devoted himself to Christ. In his early 20's he fled captivity and found passage on a ship back to Britain to study Christianity. However, after becoming a clergyman in England, he felt led to return to Ireland to evangelize to the very people who had enslaved him. He used his early life challenge as God's tools. Fluent and familiar with their wild culture, he baptized many across Ireland, shared Jesus with the native peoples. He was highly creative in engaging the Celtic traditions and Druid habits into incorporation with Christian symbols and theology. Though little formal history survives, the common stories about his work are extraordinary in their scope and creative reach to share the Gospel. In the entire history of Christianity, there are few missionaries with the impact of Saint Patrick. That is why we celebrate and enjoy the holiday in remembrance of one of the true evangelists for Jesus. Saint Patrick's Prayer As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen Are you saying "no" when you could say "yes"?
Each year it seems that winter makes a serious attempt to kill us. We've all enjoyed the welcomed relief of a few warmer days. Even the snowstorm that starts to melt away the same day announces the inevitable change towards spring, and the promise that life will go on. However, with the warmer weather comes my guilt about not being in shape. At some point in the next few weeks, on a reasonably mild day, I will lace up my shoes, throw on a hoodie, and attempt what barely resembles running. The first half mile will be the worst. I will say to myself "I can't do this. Why not just stop. Good enough - at least I tried. I can't keep going because I'm too old, and it hurts my heart, and my will is not in order. etc" Yet somehow in spite of the fear and discouragement, I will keep going. And I will be glad I did. I can already anticipate the delight of my body getting stronger, increasing my heart rate, stretching myself, and being glad I did power through the objections. Knowing that I could have said "No" makes the "Yes" even more powerful. In this series called "Outsourcing" we are talking about all the says we can say "YES" to God. So far we have talked about the importance of owning our worship life, being present to God's presence, as well as the need to grow in wisdom, to discern what to do when we do not know what to do. We are also inviting each person to say yes to trusting God, to "try the tithe" during Lent as we build towards Easter. For each of these habits, generosity, worship and wisdom, we have the chance to say "no". We can each believe the voice of the enemy that inevitably tries to prevent us from moving towards a better, more abundant life with God. Just as I hear when I attempt to run, we will likely each hear these lies, "stop, why try?, this is too much, you can't do it". Yet when we break through that fear and choose trust in God, it makes the "yes" we give to God all the more satisfying. This week offer God a big "YES". It may be in worship, wisdom, or generosity. It might be in taking up the courage to invite someone to worship and faith. You likely know what it is already from that still, small voice within. Push through the resistance and trust in God who is ready to join us and strengthen us in the exercising of our faith. Why not try the tithe? Tithing is the biblical practice of giving 10% of what you make to God. If this is new to you, here is how you start. Take 10% of what you take home after taxes and place that in the offering each week at a gift to God. If you bring home roughly 600 dollars a week, a tithe is 60 dollars. If you make 2,200 dollars a week, a tithe is 220 dollars. If you make 10,000 dollars a week, please contact me personally. If you try the tithe for the next six weeks several things will happen. First, you will feel the stretch and likely a dose of fear early on. Just like the first few steps of a jog or a workout you will wonder "should I even try this?" And the enemy will try to convince you the numbers won't add up. This is natural. But second, you will start to see God at work. God has a habit of taking full responsibility of the lives that are fully entrusted to him. Generosity is the toughest arena of life for many of us to trust God. Tackle this one and you will be amazed at the work of God - you will get to see God's work in your day to day life in the most obvious ways. Third, after a little bit of seeing God at work in your life and finances, you will want to do more - very few people who tithe JUST tithe. That is the secret of the Christian model of generosity. Nothing feels or lives God's power better than out-giving where you once were - and no one believes it until they experience it! |
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