"Expect the Frogs" by Lauren Watson

One of my favorite places is the Oregon Garden, it’s where I go to have a date with Jesus. I walk through Creation, enjoy the beauty of the flora, listen to the birds and to the Holy Spirit. Recently as I was wandering, I found myself getting excited as I approached a certain location and realized it was a spot where I had a treat a few years ago. My friend and I had been photographing a stand of dahlias, and noticed some adorable little tree frogs hiding inside the very large blossoms; it was such a surprise and gave me some of my favorite photos. Since then, I have found them only occasionally in that same area but each time I expect to see something special there. I have also seen them in other types of flowers in other areas, but I know to look and HOPE to be delighted.

As I walked towards the dahlias and felt my excitement grow, I heard the Lord say it was just like prayer. We go to a lovely place to invest time with the Lord, knowing the time itself is an amazing experience. However, since I have had a supernatural healing, I believe and expect there to be the extraordinary replies, like the charming little critters.

I often go to this place physically and spiritually and each time it’s different, but what I heard on my stroll is to not overlook the garden and its beauty while searching for the revelations. I have--right now--a huge Gift of faith and am enjoying His Presence and it is enough to be with Him and know that the heart of our loving heavenly Father is to give beyond what we need, to delight us.

Why are some prayers answered and others not? How do we believe when some people are healed and others suffer and even die? How can we trust when we ask according to the Scriptures but don’t see the expected results? These are big stumbling blocks for so many Christians and since I’ve experienced my own miracle, a topic of discussion that comes up often in my hearing, I’ve pondered and asked how to represent why I got a Gift of healing and my friends still hurt, and I got frogs. 

We don’t know what the answers to our prayers will be but when we take time with God and expect the best, sometimes we get to experience the miraculous. I am convinced that when we have the ability to look back on our lives and truly see the trail we’re on we will see how many frogs we missed along the way. They might be hiding in the pretty flowers of blessings or may be in the murky waters of suffering, but they are there and the Creator knows where each is and how it benefits our path.

So keep your eyes open for those frogs.

"CitySalt Update | New Location and Service Time" by Dusty Johnson

CitySalt Update | New Location and Service Time

As a member of CitySalt Church, we thank you for taking time to prayerfully consider the opportunity before us. Moving our congregation to a new location and service time is an important step that we want to take together.

In cooperation with our senior pastor, staff, and church council, CitySalt wishes to change our present meeting location to 661 E. 19th Avenue, Eugene, OR. This will require an adjustment in our main worship service to 5:30-7:00pm on Sunday evenings. The proposal is based on a three-year sublease with First Baptist Church of Eugene (FBC) for use of “The Box” (as our main gathering place), and a three-year lease with The Eugene Christian Chinese Church (ECCC) for children’s classrooms and additional meeting rooms. This change would not only provide more desirable accommodations for CitySalt at an affordable rent, but also expresses a shared value for ecumenical cooperation and Kingdom stewardship on the part of all the ministries involved.

Open House Follow Up

As you may know, CitySalt members and other supporters gathered this past Sunday on July 24th for an exploratory Open House at The Box. We enjoyed a time of food, fellowship, worship, prayer, and a brief address by representatives from each of the three ministries welcoming our congregation to this city block. Guest presenters included Pastor Anthony Doheney (Senior Pastor of Emerald Community Fellowship –ECF/Property Owner), Pastor Joe Tepe (College Pastor from First Baptist Church/Collegiate Christian Fellowship – FBC/CCF), Pastor Donald Grafton and Sarah Chen (pastors from Eugene Chinese Christian Church ECCC). The event was brought to close by Pastor Dusty calling for CitySalt’s membership to vote on the proposed move to accompany our formal documents for approval.

Voting Results

At this time, we are pleased to report that we have the unanimous support of 84% of our current membership, supporting this change of location and service time. This fulfills the necessary requirements outlined by our Foursquare bylaws. Our next step is to submit our formal sublease documents for approval before we can transition to this new location and time. As a courtesy to our remaining members from whom we have not yet received written or verbal response, we plan to contact them in the next week to allow them a chance to weigh in on this decision.

 

Moving Forward

We appreciate your prayer and support and look forward to some exciting steps in the weeks and months ahead. If all goes as expected, we hope to have our first official service at The Box on August 21st or 28th, depending on how the process unfolds. Stay tuned for additional updates that will be made available on our website, weekly newsletter, and Facebook.

For those able and willing to make financial contributions toward various updates and projects to improve The Box, we have set up a tax-deductible building fund that will support the following projects as directed by our church council:

•   Adding windows and/or natural light
•   Various updates to restrooms and kitchen
•   Exterior paint, lighting, and signage
•   Altering storage space
•   Alarm System
•   Fire suppression system for Kitchen
•   Air conditioning

Also, here are some practical ways you can begin to help with this transition:

•   Pray for the leadership of all the ministries involved
•   Help cultivate a positive and solution-oriented attitude throughout the transition
•   Serve on the various teams that will need support
•   Contribute financially to our building fund for needed repairs and upgrades
•   Think creatively about who should be involved in this next season in the life of our church and invite them to be part.

If you have questions and/or would like to submit your vote on this decision, you are welcome to contact tenisha@citysalt.org or (541) 632-4182.

NOTE: This and other information is also available online at www.citysalt.org/thebox/

"Christian Geography" by Terry Sheldon

I've been looking at a lot of maps lately. It's always been an interest of mine. My inner nerd comes out when the topic of exploration comes up in conversation, especially here in our beautiful Oregon playground. Yes I really do know where Wagontire Oregon is. Want to stump the master? Go ahead and try. Really.

My fixation lately has been on the Wallowas - 350,000 acres of glaciated valleys, granite peaks and sublime high lakes in Northeastern Oregon. As you read this, I should be pushing my fifty-something body and a backpack up relentless dusty inclines, and for what? The payoff is incredible, or so Google Images show.

For me, part of the fun is just the imagining, the planning - to a point, of course. Maps are a 2-D counterfeit of a 3-D reality. Good for figuring out where you want to go, or where you are once you're there. But they certainly don't capture the aesthetic romance, the emotion of the evening sun peaking over the ridge before it retires for the day, or the dainty loveliness of Indian Paintbrush.

And technical notes like shown distances and topographic lines cannot capture how hard a trail really is, or how your tired body will respond. Or the mood you'll be in at that moment when you've "hit the wall", exhausted and spent like the wadded up Cliff Bar wrapper in your pocket.

I find the same similarities to the Bible, and our assumptions about things we think we know "on paper", versus the times we actually go there. Something in our life pushes us from "volunteer" to "professional", to being forced to practice what has been preached.

Usually they are changes, or challenges anyway that come up. We are forced onto the path. It's our time to learn, to experience, to PROVE something. We want to go back to the security of "the map", where it feels good to just dream. But instead there's no turning back, and we have a job to do.

I am greatly anticipating my trip. But a small part of me is apprehensive. I am not a young man anymore, and the uncertainty of how I will do is a nagging thought. But I am sure God will be speaking to me along the way. For me, He typically speaks best to me, or rather, I LISTEN best, when I am in motion. Hiking is a metaphor for a number of things, and I'm sure we will have many great conversations.

So let's not just think about God and learn about Him. Let's walk with him. Everyday.

Living in the Light

For most of my life I have suffered with SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I cycle through a period of depression every year, and actually more often than not, as cloudy days come and finally go.  I was pleased to read that this pattern is not a moral failure but instead a medical condition.  People choose different ways to manage this malady.  One of the most important ways to treat it may be to get more light exposure. The symptomatic list certainly describes my experience: lack of energy, weakened immune system, irritability, lack of concentration, over-eating and weight gain, alcohol or drug abuse, feelings of guilt and worry, sleep problems and social and relational problems.

Because of SAD and other forms of depression, I have been plagued most of my adult life, I have often felt that I was living in a dark place.  The longing in me for the warm, rejuvenating sun and its light drew me to search for what the bible says will help me. Years ago, I started to mark all the places where light is referred to in the scripture.  By now I have memorized many references and I recite them in times of depression.  One of my favorites is from 1 John 1:5-7; ‘’God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.”  Also John 1:4 reveals, “In Him (Jesus) was life and that life was the light of men.” Jesus was and is the true light that gives light to every man.

There are so many more examples.  As I’ve studied light, I’ve also looked at its synonyms.  Light is illuminating. Illumination is often tied with truth.  Truth confronts the lies that often accompany depression.  It is like a torch that shines on a pathway in the dark.  It reveals the obstacles and makes the way plain.

Alongside illumination is clarity.  Depression causes confusion and difficulty making decisions.  God promises to enter our shadowed times and bring clear direction.  For me it’s like the clearing of the overcast sky which allows a true view of the landscape.  As it clears, so does the fog of our thinking.

Fear also accompanies the low times in our lives: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1)  He brings light and He saves me in every way.

With fear often come anxiety, worry and false guilt.  Jesus speaks to worry in Matt.6:25, referring to the flowers and birds that the Father cares for.  Most importantly He speaks to our value as God’s beloved children.  My long habit has been to turn from worry to prayer. And so with false guilt, I remind myself of His forgiveness and let Him shed light on what is true and what is false guilt.

Lastly, I want to share an antidote the Lord has given us for depression and negativity, Gratefulness.  I have learned that I must choose to reverse my thought processes.  Looking at the beauty around us, our relationships, and the gifts God has given us begins to interrupt the negative cycle. This enables us to “lift our eyes up to the heavens, from whom our help comes.” (Psalm 121)  We have been called out of darkness into glorious light. (1 Peter 2:9)

"Simplicity and the Cemetery" by Randi Nelson

“The Lord preserves the simple” (Psalm 116:6a). I’ve always sort of understood that verse as referring to the feeble, unsophisticated, poor or underendowed. But the other day as I read it again, I felt what Pastor Shannon Kearney used to refer to as a spiritual speed bump … that bounce that says, “Slow down, pay attention.”

So I researched the Hebrew word translated as “simple”. It comes from a root word that means to open; to be or make roomy. In other words, this verse could be read this way; “The Lord preserves the open, the roomy, the ones who quiet the noise and clear the clutter.” Ouch.

Life is noisy. My head gets full of stuff: to do lists, appointments, fatigue, failure. It gets full of arguments, both internal and external; full of worries, fears and yes … FUN! But even when it is fun, the stuff of life can drag a mind and spirit down; we can be “brought low” as it says in verse 2.

Becoming “simple”, to make one’s spirit “roomy” requires decisiveness. It requires a break in habit or pattern. It takes an act of willful openness. And then the Spirit comes forward with a little nudge, a quiet embrace, a word that encourages or enlightens.

But honestly, I have trouble, especially in the realm of unproductive habits, making room for His ministry. I can identify lots of important stuff that I want to talk with him about. But it all gets to be a jumble. Perhaps that is why something Mike Mercer recently said is resonating in the meditations of my heart. He said, “Invite God into your cemetery.”

So Simple: Identify what is dead. Open up and invite God in. Somehow this two category system, Life or Death, short circuits the complexity. It brings a degree of honesty that I could comfortably skirt with a bigger system of labels. “Lord, You know that habit of ___ that is making me crazy? I want to be real. It isn’t a matter of how I was raised; it is a matter of tombstones. Would you come into this dead place?”

Psalm 116:3-9 – “The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I beseech Thee, save my life!’

“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes our God is compassionate.

“The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

For [God] has rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”

Praise the saving, gracious, righteous, compassionate, bountiful preserving God!

"Guarding Your Soul" by John Rice

From time to time over the course of the last 15 years I’ve dealt with low back issues. When I’ve done too much of the wrong thing my back will “go out”. To me that means I’ll feel spasms like electric shocks whenever I move just slightly the wrong way. It means I can’t stay in one position for very long, I can’t do my normal work routine, I can barely get in and out of a car, I have to be very careful when sitting down, laying down or getting up from either of those positions. I can’t go out and play. I get grumpy and self-focused and depressed. I absolutely hate it. In so many ways and for so many reasons, I hate it. Did I say “I hate it”? Well, I really do hate it. 

I have learned over the years that with the help of good chiropractors, physical therapists and exercise trainers, there are a number of things I can do to help myself out of this bad place. I can ice, I can stretch, I can do certain exercises, I can get laser treatments, I can walk and walk and walk. I can learn to guard my low back by better engaging my transverse abdominals (muscles that wrap around your body below the navel which act like a belt supporting your back). I can also protect my back by keeping good posture, holding my head in line with my back, and using my glutes instead of my low back muscles for stability. I have to be very aware of how I’m moving, but if I’m careful, I can still function fairly well until my back muscles finally relax and get back to normal. I am so thankful for what I’ve learned over the years and especially for the knowledgable people who have helped me so much. 

So I was reading in Philippians this morningand I was reminded of how God, as a good and perfect Father (and as The Great Physician, as well) gives us such wonderful instruction and advice for living well. In Philippians He tells us not how we can guard our backs, but how we can guard our souls:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Wow! He tells us that His peace is what guards our hearts and minds, our souls, and He even tells us what part we have to play in getting that peace. He gives us strategies for guarding and protecting our souls. I love that! There is something we can do. We need to realize first and foremost that He is near us. He has promised never to leave us. Then, rather than worrying and being anxious about things, which we are all inclined to do, He tells us to talk to Him instead.

Bring to Him our concerns and troubles, pray about them, ask Him for what we need and above all, bathe all of these prayers and requests in a pool of gratitude. To me it’s interesting and significant that the little phrase “with thanksgiving” sits right in the middle of this whole section, set off by commas, as if to say this is the key. The key to peace and the key to being free from anxiety.

I read this quote somewhere once which is inspired by Matthew 11:28-30:

 Rest is not the absence of labor, hardship or suffering...                                                                                                                      It is the absence of guilt, worry, anxiety and lack of meaning.

 Fortunately we are not just victims of our mental, physical and emotional states, being passively carried down a stream in which we don’t want to float. God dignifies us with an invitation to participate with Him in such way that we can, at least in some ways, influence the course and outcome of our journey.

Living in a world where there are so many things to worry and be anxious about, it is reassuring that God knows our human tendencies and rather than judge us for our ignorance, foolishness or sin, invites us to let Him take the heavy load and gives us in its place a light load, easy to carry, full of gratitude, peace and grace. 

Phil 4:6-7

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:5

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Mat 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

"One More Night with the Frogs" by Lauren Watson

Recently I’ve been reminded of the choice Pharaoh made in Genesis 8. Pharaoh asked Moses to plead with the Lord to take the plague of frogs away and in return he would let the Israelites go. Moses replied, “You set the time” and Pharaoh answered “Do it tomorrow”.

Why would he not say “RIGHT NOW”? Why would he choose to spend another night with the slimy, smelly, noisy frogs? Why not ask the God of the Universe intervene ASAP? I have always thought Pharaoh short sighted and downright stupid, and hoped I would make a more intelligent response. However my recent journey shows me how easy it is to delay expectation of God’s Power and Promise.

I have suffered an undiagnosed pain for a couple decades. At times it has been tolerable and others, debilitating. There have been several types of doctors, exams, tests, ultra sounds, theories and referrals, but no answers. These last two years have been the worst and have damaged my general physical health through inactivity, my soul through isolation and darkened my spirit. Many health care providers discounted what they couldn’t explain and in the process caused me to doubt myself and lessen my self-worth. Trying to work eight plus hours wore me out and sometimes I couldn’t make it through the day. Movement caused pain and anyplace I couldn’t control my circumstances I wouldn’t go, I felt captive in my own body and “mostly dead” (Princess Bride reference).

When the opportunity to go to Bethel Church in Redding, renown for successful healing prayer, I was sure that was the answer, it had to be- I was desperate. The worship was amazing, the teaching was inspired, the company was delightful, and the prayer was anointed. During worship the first night I saw scar tissue over my spiritual heart caused by the relationship trauma throughout my life. The last service I saw a bolt of lightning go into my mouth, but had no idea what it meant; since that time I feel that it was the Holy Spirit melting the wounds and freeing my heart. We all came back richer for having been there and I came back feeling less the pain and feeling that I had been healed.

Four days later I was in more pain than ever and incredibly discouraged, I felt a failure…

While in California, we saw our friend Lee posting testimonials of his most recent trip; he operates in the gifts of the Spirit, especially healing and had even prayed for my pain several years ago. When my pain came back I called him to see if he had any insights as to why this had been a temporary relief. We went over the process through which Bethel took us, and Lee offered to pray for me again, after fasting. I took the next few days and inquired of the Lord, and then along with his wife Lisa and some friends, we met. The two women on whom I have most depended were present, each has a wealth of personal experience with inner healing and had received her own treasures from Bethel. By the end of the session, I felt no pain and knew the heaviness of spirit had lifted.

The first day after, I kept poking myself to see if the pain was still gone and at the end of the second day I realized it was so completely gone, I hadn’t even tested it. I have had soreness from the muscles and ribs that are two years out of shape due to protecting the area of pain and right away there was the accuser trying to snatch away my healing. It’s been a delight to see how quickly it comes to my mind to STAND in my health – physically and spiritually, I have learned to contend for that which I have been given. My heart is open, my mind is clear, my spirit is light, I feel more whole than I ever had.

So those frogs????

Why did I not go to the available resources before? Why did I spend all that money and time with doctors? Why did I endure years of pain? I knew Jesus heals. I knew Lee prayed successfully for people all over the world. I knew miracles still happen. Why did I spend years with the frogs when the Creator of the universe (and me) was available to touch and mend me? I have pondered this for days and now have a thought on it-a few pictures actually; a recipe, a jigsaw puzzle and a mountain path.

While the group was praying for me I felt like there was a recipe and each of these intercessors were bringing different ingredients to add to the whole of my healing. Physical, soul, mental, spiritual and relational pieces were all there and together, these wonderful friends presented the substance the Holy Spirit needed to mend me.

Jigsaw puzzles are put together piece by piece; the structure of the whole is assembled with common connections. I saw my life being fit together by the hand of God, some sections went together easily, and others were very elusive. Once constructed, sections joined together showed big surges of growth but I had key pieces missing. As the Hand worked I saw more of what to expect the finished project was to be, but until those missing links were joined I was still fragmented. I longed with all my will to be complete but had to wait as bit by bit, with Divine strategy the image became more complete. This time of prayer had to wait until the adjoining pieces were in place.

The mountain path image comes from an experience decades ago when my friends and I decided to climb the Middle Sister. Because of many delays we didn’t start the ascent until dusk and the majority of the climb to base camp was done in the dark. All I could see mile upon mile was the back of the foot of the climber ahead of me, illuminated by my flashlight. After hours of dark path we finally set up camp in the blackness. The next day, in the light, we scaled the summit and got ready for the descent the following day. Trekking the territory we had traveled in the night, I realized I could not have made it had I seen the entire mountain. I would have been overwhelmed by its enormity and by the dangerous cliffs at the edge of the very path on which we walked. Because I could only see the next step, it was something within my ability and I had faith I could move my foot one more time. Then in the light of day, that amazing panorama was visible.

Another night with the frogs? No. My images convince me that I had to wait until the needed ingredients were available for the recipe, the connecting pieces were not yet in place and the toughness of this path would have again overwhelmed me if I concentrate on anything other than the next step. I do believe that I am seeing one of those vistas right now because my pain is gone, my faith has been amplified, and the Touch I received is one of Love that has melted my calloused heart.

I am grateful.

"The Gift of Giving" by Joseph Scheyer

Have you ever done something to help another person with no expectation of a reward for your efforts?  I have to admit that there is a part of me that does crave (at the least) recognition for altruistic acts. Even when I do something extra around the house, I often find a way to make sure that my wife notices. When I discern this need for recognition, I have to question myself about my motivations.

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”

― Amy Carmichael

When I was a boy growing up in eastern Oregon, my father worked for the State as a juvenile parole officer.  This brought him into contact with some families that had very meager resources.  I remember one impoverished family in particular that my Dad took under his wing: They had a boy about my age and I was asked to give of some of my clothing so that this boy would have something that wasn’t threadbare. I don’t remember if I gave willingly or grudgingly but I do remember the look of amazement on this boy’s face as I handed him my used clothing. To him, those old shirts and pants were a treasure. I didn’t really understand it at the time but now I am grateful that my father had the compassion to help provide for this family in need and at the same time set a benevolent example for our family.

Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

~Malachi 3:10

It seems clear that our impulse for charitable giving occurs because of the love of God. As His love fills our hearts, charity becomes second nature. When we choose to serve others for the love of God, we are neither motivated by the hope of recognition and reward nor by fear of punishment. Many of us have experienced that generosity is an expansive energy; the more we give, the more we receive. Unconditional giving somehow divinely generates resources that are reflected back to us in surprising, seemingly unconnected ways. 

Mother Teresa admonished us to “Give, but give until it hurts.”  It is not difficult to scoop a little off the top of our abundance for others but when we are asked to reach past our comfort zone of giving, we can best follow through when we understand that we don’t really possess anything but we are simply stewards of what God has created for us… only then can we truly trust that the bounty in our care can be distributed divinely through our obedience. Give until it hurts means that we trust in the wisdom of the creator (God’s economy) more than we trust in our own wisdom (the world’s economy). Jesus provides the ultimate example of selfless giving when he gave his life so that we may experience life abundantly.

Most of us appreciate being recognized for the good we do, but isn’t it delightful to be the anonymous donor of goodness? It is indeed better to give than to receive.

"The Old And the New" by John Rice

I heard a statement recently that really caught my attention. It went something like this:

“In the Old Testament if a Believer touched a leper, he was pronounced ‘unclean’ and had to be removed from the congregation. In the New Testament if a Believer touched a leper, the leper was healed.”

I have treasured the Old Testament all my Christian life and argued for its inclusion in the teachings of our modern day church, even defending it against those who would say it isn’t relevant to us Christians anymore. Some think of the Old Testament as just an old history book, which presents an angry, vengeful God who is Himself transformed in the New Testament by the coming of Jesus. I would still argue that this is a false conclusion and that while the Old Testament does record the history of ancient Israel, with all its struggles and battles, it also paints a picture of the true character of God and man.

God is characterized through his interactions with people as a patient, compassionate, wise, forgiving and loving God. In fact, the Lord describes Himself to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7 in this way: And God passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished.” David also describes the amazingly gracious character of God in his psalms, as does Isaiah and other prophets.

Even though the Old Testament is as much “God’s Word” as the New, what Jesus does when He comes to earth, born of a woman and very much human, yet equally divine, is truly world-changing. The New Testament speaks of a new covenant with God, which allows us to live in a radically different way from the way our brothers and sisters of the Old Covenant lived.

So back to the statement I heard recently, mentioned above, we see an example of this huge difference. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 14, we read what the Israelites were to do if anyone had an infectious disease. That person was to “wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’. As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.” Now to be sure, this was an ingenious way to keep infectious diseases from spreading through the whole population in a time when there was little medical knowledge for a nomadic desert people. In fact, the requirement to shave and wash wasvery advanced hygiene in those days.

Nonetheless, contrast this to what Jesus did and instructed His disciples to do. He constantly laid hands on sick people and restored their health, their sight, their wholeness. Paul and the other apostles went around healing the sick, lame, diseased and possessed. The power which Jesus ministered in and with which He empowered His disciples, was the same power that raised Him from the dead after three days in a tomb. It was the power of God’s Holy Spirit, which Jesus sent to His people on earth during Pentecost 50 days after He had been resurrected.

God is the same God in the Old and New Testaments, but when Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to live inside all of His followers who invited Him there, everything changed. I can’t even begin to understand what power lives inside me. I struggle with the faith for that sometimes. But I do know that God keeps His Word and that Jesus said we would do even greater works than He Himself did because of the Holy Spirit. I choose to believe Him and seek to open up to Him in every way He wants me too. Help me, Lord! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven….and help me play my part!

Exodus 34:5-7

And God passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished.”

John 14:12

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

"Who We Are" by Terry Sheldon

There has been a lot to chew on lately but so much of it seems to hinge on behavior - my not-so-stellar. Ok, ahem, partially kidding here. What I am learning is the difference between what we do (behavior) and who we are (our identity). So much of our Christian teaching and overall interactions with others concern how we act. Call them the branches of a tree. But if we stop there and don't address the tree's root, the behavior will unlikely change, or we'll attempt change for the wrong reasons.

What God has been telling me lately is this: WHO I am is more important than WHAT I do. Or better, who I BELIEVE I am will ultimately effect what I do. Now I am certainly not saying our actions don't produce a reliable cause and effect. I am no math expert but in my world: Misbehaving + Denial = Extreme Pain. If only I could come up with a great alternative algorithm.

Back to the root of the matter: our identity. In one of His first serious interactions with Peter, after Peter acknowledged who Jesus is (Christ, Messiah, Son of the Living God), Jesus turned the tables and affirmed Peter's own identity:

"And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out."

Wow, that's not just a compliment. Notice that Jesus did not mention anything about behavior, given Peter's long history of saying and doing stupid things. He didn't say, "Well Peter, IF you remain in my good graces, we're going to give you a pretty important job with the church." Remember, this is the same poor fella who would later deny Jesus three times when he needed a friend the most.

And of course, the Rock deal wasn't off, as Peter went on to be just that. God knew all along, huh? We should remember this when we short-change ourselves by doubting something God has said about us.

Consider this: If you are frustrated with someone, you want to point out their offensive action. But if you really want to stick it to them, you attack their character - who they are. "You're totally worthless" is a long ways from "I struggle when you act that way towards me". It's behavior vs. identity.

So what about my seemingly endless behavior loops? Here is what God is showing me:

First, if you're the recipient of bad behavior, be forgiving and release your friend in Christ from the loop. Even though we battle people, it's mostly not our fight. Compassion always!

Second, the two R's (sorry, I really can't stop the behavior, ha ha). Respond instead of React. Reacting is a fight or flight mechanism, based in insecurity. But responding is what a loving God does with us. Our God is a relational one, and we are secure in Him. We need to care for our brothers and sisters in the Lord in that same way, with both identities secure.

"A New Season" by Isaac Komolafe

This past Sunday, CitySalt Church had the pleasure of hearing a word from Pastor Isaac Komolafe— District Overseer for the Foursquare Church in Nigeria— on the subject of Pentecost and the newness that comes with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He is convinced that God’s power is in every believer that has accepted Jesus’ spirit into their hearts.

As he has witnessed the miracles of God in his life and ministry through the building of water wells that bring villages in Northern Nigeria fresh water, he recognizes the “living water of the gospel”.  He chose to share an inspirational message that challenges believers new and old to embrace seven testaments of the Holy Spirit at work in those who have invited the Holy Spirit into their lives:  

1. Power and boldness to witness

2. Fresh understanding of the Word of God

3. Fills our hearts with true worship

4. Power in prayer

5. Produces Fruit

6. Bind the brokenhearted (hope to the hopeless)

7. Introduces the supernatural

Feel free to read more of his sermon notes below to follow along with this unique and very timely message of newness found here.

A New Beginning: A New Season

God’s Promise as Introductory Verse (Isaiah 43:19-21)

•  God is doing a new thing

o   He will guide us continually (Isaiah 58:11-12)

• This is made possible through his Holy Spirit which is celebrated on the day of Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

•  Pentecost was the second of the three great harvest festivals of Judaism, coming between Passover and Tabernacles. In the New Testament (cf. 1 Cor. 16:8) it is referred to as “Pentecost,” which means fiftieth in Greek.
• OT refers to as the Festival of Weeks or of the First fruits, Exod. 23:16; Deut. 16:9.].

o   The first term referring to its coming a “week of weeks” after Passover,

o   Secondly an offering of two loaves prepared from the wheat harvest was made on this day.

• Pentecost was reckoned as coming exactly fifty days after the first day of the Passover.
• It was a day of “solemn assembly,” and all work ceased.
•  It was also one of the most popular pilgrim festivals, even more so than Passover, which was likely due to the improved weather conditions by the time of Pentecost.

This is the fullest account we have in Scripture. Exactly fifty days after the resurrection of Christ, the promises made concerning the coming of the Spirit were fulfilled. The Holy Spirit came to a company of disciples wait­ing in Jerusalem. This was the commencement of an entirely new work of the Spirit as foretold by the prophets (Joel 2).

The Holy Spirit and The Believers Isaiah 61:1-3

Holy Spirit Gives Us Power for Service

Jesus used the Greek word "dynamo” (translated "power"), from which we de­rive our word "dynamo." A dynamo is a machine that generates a consistent and continuing supply of power.

•  After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples for 40 days.
• Jesus gave His believers a very special and wonderful promise: “…I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”
• Jesus has not left us alone in the world. He has sent us the Holy Spirit.
• Our service will be acceptable only if done in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Holy Spirit is Accomplisher of service through the Believer.
• He works through cleansed and yielded vessel.
• Two-Fold Nature & Objective of all true Christian Services

o   Evangelizing the World – Salvation of Sinners.

o   Building up the Church – Sanctification of Saints.

1.              The Holy Spirit Gives Power and Boldness to Witness.

The Holy Spirit comes upon a believer and causes him to be a messenger of good news. In this world, which is filled with bad news the spirit filled child of God, comes as a carrier of good news with a message of hope to this dying world

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness”. Acts 4:31 

"But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me... "(Acts 1:8).

2.              He Brings a Fresh Understanding of the Word of God.

 John.16:13 says, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (1 Cor.2:9.,10.)

3.              He Fills our Spirit with True Worship to God. 

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Eph.5:18,19. (Jn. 4:24)

4.         Powers in the Place of Prayer.

“Praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6.). In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what We ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for its with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will” (Rom 8:26,27 NIV).

5.              He Produces the Fruit of the Spirit in the Believer's Life.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith; meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22.23).

The natural man - no matter how refined or educated he may be, cannot produce the Fruit of the Spirit. God's character is seen in us, only when God the Holy Spirit lives in us who believe.

6.         He Encourages Us to Bind the Broken Hearted. Isaiah 61:1

The Holy Spirit comes upon a believer and causes him to be a healer of broken hearts. In this world filled with people who are broken hearted due to sorrow, disappointment and loss, the Spirit filled child of God comes not to add to the suffering with insensitive remarks and cruel criticisms but will be a channel of peace and restoration.

7.         He Introduces the Supernatural Realm. Isaiah 61:1; Mk 16:15

 “There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (1 Cor.12:5-8) Acts 19:6
The Holy Spirit comes upon a believer and causes him to bring deliverance to people who are bound by various satanic oppression and fears and curses. In this world filled with people under bondage to so many evil forces the spirit filled child of God comes as a deliverer to set the captives free.

Conclusion:

Holy Spirit came to enable believers to have a continuous fellowship/communion with the Father so we can do what we see Him doing.

"Constructing a Soul" by Laura Rice

Once we believe and invite the Lord Jesus into our lives, we must “go on to construct a Soul”. This is a quote from C.S. Lewis, shared by the late author and pastoral care leader LeAnne Payne. I remember when hearing this for the first time, how it struck me as such an insight of truth and challenge.

I had been a Christian long enough to experience disappointment in my performance and to see the failings in other believers. We all know believers who profess their faith, and yet show huge deficiencies in their characters. I recently spoke with someone who helps to arrange cruise events for groups. She has experienced and heard reported that Christians are the most demanding and the stingiest with tipping personnel. 

Also, statistics show that Christians are less likely to tip serving staff at a restaurant. Where is the gap between the message of a generous and sacrificial God and the actions of so many who supposedly represent Him? What does it mean to construct a soul? I can’t answer that question comprehensively, but I will list some things that I have learned regarding the need to know self and to know God.

One, it is God who examines our hearts and reveals sin and disobedience. Secondly, if we allow for this interchange, God will reveal this to us and convict us about our soul health.  This probing by the Lord is not to depress us or leave us broken. 

Again, C.S. Lewis says, “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  With God’s prompting, our job is to repent and then cooperate with the process of change. To truly repent is to turn and walk another way. We choose to walk another way and He strengthens us to do it.

One way we offer ourselves to God for soul health is by reading His word.  In Hebrews it says that the Word of God is alive and powerful to divide between soul and Spirit and the thoughts and intents of the heart.  As we read, His word will read us.  We need to develop new habits. 

As we all know, the changing of a habit is very difficult.  But through our choices and God’s grace, it is possible.  God stirs up the need to change and we respond over and over again.  We ask Him for His empowering grace, as we learn to say no to old ways and yes to new ways.  I love the verse that says, “He who began a good work in you will be faithful complete it.”  As we stay in a humble stance before Him and others, and keep an open and listening heart, He will guide us on the path to maturity and soul health.

Scriptures:

Psalm 139

Hebrews 4:12-13

Hebrews 13:20-21

"Our Constructs" by Terry Sheldon

I've been thinking lately about how we imperfect people go on a lifelong campaign to build our lives, brick by brick, by the sweat of our brows. The Lord has been showing me my life lately on such a broad scale. Don't worry, nothing has been flashing before my eyes, but it's been pretty heady stuff. I wanted to share in hopes others can relate.

I've known from the beginning of my exposure to Christianity that our value lies in eternal things, and I always knew it was a balancing act to live in that, with everything else being "added to you". I've always believed we were created to create, to be industrious - to gain good and worthwhile work, a family, good friends, a place to call home, and most of the other things we believe will make us happy. But my fallen nature invaded the party.

I hit the spiritual wall at some point and came to a place where I questioned why we do what we do. It was a classic collision of spirit vs. self. It seems the spiritual hunger within and that basic need to connect with God will always push its way to the forefront, if we are honest about our need.

Early on, during my immature courtship of God, I went forth with child-like enthusiasm. I start arranging the blocks of my life, along with some advice and training, and allocated time for everything. Or so I thought. Then the big build began. Along the way I ran into the inevitable emotional trauma from a fallen world, which tore down my personal value and invited in fear and shame.

But dutifully, I continued to build. I aspired for grand towers of accomplishment and acquisition, my version anyway. But I compared myself to others, proud that my best towers were higher and brighter than theirs, while deeply embarrassed at the ones I believed were inferior.

At some point I invited a cute redhead to help me build. But in our differences, our latent insecurities emerged, producing conflicts. It's so easy to play the blame game, and I did it well. Love was frightening because I didn't yet learn to be vulnerable to God or my wife.

As believers, our constructs sometimes include a counterfeit version of our spirituality, with a god who we believe is our sugar daddy who rewards us with prosperity and health. We expect (or even demand) answered prayers. Or the other extreme, with a father who we assume is quick to punish harshly as we inhabit our suffering (because after all, this is all our fault). I leaned toward the latter, and I lived in it well.

My pain also caused me to distrust outsiders, whether those of other faiths and politics, or other Christians who didn't quite believe the way I did. An "us vs. them" attitude brought on by stereotypes and negative assumptions invited a certain religious smugness, as it gave me a little intellectual comfort in my going-to-heaven world view.

But unable to handle the stress of it all, I knee-jerk reacted. My projects included self-protection walls that should have never been built. I compartmentalized my thoughts and actions. I created rooms of fantasy as I embraced the counterfeit, perfect for hiding shame but driving me farther away from true love. I acquired a few vices to numb the pain of the very isolation and disconnection I created.

So then the collision. THANK GOD for the collision. His strong-handed intervention is his gift. He really does understand everything about us and still continues his ever evolving plan - our completely unique redemption narrative. I think uniqueness is key because it's all ours. One size fits one. We will discover it. We have to own it. And we get to experience the peculiar beauty of it.

No, I still don't fully understand or I guess, fully agree with the idea of suffering, with how God could allow outside forces to invade our young and impressionable hearts without our consent, which sets in motion most of our personal calamity. That's one for another time, no doubt a one-on-one fireside chat as I mature. But I do know that the Apostle Paul said as we embrace trials, they will refine us and produce in us great things. The latter house will far outshine the former house. It will be spectacular, and it will fulfill our heart's deepest desires.

"Just Be There" by John Rice

I have often thought, and sometimes worried, about being prepared, willing and able to share the gospel when God was asking me to. I used to try to memorize certain Scriptures that would really “hit the nail on the head,” that would drive the idea of salvation to an iron-clad choice, leaving my conversation partner with no where to turn but Jesus. I wanted to be a good evangelist, I wanted to fulfill the Great Commission outlined in Matthew 28:18-20. I wanted to be a fisher of men and to bring the catch home with me.

I don’t think my opportunities for sharing the gospel have ever worked out the way I’ve envisioned them beforehand! And I’ve been following Jesus for 41 years now. I have to sit back and smile at the many different ways God prepares people to hear the good news, and to smirk at my strategies to try to make this happen. It’s like God says, “Nope, I’m going to do it this way this time.” And then, “I think I’ll do it THIS way this time.” And so on and so on each and every time, as different and unique as the individuals that He is calling.

Recently I was talking with my brother at my younger sister’s hospital bedside. My brother and I have had quite a few conversations about God over the years, usually ending with a respectful skepticism on his part. I’ve learned not to push the subject on him, or anyone else in my family for that matter, but just to pray for them and try to live with integrity before them as a Believer. I’ve heard plenty of their stories disdaining the “unchristian” behavior of so many Christians they have known or witnessed over the years. My family is a tough crowd.

The only “religious” thing that I offered to do was read a short Scripture to my sister with my brother and other sister surrounding her bed. It was Revelations 21:1-5, a depiction of the new heavens and earth and that the Lord was making all things new. Shortly after that my brother asked what kind of Bible I had read from. Then, kind of randomly, he asked me where the Arabs came from. Really? Arabs? Now? Well, I told him the story of Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and a very brief history of Jacob and Joseph and Egypt and the Exodus. He was riveted. Really? At a time like this? Jews and Arabs? Where was this coming from? I told him there were even better stories than this in the Bible. The Bible is full of stories. It was like he had never heard that before. He was all ears. Later that day, he talked with my wife, Laura, about all the different Bible translations and he ordered one for himself. Later that evening he called his wife who was at their home 300 miles away to find out that she too had just ordered a Bible. They hadn’t spoken about any of this.

As we parted company, my brother was mystified that he found himself crying when talking about God with us. Well, Laura and I know what that means!!! Praise God! He is certainly calling my brother to Himself during these days. Surely my sister’s illness and the whole question of life and death loom large in his mind and heart right now. And how did the Lord want me involved? What great evangelistic sermon did I need to prepare for this big moment? Absolutely nothing I could have prepared for…. simply recounting a little Bible history about the first Arabs! Who would have thought?

The point of all this is that, though we are to be prepared and willing to share the good news with others when the time is right, God truly does all the work. He stirs the hearts of those He is calling and opens those He loves to help them see with new eyes and hear with new ears. This is all the work of His magnificent Holy Spirit….and all He really asks of me is to BE there, living life alongside others who might at any seemingly random moment be sensing the presence of God.

Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Matthew 10:19-20

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.

1 Peter 3:15

"The Hope of Glory" by Kim Phelps

Sunday morning Dusty and Terry were talking about “new beginnings,” about God working, using and maybe even orchestrating those difficult times when we are in a dead space to bring about “new beginnings.”

My dead space:
Nothing happening spiritually.  
Things falling apart physically. 
I feel so lost.

Yet, God…
 He works on my behalf, He is designing and reconfiguring me from the inside out, not just my hair or weight, but how I work on the inside; I need to let go of the design I have for me and let the Holy Spirit have full reign in me.  Losing my life to permit God to save my life and awaken new starts. 

Not so easy, because I resist letting go, I enjoy my independence and maybe especially when I'm having a rough time.  I feel like it is asking me to walk off the edge of a cliff blindfolded not knowing whether it is a one foot or 1,000-foot drop.  Enter God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, ultimately that is where I need to be.  That is where the grace is, the promise of new mercies every new day.  Mercy for when I don't do so good…. when I get it wrong…. when I want to give up.  And when I have forgotten what God has promised and already done in my life. I feel like nothing is going right and, as Terry said, God is getting my attention because there are lessons He wants to teach me, but I’m not getting it. So it feels more like a dead-end. 

Yet, God…
Has promised that this is not a dead-end, it may be a death, a death to old habits, comfortable circumstances, preconceived ideas of who He is and how He does things.  And who I am and who I am not. And through this death I know He is working the hardest in my life, He is the closest to me and caring for me in every one of those times.  So I can go through rough times, and still have hope, because my Father is refining me and changing me and using friends like Pastor Dusty and Terry & Colby to help me remember- God is my Father and is working in my life to create in me His plans for my future of hope, health, prosperity and peace.
 
So, God…
God is in me the hope of glory.  So I can rest knowing that my Father has all the bases covered, the loop-holes filled, and I am His child, in His hands. Now it is just remembering this.  Thank you Terry, for helping me to remember.

Kim

Jeremiah 29:11 “'For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you,'says the Lord, 'thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil to give you hope in your final outcome.’” (AMP)

Colossians 1:27 “To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  (NASB)

"A Wonderful Work" by Randi Nelson

When I see brilliant white clouds in an azure blue sky, when I hear bird songs and feel warmth in the air, my soul deeply resonates with the psalmist’s words: “Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:14 NASB). I revel in “His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20). I want to dance and sing; I can’t contain the praise and awe that I feel. 

But the psalmist considers more than nature outside – something that I often gloss over. He says, “I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Seldom do I consider myself one of His wonderful works; certainly not with giddy, awestruck, I-just-want-to-hug-it-all thankfulness that comes when looking at other parts of His creation.

It is more than the marvel of skin that is both impermeable and porous, of muscle that can flex and stretch, of a brain that not only operates the whole system, but is self- and other-aware. The psalmist is talking about an appreciation for the whole of my essence, my full being – body, mind and spirit – as a product of God’s wonderful workmanship.

More often than not I see the shortcomings of my flesh, regret the fallen nature of my mind and forget that the risen Christ is restoring in me the glory of original design. All that God has created me to be and who he is shaping me to become are worthy of awe and appreciation. Too often I let disdain push me to the sidelines when considering his amazing craftsmanship.

How can I love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:39) if I don’t have an appropriate awe and wonder for God’s created attributes in me? How can my soul be healed, grow and bloom if I withdraw myself from the Master Workman’s hands?

Praise the Lord! For I am (and you are) fearfully and wonderfully made, created in His image and perfected in His Son. He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Who am I (who are you) to disrespect His handiwork???

Psalm 139:13-14 (NASB) 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Acts 3:15 (NIV) You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)  2 … fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

"Washing Feet" by Laura Rice

Last Thursday our bible study women decided to participate in a foot-washing ceremony together. Thursday was Maundy Thursday, the day to commemorate Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet. We had a large bowl and towels.  At that point no one was sure they wanted to have their feet washed or to wash the feet of another.  The feelings that came up as we explored the hesitation were a bit surprising, but perhaps common.  One spoke of being ashamed. Another felt a strong feeling of vulnerability.  Another of a sense of being exposed.

Then we talked about why Jesus might have wanted to do this for His followers.  Firstly, being washed on the outside is a symbol of being washed on the inside.  This concept is repeated many times through the cleansing rituals all the way to the baptism in water for the cleaning of sins.  In the time that Jesus lived on earth we know the feet were constantly exposed to dust and other dirty things.  To wash someone’s feet was expected of a servant of the host.  It was a kindness.

The strongest reason for Jesus carrying out this service for His disciples was spoken by Him. He wanted to demonstrate His humility and love and willingness to bow down before these men and care for them.  We experienced such a love for each other and were able to receive that love.

Scriptural references:  John 13:5, Acts 22:16, Eph. 5:26, I Co. 6:11

"God's Light" by John Rice

This last Sunday Denise brought us a message about darkness and light. How good it was to hear this message, as everyone of us experiences times of darkness in our lives even when we live with the God of Light.

I was reminded of many hikes up Spencer’s Butte in the winter or spring, when the city was socked in with a thick layer of dark cloud. It was as if an iron lid had been placed on top of Eugene and Springfield. For many of us it is tempting to fall prey to “the blues” on days that are so gray as those days were. But hiking up the butte, somewhere near the summit, I found myself coming out of the darkness a bit and then reaching the top, I realized I had transcended the clouds altogether and was standing above that blanket of clouds, looking at a crystal-clear blue sky with sun all around. The clouds actually looked like a floor that you could walk out on (I didn’t try that.) There was an exhilarating feeling that came with this awareness, a sense of how vast the universe is.  And I was reminded that, just like in our spiritual and emotional lives, there is always sunlight somewhere behind those heavy clouds.

Our God is a God of light. Jesus is the light of the world. Even before the sun was made three days later, God had already created some kind of light on the first day. This was his first act of creation, separating the light from the darkness. But what was this light if not the sun? Ellicot’s Commentary describes it as the result of God gathering together the various primitive elements in the cosmos, causing friction and condensation, essentially creating electricity! Think of lightning here. A bolt of light, a flash of brightness in the dark. Possibly on that first day of creation one could have seen bolt after bolt of lightning illuminating the skies in a hugely dramatic fashion. Or perhaps there was a steady lower level of electricity, which lit up the whole earth kind of like sunlight. Whatever it actually looked like, we learn from this that God truly is light and doesn’t even need the sun. How great He is and how good are all His ways! 

When you are next tempted to feel like God has left you and like life is only darkness, remember that, sun or no sun, God is greater than our thoughts, feelings and circumstances, with light that is too bright for us to comprehend.

The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of the Lord gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Rev 21:23-24

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment. Ps 104:2

"It's Who I Am" by Ally Mittleider

For the past couple of months, I have been interning at the elementary school in the counseling department. There are forms available to the students that allow them to request a meeting with the counselor. Since I have been there, it has been almost a daily occurrence to receive a report about “he said this…” or “she said that…”. These rumors became more and more common from the fifth grade girls. 

I started leaving my internship every day thinking about the things that I would hear from these girls. The rumors that were spread, the harsh words that were used, and the control that it had over these girls’ lives was unnerving. Each day that I heard another rumor was another day that fuel was added to my concern for the future identity that these girls would believe about themselves.

Identity is a funny thing. You’re born without awareness of what it is, then you begin to discover it, sometimes it gets lost, then you find it…only to lose it all over again. It is enough to drive some of us nuts. Your identity is constantly being shaped by many different situations, circumstances, mistakes, major events, rumors, accusations etc. I have been thinking about my past and the things that I have been through that have had a positive influence on my life, but also the things that could have easily led me to believe lies about who I am as a person. 

For example, certain circumstances I recall can be paired with a lie that I believed about myself in response:

I was lied to – I am not deserving of honesty.
I was cheated on – I am unworthy of faithful love.
I was lied about – The real me is not good enough.
I was rejected – I am incompetent.

I also think about the girls that I have met in Cambodia who have been lied to their entire lives. They have been told they are not worthy, they would never amount to anything of importance, and that the only good they could do is sell their bodies to make money for their families. These lies crept in and blinded them from the rights they have as women, the good things they deserve, and the beautiful women they are.

There are a number of situations that can take place to shape a person’s view of themselves: divorce, false accusations, spending time in jail, struggling with addiction, worldly pressure, opinions of others, just to name very few. If a person is not sure of who they are, these things have the ability to creep in and blind them from seeing the beautiful person they were created to be.

It wasn’t until I could fully believe that I was a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully created by Him and in His image, that I could learn to love every bit of myself. The mistakes I have made, I learned from but didn’t identify with. The lies I was told, I recognized the truth. The feeling of unworthiness and incompetency was replaced with a confidence to believe only the things that reflect how the Lord sees me. The song “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin resonates with me regarding this topic when it says:

“You’re a good, good Father
It’s who you are
And I’m loved by you
It’s who I am.”

My identity is not in what others say, the mistakes I have made, the circumstances I am under, or the lies I have been told. I am loved by the One who created me. That’s who I am. That’s who you are.

"The Gift of Struggle" by John Rice

Have you ever heard, read or noticed that a baby bird must peck its way out of its egg to emerge into the outside world where its mother awaits it? It seems to struggle hard to do this. It’s not very coordinated or strong, yet it does succeed if it is at all healthy. The mother bird does not assist, but waits and watches. The moment the baby bird is free from the shell, its mother starts to feed it and care for it. Why doesn’t the mother help the baby by pecking open the shell with her big strong beak? I have read that this is because in the pecking to get free, the baby bird builds strength that is essential for its life in the open world. 

In the world of humans, we too must struggle. Everyone struggles in one way or another… at one time or another. Some people see this as evidence that there is no God or that, if there is a God, He doesn’t care about us. He must be a cruel and a harsh God to just stand by and watch us struggle, they would reason.

But what if our struggles produced in us something of great value? What if the only way we could mature in our characters is through the way of suffering? I’m reminded here of how a pearl is formed: an oyster detects an irritant of sand or gravel in its flesh and then biological forces within the oyster spin a protective layer around the irritant, resulting in a pearl which is of great value to humans. No irritant, no pearl.

I’ve recently come across some stories of suffering that have really caught my attention. It is not just the suffering, but how the person reacts to the suffering, that seems to hold a great lesson for us.

One of these people is a man named Willie Stewart. As a boy growing up in Northern Virginia he was a gifted athlete, a champion wrestler and rugby player. On his construction site one day during his summer job, a friend threw him a rope from above which he was to wrap around his body for safety. In the toss, the rope happened to wrap around Willie’s arm and simultaneously got caught in the spinning blades of an industrial air conditioner on the roof. Yanking Willie upward with huge force, the rope ripped the skin and muscle off of his forearm, breaking bones as well. His arm had to be amputated just above the elbow and, as you can imagine, his life and future plans changed forever. How could a one-armed man be an athlete of any sort? He fell into deep depression and slipped into a life of drugs, alcohol, anger and huge self-pity. Who could blame him?

A few years later, a friend invited him, or rather, challenged him to run a 5-kilometer race with her. For a reason he couldn’t understand at the time, he accepted the challenge and, while not doing very well in the race, something of his old competitive spirit awakened in him. He kept up running. Sometime after that he watched an Ironman triathlon on TV and something stirred in him again. How would he ever swim with one arm? Ride a bike? The challenge and the fight arose in him and, to make a long story short, he developed a way of swimming and biking with one arm. He trained and trained. He entered the Ironman and finished in the top 1/3 of all participants, and was the first of the disabled division. After the race, someone asked him to just imagine what he could have done if he had had both arms. Willie replied, “I wouldn’t have done any of it.”

Something about the struggle to overcome adversity gave Willie the energy and the drive to do much more than he would have ever tried to do, had he had an easy go of it.

One more man to look at, and whose story has to do with his faith, is Richard Wurmbrand. Born as a Jew in anti-Semitic Romania, he was subjected to persecution from an early age. He became a genuine believer and follower of Jesus Christ as a young man. Romania at that time after World War II became communistic, and being a Jew or especially a Christian was a threat to the state and punishable. He was imprisoned for 14 years for his beliefs and spent 3 whole years in solitary confinement as well. This man’s struggle was extraordinary in every way. His autobiography, however, describes a man full of hope whose constant prayer was not for freedom from his struggles, but for the faith to live through it with integrity and even love. He shared his faith with his prison guards and some came to the Lord because of it. It can be said with certainty that Wurmbrand had a profound impact on the prison system he was in. After he was released, he began a ministry still active today, which focuses on prayer for the persecuted Christians around the world. He has encouraged people to pray, as he did for himself, for faith.

There are so many extraordinary and inspiring lives for us to read about, how people have overcome adversity to benefit themselves and others through their actions and the sharing of their stories.  What wisdom can we gleam from them? I think the words of Paul, James and Peter are best:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.   
James 1:2-4

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
1 Peter 1:6-7

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5