Reflection: Death in His Grave

We are experiencing this week some of the most holy days in our Christian year.  For me, Holy Week is a thin place - a place and time when God's presence is palpable.  God's Spirit is so active in my heart and in my life that I cannot help but come alive in Christ's presence.  He is here.  The very cells of my body are buzzing with the electricity of the Spirit.  Holy Week may be one of the only times that I can honestly say that there is not a bit of doubt in me.   I feel God.  I see God.  

This year, my Holy Week has had a soundtrack.  Just one song, really.  I was introduced to this song on our winter retreat by our worship band, and I have not been able to keep my mind off of these lyrics since.  They so beautifully express the work and love of Christ - in the lyrics and in the grit and honesty of the vocals.  

For most of my relationship with this song, the chorus has haunted my thoughts.  But, this week the bridge has been on repeat in my mind and in my lungs as I have sung these words proclaiming the beautiful truth of the gospel: 

He has cheated Hell and seated us above the fall

In desperate places He paid our wages one time once and for all

Take a listen.  Maybe you, too, will be moved to a place of worship for what our Lord has done for us, for Christ has died.  Christ has risen.  Christ will come again.

Happy and blessed Holy Week.

Ministry to and with Parents

As many of you may already know, our Student Ministry is working to better support our parents in raising students with lasting faith. We have implemented several new ways for parents to stay connected and resourced lately.

First, we have started this blog which is connected to our website (www.lifehonestly.com). Periodically, you will find a blog post with thoughts from Lydia or myself. We will try to keep parents posted on what students are learning on Wednesday nights or on Sunday morning. We will post resources we think are helpful for parents to be spiritual influencers of their students.

Second, we have created a TBC Student Ministry Facebookgroup. This group is for parents, adult leaders, and students. We will post deadlines, information on upcoming events, and much more. We encourage  to join the group on Facebook so you will get these notifications.

Third, we will begin to have retreat/mission trip report meetings for parents. We desire for you to get a glimpse of what we have experienced on retreats and mission trips. Often times, when students return from these trips, they are too tired to engage in long conversations about what they experienced with God and their friends. Therefore, Lydia, myself or another adult leader will return from retreats and mission trips 30 minutes prior to the rest of the group returning to the church to have a brief report on all that happened. Our desire is to give parents a glimpse of the experiences and some discussion points to use with their students.

Finally, a TBC Parent Conference is being planned for the fall. It will feature a national speaker who will help parents of all children to consider different ways to help children develop in their faith. More information will be shared in the upcoming months!

Thank you for allowing our adult leaders, Lydia and myself to partner with you in developing a lasting faith in your students. We pray all of our students will have a vibrant faith that is lived out daily!

-Andy

Missions: Spiritual Gifts

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by manes of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Discovering our own unique giftedness is an important part of our spiritual growth and faith journey.  Once we begin to see ourselves as God has made us, having gifted us for doing the work of his kingdom, we find purpose and place within that kingdom.  

One quick and fun way to begin thinking about our gifts is by taking a spiritual gifts inventory.  But, these inventories have their limits.  They cannot possibly be an exhaustive list of all of the ways that God gifts us for his work.  And, if they are an inexhaustive list, then we cannot accurately discover all that we were made to be.  Another danger in putting too much credence in this type of inventory is that it can pigeon-hole us into only functioning out of the results and never fully developing the gifts that we have.  If I score low on service but high on exhortation, I run the risk of stepping away from necessary and formative opportunities for service in order to hold out for opportunities for public speaking or preaching.  With that being said, though, for students it is fun and eye-opening to see that God has already given them some gifts that he can use for his glory.  It is empowering to know that God has gifted them for here and now not just for when they are adults who can serve on committees or preach from pulpits.  

This past Sunday, our middle school students were invited to discover what some of their gifts may be.  I encourage you to have conversations with them in the coming days about how God has made them and where God may be leading them to use their gifts.  

Reflection: Journey to the Cross

As I reflect on Christ’s journey to the cross, I cannot begin to imagine the emotions Jesus must have felt in the last days. After Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Last Supper in the upper room, He took Peter, James and John to the Garden of Gethsemane to spend time in prayer. After asking his closest disciples to pray with Him, Jesus went off into the olive grove to spend time in prayer for what He was about to experience. After spending an hour in prayer, Jesus came back to find the disciples asleep. After encouraging them to pray for themselves, Jesus went back to pray. Again, Jesus returned the second time to find the disciples fast asleep. Christ returned to pray for the third time.

So why did Jesus take the disciples to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? Did Jesus need his friends to pray for Him? I believe Jesus, the Master Teacher, was teaching the disciples even in his last days. Jesus knew what was to come in the upcoming days. Jesus gained reaffirmation of his mission on earth. He was trying to teach the disciples about prayer by His example.

In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster puts prayer in the proper framework. “We pray so that we can align ourselves with the will of God. We pray so that God can mold us into his likeness. We pray so that we can be changed."

To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ….prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves. Progressively we are taught to see things from His point of view.”

May we be transformed into Christ’s likeness as we approach Good Friday and Easter.

-Andy

Experiencing God

Helping our students connect with God is one of our main goals as ministers, as leaders, and as parents.  We want them to grow into a relationship with God so that they can begin to take ownership in their faith, making it a faith that lasts.  Many of us who "have it all together" (wink+nod) feel like they way we connect with God must be the way they can connect with God.  But, there are as many ways to connect with God on a personal level as there are people in this world.  

If you are trying to help a young person cultivate their own spiritual practice for building their relationship with God, take a look at these "spiritual pathways" as outlined by Gary Thomas's book  Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God:

• Naturalists: loving God outdoors. Naturalists draw near to God through nature.
• Sensates: loving God with the senses. Sensates draw near to God by engaging with what they can see, hear, touch, taste and smell.
• Traditionalists: loving God through ritual and symbol. Traditionalists draw near to God through longstanding practices of disciples through history.
• Ascetics:  loving God in solitude and simplicity. Ascetics draw near to God in stripped-down spaces and practices.
• Activists:  loving God through confrontation. Activists draw near to God through bringing about social change.
• Caregivers:  loving God by loving others. Caregivers draw near to God through caring for and serving others.
• Enthusiasts:  loving God with mystery and celebration. Enthusiasts draw near to God through experiences of great joy and God’s unexpected movement.
• Contemplatives: loving God through adoration. Contemplatives draw near to God through personal adoration and heartfelt devotion.
• Intellectuals: loving God with the mind. Intellectuals draw near to God when they learn new things about God or Scripture.

Be creative in encouraging them to find their unique connection with God.  If you have a naturalist, take him or her out on a nature walk and encourage conversation about God's beautiful creation.  If you have an activist, encourage their passion for connecting with God through justice-seeking by exploring different organizations and their causes.  If you have a caregiver, spend some intentional time taking him or her to visit those in our church who may be sick or lonely.  In all of these things, encourage the student to think theologically about what they are doing and how they are connecting with God.  You may want to ask questions like:

• What can we learn about the character of God in what we are doing (a nature walk, activism, care-giving, etc.)?
• How does God speak to you?
• What characteristics of God most resonate with your own personality, passions, and giftedness?
• Where do you find it easiest to connect with God?

Having open conversations about God and our relationship with him is one of the most important things we can do to help students foster a growing faith.  Thank you for being a constant in the lives of students, and know that you are making a difference! 

Family Missions Project: SoleHope

Many of our ministries here at TBC have become involved with an organization called SoleHope.  SoleHope was founded in 2010 when God placed a passion in one North Carolina woman’s heart for children in Uganda whose lives could be radically changed just by having a pair of shoes. 

I encourage you to take a look at this organization and prayerfully consider if this is a place where God can use you and your family to spread the Good News of his Kingdom here on earth. 

This missions opportunity is not only a great way to spread the News of the Kingdom in Uganda, but it is a wonderful way to impress upon your children the Good News of the Kingdom within your own home.  When they see missions work and compassion for others modeled in the home, they will come to understand missions as the Christian way of life.

Family Worship

As Christians, we follow a different calendar than the rest of the world.  Our rhythms of worship and spiritual seasons move in a way that leads us from the expectation of the Incarnation to the Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, and back around to hopeful expectation each year.  As we journey through the season of autumn, we are encouraged to reflect on our own spiritual journey as well as the journey of God’s people - their journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, their journey in and out of exile, and their journey through uncertain times as the early Church.  

     In teaching our children about our faith, we teach them also about these rhythms.  We teach them through family discussions, yes, but most effectively we teach them through our own actions.  What is it that your children are learning from your actions?  Are you modeling a life run ragged by over-commitment and business to the detriment of your own spiritual journey?  Or, are you modeling a way of life that lets your spiritual journey and daily rhythms with God determine your family’s schedule and commitments?

     In these final days of the Christian calendar, take some extra time out of your day to reflect on your relationship with God.  Allow the Holy Spirit to move you into action as the spiritual leader of your family.  And, as Advent begins, prepare yourself for a new year walking with Christ as a family.

As you search for your family's particular spiritual rhythm, consider these elements as essential to your daily worship life: prayer, Scripture reading, and song.

Devotion: Retreat

Take some time to read: 

Matthew 14:22-23

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone...

Mark 6:30-32

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

The common theme in these passages is retreat.  First, notice that in the Matthew passage Jesus knew the importance of retreat, so he even did it!  He got away from the crowds that followed him and from the disciples who were there serving with him.  He got away to pray and to restore his own strength so that he could continue the work he was there to do.  

Second, notice in the Mark passage that Jesus wanted his disciples to also know the importance of retreat, so he commanded them “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jesus and the disciples had tons of people and lots of work that could have been their excuse for not getting away and recharging their batteries.  But, Jesus made retreating a priority for himself and for his disciples.  

What are your excuses for not slowing down and reconnecting with God?

Jesus found restful, quiet places to retreat.  He went up on a mountainside; he went into the garden at Gethsemane; he went into a quiet house; he walked by himself by the Sea of Galilee; he went into the desert.

Where are some quiet places that you can find retreat, rest, and renewal?

Do not be tempted to rush through your quiet times.  This is your time to connect with God on your own terms in your own space.  Like every strong relationship, your relationship with God needs time spent together.

Do not get up immediately and go.  Sit still for about 5 more minutes.

Breath in the air.

Listen to the trees.

Feel the breeze.

Let your body and soul rest for a while.

Middle School Fall Retreat

This fall, the middle school students, some very loving adult leaders, and I journeyed out together for a time of retreat and Kingdom learning.  This was a wonderful time of rest and relaxation where our students (your children) were able to experience God's creation and plan through study, worship, personal quiet time, and free time designed to let them wander and get lost in all of God's beauty.  

In their small group times, they were encouraged to reflect on their retreat time as well as some key passages explaining what the Kingdom of God is like.  They read from Matthew13:31-32; Luke 17:20-21: Matthew 22:1-14; and Matthew 9:35-38.  In each of these times of study they were encouraged to think about what it means to be a part of a Kingdom that is invisible, exciting, inviting, and present.  

In following up with your child, it may be helpful to read through these passages again together.  Ask them some of these questions to get your discussion going:

What do you think it means that the Kingdom of God is here?  

Where have you seen signs of God's Kingdom here on earth?

How can we be a part of God's Kingdom right now?

How can we help others know about and become a part of God's Kingdom?

I encourage each of you, to refocus your life in a way that your attentions cannot help but be drawn to the wonderful and mighty ways God is already active in this world through his Kingdom.  We are all called to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God, and it is time we learn what that means and we pass Kingdom living down to our children.