Radical Grace Adventures!
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Surrounded by Blessings
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Generous Living
Last weekend I had the opportunity to watch my fourth grade son play in a soccer game. It is such a blast to see him learning new skills and meeting new friends. It was also fun, because my son happens to be on a really good team. (They are very good... as in they won 11-0...) Many of his teammates have been practicing together for years, and it certainly shows. My son is really just trying to catch up, but he still loves it. However, some of the other parents on our team happen to be super competitive. I saw parents on our team arguing over goals when we were already up by multiple points. Now, perhaps this just shows that I don't have the killer mentality to become a professional athlete. I just want the kids to have fun.
These Saturday morning soccer games are just one small example of people living with a scarcity mentality. There are so many times in our recreation, business, and politics that we feel the need to take all that we can. However, the Bible asks us to believe something different. In the Gospel of John chapter 10 Jesus tells us:
I came that you may have life and have it abundantly"
Jesus wants us to look at the world with a fresh perspective. He doesn't want us to obsess over how much we have. He doesn't want us to worry about whether or not we have more money or or a better car than somebody else. Jesus is concerned about living in the blessings we have. We have the opportunity to open our hearts and receive God's gifts. If we embrace the grace Christ offers, we also have opportunity to share God's Love with others.
I understand that a competitive spirit isn't all bad. It can drive people to new heights. However, I think it is important that we don't get so caught up that we forget that there is plenty of good in this world that we can share. Instead of focusing on all the gifts we did not receive, lets take a little time to count our blessings.
Today I hope you can all live in God's abundance. I hope you can live generously and share the blessings Christ offers.
Peace,
Pastor Brian
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Learning everyday
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
A welcoming place
What are your feelings of church?
Is a a place of comfort and vulnerability, or is it a place of rejection and judgment?
I can't tell you how many people I talk to who just can't bring themselves to church. "You don't want people like me there..." "I wouldn't fit in." "The place will get struck by lightning!" For so many of these individuals, church is a place of judgment. They see a group of people who want to look down on others or pretend that they are somehow better. It's amazing how this mentality crept into our world, because it is so different from the church that Jesus offered.
Jesus came to our world and welcomed everyone. He made fisherman, tax collectors, and religious leaders all feel like they belonged. The church was a place for everyone. More than that, each of these people had gifts that Jesus cared about. He wanted to send his followers into the world and share God's blessings. He believed we all have gifts to offer.
Personally, I am thankful the church has always welcomed me. Even when I was a child, I remember people greeting me with a smile, offering me a job, and encouraging me when I needed support. I think we all need places like this. I can't imagine raising my kids in a world where they couldn't be vulnerable. Sure, there are moments when we pretend we are something that we are not... but this isn't healthy. It's certainly not good to live our lives this way.
When Jesus invited us to have a seat at the table, he wasn't just welcoming the perfect people. He was welcoming us just as we are. Today I hope we can be a church that offers love to all people. I hope we can find ways to share the wonderful gifts that we have. I hope we can all choose to love and welcome the stranger.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
A new journey...
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Surrounded in Love
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Living for the things that matter most
Earlier this week, I sat down with several people who were grieving the death of a loved one. Grief is never easy, and it often becomes even harder, because there are other issues that come up. There are services to plan, properties to deal with, and expectations to meet. It is easy to get lost in all the excruciating details, and we often lose sight of what matters most.
I try to tell people to feel all their feelings. There is no shortcut to grief. We have to make time for all our emotions, otherwise they can spill out into all the other areas.
Finding time to just to be still is important. We need to open our hearts to what really matters. Unfortunately, this doesn't always happen. Many of us spend way too much time dwelling on frustrating and ultimately insignificant details. We don't look at the deeper issues that may be causing us pain. If we took time to experience the real issues, then maybe we would be able to open ourselves to God's blessings.
We are in the midst of our KCLC sermon series. Last week we talked about honoring our "true colors." We are all blessed by God's love. The Bible says we are all created in the image of God. This is an incredible statement, but we do not always believe it. We allow little frustrating moments that define us. We are pulled away from the true message, and we are left chasing after all the wrong things.
This week at CLC we are going even further. Not only does God love us just as we are, God wants to lift us up even higher. God believes in us, even when we are filled with doubt. Personally, I want to take time this week for what matters most. Sure, there are always things to complain about, but I don't want those things to define me. I want to stay focused on the love. I want to remain focused the grace and compassion that God shares. If we could all do this, I think our world will become a much better place.
Blessings!
Pastor Brian