Merry Christmas!

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

Christmas is here! God is with us, and God is alive in our world. Jesus gave everything to come into our world, and there is nothing that can separate us from Christ’s love. This is the Good News the Angels sang about, and it is for all people. This year I hope we can take a little bit of time to hear the story again with fresh ears.

My two little boys are filled with such excitement. They have been practicing their Christmas songs, acting out the story, and eating plenty of treats to get into the spirit. I know that I am truly blessed to watch them grow, but they can also be pretty exhausting. They need constant reminders to get ready, brush their teeth, and get moving! It can be fairly frustrating at times. 

Instead of letting our frustrations win the day, I hope we can all cherish the blessings that are in front of us. Life is filled with plenty of things to stress about, but we are also surrounded by God’s good gifts. God gave everything to love you… let’s cherish this love today!

Blessings!

Brian

Are you ready for Christmas?

There have been years when I really struggled to get into the Christmas spirit. All the decorations and festivities seemed like they were coming too quickly, and for whatever reason, it was hard to make room for the Joy of Christ. However, this year has been different. I am personally feeling the Joy of the season! My two little boys, three years old and six years old, both bring an enthusiasm that is infectious. There is a joy in our house that makes everything feel exciting and new.  They love putting up the Christmas lights, setting up the tree, and making gingerbread houses. They seem to have a joy that surpasses all understanding!

Jesus said, “Anyone who humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

-Matthew 18:4

Jesus wanted us to open our eyes and see everything anew. Christ has come to our world, and we are invited into the Kingdom of Heaven. We don't have to stay lost in the worries and fears of the world. We are invited to have faith in a love that runs through everything. We are invited to trust, as children often do, in a love that deeply cares for us.

Is there a way you can capture the joy of the season? It is not always easy. Transformative moments can slip away as easily as they arise. I have found the Holy Spirit is rather hard to control. It’s like trying to get a Christmas photo with kids… There is joy and wonder in the moment, but you just can’t force it! (See the photos below :)

 

Today I hope you can allow the Holy Spirit to move in your life. I hope you can believe that you are loved, and that God came into this world for you. These are moments to prepare for and cherish. Let’s open our hearts to Christmas!

Blessings!

Brian

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope you are all having a very blessed week. Today I am wondering how your holiday traditions have changed. This past year has brought a number of challenges, and many of us still seem to be longing for the ability to get back to normal. 

The Bible teaches us that God is with us. There are blessings surrounding us every day, but at times we can ignore God’s presence. I tend to dream about the perfect Thanksgiving. It is easy to wish everything was just like it used to be, but that is not the way of the world. Life moves forward. Life takes unexpected twists and turns, and it never gives you exactly what you want. If you want the perfect holiday, it is already here. We just have to open our hearts and discover the Holy Spirit.

This year my family is having a small gathering with one of my wife’s sisters for Thanksgiving. It has been a long time since we have seen each other, and we have had to talk about what needs to happen for the holiday. How many traditions do we try to bring back? What needs to change? In spite of my concerns, my two little boys are just excited about the day. They are already talking about how wonderful everything is. They love the food, the preparation, and the excitement that comes with visitors in town. They aren’t trying to match this Thanksgiving with previous years. They are in the moment, and they are LOVING it! 

Today I hope we can all enjoy the moment we are in. Life is never going to be exactly like it was. However, God is here, and Christ is always going to make something new. Let’s celebrate the Holy Spirit today, and let’s live with hope in the new creation!

Blessing!

Brian

Our Values

What values do you live by?

Last week we started a brand new sermon series at CLC. We are taking a look at the core values of our church. It is fascinating to think about the kind of community that we are, and it is really important to understand how the Holy Spirit is working among us. This week we will take a look at what it means to be a people of worship, growth, and learning. 

What are the values that are guiding your life? 

We all have principles that lead us, but we do not always take time to name them. If we aren’t careful, I think it is very possible for us to find things like anger, fear, and animosity at the center of our lives.

A week ago my wife was checking the school calendar for our child in 1st grade. She discovered he did not have school the following Thursday and Friday for Veteran’s Day. At first this sent us scrambling to figure out day care, but we realized that we had plenty of remaining vacation time. It was time for a trip! We decided to go to Prescott, Arizona to visit my wife’s sister, and to see a new part of the country. The trip was unexpected, and it is always crazy going camping with the family. However, I find the time allows me to connect with my family on a deeper level. We probably looked rather chaotic as we struggled to make the long drive and camp in the cold nights, but we enjoyed every moment. We were reminded of the love that binds everything together. We also stopped by the Veteran’s Day parade in Prescott, and I was reminded of all the family members and people in my life who have served. I have so much to be grateful for, and I love keeping these things at my core.

This week I hope you can find ways to let love guide you. As we worship and grow together, I hope we can all experience God’s grace in our lives.

Blessings,

Brian

Being open to the Spirit

This is a super exciting time in my house. My first grader can’t wait for all the Halloween parties, and my preschooler is loving the idea of Trick or Treating. They are both finding new costumes to dress up in every day, and they cannot contain their joy. 

When were you last that excited? 

Adults seem to find a number of reasons not to show emotion. We have to keep things under control. We don’t want surprises, and we can even dismiss beautiful moments of joy. Perhaps we have learned that if you feel great joy, then you will also feel great pain. (This is certainly true of the kids in my house… We can go from the best day ever to the worst day possible!) It may just be easier to close our hearts off to the world. 

Five hundred years ago a German monk named Martin Luther opened himself to new possibilities. He opened his heart to the possibility of being surprised, overwhelmed, and delighted. This monk opened his heart to God’s Spirit, and this led him on a journey with many twists and turns. He faced a number of dark valleys, but he also found a joy that surpassed all understanding. 

Today I hope we can tap into the joy of the Spirit. This means that we will also experience moments of darkness and fear. However, God promises to always be with us. Following the Spirit can lead us to some wild places, but we will always be surrounded by God’s grace!

Blessings!

Brian 

You are called

Have you ever felt called by God? 

Is there a person that you feel called to reach out to and share God’s love with? 

There are times I do not feel adequate as a messenger for Christ. I can find reasons to dismiss any gifts that I may have. There are people who seem uninterested in the Good News, and I don’t feel like my words are very helpful. Other times people have interpreted my words and actions as careless or even harmful. I may have a wonderful opportunity to serve others, but one angry critique can fill me with doubt. As human beings, many of us lose sight of our callings due to fear, resentment, and uncertainty.

We all experience doubt, but God calls each of us. It is our duty as followers of Christ to believe in the gifts we have and share these gifts with the world. Christ did not come into our lives to blame us or shame us. Jesus came to create a church that would give the world new life. We are a part of this church today. God believes in us. Christ has faith in us. We simply need to open our hearts and follow the Holy Spirit.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah 2:1-2

In our sermon series, we are reading through the book of Jonah. Jonah was a prophet who did not believe in his ability to serve. He also struggled to decide where he was called to serve. God had to call him multiple times to the people of Nineveh. Jonah wanted to love his own people, but he hated the idea of reaching out to his enemies. 

Where God is calling you today? 

Perhaps you need to find God among those that make you feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you need to see God in yourself?

God loves us, calls us, and God has made us his own. We are all the church. It is my hope that we might believe in our callings and reach out to the world in love.

Blessings,

Brian

Are you listening for God's Grace?

This week we are beginning a new sermon series on the book of Jonah in the Bible. Jonah is filled with some pretty wild stories and unbelievable moments. There are people who use the book to say that the Bible is just a made-up tale. How could a man be swallowed by a great fish and live in its belly for three days? How could the great and terrible city of Nineveh repent like the story describes? (They feel so remorseful they even put their animals in sackcloth!) 

I think it is easy to get lost in all the details… We can be so consumed by our questions that we miss the beauty of this little book. 

Every few weeks one of my kids will pull our Children’s Bible off the shelf, and they will want to hear the story of Jonah. This ancient tale is still incredibly meaningful today, and even toddlers can be inspired by its grace. 

The book tells the story of a man who runs away from God’s calling. He doesn’t want God’s gift of grace to show up for his enemies. However, God works through Jonah and miracles happen! As unbelievable as this story may be, there is something timeless and true about it. Today I wonder if miracles are happening in our lives that we are choosing not to see. Are we so tangled up in a web of hatred and fear that we are missing out on God’s Love? 

Let’s open our eyes to the miracles around us. God is doing incredible things… I hope we can enjoy every second of it!

Blessings!

Brian

Love is here...

Psalm 8:3-5

When I consider your heavens,

    the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

    which you have set in place,

what is humankind that you are mindful of them,

   mortals that you care for them?

Do you take time to consider the heavens or the beauty of creation? Our world has inspired people for centuries. I love to imagine the individuals living long ago, whose lives were so different, but they still felt a sense of wonder and awe when regarding the world around them. Today I believe we still need to take time to breathe in everything that God is offering. 

Last week my family took a quick vacation to Pine Valley, Utah. It was a wonderful time for the kids to play in the forest, splash in the creek, and watch the deer and other animals run by. I have always loved camping, but these trips really help me to be mindful of the blessings I have. I need to get away from the heat and smog and realize there is so much more to the life we are living.

Long ago the ancient psalmist looked to the heavens and wondered where human beings fit in. The poet answers the question as follows:

what is humankind that you are mindful of them,

   mortals that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

    and crowned them with glory and honor.

God has given us glory and honor on par with the angels. I hope we can all take a little time to be mindful of the love that surrounds us. Let us not simply plow through the next day, week, or year. Let's open our hearts to what God is doing. We don’t want to miss the love God is sharing!

Blessings!

Brian

Trusting the Holy Spirit

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

-Romans 15:13

Are you feeling the Hope of the Spirit?

This season of Covid-19 hasn’t been easy. People are facing uncertainty in careers, finances, and the overall economy. Nobody is sure of what is coming next, and I know I am ready to get back to normal.

Life is always going to have its ups and downs, but I like to convince myself that I am in control. I want to be able to handle any situation that arises. However, that’s not the way life works. It is always good to plan ahead, but I believe it is a mistake to think that we can control the world around us. Life is filled with uncertainty - even when we aren’t dealing with Covid-19. There are plenty of times we have to open our hearts, let go of our need for control and trust in God.

A couple weeks ago I had my own little moment of letting go. My six-year-old started public school. He finished Kindergarten last year, but this was his first experience walking onto a public school campus. It turned out to be a pretty moving experience for my wife and me as we dropped him off at the fence. (Parents weren’t allowed to take their kids to class because of the virus protocols.) We watched him walk off with a friend he made in kindergarten carrying his oversized backpack and new school supplies. The two of them wandered around to a couple different doors trying to figure out where to go. I wanted to run over there and help him, but I couldn’t. Eventually, the two of them made their way to the right door and slipped inside. A few hours later, we picked him up. It turns out he was just fine. He didn't need me to check on him every step of the way. In fact, he grew a lot. Sometimes we need to have faith.

There are so many people, myself included, who want to rescue others any way we can. However, sometimes the best thing for us to do is offer a bit of love and then trust that they will find their own way. Today I hope we can all believe in God's bigger plan for us. I hope we take time to feel the Holy Spirit moving among us. God is guiding us toward grace, and I hope we can all take a breath and follow that lead.

Blessings,

Brian

The BIG Questions!

Do you have any really BIG questions? 

I loved asking questions as a kid. I remember asking my parents for books about outer space, dinosaurs, biology, and so much more. Today I love my six year old son’s desire to become a scientist. (At least that his plan for the moment!) I think he would stay up all night asking questions if I would let him. There is so much about the universe that we don’t understand, and I think there is something deep within the human spirit that desperately wants to explore.

However, somewhere along the way I stopped asking so many questions. Adults are expected to have the answers, and people can become embarrassed by what they do not know. We tend to focus on the things we do understand and dismiss everything else. Why should we go searching for more? That only leads to trouble.

What if instead of judging people as ignorant, we started cherishing the opportunities we have to learn and grow. This week at Community Lutheran, we are beginning a new sermon series about the BIGGEST questions we have in our faith. What if we allowed our inner child to come out and ask all the creative, silly, or heart wrenching question we may have. That is my hope and prayer for all of us in this season.

Happy questioning!

Brian Ward

An Audacious Prayer

Ask and it will be given to you; 

Seek and you will find; 

Knock and the door will be opened to you.

-Luke 11:9

In Luke chapter 11, Jesus says our prayer should be shameless and audacious… He tells us to pray boldly to God, for God wants to hear everything that is on our hearts. However, I have always thought of being audacious as a bad thing. I don’t like making a big scene, and I don’t like asking for help if I can avoid it. However, Jesus wants us to pour our hearts out. We may not always get the answer we want, but God is listening. If we seek, the Spirit of Christ will guide us.

A week ago, I had the experience of boldly and shamelessly worshiping God at Vacation Bible School. This week long experience brings in kids from the church and the greater community to share in the good news of Jesus Christ. It is always a week filled with joy, love, acceptance, and healing. Kids are given the opportunity to know Christ, and volunteers speak to kids on their level. Bible stories are lifted up in fun and creative ways, and the music gets everybody moving. After reflecting a little bit on all the joy that was shared, I think accepting Christ’s invitation to shamelessly love God is one of the greatest gifts that we have been given. I am in awe of the hope that is found when people feel they can simply turn to Jesus with no strings attached.

Today, I wonder what is holding you back from shamelessly and audaciously turning to Christ. Are you able to let go of any concerns that may be holding you back?  Perhaps you feel that you are not good enough. Perhaps you feel like no one cares about you… least of all God. However, our scripture calls us to ask, seek, and knock. God is listening deeply for you. Although we may not get the answer that we are hoping for, God is present. God’s Love is inviting us into new life each and every day.

Blessings

Brian Ward

Chasing Greed or Blessings...

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

-Luke 12:15

Sometimes I look at all the stuff I have in my house. We have Legos, blocks, adventure sets, and action figures. We have piles of crayons, markers, and colored pencils. Then we have all the markers, crayons, and toys that we don’t use anymore. We have all kinds of stuff in our garage. We have piles of clothes. We have gadgets that seem important, but we don’t exactly know what they do anymore. It’s crazy to think that I actually pride myself on being able to get rid of things… I think all humans just have a desire for material possessions.

Jesus warned people 2000 years ago about greed. In those days people did not have nearly as many toys, gadgets, or clothes as we do, but greed could still disrupt and even destroy lives back then. Greed is just part of human nature, and if we don’t pay attention to the deeper blessings of God’s Love, we may miss out on some of the greatest rewards this world has to offer.  

A few days ago, my wife and I took the kids outside to the wash near our house. It had just finished raining, and the boys had an opportunity to splash in the puddles, climb on the rocks, and experience some truly simple joys. After being cooped up in the house for several weeks of hot temperatures, it was so nice to enjoy some of the things we typically take for granted. 

Today I hope we can open our eyes to the beauty around us. I hope we can realize that the path a better life is not found in simply obtaining more things. This world is filled with all kinds of wonder, joy, hope, and love. Let’s experience these blessings together!

Blessings!

Brian Ward

Diving into the story

Jesus constantly used stories when speaking to the crowds. For it had been

prophesied, “I will talk in parables; I will explain mysteries hidden since the

beginning of time.” 

-Matthew 13:34–35

I have two children, a six year old and a two year old.  Both of them love to hear stories.  Every night ends with them asking for just one more book.  It doesn’t matter if they have heard the story a hundred times already - they want to hear it again.  Even as adults, we are still drawn to a good story.  We look for the next book, TV series, or movie.  Kingdoms rise and fall… Rulers and empires may write their names in stone, but most of this is forgotten - unless you are a real history nerd. :). Instead, it is the stories that continue.  Whether it is Greek mythology or old stories from the Bible, these narratives continue to be past down and have influence.

Jesus was a storyteller.  We know from the Bible that Jesus frequently spoke in parables.  There is something about a story that walks along side us.  It often opens our hearts to something deeper.  It doesn’t tell us exactly what to believe, but it helps us expand our horizons.  I believe this was Christ’s goal.  He wanted us to dive into the mysteries of life and ponder the deeper meaning of grace, love, and the Kingdom of God.  

I love watching my two little boys engage in a story.  Sometimes all the questions they ask are really just a stall technique to avoid going to bed, but they are also both interested in the world.  They want someone to explain the world and help them dive a little deeper.  It is my hope that we could all look at the world with this kind of creativity and imagination.  I hope we can all follow the Spirit’s lead as we explore all the mysteries of God’s creation.  

Blessings,

Brian Ward

Taking time for our neighbor

“And who is my neighbor?”

-Luke 10:29

A scribe asked Jesus this question over 2000 years ago, and people are still struggling to answer it today.  The vast majority of us only want to think of ourselves and those close to us. However, this kind of close mindedness can lead to to demonizing the stranger if we are not careful.   

A few days ago, my wife had a conversation with a friend of hers who sees the world very different politically.  Their conversation wasn’t heated.  Her friend just asked about some of her views.  This friend was not trying to pick a fight or stir up trouble, he was simply curious.  When I thought about this, it almost shocked me.  When people ask about politics or religion, they usually want a fight.  It’s almost unheard of to find another person who simply wants to listen, learn, and grow.  

Throughout the scriptures, Jesus continually takes time for others.  He listened to the needs of individuals who were labeled unclean.  He patiently heard the questions and concerns of Nicodemus the Pharisee.  It didn’t matter if a person was a wealthy tax collector or a poor fisherman, Jesus had time to deeply care for all.  

Today I hope we can pause for a minute and consider the people who we have been ignoring.  Is there someone who annoys or frustrates you?  I know there are people who I can easily and subconsciously judge prematurely.  I can get caught up in the busy nature of the world, and I can lose sight of what really matters.  I hope we can take a breath right now, in this moment, and stop the judgement.  Christ valued everybody.  Christ values you.  Let’s take a little extra time and embrace the blessings we find in our neighbor.  

Blessings!

Brian

Let Go and Let God...

Is there something you need to let go of?

 

I love to have control.  That doesn’t mean I love controlling other people, but I really like to be prepared.  I want to know what I am getting myself into, and I want to feel like there is no situation that I can’t handle.  However, there are times I need to let go of this need for control.

 

Last week my family and I went on a vacation to visit my wife’s parents in Colorado.  We were really looking forward to this trip, because it was our first vacation since the virus locked everything down.  We prepared as much as possible, but there was also a lot I couldn’t control.  When my wife and I first started traveling with our boys, we would get so frustrated by the smallest things.  They wouldn't take their naps.  They complained too much.  They spilled their snacks everywhere.  Granted, all of this stuff can be frustrating, but I needed to slow down, develop patience, and open my heart to new possibilities.  

 

Amazingly, when I let go of what I thought the road trip should be, the kids behaved incredibly well.  I had to let go of some of my expectations, but most of those were not very realistic anyway.  We took advantage of many more scenic viewpoints and state parks that I may have otherwise just cruised past to get where I thought we needed to be.  The boys were incredibly blessed to get some time with Grandma and Grandpa, and we cherished the time way more than if I had forced it to happen on my timeline.

 

Letting go is never easy, but God is always offering us another opportunity to experience the grace around us.  We are in a sermon series at CLC that is taking a look at Living Generously.  A generous life is a life that is open to something beyond ourselves.  This week I hope we can all take a bit of time to cherish the grace we have and freely share it with others.  

 

Blessings,

 

Brian

Don't let stress win...

What stresses you out?

 

Do you have a strategy to handle anxiety?

 

I live a pretty blessed life, but there are times even the simplest things can overwhelm me.  Just last week, I was making a quick run to the grocery store, when my two year old called out that he had to go pee.  I pulled him out as fast as I could, but then I realized my other child was missing a shoe!  My two year old was still yelling that he really had to pee, so I gave up on the shoe and carried them both to the public bathrooms.  I feel like we must have been a sight to see.

 

I can smile about that incident now, but if we aren’t careful, we can let the small things get to us.  I also encounter people everyday who are dealing with very serious problems.  It is easy to get lost in the anxieties of the world.  Fear can send us inward.  We tend to focus on ourselves and neglect the needs of others.

In our upcoming sermon series, we are going to look at the idea of:  Living Generously.  We don’t want to let fear and anxiety win.  Christ gave us the gift of grace to live with open hearts ready to share God’s love with the world.  Every day we are alive there will be things to worry about.  Let’s not let those fears define us.  Let’s live with open and loving hearts!

 

Blessings!

 

 

Pastor Brian