Joy is with us

This weekend we will light the third candle on our Advent wreath, this is often referred to as the candle of joy. If you follow the Advent tradition, you may notice that this is a pink candle. Joy is something that we notice. It stands out from the other weeks.

I really like this tradition, because it shows us that joy can be revealed before we see the baby born in a manger. You don't have to light all five candle to find joy. Joy is experienced along the way, though faith. This is true in our world as well. We don't always get to see the ending. We don't know where the ups and downs of life are going to take us, but it is possible to find joy along the way.

Are you able to feel God's Joy in your life?

I have sat with a number of people in the hospital recently. Some were in pain. Others were grieving, but everyone of them was going to face a difficult season. It is so hard when a part of us is missing. Perhaps we are missing a loved one, or we may feel like something is missing in our own hearts. Whatever is going on, Christ's message is the same: "I am with you always."

Throughout the Christmas season we hear God promise that Christ is with us. We may feel insignificant. We may feel broken beyond repair. However, God never abandons or forsakes us. We are each loved beyond what we can comprehend. I think our goal is to try and live by faith. If we can trust that we are not alone, we can also discover joy. 

Today you may be hurting or lost. That is okay. God is still with you. You may feel like you have pushed God away or rejected God's goodness somehow. That's also okay. God is not going to give up on you. We are all loved. If we can take one step toward God in faith, I believe we can start to discover the joy that God has already prepared for us. 

Blessings,

Brian Ward

Giving Thanks

Have you taken time to consider what you are thankful for this season? 

I believe most of us know the importance of living with gratitude. Giving thanks has all kinds of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. However, it is easy to lose sight of these blessings that surround us. I will often find myself looking enviously at what my neighbors have. I wonder if I have enough. Do I need a bigger house? A newer car? Why do other families seem to have everything figured out? Thanksgiving sounds wonderful, but we often neglect the hope it shares. We are just to tied into the worries and fears of the world.

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the other virtues.” 

-Cicero

The ancient philosopher Cicero believed that all the other virtues came from thanksgiving. That's quite a statement! Does every other joy and good thing start by appreciating the gifts that surround us in the world? Modern psychologists are still trying to understand this, and they are still finding all kinds of connections between better health and gratitude. It just remains a question why we let our scarcity mentality win most of the time.

Today I want to live with a thankful heart. I don't want to rush past all the blessings that surround me in my home or in my church. There are too many reasons to let the darkness win. Let's open our hearts so that we can see the good.

Blessings,

Brian Ward

Be still...

This morning felt particularly frantic in my house. The baby kept us busy all night, my 9 year old remembered he needed to finish a presentation, and the the neighbors called to ask if their 5 year old could come over before school. Add to all of this the regular list of cleaning, dishes, and laundry, and we had a full morning. As we were rushing around the house, my wife stopped and exclaimed that the baby smiled! It was an incredible moment. Our youngest just turned six weeks old, and he has really started to look deeply at people's faces. He is trying to mimic facial expressions, and we have just started seeing what could be smiles. It is incredible, and it would have been easy for us to miss. We are all just too busy to notice. 

"Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today... The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

-Exodus 14:13-16

This week we are looking at the Old Testament Bible story of Moses. Moses was asked to do something impossible. He was called to set his people free from slavery. In many ways Moses felt like he had to carry this burden all by himself. However, if we look at the text, God is consistently telling Moses, and the people, to "be still." God is saying if we let go, then the Spirit will begin to work through us.

In my life, I can get pretty wrapped up in the everyday details. It is important to let go and trust that God is trying to offer miracles everyday. That is my hope for each of us. Let surrender to the love, mercy, and goodness of God.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Love Unites

We are living in a very important and emotional time... This year's election was particularly heated, and throughout the campaign, there has been a lot of animosity and division. Today I see people who are celebrating, and I see people who are grieving. Our lives are filled with emotion, but the Bible teaches us to put our hope in God first.

"those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.”

-Isaiah 40:31 

I was considering this while I was at my 9 year old's soccer practice. The kids were having a passionate discussion about who the next president should be, and they were cheering and booing each other for their beliefs. Now personally, I find it rather unlikely that these kids had a detailed understanding of each candidate's politics. However, they were still drawn into the emotion. They wanted clear lines to decide who was in and who was out. On the way home, my son was talking to me about the divisions. It bothers him that some of the kids, who he's become friends with, have drawn these lines. That kind of thing bothers me too. It hurts me to see so many wonderful people divide themselves from each other. 

We are beginning a new sermon series this week entitled: God is in Charge and that's a Good Thing. We will be diving into the Bible to discover people who found unity instead of division. Even in divisive times, God's love can unite us. Every person's vote is important, but it is also important to remember that Christ asked all of us to be His hands and feet. It is my hope that we would all search for God's love instead of division. Today I pray that we as a church can continue to share hope and grace around the world.

Peace,

Pastor Brian

Excitement is in the air!

This is an exciting time. I love watching the seasons change, and I can't wait to enter into another holiday season. Last week, we celebrated Trunk or Treat at church, and we had a wonderful time! We welcomed all kinds of people from the community, and my kids loved seeing all their friends in a safe family environment. It is so cool to have a church that embraces all kinds of people. 

Since that event, my kids have been wearing their costumes around the house and checking on their candy supply everyday. It was all building up to Halloween, but early on Thursday morning my baby woke up and did not want to go back to sleep. My wife tried to deal with him most of the night, but soon enough it was my turn to try and calm him down. We tried just about everything. It took until about 5:45am when I was finally able rock him back to sleep. I had just a moment of rest when the two older boys burst into the room shouting, "Happy Halloween!" (They are allowed to wake up at six o'clock... and they wanted to take advantage of every moment of the day!) Thankfully, the baby was able to stay asleep, but my night was over! It took me a moment, but we wound up having a great morning together.

In the church we also celebrate Reformation Day. This is a time when we remember Martin Luther and his work to awaken the church to Holy Spirit. I think it has always been easy for people of faith to lose sight of the things that matter most. We can metaphorically fall asleep, and we find ourselves on a path that turns away from our neighbor. This was a problem in Jesus' time, and it is a problem in our world too. Instead of continuing down that path, God is calling us to open our eyes to something so much more wonderful. 

These days I am getting a little less sleep, but life is just as full of blessings. I don't want to miss out on the joy. Today I hope you can all look for God's Holy Spirit in your life. I hope you can believe that God is calling you to something wonderful. 

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Surrounded by Blessings

I believe we are surrounded by blessings everyday. However, most of the time we are too busy or stuck in our ways to really appreciate all that life has to offer. Two weeks ago, my family was blessed with the birth of our third son, Kian Mitchell Ward. Having a new baby around does add quite a bit of craziness to the household, but it also opens my heart to the blessings I have right in front of me. There is so much to be grateful for.

The last couple of weeks have really been a blur. Our son arrived about one month early. I thought I had a little more time to get ready, but I obviously don't get to control these things! Now we are quickly running though diapers and struggling to get enough rest. (I will say that I am able to sleep though a lot of night time crying this time around. With the other boys, I would nervously wake up with every coo or grunt they made. My wife may not be this lucky, but I'm feeling as rested as possible...)

In the end, my favorite part may just be watching our older boys interact with the baby. This can become a little tricky, because the big boys still have soccer practice, homework, and their own needs. (They also have to be reminded that their brother is not a football!) However, it is amazing to see how much they love their little brother. They can't wait to come home and hold the baby. They also watch him and describe everything he does and doesn't like. As difficult as it can be, it is incredible to have two more people who really love this child. 

Today I hope all of you can take some time to appreciate the blessings in your life. I hope you can take some time to love somebody else. The grace we share really does make a difference, and this world needs your love.

Blessings!

Brian Ward

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

Learning everyday

Human beings are capable of so many things. We can grow. We can imagine new possibilities, and we can enact change. I love moments when my kids stop and ask questions about the world. "Why are there so many languages?" "How did the universe begin?" "Why are some people homeless?" Our curiosity is a blessing, and can inspire us to change the way we are living in the world.

Conversely, it is also possible to stop learning. Instead of asking questions, we want to live with certainty, have all the answers, and never be questioned by others. Our fear of looking ignorant can drive us away from the childlike curiosity that always desires to learn more.

We are studying our core values here at Community Lutheran, and this week we are discussing the importance of learning. We believe it is important to continue to grow and learn everyday. We confess that we are imperfect and incomplete, but God is always guiding us to discover new paths. Even when times are difficult we can still look for new answers and ways of looking at the world.

“I pray to the God within me that He will give me the strength to ask Him the right questions.”

― Elie Wiesel, Night

There are times I wish I could be as vulnerable as my children when I ask questions. Instead of feeling like I should know everything, I wish I could freely ask, "why?" The bible actually teaches so much on this very topic. Jesus tells us to have the perspective of children, and the proverbs teach us to always search for wisdom. 

Wisdom is not about obtaining all the facts. It is about trusting in God and having faith in something deeper. We learn by becoming vulnerable and opening ourselves up to new possibilities. Today I hope we can all take time to ask the hard questions and open our hearts so that we can receive a new answer.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

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

A new journey...

It is back to school week in Clark County, and that means I now have a Fourth grader and a Kindergartener. I know it sounds cliche to talk about, "kids growing up too fast," but it is so true. Just a few years ago, I was in the midst of changing diapers and waking up at all hours of the night. (Yes... I know in a few weeks I will be starting all of this over again!) However, it is amazing to watch kids grow. They are taking in so much, and it is pretty incredible to watch these milestones take place. 

On Monday morning we got to school extra early to say goodbye to both of our kids. Years ago, when we dropped our oldest son off for the first time, it was right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. We had to give him a hug at the gate and watch him walk up to the new school by himself. This time we were able to enter the school grounds and make sure our kindergartener was all lined up correctly. Immediately, he saw his friend who lives across the street. They started to play together, and when the teacher called, they lined up and went inside. As parents, all we could really do was watch. They teachers all seem amazing, but it is still strange to let go. For so many years we did everything for them. Now it is time for them to begin a new chapter. 

Before the end of the school day, we had neighbors who worked at the school texting us saying that our kids were doing fine. They were laughing and saying, "Hi!" to everybody. In the end, I have to realize it is important to let go...

Our sermon series at CLC is looking deeper at the Old Testament book of Ruth. This ancient text tells the story of two ordinary women who opened their hearts and trusted God. They never experienced any supernatural miracles, but they did follow the Spirit. When their lives took an unexpected turn, they learned to trust in God. Christ is still present in our world today, we just have to get out of the way and allow God to work.

Today I hope you can all let go of any baggage in life that is holding you back. I hope you can find new ways to let go and trust the Holy Spirit. Life may become difficult at times, but God is calling you to believe in something new and wonderful.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Surrounded in Love

I stopped for a moment this week to think about everything that Community Lutheran has been a part of this summer. We welcomed all kinds of kids into our building for Vacation Bible School. We had a wonderful mission trip with the youth in California, and we found a number of other ways to serve the people right here in our own community. It has been a busy season, and the summer is not over yet! 

I think it is wonderful to see all the ways the church can reach out to others, but it is also important to find time to rejuvenate. I returned from a vacation a week ago, and it was such an important part of my summer. I needed time to let go of my worries, experience a new environment, and surround myself with the love of family. This year, my wife and I packed up the kids and drove to Colorado. We met my parents and my brother for some time in Estes Park, and later we went to my in-laws home near Denver. The entire trip was amazing. 

My kids were able to spend a ton of time running around with their cousins. We climbed mountains, jumped in lakes, and we laughed a lot as we enjoyed each other's company. We immersed ourselves in God's creation and we challenged ourselves in new ways. One particular day, I woke the kids up at 4:30 in the morning to get into the park before 5am. That may seem a little extreme (and it probably was!), but we had a big hike planned and we wanted to be back before any afternoon thunderstorms. We were going to a lake called Sky Pond. It was so amazing to watch the sun come up as we past several alpine lakes. We climbed up waterfalls, and we slid on a few patches of snow that were still lingering in the cooler areas. It was so much fun to see a my son and my brothers kids experience such an amazing moment. Everyone was in awe, and we loved sharing this time with one another.

Today, I am back in the office, and part of me is still missing the mountains. However, we are still surrounded by all kinds of beautiful moments. There are still countless blessings that we can be thankful for. Yes, it is quite a bit warmer here in the desert, but we are still a part of a church that can still look for God's Grace and share love with one another. Today I hope you can all open your hearts to God's blessings. I hope you can experience God's love wherever you go!

Blessings,

Brian Ward

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

Summer Fun

Last week I was with a group of youth from our church on a wonderful experience in southern California. This is a mission trip I have attended every year that I have lived in Las Vegas. It is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to serve others and build relationships with one another. 

We primarily served a nonprofit called Christian Outreach in Action. This organization feeds hundreds of people everyday, and it provides all kinds of supplies for people in need. We spent most of our time at two different locations. One location was a warehouse that stored all kinds of donations. Our team from CLC was there to organize the space so that a yard sale could take place. We moved couches, tables, chairs, and a little bit of everything else! It took a lot of work, but the people were very grateful. I was also super impressed with the youth. Hauling supplies back and forth on a hot day is not easy. Our second service location was at their food bank. We organized and handed out food to people who were struggling. This is always one of my favorite service projects. We had the opportunity to talk to people who were dealing with all kinds of difficulties, and we were able to get to know them as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In the moments we were not serving, we went to Mission San Juan Capistrano, a Holocaust Museum, and we also took a lot of time at the beach. I think these trips are so important. We learned how valuable it is to serve, and we had a chance to bond as a community. There is something about getting away from "normal routine" and experiencing a new way of looking at the world. We are all children of God and we each have a place.

This week at CLC we are looking deep inside ourselves. Are we controlled by fear or anger? Are we stuck in a rut? Are we only looking out for ourselves? 

I think we all need moments to step back and realize that God is calling us to something so much more. We are called to love and serve others, and this doesn't have to be a burden. In fact, loving our neighbors can help us to a deeper understanding of our true nature. It can make us feel completely alive!

Today, we can all experience the joy of God's Love through service. We certainly don't have to be on a mission trip, God is already here. As we celebrate our freedoms on the 4th of July, I hope we are all able to open our hearts in new ways and share the blessings around us.

In Christ,

Brian Ward

It's time for VBS!

It has been a wonderful week at Community Lutheran Church. We are celebrating Vacation Bible School, and this year we are welcoming all kids to dive deep into God's Love!

Vacation Bible School is an experience for children and youth, but all ages are welcomed to participate. We come together everyday to learn about God's Love in fun and exciting ways. We explore Bible stories, play games, and learn all kinds of new things. Our theme this year was "SCUBA," and we have transformed our church building into an underwater adventure. 

I remember going to VBS when I was a child. I loved the energy and excitement everyone shared. When I was older, I volunteered to lead a group of kids. I had a blast seeing God's Grace in action. It was such a meaningful time for me. Today I still love watching kids experience God's love in new ways. 

Sometimes I forget that church should be filled with surprises. We don't need to return week after week to do the same thing. The Good News of Jesus Christ is supposed to be exciting and dynamic. The early followers of Jesus were in awe of God's work, and they couldn't wait to see what Jesus would do next.

Today I hope we can all be reminded of the power of God's Love. May we always know that God is actively moving and transforming our world. God's Word isn't just for people who lived two thousand years ago. God is changing lives today!

Blessings!

Pastor Brian

Trying to live with faith

Last weekend I had an opportunity to go out of town with my family. We had a blast camping  in Duck Creek, Utah. I love being surrounded by nature, and I love going to the mountains. There is a beauty that is hard to explain, and there is also a certain element of surprise that I really value. When I am at home, it is fairly easy to prepare for the day. I know what the weather will be, and I know exactly where I am going. However, when I travel to the mountains, I have to deal with a certain amount of unpredictability. 

I love an opportunity to go camping!

When we pulled into our campsite, the sunny sky suddenly became rather dark. A mixture of snow and sleet started falling down on us. The nights dropped down to about 38 degrees, and the neighbors, who we went camping with, had a child who became super sick. They had to rush him off the mountain to the nearest emergency room. I never want to see anyone sick, but there was also a sense that we had to put our faith in something greater. We can't control everything. There are times we need to let go and trust in God. We can try to make ourselves believe that we are always in control, but I do not believe that is true. In order to live life to the fullest, I believe we need faith...

In our sermon series at CLC, we are looking at the story of Joseph in the Bible. This man lived long before the time of Jesus, and he faced some incredible difficulties. He was sold into slavery, accused of false crimes, and thrown into prison. It is hard to keep the faith in these moments, but Joseph was able to believe. He trusted that God was in control even when the world looked like it was falling apart.

I wonder what would happen if we learned to trust a little bit more. I love to control every situation I'm in, but that's not always good for me. I love to go to the mountain to remind myself that there is something bigger. When I let go, there is an opportunity the experience the beauty of creation in a new way.

Today I hope each of you can take a step toward surrendering to God's Grace. Jesus came to this world to remind us that we are not alone. We can trust in God.

(Here are a few more pics from our trip...)

Exploring the ice cave

Our home for a couple of nights...

Enjoying Cascade Falls!

Nothing like grilling bacon over an open flame...

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Living with the Holy Spirit

Have you ever felt alone? 

A few years ago, Harvard professor Robert Putnam published the book "Bowling Alone." In this work, he states that people are spending more time by themselves. Instead of connecting with others, at places like church or bowling alleys, we find reasons to disconnect. 

I have been thinking a lot about loneliness recently. A week ago, sat with four young kids who had unexpectedly lost their father. These kids were facing an incredibly heartbreaking new reality. Another woman, who had been a caretaker for many years, had just lost her own father. She was struggling, because her house now seems so empty. I also spoke to several youth who were feeling bullied and isolated in their own ways. 

I think everyone has to face loneliness of some kind or another. We also have to ask ourselves if we believe that God's Love can reach us in our time of need... When we feel lost where do we turn?

This week we are celebrating the festival of Pentecost in the church. This is an ancient Jewish festival that came fifty days after the celebration of Passover. The people came together to offer a thanksgiving feast after the grain harvest. However, the disciples were surprised by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Two thousand years ago, the early followers of Christ felt very alone after Jesus was crucified. First, they had to grieve our Savior's death, then they experienced the astonishment of the resurrection. Before they knew it, Jesus returned to heaven. They were all left wondering what to do next. Instead of acting, they spent much of their time hiding behind locked doors. 

In the midst of all their doubts and fears, they were visited by the Holy Spirit. God showed up. Even when they lost hope, the Spirit transformed their lives.

The Holy Spirit still moves in our world. Even if we are lost and feel completely broken, God does not give up on us. We are called to take time to listen for the presence of God. Sometimes I think social media and all the electronic ways of staying in touch can actually do us a disservice... Sure, they can be wonderful tools, but they are not a substitute for actually loving our neighbors. 

Our world is always changing. People come into our lives and people will leave our lives. Today I hope we can pause and listen for God's calling. I hope we can trust that God has not abandoned us. I hope we can take time to share God's love with the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Life's twists and turns

Do you ever take time to reflect back on your life? 

Have you ever considered the people or events that have changed you? 

If I look back on my own journey, I am sometimes shocked by how much I have changed. I have had some great successes, and I have failed a number of times. However, the most impactful moments for me have been my interactions with other people. 

If I look back 25 years ago, my greatest concern would have been some silly high school problem. Maybe I was stressed about a class, or perhaps I was trying to run a little faster in Track and Field. Those things are still a part of me, but I feel like I have grown so much. In some ways, I have become a totally different person after getting married and having my own kids. Sometimes it's hard to remember what life was like before I had my own family. And for those who haven't heard, my wife and I just announced that we will be having our third child... another baby boy! I look forward to all the new ways I will be transformed in the coming years.

This week we are beginning a new sermon series on the Old Testament character of Joseph in the Bible. Joseph is known for living as the favored child growing up, but he wound up facing a lot of adversity. Through all of life's twists and turns, Joseph always believed that God was with him. I think this offers all of us an incredible lesson. Whatever we may face, we can always trust in God amazing love.

Today I hope you can all take some time to consider how God has been leading you. I hope you can open your hearts to God's goodness and mercy, and I hope you can believe that God is never ever going to leave you!

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Radical Grace

In this season after Easter, we are taking a deeper look at our mission statement at CLC:

Real People

Inclusive God

Radical Grace

Inspired Growth

We are asking what it means to live out each of these values in our church. This week we are specifically questioning what it means to be a community of Radical Grace. Personally I feel like many of us realize there is a need for grace in our world. We cannot be expected to behave perfectly in all circumstances. However, if we are not careful, we can become consumed by comparing ourselves to others. We love to show other people that they are wrong, and we love to sing our own praises when we are right. We may love the idea of grace, but we don't always put these ideas into practice. When I look out at the greater world, I see many of the same issues. Leaders feel like they have to prove themselves constantly. Grace is seen as a sign of weakness. However, living without grace tends to lead us down a road of constantly escalating tensions...

Earlier this week, I had a proud parenting moment. My oldest son decided to share a gift he was given. It wasn't a big present, but other kids were starting to feel jealous. When he decided to give it away, I could almost see him realizing that he already lived in abundance. He didn't need to hold onto everything so tightly. In fact, there is joy in sharing the abundance with others. 

John 10:10

 I am come that you might have life, and have it in abundance. 

I think Jesus understood that in order to experience grace we need to open our eyes to the fact that we are surrounded by blessings. It is far too easy to see only the scarcity. We remind ourselves everyday about all the things we do not have. What if we flipped this around and decided to count our blessings. Perhaps this would help us to realize that sharing and receiving grace is not as impossible as we may have first thought.

We all need grace. If everyone was constantly pointing out every imperfection of mine, I would never have felt free to live up to my potential. Grace frees us to a deeper and greater form of living. Today I hope you can all be reminded of the blessings in your life, and I hope you can share these freely and graciously with others.

Peace,

Pastor Brian

The Season on Easter

I love Easter! As the calendar turns from winter to spring, we are opening our hearts to God's gift of new life. In Minnesota, there were plenty of things to complain about this time of year. The snow would become slushy and filled with dirt. We also still had to deal with a number late snowstorms. Just when the streets became clear, we would get blasted with another round of winter weather. In spite of all the chaos, there would also be days when the temperature would reach 60 or 70 degrees. It was amazing! In Las Vegas, we are on the verge of a brutally hot season, but I can't help but to enjoy these beautiful days. 

The day after Easter, my two boys and I went for a hike in Red Rock. We were there to spend some time in nature, and enjoy the spring weather. It was a joy to see God's gifts in the desert. We saw all kinds of flowers, and we waded through some pretty cold streams. My 9 year old even decided he wanted to jump into the icy cold water. The experience was wild, but more than anything else, we enjoyed the time we had together. 

In a similar way, I also loved our Easter worship services. The music, lights, and everything else all added to the moment. However, it was seeing the church filled with people that made the difference. Everyone was there to share God grace. This is the most important thing.

Easter is a season to remember that God's Love is eternal. As a church, we live in relationship with others. We celebrate the good gifts that we share together. We also remember that there is nothing that can ever separate us from God's Love. Not even death can remove us from Christ's presence. Today I hope you all can take some time to be reminded of God's gift of New Life. I hope you can also share God's gifts with the people around you. 

Peace,

Pastor Brian

The Roller Coaster

Next week, we are going to be remembering a very special time in the church year. Holy Week is the commemoration of the final week of Jesus' life. It all begins this weekend when we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. People waved palm branches, shouted hosanna, and they looked to the future with hope and anticipation. However, things changed rapidly when Jesus overturned the tables of the temple and told the money changers to get out. By the end of the week, Jesus would be arrested and put to death. Finally, we look forward to Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the grave. It is hard to understand how all of that could happen in one week. How did people change their minds so quickly? How were the disciples able to follow Jesus when they faced so many moments of desperation and fear?

Some of these questions are still quite hard to understand. However, from another perspective, we all are living on a roller coaster. Life goes up and down rapidly. We have moments of Joy followed by moments of failure or defeat. 

Just over a week ago, my kids were out of school for Spring Break, and we decided to go on a trip. We went to Florida to visit my 92 year old grandfather, and we did all kinds of Florida things. We went to the beach, we went on boat rides, and we saw all kinds of alligators, eagles, and armadillos while exploring the inland swamps, but it wasn't all fun and games. While we were there, my younger son and I wound up with a 24 hour bug. We had to cut out a few of the touristy things while we tried to feel better, but we had a great time. My kids are still talking about seeing their great grandfather, and they can't wait to go back to see him (and drive his golf cart!) again. 

When we returned home, I was ready to start working on Holy Week and Easter services, but instead, I received the news of the sudden death of a 17 year old member of our church. This person was dearly loved, and it sent shock waves through our youth group. As awful as this moment was, we came together as a community. People showered us with their support, and we had an incredible opportunity to share love.  

Everyday we face a roller coaster of pain and blessings. Life can be really hard to understand, but I think it is important to remember that we have a Good Shepherd who loves us and is leading us the entire way. God is always present. I hope you can take time to find Christ's light now.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

God's gifts are here!

My wife was out of town last weekend on the annual CLC women's retreat. She had a great time in Springdale Utah, and she came back refreshed after being around a great group of women. While she was away, I thought I would plan my own little adventure. I wanted to take my boys down to the hot springs on the Colorado river. This is a super fun hike, and it has enough scrambling to make it really interesting. However, that was not to be. Instead, we faced a crazy windstorm! The only adventuring I was able to fit in was a short bike ride to the neighborhood park. We were able to burn off a little energy, and we laughed a lot as we pretended to get blown away. We were able to get back to the house after a couple hours and before the wind and dust really picked up. Looking back, it may have been a little ambitious to try and fit in a hike anyway. I had four worship services to prepare for, and there was also a funeral at church, where we said goodbye to a beloved member. It actually worked out to spend my time present with the people around me. There was no need to go out and get sandblasted by the storm.

I love to be outside... but last weekend was a little much!

Our sermon series at Community Lutheran is taking a deeper look at the gifts that Jesus brings. God is always providing us with blessings, but there are times we choose to be upset with what we have. I could have been mad where my adventure fell through. My wife could have chosen to be upset as well. (The wind was pretty bad on her retreat too, and she did not get as much outdoor time as she had hoped.) Instead, we all chose to make the best of things. Kira came back refreshed. I had a great weekend. God's blessings surround us.

Today I hope you can all look for God's gifts in your lives. Take time to watch for God when your plans change. Look for new blessings when you find yourself on an unexpected road. Jesus is there. He is leading you to abundance and new life. Let's open our hearts and experience God's Love.

Peace,

Pastor Brian

Finding our way

Earlier this week, I went for a hike in Red Rock. I typically don't go hiking by myself, but I had a free morning, and I made the last minute decision to go exploring. Since I did not have my kids with me, I tried a route that took a little more effort. I started at the First Creek trail and went boulder hopping up the canyon. 

A few years ago, I would not have considered this a super tricky hike. You can't really get lost, and I had seen in the area before. However, I quickly realized I couldn't take anything for granted. There is no trail, and hikers have to decide which rocks to climb over and how to get around different obstacles. When I was not being careful, I found myself at steep drop offs or climbing dangerously over wet and slimy rock. I constantly had to be on the lookout for little signs that would help me to decide which way to go. There was a route through the canyon, but I needed to pay attention. If I lost my focus, there could be serious consequences. 

In our sermon series at church, we are looking at the gifts that Jesus brings. This week we are going focus on the fact that Jesus brings us direction. There are times in life that we choose to go the wrong way. We wind up with our backs to the wall, and it can feel like we have made such a mess that there is no way out. Jesus comes to tell us that we are never too far gone. We can always find our way back. We simply have to let go of our plans and trust that God is doing something bigger. We also have to look for the signs. God is making a way.

After a couple hours of hiking, I looked back at my progress. A few years ago, I would not have wanted to turn around without reaching a peak. However, on this day I realized that I didn't have to get to the top. I had fun enjoying the day, and it was important for me to get back to see my family. I also learned that I missed sharing these moments with my kids. They bring a lot of frustration, anger, and tears, but it is nice to be able to share the moment together. All in all, it was a good day, but I let go of my plans. I enjoyed the time, and I returned to the things that mattered most. 

Today I hope you spend a little time listening for God. I hope you look to God for direction and open your heart to the path God may be showing you!

The guys who matter most! :)

Blessings!

Brian Ward

The Transformative Power of Faith

This past week I spent a lot of time with my older son as he worked to memorize his multiplication tables. I remember doing the same thing when I was in third grade. I used to sit with my mom at our dining room table and practice flash cards over and over. I did ok at figuring out the right answer, but I was never the fastest kid when in came to memorizing these facts. I found it hard to focus and rather frustrating. 

Now that I am helping my own third grader, I realize that it was probably much more frustrating for my mom than it was for me. At least that's the way I feel right now with my own son. I know he is capable of doing the work, but he would much rather be outside playing in the rain or wrestling his little brother. He doesn't see the importance of math, and he gets super frustrated when he can't complete the problems in time. Part of my role is simply to help him understand that he can do this. He doesn't have to give up, or feel bad. 

It also makes me think of so many of the stories of Jesus. Jesus was always able to see the truth and meaning of a situation. He understood that God was present, and he worked to convey this to his followers. However, so many of his disciples would become frustrated with the world or with Jesus himself. They didn't believe in themselves, and they didn't trust in God's Word. Over and over, Jesus had find new ways to bring God's love into their lives.

Working with my son is exhausting, but there are also wonderful moments when he "gets it." He understands that this is something he can do. He even brought home a test yesterday proud of how fast he completed the work. 

As you take time to look at your life today, I wonder what is frustrating you. Where are you lacking faith? Do you believe that you are a beloved child of God? Perhaps you need to take a moment to listen for Christ's voice. Maybe you need a moment to consider how deeply God believes in you. I hope you are all able to open your hearts to God's Word today. I hope you are all able to feel God's love.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian