 1 Thessalonians 5 tells us to "give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God." For me, I find it difficult to give thanks in the following 3 areas: 1) when times are difficult because I am almost always preoccupied with the lousy circumstances I am staring at. Plus, how would I even have any spare time to give thanks if I am devoting all of my time complaining! 2) when times are good because all of my time is used enjoying the benefits of the good run that I'm on & 3) when times are just Ok, not particularly good or bad. In moments like that I find myself focusing more on how to improve my current situation rather than just giving thanks for the moment. So what's left you might ask? Nothing, hence the need for the reminder that it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord...in ALL circumstances. Thank him for his provision, for his mercy, his grace, his forgiveness, his strength, his wisdom, his love, his presence...I think you get the idea. Have a great week...And give thanks. Chris  I hope you're all doing well. I want to take a minute to give thanks & even celebrate some of the things we see God doing in our midst. As I mentioned in my sermon on Sunday I am so overjoyed to hear reports of people professing faith in Christ, those being physically healed in some rather miraculous ways, several expressing interest in being baptized this Sunday night (& hopefully even more) as well as the feedback I am getting from many of you who are really growing in your knowledge & understanding of God & as a result are even experiencing some healing of your own from things you've been battling for years. If you are broken down, discouraged or in need of healing please make that need known to someone & we as a church family are committed to standing with you. If you are doing well or have recently "received your miracle" would you consider making yourself available to minister to those that might need you? Kid City, Hospitality, & Outreach or just a few of the areas where your presence would make such a huge impact in the lives of others. None of us can walk out this journey effectively on her own & we are so much better when we walk it out together. Much love to you all, Chris  Did you miss me? OK, you don't have to answer that but nevertheless I am happy to be back from the Vineyard Conference & I'm looking forward to worshiping with you all this weekend. One of the things that stands out to me from last week at the conference was our last worship session on Thursday night when David Ruis was leading us over & over in this chorus: "there will be no pain & sorrow on the other side." It's no secret that I have been critical of the church in general when we have taken a theological position that the goal of this life is to get "saved" & once we're "saved" we basically just wait around for heaven. I still take issue with that overall perspective because I believe "salvation" & walking out the kingdom life is so much bigger & greater than that, BUT I don't ever want to forget or lose sight of the Blessed Hope that we have in Christ & in the resurrection. The scriptures encourage us that when we suffer loss or when a loved one dies that it is OK to mourn & grieve as those are natural responses BUT we are not to mourn or grieve like those who possess no hope. Why? Because "there will be no pain & sorrow on the other side." So if you are struggling with something or experiencing loss, even the loss of a loved one I would encourage you to get into community & walk out your journey or your struggle with people who can support & encourage you but I would also encourage you to take some time to remind yourself (or someone you know struggling or grieving) that Jesus has defeated death, stripped it of it's power & sting AND in the end it will be COMPLETELY swallowed up in victory. Be encouraged church. Much love to all, Chris  Greetings from Columbus, Ohio! I have really been enjoying the National/Global Vineyard Conference. It really has been a picture of heaven with so much diversity in one room worshiping King Jesus, not just in English but also Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese, & Swahili! This week has provided me with a healthy reminder as to why I love this tribe called The Vineyard so much. I know it sounds cliché-ish but it really is a beautiful thing when we celebrate diversity rather than just merely tolerate one another's differences. It has been stressed this week that we actually NEED One another & our various differences; from our gifting's to our various theological views to our cultural perspectives...we need to both recognize & create space for these differences to be expressed & celebrated. The last thing in the world I want is to create a church culture at the SPV which encourages people to be, believe, think, & act like me (I'm not sure the world could handle that). So I'm not exactly sure the best way to accomplish this but maybe it begins with a simple encouragement to you all that it's not just OK to be yourself but it is absolutely essential for the health & vitality of our faith community. Much love to all, Chris  I want to invite you to meditate on these words for a few minutes from Colossians 3:13-17: "... Forgive each other as the Lord has forgiven you... Above all else put on love... Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...be thankful...and whatever you do, do everything in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him." Forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, and the name of Jesus... these are the ingredients of kingdom living. Can you imagine what we would look like individually and as a church family if we consistently walked in this? Well to me it's not something hypothetical or theoretical but something I am pursuing personally and inviting the SPV family to as well. So if you have someone to forgive (including yourself), forgive. Walk in love every day, to the people you love the most and even your perceived enemies. Allow your knowledge and understanding of who your heavenly father is and how he sees you to be the bedrock of your peace. And be thankful for everything: your life, your health, your family, your friends, your home, your country, your freedom...I offer this encouragement to you in the matchless name of Jesus. Much love to all, Chris |
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