Simplicity is making a comeback these days.  There are TV shows, websites and personalities who are known for their helpful "decluttering" wisdom.  Before "the Minimalists" on Netflix or Marie Kondo, there was Jesus, the original minimalist.  He warned us not to bow to the idol of money and possessions.  At the heart of the Rhythm of Simplicity is trusting God.  This is not just about cleaning out your closet, it's about decluttering your life and detaching from loving this world and the things of the world.  

When I spoke recently about this topic I was joined by Amy Wadlow and Linda Burchett

You can hear the sermon on simplicity from 4/24/22 here (YouTube)

You can hear the sermon on simplicity from 4/24/22 here (Podcast)

Here are Richard Foster's 10 suggestions in his book, Celebration of Discipline 

Rituals give life meaning.  No, I don't mean things we do that have lost all sense of substance and purpose... I'm talking about holidays that draw us into beautiful community with others, cause us to be thankful to God for what He has done for us in the past and grow closer to Him.  God gave instructions for His people to observe seven different feasts during each year.  While these were designed for the Jewish people, every one of these holy occasions pointed to the future hope of the messiah Jesus.  As the church, we have been "grafted in" to God's chosen people (we haven't replaced them).  Since Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi, it would make a lot of sense that we would investigate and consider celebrating these holy occasions.  We certainly don't have to do this, but we have the freedom to partake in them.  Here is a list of the events in the Jewish calendar given by God to observe:  

Spring:  

- Passover - celebrating God's provision of a lamb (Jesus) so we escape death

- The Feast of Unleavened Bread - Pointing to a sinless savior, Jesus

- The Festival of First Fruits - occurred on the same day Jesus rose from the dead (Paul calls Jesus the first fruits of resurrection) 

- The Feast of Weeks - 49 days after Passover, ending with Pentecost (when God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church) 

Fall: 

- Feast of Trumpets - the Jewish new year, beginning the 10 days of awe, foreshadows Jesus second coming with a trumpet blast

- The Day of Atonement - 10 days after the Feast of Trumpets begins, celebrating the forgiveness of sins because of shed blood

- The Feast of Tabernacles - looks forward to Jesus' return, where He will "tabernacle" (live) with His people

You can hear the sermon about Feasting with God from 4/10/22 (YouTube)

I also preached a sermon about the importance of eating together from Jesus' life...

You can hear the sermon about the Rhythms of the Table from 4/03/22 (YouTube)

Jesus came to set us free from the kingdom of darkness and invites us into His kingdom of light and life.  If He has set us free, we are really free.  His definition of freedom is a bit different than what I see lived out around me.  Jesus chose freedom with limitations.  Some would say that "freedom knows no limits; if it is limited, it should not be called freedom."  But freedom without limits brings destruction.  We must be careful to not allow our freedom to drive us to a selfish posture of serving ourselves.  As Jesus followers we need to learn boundaries, and limits.   

I talked about "the freedom liturgy" in a sermon linked with "the rule of life"

Hear the sermon from March, 27, 2020 that includes this material (Youtube)

Hear the sermon from March, 27, 2020 that includes this material (Podcast)

Fasting is purposely abstaining from food or other good things so that you can hear the voice of God more clearly.  While fasting has many physical benefits, the practice of fasting in the Christian church is generally to become more sensitive to God and grow in our faith.  The Lenten season prior to Easter every year is known as a period of fasting, and we can learn about our posture in fasting by learning more about the intent of that season.  It is a time of growth, preparation and joy.  Jesus fasted and implied that His followers would do so after He was gone from the earth.  Fasting is a helpful rhythm for us to learn about and practice.  

Click to hear the sermon on Fasting from 03/06/22 (YouTube)

Click to hear the sermon on Fasting from 03/06/22 (podcast)

Obscurity is being unknown to the world, but seen, known and loved by God.  There is a powerful place for a posture of obscurity in our Christian walk. Jesus modeled a life of obscurity and wasn't driven by maintaining His reputation with others.  He lived to please His Heavenly Father.  The pattern I see in Jesus' life in Matthew 3 and 4 reveals a powerful delivery of His true identity as a loved son, followed by a season of obscurity in the desert where God seared that "belovedness" into Jesus' soul.  Then Jesus is tempted in the area of His identity - passes the tests and emerges to start His ministry.  Obscurity can play the same role in our lives as well.   

Click here to hear a sermon about obscurity during our Sunday service on 2/20/22 (YouTube)

Click here to hear a sermon about obscurity during our Sunday service on 2/20/22 (Podcast)

Many people have asked me, "How do I know when it's God that is speaking to me?"  It's a great question, and so I decided to put this short list of ways to be more sure God is whispering to your heart... 

Here are 10 ways that point to God speaking to you... 

1) It is a spontaneous thought that "pops" into your mind

2) There is a repetitive nature to the message 

3) Suddenly you have some information in your mind

4) When a phrase from the Bible or verse number comes into your mind

5) God's voice is quiet, calm, confident

6) Hearing God doesn't bring fear, judgment or a feeling of condemnation 

7) When God speaks, it comes wrapped in His peace 

8) When you receive & apply a word from God, dissonance in your body dissipates

9) God's Words always lead you to love and serve others

10) When you decide to follow through on what you are hearing & the fruit is wonderful

LInks:

Mark and Patti Virkler's "How to Hear God's Voice"

January 30, 2022 Sunday Message "Posture of Listening-Hearing/Discering God's Voice" Part 1 (YouTube)

February 6, 2022 Sunday Message "Posture of Listening-Hearing/Discering God's Voice" Part 2 (YouTube)

God is always speaking.  One of the ways we hear His voice is in divine whispers to our hearts.  Sometimes a phrase that is seems to come into your mind out of nowhere can shift your future and change your life.  Discerning the whispers of God refer to the Rhema word of God - a timely message that we need to hear in our specific situation.  While every Rhema word must line up with His written word, the Logos, these are very powerful ways the God leads, comforts and encourages us.  

LInks: 

Mark and Patti Virkler's "How to Hear God's Voice"

February 6, 2022 Sunday Message "Posture of Listening-Hearing/Discering God's Voice" Part 2 (YouTube)

God's written word, described with the Greek word, Logos is more than a boring set of rules.  It is a love letter to us that reveals the character and heart of the one who loves us most (God).  It is one of the ways God speaks to us, and every other way He reveals messages to us must be in alignment with what the Bible says.  God is inviting us to read His love letter.  His heart longs for us to know that we are His own. That we are loved, and will never be alone.  

I make mention of a song I wrote in 2008 called "Love Letter"  Hear it on YouTube or listen on Apple Music  

God reveals Himself in many ways - and He loves for us to hear what He is saying through his creation.  Have you spent time outdoors recently for the purpose of hearing God's voice?  Psalm 19 tells us that the creation is constantly declaring His praises.  The cathedral of nature is calling out to us to come and receive perspective, rest and silence.  Solitude in God's creation is what many of us need to slow our hearts down.  

I make reference to Haydn's creation, here is a link to hear the first song, "The Heavens are Telling"  

I also reference a song that I wrote called: Still Small Voice, here is a link to hear it on YouTube or get it on Apple music

Psalm 19 (NIV)

E.E. Cummings said, "Most people are perfectly afraid of silence" and I agree.  As humans we fill the air with constant background noise, often afraid to be alone with our thoughts.  In the absence of reflective time and silence, we miss out on the sweetest, most powerful times with God.  Are we afraid of silence or starved for it?  When was the last time you found a place of silence and solitude and really listened to what God had to say?  Henri Nouwen summed this topic up this way, "Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life... we do not take the spiritual life seriously if we do not set aside some time to be with God and listen to him." 

LInks: