Advent is a season of the Christian year when we focus on the coming of Christ. It's a time of waiting, hoping, and getting in touch with our need for a Savior. It's a season of preparation for Christmas, much as Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. In some Christian churches, Advent is a time of fasting and repentance.

In Advent we look back to the experience of the Israelites as they yearned for God to forgive their sin and restore their nation. We put ourselves in their shoes as they hoped for the coming of the Messiah. Thus, we ready our hearts to celebrate the good news of Christmas. 

Yet Advent is also a time to look forward to the second coming of Christ. Though defeating sin and death through His cross and resurrection, Christ hasn't yet finished His work of renewing creation and restoring the kingdom of God. Thus, we continue to experience the brokenness of this world, in violence, disease, natural disasters, and other forms of human suffering. In Advent we yearn for God's completion of the salvation begun in Christ. 

"Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "visit" or "coming" or "arrival." The season of Advent is a time to get ready for the two "visits" of Christ: His first coming through the Incarnation, and His second coming as the reigning Lord.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

No matter the results of the recent election, the reality is that our world is divided by nations, ethnicities, skin color, languages, genders, politics, religions, economics, entertainment, sex, even issues of right and wrong and justice. Really, just about anything you can think of. While many within each of these groups—and many more who are outside those groups—talk a lot about justice, equality, and inclusion, they hold tightly to their earthly identities and do not want to lose them. Additionally, while they say they want a society of justice, equality, and inclusion, they do not want people from other groups coming in and possibly changing the general culture and/or identity of their group. They are selective about and even resistant to newcomers, so society continues on in its divided state over a myriad of issues.  

Because of what Jesus has done, society has been radically impacted in that now, in Christ, all those divisive issues are supposed to be done away with except one; those who are in Christ and those who are not. Jesus alone, God incarnate, Savior of the world, tore down “the dividing walls of hostility” (something many are attempting to do apart from Christ and failing) between those who were “citizens” and “members of God’s household” and those who were not. Now, with His blood, He “purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). As born-again children of God not only are we different persons individually, but we are a different people collectively. Now we are one people; no longer divided by the uniqueness, diversity, and distinctives of how God made us and our “place” in this world, but instead we are one people in Christ and the only division is between those who are saved and those who are perishing, those who believe and those who disbelieve, those who are in Christ and those who are not, those who are obedient and those who disobey.

As it is written, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). And “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3:11). This truth, this reality of a new identity, individually and collectively, is to impact how we relate with the world around us, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:16–17). We are no longer worldly, mere humans (1 Corinthians 3:1–3) who are defined and directed by all differences between us.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

In our passage from Romans 8:14-15 we see that the Father's love is always making his power benevolent,  the Spirit sets us free (2 Corinthians 3:17) and brings us deeper into love. Having a Sabbath for example, is all about deepening in love as we refuse to be a slave to work and reorient our identity once again to simply being a beloved child of our ABBA in heaven. We are made for the Father's perfect love, no longer to be subject to the bonds of spiritual, psychological, or emotional slavery. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1

As a pastor who has spent more than half of my life in ministry, I have witnessed healings. I believe in the gifts of healing and prophecy. When someone is healed right there on the spot, it's exciting. But for me the healing is not the point of what is happening in that moment. It never is. The love of God for the person is the most amazing thing happening in that moment. When someone's eyes light up with the love of God, expressed in quiet tears or loud rejoicing at what God has done, I'm pretty sure the angels in heaven are dancing whether a miracle occurs or not! 

I am so grateful for people like my grandmother who mentored me in praying for the sick and those in need. She would always remind me that the very least a person should leave with after a time of me praying for them is a deeper experience of the love of God. When a person feels that Jesus sees them and knows them it can trigger a deep inner healing to which even a physical healing can seem secondary. God's love brings an eternal miracle of union with the person.  That is always the Father's goal.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, we remember those who have served God on earth and now enjoy His company in heaven. This is not a day of sorrow, but a day of gladness, for we know that because Christ lives, we too shall live with the company of all those who are part of the family of Christ. We remember the words of Paul when he instructed the church with these words, “brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Notice that Paul is not telling these believers that Christians do not grieve. Rather he is telling them not to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. Many people who are trying to comfort someone experiencing grief say, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” I believe this can backfire, making the person grieving feel worse. 

Life—not God—sends adversity to us all. As pastor and chaplain, I have learned that empathy and shared grief can work miracles. Sometimes we are tested beyond our resources and strength. I know this all too well with my own personal losses. I feel overwhelmed by life and sometimes it is more than I can handle. I understand that these feelings come and go, and God gives us something to enable us to endure. The apostle Paul assures us that when we are tested beyond our strength, God will provide away through until, free on the other side, we can walk forward into the light of a new day.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Our story this Sunday centers around a man named Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were hated by the Jewish community. They worked for the oppressive Roman government, and they often collected excessively high taxes. They gave the Roman government its required amount, then kept the excess for themselves. Tax collectors were excommunicated from the synagogue. They couldn’t participate in the religious and social supports of their community. Our Bible passage says that Zacchaeus was wealthy, so it’s likely he was profiting off the exploitation and oppression of his neighbors. I’d guess he earned the title Least Popular Guy in Jericho. I think that explains why Zacchaeus didn’t want Jesus to see him.

These Bible verses tell us that Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd. It’s reasonable to assume he could have gotten close enough to talk to Jesus or touch him. Instead, he climbed up a sycamore-fig tree. He wanted to see Jesus, but I don’t think he wanted Jesus to see him. There are a lot of people who feel that they are unacceptable to God. That’s the first insight we get from today’s story. There are many people who feel that they are unacceptable to God. Maybe you feel that way. You come to church searching for something, but you’re afraid to commit to anything. You’re afraid to let anyone get to know you. You’re afraid someone will discover that you’re “not a REAL Christian.” And there are plenty of people outside these church walls who feel that way. They think they have gone too far from God. The real tragedy is someone in their life may have told them that. One of the most destructive lies we can believe about ourselves is, “I am not worthy of God’s love.”

And that brings me to the second insight we get from today’s Bible passage: one of the greatest truths Jesus came to teach us is, “God loves you anyway.” No matter what you’ve done, no matter how unacceptable you feel, God loves you anyway. See how Jesus treated people who were considered nobodies or outsiders? He’s showing us a picture of what God would do if God were to walk into our lives. Our hearts may condemn us. Others may reject us. God loves us anyway. And Zacchaeus was about to discover that in the most surprising way.

Starting with verse 5 we read, “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So, he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’” Remember, Jesus was surrounded by a crowd. He could have used this moment to preach a rousing sermon, or perform a few healings, or challenge the local religious leaders to a debate. At least he could have done something to help his reputation. But no, he does the exact opposite. Jesus uses this moment to show love to the Least Popular Guy in Jericho. Because Jesus never passed up a chance to show people the heart of God. And remember, no matter how unacceptable we feel we are, God loves us anyway.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26–27

Consider this “I’m only human.” Can we agree to never say that again? A human being is the most remarkable and glorious creature in all of creation. So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. We are created in the image of God. It could be the single most extraordinary thing revealed to us in all of Scripture. And I’m afraid we mostly read right past it and fail to consider the extraordinary implications.

We are created in the image of God. Do you see how absurd it is to make the lament-filled claim, “I’m only human.” What if instead we said, I am a human being, a glorious image-bearer of the living God of heaven and earth!  Look how the psalmist puts it only eight psalms in: “Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5). My friends, you are a glorious image-bearer of the living God. 

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

 “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” 1 Samuel 16:13

In 1 Samuel 16, we meet David. David is first introduced to us as a shepherd, the youngest son of his father, Jesse. We later discover that David is also a musician, singer-songwriter, and brave warrior. He has been known to hang around sheep for extended periods of time, and to kill attacking lions and bears on an as needed basis. He even takes down the giant Goliath. As David is being anointed by Samuel the spirit came powerfully on the new king as the anointed one. The Hebrew word for “came powerfully” actually can convey the meaning that the spirit rushed on David, forcefully and unequivocally, empowering him for the life of obedience that was ahead.

David starts his kingly journey as a man after God's own heart. During this time, David possesses humility. Humility welcomes the Holy Spirit. Despite being identified by God as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22, NIV), David sinned in his affair with Bathsheba—and sinned again by attempting to cover up his illicit activity. God didn’t fall for any of the cover up and sent Nathan to spotlight David’s guilt. In Psalm 51, David poured out his heart in repentance over his sin and sought God’s forgiveness. In Psalm 32, David rejoiced over the forgiveness he received.

God doesn’t keep score or expect us to make things up to Him when we’re wrong. Instead, He delights in restoring us. Psalm 32 gives us a portrait of the pain David experienced from his unconfessed sin. But later we get an opportunity to see the joy that can come when God forgives and restores. He wants to direct our steps. He wants to forgive us, restore us, and give us the greatest joy we can ever imagine. David found out that suffering in silence does not bring about forgiveness and restoration. David realized God was pleased with a broken spirit and a broken and humble heart. This is the kind of confession that brings deliverance and forgiveness. (Psalm 51:17 “My sacrifice, oh God, is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”)

David attributed the cause of distress to keeping silent and refusing to confess his sin. He first admitted that when he kept silent his bones became brittle or wore out in groaning all day long. The Hebrew word for groaning can also be translated as the roaring of a lion. In regard to human subjects, it could refer to groaning or anguished cries. When David opened up and acknowledged his hidden sin to God that led to a breakthrough. “I will confess” indicates David’s personal resolve to end the physical and emotional pain that came from harboring sin in the heart. David's confession was immediately met with God's forgiveness.

This Sunday we will unpack Psalm 32:1-7 and Psalm 51:1-19, and discover the freedom that comes when we sit in the shelter of God's forgiveness and profess our desire to live a life of victory, free of confusion, fear, guilt, and regret.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

We are in a three-part series called “What’s Next.” As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year launch anniversary, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. Sunday, we will look specifically at our remaining eight core values as well as look at what we believe as a community of faith. 

We Live in community –We believe Christianity is personal, but not private and is lived out and fully experienced in sharing life with others.

Every Christian is a MISSIONARY and MINISTER We believe God has called every person to proclaim the message of Jesus and serve in team ministry using their God-given gifts/resources.

The healing is in the HELPING –We believe the fullness of God’s healing in our life is experienced when we spend ourselves on helping others.

We’re blessed to be a BLESSING –We believe God blesses our lives to bless others and the more we bless the more blessed we will be.

PEOPLE matter to God –We believe in the value of every human being and take seriously the mission of reaching people for Jesus, locally and beyond.

Intentional radical acts of KINDNESS –We believe the best way to share the message of Jesus is with intentional and radical acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name.

Culturally RELEVANT and ENGAGING –We believe we should try to reach people in a way they UNDERSTAND and that ENGAGES the culture.

WHATEVER It Takes –We believe Jesus set the example and called us to live His mission whatever it takes, no matter the cost.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Last Sunday I began a two-part series called “What’s Next.” We have copies of our PVMV for you to have and follow along today. As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year launch anniversary, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. Sunday, we will look specifically at our remaining 8 core values as well as look at what we believe as a community of faith. 

We Live in community –We believe Christianity is personal, but not private and is lived out and fully experienced in sharing life with others.

Every Christian is a MISSIONARY and MINISTER We believe God has called every person to proclaim the message of Jesus and serve in team ministry using their God-given gifts/resources.

The healing is in the HELPING –We believe the fullness of God’s healing in our life is experienced when we spend ourselves on helping others.

We’re blessed to be a BLESSING –We believe God blesses our lives to bless others and the more we bless the more blessed we will be.

PEOPLE matter to God –We believe in the value of every human being and take seriously the mission of reaching people for Jesus, locally and beyond.

Intentional radical acts of KINDNESS –We believe the best way to share the message of Jesus is with intentional and radical acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name.

Culturally RELEVANT and ENGAGING –We believe we should try to reach people in a way they UNDERSTAND and that ENGAGES the culture.

WHATEVER It Takes –We believe Jesus set the example and called us to live His mission whatever it takes, no matter the cost.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

The Spirit of God was with us over three years ago as we first gathered in a living room for Home Church.  The Spirit is with us now in the stone chapel, where hundreds of lives have been saved since it was dedicated over 100 years ago. After standing empty, void of worshippers for the last few years, God had a plan to fill a once vibrant, beautiful chapel with His worshippers again and here we are.  While we celebrate the past three years of being in this chapel, it is exhilarating to think to the future about what God has in store for us next.

As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year anniversary in this sacred space, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. For the next two Sundays under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will look at what is next for Misty Creek. 

Grace and Peace,

Stephen