Last week I ventured up the hill behind the church again.  I had been warned that there is poison oak back there, but for some reason I felt as though I could avoid it.  Sure enough, a couple of days later I began to break out in itchy blisters.   Strangely, I had been wearing sandals and my feet were fine, but I must have it a low hanging vine because my face and neck were massively affected.   

One thing I discovered was that I am not alone in this experience.  Almost everyone I talked too had a story about how they had been affected by poison oak.  And, almost everyone had a solution of the best way to treat the sores.  From putting drywall mud on your skin to dry it out, to a specially formulated medicine by a local doctor (which actually worked quite well), there were a large variety of suggested remedies.  This is part of the power of being in community.  We all grow from our past experiences, good or bad, and gain wisdom from each other.   

This week we start a discussion group on The Shack.  In the introduction the author writes "I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships so will our healing, and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside."   (p. 11)  A church community is a gathering of 'wounded healers', to quote Henri Nowen.   It is through our own past of brokenness and hurt that we offer humbly friendship, conversation, and grace to one another.  

Last Sunday at church I brought up a few challenging questions.  You may have noticed, that I didn't necessarily provide all the answers.  For those who may have felt unresolved, perhaps the following will help. 

What do you do when Jesus doesn't meet your expectations?  This may seem to be a strange question to ask?  Does God always do above and beyond what we could ask or hope for?   We know he is able to do that, as the Bible states in Eph 3:20.  However, in the conxtet of this verse is the fact that Paul has suffered for the gospel (vs. 13).   

So, what do we do when Jesus doesn't meet our expectations?  From the Palm Sunday account in Matt 21 we are told that the crowd and the children welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as the coming king.   Yet, very quickly they find out that instead of confronting the Roman authorities Jesus confronts the Jewish authorities.  Jesus didn't do things the way many expected him to.  So what did they do?  

They crucified him.  

When we are disappointed or challenged we tend to lash out at others.  We can even lash out against God.   The amazing thing is that God is big enough to handle this, and still offers grace and redemption when finally come to the realization that God's way is better than our way.    Though Christ's first coming did not bring a world of peace and social justice, he brought ultimate reconciliation and reconnection with God.   His death was not just a good example for us, but provided forgiveness and an invitation for us to reconnect with God.   He did so much more than we can imagine, and has promised to finish His goal of bringing ultimate peace and justice in the future.  

Paul prays in Eph 3 that "you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."  While Jesus may not do things our way, or meet our expectations, we can be assured that we are deeply loved by God. So that in the future if God doesn't meet our expectations, what do we do? 

We trust Him. This is faith.

Yesterday was a deeply meaningful time for our church, and for my family in particular.  It was a great honor to be installed by our Assemblies of God District Superintendent James Braddy.  It feels good to be a part of something much bigger than myself, or even our local church.  I know that in my generation organizational structures and hierarchy is not as valued as it once was in the past.   Yet, it is great to know that the family of God spans throughout time and throughout the world. 

This is not to ignore the difficulties that structures can create, but to highlight the legacy of Christian leadership.  As part of the service which officially recognized my call to be the pastor of our Church, I was given a Bible, a towel, and a bottle of oil.  These symbols are a reminder to teach the scriptures, to serve others, and to follow boldly the leading of the Spirit.   It is my desire to never forget these symbols and to ensure that they will not just be memorials on the shelf, but to be a reality in my life. 

I felt deeply that we need to ponder the statement that Superintendent Braddy made about dreaming big and having a clear vision of where God was leading.  He followed that up by saying we shouldn't focus on the obstacles, but rather on the goal of what God calls us too.  I invite you to continue to pray and dream with me as we grow in our understanding of what that vision is for our church community.  

In Christ,  

Pastor Marshal 

House churches are becoming very popular in America these days.  For some this is a theological movement, a return to the 'early church.'  For others it is a rejection of institutionalized Christianity, which like so many other institutions these days has too often shown itself to be resource hungry and slow moving.  I recently read a blog post by the upstanding NT scholar Ben Witherington who explored early church buildings and concluded that the church met in a variety of places, but often adapted a hybrid structure of synagogue/home.  

I personally think that people are turning to house churches because they are looking to engage others in authentic relationships and to have a fresh, more involved experience in community.  Whatever the location, it is easy for church to become a passive, disengaged experience.   I understand that some people can sit quietly and yet be engaged.  In fact, I deeply appreciate a reflective/contemplative atmosphere in church, because in reality it is just as easy for someone to jump an shout, or even follow a worship leaders instructions and yet actually be disengaged.  

One of the best ways to be engaged is to contribute something in the service.  1 Cor 14:26 talks about members of the body bringing songs, words of instruction, revelations...etc. when we gather in church and Ephesians 5:19 talks about speaking together with psalms or hymns.  This week I encouraged us to be open to encountering God in worship throughout the week and to bring something to service this Sunday.  

I realize that it can be frightening to be vulnerable, and to share something in public.  A good friend reminded me today that God is much more interested in our growth than our comfort.   Please feel free to email me any ideas you have using the contact form on this website.  

If you are having trouble coming up with something, try some of the following ideas: 

1.  Read the Psalms until you find one that really hits you where you are at...use that one, or write one that is similar.
2.  Take thirty minutes at the beach to clear your mind.  If Jesus was sitting next to you what would you tell him?
3.  Take lunch by yourself, drive to a secluded place nearby and put on a good worship CD.   Listen to the words of the verses, does anything grab you. 
4.  Get out crayons and paper and draw for a while....as silly as it may seem, bring that and tell what it felt like to do something so childlike.