When God Came Down

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Feliz Navidad! Happy Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Buon Natale! However it is said, it is a familiar greeting around this time of year. The closer we get to December 25 the more frequently it is heard; especially if snow is falling. For many, this time of year is about giving and getting presents, decorating our homes with red and green and lights, giving to charities, and having family over for a feast. However we celebrate it, Christmas has become a favorite time of year around the world.
Why do we celebrate the birth of one baby with so much enthusiasm after more than two thousand years? The child that was born that night only lived until he was 33; He had no wife or children. He was the son of a carpenter from a small, backwater town. His mother’s character was no doubt called into question due to the speed of her first-born’s arrival after marriage. He was not a warrior that won battles that we could see. He did not discover medical cures that we could prescribe; He did not lead a great nation or leave a legacy of great art or music. All he did was show up, and this fact changed everything. Lying in that manger on that cold night was God himself in the form of a vulnerable, weak infant. He was fully man and fully God; willing to trust this young couple to help him grow and deliver the message and the gift he came to give us.
I can think of no other religion whose deity came down from on high to be among the people of the earth. The Mountain did not go to Mohammed, Mohammed went to the mountain. The Budda was a man who ascended to heaven. He did not return. Vishnu and Brahma reside in the heavens and see no reason to visit the lower castes on the earth below, and God’s chosen people, the Jews, are still waiting.
He came to us. God: the one who created the universe, the planets, the cells in our bodies, everything. He loves us so much he decided we were worth saving. God came down on Christmas day and changed the world, one person at a time. Think about this astounding act as you wander the mall looking for the right gift for aunt Joan or uncle Joe. As a matter of fact, think about it as you are cleaning up the wrapping paper and putting away all that red and green and tinsel until next year. Think about it in July when you are waving sparklers in the air and in August when you are swooning from the summer heat. Never forget it. He came to us so that we could someday be with Him.

Laundry Day

Laundry Day

I was thinking the other day that.......

Going to church is a lot like doing the laundry. Think about it, Once a week all the grime and stains of the previous week are cleaned away and forgotten, Then you are given a warm, fuzzy feeling and all fluffed up!

You know what I love most about doing laundry? When you get the clothes out of the dryer and lay them on your couch or your bed or whatever and do a FACEPLANT right into the middle of the pile! That smell and that warm feeling pretty much sums up how I feel when I get out of church. All that great static electricity flowing off of me from the Spirit! It's awesome. I just wish I could keep that warm fuzzy feeling and that energy all week. Do you feel the same?

What if I told you there is a way that you can? Would you want to know about it? Would you use it?

That's what the Abundant Life Church website and blog and upcoming podcast are all about; not to mention all of the other great resources out there that lots of hard-working people have put together. We want to give you the energy and the good feelings you get from going to church all through your week. How many of you have gotten to the middle of your week and you notice that your growling at your kids and you're cutting people off in traffic; Everyone who crosses your path is in danger of receiving some of your bad attitude? (Raise Hand). Even my dog stays clear of me when I get like that.

Yeah, that's me. What I finally discovered was every time I start to feel like that If I spend some time alone with God listening to worship music, or a good podcast by one of my favorite pastors or doing a Bible study, I can get my mind off of how lousy I think things are and I can get my focus back on God and all the great things he's done for me; and what he wants to do with me.

So, here's what I propose: for one week spend one half hour smack dab in the middle of your week reading this or any other Christ-centered blog or going to a Bible study website and searching for answers to a question you have, or just reading your Bible. Then come back to church on Sunday and tell someone about it. Or, tell everyone about it. Did it help? Remember, it only takes 21 days to make, or break a habit. This is a good one to make.

Sometimes it's Hard. But sometimes you Win.

The last few years have marked extraordinary changes in my personal life.

Yes. I closed a chapter of my life, the one where I lived in the Pacific Northwest, about 50 miles south of Canada, eh?

How did I close that chapter? I prayed, out loud, to God. I asked for his help.

Oh yeah right.. I think we all do that from time to time. But this time God answered. In a big way.

At the time, I was not a "Christian." I was not "Saved." I had not been to a church, any church, for over 25 years. At the time, I didn't have any personal grasp of the depth behind words like Christian, Saved, Baptized... let alone the mind-boggling concept of Jesus.

To make a long story short, God paved the way for unbelievable coincidences that... even 'Vegas bookies wouldn't lay odds. I was able to find a 'high-tech' job in Chico, CA - the same town where Sean, my 17-year-old son lived with his mother. And it's a true thing: I needed to spend more time with Sean. I was able to sell a sailboat that I'd called 'home' for nearly a year - this, in a down economy, when it hard to even 'give away' boats. Never mind sell them, and walk away with any amount of money.

And then, once I'd moved to Chico, CA - I met my wife-to-be. The most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world (yes!). In so many ways, we're perfectly right for each other. Yet we never would have met, noway, never... except for my desperate prayer. MY prayer that God answered for me, personally to ME, back in those dark days of my life in January, 2008.

I think back to my old life, and all I can do is weep with joy. Indeed: God had a plan for my life, and was there to respond: to help when it was time for change. And YES - So much has changed for me. WOW!

Oh yeah... back to the topic of this post: What the heck is all this weepy-eyed preamble? What does this have to do with "Sometimes it's Hard?"

Okay: it's like this:

Last Monday was my birthday. Yahoo! I was able to get together with my son Sean and my wife Catherine, and we all went out to dinner. The three of us spent a grand evening chatting about my son's plans for college, his struggles with learning to drive a car, stuff about his girlfriend, and more. But somewhere during all of that, I was able to say:

"Sean, the best present you could give me for my birthday would be... could you come to church with us one day? See me and Catherine up there on the 'Worship Team,' playing guitar and singing? That would mean like, really a lot to me. Okay?"

To my Serious Surprise, he said: "Okay, sure!"

Hard? YES it was hard. I don't know where I found the courage to ask my son to come to church. Honestly, I didn't want to test the waters of religion with my son, especially considering that my own personal 'enlightenment' had been so recent. And to date, my son and I, we've shared nothing of ... of just how much my involvement with Church and God means to me. I mean, how much it means to me, personally.

Maybe that's the next hard topic for the two of us to share. Maybe a father-son 'bonding' time yet to come. And yes: I think him and me will 'win' that one too.

Win it? Yes. In fact, I know it.

Thank you, God.

I Proclaim

If you weren't with us in church on Sunday you missed it. Of course, I say that about every Sunday. Especially the ones I miss. Pastor Robin of Almond Blossom Fellowship, the wonderful folks we share our awesome building with, was our guest speaker. I always love having guest speakers. It shakes things up a bit and gives you a new perspective on what might be old material. Or a new perspective on new material as the case may be. Pastor Robin definitely gave all of us a new perspective. Flashing from one Bible verse to another, he expounded on our need to know who we are in Christ(2Cor 4:13). I can't recall the last esoteric moment I spent wondering "who am I, really?" Usually the face in the mirror identifies itself every morning as yuk and my day goes on from there.

Listening to Pastor Robin has inspired me to rethink that morning ritual for a very important reason. That's not how God sees me. He tells us through the Word who we are and its not a good idea to disagree with His Word (Rom 10:17). So, who does God say we are? you will be surprised. Pastor Robin also gave each of us a page of proclamations. Bible verses that tell us how Christ sees us and therefore, how we should see ourselves. I am attaching a copy of it here for you to read. Robin says we need to find the ones that the Spirit speaks to us through, stand in front of our mirrors and proclaim them over ourselves. Probably not the most comfortable thing to do but, do you really want to argue with Jesus?

Check these out

I am covered by the Blood of Jesus and I abide in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1)

Your angels have charge over me and will keep me in all of my ways bearing me up lest I dash my foot against a stone (Psalm 91:9-12)

I have authority to trample serpents and scorpions and over all the powers of the enemy and NOTHING shall by any means hurt me. I will rejoice, my name is written in the book of life. (Luke 10:19-20)

Every place my sole treads on my Lord God will give me (Joshua 1:3)

I will resist the devil and he MUST flee from me (James 4:7)

I am a son of the Most High God, Co-heirs with Jesus. (Romans 8:16-18)

I am more than a conquoror (Romans 8:37)

I have the mind of Christ (1Cor 2:16)

I walk by the Spirit and my mind is controlled by the Spirit. (Gal 5:16 & Romans 8:6)

Lord you have called me and are Faithful to sanctify my spirit, soul, and body and keep me blameless at your coming. (1 Thess 5:23-24)

Lord you equip me with everything good to do your will. (Hebrews 13:21)

I thank you Lord God that I belong to You and that you have chosen me to be part of Your Royal Priesthood and part of Your Holy Nation. (1 Peter 2:9)

By God, I am righteous, through faith in Jesus the Christ. (Phil 3:9)

My prayers are powerful and effective because I am righteous. (James 5:16)

Righteousness goes before me and prepares a way for my steps. (Psalms 85:13)

No weapon forged against me will prevail. I will refute every word that accuses me. (Isaiah 54:17)

I am an overcomer because the ONE who is in me is greater than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

As your chosen child, holy and dearly loved I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

I will not grieve for the JOY of the Lord is my strength. (Neh 8:10)

I will not be terrified because You, God go before me and fight for me and you, God carry me. (Deut 1:29-30)

Eeyore and a New Day

I hate mornings. Too bright. Too many chirping birds. You got noises like the trash men knocking over the garbage cans on the way to the truck; an army of landscapers busily clipping and trimming; and LEAF BLOWERS! It’s just too early. Where’s my coffee? Oh yeah… did I mention it’s too early?

The funny thing is, It's usually in the morning, on my way to wherever, that God gives me the greatest clarity. He shows me what a beautiful place he created for me to live in. He reminds me of all of the great things in my life and how far He's brought me on my journey home to Him. I just wish it didn't have to happen so darned early!

For some of us, however, mornings represent the beginning of just another day in which we make the same old mistakes and feel the same old pain. You know the ones. All those past mistakes and missed opportunities and lost people that you are sure will haunt you for the rest of your life.

What if it didn't have to be like that? What if it wasn't another day, another dissapointment. My favoite cartoon character is Eeyore. I have several of these blue, downtrodden donkeys displayed in my bedroom. My family knows that if they want to make me smile, just give mom an Eeyore and she'll be fine. You see, whenever I look at that blue face I remember that life doesn't have to be an instant, ready-made dissappointment.

What if we changed our minds about what the new day held in store for us? Revelations 21:5 says “Behold, I make all things new.” and Lamentations 3:23 teaches us that “Great is his faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning.” What if we took God at his word and believed that each morning was a new chance and all the old habits and old pains really were wiped away just like your windshield wipers clear away the early morning dew? Now that's something to look forward to even if it is still pretty darned early.


CW

Welcome to a New Day for Our Church!

It was one year ago this week that our Abundant Life Church of Chico held its first service here in Chico, California. A year ago, our Sunday worship services were held in the homes of our members. Humble surroundings? Yes! But those early days made it easy to see the enthusiasm and joy that was swelling in our small congregation.

Much has changed as we've grown. We held Sunday worship at the Holiday Inn for a few months, and then other places as our needs changed. We've been blessed as our worship team has grown to add singers, and then a guitar. The depth and timbre has improved with a professional sound system, and more recently, a beautiful keyboard that can also provide pastel musical backgrounds to the sermons. But make no mistake: when we raise our voice to sing in worship, we can rock the house!

Much has stayed the same as we've grown. We're still small enough where everybody knows your name. We all still pray for the needs of the families in our congregation, and celebrate the blessings given us with our strength through God and Jesus Christ. We have shared in weekly Bible Study, and we've had a summer Baptism service. We've shared the fellowship of boating at Black Butte Lake. We've shared special reverence, joining together to sing 'Silent Night' at a very special Christmas service. And drawn together by the strength of our faith and the worship of our God, we go forward to share so much more.

This is our church: and it's thrilling to be a part of this initial period for growth and evolution. This is our church, and it's our chance to help shape and guide its growth. This is our church, to fill our needs, as we all grow and deepen our relationship with God.

At this early stage, now is a great time to join with us! If you're new to Chico, or are looking for a different kind of church, you are welcome. Bring your friends and family to worship with us. Be a part of our community. And help us grow to become a beacon of Christian light in Chico's community!

Our services are informal: wear clothes that are comfortable for you. We believe that God, and God's presence in our lives should be celebrated. We SING songs in both worship and praise, and we're not afraid to sing, clap and shout out our joy. We all have the NEED to celebrate the blessings that God brings to our lives, and our CHURCH is the place to do it.

Guided by pastors Peter and Gay Chapman, we are truly blessed by their inspiration and leadership in our church. Pivotal in the success of churches in their native Australia, they have now started ministries in the American Southwest, and have finally answered the calling to form our Abundant Life Church here in Chico, California. With their own children in middle- and high-school, pastors Peter and Gay easily relate to the unique needs of professional, middle-age families here in Chico.

Reach for God, and God will answer. The fact that you're reading this BLOG, right now, may be a part of the reach you need to make in your personal life.

Join us next Sunday. Or any Sunday: you will know when the time is right for you. This is indeed a New Day.