Thou Shalt Raise Thy Hands...What?

On November 21, 2021, I (Jack) preached about gratitude and thanksgiving. Not unusual for that time of year, however, the sermon raised a couple of questions, concerns, and even offenses—a preacher’s nightmare. So, I asked a number of people what they thought, and here’s what I’ve learned. 

First, I realized that I publicly called out a bunch of men, my brothers, in front of their families without first giving them the same opportunity I had to work through Scripture; something that took weeks and months of study, prayer, and patience. For that, I wish I could go back and deliver the sermon differently. Ever wish you could go back and articulate your thoughts differently to the people you love? I’m still working through that guilt and shame because of how much I love you, my church family, and because I want to be a good under shepherd. 

Second, I took too little time to work through the personal and sacred act of worship (orthopraxy), with an audience that I knew beforehand had a history of practicing differently for multiple generations. I thank God that His idea of shepherding us includes patience and wisdom...how I need and want more of that! And it’s not just our history that colors our theology. There have been movements of people/denominations with bad theology who have perverted the practice of praise. This has become a volatile topic because of how intimately connected it is to our relationship with God. And the way I spoke about such a sensitive and personal issue alienated some of our brothers and sisters. 

I am truly sorry for this, and can only ask for your forgiveness. Would you forgive me? 

Third, my delivery and emphasis covered up some of the important truths that makeup the doctrine of praise. One, God does not command that we raise our hands every time we praise Him. There are different expressions of worship and praise: singing, dancing, shouting, playing an instrument, praying (confession of guilt or truth, adoration, giving thanks), raising your hands, bowing, kneeling, and even lying prostrate on the ground. You can’t do all of those at the same time, nor is there any Scriptural basis to infer that all must be done every time you come to public worship. Whole books have been written on the practice of praising God from the Scriptures, and no man can preach it all within a single point of one sermon. 

I wanted to take this staff journal and a moment on Sunday to apologize for the way I communicated. I love God and you, and I want to do this right. So, December 12, we’re going to look deeper into worship and praising God. And we are going to ask: “Is the church commanded to praise God, and are there particular ways in which He desires each of us to praise Him, like singing or raising our hands in public praise?” That’s the real question, regardless of how much time it takes us to study and search the Scriptures. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jack

A New Perspective

I love to have epiphanies about something new and exciting that I had never realized before.  Or to look at something in a new and different way that gives it greater meaning.  Thinking ahead to Christmas, let me tell you about one of the discoveries that I recently found.

I have heard many times before that Jesus was probably not born on December 25th.  This makes sense that shepherds would have probably not had their sheep in the field in the winter, and that it would have most likely been after the harvest when people were available to travel for the census.  I often figured that Mary and Joseph visited Bethlehem maybe in the fall.  

Henry M. Morris, in Christmas: Pagan or Christian? writes, “Perhaps the most probable date, though no one really knows, is about September 29. This was the first day of the great Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, when thousands of pilgrims from all over Israel would go up to Jerusalem to dwell in small “tabernacles” or booths, commemorating their wilderness wanderings and anticipating the coming kingdom when God Himself would “tabernacle” with men (note Revelation 21:3).”  

This backs up my thoughts about the date.  He said something else though in this piece that caught my attention.  He said, “It is at least very interesting that, if one counts back 280 days (the normal period of human gestation) from September 29, he arrives at the previous December 25. And then he realizes that the great miracle of Christ’s Incarnation was not His birth, which was a normal human birth in every respect, but rather the miraculous conception, when the Holy Spirit placed that “holy thing” in the womb of the Virgin Mary! (Luke 1:35.) It was on that great day that the eternal Son, the second person of the divine Trinity, left the courts of heaven and “took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7)

I love this! By celebrating a winter Christmas, we are still celebrating when Christ came to earth.   It gives me an even greater desire to celebrate!  Christmas itself already means so much.  Now it means that much more.  I can’t wait to celebrate!  Maybe I will even start a new tradition of leaving a few of my mangers out until the end of September.

-Amy

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

Man, is this week going to be a doozy.  I have so much to do and I will never get it all done.  Have you ever had a Monday morning like this or maybe every day is like this!  There is a chorus in a song by country music group Alabama that goes like this:

I'm in a hurry to get things done

(Oh,) I rush and rush until life's no fun

All I really gotta do is live and die

But, I'm in a hurry and don't know why

There are so many times in my life that I am like this, and let me tell you life’s no fun. I do and go and work and never seem to get done all that I need to.  This reminds me of an article by Charles E. Hummel that I read when I was in high school and many times since. It is titled “Tyranny of the Urgent”.  In it Hummel makes a statement, “We have left undone the things which we ought to have done; and done those things which we ought not to have done.”  I don’t know about you but I am guilty of this often.  I know we all do this and let me tell you it is dangerous.  Hummel says,” your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.”  

The result of going, going, going and forgetting the important because of the urgent, is that we get run down and weary and still accomplish nothing.  That is exactly what satan wants us to do.  If we are weary and worn down, worried and depressed then we are easy prey for the enemy to pounce on and devour.  

A.E.Whiteham in his writing ”The Discipline and Culture of the Spiritual Life” makes this statement about Jesus:

Here in this Man is adequate purpose….inward rest, that gives an air of leisure to his crowded life: above all there is in this Man a secret and a power of dealing with the waste-products of life, the waste of pain, disappointment, enmity, death turning to divine, uses the abuses of man, transforming arid places of pain to fruitfulness, trumpeting at last in death , and making a short life of thirty years or so, abruptly cut off to be a “finished” life.”

Hummel adds, “His (Jesus) life was never feverish: He had time for people.” He could spend hours talking to one person, such as the Samaritan woman at the well. 

Jesus was a Man who also knew the importance of spending time with the creator. We are reminded of this so often in scripture.  Time with the Creator of all is an important part of life, so I challenge you, to not let the urgency of other things keep you from being still and quiet before God. 

But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalms 62:5-8

                                    Psalms 62:5-8

There is a writing by an author unknown to me but it has impacted me over and over again throughout my life that I would like to leave you with.

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will still talk to me today. You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me. Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day! Your friend and Father’ GOD. 

Together let us take the example of Christ and tend to the important rather than the urgent.

Pastor Sean

Name Dropping

Name dropping… It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s something I’ve done.  When you are playing at a music festival it’s easy to say “We opened for ‘such and such band’ last year”, or “’so and so’ in Nashville wanted to record our music”.  All I was really doing was trying to make myself look good.  I was expressing my worth in who I knew, or what band we got to play with. 

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that our worth is in who we know, or who knows us.  It’s also easy for me to put my identity in my accomplishments, or in my work.  I love my job and I’ve had examples in my life of people putting their identity in what they do.  But God has done a great work in me over the years and taught me that my identity isn’t found in who I know.  I am known by the King of all kings.  And God has taught me that I am not defined by what I’ve done, rather I am loved unconditionally.

I think this is why I’ve connected so deeply with a song called “Enough” by Elias Dummer.

 The first verse says,

I am not what I make I am who You have made me to be

I am not what I’ve done, I am loved unconditionally

I am not loved by the measure of love that I bring

I am not who I know, I am known by the King of all kings

This song has spoken so powerfully in my life, and it’s been a staple in my private worship. It has consistently reminded me not to find my worth in what I do, who I know, or what I accomplish.  It has reminded me that all other things are rubbish compared to knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior!

The 1st verse is a declaration of who we are in Christ, and the 2nd verse is a declaration of who God is.  The chorus is a prayer and declaration that Jesus is enough for me!  Even if I had nothing, with Jesus, I have everything.  The bridge declares that in Christ I am created, sustained, resurrected, and victorious.

We added “Enough” to our student worship ministry repertoire last year, and we led it at Life Change camp this past summer.  The students have also been greatly impacted by this song.  After numerous requests from the students to sing “Enough” in big church I put the song before our worship council for consideration in our Sunday morning repertoire.  And now, I’m so excited to sing “Enough” with you on Sunday mornings!  We’ll be introducing it on the 24th and we’ll sing it several Sundays in a row.  Here’s a link to the song so you can be learning it before we sing it together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIjkHkUmluo

I pray that “Enough” will be an anthem we can sing together for years!  Speaking of singing together… Grace, I love how you sing out on Sunday mornings!  This past Sunday, the voice of the saints was so loud it almost hurt my ears!  Keep singing church, keep singing!

 See you Sunday,

Pastor Kyle

From the Head to the Heart

Norm Macdonald was a famous comedian that I laughed at on TV when I was a kid (I didn’t grow up in a Christian home).

Well, he passed away last month (September 14, 2021), and I was shocked to read the transcript to one of his most recent interviews. Pay attention to how he speaks of Jesus and Christianity:

"Some people believe that man is divine, like kind of a hippie idea. I can't believe that because I know my own heart, and I know that's not true. Other people believe that we're wretched, like the cynics or the atheists would believe we're all just wretched nothingness, just animals, just creatures. I can't believe that. It doesn't make any sense, that we're just beasts. I will say that Christianity has this interesting compromise where we're both divine and wretched, and there's this Middle Man that's the Savior, that through Him we can become divine, but we're born wretched. I kind of like that one, because it sort of makes sense."

His conclusion was that Jesus and Christianity make the most sense—to which I say, “Amen!” But I wonder if that knowledge ever produced a change of heart and confession before God.

It is that same question that drives my prayers for the adults and students in our community. 

Am I too cynical? Are my concerns ungodly worries or holy concerns? 

In 1 Corinthians 8:1–3, Paul warns about a religious “knowledge” that puffs up a person—it makes them proud with self-righteous indignation. They think their knowledge makes them good or better than others (such an easy trap).

But if the truth doesn’t travel from our head to our heart, it never produces faith or love. Without faith it is impossible to please God or become saved. Without love, we are as useless and irritating as a noisy piece of metal—not God’s intention for any of us.

The truth is, God wants to work powerfully in our lives. But that only happens when we submit to Him fully—head and heart.

Would you join me in prayer that God would bring revival to Newton? And would you start that prayer with a petition for your own heart?

I look forward to seeing you all Sunday and continuing our study through the Sermon on the Mount—what a mountain of a Sermon!

Galatians 6:9-10,

Pastor Jack

Ragged Edges

In ancient times, during the time that the Old Testament part of the Bible was written, it was common practice to rip one’s clothes as a sign of deep emotions going on inside oneself. Usually, this was done as a sign of mourning for a lost loved one but could also be done as a result of suffering, anger, or a deep loss of some kind. It might seem like a silly thing to us to imagine but we are so removed from their culture and their time that we really don’t get the significance the same way they would have.

For me to rip a shirt of mine would be no big deal. I have like 20 more in my closet or in my dresser. That was not the case for them. An outer cloak, that they would have worn in public, was probably something the common man only had one of. He would have cleaned it regularly and the ancient Dave Ramsey philosophy would have been to save up for the next one before the first one fell apart and you had to dip into your emergency fund pouch. Rich men and kings would have had multiple robes or outer cloaks and they would have been extra fancy so that you could tell the person’s status from a long way off. There was also not a store that sold t-shirts on every corner like there is today. Each of these garments was hand made probably from wool. That means that a sheep would be shorn, the wool turned into yarn, and the cloak is painstakingly woven together. Even for an everyday man’s cloak, the process would have taken a long time. It was also labor-intensive and not a cheap process. Every craftsperson along the way took their cut of the final purchase price. I don’t know the real facts but it seems like something that you would buy once a year or maybe even every few years. People would know you from a distance by your cloak, maybe by the coffee stain shaped like Abraham Lincoln on the left shoulder or something like that.

So to rip this cloak would be no small thing. You might not have saved up yet for a new one. And even if you had you couldn’t just go to a clothing rack anywhere and get one. There might not be a person in your village that made them. You might need to travel two towns over and then if you were me you would have to wait for them to custom make one or add a foot to the bottom of one they were in the process of making. Even if you chose to sew and repair the cloak you ripped you would need to buy yarn, hopefully, something that remotely matched the color, and then spend the time sewing it back. The patch would never match the sun fading or that goat cheese stain that looked like Ghengis Khan. It would always be obvious where the rip was. 

Details aside the point was that it couldn’t be undone, covered up, or replaced quickly once you tore your robe. For some biblical examples of times, when this happened check out Job 1:1:18-22. Job’s 10 kids were killed in a building collapse and he “tore his robe” in grief. Also, look at 2 Samuel 1:11-12, or Genesis 37:29, 34-35 for another example. Joel 2:13 uses the imagery to communicate the spiritual principle of keeping a broken heart before God.

This imagery has been powerful to me at many times in my life. I believe that God often resides in the ragged edges of our torn clothes, or more correctly the ragged edges of our torn hearts (thanks Joel for the metaphor!). I know that God is everywhere all the time, this is not a statement of theology but of imagery, a helpful picture because of some of those ancient details.

When we have “Ragged Edges” in our lives or in our hearts they are sometimes pretty obvious. God is not a God of cover-ups and masks. He knows we are suffering and the pain we are experiencing. But often so do the people around us, no matter how well we try to patch things up or sew them back together. If we do that in our own strength or try to hide our grief it will still show up. If we cover our rips and tears skillfully maybe it can’t be seen from a distance, but to the skilled craftsperson, they would always be able to see. When our hearts are torn in grief it isn’t something that can be mended overnight, it might take multiple trips to multiple yarn shops to find the right patch. Or if the pain is big enough we might have to save our money and wait for the sheep to be shorn and the wool to be spun. We might have those torn clothes for a while. God does not mind this process and the length it takes. He lives in the “Ragged Edges” and gives us the time we need to heal. He knows how deep the hurt is to us because he knows us each so well. He is there with us in our sorrow and our grief, not always fixing it instantly, because He wants to live in those rips and tears. If for no other reason than that He is close to us and if we are looking for Him we can feel Him in the most painful parts of our lives. 

The picture of a tear in our clothes or hearts that God lives in also is such a great analogy for grief because there is an endpoint. If we let God do His mending or healing work then there will be a day when the garment is fixed. Either that or there will be a day when the new cloak arrives from the weaver. Sometimes we are silly and we keep wearing our old robes the ones filled with hurt and tears while the new one sits on the shelf. But if we are walking closely with our loving God I think we will be happy to put on the new robe. Maybe we will even shed a tear when the old one is thrown away because the memory of God being so close and residing in those rips will have turned into a special joy, a joy seasoned with hard things and only able to exist because God was so near. 

Once again this is an imagery and not a theology but I hope the picture of God living in the Ragged Edges that we all carry around from time to time can bless you. Know that God is with you, very near and close if you have pain in your heart. Also, let’s choose to be compassionate to those grieving around us. When they can’t hide the rips and tears let’s remind them that we have them too and that God is the great fixer of all things. Let’s remind them that God is near to them because He lives in the Ragged Edges of our lives and hearts.

Will 

Pastor of Connection and Care

HE is Worthy!

Have you all seen how beautiful the sunsets are here in Kansas? I have been noticing them more this year.  I marvel at the way God fills the sky with his radiant colors. Any time God fills the firmament, His creation reminds me how great He is.  

We all fall short of the glory of God. We are mere humans. I can barely grow a plant from a seed. I fail to love those around me as much as they need to be loved. Would I be willing to give my wealth or an organ to someone in need? I have definitely considered it, but if the situation presented itself tomorrow, would I actually follow through? I am not worthy.

But no one in Heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.  I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Rev 5:3-4

Our culture tells me that I should rely on myself, and that I should do what makes me happy. That doesn’t make sense to me. If I relied on myself, I would be let down. I can fail. Then I would be in despair. 

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep!  See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. Rev 5:5-6

HE is the one I can put my trust in. He does not fail. He is the one who paints the skies with blues that symbolize Heaven, reds that remind me of the atoning blood he shed, yellows which represent the precious gold of Heaven refined as we want to be, and white a symbol for holiness and righteousness. He is the Lamb who was slain. He. Is. Worthy.

I think this is the scripture God wanted to remind us of. As I was writing this, I switched to another online tab. I don’t know why, but I typed in “He is worthy”.  This amazing song came up which I have loved and it includes this same scripture from Revelations.

Chris Tomlin - Is He Worthy?

Let God be the one you rely on.  He is worthy.  Look at all He has made and what He has done.  We will worship Him because He is worthy.  Amen.

-Amy Thompson

Wake Up!!!

God performed a miracle in my life in 2007 that God used to teach and reteach me a few things.

When I was in the hospital I really remember very little so let me give you a partial timeline.  On Sunday Dec. 2, I remember going to the emergency room at Susan B. Allen Hospital, then they checked me into a room which I can somewhat recall.  I was there for two days and didn't remember anything until Tuesday.  On Tuesday (not knowing the day then) I remember riding down the elevator and being put in the ambulance.  After that my next memory is waking up in the ICU at St. Francis on Dec.10.  There was a whole week of my life that I lost and have no idea where it went.  Well I do now that I have been told.

During that week and a day I was living but was not really alive. I slept unconsciously through that whole time. This may sound bad but it is so true. What is even worse is that there are many people who live in this world but are not truly alive. This is true for those who call themselves Christians and those who don’t believe.

First let's talk about those who don’t know Christ.  They go through life living here on earth but have no idea that they are not truly alive. They work and play and do what everyone else does.  Then one day they will be awakened and will realize that they were living but were not really alive, because they did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. But by then it will be too late.

Now let's address something that is a little less obvious but a lot more dangerous.  There are many Christians who have life in Christ but don’t live in Christ.  They just unconsciously go through life. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  They think that, as long as they have Jesus in their heart and go to church on Sunday, and know they have a place in heaven, that is enough.   Well they have life but aren’t really living.  We are reminded in Romans 8:11 ”if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  The richness and fullness of life isn’t just something that God wants us to have in heaven, He wants us to have it here and now as well. That life comes from pursuing a relationship with Jesus and becoming like Him. Jesus says in John 13:15 “I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.”  We are to live as Christ did, by loving those around us and sharing His love.  We as Christians will be held accountable for the way we live and share our faith.  We are to live and try to be as Christ-like as we can every day, not  just on Sundays.  The only way to do this is to live by faith.  We are told in Hebrews 11:6  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 10:22 reminds us, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” We must seek Him daily to build our faith and then live that faith out.  As we draw nearer to Jesus our faith is strengthened not only for our own assurance but also to give us the fortitude to live that faith out.  That initial commitment to Jesus and acceptance of forgiveness and eternal life is just the doorway into life. God intends for that life to be so much more than a carrot on the end of the stick that we are trying to get to.  He means for that life to begin here on Earth in our physical life as we seek Him and draw nearer to Him, as we become more like Him.  This is a process that makes life so rich and incredibly satisfying. 

James 2:26 says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”  If we claim to have Christ in our heart but don't live like it in our daily actions and words and trying to draw closer to Christ and drawing others into the kingdom, then we are just alive in Christ but not living in Christ. True life comes in the here and now as we build that relationship with the groom who will one day return for His bride. ( A bride whom He desires to be full of life and joy and fully connected to and in love with Him.)

Remember we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God (1 Peter 2:9).  Let’s all remember that and be sure that we live up to that call of our Creator, Father, Lord, Savior and Betrothed. Lets live the life to which He has called us and desires to bless us with. 

ARE YOU JUST LIVING OR ARE YOU TRULY ALIVE?

THINK ABOUT IT, PRAY ABOUT IT.

Pastor Sean

Joy in the House of the Lord

Our youngest daughter was born during a hard season for Mary and I.  I stepped away from vocational ministry for a season after our church had gone through a massive split.  It was a time of mourning, and a time of trusting God in the hurt.  We gave Adelyn the middle name Joy.  She brought us much joy in that season and has continued to be marked with joy.  I pray for her weekly, that her joy would be contagious.  We’ve explained to her that happiness is situational and depends on your circumstances, but joy is much deeper than that.  Joy can be experienced in the midst of trials, in the midst of loss, and in the midst of suffering, because joy is anchored in God and in His gospel. 

As the world around us plagues us with fear, worry, pain, and loss, I’m praying that we as a church would be marked with joy, and our gatherings would overflow with joy.  Our newest song “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham is an expression of that joy.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqfV0zeEvT8 

We declare together, “There’s joy in the House of the Lord”!  In the midst of a pandemic and in the midst of the trials and challenges of this world there is joy in God and in His gospel!  The song anchors our joy in the eternal unchanging God who was and is and evermore will be.  It anchors our joy in our God who saves us by the cross and the empty grave.  In the song we declare who we were, beggars and prisoners, but now we are forgiven, accepted, and redeemed by His grace!   

May these truths produce joy in our hearts that overflows in our praises!  I pray this song would be an expression of our joy as we gather to worship the Lord together!  So, let us gather in joy on Sunday mornings as people who are forgiven and redeemed, worshiping the unchanging, eternal God who saves us!  As Psalm 100 declares, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” 

I love you church, and I’m excited to be with you on Sunday!

-       Pastor Kyle

Overlooking Pain

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook another person’s pain. You hear their story and somehow miss what’s lurking right beneath the surface.

That’s exactly what I did, and I had heard this couple’s story dozens of times. I never got it. I never put two and two together.

Let me retell their story: The guy met and married his wife after becoming what we could call, “established.” His new bride was beautiful and perfect for him. It was said that she was handpicked by God Himself!

However, their honeymoon phase ended quicker than most. It didn’t take long for them to realize that she could not get pregnant. Having children is extremely important and valued in their culture, so this was a devastating blow to their hopes and dreams.

So he prayed. He pleaded with God to grant them a child, and God did! Actually, He did more than they asked. Not only was she pregnant, but she was going to have twins! 

Now, doesn’t that seem like a happy story with wonderfully answered prayers? That’s how I understood it, but take a closer look:

“and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah … to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived … Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.” (Genesis 25:20–26, ESV, emphasis mine)

Now, I’m not great with time, but let’s think that through chronologically: Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40. They found out she couldn’t get pregnant, so he prayed until God granted them children … at the age of 60.

He prayed for his wife for 20 years! T.W.E.N.T.Y. Y.E.A.R.S. 

Have you ever had to pray for something you desperately wanted for 20 years? If I have to “wait” 20 days for an answer for my hurting wife, it feels too long.

My family has experienced a new kind of pain in our current season of life, and boy has it opened my eyes! (and hopefully my ears) 

Many people around me are hurting and experiencing varied amounts of pain.

Sometimes I hear a person’s story that includes God’s blessings or provisions, and I think “Awesome, what a great story.” But how often do I miss the “20 years” of hurting and waiting?

I’m so glad that God doesn’t overlook our pain! He sees every tear, hears every cry, and understands every struggle. He never misses it.

Thank you for how you have cared for us in our time of need. I appreciate the prayers, cards, gifts, and acts of service. You all have not missed it. 

I look forward to this Sunday as we continue to study through the Sermon on the Mount. I’ll see you then.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jack

Letting Go

"It's time. Let go. It will be okay."

Hmmm . . . that wasn't the answer I had anticipated. 

I'd committed myself to praying over something until God gave a clear answer. For awhile I thought God wasn't answering; this was a season of waiting. But I soon learned I just wasn't listening well. My stubbornness and pride were too loud to sense the Spirit's leading.

My answer came in an Elijah-esque fashion.         

"Then the LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Behold, the Lord is about to pass by.' And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.  " 1 Kings 19:11-12

Like Elijah's story in 1 Kings, I found myself in a desert place. God had just shown me his amazing power to provide and bring victory in some big ways. But I was physically and emotionally spent - like a runner who pushes past the finish line victoriously, only to stumble and fall. 

In my weakness I kept trying to push forward, up the mountain to get a better view. Maybe I could see what God was doing up there. I wasn't giving up! Like Elijah, God met me there. But he had to get my attention first. He had to compel me to listen.

First, came the mighty wind, cold and shocking. Next, came the earthquake, unsettling and scary. Then, came the fire. It was painful to say the least. Now God had my attention! 

What followed was a long period of silence - almost deafening, it was so quiet. I waited. I prayed. I sought wise, trusted counsel. I waited and listened some more. I learned to embrace the quiet. Then came the still small voice.

"It's time. Let go. It will be okay."

"But God, you don't mean . . . no, really?"

"It's time. Let go. It will be okay."

"But what about this? What about that? Who will . . . ?"

"It's time. Let go. It will be okay."

"How will I know if I'm hearing you right? What if this is wrong? Am I just giving up? Why now?"

"Trust me, child. It's time. Let go. It will be okay."

" . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ok, here goes . . . . I trust you. I'll let go."

I'm not sure what I expected to happen. A free fall? Everything to come crumbling down? Instead, I was met with the most amazing sense of peace. I'm not sure I have ever experienced peace quite like this! 

You might be wondering, what was this big thing you were praying about? What has God asked you to let go of?

Well, it’s kind of hard to say it. I really cannot believe I am saying it, but the Lord has led so clearly that it is time for me to end my time on staff here at the church. I’m letting you all know I have handed in my resignation and my last day will be September 17th . . . . Yup, that was hard to say!

I don't understand it, or the timing. I don't have any idea what God is leading me to next. I just know he is leading me out of my role here at Grace. And when God speaks as loudly (or softly) as he did, who am I to argue?

Honestly, stepping away will take as much courage as it took to step into my role. But, this peace . . . there's nothing like it!

Let me express my gratitude to you, the church. Over the past nine years on staff, I have been stretched and challenged. I have grown and developed in ways I never would have anticipated. You all have been so kind, loving, encouraging and supportive. I have been blessed to serve alongside you for the sake of God's kingdom. Thank you for all your prayers, kind and caring words, and love! My family looks forward to worshipping and serving with you each week, just in a different way.

To the staff, leaving you is hard. Thank you for your friendship, partnership, acceptance, laughter, and love. Whether we have served together for a lot or a little, I appreciate each of you. I will continue to pray for you, that God would lead and empower you in your kingdom work. 

Sorry, I know I'm getting a bit sappy here.  But truly, I have been so blessed and I don't want my leaving to be the focus. God is moving! His plans and his timing are perfect! I have complete confidence that he will lead and provide, even as he leads me away. 

I heard this phrase in a song on the radio that just seemed to sum up how I'm feeling about this change: "Not giving up. I'm giving in to what you've planned, for your glory."

I love you, Grace! See you Sunday!

For His glory,

Juli Dirks

An Old Injury

Hi, everyone! It’s Will again. I have really enjoyed these first months (almost 2 months) being part of the church and the pastoral team at Grace! We are so glad God has brought us here. Our kids just started school this week and that has been super fun.

In the moving process, I started having some pain in my left foot, did the stereotypical guy thing, and ignored it, thinking it would just resolve itself after moving was done. For a little backstory, I did break my tibia and fibula at the same time dislocating my ankle during an ill-advised rugby game during college. A group of students coordinated to pull all the fire alarms on campus at 1:30 AM at Moody Bible Institute where I attended. So why wouldn’t you play some rugby while waiting for the fire department to clear the dorms… Well, the bad idea part of it was playing in a grassy yard near a sidewalk. I will spare you the details of that, but, needless to say, I am used to some soreness in my left foot/ankle because of that injury. This new pain was worse than normal but I was busy on my feet working at Miracle Camp and was hauling boxes to a storage unit and loading trucks after hours. 

Everything seemed to line up that this was a temporary pain from overdoing it until a few weeks into working in the office at church it still hadn’t gone away and had maybe gotten worse. Wearing sandals was the only thing that brought any relief. I had to admit that it was bigger than resolving itself with rest and set up a doctor’s appointment. I did a little poking around on the internet as we all do now and got a little concerned because the evidence was pointing to a Morton's Neuroma. If you have no interest in googling that in layman’s terms it is a clump of nerve cells in the foot that get aggravated and it can become a chronic pain issue. My doctor confirmed that this was the case. I was honestly hoping that I had just broken a bone, the healing process is much more definitive for that. 

That leads me to why I would even share about a relatively small medical issue I am having. The issue itself is in the grand scheme of health issues is not that big of a deal. It’s not life-threatening but it is somewhat life-altering. I am sharing this to share how this is making me feel. I am honestly more discouraged about this than I should be. It is making me think diverse thoughts about things like “how much will I be able to play actively with my kids'' and “how hard will it be for me to stay healthy exercising?” It is making me feel a little down because I am feeling age creep up on me and give me unavoidable hindrances to what “I wanna do.” Now I know that some of you older than me or with much harder to manage health conditions are thinking “this guy has no idea” and you are right, I know I don’t have it bad. But this highlights one of the great benefits of having a community, having people around you that know you, and even positive peer pressure. Knowing some of you and the real health issues that some of you have to deal with keeps my pity for myself in check, if I were more isolated there is the chance that my issue leads me to think too much about myself and see it as much bigger than it is. I also have already received some good advice about how to manage this from a brother here at church that deals with the same issue. I wanted to share my little life episode with all of you hoping that if you don’t yet see the value in connecting closely with other believers that you will consider giving it a try. Part of the ministry of our Community Life Groups is for us each to have people at church that know us well, know how to encourage us when we are a little down, and share life’s ups and downs together. Building trust, sharing small things like what I did today can be the avenue to caring for people really well when something big happens.

Community Life Groups are so important because to have people that we feel free sharing not just the medical issue we are having, but how it’s making us feel usually only happens when we have people we really trust to share with. This usually only happens when we know them well and have spent significant time with them. If any of you are wondering why I am so consistently shameless in plugging Community Life Groups here at church it really is because I deeply believe that they are that valuable and worthy of every mention I can give them. Thanks for listening!

Will Regier

Pastor of Connection and Care

"They Will Run and Not Grow Weary"

“Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary

And His understanding not one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

And increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

And young men stumble and fall, 

But those who hope in the Lord

Will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles,

They will run and not grow weary,

They will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

I was walking across the back field, as winded as can be.  I had been sick for the past few days.  I couldn’t believe how run down I felt.  While I was bent over trying to catch my breath, my dream from the night before popped into my head.  In my dream, I had been running...for miles and miles.  I didn’t feel the least bit winded. It felt great, like I could just run forever.  Then God brought to mind this verse…”They will run and not grow weary”.   

My condition at the moment was such a stark contrast to what I experienced in my dream.  It made me realize how dependent I should be on God.  He will renew my strength.  I will walk and not be faint.  In my times of weariness, when things of this world feel like an immeasurable weight on my back, I can put my hope in the Lord.  He is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.  Even at that moment when my legs were weak, I felt the joy of knowing the strength God gives us.  I could not help but smile.

When I have an argument with a loved one, I will take a moment, step back, and remember who I put my hope in.  When I feel like I can’t take my daughters to any more doctor appointments, I will think about how it will feel to “run and not grow weary”.  When I start to worry about what the world will be like for our offspring, I will pray that God will give “strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak”.

Thank you Lord for giving me such a tangible way to feel your love, now and forever.  Amen.

Do you feel weary sometimes?  Are the stresses of this life a weight that has you out of breath?  Consider Isaiah 40 this week that reminds you to put “your hope in the Lord”, for He will “renew your strength”.

-Amy Thompson

Wait I Say Wait!

Psalm 62

I know some of you know me only by name, and others have met me and talked to me, and some of you know a little more about me because you have known me for other things in previous years.  No matter how well you know me I just wanted to share with you a little bit about my family's  journey to Grace and what I learned in the process. 

A little over six years ago the Lord laid on my heart that we were to move to Minnesota from Kansas to live out our faith up there and touch lives he put in our path.  It was a hard word to receive at that time and even harder to say yes to and go.

I would like to say that it was all great and fine but that is not the case.  There were good things that seemed to be in line with what we thought it would be but there were things that happened and results seen that were not even close to what we thought the move would be.  We had hoped that we would have an impact on family and acquaintances up there that would show fruit or transformation of lives but that was not the case. What we did get is signs of hearts softening and a little crack appearing where light had not been able to get through before.  We saw God move in some lives and not in others. We built relationships that will last and others that were for a season. But that is the way God works, He draws us in and out of relationships, stages of life, and places in order to shape us, use us, teach and grow us.

About ten months ago God released us to move if we so desired. We were ready to move back to Kansas and here we are.

 The move back has had a drastically different feel and progression than did the move to Minnesota. When we moved there we knew that God had directed us to go there for a purpose but the time was undetermined. The move back was a choice that we decided to make after we felt released by God that we had done what He had sent us there to do.  So Susan and I decided that’s what we would do, move back to Kansas. We knew that if we wanted to do this with the approval and blessing of God we needed to give it to Him and allow Him to direct it. We chose to claim Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course and the Lord establishes his steps”

When we gave it to God it started a sequence of steps that we had never imagined. Not only did God start setting the steps but he began to teach and grow us.

As we were allowing God to direct and lead us we would tell ourselves that we must wait on God, we need to be still and wait on the Lord, but that was hard to follow.  Personally I kept trying to find a job and a house to no avail. I would tell others and myself that I was waiting on the Lord but I would not let Him have it. Everything I pressed in on and pursued just became either a shut door or and or something that fell apart. Then Susan heard that waiting on the Lord was not passive but active.  Not active in the sense that we need to knock on doors or run down leads it means that there are set things we should do when we are waiting on the Lord.

I came to realize that I knew these things but they were the things that are so common and were taught so many times throughout my life that they became mundane and pressed to the back of my priority list.

I learned that waiting means a myriad of things.

When we are waiting on the Lord we are to: 

        -Be still (in our hearts/spirit) and look to Him on high.

        -Wait and trust God’s timing.

        -Wait and trust God’s goodness.

        -Wait by taking the right actions:    

        -Humble ourselves before God.

        -Pray.

        -Read. (The Bible and writings of others)

        -Be expectant.

        -Be patient.

        -Be hopeful.

        -Wait and learn to be content.

These are all things that I have known but let life get in the way of.  They are great for waiting on God but they are also good for everyday life.  If you are like me, I am always trying to get ahead of God because I am impatient and like to control my own decisions and direction.  

Waiting is hard because I feel like I'm not doing anything. John Piper says that to us waiting is wasting but to God waiting is working.

I am going to try and remember this the next time I am asked to wait on God.  I challenge you to wait actively and not passively.  

“If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts: for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for.  The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.  The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.- Charles Spurgeon

Pastor Sean

Resensitize

I love song writing!  I haven’t written any songs that are well suited for corporate worship. No, my songs are more like sermons.  I love creatively expressing my experiences, my convictions, and my passions through songs!  It’s cathartic and it’s fulfilling.  I’ve only shared my songs a few times since moving to Newton 7 years ago, but I’m looking forward to sharing them again on Friday night, August 13th in the worship center.  We’re calling it “Songs and Stories” as I’ll be sharing about each song before playing it.  To whet your appetite a little, I want to share a little about a song I wrote called “Resensitize”.

This song largely came about as I reflected on my own heart, and how I was growing used to hearing people use the Lord’s name without actually talking about Him.  I used to cringe when I heard people say “Jesus” or “God” in frustration or anger.  I didn’t like that I was used to it, and asked God to work in my heart to bring me back to a place where I once again was disturbed by the misuse of God’s name.  While I wasn’t tempted to misuse the Lord’s name myself, I still felt like I was losing something.  The world bombards us consistently with propaganda telling us how we should think and act, but I want to be shaped by the Holy Spirit and by God’s word.  I don’t want to be desensitized; I want to be resensitized by the Holy Spirit.  This song is somewhat of a prayer when I see that I’m getting comfortable with the world around me, and finding that my heart is becoming calloused.

Resensitize

When did I get so desensitized to all around me

How do I get back to where I once was before

Cause I used to be offended by the things I’d see

But now nothing seems to phase this calloused heart

And I know, I need You now, to resensitize me

I’m surrounded by a culture that is slowly fading

Trying not to be sucked in, but it keeps pulling

All this propaganda telling me to tolerate

It keeps numbing my conscience

And I know, I need You now to resensitize me

Desensitized by all these lies

Open my eyes and make me wise

And now I see, and realize

That I need to be resensitized

I love you church!  I’ll be out of town this Sunday and Andy Friesen will be leading worship.  I’m looking forward to being back next Sunday!

-Pastor Kyle

Working Out Your Salvation

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:12-13 NIV

This verse may seem to suggest that salvation requires works. Indeed, it is sometimes used by those who believe thus.  Later in his same letter to the Philippians, Paul rejects any such teaching. Phil. 3:2-11.  Even a casual reading of scripture produces many verses that do not support that idea (Jn 5:24, 6:37, 2 Cor. 5:21, Eph. 2:4-9, etc.).  So, what does it mean to work out your salvation?

Paul did not say to “work for” your salvation.  Instead, you are to “work out” your salvation, that is, put into practice in your daily living the things that the Holy Spirit is producing in your life as a result of God already having saved you. It is focused on what we are to do with our salvation.  God worked in your life to even give you the will to surrender to him and now we are to produce fruit for his purposes.  

Another way of saying this might be; if your salvation is real, then you should be serving God with your actions.  There are two parables that Jesus gave that support this idea of God expecting a return for his work in your life.  In the “gift of talents” parable (Matt. 25:14-30) the owner (God) clearly expects a profit in return for the talents given.  And in the “parable of the ten minas” (Luke 19:13-27) God is the investor.  He gave the same amount to each one, who then were judged on the gain they produced with His gift. 

So, how are you doing?  Have you found your place of service to “work out your salvation”?  Check out the board in the foyer for opportunities to do just that. 

Serving God this way is not drudgery but is an act of worship with gratitude in your heart for what He has done in your life. Being within the will of God in this manner brings fellowship with the Spirit, feelings of fulfillment and joy of heart. For those of you who have already found your spot, you know what I am talking about. May God continue to bless you greatly as you serve Him.

Allen Graber, Elder

Change That Changes Me

"When you are walking with the Lord, change is always in your favor."

I can't remember where I heard this quote, but it stuck with me . . . literally. I mean, I put it on a sticky note (which is how I manage in life). Every once in a while I glance at it and mull it over. It's really a comforting thought.

Life is always full of change, but it seems the last couple of years has brought an abundance of it. When I'd feel upset, uncomfortable, or overwhelmed by the change coming my way this thought would draw me back to a healthy perspective.

"When you are walking with the Lord . . . " That's really the key! God is unchanging, which is a great, anchoring truth and helps me keep my focus when change feels like chaos. As I stay in tune with him, in line with his Word and his way, I can trust that this change is under his supervision. Whether he planned it or allowed it, he's promised he's using it for my good and his purposes (Romans 8:28). This reminds me to strive to keep my connection with Jesus strong and consistent. He will strengthen me through the uncomfortable uncertainty of change when I'm devoting myself to his way (2 Chron. 16:9a, one of my favorites).

". . . change is always in your favor" - I love this part! I know I can trust that whatever purpose God has for the change, it will be for my benefit. He will grow and mature me, especially if I cooperate with him instead of complaining, arguing or resisting (Romans 5:3-4, Philippians 1:6).

This doesn't necessarily make me want to shout, "Bring on the change!" But, really, I can totally have that attitude. As Pastor Jack shared this past week, I can accept change I don't choose, embrace change that grows and changes me, and pursue change as I pursue the Lord.

What change are you experiencing? Can you face it with confidence that this change is in your favor? I hope so!

See you Sunday, church family!

Juli Dirks

Small Groups Are Not a Small Thing

Hi everyone! If you haven’t met me yet my name is Will Regier and I am the new Pastor of Connection and Care here at Grace! My wife Steph and our two kiddos Isabella and Malachi just moved here a few weeks ago from Michigan. We have been enjoying getting to know many of you and the almost Michigan-like summer temperatures. Thanks also for the meals, the handshakes, the hugs, and the help moving! We know there are plenty more of you to meet and we are very much looking forward to doing so.

One of the things I am most excited about in my role at Grace is the Community Life Groups ministry. Much of my drive to work with the Community Life Groups come from our story as a family. We have faced many health challenges, spending four of our first five anniversaries in hospitals, when things seemed darkest, often the greatest light was the Christian Community we had in our lives. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book Life Together says,

“The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile see in the companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God. Visitor and visited in loneliness recognize in each other the Christ who is present in the body; they receive and meet each other as one meets the Lord, in reverence, humility, and joy… But if there is so much blessing and joy even in a single encounter of brother to brother, how inexhaustible are the riches that open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians!”

I can echo those words in the life of my family! By God’s grace, we are now much more healthy but I pray that we never lose the joy of good Christian Community we learned in those darker days. If we have been in a small group with you then you have been part of that testimony in our lives. I am so excited about pouring my time and energy into this ministry at our church because I know firsthand how much of a difference it can make, and I know from the wisdom of the church and my mentors how important it is for the everyday life and health of the body of Christ. 

One thing we will always need is people who are willing to lead Community Life groups. I want to dispel some myths for you if you have ever been hesitant to lead a small group. You do not need the perfect house, be able to give a perfect lesson, have perfect children to watch other people’s children, and be able to make the perfect baked goods. Hospitality is important and so is being able to keep a discussion within boundaries but primarily it is about the willingness to join in life honestly with other people who love Jesus, to connect over the most important thing we share; not over whether our interior decorator is Joanna Gaines or our 3yr old and his Hot Wheels. Please, if you know someone who you think would lead a Community Life group well or if you feel God tugging on your heart to lead one, reach out to me! We have training throughout the year and we can pair you with an experienced leader to get some practice in. Look forward to GroupLink, August 22nd which is our 2021 launch of groups for the year. 

I will leave you with some parting words again from Bonhoeffer in Life Together,

“Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.”

Passing the Baton

Change is often bittersweet. These past few weeks I have lived in a funny place bouncing between excitement and sadness. With each passing day, I am more convicted in God’s call to homeschool in this season of life. Yet, it is hard to leave this role and the staff team that has been a huge part of my life for the past 2 years.  

I am so thankful for the many amazing experiences that have come with working in children’s ministry and it was God’s good plan that my last big task would be Summer Quest. What a great way to end my time here! 

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for this ministry, me, and my family. I have been truly blessed to serve along with you all. Don’t worry, this is not a good-bye! My family and I plan to continue attending and serving this church that we love.

Now, on to the fun part! I am beyond excited to share with all of you that Amy Thompson has been chosen as the next children’s ministry director! She has faithfully served in children’s ministry for the past 2 years and has a big heart for kids learning about Jesus. I can’t wait to see what work God will use her for! Be sure to congratulate her when you see her.

Church, join me in praying for Amy, her family, and the children’s ministry team as she begins her role on July 6th. 

With gratitude, 

Casey Teater 

Outgoing Children’s Ministry Director

Great News!

It's always fun to share great news, and that's just what I want to do today.

First, let's celebrate together the arrival of our new Pastor of Connection & Care, Will Regier! He and his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Isabella and Malachai, arrived in Newton last weekend. They are getting settled, and Will is starting in the office this coming Monday. We are excited for him to join the team! They'll be around this Sunday, so be sure to say hi if you see them.

Second, we're excited to announce Sean Gardiner as our new Student Ministries Pastor! Yay! Sean brings a true passion for youth ministry, as well as a ton of creativity, wisdom, and experience which is sure to be a blessing to our youth and our church. He and his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Sayge and Scotlyn, are moving to Kansas at the beginning of July. Sean will start in the office on July 12.

It's been fun to see how God is providing for our church! This past year has brought its fair share of change, transition, and uncertainty. But God has been faithful to provide and sustain us through it. Thank you for your prayers!

We look forward to seeing you Sunday as we continue our way through the Sermon on the Mount.

Blessings,

Juli Dirks

Executive Director of Ministries