Laser Focus During Challenging Times

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. Galatians 3:26 NIV

It’s already been a challenging week. It’s Monday. Bouden the Brave lost his fight against cancer today. He was the 10 month old son of a neighbor. Our subdivision tied red ribbons around our parkway trees to honor him. A young, vibrant twenty-something husband, father of two beautiful daughters died today from a heroin overdose. I will officiate at a funeral tomorrow of a woman who died from complications of COPD just one month short of her 55th wedding anniversary. Friends, I believe we can all have weeks like this. Life can be overwhelming and it can feel like an avalanche of bad, terrible or challenging things will come pounding down to overtake us. 

We who are in the church have a responsibility to believe, live and share the message of Jesus Christ. It is the only message that can bring hope to the hopeless world and establish a sense of purpose and meaning to the experiences we all will face from time to time in this life. As a pastor, I am committed to come alongside those who are suffering. I took an oath to uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ. I preach,teach, admonish when necessary and equip others to serve Christ with their whole heart. It is my privilege to challenge Christ followers. We cannot become satisfied with merely sitting by watching people stumble through life without direction or understanding the love of God. He who created the Universe loves them so much he would go to the lengths of putting himself through the grueling ordeal of human death so that we might live the perfected life of eternity with Him. This role is not limited to clergy. It’s a divine mandate to all who believe. 

There is no other gospel that can save us from our sin. The gospel saves us from ourselves. It removes any human endeavor to mess it up and remains the truth for all time. We can do nothing to save ourselves. Salvation is a gift from God. Through the miracle of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, I become a daughter of God and share in his inheritance. I am numbered among those who were chosen from birth to capture the hearts and minds of lost people with the love of Jesus Christ.

The temptation to believe some other gospel seeped into the early church the same way it tries to seep into the present day church. Humans are by nature ‘earners.’ We are tempted to believe we must earn our salvation by doing something. There are lots of reasons why we do this. Perhaps it is the internal  complicit guilt we all share or the desire for control we seem to love more than the truth. Maybe it’s because we secretly believe we’re somehow better than those who suffer.

But, imagine what could happen if the Followers of Jesus Christ worked to fulfill all Jesus commanded us to do. Imagine the love of God enveloping Bouden’s heartbroken parents. For just a few moments, allow the love of God to saturate your heart and consider the hearts of the confused family and friends of heroin users. Remember that each and every one of us will stand at a graveside and bury someone we love. What we believe has eternal significance. The gospel is never more real than when we face the truth.  

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

The Making of a Champion

"There is no passion to be found playing small--in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."-Nelson Mandela

I believe there is a great temptation at work in our world plaguing us. It’s the temptation to quit, pull back, disengage or to simply give up. 

1. A mother simply gives up. Her child begins to test her limits and has become difficult to manage. She begins to believe she’s not a good mother because she doesn’t have the skills or knowledge to deal with her child.  She listens to the critical voice within which begins to criticize everything in her life: her appearance, her marriage, her friendships and sometimes her very reason for living.  

2. A veteran fitness enthusiast finds excuses not to workout or go to the gym. The workout equipment has an inch of dust on it and making healthy choices about what to eat or not to eat is no longer part of the mealtime routine. The time once dedicated to working out, walking with friends or preparing meals is spent watching television or mindlessly searching the Internet. Websites become more interesting and there is a great temptation to linger.   

3. A seasoned Christ follower begins to look elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment. A once vibrant spirituality becomes dull. Intimacy with God is no longer the intention of the heart but a personal desire to ‘feel good,' clouds the mind like a late afternoon Summer thunderstorm. Instead of being surrendered to serve Christ with their whole heart, soul, mind and strength they now shift their focus inward. Ultimately, the disconnection with God leads them astray. As they seek connection from another source they become critical of others and blame them for their discontentment.

The temptation to quit, pull back, disengage or to simply give up is common to everyone.Some may even call it our human nature. But, as Christ followers we are not left to deal with our shortcomings, failures and sins alone. Apostle Paul may have understood how powerful temptation can be and how temptation works. In one of his letters to the Corinthian church he writes: no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with this temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.’ 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate—our coach. He is our constant companion. He is our source and ever-present help in time of need. But, sadly most Christ followers don’t engage in developing a robust relationship with Him. I wonder if it’s because we have this indelible attitude of 'rugged individualism' and believe that somehow we can do things by ourselves. Or maybe we are convinced that once we’ve invited Jesus in our heart that’s good enough. Even though Jesus was invited into our heart does he live there? Do we continue to live as citizens of the world or realize Jesus Christ has made no real or lasting impact in our personal lives? Maybe nothing really changed. We can act like that rebellious two-year old who defies our loving parent’s guidance because we are convinced we can do whatever is set before us on our own. We resist the very guidance, wisdom and purity challenge we need. Our heart becomes hard, we defy Jesus’ authority, rebel and finally drift away from the source. 

Meditation Practice: Consider the following suggestion as an act of true defiance. Get comfortable. Relax, close your eyes and breathe deeply for a moment. Now imagine what God intended for our relationship with Him and the world. Imagine for a moment how much more fulfilling our spiritual lives can become if we simply yield, earnestly repent and humbly ask for his help. 

The Holy Spirit is available to fire up any weakened spiritual immune system. Yes, there is temptation to quit. But, during training every athlete overcomes the temptation to quit and heads toward the finish line with hope to one day arrive on the podium of champion status. We are spiritual champions in training. We too must tap into the source to kindle our passion, to strengthen our belief and to keep us on the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit can be the coach we need for this and so much more. Remember, no temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to all of us. 

We are in this Christ-centered life together. It is hard work. Ask others for parenting clues. Find a workout partner or try a new sport. Engage in daily practices like personal bible reading, prayer or fasting. This Sunday we read more about Paul and the moment his ministry takes off as a missionary. The Holy Spirit fires Paul up for the long road ahead. You will want to invite someone to come with you on Sunday so you can keep each other accountable to what you’re about to receive. I pray the Holy Spirit speaks to you about the work he has for you to undertake! See you Sunday.

As they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul to the work I have called them to undertake. Acts 13:2 NIV

The Making of a Champion

The Summer Olympics will be hosted in Rio this year. In August, the world will be watching as champions make their journey to that illustrious podium where others have taken their place with the gold, silver and bronze medal winners.  I've already caught the Olympic fever as I watched athletes muster all their grit during the US Track and Field qualifying rounds.  Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines a champion as someone or something (such as a team or an animal) that has won a contest or competition especially in sports or someone who fights or speaks publicly in support of a person, belief, cause.  But, we all know that becoming a champion encompasses much more than being first to cross the finish line.

 So, what sets a champion apart?

 Gazillions of dollars, euros, pounds, rubles and yuan are invested trying to discover what can give the victorious edge to win gold. I believe the Olympic athletes are some of the most researched people on the planet. Researchers gather data on everything from their diet, exercise, and eating plan to their personal relationships, mental toughness and support networks. Sponsors, trainers and competitors search for the 'golden solution." But, sometimes the best athlete doesn't win. Circumstances can develop during the competition that can give someone an opportunity to make their dream a reality. The television networks figured out years ago that audiences love to hear the stories and backgrounds of the athletes.  We all want to discover what sets these champions apart from the rest of us. Maybe we can learn something from these amazing people that applies to our own personal lives.  

 What could happen if we became 'spiritual champions?'

 Imagine what it would take to become a 'spiritual champion.' Imagine what it might be like to live into God's vision for your life and become a chosen instrument for the Kingdom of God. Practice, discipline and spiritual gifts are essential but so are spiritual mentors, friends and faith communities that can support you along your way. How do you know what can take you to the next level spiritually? Who challenges you to get over yourself or your situation in order to live a powerful, robust, spirit-led life of Kingdom influence? What training efforts will develop your spiritual arsenal against the plans of the enemy? Let's discover all this and more together.

 This weekend we kick-off our final sermon series of the Summer titled The Making of a Champion. Of all the people in the Bible, the apostle Paul is perhaps the best example of a 'spiritual champion.' We will investigate his personal life, his transformation and his impact as the early church began to influence the world. We will read about the development of Christian character as Paul's story expands into the cosmopolitan world of the Roman Empire of the first century. We will read from the book of Acts and several of Paul's Epistles. The world is in need of more spiritual champions for Christ. What lasting impact will you have on the next generation? Your legacy is important. You don't want to miss any of this new series. See you Sunday.

 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.  I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:16-18 NIV

We Are Not Afraid to Embrace

As we finish up our final week of our sermon series ‘We are Not Afraid’, we hope that God has opened your heart, mind, and soul to not fear the other, to listen, to welcome and to embrace.

I know as we started this series, I was uneducated and unaware of how vulnerable a refugee truly is and how I thought I could not make a difference. However, I see that there are simple ways that we can indeed make a difference by loving God, loving the other, and changing the world one step at a time.  

If we simply begin with prayer then God will lead us each individually on our next step.

This week we will learn how to embrace the other. One way we can further our knowledge and understand how to welcome, listen and embrace the other is by learning more.

The following books are great starters:

• Seeking Refuge: On the Shrore of the Global Refugee Crisis 
• Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens
• Christians at the Border by M. Daniel Carroll
• Fear of the Other by Will Willimon

If you missed this week's Refugee Forum, check out our podcast here to listen and learn more.

As a church, we desire nothing more than for you to grow spiritually and grow deeper in your faith. That is why we purchased something called Right Now Media which is the "Netflix of Bible Studies and Resources". This is something that we offer free to you and your entire family. There is a book on there called I am N, as well as a variety of other topics for youth, children, marriage, leader studies, and more. 

You will receive an email next week inviting you to Right Now Media. Be sure to register through that email or you can register here for free. 

HOW CAN WE HEAR THE CRY OF THE NEEDY RIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY?

As we finish, this series, we continue to learn and grow and reach out to others. Please consider purchasing school supplies for our Giftmart families. Amazing relationships have formed with our schools over the past few years and the families we have met are near and dear to our hearts. Pray and seek how you can contribute to these students and families on the margins.

The list of supplies can be found here. Please bring the school supplies in to any campus and drop them in the marked boxes by August 8.

We Are Not Afraid To Welcome

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:17-19 NIV

Recently, a woman mentioned she felt like she was missing something. I could tell she didn’t know exactly what was missing. She came to me for advice because she felt an uneasiness had crept into her heart like an unwelcome guest. A void within her had been created and she wasn’t really sure how it happened. As Western Christians, we are primed to believe we are to do something in response to our feelings. For example, the voice in our head or someone we respect prescribes we read more chapters of the bible, pray more, attend worship and serve more often. It’s almost as if we expect that doing something is a magic pill that can reduce our anxiety and make us feel better. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to just feel better. I want to be better. The only way I can be better is to focus on my intimacy with God. 

For those of you who can identify with my friend and feel like you need to do something: Wes Griffin, CEO of the International Leadership Institute, suggests there are ways to develop intimacy with God. Here are some questions to help with a personal inventory:

1. Have I settled for a spiritual life that is superficial and shallow? 

Shallowness or superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant gratification is primarily a spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a great number of intelligent or gifted people but for a deep people. (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.) 

2. Have I used the excuse that I am too busy to develop a robust spiritually invigorating relationship with God? 

Failure to prioritize God because of the tyranny of the urgent can leave us running from deadline to deadline with no time to develop relationships. Intimacy is developed from a deep spiritual place of necessity much like the air we breathe or water we drink. 

3. Do I truly know God?

Information can be a cleverly disguised idol. A focus on information instead of intimacy with God will eventually leave us empty. We can study biblical theology, Christian history, the creeds—even the bible itself and yet not experience true intimacy with God. Knowledge about God is not the equivalent of having a deep, meaningful relationship with God.

4. Have I practiced humility with God?

Unconfessed sins like unbelief, unforgiveness and disobedience can lead to spiritual train wrecks. Sometimes life doesn’t go the way we want it to go. Answers to big questions are illusive. We attempt to take control of a situation only to jump the train from the tracks. Disgust, failure, blame, resentment, anger and a host of other emotions come and sit alongside the wreckage. Humility can renew our right relationship with God. Forgiveness is key. 

For those of you who identify with my friend and feel like you need to try something new: do nothing. 

Stop trying so hard. Simply notice your emotions without judgment, blame or guilt. Once we quiet the anxious, rebellious, ‘do something’ mind we can recognize how foreign we truly are to the ways and means of God. I believe it is God’s will we live an intimate spiritual life with him. He must be the first priority of our lives. We can then be open to his purpose and plan for our lives. We can accept he’s God, trust him and live as foreigners in his land of grace, humility and forgiveness. Foreigners. That’s who we are! We don’t really know the first thing about grace. Grace does’t belong to us. We did not invent it. But, we are meant to receive it. Once we receive grace ourselves, we can allow it to flow through us toward others. Could a love for foreigners actually be generated from God? To love a foreigner may mean we learn to accept there are things we can change and there are things we cannot change in this world. We are not God. This is a foreign concept for some of us. But, the benefits of this wisdom have eternal significance for us and others.

Sunday, we welcome Keith Draper from World Relief at our Naperville campus. We will also host an International Potluck and Forum following worship in the Community Room. Our own Faith Promise partners Randy and Susan Roberts will share what’s happening in Jordan with their ministry to refugees. Corey Ashley will challenge us to discover God’s style of hospitality. Invite someone to come along with you. Listen. Learn. Be challenged. Be loved. Be amazed. Maybe like my friend, you may find what is missing in your own spiritual life among other foreigners. See you Sunday.

We are Not Afraid to Listen

"Our problem in regard to fear, is that we fear the Other more than we fear the God who commands, "Love each other." - Will Willimon

Fear is such an intense feeling in our lives that can be harmful or helpful. It can get our adrenaline going and get us out of a tough situation. It can also paralyze us and keep us stuck from moving forward.  

Is listening one of those things we fear in life?  

Do we have a natural inclination to hear others?  

Are we open to meeting strangers and hearing their story?  

Can we hear the cry of the needy?  

I am reading a great book, that I would highly suggest reading, called Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love by Will Willimon. We may very well be born in sin, which includes a fear of the other, but we are also created in the image of God. 

Willimon says, "Lest we speak too negatively of our genetic evolutionary inheritance of fear-or-foe and flight from the potentially threatening Other, we also ought to note the neurological evidence that we are hard-wired for social interconnectivity as well."

Science writer David Rock cites research that shows when we experience a threat we (1) think less clearly, (2) have difficulty receiving and assimilating new information, (3) make mistakes in perception and interpretation, coming to false deductions, and (4) tend to respond negatively to situations, focusing on the downside and taking few risks. 

Our fear of others closes us off from hearing them, learning about them, responding to them. Yet, our God is a God who hears the cries of all his people. And we as Christians, are called to hear the cry of the needy. How can we set aside our fears long enough to listen?

Come to worship this Sunday to learn how we don’t have be afraid to listen.  It is one of those first steps we can make. This Sunday we will hear from Emily Gray, the Executive Director from World Relief in Oswego and Rev. Kim Neace in Naperville.

LEARN MORE

Next week, July 17, we invite you to bring your friends, neighbors, and family to Naperville at 11:30 a.m. for an International Potluck/Refugee Forum, where you can learn more about what we can do together to care for the refugee.  

We will host Keith Draper from World Relief, Randy Roberts one of our Faith Promise Partners, and Corey Ashley, our resident theologian. Sign up here to bring an item for the potluck.

"Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

We Are Not Afraid

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”― William Wilberforce

There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out all fear. I John 4:18

I know very little about refugees. I don’t have any friends that are refugees. Before Bill and I visited Jordan last January, I basically got my information about refugees from the media. I’d already made up my mind about how I felt about people immigrating to the US following the catastrophic attacks in Paris. I watched several news shows about the migration of Syrians to Europe and the tragic stories of families lost at sea running from the atrocious actions in their country.  I’ve traveled to the Middle East on numerous occasions. I love the people and the culture of the Holy Land but felt that the US needed be cautious about allowing large numbers of people into our country. The depth of my knowledge could’ve filled a thimble. 

While in Jordan working with Syrian and Iraqi refugees, I received an invitation to attend The GC2 Summit hosted by The Billy Graham Institute. The GC2 moniker is a symbol for The Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Both initiatives were entrusted to followers of Jesus Christ. I invited a few of our staff members to attend the conference with me. The general response was overwhelming. The organizers moved the conference venue to Community Christian Church in Naperville to accommodate those willing to take a full day to learn more about refugees and wrestle with how God may be calling the church to respond. You may watch video from that conference here.

Major Evangelical partners for the event included, The Billy Graham Center for Evangelism (BGCE), the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College (HDI), and LifeWay Research. The gathering on January 20, 2016, focused on equipping Christians and churches to connect with and serve refugees and refugee communities both domestically and internationally. This event featured top speakers like Rich Sterns (World Vision), Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Community Church), Rick Warren (Saddleback Community Church), Christine Caine (A21), Stephan Bauman (World Relief) and many others who used biblical principles to help Christians and churches better understand their responsibility to show and share the love of Jesus Christ to refugees and their communities. On December 17, 2015, over 100 denominational, network, and non-profit leaders signed the Christian Declaration on Caring for Refugees: An Evangelical Response as a first step toward answering the call of Jesus Christ and this humanitarian disaster.

I felt Christ’s call to do something. It was His voice speaking to me as I listened to each speaker challenge me. My first priority is to learn the facts and then share them with others. I believe it is the Holy Spirit’s role to ignite a passion within you for lost people but you must decide for yourself to step up and do something. The July message series is titled 'We Are Not Afraid'. We will discover biblical refugee stories, learn more about refugees and pray about what we believe God is calling us to do in response to the refugee crisis. There are several events planned to help equip us during the sermon series. Wheatland has partnered with World Relief to offer two options to learn directly from the experts. Bring your favorite international dish to share with others at the forum where World Relief representative Keith Draper, our own Faith Promise partners from Jordan and our resident scholar/theologian Corey Ashley will be available so we can ask real questions and learn together. 

July 10, Oswego campus will host a World Relief Experience Day with Emily Gray, the Executive Director of World Relief. Invite friends to attend and learn with you. 

July 17, Naperville campus will host a World Relief Experience Day and International Potluck Forum with Keith Draper. Invite friends to attend and learn with you.

World maps will be present at both locations during the month of July. You can learn more about our Thumbprint Project here. "It may be more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier.", UN Force Commander Major General Patrick Camembert. Learn more about women and children in crisis. 

Some people may question why we are venturing into such a controversial topic this summer. I believe it is God’s call for us to pay attention to our neighbors. After all, isn’t our Wheatland Salem vision statement to Love God, Love others, Change the world? See you Sunday as we kick-off our We Are Not Afraid month!

Stay Hydrated

He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. Psalm 107:35 ESV

Most of us have the luxury of being able to fill a glass of water from the tap and drink it. Some of us can pack a glass full of ice and get cold water from the dispenser located on the outside of our refrigerator at home. I guess it’s a first-world problem when we complain about the icemaker freezing up or if we recognize the little red light reminding us the water filter needs to be changed again. I bet you could tell me a story of how refreshing a cool drink of water felt on a hot day after mowing the lawn, riding rollercoasters all day at a theme park or after playing soccer for hours during a weekend tournament. Isn’t it interesting how parched we can get while just lying on the beach or fishing for hours from the boat? 

Every summer we hear harrowing reports from people who miraculously emerge from being lost in the wilderness. Try to imagine the astonishing effects of water as it quenches a shriveled body that has been wandering in the desert for days. Intense feelings of desperation and then exhilaration come to mind. The human body cannot go very long without water. Our lives depend on it. Thirst signals us when we are depleted. It is the body’s early warning system. We can feel tired, cold all the time and lose our mental concentration. Dehydration can be dangerous over time. We put our major organs at risk and the complex systems designed to keep us humming along at optimum health become stressed or irritated without sufficient water. But, we don’t have to wander in the desert to experience dehydration. Physicians and researchers tell us many of our chronic physical ailments are due to insufficient hydration. I’ve known more than a few people who returned from the doctor’s office visit disappointed because their physician told them the solution to their problem was to drink more water. So, let me encourage you to listen to the doctor. Drink more water.

The wilderness can be a desolate place filled with chaos and danger. But, it’s not limited to a geographic location. The bible refers to the wilderness as a spiritual metaphor where people learn to trust and rely on God. I've felt isolated and desperate more than once as I wandered through a spiritual wilderness on my own. But I can assure you the wilderness can also be a place of spiritual refinement and where we can find God. I know I did. My time in the desert taught me many things. For a refreshing perspective, I included a video from Ray Vanderlaan titled Walking with God in the Desert. ***  Ray is one of my favorite biblical scholars and teachers. I met Ray in Israel while I was teaching about the variety of Temple stones at the base of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. I hope you learn something rejuvenating from Ray.

Sunday is the last message from the Summer Survival Guide Series titled Stay Hydrated: the Practice of Being Present to God. We will celebrate baptisms at both campuses this weekend. How refreshing. Isn’t God good? See you Sunday. Stay hydrated.

***https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AjnnhKVqsw

Hello Stranger

1. Are you a natural at beginning conversations with people you do not know? 
2. Can you talk about issues rationally, defend your beliefs, and be open to the perspectives of others among strangers? 
3. What is the most important thing you learned from a child, teen or young adult you do not know?
4. Would your loved ones describe you as someone who listens well to others?
5. Whose advice do you follow?
6. Would your friends describe you as a good friend, and introduce you to their other good friends?
7. How have you made amends toward an individual or a people group you misjudged, hurt or harmed, even if unintentionally?
8. Have you ever been prompted to talk with a stranger and ignored it?
9. Do you look for opportunities to talk with people about your practice of Christianity?
10. Do people earn your trust or do you offer it freely?

Summer travel puts us into contact with strangers. Most of us will have a one-time encounter with people at the campground, airport or gas station and never think twice about it. Other times, an unknown person can make a lasting impact on our lives. Uninvited guests can upset everything or they can become a welcomed intrusion. We can be introduced to way more than we bargained for when we are open to strangers. I believe Abraham and Sarah had no idea what was about to take place as they offered hospitality to three strangers who visited their camp. The Lord God was at work building a foundation of faith that would change their lives forever.

Imagine what may happen if your next encounter with a stranger garnered eternal significance. Whose life could be altered toward Kingdom building goals? What might God begin in you? Connected, devoted and generous Christians understand that every encounter can have the potential for eternal significance. Join us Sunday for worship or attend a small group. Invite your dad to come with you for Father’s Day. It is a day of celebration. We honor the great men in our lives and will hear more about Abraham and Sarah. Maybe you’ll meet someone you don’t know along the way and your life could be changed forever. See you Sunday.

"Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14 NIV

Get Lost

Bill and I watched an episode of Man vs Wild last night. A guy by the name of Bear Grylls got lost with his camera crew in the Red Rock country of Utah. The scenery was spectacular. Bear gave us an up-close and personal 60-minute survival course on how to overcome the obstacles of being lost for several days in the remote area of the Mohave Plateau. Bear instructed us as his survival expert audience. His purpose for this extreme classroom experience was to equip us so we could survive in these extreme conditions for days as we meandered our way back to civilization. This episode included biting a live Garter snake in two and using it’s guts for fishing bait. Extreme, yes, but that’s what life is all about in the wild.

Most people hate getting lost. Unexpected delays, remote detours or wrong turns down one-way streets can escalate rapidly into emotionally charged situations.  I can vividly recall stories of getting my head ‘bitten off’ for merely suggesting what direction we should go. Few of us want to back-track fifty miles of interstate because we missed the turn. Married couples have fought about which direction to take since we emerged from caves, so this is nothing new. Have you ever stopped to think about why we wig-out when we get lost? It may have something to do with our vulnerability.

Vulnerability is the state of being open to injury. Being vulnerable makes us susceptible to being wounded and leaves us open for attack, criticism and temptation. So, how we deal with our own vulnerability depends on how we are equipped to deal with situations that emerge in real life not just extreme conditions. Life is unpredictable. We cannot control anyone or anything. As followers of Jesus, the only control we are authorized to develop is self-control. So, developing a sense of peace and calm in the middle of a tense situation or extreme conditions takes practice. In order to get to the expert level—we need to put ourselves into harms way so we can practice what we learn and be tested.

Abraham and Sarah

Two characters in the Old Testament carry as much clout as Abraham and Sarah. The stamina of these two old people is truly inspiring to me. I can only imagine how these two fought with each other daily about the obstacles they faced. God is too loving and compassionate to give a blow by blow account of the behind the scenes look at their travels. I could only imagine the reality show of what life was like with these two biblical heavy weights on the road. I can totally relate to them. As someone who’s been married for almost nineteen years, I know how selfish I am. I know how controlling I can be and how much I try to avoid being vulnerable. I love having my way or discovering the winning answer. Sometimes I want to put my ideas on a banner and run down the middle of the road claiming to the world I had one good idea. I am tempted with the notion that just once I could shout, “I told you so!” I believe I could sit and drink iced tea with Sarah. We could talk. We could laugh. Sarah is known for her laughter.

Imagine how getting lost can actually build our faith in God. It helps us practice the art of being vulnerable. We can become open to outcomes we could not imagine without God. Faith in God helps establish where exactly our help comes from and how living out faithful obedience can be the most exhilarating way to live life in the extreme conditions we face daily. Eugene Peterson writes about faith in this way: The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. (Hebrews 11:1-2 The Message) Abraham and Sarah are certainly distinguished. They are credited with righteousness because they trusted God and headed out in a general direction. They were open to outcome. Eventually, God made a covenant with Abraham that continues to effect us to this day. 

Get lost and get off the beaten path is the third Summer Survival Guide practice we will talk about Sunday. The story of Abraham and Sarah might also inspire us to soften our hearts toward those who are lost and don’t know it. The job description Luke identified for the Jesus comes to mind: For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10 NIV) So, go ahead and get lost. Try something new. Be open to an outcome only God could imagine. You might be amazed what happens along the way. See you Sunday.

Active Rest

Active rest was infused into the fitness industry years ago. Active rest means that during your exercise or workout, instead of sitting on a bench to rest, you are doing one of three things: (1) stretching, (2) hydrating, (3) fine tuning your form. Active rest is sometimes referred to as active recovery which means you are improving your body while you're working not just after.

What we do during our rest time matters whether we are exercising or taking a break from our labors. I don't believe for one minute God intended people to just sit back and do nothing for Sabbath. I learned from a great teacher in Israel that Sabbath was meant to 'soak in God's Word and presence with your family.' WOW! Now that's a lot different than 'refrain from work.' As I listened to the teacher share his insights, I imagined my family gathered together at a meal. We shared personal stories of triumph and challenge anticipating input from the people gathered around us. We also read God's Word and learned to apply God's thoughts and standards to our situations. It is easy to envision but magnificently unrealistic in my situation. I have some training to do if I truly want to honor God with my rest.

One way to interpret the Creation story is to think of the Sabbath Day as the ultimate pinnacle. Sabbath can be the summit where we connect with God and a sense of accomplishment for all our labor. Genesis 2 records it this way: By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:1-2 NIV)

The WOW Factor

The summit is a place of active rest and where we can experience 'the WOW factor.' We can take it all in. Physically, our body is stretched. We become acquainted with an intense need for oxygen and we are very much aware of the vigorous labor required to reach the summit. Mentally, our heart and mind may engage with the breath-taking view from the summit. The expansive beauty of the surroundings can fine-tune our emotional, psychological and intellectual status. Spiritually, some people discover they experience an awakening or much needed sacred reset. The summit can help us accept reality. Our triumphs or challenges are small things in comparison to the great things of God.

To journey beyond the summit would be impossible without hydration. Water replenishes the complex system of the human body. Elite athletes and weekend explorers alike empty water containers or guzzle Gatorade restoring balance to the body's depletion. Water has enormous significance in God's Word. Water wipes out the sin of the earth in Noah's story found in Genesis. Water is divided for Israel's crossing from slavery and separates them from the Promised Land in Exodus. Water cleanses mundane things like cups and makes them holy in Leviticus. Later in God's epic narrative, water becomes significant to followers of Jesus as an initiation into the New Covenant. Remember your baptism and keep it holy. 

Survival Practice #2 is the practice of saying no.

Redeem your Sabbath time this summer. Determine now to say no to mindless scattered wandering through the weekend or long-anticipated vacation. The summer months are prime time for us to rest, relax, and refresh. Be intentional. Find meaning and purpose in accomplishments before moving onto the next. Take a second look at things that may have turned out differently than you expected. Treat your vacation as holy time to draw closer to God and perhaps find a way to include Sabbath practice more frequently into your life. God knew from the beginning we would be tempted to define our worth in our accomplishments. God's desire is for you and me to draw closer to him and experience his love for us as sons and daughters. From the summit of his loving presence, everything pales in comparison and we can bask in his 'WOW factor.'

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." Exodus 20:8 NIV

Welcome Summer!

Summer officially begins Memorial Day Weekend. Students and parents are set free from the demand of daily assignments and stressful schedules. Some people go to the lake and others take long anticipated vacations. This Summer we hope to inspire you to experience God in new ways and not let your faith take a vacation. We will identify practical ways to grow your faith and grow more devoted to God as you go to the beach, on a road trip, or grill in the backyard. This series is based loosely on Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World.

Disrupting the normal rat race routine can be the best thing for us. Many people say nature is the best place to experience God. Most of us move so quickly through our regular routines that our surroundings become no more than the blurred scenery we fly past on our way to somewhere else. We pay attention to the speedometer, the wristwatch, the cell phone, the list of things to do, but while on vacation it becomes easier to live in the moment and pay more attention to the present.

We’ll look to the story of Jacob this Sunday as he travelled far from home and was amazed to encounter God in a new way. Imagine setting out for your destination and upon reaching a certain place along the way you decide to stop for the night. You watch the sun set and turn-in for a good night's sleep. During the night, you have a dream. Not just any dream. God speaks directly to you about how to make a direct connection with him.  Jacob experienced God in an unexpected and supernatural way. Jacob was fleeing for his life, away from his father's house, burdened with the choices he made and ignorant of the fact that God was near him and wanted to save him. A ladder was Jacob's direct connection with God like Jesus Christ is our direct connection with God. Jacob awoke from the dream and consecrated that space as holy. He secured the profound meaning of his experience by making an altar and a vow.

Could a similar experience happen for you this Summer? The last place most people look for God is right under their feet. God is close. He is in the everyday activities, accidents and encounters of life. Ask yourself what significance a trip can make to your faith. Could your soul be affected by experiencing God outside your normal routine? Consider the crises that always develop as opportunities for God's grace to work. May you wake up with a renewed sense of God's presence in your life and commit fully to his loving provision of everything you and your family will ever need.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth. Genesis 28:20-22 NIV

Love's Redeeming Work

'Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? (Charles Wesley, 1739)

Early Days

Charles Wesley was the eighteenth child born to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He was born prematurely in December 1707 and appeared to be dead. He lay silent in the midst of the clamor of the Wesley household for weeks. Charles survived infancy and later joined his other siblings for daily classes with his mother, Susannah, who knew Greek, Latin, and French. He learned methodically along with the other Wesley children for six hours a day. Charles then spent 13 years at Westminster School, where the only language allowed in public was Latin. He added nine years at Oxford, where he received his master's degree.

Into Adult Years

While at Oxford University, Charles formed the Holy Club. John Wesley joined the Holy Club after his return to Oxford University in 1729. Holy Club members fasted until 3 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays, received Holy Communion once each week, studied and discussed the Greek New Testament and the Classics each evening in a member’s room, and visited (after 1730) prisoners and the sick. They each systematically brought their personal lives under strict review. The members of the Holy Club were called "methodists." In 1735 Charles and John, ordained clergy of the Church of England, set out as missionaries to the colony of Georgia.

Crisis of Faith

The missionary expedition to Georgia was a failure. Charles experienced a crisis of faith and was in deep need of conversion. After returning to England, Charles taught English to Moravian pastor Peter Böhler. Peter prompted Charles to consider the state of his soul more deeply. May 1738, Charles began reading Martin Luther's volume on Galatians while recovering from a serious illness. He wrote in his diary, "I labored, waited, and prayed to feel 'He who loved me, and gave himself for me.'" He shortly found himself convinced, and journaled, "I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoice in hope of loving Christ." Two days later he began writing a hymn celebrating his conversion.

Musical Theology

Charles could be considered one of the founders of contemporary Christian music. Hymn singing was very important to the evangelical revival in the eighteenth century. Hymns became a means of expressing joy and teaching scriptural truth. Charles Wesley's hymns often paraphrased scripture as well as the Anglican Prayer Book. Charles was said to have averaged 10 poetic lines a day for 50 years and was able to capture the universal human experience in singable lyrics. He wrote 8,989 hymns, 10 times the volume composed by Isaac Watts. Watts is considered the world's greatest hymn writer composing such hymns as "Joy to the World" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

Charles Wesley created some of the most memorable and lasting hymns of the church: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Can It Be," "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today," "Soldiers Of Christ, Arise," and "Rejoice! The Lord Is King!"

Happy Marriage and Legacy

Charles married Sarah Gwynne in 1749. The age gap between Charles and Sarah Wesley was nearly twenty years but they were both attracted to each other. The Wesleys were not known for their happy marriages. But from all accounts, Charles and Sarah were very happy. They had a number of children but only three survived to be adults. Following Charles' death, Sarah Wesley was cared for by William Wilberforce, the leader of the movement to abolish slave trade.

"Love's redeeming work is done, Fought the fight-the battle won. Death in vain forbids him rise, Christ has opened paradise, Aleluia!" (Charles Wesley, 1739)

Be inspired. Be awakened. Be transformed.

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn." John Wesley

His travel was immense.

John Wesley travelled about five thousand miles a year. He travelled 290,000 miles in fifty-four years. This is a distance equal to circumnavigating the globe about twelve times. Most of this travel was on horseback. Think of riding around the globe on horseback twelve times!

His preaching was prolific.

John Wesley preached not less than fifteen sermons a week—frequently many more. These sermons were delivered mostly in the open air [outdoors], and under circumstances that tested the nerve of the most vigorous preacher. He preached for fifty-four years, fifteen sermons a week, making in all 42,400 sermons. Wesley delivered numerous exhortations and addresses on a wide variety of occasions. A minister in our present day may preach one hundred sermons a year. At this rate, to preach as many sermons as Wesley did, such a minister must live 424 years. Think of a minister preaching two sermons each weekday, and three each Sunday, for fifty-four years. Wesleyan theology and doctrine is distilled from John Wesley's voluminous sermons and personal writings.

Wesley's ministry was considered controversial. 

Wesley and the early Methodists were persecuted by other clergymen of his day and discriminated against by political leaders such as local magistrates. John Wesley was attacked during sermons and mobbed by the common people. No matter what his circumstance, his outreach continually connected with the poor, neglected and needy. Wesley and the early Methodists were particularly concerned about inviting people to experience God’s transforming grace and to grow in their knowledge and love of God through disciplined Christian living. They placed primary emphasis on Christian living. They met in small groups and put their faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.

Grace.

Many believe John Wesley’s finest contribution to theology was his understanding of grace. Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God which is available to all whether we realize it or not. In simpler terms, grace is the love that God has for all his creation. John Wesley believed that grace affects us in primarily three (3) different ways: prevenient grace, justifying grace and sanctifying grace. Our Christian faith is perfected daily by meeting the tests and challenges to our faith in a manner that is pleasing to God. The theological and doctrinal foundation for the most vibrant and exciting churches of our day can be traced to John Wesley's development of the theology of grace.

"The best of all..."

One of the most comforting truths for the Christian is the ever-present reality that God is with us. God’s presence is one of the greatest gifts he gives his people. He is personally near. I believe we can all agree that his presence isn't always felt. But, for those who learn to trust God in all circumstances, his divine presence with us is absolutely true. The best of all is that God is with us. These words are credited to John Wesley as his final words. The reality of God’s presence was what Wesley held onto in his final moments. God is best. He can give us no more that himself. He has promised to be with us-- even in the worst moments of life. God’s presence is no guarantee that worse will not come, but that God’s best for you will never leave.

We will celebrate our Wesleyan legacy Sunday with our Confirmation class, their leaders and families. Come, be inspired. Be awakened. Be transformed.

Believe it and behave it.

There are two things to do about the gospel. Believe it and behave it. Susanna Wesley.

Everyone has a backstory. The saga includes courageous stories of valor we never heard and pioneering contributors we never met. The ongoing narrative expands throughout history long before us and will continue to carry on into the future long after us. The image of the number line I used in grade school extending both ways into infinity comes to mind.

Wheatland has a backstory too. Some of us may be acquainted with the Wheatland story from the time we were a country church located at Route 59 & 95th Street. Chuck McPheeters helped reclaim our history by mentally capturing a nostalgic reminiscence and painstakingly applied them onto canvas. You may see these historic watercolor renditions in the hallway at the Naperville campus.

Methodism's backstory includes courageous stories of valor and pioneering people we've never met. The early Methodists' contribution laid a foundation for the Church that continues to flourish to this very day. Many independent mega churches of our time can trace their theological foundations to grace, which John Wesley amplified as the hallmark of theology. John Wesley fought publicly and behind the scenes against the politically distinguished and thoroughly entrenched academic theological heavy weights of his time. Wesley preached in open-air gatherings, created Sunday schools to educate the children of the Industrial Revolution and was a champion of God's love toward the lost. He and his brother Charles considered the world as their parish. They evangelized the 18th century from Urban England and rural Britain, to the deep forests of the New World in Georgia and Caribbean Islands like Antigua.

Susanna Wesley, John and Charles' mother, is often identified as the 'Mother of Methodism.' It is fitting we learn more about her on Mother's Day. Ten of Susanna's nineteen children lived to maturity. One scholar described the Wesley children as 'a cluster of bright, vehement, argumentative boys and girls, living by a clean and high code, and on the plainest fare; but drilled to soft tones, to pretty formal courtesies; with learning as an ideal, duty as an atmosphere and fear of God as law.* Susanna's best legacy was indeed her children, particularly John.

Our new series is titled Heart Strangely Warmed. These are John's own words: 'In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."**

Join us Sunday for worship. We can celebrate all Christ has accomplished as we baptize three new lives into the Christian Faith, commemorate Mother's Day and perhaps find our own hearts strangely warmed.

Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things then it is sin for you, however, innocent it may be in itself. Susanna Wesley

*historyswomen.com, Susanna Wesley Mother of Methodism. Anne Adams
**ccel.org, Christian Classics Ethereal Library

What do you value?

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV

My paternal grandparents were very influential in my life. I remember holiday Sundays at noon meant the entire family gathered for a special meal with card playing afterwards. My paternal grandmother would select one of the grandchildren to sit on her lap so we could learn how to play the card game. My family called it 'cut-throat' cards which meant if you made a mistake you'd hear about it. Being invited to play with the parents was considered a rite of passage and an easy way for the adults to steal your money.

My maternal grandmother was clearly a matriarch and she raised three daughters with strong matriarchal qualities. Summers at the cottage meant fishing before dawn so we could clean as many crappie, bluegill and perch to fry to eat for breakfast with blueberry pancakes requiring real maple syrup. My mother's family were society people with a network that included business owners, farmers, politicians and teachers. All the grandchildren were athletes so Summer swim meets were a family staple. Cousins held state records for certain swimming events.

The Bible includes a gazillion references to family. I believe I can open the Bible to almost any page and somewhere there will be an important biblical principle about family. There are stories about regret, success, failure, forgiveness, exclusion and sacrifice. There are story lines of horrible fathers, meddling mothers and children that are just plain nasty. Sometimes grandparents save the day. Other times children save their parents and rescue entire bloodlines from disappearing.

Family doesn't have to be biological. God designed it to be so much more. Belonging to God's eternal family begins when we invite Jesus Christ into our heart. We initiate God's influence in our ordinary-everyday lives. There is no other way to gain access to this family or achieve its benefits. Our commitment to live according to God's way of life is tempted and tested. Maturity of faith and belief in God develop over time as he attends to the messiness and triumph of the ordinary-everyday life. Our relationships reveal the evidence, the ultimate credibility factor, where we reap the rewards of living out what God intends for his family. Each generation is responsible for living into God's purpose and vision for their lives.

Generations are extremely important in the bible. There are whole sections dedicated to identifying the blood lines of a particular family. In the old days, we used to call that section the "begat" section. God is interested in how we invest in the next generation. The biblical record includes tales about generations that followed God and were blessed by God's favor. It also includes accounts about generations who did what they thought was right in their own eyes. (Judges 17:6) Within every generation there is a story, a claim of identity and the answer to the question, “Who are you?”

Wheatland values the next generation. We invest spiritual and financial capital into Adult, Young Adults, Youth and Children's ministries. Several generations participate in worship, leadership, administration and serving. We diligently commit to learning how to live according the values of God's kingdom. This means our Wheatland story will include the sometimes painful but often redeeming record of what it means to belong to the family of God. Join us Sunday as we celebrate the Children's Musical at our Oswego Campus at both services. You may join us for worship and holy communion at the Naperville campus at all services. Why not invite your whole family to come along with you?

You, O LORD, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation. Lamentations 5:19 NIV

What has your attention?

Am I compelled by Jesus' mission?

Jesus entrusted his followers with a God-sized purpose. He promised to be with them and to develop the plan together. According to Matthew's account in chapter 28, Jesus gave a clear and concise command. He said, "therefore, go and make disciples." (Matthew 28:19a NIV) Jesus identified defining actions such as baptism and teaching others to obey his commands that would distinguish his community from the secular culture. Christ followers are called to take part in this mission and commanded to discover what Jesus meant for every age when he gave his instructions.

Consider all the ways you have made an impact in the lives of others for the Kingdom of God. Think about all the people that are influenced by your willingness to put aside your fears and focus on what Jesus Christ has trusted you to accomplish. You are carrying out his mission every time you encourage someone to follow Christ's command. The exhilaration of witnessing others fulfill God's greater plan rallies the community and builds momentum to reach out toward the greater needs of the lost and broken world.

Am I captivated by GC2?

The heart of Jesus’ message and the church’s calling is summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. From the GC2, we derive the Core Values of Wheatland Salem Church: worship, relationships, personal transformation, missions, and future generations. Years ago, we may have heard the mantra "money follows vision.' I believe ministry is different today. There has to be more than a great idea to inspire people to get onboard with Jesus. "Money follows mission” is the paradigm for churches that are making an impact.* Evidence of a transformed life is crucial not only for individuals or the community but also to Jesus Christ. Jesus has skin in the game. He expects the same of his followers.

You don't have to be around long to figure out that reaching the world with the news of Jesus Christ is part of our DNA. Wheatland takes Jesus' command seriously by reaching people in far off places and in neighborhoods nearby. Wheatland is part of the on-going Christian transformation in countries such as Poland, Jordan, Haiti, Tanzania, India and China. Christ has also called us to make a difference in our local communities surrounding our campuses in Naperville and Oswego. One way you can respond to God's call to transform the world locally is to be part of Serve the Community Day May 7. Missions is our fourth Wheatland value. I am proud of what we have accomplished. I eagerly anticipate what we will accomplish in 2016-2017.

Sunday is Commitment Sunday. The pastors, staff, and leadership teams have been challenged to grow 10% in our personal giving. If you give $10/week--give $11. If you've not given financially to church, begin with small steps you can increase over time. Baby steps of faith make huge impacts for the Kingdom.

*So, what's the trend for United Methodist churches? Could we have greater impact?

Here is a link that will give you some statistics about the fastest growing UMCs. http://lenwilson.us/top-25-fastest-growing-large-umc-2016/

Here is a link that will give you some analysis of the data.https://tonymorganlive.com/2016/03/08/fast-growing-umc-churches-part-1/

Ready to be changed from the inside out?

We are created in God's image for relationships. In fact, we are designed to become more holy because we are in relationship with others. Now that may sound crazy to some but we are discovering together what it means to live in the Christ-centered, counter-cultural community. So, we strive to live our one and only life in God-honoring ways. We believe a life dedicated to Godly pursuits creates personal transformation, which is our next Wheatland value.

Truthfully, all of our relationships reflect who we are becoming.

The relationship trend over the past one hundred years is toward the pathway of least resistance. We want things to be simple and easy. But, relationships are hard work. They require us to address our selfishness. If all we want is someone to love, appreciate or respect us we are working from selfish motives. There will never be enough. But, we are to be working from a desire to become more Christ-like. We are to be personally transformed by the renewing of our mind. We are not to fade into the self-focused culture but stand out as examples of what it means to work through the challenges of sin in our lives and overcome the obstacles sin produces. Sin can never be satisfied. It can only be crucified.*

The Apostle Paul revealed this truth to the Christian community in Rome. Rome was the epicenter of self-fulfillment culture. Yet, God called Paul to preach Christ and Christ-like living to the Roman community. Yes, Jesus healed and comforted people but he also confronted and convicted them of their sin. Paul identified the way we reveal the sins we need to work on perfectly in Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. OUCH!

Think on this.

Where is the place of your dissatisfaction? What recently got your goat, ticked you off or made you blow your top? Paul would say, it isn't them. It's you. Because you do the same thing. Work on you before you try to work on someone else. Jesus said it only as a master can, You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5 NASB)

I believe marriage is designed to make us more Christ-like. Marriage can be the proving ground or battlefield of our personal transformation. Over time we become more committed to our covenant because we've received the benefits that come along with living a life of holiness. We reap the benefits of the presence of God in our lives like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. It's easy to become more devoted, connected and generous because we live each day in holiness's reward. Husbands and wives help each other work through our short-comings and what the bible calls sin. I believe this is the way God designed it to be.

Challenges bring out the best or worst in us.

Challenges reveal areas we need to work on. You can usually tell how long someone has been a good friend or married by listening to how they talk or complain about their friend or spouse. Ugly situations in life can make us ugly people. But, Christ-like people can make life more Christ-like. Don't ever underestimate the power of positive example. And when you have two friends or spouses that are seeking to grow in holiness, it really does become geometric. You inspire each other. You lift each other up.

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2 The Message)

*Sacred Marriage: What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More than to Make us Happy? Gary Thomas. 2015

Is anyone paying attention?

God has a plan for us. It's clearly outlined in the bible. Each book of the bible includes applicable story lines of how people made God-honoring choices about their relationships and what happened when they choose to indulge themselves, other people or other things. It's possible to have great relationships, set Kingdom-building goals and follow God where ever he leads when we understand and reap the benefits of a flourishing relationship with him. The next generation inherits God-centered behaviors, confirms a belief in Godly character and applies Godly living to their life choices no matter what the circumstance they may face. Trust, confidence, commitment, and assurance are all natural by-products.

To anyone paying attention, it's obvious that human relationships are bearing the brunt of the new moral code's repercussions. *If virtue becomes irrelevant and traditional morality is considered extreme, the next generation pays the price for the relational world without boundaries. Relationships are designed by God to help us define who we truly are and how we relate to others. Learning about how to have good faith relationships requires training, practice and follow through if we are to become God-honoring in them. Faithfulness is not easy in a society that continually encourages behaviors that are focused on self-fulfillment.

Relationships will lead to the painful death of the self-focused pursuits. Relationships require us to care about someone other than ourselves and can help release us from the self-inflicted prison of self-gratification. An unhealthy preoccupation with self has always been and continues to be a constant threat to humanity's flourishing. We were created in God's image. We were created for relationships. We have a heart, mind and soul. This is the arena of relationships. I believe Jesus' command shook-up the first-century crowd and continues to impact us as we hear it today. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. This is the greatest command. We are invited to imagine life beyond our limitations and to search the richness of a relationship with a God who created us. Who knows what He has in store for us?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
 neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
 so are my ways higher than your ways
 and my thoughts than your thoughts."  - Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

*(David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons. Good Faith: Being a Christian When Society Thinks You're Irrelevant and Extreme. Baker Books,2016. Page 120)

What's trending now?

Interior design: black wrought iron, rounded furniture, old-world ornamentation, Mexican Midcentury Modernism and Scandinavian flat weaves. (WSJ)

Technology: FBI opens Shooter's IPhone-Drops Demand on Apple, Infosys Engineer was Among the Brussels' Victims (WSJ)

Parenting: Financial Instability is Major Factor in Success or Failure of Children-Violence and Teen Pregnancy Next on the List (Pew)

Smaller Share of Women over 65 Living Alone: the Trend is Older Adults Living with Family Members (Pew)

2016 Election: Most Americans Say Government Doesn't Do Enough to Help Middle Class (Pew)

Presidential Race: Evangelicals Least Likely to Pay Attention to the 2016 Campaign (Barna)

Christianity: Five Ways Christianity is Increasingly Viewed as Extremist (Barna)

There is an endless supply of information out there. You may find research on almost any topic. The trick is to find reputable sources. Numbers are numbers but how we interpret the numbers is the game. The trends I found above are from the Wall Street Journal, Pew Research and Barna Research. Researchers investigate topics, gather data, analyze the data and report trends. Trends help researchers discover change.

Discovering trends can help us understand reality. The story we make up in our head or the hunch we are willing to invest in rarely match reality. In order to make the best decisions possible, we believe it's important to know the trends generally in the American church and specifically to Wheatland Salem Church when we are preparing for an all-church generosity series.

Trending is the title of our April series. We will be learning from experts like the ones I used above and leaders like Ed Stetzer who is a researcher, prolific writer and national speaker. He is one voice among many that continues to educate, prepare and help leaders make decisions about anything that has to do with church. Mr. Stetzer writes for Christianity Today but also has his own website, blog, and social media outlets.  Check him out. It's illuminating what his research reveals.

Here's why I believe it's important to know all this information.

Jesus issued two important directives to his followers. The heart of Jesus’ message and the church’s calling is summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. From the GC2 we derive the Core Values of Wheatland Salem Church: relationships, personal transformation, mission, worship, future generations. This series will also serve as our “generosity series.” We believe “money follows mission.” By discovering how we are actually doing with Jesus' GC2 initiatives and telling stories of what we value at Wheatland, we believe can inspire generosity. We hope to educate the congregation on the types of givers, challenge people to consider prioritizing their giving and inform the congregations on the trends research reveals from American churches, United Methodist Churches and our own Wheatland Salem campuses.

Every time I think of you, I thank my God. And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:4-6 CEV