Next Step - March 7th

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 5:22–6:2 NIV

Everybody has struggles. At one time or another, each of us has something that weighs on us. We all have burdens. I'm pretty convinced that God does not mean for us to carry these things alone. In fact, I'm certain about that. God tells us through His word that each of us must carry the burdens of the others around us. In so doing, the verse above says, we "fulfill the law of Christ, " both showing the love of God to others and experience the love of God fulfilled in and through us.

Early on in the story of creation, God says that people were not meant to be alone. That has not changed. Yet, in a world where individuality is so treasured, we find it hard to share our burdens with others; we don't want to bother them with our problems. We find it hard to ask people what burdens they are facing; we don't want to pry or make them feel uncomfortable. But God knows -- and if it comes right down to it so do you and I -- that this extreme individualism is not the way that we were meant to live. We were not meant to be alone.

As a community of Jesus followers, we at Creekside are all in this together. This is a journey that we are all on – to connect the realities of Jesus with realities of everyday life -- including, maybe even most importantly, our burdens. Admittedly, it is a hard thing to do, especially if you are like me and it does not come easy. But, it is a better way, and it is a better life, as we step into this together.

What is your burden, what is your weight? Does anybody here know it? If not, why not? Carrying each other's burdens is an integral part of living in the rhythm of the God, of realizing the love of Him, experienced outward and from other people. But, how do we live this out if others don’t know? How can I know what your burdens are if I don’t ask? How can I know what your burdens are if you don't tell me? The answer is simple, I can't -- and we can't.

Don't let "How are you doing," become just a greeting. Let it be a question. Ask, and then wait. Share and ask. Risk. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Next Step - February 28

I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -John 10:10

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1


What is the good life?

That question is one that everybody, in every society asks; who is well off, who is blessed, who is happy? Much of our lives consist of making choices and taking paths so that we will arrive at "the good life." Movies, books, advertisers, even our family of origin send us strong messages telling us what "it" is.

Likewise, the Bible tells us what the good life is. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John, that He came so that we may have an abundant life -- a good (better than good) life. Not just a good spiritual life, but a good life, period. Jesus makes it clear throughout the pages of Scripture that He does not just invite us into a spiritual life, but into a whole, connected life -- body, mind and soul. He longs for you to experience a good, an amazing, an abundant, life.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatian churches says, that as we connect to Jesus and trust Him as our savior, that we are set free, total and complete freedom. Free to be connected to God so that the things we do will be the things that flow from a centered and connected life, a life connected with God, and to other people, instead of a life of striving, earning, and chasing. As we connect to and trust Jesus, as we seek Him, He promises that we will be changed. But, transformation – the realization of the life that we were meant to live, the good life -- cannot happen on our own, we can’t see where we are missing it, we’re too close. That’s why only Jesus has the power to save, only Jesus has the power to heal, only Jesus has the power to set us free. The good life is bought by the good news of grace; it is not a religious thing or a church thing but a real everyday life thing – a real good life, that’s available to anybody who wants it, through Jesus.

So, a couple of questions:

- How would you define the good life?
- Do believe it is possible for us to live the good life?
- Are you living the good life now?
- Are you on a path towards the good life?
- If not, what might you change to get on that path?
- What confuses you, what challenges you, what gives you joy? Discuss this with someone or let me know.

Blessings of peace, hope and love

Next Step - February 21

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. - Galatians 1:6-7

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. - 1 John 5:20-21

Hi Everybody

Have you turned to a different gospel -- which is really no gospel at all? Are you keeping yourself from idols?

If most of us were asked these questions I think we would either be confused or annoyed -- perhaps both. "Of course not, a different gospel? Idols?" I think we would quickly reject the idea. But, I think we would actually reject it too quickly.

In the course of each day, I think most of us are tempted to find our salvation in idols, functional saviors. An idol is any created thing that takes the place of God. It's anything other than God that you make an ultimate thing. It's anything in your life that is so central to you that if you lose it you don't have any meaning; you can't do without it. Usually they are good things -- family, work, success, comfort, beauty, academic or financial success, to name a few. They are good things that we allow to become ultimate things. And when they become ultimate things, we rely on them for our well-being, and we are prevented from truly experiencing God and those good things that He gives us. They become a different gospel, they become idols.

Tim Keller, a pastor in NYC, suggests that all of the things that we do but do not want to do, all of our sins can be traced to four basic idols: Comfort, Power, Control and Acceptance. Think of a situation that you sin or a time that you behave in a way that you wish that you hadn't. Which one of these four idols does it relate to? Why is that idol important to you? How does that idol take the place of God?

When you realize the root of the behavior and see how that root attempts to steal grace and take the place of God, it is a lot easier to allow God to change the behavior by changing the root idol. Give it a try, let me know what you discover.

Buckets of Grace -- week one

This past Sunday, we started a new series called "Buckets of Grace." During this series, we will spend the next six weeks looking at the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in the area of Galatia (in what is today Southern Turkey). If you have not read the letter, I'd encourage you to read it. It is six chapters long and will take about 15 to 20 minutes. Maybe read it through several times during the series. Make a note of any questions that come to mind, and feel free to let me know what they are.

The theme of Galatians is grace and freedom -- two interconnected things. The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Ephesian churches, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) He says in the letter that we are studying, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) Grace -- a gift from God, freedom -- relieved from slavery to the many things that keep us from truly experiencing Him (often the things we think we need to do to earn God's love or approval). Yesterday I defined religion as "Because of what I do, God will (might) accept me," and the Gospel as "God accepts me. And, that affects what I do."

- Have you thought about those differences before?
- Do you agree with those distinctions?
- What questions do these distinctions bring to mind?
- Would you say that your life is more defined by religion or by gospel?

Next Sunday we will talk more about the idea that God actually wants us to lose our religion (using my definition of religion).

Jesus does not give us a checklist of do's and don'ts in order to be a good Christian. Instead, He wants you to be so overwhelmed by the fact that He loves you and invites you to follow Him and partner with Him in demonstrating His Kingdom in your life, that it cannot help but influence your thoughts, choices and behaviors. That, is the outworking of grace, that is the inflowing of freedom.

- Do you agree with that statement?
- Does it give you a sense of freedom? Or does it make you anxious? Why?

Post a comment, talk with friends, share your stories.

Next Step - December 27

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Hi Everybody

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? I never really have, they really are not my personality (or maybe I just don't want to break them). In any event, the end of the year is a very natural time to take stock of where you are and to make any changes that need to be made in your life. I think as Christians, it is important to do that periodically -- to take stock of where we are and then make changes. This is the essence of the word "repentance," it is a course correction, and each of us needs to make course corrections to turn ourselves more and more into the life of Christ, in order to finish this life well, in order to finish my life more in love with Jesus than I am today, accelerating to and through the finish line.

There are a lot of things that we can be intentional about which will help us to finish well. Here are 5:

1. Recognize God’s Presence Throughout Each Day: How does God interact with the things of everyday life? Do you see Him and His goodness reflected in the things around you?

2. Seek Mentors Whom You Can Learn From As Well As People You Can Mentor: Who do you know who is finishing well? Who do you know who has a trait you wish you had? Ask them to coffee, ask them to mentor you in this area (and look for others whom you can mentor).

3. Make It A Priority To Be In A Community Of Love And Accountability: Are there other people in your life who know you inside and out, struggles and all? Do you meet with them regularly and ask them to hold you accountable? If you do not, who might be able to fill that role in your life?

4. Recognize That Your Time On Earth Is But A Breath Compared To All Eternity: None of us knows how long we have. Take a moment each day and recognize the reality that you do not know if you will be around tomorrow. How does this change how you react to others? How does this change your priorities in life, faith, family, etc.

5. Incorporate Spiritual Disciplines Such As Regular Times Of Reading The Bible And Prayer Into The Rhythm Of Your Life: God wants us to read the Bible, to pray, to fast, to do any other spiritual disciplines that help us to develop greater intimacy with Him. We do these things not because we need to in order to be approved by God, but in order to meet Him. What spiritual practices have been helpful for you to connect with God? What might you add?

As we approach the end of 2009, take stock of your life. If your life ended now, how would you have finished? Flash forward a year. Same question. I'll ask you again in 365 days. Will your answer be different?

Peace, hope and love

Doug

Next Step - December 20

Hi Everybody,

We are just finishing week three of Advent. It has been a season of waiting and spiritual preparation for the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus. Although the Christmas story is one we hear every year, it is a story that must never lose meaning or significance. Each Sunday this Advent season, we have been using the Advent Wreath and an Eastern Nativity Icon to tell the Nativity Story. There are 5 candles in the Advent Wreath; one candle will be lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Each candle will allow us to enter the Nativity Story from a different person’s perspective and experience. The final Candle, representing Jesus, will be lit this Thursday night at 8:00 -- Christmas Eve.

We have created a guide that tracks directly with Sunday morning’s devotions for you to use or adapt. I hope you have been following along.

The first week we entered Mary’s story, then Joseph’s story, and next we entered the story of the Shepherds. This week we entered into the story of the Wise Men.

Week Four. The Wise Men. A Sense of Urgency and Danger.

In the picture above, you see the wise men on horseback on the left-hand side of the picture, galloping uphill, their faces turned up looking for the star, which has led them here. The uphill angle of the horses tell us about the long, hard journey made by the wise men, and how important the event was to them. The wise men bring not only strange and exotic gifts, but also the world of politics and power into the Christmas story.

From the book of Matthew, Chapter 2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

King Herod was a violent and cunning ruler, paranoid about his hold on power. He is alarmed by his unexpected visitors, alarmed by the mention of another king who could threaten his power. He encourages the Magi to continue their search, and to report back to him their findings, so that he too could worship the Christ.

The speed of the wise men’s horses tells us of the urgency and danger living in their part of the story, for they were aware of Herod’s true intent. Maybe they alone in the story had realized something of what was truly happening and that they would be risking their lives to disobey the commands of the most powerful ruler of that time. The wise men show how the story of the birth of Jesus was rooted in the real world of political corruption and intrigue, of a ruthless ruler who was prepared to kill anyone who stood in his way.

We learn later that when the Wise Men do not return to Herod, he orders the murder of every single newborn baby boy in Bethlehem so that he can be free of any challenge to his throne and his power, regardless of how young that challenger might be. It was this real world of oppression, death and danger, which Jesus had come to save.

This week we enter the story of the wise men, who made their long, exhausting journey to Bethlehem, and stirred fear and suspicion in the powerful leader, and risked their own lives to not only see Jesus, but protect His life as well.

Question: There are still many people around the world who suffer and die because of the corruption of powerful people and governments. How are you willing to take on powerful governments, systems and forces to worship Jesus and to bring his message of hope and peace to those suffering?

Next Step - December 13

We are just finishing week three of Advent. It has been a season of waiting and spiritual preparation for the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus. Although the Christmas story is one we hear every year, it is a story that must never lose meaning or significance. Each Sunday this Advent season, we have been using the Advent Wreath and an Eastern Nativity Icon to tell the Nativity Story. There are 5 candles in the Advent Wreath; one candle will be lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas. Each candle will allow us to enter the Nativity Story from a different person’s perspective and experience. The final Candle, representing Jesus, will be lit on Christmas Eve.

We have created a guide that tracks directly with Sunday morning’s devotions for you to use or adapt. I hope you had a chance to pick one up. If not, you can pick up a copy of the devotional on Sunday. This week's devotional is below. It is designed for you to set up your nativity, but leave all the people out of the scene. Each week as you discuss a different person’s story and experience, add them to the scene. Try to put yourself into the story, to really engage with what they might have been feeling, thinking and experiencing. Take time to share insights on the devotional question and then spend a moment in prayer, silence or reflection. If you choose, you could also light an Advent Candle each week instead of doing the Nativity Set or in addition to it.

The first week we entered Mary’s story. Last week we entered Joseph’s story. This week we enter the story of the Shepherds.

Week Three, Candle Three. Shepherds and Angels. God touches the least likely.

In the picture above, a couple of shepherds are on the right-hand side, and one of them is playing a flute. Below them, their sheep drink in a river. One of the shepherds looks up and is blessed by an angel looking down on him. The middle group of angels is kneeling or bowing in worship before Jesus, and the angels to the left are an angelic choir, singing his praises.

From Luke, Chapter 2
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ Luke 2:8-14

While Matthew’s Gospel focuses on the wise men, those with wealth and power, Luke’s spotlight falls on these working men, the poor and marginalized, who hear from heaven itself the news about the birth of Jesus. God does not show favor as the world does, but rather reaches down to those the world oppresses. He brings a voice to the voiceless, a home to the homeless, and love to the unloved. Luke’s Gospel is a message for people living on the margins of society. Jesus himself said,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind…” Luke 4:18

We enter the story of the shepherds, for their story reminds us of God’s love for those who are forgotten and left behind in our world.

Blessed are you
O Christmas Christ,
that your cradle was so low
that shepherds,
poorest and simplest of people,
could yet kneel beside it,
and look level-eyed into the face of God.

May the Shepherds remind us that we come to the throne, not because we deserve it, but because we are called. May their story spur us on towards love and good deeds to those in the margin of our society today. Jesus truly is news of great joy that is for all the people!

Question: At the time the Bible was written, being a Shepherd was one of the worst jobs possible. Everybody looked down on Shepherds; nobody wanted them around because of their smell and low standing. Yet God had the angels appear to them so that they could go and see Jesus. Why do you think God told the Shepherds about Jesus when He could have told anybody?