7.10.09 Friday Insights from Darren Lippe

When we think of Christ & His ministry on earth, what stands out to us?  Perhaps for many of us, we focus on God’s amazing gift of salvation.  Yet most of Jesus’ teachings were not about heaven & the after-life, but rather revolved around our everyday existence & relationships.  Why would Jesus spend so much time focusing on the “here-and-now” instead of the “here-after?”  I would submit that He desires to have a relationship with us today, not tomorrow.  Committing our lives to Christ is not meant to be a life insurance policy.  Rather, committing our lives to Christ should be an eBay “Buy-it-Now” purchase that we don’t dare delay.

Why should we desire to change our lives & start a relationship with Christ today?  Paul outlines the motivation, quite succinctly, as he describes the Fruits of the Spirit (v22-23).  Or, as we may think of them, Christ’s 9 Point Benefit Package, release 5.22:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, & Self-Control.

As an exercise, let’s consider the above benefits in relation to our lives today.  Which of the list do we experience the most?  Which one do we experience the least?

As we review our list, we might see a gap between our lives & the life Christ offers us. The theologian, Dallas Willard, calls this the “great disparity” & Pastor Adam, in a sermon last fall noted that we need to “mind the gap.”

The challenge to closing this gap, per Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, is that we tend to think of only one transformation in our faith journey.  He contends there are two great leaps in a Christian’s faith walk.  The 1^st leap is from non-believer to believer.  The 2^nd leap is from believer to committed Christian.  When we commit our life to Christ, that is not a conclusion, but rather an exciting beginning.  We then need to start the process of growing in our faith to become a deeply committed Christian.

How?  We need to open our Bibles & learn about God, about ourselves, & how God desires to interact with us.  We need to openly talk with God through prayer:  share our hopes, dreams, and fears & then listen for God’s direction.  We need to worship God–not fame or fortune, but God.  The day we drive to church for worship and instead of thinking of “where else could I be?” we excitedly conclude that “there is nowhere else I’d rather be,” we’ll know we are making progress.  Let’s “Buy-it-Now” & start enjoying the Fruits of the Spirit today.

Darren Lippe co-leads the “Loving God” Leaning Community at The Church of the Resurrection.

7.9.09 Thursday Insights from Correy Trupp

Today’s scripture passage is taken from Paul’s famous love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. Perhaps some of you, like me, had this chapter read at your wedding ceremony. At the time I was not a believer, but it seemed to me like good advice to follow when it came to marriage: be kind, be patient with one another, don’t insist on your own way, etc. Two years after our wedding I became a believer in Christ, and since then this chapter has spoken to me in a more significant way.

First, it should be noted that the chapter was written in the context of addressing Spiritual Gifts (chapters 12-14).  Paul is telling the Corinthians they are over-emphasizing some gifts over others, such as speaking in tongues, and beyond that, they are forgetting the big picture of what it means to follow Christ.

1 Corinthian 13:1 says, “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” Here Paul is pointing out that love should be at the core of who we are and what we do as disciples. Once we make the decision to follow Christ, the bar has been raised. It is no longer good enough to pick and choose when to love or who we should love. Love should permeate all of our actions; the people we follow in traffic (a big challenge for me!), our closest friends, family members, the people we meet in the store, co-workers, etc.

The hard part, of course, is re-training our mind and heart to consistently engage the world in a loving way. How do we do this?

For starters, staying connected with God through scripture is a great first step. Second, a strong prayer life is essential for all of us. I have found that I serve God best after going to Him in prayer, centering myself and listening for direction. In addition, we must become part of a smaller faith community outside of worship that will surround us with other believers who can support, encourage, and challenge us on our journey. The Christian life cannot be lived alone.

The apostle John wrote that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  Our challenge then is to ensure we approach all situations and people with an attitude of love, so we can truly be called children of God.

Correy Trupp serves as Director of Group Life at The Church of the Resurrection.

7.8.09 Wednesday Insights from Pastor Russell Brown

How do you walk the delicate line between honing and refining the gifts God has given you and coveting or envying others’ gifts? For example, I fool around with the guitar occasionally. I really can’t go so far as to say I actually play it, but putting some chords together and singing a tune brings me some joy. Taking lessons, practicing, and really working on my playing skill would be a way to recognize and honor the gift of manual dexterity God has given me. Standing by and envying Lance’s guitar skills, and cursing the fact that I was not the singer or guitar player he is actually dishonors God’s gift. It says, in essence, “God, when you made me to be THIS, you made a total mistake. You should have made me someone or something else.”

Do you see the arrogance in that approach? We stand in our limited, finite human place in the universe and call God incompetent.

Instead Paul urges us to trust… trust that God has a deeper, more complete, and much more far-reaching vision of who we are in the world than we ever could have.  Just because you are not able to see the fullness of that vision right now does not mean it is not there.

Pray today and ask God for patience and for faith; ask for the patience to wait and see God’s plan for your life unfold in its time, and the faith to trust that God does indeed have a plan… a plan to “prosper you and give you a future and a hope,” as the prophet Jeremiah reminds us.

It’s true you know!

7.7.09 Tuesday Insights from Pastor Penny Ellwood

My husband and I have caught the television show “Clean House” a couple of times recently.  ”Clean House” is a home makeover and interior design television show where a four-person cleanup-and-renovation crew comes into the homes of families unable to control household clutter.  The host often challenges family members to face their psychological barriers to letting go of their belongings.  The homes are so stuffed full of things that they have dramatically and negatively impacted the owners quality of life.

I thought about this show as I reread this passage from the 23rd Psalm.  This passage of scripture is one of the most well known in the Bible. Many of us have memorized its words and recite them during times of danger or stress.  You can actually feel a sense of peace settle over a gathering of folk when this psalm is recited together.   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  What a powerful statement. 

Can you imagine what it would look like if we actually lived out of this belief?  I think many Christians tend to see this statement as a fall-back strategy. We don’t put our trust in this truth until or unless we are at some critical juncture in our lives.   The society we live in preaches that salvation comes from consuming as much as possible and from relying upon our own might and power.  And so we rely on our own strength and measure our success by comparing our pile of goods against our neighbors. Coveting that which we don’t have and trying to satisfy our endless list of “wants.”

“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.” Imagine what our faith community would look like if we  placed our confidence in the providence of the good shepherd and stopped our fruitless pursuit of possessions. 

Rev. Penny Ellwood is the pastor for members of the Resurrection family whose last names begin with A-C. She can be reached via email at penny.ellwood@cor.org.

7.6.09 Monday Insights from Pastor Andrew Conard

I enjoy the Psalms. The writer always seems to express feelings of every day life. These are not just feelings though, they are most often prayers to God. I can really identify with the feelings expressed by the Psalmist and appreciate that they are in the context of a conversation with God. Knowing that these words are a part of the Bible helps me be okay with what I am feeling and gives me a healthy direction to express my feelings – toward God.

I confess that my tendency toward envy often comes in the form of technology. I enjoy reading about the latest and greatest computer, website or mobile device. I am generally able to keep this to a healthy interest, but at times I am envious of others who have the latest gadget. Seeking to be satisfied with what I have is a way that I address this tendency toward envy.

I appreciate the Psalmist’ approach of turning to God. I don’t need anything more than that for my life. God sustains me, not stuff and certainly not stuff that other people have. God is enough. As the Psalmist writes -

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26, TNIV

Rev. Andrew Conard is the Central Campus Congregational Care Pastor for those whose last name begins with M-R. You can email him at andrew.conard@cor.org and read his thoughts on faith, life and ministry at http://andrewconard.com.

7.3.09 Friday Insights from Darren Lippe

Let’s start with some quick background on 1 Peter.  This letter is considered a “general” epistle, since it is not addressed to a specific audience or congregation.  It appears to be written during a time when the fear of persecution & suffering for the author & his readers was very real.  Its text has provided great comfort through the centuries for Christians enduring isolation, slander, & abuse due to their faith.

This week’s theme of pride (& corresponding humility) can be daunting.  Perhaps our picture of humility, though, is skewed.  We typically view humility in regard to our interactions with others (family, work colleagues, friends, etc.).  However, what if we were to focus our idea of humility in regard to our relationship with God?

Picture an old English estate from centuries ago:  a manor, vast grounds, stone fences, great gardens, & various nearby cottages for servants.  Now, on such estate there would be two head honchos:  the Master & the Caretaker.  The Master is the ultimate boss who provides for all of his subjects & has full responsibility.  The Caretaker serves at the pleasure of the Master to ensure that the estate’s potential is fully realized.

The Master would be certainly tempted by pride & all of its accompanying pitfalls, since he would view himself as the “lord” of the manor.  The caretaker could be relatively free of such temptation, since all of his talents, labors, & energies would be employed & submitted for the kingdom’s prosperity.  It would be silly for the caretaker to boast of his accomplishments, since all of his successes are attributable to the Master.  (Like the old quip,  “he was born on 3^rd base & thought he hit a triple.”  Such self-important view would immediately be subject to ridicule.)

How do we like to picture ourselves?  Do we try to be the Master, “lord” over everything & everyone?  Or do we try to act as a Caretaker ungrudgingly using our talents to further the Master’s Kingdom, recognizing that all of our accomplishments are not solely our own, & that our gains are merely ours for the moment, since they rightfully belong to the Master?

Now some may view being the Caretaker as being laden with a burdensome yoke that is restraining us from our full potential.  However, I would submit it is incredibly freeing.  If you are the Master, since the “buck” has to stop with you, all worries/fears/anxieties are yours & yours alone.  But, if you are the Caretaker, you can freely take part in Peter’s command in verse 7, and “cast all your anxieties on to Him, because He cares for you.”  So, for today, let’s set aside the often-overwhelming burden that comes from the pride of being our own Master & enjoy a delightful day as the Caretaker of our Father’s Kingdom!

Darren Lippe co-leads the “Loving God” Learning Community at the Church of the Resurrection.

7.2.09 Thursday Insights from Correy Trupp

Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, is addressing the problem of those who believe circumcision is a requirement for salvation. (v2) Some in the church had elevated the physical act of circumcision to be as important as the spiritual act of placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ. But Paul was having none of it.

Paul understood all too well the pitfalls associated with elevating religious performance. Starting in verse 5, he listed his qualifications, demonstrating that he was perfect when it came to those external measures of righteousness. But then he goes on to say it is all for loss compared to knowing Christ.  

To appreciate the powerful difference between the physical and spiritual realms, consider Paul’s behavior both before and after his conversion. Before, when he was externally “perfect,” Paul persecuted the early church for their beliefs, condoning the murder of Stephen. Afterwards, when he put his trust in Christ, he preached the gospel to anyone who would listen and encouraged them to act in love towards God and each other.

Today, we struggle with placing too much emphasis on the physical, the “flesh”, through all the usual suspects: money, possessions, looks, eloquence, skills, etc. We can also do this as believers by judging those who don’t “act the way a Christian should”, instead of accepting the current state of people’s hearts and encouraging them to become more Christ-like. Within the modern church we can judge the quality of a church by the competency of the staff, the polish of the programs, or the eloquence of its leaders.

Instead, we should challenge ourselves to value that which Jesus valued. He looked at the condition of the heart. He asked us to clean the inside of the cup. (Matthew 23:26) Does our church have a sense of urgency in preaching the gospel? Do we value justice? Do we forgive easily and encourage holiness? As believers, do we accept people where they are? Do we put our relationship with God above our career, our possessions, our friends, our looks, etc?

Today, let’s look for ways to see and embrace the spiritual world we live in and look past the flesh of the physical world which can enslave us.

Correy Trupp serves as Director of Group Life at the Church of the Resurrection.

7.1.09 Wednesday Insights from Pastor Russell Brown

I once heard someone draw a compelling parallel between the notions of “virtue” and “sphere of interest.” Here is what I mean: the larger a person’s sphere of interest, the greater their virtue. And conversely, the smaller the sphere of interest, the less virtue. When the only thing I ever consider (i.e., my sphere of interest) is ME and my needs, I will stop at very little to meet those needs… even if it means causing injury to someone else. As my sphere of interest widens - as I consider the needs of my family, my nearby neighbors, my fellow Kansans, Americans, others sharing my planet – my decisions and actions are entirely different and can be judged to be more “virtuous.” Therefore, as my context grows, my ego shrinks. 

In this passage from his letter to the young church at Philippi, Paul paints a powerful word picture of Jesus as our ultimate model of one who stands in the seemingly paradoxical place of ultimate humility and ultimate glory. He leaves no room for doubt in our minds that the source of Jesus’ power and authority came directly from his complete surrender to God… the “taking the form of a slave.” (v. 7)

How radically at odds is this picture from lessons we are taught every day? “Empty myself? Become a slave? Consider others to be better than me? You can’t be serious!” As hard as the lesson is to hear, it is even harder in our hard charging, ego-driven, “look out for #1″ world to take a stand as the humble, self-emptying servant of all.

But that is exactly where Jesus stood. And that is exactly the “one mind” (v. 2) Paul calls us as Christians to be in. Granted, it is not a popular or necessarily a rational place to stand. But it is the only place that has the power to change the world.

6.30.09 Tuesday Insights from Pastor Molly Simpson

If you came to read the Insights before reading today’s passage, take a minute and visit John 9:13-41.  If you don’t read it through yourself a time or two, you miss the amazing play on words that takes place in these verses around sight and blindness. 

Pride certainly seems like the creepiest of the 7 Deadly Sins as it is hard to recognize in ourselves and in our own lives.   It creeps in, skulking and sneaking into our attitude.  We have trouble seeing pride–it’s so easy to be spiritually blind like the Pharisees.  Can you see their pride in verse 28, ” Then they hurled insults at him and said, ‘You are this fellow’s disciple!  We are disciples of Moses!’” ?  What’s your “I’m better than you” phrase?  Meet you for ice cream?  Honey, I’m thin because I don’t eat carbs.  OR Oh, that’s your Civic–let’s take my BMW instead.  OR  Nice job on that sale, now maybe we will let you do some real work like the rest of us.   You know… the things that diminish another or elevate ourselves or both.

Some of us get prideful because of our religious faith, readily claiming a righteousness that only God can impart.  Others of us can’t see our need for Jesus because we are so completely full of ourselves.  Either way, we put ourselves above others and take credit for God’s gifts and blessings in our lives.  Pride is nasty stuff–I know, because I live with varying amounts of it at any given time. 

So, how do we live differently?  I like this quote from St. Thomas A’Kempis, “If there is good in you, see more good in others, so that you may remain humble.”  Praying Psalm 131 with some regularity helps remind me of the attitude I should have… “My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.  But I have calmed myself and quieted my ambitions.  I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.  Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” 

Praying that you can find rest for your ambitions and hope in the LORD.

Rev. Molly Simpson is the Campus Pastor at Resurrection’s West Campus in Olathe.  She is available by email, molly.simpson@rezwest.org, Facebook, and tweets as @rezwestpastor.

6.29.09 Monday Insights from Pastor Andrew Conard

I love the wisdom in Proverbs. I find the simple sayings to be profound and easy to remember at the same time. I appreciate the reminder from the GPS Guide today that, “Pride is not a form of sound confidence, but self-deception, and it sets us up for a fall.”

I want to excel at what God calls me to do, but I don’t want that to get in the way of my relationship with God. I know that God equips me for the good work of my life. Without God’s power, my tendency is to try to do my own thing and take the credit. This is also an issue if I am not willing to receive instruction or feedback that can be helpful in my life. This is where pride starts to be dangerous. It is dangerous if I think that it is on my own effort that I am able to make ministry happen and see fruit produced for God’s kingdom. Not listening to the wisdom of others can keep me from living into all that God dreams for my life. This type of pride can lead to negative consequences in the lives of others and in my own life.

I hope to be humble and follow the guidance from the Proverbs to trust in the Lord and listen to those who teach me.