Something about Christmas gives it a prominent place in our own stories. Some of the most vivid memories in our lives are built around this time of year. As important as those Christmases are, it’s the first Christmas that shapes us more than any other. This week we looked at one person’s story that changed dramatically that first Christmas- Joseph. As we see his response to dramatic course changes in his life, we can prepare our hearts for when our course shifts unexpectedly too.
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It can be easy to lose perspective some times, especially when things get crazy around us. It can be hard to remember that our story as Christians here in America is a very different from the story that Christians tell around the world every day. The story of Stephen is a brutal, violent, and beautiful one. It is his death that become the dynamite for the early church- reminding us that even in the worst moments- God is at work.
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Built into the very fabric of our democracy is a mechanism that enables hope for millions of people. Our ability to vote for and choose our leaders is a beautiful part of our nation. Unfortunately, this small, fleeting hope has become the ultimate source of hope for far too many. When this happens- the process will inevitably begin to self-destruct. The truth is that politics doesn’t carry the power we think it does. Nebuchadnezzar’s story is a powerful reminder of this truth- and a powerful reminder for us as we vote this Tuesday.
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Daniel’s story is full of twists and turns. From the height of power to the depths of the lion’s den, one thing that remained was faith. His story can help us as we navigate our current cultural climate. How do we respond when culture puts Christians in its crosshairs?
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Sometimes it’s good to get a little historical context in order to know how to confront today’s problems. As our American culture rapidly speeds away from Christianity, it’s helpful to know this isn’t the first time God’s people have been here. There’s much we can learn from the stories of God’s people about how to live in a culture increasingly set against us.
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Q:”How was your week?”
A:”Busy.”
For so many of us, the “story” of our lives is one of busyness. There’s no end to the to-do list. Somehow we know this doesn’t feel right, but find a comfort in it too. At least if we’re busy, then all our insecurities and failures are a product of our schedules, not our inadequacies. Jesus tells us there is a better way…one that answers our insecurities and gives a whole new way to tackle that to-do list.
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The stories of God’s strength and power are all throughout scripture, but those stories are all around us today too. The story of Pete Higgs and Renovatus is powerful and challenging. Listen to the story of how God calls people to places they would never expect to do things that they are completely unprepared for. Then go and support this growing ministry (www.renovatusrc.org).
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For Samson, his incredible gifting had become his security, but he’s not the only one that was looking for safety in all the wrong places. Jesus’s interaction with a young man shows us just how prevalent this problem really is. It affects us all- every person, everywhere.
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From our earliest days, we’re taught to showcase our strength and hide our weakness. In every aspect of our lives, strength is celebrated and weaknesses are viewed with shame and embarrassment. The story of Samson shows us the story of a man full of strength, but it’s in his weakness that we really see God at work.
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Gideon’s name is found in Hebrews 11 (the “Hall of Fame of Faith”) alongside others like Abraham, Noah, and Moses, but is Gideon really a man to emulate? Was his faith really hall of fame worthy? What we learn from the story of Gideon is less about how great Gideon was and more about how great God is.
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The will to survive is an instinct that is inherent in all of us. It motivates us, sharpens us, and ultimately rules us. Unfortunately, it can lie to us too. We make choices based on the assumption that those choices will help us survive or even thrive. But scripture tells us that there is more to life than just surviving. Not only that, it’s often when we make choices that seem to be contrary to our safety and well-being that we truly begin to live the lives God calls us to.
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David’s greatness was known throughout Israel and beyond. But what made David great? We run to his accomplishments and victories, but God defines greatness in other ways. The story of Mephibosheth gives us a great look at what it was that sat David apart. A broken, forgotten outsider that’s brought to the king’s table.
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Sometimes you walk into a problem before you know you’ve got one. Other times- you’re warned and yet you go anyway. Such was the choice the nation of Israel made when they asked for a king. What was behind their choice? Why didn’t they listen to some good advice from Samuel? The answers are very instructive for us in our own lives today.
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Why would an objectively successful and definitively powerful army commander want things in his life to change? He had everything the world says we need and should want, but Naaman needed something else. Naaman had a condition that he was desperate to change. Desperate. Not just wanting or hoping. Desperate. Because he knew he needed change- he was willing to do anything or even nothing to change.
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Day-by-day we are all writing our story. This is true of us and it’s true of Providence as well. As we have now become an independent church (no longer a campus), there are many questions that naturally arise. What’s next? What changes? What will our story be? The answers to those questions are crucial to the mission and vision of Providence. In this important talk, we look at what it will take for Providence to become what we envision.
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