I'm Baaaccckkkk!!!

Those are words from a horror movie…but, hopefully you do not hear it that way when I say it. Let me introduce myself. I am Chris, the Family Pastor here at Bear Valley. I have been out for two months on sabbatical and enjoyed every single moment of it. This time away was, is, and will be precious to our family for years to come.

As a family, we spent a little time around Denver doing those nagging projects that seem to always be there, but never get done. (When I came back…there were more). We then headed to Arkansas for a week and spent an incredible time on the lakes there. We went from the lake, to the pool, to the lake, to nap, to fish, to the lake, and back to the pool. It was extremely stressful! After that hectic week we were able to spend some quality time with our families (a.k.a. pawning kids on grandparents).

We then left our two wonderful children with their grandparents for about two weeks while Becky & I joined the choir in Latvia for the mission trip. What an amazing time! God moved in people’s hearts in miraculous ways. I am always concerned that the message we share gets lost in translation, but this message definitely did not! Many lives were impacted by the message of the cross through singing, drama, and a little bit of preaching. (Can I encourage you to take a moment and pray for Talsi Baptist Church and our Latvian brothers & sisters? Their economy and world is in upheaval right now.)

There were several moments that stuck out for me during this trip that I will be brave enough to share (not necessarily in order of importance). First, is a picture of my kids sitting together fishing (it might have been the only quite moment we had). We had some great quiet moments just sitting and fishing – not catching much – but talking, especially Lauren and me. Second, was sitting in the choir concerts in Latvia and watching and listening to Ryan play La Campanella and thinking to myself, “I hope that I work that hard at the gifts that God has given me to be that good – for God’s glory!” Third, was spending a couple nights in Paris with my bride. I was reminded of what a gift she is to me and our kids. As we stood on the Eiffel Tower and kissed (Gasp! Pastors kiss their wives?), people watched us with great interest. One guy even stated, “It was great to see how much you love each other!” I believe he saw more than a smooch – he saw two souls that mingled together over the past years and the joy that God has given us. It also reminded me that people back home are watching us too.

Well, we’re back and excited about the unique opportunities that our sabbatical has given us as a family. We are eternally grateful to our church family for allowing us to rest. We cannot wait to be with you this Sunday and worship God together.

Get Your Mime Outfit On

Mimes are interesting people. (I must confess that I have done some mime work in the past – so, I understand the whole 'mime' thing.) To be a mime is to get in touch with your physical body. You have to work at mastering body movements to mimic movements. It takes great attention to detail and is very strenuous physically. Now, we also have people who mimic others who would not classify themselves as 'mimes'. We have a whole genre of television that makes their money doing this – specifically Saturday Night Live.

To copy, mimic, or emulate someone is the greatest sign of complement right? We are a culture obsessed with our cultural icons. Who didn't want to be like Michael Jordan? I remember the transformation to baggy shorts, cooler, more expensive tennis shoes, tongues wagging, and people re-enacting Jordan's dunks on 8ft goals. There are shows now about the personal, private lives of stars. We want to not only emulate their on-stage persona, but we need to know what they wear, eat, and say when they are not 'on camera'. Much of this craziness is because of our sickness as a person and culture – we don't know who we are so we attempt to live like others who seem to have it together – because they have fleeting fame, money, and time.

We mimic people, sometimes it a conscious attempt and many times it is subconscious. We mimic those we spend the most time around and watching. Guess who that is most of the time? Yep, your momma and daddy. That is why we have this great ability for being like parents – even the stuff we don't want – we got. (Your parents wished they hadn't passed it on either.)

In Ephesians 5:1-2 Paul tells his readers to mimic God. How can we do that? I'm not eternal, self-sufficient, all-knowing, all-powerful, or everywhere at all times. I like to act like I am similar to God at times. However, it always gets me in trouble. Thankfully, Paul is not asking me to emulate those impossible traits. He wants us to do something easy – love like God does. Yeah, that's easy…

Okay, I'm kidding. Not really that easy. Actually, I may me better at pretending that I am all-knowing rather than loving like God. God's love is sacrificial and is seeking to give, even without return. That's right, to love without expecting anything in return. I usually like a return on my investments. You might even get more from me if I know that I getting something in return. God's love is forgiving. He forgives before we even ask for forgiveness. He is just waiting for us to recognize that we need forgiveness. God's love is giving. He gives sacrificially. God's love is practical. He meets the needs of people where they are at. We are to have a love with those characteristics too; forgiving, giving, and practical. That is how we mimic God.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says it this way, "⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails."

Read this verse and replace 'love' with your name. Does this verse describe you?

Put your mime suit on my friends and become conscious of all the details of loving well.

 

Heart Surgery

I have a history of heart disease in my family. I am aware of it and I am trying to balance out that knowledge with living a healthy lifestyle – for the most part. (I admit that I have a fondness for Krispy Kreme® and steaks.) I understand that I need to be keep that disease information in front of me.

If you think about it, everyone has some history of heart disease in their family. (Dr. House said so the other night; which obviously makes it a viable statistic). He was talking about the heart disease that invades your actual physical heart. A heart not properly taken care of can experience death. It is not really good when your heart dies, because you do too. I am not a doctor, but take my word for it.

Anyway, there is the disease of the heart called arthrosclerosis. It is also more commonly known as the "hardening of arteries". This hardening of the arteries happens when fat deposits begin to build up in the inner walls of the artery. This allows fibrous tissue and calcium to build up and slow the flow of blood to and from the heart and other organs. As the plaque continues to grow, it can eventually stop blood flow to the point of causing death to the organ or tissue.

Spiritually speaking, we can have a 'heart attack' too. How? Paul says in Ephesians 4:17-19 that it is due to empty, stinky thinking, ignorance of truth, and a life separated from God. First, empty, stinky thinking is thinking that does not produce God-type results. We make plans, but unless God is at the center of them – they are fruitless and empty. Next, ignorant living is to ignore the truth that God exists despite all the evidence. People pursue truth and knowledge with a great passion these days. However, to pursue truth with knowing the TRUTH (in the person of Jesus), is pointless. Finally, a life separated from God is the result of this empty, ignorant thinking and living.

This spiritual heart condition is due to one thing; SIN. Tough word, but it is the truth. Have you heard the phrase, "There is no such thing as a 'minor surgery'?" Surgery is surgery. It is painful and there will be ramifications due to this invasion. Sin is sin. It is painful and there will be ramifications. To not due surgery on sin may seem easier at the moment. However, to not do the 'minor surgery' means that you might have to do a 'major surgery' later on done the road. To not deal with sin early leads to heart trouble.

Sin literally petrifies our hearts. It leads us to have a heart as hard as marble. Here is the process of a heart becoming hardened – I think you will recognize it – once you see it pointed out. Ready? 1) A blister due to sensitivity to sin. You messed and you know it. You can feel it, it hurts, and even causes you discomfort. 2) You choose to see if this sin will cause the same reaction as last time. Guess what? It doesn't. It doesn't hurt as bad, you're not as uncomfortable. That means it must not be that bad. 3) So, you go again when the 'need' arises. Now you got a callous and there is some notice that it is sin, but you're used to it. You can handle it. You're not like everyone else. 4) So, since you are not like everyone else, it will not impact you at all – you don't feel anything anyway. Now, that blister and callous is hard. No feeling at all. However, you don't notice that it has impacted your mobility. You're walking with a limp. 5) One day you wake and realize that that blister is now led you to paralysis. The blister became infected underneath and has led to immobility and paralysis. Now, you have to have major surgery. Just think how much easier it would have been to deal with the blister. Was the blister painful? Yes. But, it will not be as painful as what it will be like to do all the clean up necessary to bring about movement from paralysis.

At Bear Valley, we are hospital for heart patients. We have either had heart surgery or need it. We are always looking for more heart patients too. This summer, we are going through some changes in the hospital here. It will be inconvenient at times. The inconvenience will only be temporary though. Why are we making changes to the hospital? We want, no, we need more heart patients.

If you have had a heart transplant, this new facility will allow us to keep you fit, growing and going in the right healthy direction. If you know someone who needs a heart transplant, we hope to make the place feel safer and friendlier. Children's Hospital just relocated. Why? So they could take better care of their patients. We are doing the same, just not relocating.

So, my fellow heart patients, join with me as we wait patiently for the hospital to be done. Don't wait till the hospital is complete to invite your friends and family in need of heart surgery though. The building doesn't do heart surgery – the Great Physician does. Thankfully, he is not limited by our facilities. CONNECT heart patients, MATURE heart patients, and UNLEASH heart patients…we've got a new lease on life!

Momma always said...

When I hear the phrase "Momma always said..." I think back to the re-runs of The Brady Bunch and the scene where they are throwing a ball in the house and they break a vase (or something like that) and one of the kids' response was "Momma always said don't play ball in the house!" A great line. We all have some those "Momma always said..." lines though. Here are a few:
* Momma always said, "Don't make that face, it'll freeze like that!"
* Momma always said, "Wash your hands before you eat, you don't worms in your tummy."
* Momma always said, "Eat those veggies if you want to grow up to be tall and strong."
* Momma always said, "Always wear clean underwear."

Some of Momma's thoughts made sense, others did not. I mean, I eat veggies all the time and I am not as tall as I would like to be. I wear clean underwear, always, and no one has ever asked me to check and see if it is clean or not; plus, that would be quite weird!

However, Momma said those things to us because she had a point, a reason, a purpose. Her point in saying those things was to develop within us, as her kids, the character and personality that she wanted us to have and portray. Momma said those things because she loved us.

I was thinking about Ephesians 4:1-3 and I saw the Apostle Paul telling his readers that as part of the family of God, they needed to live like it. In light of Mother's Day, I thought back to all those "Momma always said..." phrases and saw some similarities.

First, Momma and Paul were concerned about our character. Paul begs us to live today as if we are trying to balance out the scales against what God has given us - new life in Christ. Now, Paul knows we cannot balance out the scales against God, but he says to live like you can. If we live life trying to balance out the scales against God's gift - then we will end up living and giving as God did. Momma always said make today a great day! How can you make today a great day - live it sacrificially. Giving to others more than you expect in return.

Second, Momma and Paul were concerned about the family name. Names were and are important. When someone says your name, immediately a picture of who you are comes to their mind. That picture that comes to mind has been established through their relationship and impression of you - you created it. Paul says that we should be establishing, growing, and displaying the family characteristics - humble, gentle, patient, and loving.
To be humble is to have a proper view of yourself. To have a proper view, you have to be standing in the right spot. I remember the scene from Dead Poet's Society where Robin Williams as the teacher had his students stand on top of the desk to change their view/perspective. We too need a change of view sometimes. Simply put - God is God, and I am not.
To be gentle is not being timid or lacking courage. Actually, it is like a wild animal that had been tamed. The passion and wildness are now focused and have purpose. It is to have the proper self-control. Remember Jesus in the Temple and when he became angry and turned over the tables and had a little speech for those present? That is self-control. Huh? Yeah, the ability to be angry about the right things at the right time.
Everyone's favorite is patience. Everyone wants it, few can or will undergo the lessons to acquire it. I encourage people to not ask for patience. Why? It's because suffering is the main tool that God uses to develop patience in us. I've experienced a little suffering in my life and would not want anyone else to have to do the same.
All we need is Love! Is a great song, however love is such a misunderstood word in our culture. Love is not selfish. However, we have a tendency to love others for our gain. Love is not "I'll do this for you if..." But, it has a remarkable way of becoming that - even in our marriage and parenting relationships. Love, in its purest form is "giving of yourself for someone else, no matter their response". So, if they call you names or laugh at you - love them. If they don't recognize your gift(s) and expressions for them - love them anyway. God is the greatest example of this type of love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son". (John 3:16) God's return on his love investment in his creation is questionable, at best. It seems that more mock, don't believe, or just don't care that God loves as much as he does. But, God keeps on loving.

Finally, Momma and Paul were concerned with bickering and fighting among the kids. We have this thing that we want called "my way". I mean, Burger King didn't coin the phrase, they are just using our selfishness to make a buck. Most arguments are due to selfishness. I want my way and I want it now. Momma wants peace in the house. Peace is not the absence of yelling and fighting, it is the presence of humbleness, gentleness, patience, and love being worked out in our lives. When we are pursuing those family traits, we are less likely to be fighting.

So, listen to your momma, she loves you and wants the best for you. She wants to develop the characteristics of God in you. When Momma speaks; listen.

Hey Dad!

"Hey Dad!" Is one of my favorite phrases to hear…usually. When I hear it, it means my two kids want me to be involved in what they got going on, need my help, or maybe just show me what they are up to. However, there are time when they say, "Hey Dad!" and on the inside (my heart) just is not into answering the call. It may because I am tired, busy, or some other lame excuse. I respond, but in my response it is clear where my heart is; or better yet, isn't.

Interestingly enough, many times my kids do not really pay attention to my tone and keep asking, "Hey Dad!" until I fully respond to their request. I love being a dad, but sometimes…I am lame!

I am so glad that God the Father does not respond like I do to my kids' requests. God is always ready to be involved in what I got going on. He is actively waiting for me to ask. Actually, he gets disappointed when I don't ask. I don't ask him to be involved – enough! He wants more Daddy time than I give him.

One of the things that impacts the response I have to my kids' request of "Hey Dad!" is the posture they take in asking. If they are sweet and gentle with their request or crawl up in my lap to talk to me they are more likely to get a positive response. However, if they yell across the house or if I sense frustration or a negative attitude in their request, I am less likely to respond favorably. Yes, I can be influenced by my kids – sometimes.

I am so glad that God the Father does not respond like I do to my kids' requests. He does not listen or respond based on my attitude. He always listens and always responds. He may not respond the way I want him to, but he listens and responds. That is really what I want. That is really what my kids want to. Yeah, they may want their way. However, they trust that me. They know I love them and care for them and that when I say no or respond differently than they want – eventually it will be okay.

This week, why don't you call on God:  "Hey Dad!" and revel in his attention and response.

If Life Only Had Background Music

I was a projectionist my senior year of high school. I loved that job. What high school kid wouldn’t? Getting paid to watch movies… I learned several things about movies while I worked there. One of my favorite parts about the job was watching people respond to the background music of the movie. You know what I mean? The scary movies have scary music to warn you that something scary is about to happen. The heroic movies have heroic music to let you know when to celebrate the hero. The love movies have love music to let the lead guy know when he should be in love. (This would be nice in real life ,huh guys?... Then we would know when it is a ‘gushy’ girl love moment. Or better yet, we would get a loud warning, “Don’t say that!!!”)

Wouldn’t it be nice if we had background music in real life?

Guess what? We do. The problem is, we do what I did as a projectionist some times: we turn the music down or completely off. I would get annoyed with the music or tired of hearing the same song over and over (if I have to hear Whitney Houston sing, “I-I-I-I will always love you-uuu” again, I will get sick!). In life, we have a tendency to do the same. We get tired of what tune God is playing – over and over again – because we are too dense to hear Him. So, instead of listening and acting upon it, we turn down the music. Or worse yet, we turn it off.

The music that God plays is to bring us joy and life. It is not to make life lame and boring. Many times the song He is playing is to motivate and encourage us to keep on moving. (I love working out to fast paced music. It keeps me going; motivated). However, there are times when He plays music of warning or even correction. (Sorry to you classical fans, but that is the music I think of when I think of ‘correction music’. For some of you, it may be country or rap music.) In these times, we don’t like the tune He’s playing. We would rather hear something else.

Are you listening to the music He is playing? If not, check your tuner and tune in. He loves and cares enough about you to play just the tune you need to hear, exactly when you need it.

Promises, Promises

Have you ever made a promise? Have you ever made a promise and not kept it? Have you ever been the one who had someone break a promise they made to you?
Promises are words that we hear from someone we care deeply about and trust they mean what they say. However, sometimes, people (even those that care deeply about us) disappoint us and break their promises. Broken promises break hearts and shatter dreams. Broken promises can devastate and destroy. To those we love, our words have a great meaning.
I admit, I have spoken words of promise before that I have not followed through on. Most of the time, I have every intention of keeping those promises. When I stood at the altar with my bride to be and repeated those vows of "to love, honor, and cherish...", I meant them. Guess what? There are days that I fail miserably at loving, honoring, and cherishing. (Usually in the morning before coffee.) When we have discussions (because she does not see things my way...) there have been times where I failed in keeping my promise - I got selfish. (Might even happen again some day. Maybe?) I also confess that I have seen the disappointment in my kids' face when I was unable to fulfill a promise that I had made to them.
In both situations, with my wife and kids, they are people that I love deeply...and still failed to keep my promises. As I look back, many times I broke the promise because of my own selfishness or that a fuller realization of what I actually promised was more than I thought I was committing to giving. The promise did not pass my measure of personal convenience. It was going to be too hard to fulfill the promise.
Okay, Okay. I admit it...I am a promise breaker. I have been and will continue to be in the future. I do not like it. Actually, I hate that about myself, but, I am. I am working on it, but I still mess up. How about you? Are you a promise breaker? Come on...maybe at least once?
Here is the good news. I know of one person who has kept every single promise he has ever made (even when it hurt). GOD. Yep, he is a Promise Keeper. It started with Adam and Eve and has continued throughout history. Actually, because he has kept every promise he has ever made, I have hope. Hope that he will fulfill his greatest promise ever - life forever with Him.
I hope that as you contemplate the cross of Christ this weekend and celebrate his Resurrection that you will rejoice that we worship the great promise keeper. Life may be crazy for you right now, but the great promise keeper promises peace that passes understanding. Money may be in short supply, but the great promise keeper promises treasures that do not run out or rot or fluctuate according to a stock market. It may seem like you cannot take another step because the burdens are too much, but the great promise keeper tells us to run with perseverance because their is all those who have gone before us who are cheering us on to finish the race well.
Promises...God makes them and keeps them. He made a promise, and he gave everything he had to keep it. Thank you for the sacrifice of the great Promise Keeper.