Open Your Eyes

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

– Psalm 91:11-12

Janelle’s miracle stories got me thinking of some of my adventures on the Navajo Reservation:

“Tessa, why don’t we take the afternoon off and go for a drive? Things are not quite so busy this week and maybe we can find the lake that the pastor was telling us about.” I addressed my roommate and mission partner, who was sitting on the couch in the single wide trailer we shared on the mission compound. We had spent several months on the Navajo reservation working with the children of families with addiction and because of the amount of work and covid restrictions, we hadn’t been out to explore the area much. “That sounds like fun!” she replied. “We can pack a lunch too!”

So it was a few hours later that we found ourselves driving up the curvy highway to the Chuska mountains, a range with a high point just over 8k ft and less than an hour drive from where we lived. As we climbed in elevation, we were surprised to see several inches of snow on the side of the road. Despite living very much in the desert, it got quite cold in the winter and sometimes snowed. But the pavement was dry so we were not too concerned about the road conditions. I was soon to learn not to underestimate Arizona mud.

In the car we chattered about our most recent visit to the Keesie kids. Living in a cluster of small plastered buildings, they didn’t have a place to meet inside so we played in the dirt yard. Recently strong winds had made it impossible to meet with them because of the blowing sand. While we didn’t always get to the bible story, we noticed a change in the kids. When we would arrive they would trickle out of the house, bleary eyed from the video games they had been playing. They squabbled with each other and fought. But about halfway through their eyes would brighten, they would start sharing and singing the songs we had taught them last week. Love was working a miracle in their little lives and we got to be apart of it.

We were soon to where we thought the lake was although we couldn’t see it yet. So we pulled over to the side of the road to check the maps. The ditch was wide and covered in snow and I pulled off of the dry pavement on a slight uphill. After a few minutes we decided our route and I let out the brake to move forward and up the hill. But we didn’t move forward. We started sliding sideways deeper into the ditch. Then I shifted into reverse and tried to back out, but only slid further. I imagined what could happen to us. We were two young girls stuck in a ditch in a remote area of a reservation and any random person could stop by. Stories I had heard of young teachers who had been murdered and hidden in the canyons flashed through my mind. It was not a good situation.

I prayed in my heart as I gunned it once again. The car slithered backwards and for a moment I thought we were going deeper into the ditch. Then suddenly we were back on the road again. It happened so fast we almost didn’t know what happened. Did the car get out on its own, or did it get an extra push from an angel?

We stopped a few miles down the road where it was wider and looked at my car. It was completely plastered with mud and no longer red, but otherwise fine. I have no idea what would have happened if we had not been able to get out of the ditch, but God was definitely looking out for us. And not only that, He was working other kinds of miracles in the hearts of the people we were working with. When you are on God’s payroll, you never know what kind of adventures are ahead, but move ahead because you may never know when you feel and angel push!

 - Pastor Kristen

Getting Excited Over the Sure Word of God

When athletes announce where they will attend college people get excited. Musicians announce their touring schedule and sell out concert halls almost instantly. Hollywood announces the latest sequel in a movie series and the audience can’t wait. And marketing teams do their best to time all of it to get the most sensation and response out of their announcements. Isn’t it interesting the things we humans place our hope in without certainty

it will come to pass? Athletes often change their mind, the band may cancel for any number of reasons, and the movie may be a disappointing dud.

The Holy scriptures tell us of a significant difference between man and God when it comes to announcements. God’s are certain to come to pass. The most wonderful announcement occurs with regularity from the fall of Adam and Eve on through the scriptures. That is, the promise of Messiah, Who would deliver mankind from sin, healing the damage caused by our rebellion. And it is just like our loving God to give us details in advance so that when it occurs our faith in Him is strengthened. In Amos 3:7 we find these words, “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”

One of those announcements is when God sends angel Gabriel to announce to childless Zacharias and Elizabeth that they would have a son, and he would usher in the Messiah. It comes to pass, and with certainty they and those who witnessed the reality knew it to be true. This made the promise of Gabriel to Mary and Joseph all that more believable, and when Jesus was born to them 6 months later, all the pieces of the promise of Messiah began to fit.

Today, you and I can know with the same hopeful certainty that when God announces something, it will come to pass. Since Jesus fulfilled His word, and came and did as He promised the first time, His second and soon coming aren’t empty words, but trustworthy and true. Therefore, be excited! Be jubilant! Be joyful! And together let us praise our God Who’s word never fails.

 - Pastor Jim

Our Two Greatest Needs

In Luke 6:18, we read about a large crowd “who had come to hear him and to be healed…” These simple words hold profound meaning. Why did people travel such great distances to see Jesus? Why did they take time out of their day to seek Him? They came for two reasons: to hear from Jesus and to be healed by Him.

Isn’t this why we seek Jesus too? These are our two greatest needs.

First, we long to hear God’s voice: a voice that affirms, corrects, and guides us. We need His words of affirmation, reminding us of His love and acceptance right where we are. At times, we need His correcting voice to gently call us back when we’ve strayed, leading us to repentance and realignment with His way of love. And when faced with life’s big decisions, we yearn for His guidance, to help us discern the path forward.

This is one reason we come to Jesus: to hear Him speak to us.

Second, we come to Jesus for healing. Some of us need physical healing, while others carry emotional wounds. Many of us have relationships that need restoration; whether with a friend, a spouse, a child, or a neighbor. We all long for God to mend the brokenness in our lives.

This is why we run to Jesus, why we carve out time in our busy days to be with Him. It’s why we go to church, spend time in prayer and Scripture, and gather with others to talk about God. Deep down, we all desire to hear from Jesus and be healed by Him.

Reflection Questions

1. What word do you need to hear from God today—affirmation, correction, or guidance?

2.   In what area of your life do you need healing—physical, emotional, or relational?

 - Pastor Evan

I Am Thankful

Thanksgiving is upon us!  I’m so excited for this wonderful holiday that we have the opportunity to share with family and friends.  What are you thankful for lately?

As excited as we might be, there are still many things that put a damper on our excitement.  Each year we gather at the table with loved ones mindful of the stresses of life, losses we have incurred, injuries and frailties experienced from another trip around the sun.  What makes it all worthwhile, however, and what gives us unending hope, is what is promised by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am thankful most for Him this year!  And here is why I am thankful for Him.  These are the seven “I am” statements from Jesus found in Scripture:

1. “I am the Bread of Life.”  (John 6:35, 48, 51.)  Jesus is the greatest nourishment for our souls in this world and beyond.

2. “I am the Light of the World.”  (John 8:12; 9:5.)  Jesus is the One Who can light the path for us in this world even in the darkest moments we could ever imagine.

3. “I am the Gate of the Sheepfold.”  (John 10:7, 9.)  Jesus shows us an open door of acceptance into eternity where we are considered His precious sheep in His incredibly valuable flock.

4. “I am the Good Shepherd.”  (John 10:11, 14.)  Jesus feeds and guards His flock and is with us every moment taking care of us always.

5. “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”  (John 11:25.)  Jesus promises He has the power over death.  If we ever experience death it is merely a temporary sleep until a great resurrection that happens because of His unstoppable power.

6. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  (John 14:6.)  Jesus is the right way.  Jesus is everything that is true.  Jesus helps us feel fully alive now and for eternity.  He brings a fullness to our lives! 

7. “I am the True Vine.”  (John 15:1.)  Jesus is our connection to life sustaining power forever and ever more which produces eternal fruit in the lives of all who connected to Him.

With all Jesus has promised to be for us now and forever, we have every reason to give exuberant thanks, always!  He makes everything worthwhile no matter what difficulties we face each year.

“But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 15:57.)

Happy Thanksgiving beloved church family!  Jesus, the great “I Am” can help us truly say, “I am thankful.”

 - Pastor Michael

The One Who Promises To Never Leave You

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. -Matthew 28:20

In his sermon this past Sabbath, Caleb told a story of how God never left him during a challenging and painful time in his life. Even when Caleb himself felt like he had abandoned his best friend and brother, God was present and active the whole time.

To continue that theme, I have selected a story to share. Some of you may have read this story before, but I think it’s a beautiful representation of how God never leaves us. As you read, compare Susan’s perception of her husband’s presence to his actual presence. How well does that fit with our experience of God’s presence!

“The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind.

Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth that her sight was never going to return. A cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Mark.

Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city.

At first, this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic and costly. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react?

Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase. Each morning they made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who would never, ever quit.

Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself! On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?"

The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For, although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe -- the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.

God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present. We may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless. Be blessed in this thought: "God Loves You -- even when you are not looking."

(Author Unknown. Story taken from skywriting.net)

 - Pastor Kristen

Elections, Elections

It's amazing the emotional toll elections take on society as a whole, isn't it?  People are quite passionate about their political persuasion.  If one's political party wins, often there is elation!  If one's political party loses, often there is devastation.  Along with this comes polarization.  Our personal preference of political party and the candidate representing them becomes almost faultless to us.  The other party and their candidate?  Almost utterly demonized by us.  As interesting as all these dynamics can be, the hardest one to fathom is how divisive this all can become even with the people we love.

Jesus said in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed."  If we have room in our heart for Jesus and His Word, He will show us the way in all roads of life, even our pothole filled, political paths.  Here are some verses from God's Word worth contemplating during this political time:

· Should we feel better than others because of our political choices?  Philippians 2:3-5

· Should we feel our opinions are infallible?  Proverbs 14:12-16

· Should we feel the other party is our adversary/enemy?  Luke 6:27-36

· Should we hold people accountable for what we consider to be wrong thinking?  1 Peter 4:8-11

God is calling us to share His love to all people at all times.  Elections are exhausting for many.  What if we begin seeing them more as an opportunity?  Let's seize the moment for sharing the tenants of God's eternal kingdom.  May God and the eternal joys of Heaven be our greatest passion now and forevermore.   . 

Politics are a thing.  Jesus is everything.

 - Pastor Michael Brackett

The Christian Paradox

What does it mean to be a Christian? There are many possible answers, but I think Martin Luther captured it well with this paradox:

“A Christian is completely free, subject to nothing and no one.
A Christian is a dutiful servant, subject to everyone.”

This is the essence of the Christian Paradox: we are free from all, yet servants to all. The Apostle Paul writes about this in a few places, such as in 1 Corinthians 9:19, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all,” and in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

For me, this paradox has deeply shaped how I view and live my life. First, it has helped me realize that in Christ, I am free—free from condemnation and death, free to live my life in grace, love, and freedom. Living in Christian freedom has been refreshing for my soul.

Second, this perspective has clarified how I should act in my various roles. How can I be a good husband? A good father? How should I approach my work? How should I interact with others? Each answer points to service. So, when I wake up in the morning, I ask myself, “How can I best serve those I will be in contact with today?”

This, I believe, is the most beautiful way to live: in freedom and in service. As we embrace this Christian paradox, may we experience the grace and peace of Christ.

In His freedom, and in His service,
- Pastor Evan

Reflection Questions

How does the Christian paradox shape your life?

 In what areas might Christ be calling you to greater freedom—or greater service?

 - Pastor Evan