This week’s L.I.F.E. Lesson comes from our very own, Bill Miller. For those of you who may not know, before Bill was a successful college soccer player, financial advisor, and volunteer fireman, he was one of my “youthers” for many years. Though I have many things I could highlight about Bill over the years, I have one story in particular that sums up the essence of everything Bill has (and continues to) teach me.

It wasn’t long after Bill started youth, that I realized Bill was someone special. No matter what I was doing, Bill was always willing and wanting to help. Whether it was passing out papers, putting out dodgeballs, setting up an activity, or rearranging the youth room for the one hundredth time (that may not even be an exaggeration if you know me), Bill was there right by my side. Bill very quickly, became someone I could rely on and needless to say, we got close.

On top of his willingness to help with things, though, was the encourager Bill was. Bill always made me feel special. When I was doubting if I was doing a good job with the youth, Bill was there, seemingly somehow reading my mind, and offering me words of encouragement, a hug, or even a small gift. Unbeknownst to him, Bill was sometimes the light God used to get me through a tough time in my ministry. Being so young when I started, I often lacked the wisdom and thus the confidence in how to handle it all. Just when I would be doubting God’s call in my life, Bill was there to lift me up.

This truly came into play, though, one year at GraceCONVO, when the infamous “uprising” occurred. Long story short, we had planned an event for the kids to do, and some of the students (and unfortunately even some of my young adult leaders) tried to rile up some of the other kids to reject that plan, so they could do something else. It was pretty malicious, highly disrespectful, and fed into all of the insecurities and doubts I had about leading the youth. I was beyond sad. I was enraged, and I also felt guilty for being so angry. I broke down.

I ended up going into my room, where Isaac and Myra met me (along with Mykaela) and talked with me and encouraged me in how to respond. They gave me words of affirmation, wisdom, and allowed me to just sit in my frustration. As soon as we were done talking and allowing me to decompress, Isaac opened up the door to leave. Bill was standing at the door, just waiting, and immediately came in. Without saying a word, he just came up to me, sat with me on the bed, and placed his head on my shoulder and gave me a hug. This probably continued for 15 minutes, of Bill just staying by my side and making sure I knew that he thought I was great. This was what truly brought me peace at the end of the day, knowing that what I was doing mattered and if nothing else, made an impact on this young man’s life.

Though this incident happened probably eight years ago now, the lesson has stuck with me ever since. This lesson is two fold. First, surround yourself with people who will bring you peace. There’s a reason the Holy Scriptures call us to “encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).” At some point or another, we all need a little encouragement, and God sometimes uses the unexpected to do so. It’s not always the older mentor, the significant other, or even your best friend who has the encouragement you need in a season. Sometimes, it’s the love of a child, a note from a student, or the unwavering kindness of a youther who God uses to transform your life.

Secondly, be the one who brings peace in someone’s life. As Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, “blessed are those who are peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).” I think back to the fact that Bill could’ve been doing anything else at that moment. He could’ve went to the pool with his friends, played video games in one of the other kid’s rooms, or simply done his own thing. He intentionally chose, though, to be an initiator of peace in my life and in the situation of his youth group. We are called to be those who don’t passively keep peace, but actively resolve it, with gentle words and the seeking of godly resolution. Don’t just surround yourself with Bills:  be a Bill to someone else.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." — Angela Schwindt

Over the course of these 12 years of youth ministry, I have taught 100s of lessons. Whether it be: Wednesday night exegetical work; Sunday Night book readings and debates; Thursday morning devotions; the occasional Sunday sermon; multiple small groups; camp seminars; young adult Bible study; and the list goes on and on.

This, though, is not surprising. When you’re a youth minister that’s what you do:  you teach. It’s like being surprised that a janitor uses a broom, or that a mathematician has a calculator. It comes with the territory. If I wasn’t doing these things, I wouldn’t be doing my job, and the church would probably be looking for a new youth leader.

What is surprising though, are the lessons that I have learned along the way. I think in our own ego and pride, we often think that we adults have all the answers. It’s our job to teach; it’s their job to learn. What I have found to be true, though, is that for every lesson I teach, I learn two more from these youth. For what I thought I knew about how L.I.F.E. should be, they have taught me what this whole life, ministry, and call is about.

So, for the next several weeks, starting today, I am going to share with you some of the memories, stories, and lessons I have learned from these young people over the years, and how they have truly transformed my life and walk with the LORD.

Today’s teacher is Alan. This lesson takes place down Short Mountain Highway.

For those of you who don’t know Alan, Alan was a firecracker. When he walked into the room, the atmosphere changed. Alan was loud, goofy, incredibly kind and extremely intelligent. He was the school’s star athlete (played 3 different sports throughout high school), while also being one of the top students in his class. He could do it all, was liked by all, and that rang true here too. Alan was one of a kind.

Alan and I had become really close over his time here in youth group, as he and Alex were constantly with me (more on this season of life later). It’s because of this, why it was so shocking the night he was at youth and said almost nothing to me. He wasn’t making jokes with his friends. He wasn’t answering questions in youth. He wasn’t even really competing in the games. This was not like Alan. Like any decent youth pastor, I asked Alan what was wrong. He didn’t want to talk about it. He was insistent about that.

When it came time to leave youth, Alan didn’t even want a ride home. He wished to walk. Now, Alan didn’t live too far away, but far enough that this made me uncomfortable, especially since clearly he wasn’t being himself. I insisted to give him a ride. He refused. I let him know, “If you’re walking home, I’m walking with you.” And so, we walked.

During this walk, no words were exchanged. Not even a little. I simply walked Alan home, watched him walk into his house, and then got a ride from Mykaela. That was it. It was definitely uncomfortable and a bit awkward. I worried what was going on and feared he may not be back. Thankfully, though, he was back the next week and back to his normal self. We moved on as if nothing happened, and that was okay.

Later that year, at our annual GraceCONVO conference, we gathered for our nightly follow up from the worship. Sometimes, these talks get emotional as the youth share about how much the youth group means to them and such. This night was one of those nights. Alan, with tears in his eyes, shared about how much the youth group had meant to him and shaped his life, and specifically, brought up that night, when we awkwardly walked for 25 minutes in complete silence.

When he shared, he mentioned that walk meant more to him than I could’ve ever known. For where it would’ve been easy to just let him go, he revealed how much he felt loved, seen, and cared for in that moment. As he shut himself off from me, I continued to be open to him. For that, we was extremely grateful. Now, I was in tears.

I think of this walk often in my ministry now, reminding myself that I don’t always have to fix the problem. I don’t always have to say anything or have the right answers. Sometimes, the best and most powerful thing we can do is simply be present. That’s my message for you all today. Some people aren’t ready for your response. Some people don’t need it. All they need to know is that they’re not alone and that you’re there when they’re ready. Be a people who are willing to stand awkwardly in the midst of the silence and the unknown, and just be there for someone. You never know when your presence will usher in the presence of the Divine.

I thank God regularly for the life and ministries of this church, as I hope you all do too. It’s a true gift from God to be a part of a church that is healthy, lively, and making an impact in the community. Praise God that we have a children’s ministry, where kids get to begin their journeys with Jesus in a safe, loving environment. Praise God for a youth group that is discipling young people to be active servants of the LORD. Praise God that our church feeds thousands of people a year through our bountiful food ministry, and can be the hands of Jesus to their souls. This is just scratching the surface of what all goes on here.

What I wanted to spend a few minutes highlighting, though, is a ministry many of you may not even be aware of. For years, there was a need in our community for a place for young adults (those between the ages of 18-30) to have a community and Bible study of their own. Transitioning from youth to adult Bible study can be hard for some, and it is this age range that often falls out of being involved in a church community. Several years ago, several youth ministers alongside Josh and Leslie Wessel, created and cultivated a ministry called Gen. C., which was a place for young adults to be discipled and have Christian fellowship.

Monday Night Meet is fully indebted to that first movement of faith, to create a space for young adults in this community, not just in our church, but the town. Today, this ministry is still multi-denominational and is made up of many different people, in many different walks of faith. Its focus is simple:  to help young adults have accountability, friendship, and deep, meaningful study and discussion of God’s Word. Together, this group has attended multiple conferences that are geared specifically towards those in their particular season of life, had several hang outs together, and have had some deep, insightful studies ranging from the book of Ezekiel to Christians in politics. It’s truly a beautiful, life-giving ministry.

When asked about her time in Monday Night Meet, Kenzie France had this to say, “MNM for me means having a God-centered community of friends to learn, grow, and connect with. MNM is my safe connection to be myself and bring whatever I’m carrying and I know I will be met with love and support.” As the leader of this group, this makes my heart and soul glad, because I hope and pray that all our ministries do exactly this:  invite people to our table as they are, where they can belong and experience the love of God.

So, why did I write about this ministry for this week? Because I’m proud of this ministry, and hope you all are too. As you pray for our other ministries, don’t forget to bring this one to the LORD as well. We covet your prayers and support, as we continue to grow, and reach more young adults in need of community, safe spaces, and the Word of God. If you’re a young adult and would like to join us, reach out and I’ll get you connected! If you’re someone who feels drawn and lead to help lead young adults with your wisdom and life lessons, come find me. Let’s get you involved! If you’re a human being and have made it this far, join me in thanking God for such a vibrant and meaningful community that your giving and prayers support. Below are a few photos from our latest hang out! I hope these smiles and faces bring you the same amount of joy they bring me.

These were the words Jesus shouted, as Martha, Mary and other friends and family mourned outside the tomb. You can imagine the confusion surrounding His command. Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, which was significant for the time. It was a common Jewish belief that the soul would linger around the body for up to 3 days before death was final. Jesus waiting until 4 days after his death, would have meant Lazarus’s family would have been hopeless. There was no denying it:  Lazarus was gone.

Thus, we can imagine, though some of these Jewish followers said they believed Jesus was the Messiah, there was probably some doubt as they anticipated the unimaginable. To their surprise and relief, Jesus’s words did not return void, as a formerly dead Lazarus came to life. His life, was not simply saved, but revived!

But, this is just the beginning of Lazarus’s new journey. Though breath had entered his lungs and consciousness to his mind, Lazarus was still bound, shrouded in the dressings of his death. Had he been revived, but stayed in the tomb in his wrappings, he would have still been effectively dead. Life returned at Jesus’s shout, “Come out, Lazarus!” Freedom, though, came when Jesus commanded the people, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Notice what happens here:  Jesus does the saving. Lazarus faithfully steps out of the grave. It’s the people alongside Lazarus, though, that unwrap the cloths. Lazarus’s story was far greater than a personal resurrection. It was for the glory of God, and for the belief (and participation) of the people.

Jesus doesn’t unwrap Lazarus. He doesn’t tell Lazarus to use his newfound life and strength to unwrap himself. Jesus commands the people, his family and friends, to be a part of this miraculous event, and free Lazarus from his former deathly estate. Today, the call remains the same for each of us.

The call for this week is two-fold. One:  don’t sit idol in your grave clothes. Many of us have been saved by the grace of God, yet, stay bound in sins in which Jesus never intended for us to remain. We’re breathing and living, but we’re not truly alive; we’re not truly free. Some of us need to take that step of faith and walk out of the grave, with vulnerability and strength, to allow others to help in our process of sanctification. As we confess our sins to one another, admit our struggles, and shed light on our darkest moments, Jesus is there, working in and through the community in which He has lovingly called us. No shame. No guilt. Just life given to us by the Word of God.

The second call, is to realize you’re not just Lazarus in the story:  you’re also Martha, Mary, and the other members of the community. Unfortunately, there are many times that brothers and sisters come out of their graves, vulnerably and courageously, and we respond in fear, condemnation, and judgement. Instead of participating in their sanctification, we toss them back in the grave, disgusted by the sins and shames that stain their garments. What we forget, though, is that Jesus has came and already washed those garments clean (just as He did for you). Our job is not to worry about what stains someone had; but to participate with joy and willingness in the sanctification they are undergoing now.

God’s Word is life. Breathe it in and exhale it out.

Growing up, I had never been to the beach, and because of this, I didn’t get the hype. I’d heard some say that the sand was hot and clingy. I’d heard others say that the ocean was just a bigger Center Hill. I’d even heard the humidity could be insane, and the sun burns could be gnarly for some people. For a child who knew no better, this was all the beach was and could be, so I never sought it out.

As I got older, I began wondering, “If the beach is so bad, then why do so many people pay so much money to go?” There had to be something more to the beach than scorching sands and sticky air. When I got invited by a good friend (our very own Jacob Parsley) to go with his family to the beach, I decided to experience it for myself. I could finally find out if the beach was worth its salt or not. (Pun intended)

I’ll never forget that first time seeing the ocean. I’d never felt so small before. Though the lake is a decent size body of water, nothing compared to the gulf that stood before me. The air was humid for sure, but I’ve never felt anything as refreshing as a cool ocean breeze. The sand, though clingy, was therapeutic, and there’s nothing quite like having your feet in the sand, enjoying the sound of the waves and the sound of various creatures singing their instinctive songs. I fell in love with the beach, and I’m still enamored by it.

No one else’s experience ever helped me fall in love with the beach. No amount of personal testimony could ever speak to the beauty that is the sea. No perfect portrait could ever capture the feeling of grainy, warm sand. No video clip could ever do justice the relief that a cool gust of ocean breeze brings. I had to experience it myself.

This is the same with God.

People need not to simply hear about God’s love. They must experience it. Too often, we rely on efforts to teach others about God’s love, rather than create spaces for people to feel it. We think that if I tell them enough Bible studies or recite enough Christian anecdotes, they’ll almost magically come to a full understanding of the Creator of the Universe. Yet, none of us learned our way into grace; we were lovingly called to it.

Unlike the beach, though, we can’t drag people to God. There’s no sure fire way to make someone feel loved by God. I think that’s why we fall prey to constantly trying to teach people about it. We hope that if they can somehow logically rationalize it, maybe it’ll transfuse into their hearts. Don’t get me wrong; teaching is important and has its place. But I believe there’s a better way to reach the lost. As the Holy Scriptures tell us, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

From the beginning of time, God has invited people into the beauty that is being co-creators and co-laborers with Him in bringing life and light to the world. And as John 3:16 so famously reminds us (and truly the entirety of the entire Bible), God acts not out of arrogance or obligation, but out of His love for us. Thus, we too must be driven not by culture wars, a defense of our faith, or a need to be proven right. Instead, we must mirror YAHWEH and chase down the lost in love, mercy, and grace. When Christians resort to knowledge over compassion, it’s like throwing beach pamphlets at someone saying, “Fall in love with this beach; you must!”

So, be like the Parsleys and take someone to the beach. Love them towards the deep depths of God’s love. Love them towards the infinite grains of God’s grace. Love them towards the relieving gusts of God’s justice. Love them into the arms of Jesus.

One Sunday afternoon, I was doing my usual routine and picking up students for youth group. After I had just picked up my first student and was in route to pick up another, this student and I were discussing youth group and just life in general. During our discussion, my student tells me that recently, her friend told her that our youth group was weird. She told me this comment hurt her feelings a bit, because she loves our little youth group. (As do I!) When she asked him what he meant by it, he did not give much follow up, but we both knew why:  our youth group looks different than many.

No one particular crowd attends our youth group. We have some students who are well-known and others who are not. We have students who are well-liked by their teachers and others not so much. We have students who come from affluent families and others who would be considered impoverished. We have students who wear brand name clothes and others who couldn't care less about the label on their shirts. Some kids are loud and outgoing and others barely speak a word. The beauty of it all, though, is although our tastes, interests, family situations, fashion choices, and personalities are all so different, God has made a family out of us. In my humble opinion, this is how it ought to be.

What hurt me most about my student's friend's statement was not that he called us "weird." What hurt my soul most, was what went silently unspoken in that moment. It was clear this student had an idea of what Christian people should be. To be in community, you must look like me, think like me, and have the same interests as me. To not have that, is to not be worthy of my community. Praise be to God, though, the community was never yours or mine to claim:  it's His.

The most beautiful attribute of our youth group, in this humble youth pastor's opinion, is not its conformity to itself, but in its God-ordained diversity. Jesus came not solely to the rich, but to the poor; not exclusively to the Jew, but to the Gentile; not predominantly to the male, but to females alike. Jesus was never about leaving anyone behind. Rather, Jesus purposefully sought the lowly, the excluded, and the lost. Jesus loved the misfit.

In God's presence, the excluded becomes welcomed; the estranged becomes united; the misfit becomes a friend; the enemy becomes a loved member of the family. This is the Kingdom of God. This is what Jesus came to do. The Kingdom values the inherent worth of all kinds of people, from all kinds of places, with all kinds of gifts. In fact, this very thing He described as His Body, with varying capacities, roles, and purposes, all of which were needed for the Body to fully bear the image of Our Father.

All this to say:  I'm thankful for our weird youth group. In my twelve years of ministry, my favorite part has been, and always will be, seeing the kids who struggled to fit in find their home. My prayer has been, is, and will continue to be, that we are a place where all those God loves can feel seen. Where each person made in the image of their Creator can feel safe and worthy. Where all peoples can come exactly as they are and taste and see that the LORD their God is good.

Some may call it weird seeing a group like ours share meals together, play games together, explore the Word together, and love the world together. I, however, think it's more accurate to call it "a small glimpse of Heaven." May we be weird in the world's eyes, as we live lives not conformed to the patterns of the world, but ones that have been transformed into the image of God.

Last time we were in Ezekiel 16, we discussed the depravity of Israel, who had been "playing the whore" with other nations and false gods. They had abandoned the One who had saved them, raised them up, and blessed them with every good and perfect gift. Their punishment had been named, and God defended said punishment, because they had brought the guilt upon themselves. That should be the end of the story, right? After all, even the NT Scriptures say (though not ideal), adultery is grounds for divorce. Israel had committed infidelity; God had the right to terminate His covenantal vows.

God, displaying both His perfect justice and infinite grace does the unexpected:  He keeps His covenant with Israel. Though they had brought other nations to bed, had given them their precious gifts, and had even sacrificed the lives of their own children, God chooses to be abundantly merciful to the Israelites and vows to keep His promises. Beyond this, though, notice what happens in verse 60 of the chapter. "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." Do you see that? God doesn't just keep His established covenant with His adulteress bride; He establishes a new and everlasting covenant! Can you even imagine it? Imagine you had cheated on your spouse, and instead of leaving you, they bind themselves even more closely to you? Instead of kicking you from your bedroom, they build you an entirely new home? It's seemingly illogical. It's arguably reckless. It's fully grace. This is the character and love of the LORD God.

Maybe you've been "playing the whore" now for a while. Maybe you have rebelled against God time and time again. Maybe you still struggle with sin and darkness in your everyday life. Even still:  God still loves you. God still wishes to be in an everlasting relationship with you. God still desires your presence and your praises. God still calls you His bride and invites you to be a part of His very Body. As the Lord declared through Ezekiel, “...So repent and turn from all your sins so that sin won’t keep on being a stumbling block for you. Stop your transgressing—the deeds by which you’ve rebelled—and then make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit (18:30-31)."

Walk into the light this holy season. Confess your sin before God and mankind. Turn to our Heavenly Father. Invite Him in to create within you a new heart.

I once heard someone say there's nothing really enjoyable in Ezekiel other than the Valley of the Dry Bones story. Though that's an exciting story and all, I think the writings of Ezekiel have tons of wisdom to offer. In fact, I think there's several passages that surpass that of Ezekiel 37. In our young adult ministry that meets on Monday nights, we just finished chapter 16 of the book, and let me tell you, if you haven't read Ezekiel 16 recently, you should. Throughout these next two posts, we will explore this chapter:  The Parable of the Adulteress Wife. Before we jump in, let's get some background.

As we know, God had created a covenant with Abraham, promising to give his descendants a region we know as the Promised Land. His lineage would become the tribes that made up the nation of Israel, and God had declared them to be His people, as long as they acknowledged Him as their God. This meant for the Israelites to be obedient to the laws and commands of the LORD.

In His covenant with the Israelites, God ensured the conquest of the Promised Land, under the condition that the Israelites would drive out the peoples already inhabiting the land. The reason:  God knew that if the Israelites had fellowship with these other people groups, that they would intermarry with them, and begin to worship their gods and adopt their impure habits. The Israelites failed to listen to the LORD, and low and behold, they began to serve the gods of the other nations, trusting in idols and political powers rather than on the sovereignty of God. After years and years of perpetual idolatry, desecration of the Temple, and self-reliance, the LORD was ready to give the people of Israel the punishment they deserved. This is where Ezekiel 16 comes in.

Ezekiel 16 opens up with a graphic description of an infant lying hopeless, abandoned, and destined for death. No one had bathed the child, cut her cord, or prepared her to be officially named and accepted by her family. Her fate lie solely with the LORD. Thankfully, God saw her in her condition, and cleaned her, prepared her, and raised her up. Her life was spared. God not only gives her life, though, as the parable teaches us, He also cares for and sustains her, as He prepares this child to be His bride. He lavishes her with the very best a groom was expected to provide; He was the perfect husband. Yet, quickly we see the child, now a grown woman, abandons her husband for other lovers. She offers those she takes to bed the riches of her groom. This of course represents Israel, and their failure to be faithful to the LORD.

Being both loving and just, God cannot simply stand by idly as His bride whores herself to false gods and lifeless idols. So, He "calls it as He sees it," and declares truth to the people of Israel. The message He gives is this:  "You, O people of Israel, are playing the whore. You have given the riches, the gifts, the abilities, and even your own children to these useless idols. Not out of necessity, but out of simple selfish pleasure and disobedience. As you play the whore, you do not even do that properly, as at least a whore is paid for her unrighteousness. You, O Israel, are paying to lose your righteousness, gaining nothing in return. Thus, you shall receive what is required by Law:  to be burned, stoned, and slain by the sword." This was the required punishments for a prostitute, adulteress, and idolator, all of which Israel was guilty of committing toward her groom.

Now, maybe this sounds harsh, but let's be clear:  God had already warned Israel countless times to repent and turn back to Him. This also was declared punishments to be found in the Law as written in Leviticus. The people knew what would come of those who committed such whoredom; there was no excuse of ignorance on the Israelites' part. Though the punishment is hard to swallow, it's what was deserved. However, notice the grace in the conviction. God does not call Israel a "whore," but rather, says she is "playing the whore." This is significant. It's one thing to be something, and it's another to play as something. One defines your identity, the other describes your condition. Even in His judgment, God reminds the people of Israel, that though they are currently being like a whore in the midst of their covenantal relationship, that's not truly who they are or who He has called them to be. Israel was made to be His bride, not a common whore.

Thankfully, we live in the light and grace of the New Covenant, where God calls both the Jew and the Gentile to be His bride. God has found us in our sin condition, destined for death, and has revived us, sustained us, and restored us in His grace for His glory. Like the Israelites, we too are tempted to play the whore, and give of ourselves intimately to the idols of this world. As we spend time in repentance, prayer, and mediation, the question stands:  are you living your life as a faithful bride? Or, are you playing the whore, living in intentional disobedience to the LORD God? If you've felt conviction throughout this Lenten season, do not be discouraged, because remember:  though your actions may be that of an idolator, God declares that you are His bride. Place your hope in who God has made you to be, and repent of your adulteress ways. God does all these things out of His deep love for us, so we will know that He is the LORD.

What comes to mind when you think of "meditation?" Is the image you see of a Buddhist monk, sitting quietly in a temple? Or, maybe it's a group of people doing yoga and breathing exercises, or a devout Muslim facedown toward Mecca? Weirdly enough, this seems to be the case for many Christians today. Meditation is for anyone and everyone but Christians, because meditation is wrong. Today I ask the question though:  is this true? Join me, as we explore a bit about mediation, and decide whether it's appropriate for followers of Christ during the Lenten season (or ever really).

To test if something is right or wrong, the place Christians should turn first is the very Word of God. Seems obvious right? Yet, often times we find ourselves unknowingly perpetuating and following tradition and religiosity over the Word itself. Growing up, I heard mediation was wrong, because other religions meditated; we pray. Yet, if we seek the Scriptures of the Living God, we see meditation is not just suggested:  it's commanded.

In the book of Joshua, the Lord declares, "This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do (1:8)."

In the book of Psalms, the Lord declares through David, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night (1:1-3)."

Though not explicitly stated as such, we can safely conclude, too, that Jesus practiced mediation. As we see in the New Testament, Jesus often was found taking time to be in remote places, and to spend the whole evening in prayer (Luke 6:12 and Mark 1:34).

So, what does it mean to meditate, though? How is prayer different or the same? Let's dive a little deeper, shall we?

As found in Psalm 1, the word we translate as meditate is the Hebrew word, "hagah" (הָגָה). This word can mean a couple of different things, but in the context of its application to humanity, it means "quietly reciting the words of Scripture aloud or in your mind, as a way to focus your attention so that these words become a part of you." Prayer, on the other hand, is often defined by the Hebrew term "tefillah" (תפילה) or the Greek word "proseuche" (προσουχή), which mean "petiion" or "supplication."

Notice the difference? Prayer is an action of asking something of God, while meditation is the way of knowing Him and His word. If we as Christians only ever find ourselves asking of God, how are we ever to hear an answer when we have never taken the time to know His voice? Thus, I would say it's not just a recommendation, but rather, an essential part of our faith to be a people marked by both prayer and mediation.

So, should you mediate this Lenten season? 100%, yes! Take note, though, we do not mediate to find our "inner selves." We mediate on the Word of God, as it becomes a transformative instrument to our minds, hearts, and souls. Take time this season, and every day after, to be like that tree planted by streams of water, who never withers and prospers (Psalm 1:4), and finds their delight in the law of the Living God. Practice getting to know the Good Shepherd's voice this season, and take time to simply be with God, instead of wanting of Him.

As we enter our first full week of Lent, many of us are practicing self-denial through fasting. Whether it be social media, caffeine, meat, sweets, or smoking, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are fasting alongside one another in observance of Lent. Last week, we briefly discussed some of the "why's" of the tradition, but many still may be wondering "Why fast?" Can't we still serve God without fasting? Is fasting just legalism? Is there any REAL benefit, other than celebrating tradition? Over the next few weeks, we will explore a few of these traditional Lenten religious practices, and examine both the theological and even psychological impacts of them.

Long before it was a religious tradition or a modern diet-trend, fasting was established as a spiritual discipline. The first mention of fasting in Scripture comes at one of the most monumental moments of the Old Testament:  Moses at Mount Sinai. Whilst receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses fasted for 40 days and nights. Now, some may argue this fast was simply logistical; he fasted because he was on a mountain and had no access to such provisions. However, this is not an isolated occasion. All throughout Scripture, we see people fast when seeking, or actively in, the presence of the LORD Almighty.

In terms of direct commandments of fasting, the Law of Moses only has one direct occurrence:  the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-30). This day was the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, and was "religiously busy." On this day, the high priest performed rituals to atone for the sins of the people; the people fasted and did not work; the high priest entered the Most Holy Place with incense and sprinkled the mercy seat with blood; and a goat was sacrificed and expelled into the wilderness to carry the people's sins away. As you can imagine, it was a day held in extreme importance, and God demanded fasting on such a day.

So, why did Moses fast? Was it simply circumstance? Or could it be that when you're in the presence of the Living God, you neither need nor desire anything else? Now I'm not a gambling man, but I'd bet it's the latter. See, the Bible is full of passages where people fasted in moments of needing to fully depend on the LORD. Just to name a few:  

• When Daniel fasted for 21 days, and God gave him revelations about Israel's future (Daniel 10:2-3)
• When David fasted and prayed over his sick son (2 Samuel 12:16-20)
• When Esther and the Jews fasted before she approached King Xerxes (Esther 4:16)
• When Saul fasted for three days after his conversion (Acts 9:9)
• When Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

So, why do we fast? To remind ourselves that we are not dependent upon anything more than the Creator of the Universe, the Lover of Our Souls. No thing can satisfy us in a way that's more fulfilling, pleasurable, and constant than being dependent upon God, calling upon Him in our weakness and distress. In this season, remove the idols and distractions, give of yourself in a new way, and enjoy intimacy with your Heavenly Father. 

This Ash Wednesday, March 5, marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Growing up in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, this is something I have often observed, if nonetheless, been familiar with. As I have gotten older, though, and have cultivated relationships with others from different Christian traditions, I realize that Lent is not observed by many in the Protestant Christian faith. So, before we begin our journey together this Lenten season, let's talk about it.  What is Lent exactly? What is its purpose? What can I do to participate?

Lent is a 40-day period of preparation, leading up to the pinnacle of the Christian faith:  Resurrection Sunday. During this time, believers are encouraged to reflect upon their sinful natures and to be renewed by the Holy Spirit through repentance.

As we take time to reflect upon our sins and seek conviction that leads to repentance, we ultimately seek to renew our relationships with the LORD God. As Isaiah 59:2 declares, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God..." Though saved through grace that cannot be taken from us, believers still have the ability to harm the intimacy experienced with God through sinful actions. Thus, one purpose of the Lenten season is to gather our hearts back to the Heart of God.

Lent also gives us a chance to place ourselves humbly before the LORD God, in order to fully enter Resurrection Sunday in thanksgiving and celebration. I think it is true of many of us, myself included, that we take grace and the Gospel message of Jesus for granted. As we take time to humble ourselves and see the true depravity of ourselves and all of humanity, we more clearly see the depth of the love and grace of God, and are more able to offer to God the glory and praise He deserves.

Lent is not to be something legalistic or pragmatic, but rather, something that is deeply personal and brings you in places of worship and acknowledgement of the LORD and His goodness. Though these are things that are generally practiced, know that individual changes to these things are welcomed and appropriate.

• Self-Denial/Fasting:  Jesus gave of His heavenly throne and glory to enter into human flesh and to die a shameful death for our sins. We, too, are invited to practice giving of ourselves in this time of Lent. The giving up of habits, such as social media usage, smoking, or sweets that we enjoy are a few examples of this. Also, legitimate fasting of things such as meat, dairy, or other staples of our diet are often practiced. 
• Almsgiving:  Jesus came for the broken, the lost, and the downtrodden. Thus, we are invited to enter into humble service of the LORD by generous acts of charity. You can also give of God your talents, using them as fragrant offerings to the Father. 
• Prayer/Meditation:  The Bible is not simply a historical document or book of wisdom, but the Living, breathing Word of God. Thus, if we seek to renew our intimacy with God, we must intentionally seek to hear from His Word. Taking time to dive deep and to mediate on His Word in prayer, silence, and even group study, allows for God to speak and be heard through the noise and busy-ness of everyday life. The YouVersion Bible app even has specific reading plans for Lent.

So, before you get to Ash Wednesday, prepare yourself by asking the question: "What is God leading me to this Lenten season? What do I need to sacrifice and repent of in order to deepen the intimacy between my Father and me?"

As always, our annual Birthday Bash was a BLAST! For the past 17 years, our church has hosted this so-called "Birthday Bash," which is a dinner where you sit at tables with people who share the same birth month. As you can see, each table was decorated by members of the church to represent a significant day of that month. 

Beyond just our normal fellowship, though, we had a fundraising event for our youth who are attending the Asian Youth Gathering (AYG) in Cambodia this upcoming August! The concept was simple:  bid money to Pie the Pastor (and other church staff). Bids were made. Fun was had. And the church raised $1275 for our cause! Thank you to everyone who prepared food, came to fellowship, and helped make this trip possible for our young people! Because of you, we are blessed here at Smithville CPC!