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Church

May 16, 2023

in Church, DTOTD, Outreach

by Brendon

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I saw a reel

“……that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by him this man is standing before you well.” – Peter from Acts 4:10b

I saw a reel today…

How many times have you said this in a conversation? As our culture shifts to more and more of a digital landscape, seeing the bits that a reel provides, has started to shape the way we view the world. It shows the highlights and maybe sometimes shows the vulnerability that we as humans tend to show much more seldomly.

The book of Acts is one that is intriguing and one that provides a ” reel ” into what the early church operated as. A place of belonging and love and forgiveness and grace and teaching and sharing and eating and being with one another. It gives us a view into the world that the apostles and those that followed Jesus, both during his life and those that came to believe in Jesus after the Ascension to Heaven. It gives us a glimpse into what the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do.

” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…..” Acts 4: 8a

” And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance…..and at this sound the multitude came together and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language and they were amazed and astonished….” Acts 2:4 and 6-7a

” And they were all filled the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31b

Imagine what the Instagram or TikTok world would look like if these were the reels that people saw?

Imagine what our world would look like if these were the reels that we saw on a daily basis?

The book of Acts shows us also that this group of believers, a very small group of believers, made waves of impact. In todays culture, making an impact in the world is much harder than ever. There is an ever growing conception that the church is not useful or the church is not relevant. But in todays world, the church, might be the most important gathering place of all. There are culture wars, there are political wars, there are actual wars where people are dying, there are wars in our schools over what is needed and what is not, there are wars in our neighborhoods about what should be allowed and what shouldn’t be. There are wars in our own homes that can lead to devastating outcomes.

I saw a reel, just earlier today with a young person challenging a pastor about repentance. Her question was a valid one, it went something like this, ” what good is repentance if you just stated that we are all going to suffer no matter what? Why should I repent if I am still going to face suffering?” The pastors response was received, whether or not the young person believed him is another question. The pastor, filled with the Holy Spirit began to speak about the hope and the light at the end of the suffering that as a Christian we have, that when we give our lives to Jesus and we allow him to be a part of the suffering, that there is hope that those that do not believe in Jesus just don’t have.

” And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Here is a reel for you….

I saw a reel and went something like this:

” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13

You have the same Holy Spirit as Peter and John and the rest of the believers of the Early Church. You have the same Holy Spirit that fills you with a boldness that gives you power and strength to speak the truth in love and grace. You have the same Holy Spirit in you that gives you access to the creator and author of Life. You have the same Holy Spirit that brings life back from the dead. You have the same Holy Spirit that heals wounds. You have the same Holy Spirit that mends relationships. You have the same Holy Spirit that carries in tough times. You have the same Holy Spirit that gives light to the darkness.

I saw a reel, that showed the church rise up in a way that no one expects to unleash love and hope and grace and truth in a world that needs more and more of all of those.

The book of Acts is a reel…of how some uneducated and common people took the message of Jesus to a culture that did everything it could to stop the spread of that reel. What that culture didn’t know….

is the that the reel would continue to spread to the ends of the earth and there is nothing they can do to stop it.

May 3, 2023

in Church, HCC

by Brendon

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GST #2 is Coming!

As a Guest Services Team, we started the year with some goals in mind. One of those goals was to gather more often and more intentionally. We entered into the 2023 year with 4 things on the calendar that would bring about an annual calendar rhythm. Two trainings and two gatherings. The trainings come in the front half of the year and the other two are specific gatherings, one for coaches and leaders and then one for all Guest Services to come together and celebrate the year and look towards the new year.

We are gathering together for our second training of the year on May 25th!

The first training we gathered for was mainly for a quick recap of who Harvester Christian Church is and what we believe as well as a great walkthrough from our safety team about what the process looks like if there was ever a severe weather event on a Sunday morning.

This upcoming training will be more about on-the-ground training. We will talk through how we handle the exterior entrance doors all the way through what to do if someone wants to get baptized. I hope that you will make the time in your schedule to join us in The Landing from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Click on this link: GST #2 – to register to come and be with us!

April 13, 2023

in Church, Local, Outreach

by cefiggins

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Serving Spotlight – Krista Gurley

Meet Krista Gurley!

I have been at HCC (Harvester Christian Church) for more than twenty years and have been blessed by all of the staff and volunteers who have served my family in so many different capacities over the years. Part of my way of giving back to so many people who have invested in my kids is finding ways that I can serve.

Last year, I began serving monthly at the Sharing Shed. We partner with other area churches throughout the St Charles community to individuals and families who, because of various life circumstances, are trying to get into their own home. Often for the first time. We help them shop for all their basic home furnishings to help give them a small head start in the next chapter of their lives. For even that small amount of time we are with the families, we get to just love them, hug them, pray for them and let them know they aren’t alone. It’s a small amount of time to be with a stranger, but it reminds me that we have that opportunity everywhere we go, with everyone we encounter. We can just love people where we encounter them. Life can be hard. It seems like especially now that so many people around us are hurting. Even the good things in our lives sometimes can feel like a burden, but as Christians if we can try to look at each encounter with those around us as an opportunity to serve Christ we often will find ourselves being blessed and filled with joy.

I love serving at the Sharing Shed because it has moved me past the 4 walls at Harvester and into the community. I have made new friends from Harvester, some who I probably never would have met otherwise. Plus, I get to join with Christians from all over St Charles to come together for others.

For me, I want serving to be an extension of who I am. Whether it’s opening up my home to my kids and their friends, offering a ride or a meal to someone or just listening and praying with a coworker I want serving to be the natural make up of my life.

April 8, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, HCC

by Brendon

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Holy Week

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

– John 16:25-30

In a moment when Jesus is giving his final words for not only the disciples to learn from, but also the final words we see given to us to be able to learn also, Jesus gives a plain thought for the disciples to understand and to hear. 3 years….that is how long the disciples were with Jesus and on the eve before Jesus would go to the Cross, the disciples feel as though they finally get what Jesus has been trying to tell them all along. There is another moment in scripture when Jesus speaks plainly to the disciples, it was early in the ministry of Jesus, you can see it in Matthew 13. Jesus finished teaching multiple parables in this chapter and the disciples question him of why he always speaks in parables. Jesus then takes the chance to speak plainly to the disciples and he explains 2 of the parables that he speaks.

In this moment though, I ask myself the question – would I be relieved to understand what Jesus is saying to me as a disciple or would I continue questioning what Jesus is saying?

Think about it. Jesus is now telling the disciples that He has come for a purpose from his Father in heaven and now he is getting ready to go back to heaven to be with his Father. The disciples, even though seemingly relieved that they understand what Jesus is saying, most likely have the doubts still creeping in as to whether they can really trust Jesus in this moment or is it the dream that they have been living in coming to a screeching halt.

Jesus finishes John 16’s conversation that leads into a prayer where we see Jesus in some of his most vulnerable moments and to be honest, some of the most hopeful words that we can read.

” I do not ask for these only, but also for THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – Jesus, John 17: 20-21

Read those words again slowly.

Jesus is praying for you.

Jesus is setting the stage for what is to come, not what is current. In all of the emotions and situation Jesus found himself in, Jesus stopped and prayed for you. Something that stands out in these words of Jesus: The call to be one together.

In a world full of chaos and war and anger and fear and arguments and distrust, Jesus calls those who believe to be one just like He is one with the Father. That implies some things that we all need to take in to account when it comes to the way that we interact with those around us.

First, it implies that we will think the best of one another and not the worst. We have all been guilty of this at some point. We see someone and we let the external voices and situations sway our opinions of those people. Now, this is not an argument for kum-bya with every single person that we interact with. Given that we live in an imperfect fallen world, there is not expectation for us to be able to attain a good status with all people. Jesus was not able to do that, in fact, Jesus if you really think about it, spoke words of truth that scared people away.

Second, it implies that we understand what Jesus is saying when he says we are together as he and the father are. In fairness, that is a lofty goal and one that really isn’t attainable. Because of our imperfection and the fall and the inherent sin that we have inside of our hearts, it makes it incredibly difficult for us to do this by our own strength or behaviors. I believe what Jesus is trying to get across in this situation is not that we can be one, but we can all be one in our abiding in Jesus as Jesus abides in the Father. This IS something that we can all work towards. Knowing that Jesus abided in his Father to give him strength and love and grace and power and direction, we too can look to Jesus as one to gain strength, love, grace, power and direction. As one, we can be with Jesus, and Jesus can be with us, just as Jesus was with the Father and the Father with him.

Finally, it implies that there is someone that will teach, preach or communicate the words of Jesus to us. This is something that we all have the ability to do, especially when we abide in Jesus and Jesus abides with us. Our purpose and mission on this earth while we are here is to be part of the reconciliation process of God’s creation, bringing those that will hear the words of Jesus and believe in them to create an everlasting relationship with Jesus. But that means that we as a whole, have a part in accomplishing or executing that purpose. Yes, the first calling of our being is to abide with Jesus. We are called to learn from Jesus, pray to Jesus, spend time with Jesus and love Jesus. The second calling however is to love our neighbors as ourselves. There is not much better than doing our best to love our neighbors by, showing Jesus’ love to them, serving them in love, forgiving them in love, helping them through a crisis in love. We have the ability to shares God’s love through his son Jesus in so many different ways, that it can almost feel overwhelming.

Whatever the means that we find the ability to share the love of Jesus with those around us, so that we can help the world believe in Jesus, we should. Even when it is hard, even when it seems impossible, even when the outcome is not what we hope for.

Just like Jesus taught in Matthew 13, the seeds are sown into the soils by those who are not afraid to speak the love of Jesus together.

On this the last post of Holy week, know that as Jesus is beaten, flogged, mocked, spat on and then eventually hung to a tree, Jesus do so for you and me. If we believe this message and accept this grace and love that Jesus offers to all that will believe, we have the ability and purpose to tell others about it.

Pray today that God will open up a space or a chance for you to share the love of Jesus with someone.

Also pray for the courage to speak boldly.

April 7, 2023

in Church, DTOTD, HCC

by Brendon

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Holy Week

” I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

Jesus, John 14:6

The supper was done. The one that was going to betray Jesus had left to do his part in fulfilling the prophecies and the plan to lead Jesus to the cross. The disciples sat with Jesus after the Passover meal was had and they listened to him give what is known as Jesus’ Farewell Discords. After talking with Roger Clark, he said, ” I think we should pay attention a little more to the last words than we do sometimes.”

What if I told you that even in the most intimate settings and the most intimate of conversations that Jesus had with his best friends and those that would continue his message of love and grace and freedom….that Jesus was thinking about you?

We see in John 14, the conversation starts with Jesus simply stating the truth. That the only way for anyone to get to the Father, God, is through him. That Jesus is the truth, meaning we should pay close attention and learn from everything that he says. That Jesus is life, meaning in Jesus there is a life of freedom that no one can experience unless coming to Him. For the disciples, I have a feeling there was a little bit more understanding to what he is saying, but for Thomas, Thomas asked the question that led Jesus to the answer he gives in 14:6.

” Thomas said to him, ‘ Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

John 14:5

I have a feeling that if we were all truly honest with ourselves, we all are a bit more like Thomas that the rest of the disciples. We ask the questions to get better understanding. We doubt because we just don’t know if we can truly trust the words of Jesus. But in the end, when we have a transcending moment with Jesus, we fall to our knees and cry out ” My Lord and my God!!” John 20:28.

The Farewell Discord is one that is full of things to unpack and think about, but today, on what would have been the day that Jesus is betrayed and led to a crooked court…..ask yourself this question…..

What would you be thinking if you were the disciples? How would you react with some of what Jesus is saying after spending 3 years with him?

Those thoughts that you might have, might get blown away in just a little while when we get to John 17 where Jesus prays for you. Jesus knows you and sees you and knows every area of your life that you try to keep hidden.

But Jesus, never turns away.

April 6, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus, Local, Outreach

by Brendon

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Holy Week

” When He had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place he said to them, ” Do you understand what I have done to you?” – John 13:12

The Upper Room would have been a site to see. In John 13 we see Jesus with his disciples for a final meal not just together but for the last meal that Jesus will have on earth. It is filled with emotion. The crowds are closing in on Jesus and the ministry that He has started is getting ready to come to and end and the baton will be passed on to the people in the room he is eating with. We saw yesterday that Jesus got up from his place at the table, got down with a basin of water, and washed each of the disciple’s feet. There was a significance to that washing of the feet because Jesus took on the place of a servant to the disciples even though he was sitting at the head of the table. It was also significant because Jesus was setting the stage for his final true command for the disciples to carry on after he ascends into heaven.

” You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also must wash one another’s feet. For i have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ” – John 13:13-17

The disciple’s heads must be spinning at this point. They just had their teacher, and their rabbi gets down and wash their feet. The way a servant should. But now Jesus gets back to his place at the table he looks at them and tells them they need to wash each other’s feet. That Jesus’ example should be followed in the realm of serving those around you. What does serving have to do with this whole scene? What is Jesus trying to accomplish here in showing the disciples what it means to serve one another? Jesus answers this question this way:

” When he had gone out, Jesus said, ” Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at one. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you, Where I am going you cannot come. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as i have loved you, you also are to love one another. BY THIS all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ” John 13:31-35

If we love one another, we will serve one another. If we serve one another, that means we love one another, which will show the world that we are Jesus’ disciples. Jesus in this moment, knows that the betrayer has left and that Satan has filled the heart of one of the men that followed Jesus. So Jesus with the rest of his disciples answers maybe the question in which the disciples were asking after Jesus washed their feet and told them they also must wash one another’s feet to serve them. Jesus gives us the way people will know that we know Him. By the way we love one another. Jesus loves us so much, that in just a few short hours after this intimate moment with his closest people, He would be falsely arrested, brought to a crooked trial, beaten until almost dead and then would have to carry his own object of death to be nailed to it. Jesus shows us how to serve and how to love one another when He does not turn away from the end of his mission of restoring a relationship that was broken so long ago. When we serve one another, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus. When we get down from our high place at the table and learn what it means to serve all those around us, then we are showing the love of Jesus to them.

When we love one another, we serve one another. When we serve one another, we show the world that we are Jesus’ disciples because we love the way he loved us.

Today, on the night before Jesus dies for us on a tree, think about the love He has shown you not just from the cross, but also throughout your walks in life.

April 6, 2023

in Church, Global, Outreach

by Brendon

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Serving Spotlight – Emily Windsor

Meet Emily Windsor!

I enjoy serving because _______,

It humbles me. It is a continual reminder that this life I am living isn’t about me. The things that I do and the accomplishments that I achieve aren’t for my glory, but for God’s. I love seeing the impact that I can make by simply showing up.

I got to serve and see this impact on ________

There are so many stories that I could share. A fond, impactful memory I have is when my team traveled to Haiti in 2016 to spend our spring break with orphaned girls at the House of Hope. We stayed there for a little under a week and got to share the love of Jesus Christ through storytelling, craft making, wall painting, and quality time. That week was very memorable for all of us and on the final day, when we were leaving the orphanage, I remember looking back at the kids, who were ever so sad to see us go. Seeing their eager waves goodbye and the smiles on their faces is when I knew, just by showing up, Christ’s love is revealed to others.

Serving has impacted me through, by ________

Sometimes in life, we don’t feel like we have the energy to serve others. As an introvert, I get this feeling more often than I wish. However, every time I do serve, especially if it’s with the right heart, I feel refreshed and renewed. I feel closer to Christ and am reminded of the many blessings I have and the opportunities that are right before me. Through serving, I am humbled and get to see things from a new perspective.

Where did/do you serve?

My passion is serving internationally! I have served in other areas of the church, such as in the nursery for many many years, but currently my passion is missions. For the past couple of years, I have heard God’s calling in my life toward international missions. It has only grown stronger after my return from Lebanon in 2022. I’ve been seeking out other avenues/locations to see what the Lord is doing and have trips planned to Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Middle East, and hopefully more!

What is your favorite thing about serving?

Growing Christ’s kingdom. To see more and more knees bow to the Lord. To see a lost person open up the Holy Bible and read about this man named Jesus. To be able to answer questions, to guide, and to be a friend. To experience other cultures and see how they praise the Lord. To be humbled.

What did/do you do while serving?

Every experience is different and I never assume what I will come across! The Lord has a way of showing you things you would’ve never thought you could do. I’ve loved on the little kiddos who come to Harvester, I’ve gone on service trips, such as the one mentioned earlier to Haiti, I’ve also done evangelistic trips and more. Personally, I love the trips where I get to share the gospel! I’m always taken back to the story of the woman at the well in John 4. This Samaritan woman, who only had a short encounter with Jesus and immediately went to tell the people about Him makes me wonder, where is our boldness and courage as Christians?! I have been prayerfully asking God to give me just that and He has! I can feel the Holy Spirit inside me as I write this, excited to be able to share my passion for the lost. There are so many people in this world, in our communities, and in our own homes who need to hear about Jesus Christ. It is my encouragement to you to be that woman at the well and go! Share about this man who knows you so personally that He can name your 5 husbands (John 4:18) and doesn’t condemn you but chooses to love you!

How has serving helped you grow in your relationship with God?

When I don’t serve, when I am dormant, I feel distant from God. I get stuck with my thoughts and that’s where the devil likes to attack. He likes to find us when we are focused on ourselves and then feeds us lies. I felt this way when I was in early high school. I was lost. I didn’t understand what my life was for and it wasn’t until I started serving with the right heart that I began to see that this life isn’t for me, it’s for God! I was put here on this earth to serve Him and to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Whenever I serve, I am reminded of what Jesus spoke here and feel close to Him.

How has serving helped you or others find and follow Jesus?

I will share a specific story from my month in Lebanon. There is a student, I’ll call him Mohammed, who is of the Muslim faith. He drew a liking to the group of Americans on his campus and began to tag along with us wherever we went. To the coffee shops, to the mall, on our excursions, everywhere and anywhere! He quickly became one of our closest friends. Every Sunday, our group attended church and every Sunday, Mohammed was invited but never came. Fast forward to our final Sunday there. It was routine

I didn’t expect to see any of our Lebanese friends come, but here he comes, walking down the aisle to sit with our group! My heart was overwhelmed with happiness, pure joy! This student, our friend, who was very devoted to the Muslim faith was sitting in a Christian church service! He got to hear how the Lord loves him in a way that was so foreign to him. He got to see our hearts pour out to a God who sees our sins and forgives us. It is my prayer that Mohammed has continued to wrestle with who Jesus Christ is. That the Lord is revealing Himself every day and that Mohammed can one day truly find and follow Jesus! Through serving, I get to share in these experiences and walk hand in hand with someone as they discover Jesus for themselves.

How has serving helped you unleash hope into our community?

My passion for international serving has fueled me while I am stateside! I get to share my experiences with coworkers, bosses, guests (I’m a server), friends, and family! It has been so special getting to share about what God is doing out of our borders with strangers. Every person who gets sat at my table, I try and strike up a conversation. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve been able to share my faith with while at work. It always brings a smile to their faces and many ask where I go to church. Being able to have a job opportunity like this is a way I can serve right here in our community. It provides me with countless open doors to share the gospel and I know the Lord is using it to make a difference.

How did you get involved and start serving?

I grew up in the church. For as long as I can remember I’ve been serving in some capacity. As far as international serving goes, the first trip I took was in 2016 to Haiti. This trip really sparked my interest in overseas missions. After that, I followed what society tells a young girl to do. I went to college, got married, and got a “big girl job” (as I like to call it). All of that changed in 2021 when I found out that my husband was having an affair and wasn’t willing to repair what was broken. Now, still going through a divorce, with a different job, and with only an Associate’s Degree I see that what society says is the right path isn’t always so. I am blessed to be where I am today and know that the path the Lord made was so much more beautiful than my own. Christ rekindled the flame in me toward missions and I am doing my best to be faithful to this calling!

What leads you to serve?

The joy that it brings me! Knowing that I am giving someone the hope of Jesus will never be a waste of time.

We would love to hear your testimony .

Hi, my name is Emily Windsor and I am 24 years old. I grew up going to church, reading Bible stories, and learning about who Jesus was. It wasn’t until I was in middle school, however, that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Before then, I always knew He loved me, but I didn’t understand just how deeply. I didn’t grasp that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. But one Sunday, I remember the Pastor speaking about how we are full of sin and don’t deserve forgiveness or grace, but God gives it to us regardless. All we must do is believe in Him, believe in His son and what He did for us on that cross, and ask for forgiveness. I remember praying at that very moment for the Holy Spirit to enter my life.
Fast forward a few years, I was in college and thoroughly enjoyed every Sunday. Going to church and spending time with fellow believers is something I cherish. One such person I met, I fell in love with and we got married shortly thereafter. Sorrowfully, after just shy of a couple of years of marriage, I discovered that my husband was having an affair. I will spare you the full details and state that, if it wasn’t for Christ, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He was with me every step of the way. He showed me that, even though He may have orchestrated our marriage, the devil is powerful, sin is powerful and it led my husband to do some awful things. Now, today, I can say that I have forgiven my husband for what he did. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t mean that I will live a cushy life with no pain. But it does guarantee that I have Him to run to for refuge, for comfort.
After the separation from my husband, I rediscovered my love for mission work. My experience gave me a new perspective on how I had been living and what was driving my day-to-day life. I wasn’t living for God’s glory, but my own. I’m not saying I’m perfect today, far from it in fact, but I can say that it has made me realize that life is too short here on this earth to not share my faith. I yearn for everyone to have that rock to lean on and that steady hand to guide them in difficult times.
Since then, I have been out of the country twice and have loved every single moment! From the Middle East to Europe, I yearn for God’s ultimate calling on my life. I continue to seek opportunities and am asking for prayer as I go through this journey. I pray that I can be an encourager to those in my community and to those around the world. My hope and prayer for you, dear reader, is that you find the calling the Lord is placing on your heart. But remember, in all things, go and make disciples!

April 5, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, Jesus, Local

by Brendon

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Holy Week

” Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John 13:1

My son Grahm got out of bed last night, about 3 minutes after Amanda and I walked out of his room, came down to the living room where we were and just stood for a few seconds before asking a question that sparked a thought. Here is what Grahm asked:

” Dad, why dont you just watch the last episode to see who wins and then chose whether you watch the whole thing or go back and watch the whole season? “

Interesting thought from the almost 8-year-old sage. Why don’t we find out what happens at the end and then chose if we want to go to the beginning? I don’t think Grahm knew that he would be asking a question that defines what we see here in John 13, but he did.

Imagine Jesus at this moment in John 13. He has come to the moment in time that He was sent here for. Jesus knew the end was near. Jesus knew his betrayal, beating and death was close. So Jesus does what He needed to do, he takes his closest friends into a room and spends his last moments with them eating and celebrating the Passover. Then Jesus did something that no one thought he would do or even should do.

” Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things to his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and top wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘ Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ” What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, ‘ You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ” If I do not wash wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, ‘ Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ” The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ” Not all of you are clean.” ” John 13:3-11

Let’s just take a moment to understand the situation that Jesus and the disciples are in. Jesus is the only one in the room that knows what is about to happen and what he is about to endure. Jesus is the only one in the room that knows what the Devil is doing inside of one man’s heart. Jesus is the only one to know that the person that will start and lead the Church here on earth is actually going to deny knowing him 3 times in the coming hours. Jesus knew……that anyone that would hear and believe what is about to happen to him, is worth it.

The act of washing the disciple’s feet is one that Jesus should never have done. It was the job of a servant or a slave. Like Jesus mentions, the only thing that most people would need to clean is their feet because they didn’t have shoes or anything to keep the dirt from coating their feet. So Jesus not only did something that was probably absolutely disgusting, but Jesus is continuing to teach and lead the disciples in a way that makes them continue to unlearn what they have always known or done.

As we move through Holy Week, according to John, the story now shifts from what Jesus did or was doing to where Jesus is going. Jesus is going to start the last hours he would be here on earth. He would be going towards a wild and raucous crowd that would eventually lead him to his crucifixion. Jesus knew he was going towards a tree that he would have to carry through the streets of Jerusalem up to a rock shaped as a skull. Jesus knew the hour had come for him to sacrifice His life for all those that will believe in Him.

Holy Week does not just remember what Jesus did in the moments leading up to his death and resurrection…..

Holy Week reminds us that Jesus had you in mind.

Holy Week reminds us that in the moments leading to Jesus’ death – he had you in mind.

Holy Week reminds us that Jesus has you in mind, because his Spirit is now here with us.

Holy Week is Holy Week because Jesus knew He was going to die and He chose to follow through.

Jesus shows us in washing his disciple’s feet, that he will do anything for you, including getting down and dirty to make you clean.

April 4, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus, Local

by Brendon

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Holy Week

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Brendon

” And Jesus cried out and said……” John 12:44a

Preachers. Some love them and some loathe them. There are different types of preachers all throughout the world and history. There are loud preachers, soft talkers, yellers, fire and brimstone, health and wealth and so many other ways to describe a preacher.

Jesus was a preacher. He was a very famous preacher, some might say arguably the best preacher of all time. I mean take a look at the sermon on the mount, some say if you want to know Jesus and what he was all about, read his sermon on the mount message. Seems to be the trendy thing right now…..I love reading Jesus’ teachings/preaching, I wish very greatly that I could ‘hear’ his sermons at some point or wish there were iPhones when he was alive there could be a secret society of people that keep all of his sermons that they were able to capture from wherever and whoever they could……ok, wishful thinking.

” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘ Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to who has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ Therefore they could not believe. Again Isaiah said, ‘ he has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them’. Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in Him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man rather than the glory that comes from God.” John 12:36b-43

Here we read a few things, first off we read that Jesus in the last moments with a crowd… hides himself from them? Why does he do that? Why in the last moments he has in a public place would he hide himself? Not a scholar by any means, but when you think about the weight that had to be on Jesus’ shoulders in this moment, after coming right out and saying that he is going to die and that he had to be lifted up on a tree…and knowing all of the things had had shown and done and healed in front of these people he was surrounded by and they still did not believe…..anyone would need a moment to breathe. Second, we see that this also fulfills another prophecy about Jesus that was written in the book of Isaiah. Another sign that the crowd did not realize at the time. Lastly, we see that there is fear amongst the people that did believe so they didn’t do anything with their belief. Imagine believing in something but because of the fear of what another group would do or say or ban you from doing……so you keep it hidden for no one to see and you never act upon that belief…..that sounds oddly familiar.

Then we read the last collection of words that Jesus gives before He celebrates the Passover with his disciples and those closest to him and his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.

” And Jesus cried out and said, ” Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does keep them, I do not judge him, for I did not come to the world to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment – what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father who told me.” John 12:44-50

Can you take a moment and read those words again and let them sink in……..breathe these words in…….

To be honest, I had a question about this text, and when asked it started an over an hour-long conversation about the entire Gospel of John. There is a lot in here to unpack, but let’s keep it simple.

First off, Jesus cries out. As a preacher, emotion is one thing that can be a great thing but also can be a hindrance. Because sometimes a preacher uses to much emotion that it takes away from the potential words he will say. On the other hand, emotion can evoke emotion in someone else which will allow what is being said to stick with the listener(s). So right off the bat, know that if Jesus was up in front of you or a group of people or He was preaching at church this Sunday and he was closing with these words…..His voice would be slowly getting louder and louder and louder until he might sound like he is yelling, but this is the main thing!

Second, Jesus here clarifies and cements why he is here. Jesus was sent to this place to save the world and not judge it. Jesus doesn’t discount or disregard the notion of judgement, but He, Himself came to this world to give the chance for saving to take place. There are lots of big philosophical words we could use, but simply put, Jesus came because the one who sent him Loves his creation and Jesus came to prove that to those who will hear the words and walk with Jesus the rest of their life.

Finally, Jesus wants us to know where He was sent from and who sent Him. Jesus and the Father are one, and Jesus is the majestic representation of the omniscient God that created everything through and with Jesus. Jesus wants us to know that He did not come from anywhere but the heavens and that the one in heaven is the one who has given him the strength and power and mission to bring all those that will believe to know and be known by the Father that Jesus knows.

If you do anything else today….rest in these words and know that Jesus desires to know you and for you be known. Jesus desires to walk with you as light in the darkness so that you may also become a light in the darkness. Know that Jesus is with God as the Holy Spirit is with us. Know that when you believe the words that Jesus says, you have a power in you that is released for you to be light in a dark world for all people to see.

Jesus. The reason for Holy Week.

April 3, 2023

in Church, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus

by Brendon

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Holy Week

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Brendon

“ His disciples did not understand these things at first…” John 12:16a

Each year we come to this season where it is a conglomerate of things to come. It seems like this season gets busier and busier each year due to what is to come. It starts the warm weather, the sun gets up earlier and settles later, the birds are chirping all day long, the play time seems to increase more and more, Baseball is back in full swing, The NFL draft is coming up shortly, Hockey season is winding into the playoffs, March Madness is just about to end and best of all, its Masters Week. Throw in the new practices, game schedules, play practices, recitals and school winding down…you have the making of just a season of chaos….and it happens all within a month time!

But what about Easter…..you know that time we come to each year to remember and celebrate the man Jesus that sacrificed himself on a tree for you and for me?

Where does that fit in to the schedule?

Coming in to this Holy Week, I personally feel the burn of busyness. I am reminded by the to do list and tempers flaring at home. But is this what Holy Week should be like? Is this how we should remember the sacrifice?

The disciples probably felt the same way. These men and the women that were taking care of them and with them always are walking into the last week of Jesus’ life, not knowing what is to come, not knowing what their responses would be, and for sure not knowing what Jesus was about to do.

In John chapter 12, we see all sorts of things that are going in Jesus’ life – there is a plot thickening to kill him, there is a plot to kill Lazarus( a man that Jesus just rose from the dead ), Jesus is anointed with oil at Bethany the day before he is to arrive into Jerusalem to begin the long agonizing walk to his death, and then we find Jesus talking with both Jews and Greeks during a feast:

” Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: ” I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.” The crowd stood there and hear it said and it had thundered. Others said, ” an angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, ” This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself. He said this to show by what kid of death he was going to die. So the crowd answered him, ” we have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the son of Man bmust be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, ” The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John 12: 27-36 esv

Holy Week leads to a heaviness of soul for Jesus.

The first line in this section shows how ever-present Jesus is to the situation or people that are around him, all the while continuing to be present and prayerful with his Heavenly Father. Jesus’ soul was troubled in this moment, probably due to the coming pain and suffering that he would endure for not just the people that are surrounding him now, but also all that come after them. Jesus’ soul was troubled because not only was he preparing the people around him for his death and giving them instruction, he had to convince them that what is saying is true. Jesus is a masterful teacher and when we think about Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the mount when Jesus says seek first the kingdom of heaven and then here in John 12 Jesus says, ‘ walk while you have the light with you, so that you do not fall into darkness’.

Holy Week leads Jesus to his human side a lot.

The primary illustration of Jesus asking God to take this cup away from him is in Luke 22, but here in John 12, we see another instance where Jesus is crying to his heavenly father to take this away from him. How many times have we asked that of God?

God, take this fight with my spouse away…

God, take this problem at work away….

God, take this hard task of parenting a pre-teen away…

God, take my sorrow away…

God, show up in a way I don’t expect….

God, take this cup away from me…

Jesus though, knows that this is the reason that he is here. This is the reason that Jesus was sent to this earth. Jesus knows the Holy week leads to the purpose of him being away from his Father. So not only does Jesus walk back his prayer with ‘ Father, glorify your name.’ God tells Him, “I have glorified it, and I will again.” What if we received an answer from God from the heavens when we prayed those prayers of desperation or of need?

Holy Week leads to responding to the Light.

Jesus says, the light is only here for a little while longer….so stick with that light unless you want the darkness of the day to overtake you. Stay with the light so that you may become a son of light when the light is gone.

Holy week can be our response to the light that is betrayed, tried, beaten, mocked, and dragged up to a rock shaped like a skull where the light is hung on the tree for you and me and the light goes out…….

This is just the beginning…of Holy Week and what our response could be to the light.

March 29, 2023

in Church, Discipleship, DTOTD, HCC, Jesus, Local

by Brendon

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Rejoice Greatly – Mary Ann Miller

O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

I’ve been going thru a Lent devotional this past month, authored by Alicia Britt Chole. She has a flair for drawing out unusual perspectives on different events in the Gospels. Day 14 and 15 discussed Jesus entering Jerusalem the week before His death- what we call the “triumphal entry”. I can’t stop thinking about it. This was no Hollywood event- no paparazzi or limos, no flashes of cameras or cell phones in the air, no red carpet (except greenery and old cloaks!) or reporters with microphones. But yes: fans/ admirers/ followers/ disciples/ friends/ devotees/ the curious/ skeptics/ religious hoity toities/ and the haters. Protesters? Not that we know of.

What I am struck with is: when Jesus looked at the crowds, what did he see and feel, emotionally? All knowing and looking into each person’s heart and mind- does He feel anguish or disgust or sympathy? Or just plain LOVE? He knew of their soon to be betrayals and hypocrisy. But look at them…right now those humans are in the middle of heavy adoration and worshipping without abandon, similar to King David’s style! Almost as if they became kids again, not caring who saw them or what other’s thought. OK, some in this crowd didn’t share this sentiment! Jesus, saw it for what it was. He had just wept entering the city gates, concerning the fate of the Holy City, and also had an intense weight on His shoulders, about this future week. He would not let the suffering in His heart consume Him. He- was- present. Like time was standing still, He was taking it all in. “Ah, yes, this what My Father pleasures in”. Like warm sunshine and fragrant plant scents on a spring morning. Your senses wake up. YES…all the feels! But somehow He didn’t hang on to that for Himself. He reflected it back to the One who sent Him, deserving the praise and worship. His life briefly flashing before His eyes…oh, the culmination of gratitude of these 33 challenging years on earth. Then refocusing. PRESENT in the moment.

How can I be like that? He had way more reasons to worry about the future than us, but He was in the moment. Basking in it, letting it fill His being. He knew this would not strengthen or recharge Him. Aloneness with God would do that.

I think this “activity” is about “non activity”. “Be”ing not “do”ing. The person I want to be, Lord, will take some effort. Father, help us all to worship without abandon (even if it makes us feel uncomfortable), to be in Your presence, giving You honor, respect and glory. Hosanna! You Lord, are my strength and my song; You have become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14) You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 118:28-29)

*personal commentary by a Jesus follower, Mary Ann Miller

February 27, 2023

in Church, HCC

by Brendon

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GST #1 – FAQ’s & Safety

” I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ” Romans 12:1-2

Training. Something that I have never enjoyed. It takes time, and energy and sometimes it just doesn’t seem to work out, but for some reason, training is something that we have to do throughout our lives. We train for everything, whether it is a marathon, a test, a trip or an interview. We work on bettering ourselves for whatever the reason may be. Why would it be any different in the church? We should be training whether that it is in the spiritual sense or the physical sense.

We train our minds and hearts as we dive into spiritual disciplines and we train our physical actions when we learn, relearn or review the protocols and practices we need to know. Last Thursday we were able to do just that. A little bit of both. Gathering together is always a good thing. Getting to fellowship with one another and see each other and be a part of each other’s lives outside of a Sunday, is always a good thing to do. But when we are able to couple that with some action training, that makes the night even more impactful.

Below are a few things that we passed out and talked about at the training that I wanted to make available to you. So please take a look, download it and know it! Feel free to reach out and ask any questions you might have:

GS Training #1 with animation. Download

Big Campus map_working2020 Shelter In Place inwork-1[16]

Big Campus map_working2020 Shelter In Place inwork-1[16]Download

Church

Meet Krista Gurley!

Meet Emily Windsor!

From the HCC Outreach Team: