Reflections for Lent: Genesis 3:13-15

Editor’s Note:

Each Friday of the Lent season leading up to Easter, we will share a passage of scripture that helps us reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. From before time, through Old Testament to New, this plan for God in the flesh to step down to earth and provide redemption has always been. As you read these passages and think through the questions that follow, we invite you to reflect on what Christ did and His great love for us this Easter season.

Genesis 3:13-15

“Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Reflection Questions:

1) At the first instance of sin, God already revealed His plan of salvation. Why do you think He chose to reveal this promise right then?

2) How has the Gospel shown itself while you were at your lowest?

Feed My Sheep

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14a)

The greatest miracle of Jesus Christ is His defeat of death and sin on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. His second biggest miracle is that He became human. God put on flesh. He experienced hunger and need as we do. He chose to have a physical body because He cares not only about our spiritual lives, but also about our physical needs. Jesus’ work on earth involved both spiritual teaching and physical healing.

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” Matthew 4:23

In two separate instances, Jesus feeds thousands of hungry people. It is only natural that as followers of Christ, we are called to do the same: to meet the physical needs of others. In John 21, Jesus tells Peter to feed or tend his sheep three times as a reflection of his love of Christ. I do not believe this calling is solely for a spiritual feeding, but also involves a literal physical feeding.

Spiritual disciplines of reading the Bible, worship, prayer and communion with the Saints are important parts of our faith, but these are only part of our faith. We can read our Bibles each day, worship as we’re driving around, pray throughout the day, go to church and Bible study after Bible study and still miss an extremely important part of following Jesus. We have been called to tangibly care for each other.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:14-18

Love, as the Bible describes it, is actionable. Love isn’t a thought or a sentiment, but rather it requires sacrifice. Without it, we are nothing. We are only fooling ourselves when our words and our sentiments of loving others are not followed by action. We can read and study and meditate on these words day and night, but if we are not acting out in love by caring for others’ physical needs, we are deceiving ourselves.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” James 1:23-25

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17

Without care for others—practical, physical care for others, we run the risk of being the goats Jesus talks about in Matthew 25:31-46.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Notice how He didn’t separate people by whether they went to church on Sunday or whether they read their Bibles (both of which are important for personal spiritual development), but by their treatment of others.

We were not made to consume with no outlet. What makes us holy (set apart) is our counter-cultural directive to give. Our giving should supersede our consumption. We are to lay down our lives for others, as John says. It is counter-cultural to care for the needs of others above our own needs. Rather than amassing things for ourselves, we should be storing up our treasure in heaven by our actions.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Our pursuit of our own happiness—which is not Biblical—has overridden our pursuit of holiness. It has overridden our pursuit of Christ. Our faith has been lulled to sleep by consumerism. We even consume the Bible like we consume physical things. We gorge ourselves on the Bible, becoming spiritual gluttons without exercising the faith we proclaim. It is past time we start acting. I believe if all of the Church would turn away from our consumerism and pursuit of happiness, and we humble ourselves to become a people of servanthood—serving the needs of others—and pray, we would see a great revival like we’ve never seen before. We would see healing like we’ve never seen before.

God can work through us to accomplish so much—we just need to pursue Him above all else.

Handling Transitions in Authority

… One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

January 20, 2021 marks the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States of America.  In the days and months leading up to this moment, we have witnessed a discord and contention that has fortunately only reared its ugly head several times over the course of our country’s history.  People within the church stand on both sides of the issues.  This piece is not meant to argue for or against a viewpoint or say that one side is right and the other is wrong.  It is not an endorsement or a rejection for any political figure or party.  Whether we are inaugurating the 46th president or the 47th president, our response, as followers of Christ, should be the same.

Ultimately, we live under God’s authority, but we also live in a society that has a government authority.  On the surface, the government appears to be entirely a manmade creation.  So, it stands to reason that we have the choice to ignore the government and its leaders if we disagree.  This is a false assertion and has no scriptural basis except if the government or leader is asking you to disobey God’s authority.  A repeated theme throughout scripture is that God establishes and maintains the kingdoms and authorities throughout the earth.  Leaders over the course of history have both rightly and wrongly used this theme to substantiate their claim to rule, but it doesn’t make God’s ultimate authority less true.  The best summation of this theme is found in Romans 13:1-7:

1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

There is a lot to digest in these verses.  Entire books have been written on them, and it can be easy to quickly go down various theological rabbit holes. There is a time and place for that, but for now let’s run with the main theme. The main theme is that whomever our mayor, governor, senator, or president may be, it is not a surprise to or mistake by God.  He has allowed them to come into a position of authority so that ultimately God’s will can be accomplished for our good.  We do not have the right to resist authority just because we don’t agree with them or because they seem immoral.  It is also important to note that these verses do not say God places a leader into power because he endorses their agenda, they achieved their rule legitimately, or that they are a mouthpiece for God.  Whether you are excited about or dreading the new leaders of our nation, ultimately, we can have peace knowing that our country’s leaders are in their position because God has allowed it, and they will be held accountable to him.

So, what now?  What should our response be, whether we agree or disagree, with our new leaders?  We should pray.  Paul instructs Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 that in order to display Jesus Christ to an unbelieving world, he can “wage the good warfare,” hold faith, and have a good conscience by:

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We shouldn’t just pray for those whose policies we agree with, or whose morals we agree with, or who will give us greater power.  Notice how Paul tells Timothy to pray for “all people, for kings and all who are in high positions.”  We desire to see Christ made known, not our beliefs prioritized. 

Ultimately, our hope is not in man, or country, but in Jesus.  We look forward to the day that Jesus comes again and rules over the new heaven and the new earth.  While we await his return, we should pray that our leaders will be given the strength and ability to display Christ-like leadership, so that all people can “come to the knowledge of the truth.”

I encourage you to look to the Psalms for examples of how to pray.  The Psalms are prayers or songs that are written by God (through man) for God, so we get a glimpse into God’s heart and desires.  Psalm 72 is a great starting point.  It is a royal psalm, meaning that it acts as a prayer for David’s heirs to be Godly kings over Israel.  Looking even deeper, this psalm is also a Messianic psalm in that it looks forward to the day that the Messiah, Jesus, will rule as king over all nations.  Oh, that we would have a president and leaders that are Godly! 

1 Give the king your justice, O God,
   and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the children of the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!

5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
    and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
    and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
    render him tribute;
    may the kings of Sheba and Seba
    bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
    all nations serve him!

12 For he delivers the needy when he calls,
    the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
    and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
    and precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live;
    may gold of Sheba be given to him!
    May prayer be made for him continually,
    and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
    may its fruit be like Lebanon;
    and may people blossom in the cities
    like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!
    May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed!

18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
    Amen and Amen!

20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.

Notice the two repeated themes throughout the psalm are justice and righteousness.  God’s desire for the kings of Israel was for them to act justly and be righteous.  This is not of themselves because in verse 1 it says that they must be given to them by God.  So, our starting point in prayer for our new leaders should be their character; that God will give them justice and righteousness.  God is fully just and fully righteous, no one can fully know justice or righteousness except through God.  A leader’s character will steer the direction of the nation.  A character that emphasizes self-glorification, pride, and falsehood will breed a nation that mimics the same.  The result will be destructive versus constructive.

The psalmist moves on in verse 4 to talk of how the king should defend the cause of the poor, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.  The psalmist desires the entire nation to be cared for and protected.  He is calling for the king to treat everyone fairly and apply justice equally, no matter one’s status.  If one group is valued over another, it will breed oppression.  By providing equitable justice you protect the whole.  Imagine stepping on a Lego while barefoot.  It hurts.  It’s a pain, felt on a small portion of your foot, that is capable of bringing your entire body down.  Now imagine you came to a room where you have to walk across a floor covered in Legos.  Before even beginning, you’d immediately go put on shoes to protect yourself from the object that will cause pain.  No one would choose to walk barefoot just because their feet, which are small, dirty, and insignificant compared to the rest of the body, are unworthy of shoes (protection).  That’s absurd; your entire being would suffer because you chose to not care for something that was vulnerable and exposed.  So it is with the poor and needy in our midst.  Treat them for what they are, a human being made in the image of God.  Their suffering is our nation’s suffering.

In verse 5, the author desires for the king and future kings to fear God throughout all generations.  The stresses of leading a nation are great.  They can quickly distract from what is most important.  For the strength and stability of our nation, we should desire for our leaders to have strength and good health.  We want them to be able to endure the stresses of serving the nation.  We want them to serve faithfully and fulfill their leadership roles.  In this way, they can be “like rain,” or in other words be a provision for all who need it. 

The psalmist moves on in verses 8-11 to talk of a desire for the king to be ruler over all nations.  This is not an excuse for us to pray that America be the greatest of all nations for America’s sake.  Rather, we should consider the context it is written under.  The desire is that all nations be brought under God’s rule.  In this way, all people, not just Israel, not just America, may experience God.  Our prayer should be that God will use our country and our leaders to spread His glory, His freedom, His peace, to all nations.  Not that we would be great for the sake of ourselves, but that we may help deliver the needy and “the poor and him who has no helper.”  Our prayer is not that America would be great, but that God will do great things through America.  We desire to see our land prosper, but not to increase our own comfort.  We want to help save the lives of those who are needy, those who are oppressed.  We want to help redeem others.  In doing so, God’s name will be praised throughout the earth.

The beauty of this psalm is that it is not just a wonderful picture of what God desires of a nation’s leaders, but that it will be brought to complete fruition when Christ returns.  In the meantime, our new leaders are God appointed leaders.  God has allowed them to be placed into a leadership role.  Our nation will either further turn from God or turn to God.  As followers of Christ, we should earnestly pray for them even if we don’t agree with them; that God will give them a character of justice and righteousness.  No matter what happens over the course of their leadership we can always trust the promise of Psalm 74:12, “Yet God my King is from old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

Empowering Women in Christ: Riverbend Women's Ministry

Editor’s Note:

We wanted to highlight some exciting new opportunities in some of our ministries, so that in this different season we’re in, everyone has opportunities to connect and experience community in whatever ways they’re comfortable in. In this post, we asked Samantha Dean, one of the three co-leads of the Riverbend Women’s Ministry, to share her heart for the women of Riverbend and some ways that women can connect.  

Riverbend is so dear to my heart, and Riverbend women in particular hold a very special place in my heart. It is rare to find such a socially inclusive group of women, and I’m thankful to be a part of the women’s community here for that reason.  I really want to see female connections grow at Riverbend. 

True, deep female friendship and discipleship are so important to the health of a Christian woman.  This year in particular, has been so difficult. We’ve experienced isolation, financial hardship, job loss, changes in teaching our children, fear for our health, and the stress of national division.  In addition to their own feelings, I think women also experience these stresses on behalf of our husband and children.  

In light of all that is going on in and around us, we need unity as Christian women now more than ever. I want the women of Riverbend to feel loved, supported, and part of a deep social network where they can laugh, cry, and bear each other’s burdens. I want Riverbend’s women’s group to reflect Jesus’ desire for community among believers. We may have different experiences, be in different seasons of life, have different dress sizes, have different skin colors, have different political leanings, but we have Christ in common! Christ is what unifies us. And all those differences? They can bring such a rounded and rich view of our work here on earth as part of Riverbend and the Lehigh Valley.

My goal for this group is that we would be able to provide social, service, and study opportunities for women at Riverbend through the women’s ministry. Socializing breeds friendships and support. Service gives us the chance to reach out and love the community around us. Study allows us to dive into God’s Word more deeply, so that we can go about the socializing and serving with wisdom! We can also bring that wisdom into our everyday lives as we raise children, maintain, friendships, go to our jobs, and love our husbands. We will be imperfect in providing an even ratio of these things, but I know Christy, Jessica, and I love the women of our church and will do our best to lead well; God will fill in the cracks!

My other goal is to provide opportunities for women, but not completely carry women in their faith lives.  There are seasons where we all need to be carried, but I’m a big proponent of taking ownership. What I mean by that, is I’d like to see women empowered to take leadership of their lives and their faith. Christy, Jessica, and I are not special. Any woman at Riverbend can lead, and I’m hopeful that if someone has a service opportunity they’d really like to participate in, that they take the initiative to organize it. It could be a Bible study, a social event—whatever may be laid on someone’s heart—and Christy, Jessica, and I can provide support and resources :) 

If you’re reading this and wondering how you can get connected and involved, the biggest thing a woman can do is start doing! Some options that are available right now are:

1) Join Riverbend Women CONNECT on Facebook (Closed group requiring an invite, but any woman already in the group can invite you, so just ask a friend on Facebook or send an email to women@riverbendonline.org and we’ll get you plugged in!)

2) Join us in making space for God’s Word in our daily lives— Christy and other ladies are reading through the New Testament in 2021 (or choose your own reading… whatever gets you in God’s Word every day!). See the Women’s Facebook group or email the women’s team for more details.

3) Come to our next event.

4) Invite a woman or a few women you’d like to get to know for coffee or dinner.

5) Start praying for connection. That God would provide opportunities to connect with other women.

5) Have an idea for an event?? Let us know! Help us organize it! Let’s make it happen!

I’m so excited to see what this season at Riverbend brings!

Sam 

Hide and Seek: The Climb

PSALM 119: 9-12

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, LORD;

teach me your decrees.

Hide and Seek -- A children's game we have all played. The object is for the hider to remain unknown by the seeker as long as possible.

Seek and Hide -- (See above.) A young person's path to purity. The seeker desires to be known by God and hides the Word (the Bible) in their heart to keep them from sinning so they can get closer to God.

Are you playing children's games or are you on a young person's pursuit?

It's time to start reading God's Word like young people on a mission.

It was New Year's Eve going into 1982 when I, Keith, accepted Christ's death on the cross for my sins. I saw Christ as my Savior and prayed to live my life as a path to purity. I was 15. My Christian friends surrounded me with the Word. They bought me a Bible; they invited me to church and Bible studies. Interestingly enough, I never went to a youth group meeting. The challenge to hide God's Word in my heart came right from its printed pages and my friends. And now, 39 years later, I am still trying to Seek and Hide. Won't you join me?

Riverbend's youth group, The Climb, will start meeting again on Jan. 17, 2021. The Kaeppels have been quarantining since Holly was given a COVID-positive test result right after Christmas. Her symptoms have been mild the whole way through, praise God, but we want to do our part to stop the spread.

If you haven't done so already, start on the path to purity with The Bible-in-a-Year reading plan. Pastor Joe has separately challenged the whole church to carve out time to do the same. I really think the Holy Spirit is moving in our community to help us know God more in 2021.

Questions, comments, or you just want to chat, call Keith at 484-350-1780 or Holly at 610-751-3759.

Peace Over Despair

“And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth, I said
For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men”

This Christmas carol has ministered to my soul in this particular Christmas season. With the uncertainties surrounding Covid, social unrest, and the political fanaticism prevalent today, I find myself repeating the above sentiments. Looking at the human condition leads to despair. Even when we find something good that “restores our faith in humanity,” all too quickly we are reminded why we lost faith in the first place.

I am reminded of the story of Peter walking on water (found in Matthew 14:22-33). At first, when his eyes are on Christ, he is making strides without a hitch. Many faith journeys can be similar—at first, we are so enamored by Christ’s invitation to join Him that we don’t see much else. We take leaps of faith and draw close to Him. But, just like Peter, we get distracted by the waves around us. Granted, there is a storm all around us. It’s dangerous—a distraction that begs for our attention. Sickness hits close, unemployment looms ahead, friends or family are fighting with us. The struggle is real.

But when we focus on the storm around us, we can easily be dragged down with it. Life and the problems that come along with it do deserve our attention, but the problem comes when we take our eyes off Christ. As in the song, we can be filled with despair when our focus is on the world around us. Are we focusing on the waves or are we focusing on Jesus?

The grace in this story is what happens when Peter falls. Jesus doesn’t give up on Peter when he gets distracted; He doesn’t abandon Peter to the storm. No, He comes to Peter and pulls him out, and He does the same for us. When we lose sight of all hope, Jesus is there, reaching to pull us out of the depths.

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail
The right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men”

Thank God the peace He offers us isn’t dependent upon our situations. It’s a peace that surpasses our understanding—something we have in the midst of suffering because we know that Christ is victorious over darkness. The Christmas bells in the song act as a reminder of that victory.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When we focus on Christ’s redemptive power, we can be led through the darkest valleys and come out victorious. Our peace comes from knowing that Love wins in the end. When we live in that peace, we become like the Christmas bells in the song, a reminder to others of the hope that is found in Christ Jesus. We don’t need to restore peoples’ hope in humanity; we need to point people to the fulfillment of that hope.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Practically speaking, how do we focus on Christ when the world around us is in chaos? Prayer and thanksgiving.

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Peace is our God-given protective barrier, guarding our hearts and minds as we walk through life. We just need to seek Him and unload our burdens to receive it.

*Lyrics from ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,’ based on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, ‘Christmas Bells’

*All verses shared are from the English Standard Version of the Bible with my own emphasis added.

Advent 2020: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Luke 2:8-20 (NASB)

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

 I’ve read this account of the birth of Jesus more times than I can count throughout the years. I’ve known it as a passage about the birth of a Savior, the Messiah, being revealed to lowly shepherds through the angels. Ordinary shepherds encountering the divine. I can only imagine how bearing witness to this would have changed their lives forever.

But it wasn’t until this year, that I sat with Jesus and let Him reveal the personal nature of this passage. This message was not just for the shepherds, not just for others, but also for me. This is “Good news of great joy…(for YOU, Amy)…there has been born FOR YOU a Savior… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased. It’s much easier to give, do, and perform than it is to just be, receive, and humbly accept a gift, especially when it’s one we don’t deserve and can’t match even with our best efforts. Jesus was born a Savior for me. I am one of the “people with whom He is pleased.”

As we close this Advent season, imagine if we lived and walked as though we believed this message was for us. Jesus was born as Savior for YOU. He is pleased in you, takes delight in you with gladness, with His love He calms our fears, and rejoices over you with joyful songs. Our lives, like the shepherds would be changed forever. We would witness firsthand the good news of great joy the angels proclaimed and want to proclaim His light, life, and healing He brings with every person we encounter.

“Light and life to all He brings,

Risen with healing in His wings;

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king” 

1. Do I believe Jesus was born a Savior for me? Do I believe He delights in me with gladness and rejoices over me with joyful songs? If not, why do I struggle to believe it? 

2. Where do I need His love to calm my fears?

Jesus, thank you for coming near, for being a Savior for me, especially me. I often struggle with receiving your delight and pleasure in me because of all of the ways I know I continually fall short. And yet, that’s why it is such “good news of great joy” because you paid a debt we could never fulfill, allowing God and sinners to be reconciled, bringing your kingdom to earth and wholeness to our brokenness. May we be like the shepherds that first Christmas, who couldn’t help but share with everyone what they had seen and experienced in Jesus. May we walk as though we believe that we truly are Your beloved, and allow Your pleasure to radiate from our very beings. Amen.

Advent: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Tonight, in this fourth week of Advent, we consider the peace brought to us through Jesus. It is a peace that is not dependent on our situations, but rather one that goes beyond our understanding. When we look at the world around us, we see chaos, fear, anxiety, hate, grief. We may get caught up in the storm swirling around us—threatening to drag us down.

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth, I said
For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail
The right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

At the moment we start to lose hope, Jesus is there, reaching to pull us out of the depths. We have peace because the baby who came over 2000 years ago overcame sin, death, and darkness. When we focus on Christ’s redemptive power, we can be led through the darkest valleys and come out victorious. Our peace comes from knowing that Love wins in the end.

1. Who or what am I focusing on this Christmas season?

2. How can I allow Christ to lead me in peace when going through hardship?

Lord, thank you for the peace we have in You that goes beyond understanding. May we be a people who draw close to you when life gets difficult, and may we receive peace in knowing that you have overcome the world. May we share that peace as a beacon of hope in a fallen world, just as Christmas bells ring out a reminder of your victory. I pray that we ring out your victory over darkness now and in our daily lives beyond this Christmas season. Amen

Advent: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”  Romans 8:18-19

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

 Today, in this third week of Advent, we reflect on what it means to wait. For many of us, this season has involved a lot of waiting, hoping and expecting. We wait for when things will go back to the way they are supposed to be. We hope for a cure. We have expectations for a future beyond what we are currently enduring.

The Christian life is, and always was, centered on waiting, hoping, and expecting. Waiting for God to defeat, once and for all, sin and death and return things to the way they are supposed to be. Hoping for a cure for the world’s separation from God. Expecting that one day Jesus (Emmanuel, God with us) will come to usher in a future far beyond this present time, just as he did that first Christmas.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel

1. Do I I live with an undercurrent of waiting for, hoping on, and expecting Jesus’ arrival?

2. What does it mean to be sorrowful yet always rejoicing, especially around Christmas?

Father, we come in awe of how you opened the heavens and came down, sending Jesus on our behalf, to take upon himself the dark shadows of death that we deserve. But now we find ourselves in the “already, but not yet”. Through the cross, we see evidence of your victory, but still we wait. We already have the promise of all things being made new, and all sad things coming undone, but we realize, sometimes painfully so, that we’re not there yet. In the midst of our waiting, help us to rejoice with hope and expectations. Increase our faith in your arrival.

Amen

Advent: Go Tell It On the Mountain

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” Luke 2:8-11

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

This Advent season, all we have to do is look around us—in our neighborhoods, our work places, our communities, our nation— to see the weight of sin and brokenness, and the longing for healing and wholeness. Our world can look so divided; our conversations with and actions towards each other, so unloving at times. It is into this world our Father sent His one and only perfect Son on our behalf. The infant Christ left the perfection of Heaven for earth in the greatest rescue mission this world has ever known. Why? Because God so loved us.  If we allow that love poured out on us to transform our hearts and minds, that love will be poured out into our families and into our communities as well. This message of God’s great love for us in the gift of a Savior— lived out in our words, and evidenced through our actions—is exactly the love we all need most desperately.   

 Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born

And God sent us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn.

1. Where do I see in myself the need for Christ’s true, perfect love to bring healing and wholeness?

2. Where do I see around me the need for Christ’s true, perfect love to bring healing and wholeness?

3. How can the reality of Jesus’ love for me be manifested in how I love those around me?

Jesus, we thank You that You came to this earth, exchanging the glories of Heaven for the brokenness and sin of this earth, because your love for us is so great. But that You did not just come to walk among us, but to transform us from the inside out with the magnitude of Your love. That it is only through recognizing the depth of Your love for us that we can begin to love those around us. May we be people who are marked by Your love, now at Christmas and every day. Amen

Advent: Joy to the World

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:9-10

“So, you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him Abba Father. For his spirit joins our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”  Romans 8:15-16

This first week of Advent, we reflect on joy. Joy is the fruit of an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father; a closeness that knows our faults, doubts, and insecurities, and still invites us to know Him as Abba Father, our Daddy God. What in this world could compare with being fully known and fully loved by the Maker of heaven and earth?  To be secure in the warmth of our Father’s embrace, having the confidence of His peace, and knowing that He is always with us in any and every situation, our Emmanuel.  Instead, we often look for our validity and meaning in the empty and temporary things of this world, hoping that this time will somehow be different. Again and again, we turn our backs on our Father who gave everything to bring us joy.  

This Advent season, we recognize that God gave us that everything in the form of His one and only perfect son. Jesus desperately wants us to find joy in Him. So much so that He pursued us, entering this world as an infant, and later enduring the cross it took to provide it.  If we recognize this gift of a Savior, God welcomes us with open arms, wanting to be our source of joy.   

Joy to the world. The Lord has come.

Let earth receive her king

Let every heart prepare him room

And heaven and nature sing.

1. Do you feel joy as you enter the Advent season this year?

2. How does knowing God as Father bring us lasting joy?

3. What will you do to know Him more?

Jesus, we praise You that You came specifically to bring us joy.  A joy that we will never find in anything in this world.  As an uncertain year comes to a close, we know with certainty we can find joy in You apart from our circumstances. Each day be our source of joy, help us to turn away from the comforts of this world, and run to You for identity, hope, and peace that only You can bring. Amen.

Thankful for 2020

2020 has been quite a year.  Because of COVID, shutdowns, and online learning, it’s 12 months many of us would rather forget.  In fact, the challenges we’re facing have led many to lose hope and declare defeat many months ago.  However, there are also those who are still filled with joy in spite of these circumstances, and who press on with confident expectation in spite of frustrating trials.  Those who recognize the difficulty of this life and yet are not shaken.  What has empowered these individuals?  What is the fuel in their fire?  How are they still pressing on? And most importantly, is this something that each of us can take hold of? 

We find our answer the fourth Thursday of November each year as we stop, pause, and celebrate Thanksgiving.  Yet Thanksgiving is SO much more than an annual tradition. It is a heartfelt expression of gratitude to God from a deep heart of humility.  When we see Thanksgiving as a way of life and not just a turkey, we gain a closer connection with our heavenly Father, as we are reminded of His love and faithfulness. This relationship fills us with joy as we face the struggles, disappointments, and anxiety of our lives, confident that God is with us, for us, and that He is over all. 

Thanksgiving is a recognition and appreciation of something that God has done.  It is a declaration of appreciation for who God is.  It is celebrating God’s provision.  Each day we are provided with many opportunities to give thanks. From the grace God gives us to start each day, to the blessings of our loved ones, to all that Jesus endured so that we could be part of the family of God, and that is just a start. 

When we do this, we recognize our limitations.  We see that we did not bring about the blessings of our lives in our own strength.  Our eyes are opened to the reality that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 No longer do I have to depend on myself, circumstances, or others to find confidence and hope.  This gives me such joy.  It is so good to know how small I am and how great He is. 

And yet sometimes I allow myself to become distracted and discouraged.  In recent weeks, unexpected circumstances and events beyond my control have shifted my focus away from God and magnified my frustrations.  As my heart and mind were flooded with irritation and despair, I lost sight of the joy which Christ has provided.

A lifestyle of thanksgiving doesn’t mean that we can’t feel angry, disappointed, or frustrated.  Instead, it reminds us of how God has walked with us in similar circumstances in the past.  That He has helped us, that He has provided, that He has never failed.  Remembering His faithfulness in the past deepens our trust in Him.  We go to Him with our fears, cares, and worries, and another door is opened for Him to show us his goodness. We strengthen our dependence on Him.

The apostle Paul, writing from a jail cell, encourages us to “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING present your requests to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:4-7, emphasis added).

A lifestyle of thanksgiving is rejoicing in the Lord always.  It isn’t rejoicing only when things go our way.  We are celebrating how He is with us no matter the circumstances.  This empowers us to come to Him thankful for who He is and what He’s done. We can tell Him how much we appreciate the gifts He’s given us.  This gives us more confidence to share our needs with the One who loves us the most. It also blesses His heart as He sees us not turning to the lesser things of this world to find comfort, meaning, and identity, but to Him.

So how can we be purposeful in thanksgiving? Something practical that has helped me is using the notepad on my phone to write down blessings.  I’m so encouraged as I look back and see all of God’s gifts and expressions of His love toward me. 

Social media can be another great avenue to express our gratitude to God and others.  It is so refreshing to see thanksgiving and appreciation on platforms like Facebook instead of insults and opinions.  This is in addition to picking up the phone, sending a card, or letting someone know in person how much you appreciate what they’ve done and who they are. 

When we make the daily effort to live a life of thanksgiving, we constantly remind ourselves that God is with us.  That He is where our hope and strength is found, and we can walk victoriously through any storm we may face.

Jesus: The Only Winning Choice

As November 3rd rapidly approaches, election tension continues to rise all through the Lehigh Valley, the state of Pennsylvania, and our entire nation.  Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram only magnify this tension as opinions, debates, and arguments escalate.  Sadly, our nation has never been more divided.  We alienate our neighbors with insults and look to cancel any opinion that doesn’t align with our perspective.  This is all rooted in fear of what might happen if the person we didn’t vote for is elected into the temporary position of President. 

These strong emotions and allegiance to a candidate or party are something I can relate to and have experienced myself.  When I was in high school, I became increasingly interested and involved in the political world.  Each day, I paid attention to headlines and absorbed opinion-oriented programming on both tv and radio.  My passion for my ideology began to grow, and my identity was being shaped by my political persuasion.  I joined the debate team, mock trial competition, and launched a political organization in my high school.  My classmates voted me most likely to become a politician.  Daily, I was looking for an argument and a chance to show others how wrong they were for their point of view. Soon, I joined a local political party, aspired to working in politics, and wanted to host my own opinion talk show.  In college, I earned my degree in political science. 

Yet even as I was feeding my political identity, I was facing some very serious challenges in my life.  There were difficulties in my family, frustrations at work, and unresolved emotional issues within me.  I found that nothing in the political world could bring me any lasting joy and peace.  The more time I spent in politics, I was exposed to how truly self-absorbed it can be.  I saw that those who I had placed on a pedestal were only human.  That many had lives that were inconsistent with their views, and that even those with whom I agreed, in many cases, were dishonest and self-seeking.  None of these people who I had once admired could help me with the pain and difficulty I was facing on a daily basis. 

Through a painful series of events, I finally hit rock-bottom.  I saw that there was no lasting hope or fulfillment in the political world, that I needed a greater love.  Thankfully, God began to open my eyes to how much he really loves me.  That through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection I could belong to him - no matter what my political beliefs.  He desired to be my source of validity and purpose.  I was invited to be a part of a kingdom that would last forever, and I could know God as a father.  

This dramatically changed my perspective and transformed my entire life.  It felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  I could come to my heavenly Father with my pain, struggles, and difficulties; I could know him more.  I was experiencing his unconditional love.  This brought me such joy!  My eyes were opened to the reality that nothing in the political world can bring true healing and freedom to the heart.  I understood just how much Jesus loves me.  This is what I wanted everyone to know. 

God began changing my heart and filling it with his love.  My happiness is no longer dependent on how political events are unfolding.  Those who disagree with me are my friends; I can better understand their viewpoint.  More importantly, God revealed to me how much he loves them and how he wants me to love them as well.  This has improved all my relationships; I could have friendly disagreements and prioritize relationships high above any argument.

As Jesus transformed my life, it didn’t mean I no longer had strong opinions, but that I placed them under his authority.  I made knowing him and loving others more important than winning arguments.  My eyes have been opened to the fact that my greatest hope and joy in life will never come from any elected official.  Yes, I have been disappointed in the outcome of elections; however, I have been more empowered by God’s goodness and faithfulness no matter who may be in office for the time.

By seeking to know Jesus daily and allowing him to make us who he desires, we can put our political opinions and desires under his authority.  Jesus came so that we could have life to the full (John 10:10). He commands us to love one another the way that he loved us (John 13:34).  The unbelieving world sees the church as being too political.  What message would it send if we were loving them and each other the way that Jesus did?  If grace, compassion, and forgiveness were flowing from each of us? That the eternal light of Christ was shining brighter in us, then the momentary flicker of man-made political “power”?

Jesus is the Lord of all, no matter who wins this election.  His love and promises will last forever; his kingdom will never end.  You may be excited or disappointed by who becomes president this November.  I understand that these are strong feelings and emotions.  Let me invite you to bring them to Jesus. Share with him that you’re angry, frustrated, and discouraged.  I promise he will walk beside you and show you his love.  This will change you.  He will be your rock, comfort, and joy if you will allow him.  He will give you his peace.  This is a peace that you will have no matter what.  Even if your candidate “wins”, Jesus will show you that he has secured for you a far greater victory at the cross.  Your eyes will be opened to the limitations of the political world, and he will help you see those you disagree with through his loving eyes.  The promises of God do not depend on the results of elections.  The love of your heavenly Father for you is far greater than your local congressman.

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we will remain in the name of the Lord our God.”  To rephrase for election day, “Some trust in Donald Trump, some in Joe Biden, but we will remain in the name of Lord our God.”  Now that is real victory!

Invisible Battles

“How’s your day going?”

I’ve heard Travis ask this question hundreds of times since before we were even dating. It wasn’t me he was asking (though he of course cares how I’m doing). This is a question he’s asked every cashier, every waiter, barista, receptionist (you name it!) he’s met. I quickly adopted the practice. I loved watching the “customer service” exterior melt away, and lock eyes with another human who finally felt seen in the middle of a day spent invisible.

Sometimes the meeting was brief with a genuine “thank you for asking” and sometimes the question became a safe space for a soul to become unburdened. We’ve met and prayed for a lot of people. Each one facing their own invisible battle. You’d never know unless you asked.

These days, it’s even harder to know the battles being fought. Our family is in the midst of one now. We have been since December 2019. And up until recently I didn’t realize how few people really knew. It just goes to show how hard it is to connect in this season. To know one another. And how easy it is to get caught up in keeping your head above water and forgetting to ask for a life raft.

If you didn’t know, I am the voice you hear giving the Riverbend announcements. They sound cheerful, upbeat, and easy. But beneath that “customer service” exterior are dozens of takes of me slurring my words, forgetting how to say something, stuttering… My invisible battle is a brain injury. One that is taking so much longer to recover from than we ever anticipated. Often times voicing over the announcements is all I am able to do in a day. So Travis’s invisible battle is caring for me, our son, and our home without knowing when he’ll get to rest, or when I will get better.

In my recovery, I’ve met a lot of people –– patients, receptionists, physical and occupational therapists — who I have gotten to talk to (verbal skills permitting). And I’ve learned some of their invisible battles too. As I become more able to type (speech is still a challenge at times), I have gotten to connect more with some of our Riverbend family. And we’ve been able to encourage one another and make some of our battles a little more visible, making one another feel a little more known. 

All this to say, in a season dominated by isolation, I want you to know that you are not truly alone (so, reach out to someone!). Every single person I’ve met has a battle they’re fighting. I know you have one, too. Give yourself lots of grace. And extend that grace to others. If you see a cashier who is less than polite, stop and ask how their day is going. More times than not you’ll watch as they relax a bit more, you’ll connect with another human, and you’ll both leave feeling a little less alone.

Just one more way we can be “in it together.”

How to Engage

When Do I Engage?

“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” Matthew 12:25

Jesus said these words to the Pharisees about Satan, yet it serves as a reminder for the church today. The church does not escape the reach or effects of a society that pits “us” verses “them” in every way imaginable. From how we mount our toilet paper to whom we vote for, nothing escapes our strong opinions. Interestingly enough, Paul warned Timothy about how we should conduct ourselves regarding the heated discussions we inevitably come across on social media.

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:23-26

What is a foolish controversy? And on the flip side, what should we correct? In other words, when should we engage? Believe it or not, not every discussion in which you have a strong opinion on is worth your time or energy—a lesson I’m just now starting to grasp. When we feel strongly about something, discussions are bound to get heated and can get ugly. When we, the church, publicly disagree on social media, we are displaying to the world a house divided. So, it is of utmost importance to pick our battles and our words wisely.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Our first step in engaging a controversial conversation should be to stop and pray. This gives us time to reflect on whether we should engage. Hopefully, through our prayer, God will grant us wisdom on when or how to engage.

We tend to enter these conversations hot. In our earnestness and desire to be heard, we may forget to listen to those we disagree with. Before working on our rebuttal, we must truly listen to what the others in the conversation are saying. I should pause here to note that I am the first person who needs to hear this advice. I am quite opinionated and have always felt the need to express my opinions, even when it was not wise to do so. I am now learning to listen more to other voices while holding my tongue.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

When we are willing to listen to other perspectives, we may learn something—or, in the very least, we can be reminded of the inherent value that person holds as a child of God. We do not need to change our opinions in order to acknowledge others’ value. But reflecting on that value will hopefully lead us into a respectful conversation.

“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34b-35

After we’ve prayed and listened, in some (most) instances where engagement is necessary, it should be done privately.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Matthew 18:15

As Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:24 (see above), we should approach controversy with the intent to teach with patience and gentleness—markers of our love for each other. We should aim to build each other up rather than tear down.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

We need to remember Christ in these conversations. Our pride has no place here. Christ makes no distinctions based on class, race, politics, religious background, etc. For He is the one who tears down the walls between us.

“remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:12-22

As we are different parts of the Body, we do not all have the same functions nor do we have the same perspectives. We need others’ perspectives to grow. Humans cannot be objective. We are not omniscient as God is, so what we know to be true may not be the whole picture. Our experiences shape our beliefs, and the same goes for others. They are as valid as ours. We are more likely to grow when we listen to other perspectives rather than discounting them because they don’t fully align with ours. Rather, those eternal truths (mankind’s sin and need for a savior, Jesus’ death & resurrection, our redemption/salvation through Him, our obedience as a response) should be held up as unchanging while minor truths can and should be malleable and informed.

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-10

Of course, we each have our own convictions on how we should live our lives to honor Christ. As long as they align with Scripture, we should stand firm in those convictions. But we should not judge other Christians for standing firm in their convictions (even when they oppose ours), as both are doing so to honor Christ. Mind you, this can be applied to political leaning or worship style, dress code or mission support. Sometimes it is best to keep these convictions to ourselves for the sake of our fellow believers. Our faith is between us and God, and what we choose to share should be edifying, not condemning.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

    and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14

How we conduct ourselves in public (and on social media) comes down to two things:

1.     Our public witness (Is our conversation shining light on the Gospel?)

2.     Our role in the Church (Are our words being used to build up or tear down?)

We cannot control how others choose to use their voices, but we can control when and how we engage them. God’s love should guide our interactions, and we can leave the judgement up to Him.

 “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 2:13-17

(All verses shared are from the English Standard Version of the Bible with my own emphasis added.)

Finding Hope

There’s a story Corrie Ten Boom tells of God weaving together the seemingly disorganized pieces of our lives, and only at the end when you flip it over and see the finished piece can you appreciate the way God orchestrated pieces of your life. (See here for Corrie’s explanation ) Looking back, you could recognize each thread’s work that led to the masterpiece, even though at the time it looked confusing, chaotic, or maybe even painful.

For Liz Bell, an on-and-off fight against anxiety and depression since her late teens, growing up in the Church but not prioritizing her relationship with Jesus for years, only to be drawn back to Him just as a global pandemic kicked off could feel a little disorientating. What is God doing through these times? And yet, despite the hard of these situations, she can clearly see and is thankful for how God has drawn her to know Him in a deeper and truer way in the last year. Looking back, she can see how He was pulling her back to Him leading up to October 2019, when she joined her friend Kathleen for a gathering at Riverbend. Her heart already softened, she walked into the gathering and could immediately feel a presence. The music began playing and she broke down. She didn’t expect such a reaction, but thinking about it since, she feels it was the Holy Spirit impressing upon her that “you are where you need to be when you need to be there”. This was a different experience for her than when she went to church growing up; this was how a relationship with Jesus should be. It’s been a process of immersing herself in God’s Word, learning and unlearning; of releasing control, recognizing her life is not her own.  

After only a few months of rebuilding a new relationship with Jesus, attending Riverbend and connecting with people, COVID hit. But instead of being discouraged, she still feels grateful for coming when she did, because she’s thankful not to waste any time in getting to know the Lord and read the scripture she wishes she has known for longer.  She’s reflected on how challenging this season of uncertainty would be if she didn’t have the certainty of God and His love to cling to.

Like Corrie Ten Boom, as well as the apostle Paul, she can admit that a relationship with God does not keep us from trial. Since she was 18, Liz has dealt with bouts of anxiety and depression, including two bouts of post-partum depression, and even experiencing what she calls a mental fatigue or fog in recent weeks. Amidst all the discussion and decision making of the upcoming school year, her youngest not sleeping well, and general information overload, Liz could recognize something was changing. Her mom also noticed and stepped right in to help and support her. Mental illness is not one-size-fits-all, nor is any one person’s journey, but for Liz, this time felt different for her compared to the bouts she had before beginning a true relationship with the Lord. With the help of medication and prayer, she feels she has been lifted out of this slump quicker than usual. She is learning how to recognize her need for help and reach out sooner. 

One thing Liz wants to address by sharing her own story is that mental illness is not something to be ashamed of; it’s not a sin. Sometimes there is simply a chemical imbalance; medication, counseling, and other supports all have their place. Mental illness should be met with compassion and support; it is not a sign of weakness. After seeing WFMZ sports anchor, Dan Moscaritolo post about his recent struggle with depression and then being approached to share her story with her Riverbend family, she felt led to be vulnerable and share in the hopes of helping others. If sharing her own story can help one other person not feel alone, then it was worth it.

Some favorite verses of Liz’s in this season are:

Philippians 4:6-7

John 13:7

Psalm 34

[If you are experiencing anxiety or depression in this season, please reach out to someone: a family member or friend, or contact Riverbend. You are not alone. Help is available.

Click here to visit some resources available through Riverbend or locally. ]

Ask

During this pandemic we’ve become aware of what a global crisis looks like. We’ve seen lines of sick people being turned away from hospitals and families out of work, some not knowing where their next meal will come from. Businesses are shut down while some shut their doors for good.

We’ve seen the hurt, the anger, and the sadness of others bring hurt, anger, and sadness to us all. We’ve felt it ourselves and maybe even projected our fears on to those around us. There is no one on this earth that this hasn’t touched. Our lives have been changed, and although we are all experiencing this at the same time, we aren’t experiencing it the same way.

God sees all of us as we are, yet we sometimes see ourselves in comparison to what we see on the news or what we see online. We compare what we are facing to what someone else might be facing and we know it could always be worse. So we stuff down the anxiety and we push through harder. We might numb out with whatever brings relief and we forget that God is the helper right here.

One day I woke up with terrible back pain, twisted up and aching. I showed up at work and sat miserably at my desk for 8 hours and even with Motrin in my system, I still felt like Bruce Lee had dropped kicked me off the top of a 10 foot building. My patience was short and my fuse was shorter.  When I am hurting, everything seems terrible. It’s bad news bears and the dark cloud follows and remains. When the work day had come to an end, I groaned knowing my next job, mothering my two boys would begin. I buckled my seatbelt and on the way home I asked God to take the pain away. I asked again and then I stopped at a red light. The world kept spinning, but here at this stop light, this life moment paused, my soul was still.

I heard the whisper of God deep in my heart say to me, “Did you ask someone to pray for you?”

I swallowed hard. I did not.

My thoughts started to somersault. I can’t ask someone to pray for my stiff neck, that’s silly. There are people on this planet who are sick, dying, and diseased and they need healing. 

Light still red, I realized I was limiting my Father. I was limiting the amount of healing to be had. I was drawing lines in the sand of who deserves healing and who does not. The conviction made me sweat.

“Who?” I asked out loud, sounding much braver than I felt.

And right then a name of a woman I know was impressed onto my heart. A hot tear rolled down my cheek which tends to happen when I feel God asking me to grow by way of making me more uncomfortable than any stiff neck and achy back could ever feel.

I picked up the phone and I started a voice message to my friend that went something like this: “Hey, it’s me. This is so weird and random, I know. But I’ve been in pain all day and I really don’t like myself when I feel like this, and I was wondering if maybe you aren’t too busy, if you could pray for the pain in my neck and my back to be taken. Sorry I’m weird and sorry if this made you feel uncomfortable too, but I asked God who should I ask to pray for me, and He whispered your name.”

The next ten minutes I drove home in silence, awkward silence. Did I really just ask my friend to pray for a stiff neck?

Right as I pulled into the driveway my phone alerted and I saw a voice message pop up from my friend. My thumb hit play and her message was a prayer of healing over my pain and over my heart. She said everything only the Holiest of Spirits would know to say. Another hot tear rolled down my cheek. With my head bowed in the car, sitting in my driveway, I felt a warmth come through my body from the top of my head, flooding down my spine, straight on through the tips of my toes and instantly the pain was gone. All the way gone. This time tears of relief and disbelief that God saw me burst from my eyes as gratitude bubbled up from a place that had been buried deep.

                  I won’t forget that day. I was hurting in a way that was affecting me personally and God saw that, He saw me. God saw that I needed help, but He was teaching me something very valuable. He taught me that even if He chose not to take the pain away that day, that He’s given me community that doesn’t get scared off when I ask them to pray for me. He’s taught me that He doesn’t compare my hard day to someone else’s hard day. He’s taught me that vulnerability with trusted friends deepens relationships and builds trust. But most importantly, He taught me that I don’t need to be in a crisis to ask for help.

                  I know that we are all facing this pandemic together, but that the way we are experiencing it varies greatly from one person to the next. I don’t know what you are walking through today, but I know Someone who does. And if you needed a friendly reminder, let it be known that you are a valued, seen, and loved child of God. He is the Helper. And He will put people on your path that can, will, and want to help. You just need to ask.

Psalm 54:4 | Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

True Freedom is Found in Dependence

This time of year, we celebrate the liberty and freedom that we often take for granted as Americans.  We gather together for picnics, fireworks, and tributes for those who have laid down their lives so that we might enjoy life in the United States.  Yet even in the land of the free, many struggle with depression, anxiety, and isolation.  Still others are overwhelmed by the demands and burdens of their lives.  We find ourselves held captive by the illusion that we are self -made.  Our attempts to find freedom in our isolation leave us feeling frustrated, discouraged, and overwhelmed.  We don’t find true freedom until we fully recognize that what we are pursuing is not found in ourselves.  It is found in a dependence on Christ, and on one another.  

Rugged individualism is one of the strengths and weaknesses of our nation.  There is a strong belief that we make ourselves by our hard work and positive choices.  While there is some truth to that principle, we still fall far short of the eternal freedom that we find in Christ.  Jesus said that when we follow him and obey his teachings we are like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. When the ferocious waves of trials, struggles, and hardship beat against the house it was able to withstand it.  Yet when we do not follow Jesus and his teachings, we are like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.  When the waves of life’s difficulties beat against it. It suffered a mighty, mighty, crash (Matthew 7:24-27).   Jesus also taught us that who he, as the son of God, sets free by his death, burial, and resurrection is truly free (John 8:36).  This freedom we find in Christ invites us to share our difficulties, frustrations, and hardships with our heavenly Father.  We do not have to carry the challenges and burdens of our lives on our own.  Jesus promises to give lasting rest to all who are weary and heavy laden. (Matthew 11:28-30).

So that we can live in the full freedom and liberty we find in Jesus’ death and resurrection he commands us to love each other the way that he has loved us (John 13:34-35).  This means to sacrifice ourselves in all of our relationships.  Our sacrifices can come in a variety of ways.  From listening to serving, prayer and words of encouragement we can connect to one another.  We’re also carrying each other’s burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).  This brings us closer together. We are refreshed when we share our burdens and when we carry the burdens of others.  Jesus promised that this world would know that we are his followers by the way we love each other (John 13:35).  

By living in dependence on Christ and loving one another we will find true and lasting freedom.  This freedom far exceeds any we could obtain in our strength and circumstances.  Let’s never forget that Jesus came so that we could have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).

Building a Bigger Neighborhood

If you polled the people at Riverbend who know my little family of four and asked them to pick one word they would associate with us, I can guarantee the large majority of those answers would be the word garbage. There is no other way to say it than that my 5 year old son is obsessed with any and all things garbage, and as odd as it may sound, it is what we as a family have allowed to become a “big deal”. 

To fill in a bit why this fact is important, I’ll share a little bit more about my family. My husband Brian and I have been married almost 7 years and have two sons, Owen (5) and Ellis (2). Prior to entering “retirement” when Owen was born, I was the children’s librarian at the Lower Macungie Library and served as a volunteer in our church’s youth ministry. When Owen was born, and those two roles came to an end as I had previously known them, I found myself struggling with how God would have me serve in this new season. After a couple of weeks of praying and talking with Brian, the simple way I felt God lead me was to be in my community. 

Well, that sounds kind of obvious, but as a “people person introvert”, joining a group or walking up to a stranger anywhere is not at the top of my list of fun activities. Yet as I continued to pray and think through how this could look lived out in my family’s life, I began to see places where I could naturally build relationships. The workers at our local grocery store who we saw every week. Neighbors who we normally just waved to on our walks and kept going. The vendors at the Easton Public Market that we visited as a family every Friday night. These are not people we see as “projects” but people we want to get to know and be known by. And we wanted to become more intentional about it. 

Back to garbage. Two years ago, an idea kept popping into mind to have my garbage truck loving preschooler make a picture for the garbage and recycling men he loved to watch from our window each week. For a good month, I pushed the thought down every time because I thought they would think I was crazy. Just a month before we were set to move, I finally followed through on the idea, with some chocolate chip cookies for good measure, and we left our gifts on the cans. So began our friendship with Mr. LeRon, and even though we moved, we still occasionally exchange notes with him through the new owners. Next there was Mr. Matt, who came to pick up the trash at our new house. Soon after we got to know Mr. Matt, we found out that our garbage company was selling their business to another company and we would have all new garbage people. We’ve since gotten to know Mr. Brooks and Mr. Joaquin, Miss Peggy and Mr. Eli, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Torres, and a handful of other garbage people as we make our weekly visits. Owen decides every week what goodies they will get… pictures, treats, drinks. Garbage day has become a weekly special event in our home. Before kids, I never would have imagined I would embrace learning about and playing imaginary garbage routes, but I have. 

Reaching into the community hasn’t always been as easy as taking the boys outside on garbage day. Brian was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. This brought an unexpected hospitalization in December, regular maintenance visits to his GI for medication infusions, a resection surgery that was scheduled just as COVID was beginning, canceled, and then recently performed. We decided early on that his medical team would be an extension of our “neighborhood”. These acts aren’t any great thing on our parts, but we hope to reflect the love we have for Jesus and our desire to love on and encourage the people we rub elbows with in the course of life.

I love that in being purposeful about building relationships in our community, our sons are learning from childhood that they can use the things that excite them and the gifts they have to love their neighbors. This is something that took me into adulthood to truly get, but it’s just a part of our normal life for them. It’s caused me to step outside of my comfort zone and expand my view of who our “neighbors” are. When we began to live missionally within our community, our goal was to teach our sons. In reality, this way of living has taught us. 

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.”

Psalm 37:3