Preparing the the Easter Miracle

How Can this Possibly Be?

Research by a 2^nd Century Roman non-believer teaches us about Christian living today

Somewhere around 160 AD the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius asked his tutor Diognetus to investigate why the Christian movement was spreading throughout the empire so rapidly despite brutal repression by authorities. “How can this be?” Marcus Aurelius wondered.

His answer teaches us a great deal about what it means to be a Christian 1850 years later and living in a different culture. Summarizing his research into the explosive growth of the Christian movement Diognetus wrote:

“Christians pass their lives here on earth but their citizenship is in heaven. They live on their own land but they live as aliens. As citizens they share their tables with others, but they do not share their beds. They love all men, but yet they are hated by all men. They are treated outrageously but they behave respectfully. When they do good they are attacked, and when they are attacked they do good. They obey the prescribed laws, but at the same time they surpass those laws by their lives. They are short of everything but they have plenty of everything. That is why Christianity is spreading.”

To live such a moral life of peace, service and hope is an ideal many share but few attain. But God would never promise such a life if it could not be realized. Our practices of Lent can lead us on a path toward this holy life.

Lent opens the door for the new life that Easter promises. The problem of modern Americans is that we are so overwhelmed by the activities of the world that we never clear the space for Christ to fully occupy our heart. We rush into Easter unprepared. Lent is a period of deliberately slowing down and opening-up to make space for God.

During the first century, Lent was observed as a forty hour period, in keeping with the forty hours that Jesus’ body was in the tomb, but by the third century those forty hours had been extended into a six day watch that became known as Holy Week.

The practice proved such a valuable practice that Charlemagne extended it to forty days (excluding Sundays) of prayer, introspection and confession – Ash Wednesday through Easter.

Fasting is a traditional spiritual discipline referenced in both the Old and New Testaments. Some churches practice several days of fasting at the beginning of each New Year; last month we witnessed Pastor Sam Rim of Jubilee fast for seventeen days.

Fasting is first and foremost an offering to God. During the fast we are to take special time for prayer, scripture reading and reflection.

During a fast we become especially aware of cravings, compulsions and other feelings that we may have been suppressing. Fasting gives us the opportunity to take note of these forces and to confess where we feel appropriate. Before feeling prepared to begin his earthly ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days, overcoming the power of Satan.

Although the primary purpose of fasting is tow worship God, many people report that fasting sharpens their minds and raises their spiritual awareness.

You are encouraged to join your church family in a one day fast beginning at sundown on Tuesday, March 11. We will break fast together with a simple worship and soup dinner at 7 PM on Wednesday, March 12 at the church. (You can abstain from solid food and juices, only partaking in water.)

Since fasting is also a time of petition, you can consider offering prayers of petition both for your individual needs and for the leadership of the church.

Enter the Ancient Worship Called “Tenebrae” The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin for “shadows”.

This ancient worship practice has stirred the hearts of Christians for generations as they prepare for the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter.

Tenebrae is a ritual that reenacts the actual death of Jesus by reading scripture as candles and other light are slowly, step-by-step extinguished until we are left in total darkness. Only with such an experience can we truly receive the miracle of Jesus’ return and the gift of new, abundant and eternal life.

Bring children and guests to this sacred worship on Thursday, March 20 at 7 PM.

Easter is the center of the Christian calendar – the beginning of the Good News of new life. Receiving this gift not only gives us eternal life but also the beginning of the life Diognetus witnessed that led to the rapid, world-wide expansion of Christianity, despite all the efforts of the world’s powers and principalities to hold it back.

Join us for our 6 AM Sunrise Service led by Pastor Bruce and our 10 AM worship to welcome the Resurrection of our Lord on March 23.

Contact Pastor Roger at www.NorthridgeChurch.net
honorChrist "at" gmail "dot" com

New Year Thoughts

Change Your Thinking,
Change Your Life

“Humankind is full of possibilities. Humankind, alone, is called to assist God. Humankind is called to co-create.”

- Hildegard of Bingen 12^th Century theologian, poet and abyss-

Last month many of us made commitments for 2008: exercise more, eat better, read the Bible, serve the community. All this got me reflecting on how we are created to actively partner with the Lord to “co-create” our lives with together.

God Has a Plan for You God created you with a unique blueprint of gifts, passions, abilities and interests. Through the prophet Jeremiah (29:11) God promises, For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God fully equipped you to live-out the purpose He planned for your life. It is we, however, who determine the specific form our life will take.

Our Statement of Faith assures us that Jesus “seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.” Yet we are easily seduced in aimlessness – even though we might be overwhelmed by busyness. And emotional baggage from our past constantly nudges us toward sinful behavior. Jesus explained in John 10:10b (Amp) I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). So how do we partner with Jesus to live as he promised?

Getting Out of Our Ruts We begin by letting go of the hurts, habits and hang-ups that weighs us down: the disappointments, betrayals, regrets and missteps of the past. The average person has something like 30,000 thoughts a day, yet psychologists tell us that about 95% of those thoughts are the same ones we had yesterday, last week and last year. As long as we mentally recite to ourselves the negatives and grudges of the past, and as we persist in rehearsing our fears and unhealthy habits of the present then we keep digging ever-deeper into our ruts.

“We tend to become what we think about the most.”

– William James

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed (43:18-19), Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new.

We participate in creating what our “something new” will be. William James got it right when he said, “We tend to become what we think about the most.” We cannot always control the circumstances that come our way, but we can control the thoughts and attitudes with which we respond.

Creating Our Future Our opportunity to overcome our hang-ups and to create a joyful and meaningful future exists in the “nano-moment” between the present and the future. In that instant, creation occurs. In that instant, all our attitudes and problems converge with all the opportunities for something entirely new. In that instant God’s dreams for our future are revealed and become available.

We Tend to Become What We Believe Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) For as (a person) thinks in his heart, so is he. When we let go of our resistance, instead bringing faith and openness to God, we begin to create brighter, healthier futures. When we prayerfully capture the godly dream of what our life can be, and when we hold tight and affirm that promise, it tends to become our real future. “Dream lofty dreams,” writes James Allen. “Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be!”

As you go through your day, you will become aware of recurring negative thoughts arising. You can dis-empower them by consciously stopping them dead in their tracks – don’t let them into that “nano-moment” of creation.

I have used phrases such as, “Stop. Life is too precious to give that story my energy.” Sometimes I’ve had worked for months on a recurring thought pattern that would create anger or a sense of victimhood, but eventually I have been able to reduce their power over me.

Then make a habit of throughout the day repeating a positive statement that affirms your goal. If you are troubled by fears or overcome by a sense of being powerless or unworthy, try an affirmation like, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.” If you are seeking to build your servant heart, then throughout your day ask, “What can I do in this moment for the sake of Jesus?”

These thought interventions and positive affirmations require constant attention, but over time they will have a profound influence on your life. Clearing away the old grudges, hurts and feelings of being unworthy will make way for you to hear God’s voice so that, with Him, you will co-create the abundant, joyful and meaningful life He designed you for.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Roger

Congregational Church of Northridge

www.NorthridgeChurch.net