December 2013 - Staring Into the Future

Pondering/reflecting is what you tend to do as a year comes to a close.  I have been pondering about the year that has past.  I make comparisons with where I feel or believe I was at the start of the year with how I am today.  I look for external indicators of progress.  I consider the goals and outcomes I had for this year and whether they came to pass.  I try to find some measurement for success in 2013.  While all of this can be good; it can also bring death as I eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Looking back and comparing can tie you to the past.  It can anchor or tether you so that you cannot move forward.  People may experience the same event and yet some can cry while others shout for joy.  If you don’t think that is possible, then consider Ezra 3:10-13.  The relaying of the foundation of the temple was an occasion to rejoice and so the people did.  However, those who remembered the previous temple “wept with a loud voice” because of the comparison they were making.  What kind of comparisons are you making between today and yesterday?  What are we measuring?

While many wept because they were measuring the foundation of the new temple and comparing it with the previous one, God was making a different measurement.  “‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:9)  We must allow the Lord to measure the life and glory that we are experiencing.  We must be eating from the Tree of Life.  We must allow the Lord to measure today with the future and not with the past.  And … only He can make these measurements in our lives.

So, having pondered the past, look to the future.  A future that God promises greater glory and life in.  That does not mean there will not be difficulties, trials and things to overcome.  Paul and Barnabas revisited churches “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations [pressures] enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22)  Stare into your future.  Let God be the God of your past, present and future and conclude 2013 by moving into 2014 standing on the past without being stuck to it and allowing Him to move your present into His future promise for your life.

Journeying with you,
Merril

November 2013 - Steadfastness

If you didn’t read the front of the bulletin this month either because you skipped past it or because you are reading this pondering online, then let me repeat the verse that is there: “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

We live in a disposable society.  Very little concern is given to what remains.  Yes, there is a large ecological movement concerned with the earth remaining around for a long while, but at the same time the people of the world develop cars, computers, cameras, contacts and companions that are easily thrown away.  Very little seems built to last and we focus on the immediate.

It is not like that with God.  God’s character and nature reflect eternality, endurance, faithfulness and steadfastness.  God created the earth and all that is in it, including mankind, with the intention that it all should stand forever.  Man threw it away.  However, even after that, God pressed forward with the intention that there should be a Kingdom with man in it that should never end.

“Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:7)

So, the challenge for us as a church is to co-labour with God in building things that will remain.  It is interesting that Paul would write about faith, hope and love after spending significant time looking at the spiritual gifts.  Our hearts (even mine) can be attracted towards focussing on the gifts and signs and wonders and miracles but Paul’s heart was focussed on what remains.  Don’t get me wrong: he does say to earnestly desire spiritual gifts.  It’s a question of lasting character in the midst of fleeting moments of spiritual manifestation.

I’ve been at this church for fourteen years.  Some are part of this body who have been here longer.  Some have not been here as long but have committed themselves to the work of God in this place.  I applaud your steadfastness of faith, hope and love.  We are not simply building for an immediate gratification but a lasting legacy.  I encourage us all to keep building toward a church where God’s glorious presence is so evident that healing and transformation happen not simply for a moment but for generations; not simply for a hundred or so people on a Sunday but for thousands in our community and around the world.

Journeying with you,

Merril

October 2013 - Pressing Forward

I will make the disclaimer that I am writing this before we have our Tree of Life Conference.  I don’t know what Dennis will be sharing with us.  So, if it touches on anything Dennis says, I am not trying to hammer you with these thoughts.

I have been pondering the church’s mission statement lately.  You may or may not have it in your memory yet.  It’s on the back of the bulletin, along with the core values.  The core values that we have hanging on the walls as you make your way from the entrance of the church’s building to the sanctuary.  I am really not trying to sound snide or condescending.  Please hear me out.  I fully realize that I also can and have lost track of these important things at times.  The bulletin can be just a monthly piece of paper I put in my Bible and the pictures—just wall decoration that I barely notice.  It was a year ago that we presented them to the church.

I’m not going to type the whole mission statement here (you can just look on the back of the bulletin), but I want us to consider that the goal is “developing healthy, mature followers of Jesus Christ.”  Healthy is defined as “possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality.”  Mature is defined as “complete in natural growth or development.” (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)  So, it could also be stated as “developing sound, vigorous, complete followers of Jesus Christ.  We are not only co-labouring with God to accomplish this in others; it is the work that God is doing in us.

There are so many Scriptures that come to my mind.  I was actually compiling them to place in this pondering but it would take up too much space.  And then I realized that if you are as committed to the goal of health and maturity that God is for you, then you would want to look them up yourself anyway.  So, here are a few passages form the Bible that you should meditate on: 2 Timothy 1:7; 4:1-4; Romans 8:6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4; Philippians 3:7-16; Hebrews 12:1-13; 2 Peter 1:2-11.

We must not lose sight of the goal.  Doing so gets people off the path.  Jesus said his disciples must keep their eyes on the goal and not look back.  We must press on towards the goal keeping our eyes on Jesus, Who calls us.  I want to leave one Scripture for you to read here:

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:3-6)

I am thankful for you all and pray for your continued progress in Christ.  God grants the power to accomplish what He calls us to.  You lack nothing in Him.  God is developing us into His healthy, mature sons and daughters so that He might reveal His glory in the earth like never before.

Journeying with you,

Merril

September 2013 - Stirring Up Your Spirit

Pssst!  Hey, have you heard …?  We have a conference at the end of the month. ;-)

While there have been lots of ponderings I have been having lately, the Tree of Life Conference has been on my mind quite a bit.  The Tree of Life is found in our Bibles at the beginning, middle and the end (Genesis 2-3, Ezekiel 47 and Revelation 2 & 22).  The Tree of Life is based in the grace of God.  It was offered to Adam and Eve without restriction.  It is offered to us today in the same way in Christ.  Jesus dies on a tree to give us free access again to the Tree of Life.  It’s life never fades (“leaves never wither”) and it is continually producing fruit and healing.

It is with this grace of God in mind and spirit that I am approaching the conference.  I hope others will too.  Many people go to charismatic Christian conferences in an attempt to get something they don’t have (or perceive themselves not to have).  Some even travel from conference to conference continually trying to gain something.  My heart for the Tree of Life conference is that it be the “un-conference” of us all growing in what we already have.  Consider a couple verses of Scripture:

2 Peter 1:2-4 (NKJV)  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV)  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The verse that God gave me for this conference is on the front of this month’s bulletin (Haggai 1:14).  I believe God is stirring up our spirits to join in building His house.  He is building up His church, us, to be the dwelling place He desires for His Spirit in this day (Ephesians 2:22).  He is stirring up our spirits to join in the work because His house is built with the living stones of people (1 Peter 2:5).  Deep is calling to deep — Spirit to spirit.  The Spirit and the Bride say come … the time is now.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

August 2013 - Sola Iesus Christus

One of the key statements of the Protestant Reformation was “sola scriptura,” which is Latin for “only Scripture” or “by Scripture alone.”  This was a very important rallying cry for those who were standing against teachings and edicts that were not based in Scripture.  Wycliffe, Hus, Luther, Calvin and many others were calling the church (especially its leaders) back to the base and basics of the Bible alone.  As benefactors of the Protestant Reformation, we are pretty good at this.

Where we have possibly strayed is in applying the Word to our lives based upon our own interpretation of our destiny, identity, gifts and calling.  The Bible becomes focussed upon us instead of upon revealing God to us.  Don’t get me wrong, we are a specific focus of God’s plan and His plan of grace is revealed in Scripture.  A standard practice of biblical interpretation is to let Scripture interpret Scripture.  However, I would say that we should let Word interpret Word.  Jesus interprets the Bible He wrote, not the other way around (while not taking from the fact that Jesus is revealed in Scripture).  A key statement for us today could be “sola Iesus Christus” — it’s really about knowing Jesus.

• Jesus is the Word. (John 1:1)
• Jesus is the “brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person.” (Heb. 1:3)
• Jesus is the only one to have seen the Father fully and completely. (John 6:46)
• Jesus is the revelation of the Father. (John 14:7)

We need to know Jesus for who He is and not simply who we think He is or want Him to be.  Saul had an encounter with Jesus in Acts 9 where his blindness was revealed to Him in the midst of Jesus revealing Himself.  Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was (Matt. 16:15).  Jesus asks us the same question today.  He’s not asking because He doesn’t know, but so that we can gain revelation from the Father just as Peter did (Matt. 16:16-17).  Let’s take some time to know Him better.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

July 2013 - Great Grace Required

Welcome to summer!  I trust you are grabbing onto all of the sunshine you can.  I also hope you don’t forget to grab all the Son-shine you can over the summer.  Becoming a Christian is not simply about having Jesus deal with our sin issue but it is about accepting an invitation by God to have Him effectively involved in every aspect and moment of our lives.

Which brings me to this month’s topic: grace.  Grace is often seen as “unmerited favour” or “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”  While both of these things are true, they are also far less than the fullness of grace.  Grace is not simply accepting but also enabling.  Grace is not simply a passive attribute but also an active contribution.

I am convinced that we need to grow in grace (2 Pe. 3:18).  It isn’t that we lack grace — we need to grow in it.  God is the God of all grace (1 Pe. 5:10).  And, He is able to make all grace about to us so that we have everything we need for every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).  Our difficulty is not in availability, its with access.  We need to grow in grace.

There are more good works.  God has more glory to get out of our lives.  Anything that is accomplished is done by grace (1 Cor. 15:10).  This is not a condemnation because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).  This is, however, a challenge to us all.  One of the things noted of the early church was that great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:38).  The amount of grace we are accessing is insufficient for what we are facing — in our lives, in our church, in our world.  The revival we all desire will not happen apart from great grace active in our midst.

Growing in grace with you,

Pastor Merril

June 2013 - Body Building with Spiritual Gifts

This month we will be looking at the Gifts of the Spirit.  Last month we considered the Holy Spirit, Himself.  It’s important that we not lose the connection between the two.  We certainly recognize that these spiritual gifts are not simply natural abilities that are taken to a new level by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is not some gas with a higher octane rating that gives our natural engine more power.  These gifts are not simply empowered by the Holy Spirit but originate from Him.  1 Corinthians 12 says that the gifts, or graces, are “manifestations” of the Spirit.  They don’t enlighten us about man but about God dwelling in His temple.

There is a distinct difference between saying, “I have the gift of prophecy” and saying, “Holy Spirit often reveals Himself through me by prophecy.”  I have seen an ownership problem with the spiritual gifts in some people’s lives.  It’s far to easy to believe that a gift of the Spirit is for the one who has it.  The truth is that the spiritual gift that resides in a Christian is for someone else, or for the church.  I can benefit as part of the church, but the gift in me is still other-oriented.  I believe God wants us to be healthier and more mature in relation to the spiritual gifts.

As we consider the spiritual gifts this month, we will not be so much looking at each gift as much the gifts overall.  We will consider their purpose, public practice, personal engagement and priorities.  Each of the passages in Romans, 1 Corinthians and Ephesians speak of Christ’s body and unity.  So, we will be on a monthly body building exercise and I hope you will put in the time and effort any such exercise warrants.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

May 2013 - Intoxicated?

Some of you who are reading this may be doing your own pondering: “What are they getting at with the cover of this month’s bulletin?”  What is meant by “Intoxicated?”

Let me start by reminding you that the event that is being referred to happens this month.  May 19th is the day we celebrate Pentecost in 2013.  It reminds us of a pivotal moment in the life of the church.  Jesus told the disciples to not simply go off and witness to His resurrection.  He said they needed power. (See Acts 1:8)

As you go on to read the account of that particular Pentecost celebration (in Acts 2, also noted in the image on the front of the bulletin), you will read that some thought they were drunk—intoxicated (Acts 2:13,15).  In the context of the event, those who thought they were drunk probably heard the newly “filled with the Holy Spirit” speaking in tongues they did not recognize.  It was the claim of the doubtful.  And yet, it is also possible to have such a euphoric experience in the Holy Spirit as to seem drunk.

There is a verse in the New Testament that also refers both to being drunk and being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Ephesians 5:18 says: “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit” (HCSB).  Or, consider how this verse is translated in The Message: “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.”  Paul is comparing the level of drink needed to be intoxicated with the level of being filled with the Holy Spirit.  How full do you feel?

The tense/voice/mood of the Greek word for “be filled” indicates that it is actually a continual action of being filled.  This might seem like an odd thought if you think that once filled you are full and needing no more.  That would be true if you were not a conduit for the Holy Spirit to move through (see John 7:38-39).  That might also be true if you were a vessel that remained the same size (see what the NT says about increase).  Or, that might be true if all areas of your life were completely transformed by God (see 2 Cor. 3:17-18).

I will leave you with an interesting example from the lives of people in the early church, some of which were there on that Pentecost where the Spirit of God filled them.

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31, NKJV)

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

April 2013 - More than Financial Debt

As we move from a month considering consumerism and its affects on us, there is an area that I believe needs to be pondered.  Household financial indebtedness has risen to record levels.  We are spending more than we make or have invested.  I’ve been pondering how much this is reflected in the spiritual lives of Christians.

Are we making enough spiritual capital?  Have we invested enough into our spiritual lives that we can continue to make the withdrawals our lives demand?  Are there Christians on the verge of spiritual bankruptcy?  Am I there, or close to there, or on my way there?

This month we will be looking at key investment areas for our spiritual lives.  It is imperative that we have the spiritual capital as the world moves forward towards its end.    Jesus asked a question that constantly challenges me in this way:  “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8, NKJV)

There is a passage in Hebrews that I want to end this brief, but hopefully catalytic, pondering with.  Now is not the time to coast in our Christianity.  We must be serious about our spirituality.  Consider the verse on the front of this bulletin and make sure we are storing up treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:19-20).

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

March 2013 2.0 - Have You Rolled Up Your Rim® Today?

So, this is Canada in the middle of March.  Many Canadians are involved in their favourite pastime — rrrrrolling up the rim to win®.  Yes, so many of us are hitting the drive-thru and checking to see what we have won.  Many times us Christians are told to please pray again (I know, it says play, but be honest -- you pray before you roll the rim) and we dutifully do that.

My thoughts are about what we do with this process.  Are you so excited about the prospect of winning that you dump out your coffee and roll up the rim without even drinking it?  No, that would be ridiculous.  Ok, let’s drink the coffee first.  Now, are you so excited for winning a free coffee that you run out in the middle of your work, leaving your boss and your business to fend for themselves, while you go and turn in your coupon?  Nope: something wrong there too.  So, what do you do?  You drink your coffee, get your coupon and then turn it when it is convenient and appropriate to do so.

So, what are you trying to tell me Pastor Merril?  I’m saying that sometimes Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people dump out their coffee and run off in the middle of something else that is happening just to hand in a coupon to someone, which they could receive and turn in at another time.  I can understand the excitement of giving someone a prophecy or word of knowledge or word of wisdom just as much as handing someone the Rav-4 coupon that you rolled up on your coffee cup.  However, it is impolite and even can be rude to dump out the cup of coffee that God has been asking you to drink or to interrupt the conversation He is having with everyone just to run off and hand someone a coupon.  Our personal agendas, desires or passions do not trump God’s plans for a group event (see Luke 14:16-24).

If God is speaking to you something that you need to pass on to someone else, while in the middle of worship or a sermon for example, then note it internally or externally (paper, smartphone, etc.) and wait for the proper time to pass it on.  You could even ask the Lord to deepen what He is speaking while continuing to worship, or whatever else is happening.  Allow what God is speaking to you to actually affect you so that you don’t simply deliver it like it is just some coupon but let it actually be rooted in the power of relationship.  Also watch for times in group settings where a declaration, proclamation, prophecy or prayer is appropriate to be given to someone, but be mindful to not interrupt what God is doing in you and others.

In 2012, 64% of 911 calls in Edmonton were not emergencies.  The majority of prophetic messages that prophetic people receive are not emergencies.  Wait for the appropriate moment and still be the Holy Spirit empowered, prophetic people God still wants us all to be.

Journeying with you,  Pastor Merril

March 2013 - Easter Rocks!

Easter is early this year.  We will be celebrating it on the last day of March.  Of the many holidays (holy-days) that appear on our calendar, this is the supreme event for followers of Christ.  This is the World Cup of Christian holidays.  And yet … it often isn’t celebrated by Christians in that manner.  Christmas is the king of holidays for most Christians in our North American culture.  Why is that?

We need to own up to a consumerism that can corrupt and co-opt our walk with Christ.  There is a degree of self-interest that enjoys a baby born in a manger more than a death and resurrection.  The gift-giving theme of Christmas is far more marketable than the self-sacrificing death of Good Friday.  How much of this consumer mentality actually causes us to celebrate Christmas over Easter?

Christmas is comparatively nothing without Easter.  Jesus knew He was born to die for us.  Christmas without Easter is like any other visit by royalty — brief and exciting but without lasting merit.  Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are at the heart of Christianity.  Paul preached Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2).  Paul knew that all of life revolved around being crucified with Christ and Christ living through him (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10).

I pray that by the end of March, we will be celebrating Easter like never before — not with a new consumerism but with a new heart.  I pray we will be able to separate the consumeristic influence of the world from our Christianity.  I look forward to a passionate pursuit of God that would reveal Christ’s Passion to those around us.  I’m excited to see the stone of consumerism rolled away from our lives and Jesus breaking forth.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

February 2013 - Unity

As I was pondering about my pondering … that is what I do when I work on these :) … I couldn’t get my mind off of the informational meeting we had on January 20th to discuss the finances.  I must admit that what you (this church, this body) displayed at the meeting was amazing and inspiring.  More was accomplished in that meeting than is represented by the offering from that morning and the Sunday following.  You showed such great unity of faith and purpose—more than I have ever seen here in the more than thirteen years that I have been part of this body.  True unity as a body a significant key to seeing God’s blessing, provision, power and glory at the Freedom Centre.  Look at some Scriptures: (all from the NKJV with my underlining)

• Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
  For brethren to dwell together in unity!
  …
  For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
  Life forevermore.  (Psalm 133)
  
• Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.  (Acts 4:32-35)
  
• I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  (John 17:20-23 — Jesus praying)

It is vital as we move forward that we keep this unity.  I know that God this is important to God and that He is watching over it.  Much of Paul’s motivation in writing his first letter to the Corinthians is rooted in dealing with dishonour and disunity.  Following close after the quote above from the end of Acts 4, we read at the beginning of Acts 5 how God dealt with those who would bring dishonour and disunity at the crucial moment where His blessing, provision, power and glory were being released in the church.

God is doing a great work here.  We are moving into more things that have never fully come to pass at the Freedom Centre.  As we advance, let us be careful about unity, just as Paul wrote:

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)

Journeying with you,    Pastor Merril

January 2013 - Worlds in Crisis

Crisis. Not normally a word we like to have describe our situation. We tend to see this word by the definition: "a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life." Seems like something to be avoided. However, we may be missing another part of the definition: "a  stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point"; or "a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change." (all definitions from dictionary.com)

North American culture is often seen to be pursuing pleasure but for many it is more about avoiding pain. I remember seeing a movie in which the main character is seen taking pills early in the story to handle what he thought were panic attacks; only to discover later that they were suppressing super-human abilities he had. I'm not a pain seeker but could it be that the attempt to avoid it has actually robbed us of the things God desires for our lives? The very change we desire that will determine a different and better future is often sitting in the midst of crisis.

Consider the following verses:

• strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22, NASB)
  
• But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matt. 13:20-21, NKJV)
  
• "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)
  
• We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Rom. 5:3, NLT)
  
• My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Jas. 1:2-4, NKJV)

The United States government is in "crisis mode." They are quickly approaching the "fiscal cliff" and most are trying to avoid it. Some actually want to see what happens if the fiscal cliff provisions within their laws go into effect. They believe that both deep spending cuts and tax increases are what the US needs. Many see these provisions as too painful for the nation to endure without entering another recession. The reality is not whether a crisis can be avoided. Crisis really is about the decision.

Crisis is actually a Greek word. It appears 48 times in the KJV New Testament and is translated as "judgement" 41 times--normally in relation to the judgement of God. Krisis (κρίσις) is decision. The tribulations, trials, sufferings and problems that we face can bring us to crisis points--points of making life-changing decisions. You may wonder why you seem to repeat some difficulty in your life. I would suggest you consider whether God is calling you to a meaningful decision that will change your course in a way He desires. You may be encountering a new trial in your life. As I was working on this pondering several people have encountered, or faced the possibility of, the death of a loved one. This puts people in the place of having to make decisions for the future.  Many others are facing crises of different sorts or types.

This pondering is not what I thought I would be saying at the beginning of 2013. I chose to write on this because there are many people facing their own choices who need to be encouraged to choose faith and life. Moses final challenge to the Israelites was to choose life in obeying God's voice (Deu. 30:19-20). Joshua's challenge to serve The Lord was the same in the valley at Shechem (Josh. 24:15). Sometimes our decisions are for life-giving change, while others are for life-sustaining steadfastness in the decisions we have already made. Go into 2013 having already made right decisions and sticking to them. These decisions will help you in continuing to make the right decisions with the help of the Judge (Is. 11:4; 2 Tim. 4:8).

Journeying with you,  Pastor Merril

December 2012 - His Increase

Merry Christmas! :)

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; ....” (Isaiah 9:6)

This is an often quoted Scripture at this time of year.  I had actually been thinking of this passage before someone brought it to my attention last night.  I knew then that the Lord was wanting us all to be aware of it.

Specifically, He wants us to be aware of the increase He has been and is bringing to us.  Often, however, we look for increases in tangible ways before spiritual ways.  We learn from Hebrews 11:2 that the things which are visible are firstly formed within the things that are invisible.  In 1 Corinthians 5:7 we are reminded that we must walk by faith and not by sight.  The increase in the spiritual/unseen that God had brought to Freedom Centre has been confirmed to me by a few people.

This is an important declaration as we conclude our series on the core values and mission statement of the church.  These are not simply platitudes: these are spiritual frameworks that God is building on the foundation of Jesus.  Generosity, Truth, Freedom, Servanthood, Worship, Grace, Power, Inspiration, Honour, Prayer, Impartation, and Vision, along with God’s mission for this church, have all been spiritually established here.

Look at more than the first couples phrases but at the two verses of Isaiah 9:
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 - NKJV)
Jesus is establishing and increasing His rule in authority and power (government) at the Freedom Centre and it will increase without end.  Coming to the conclusion of this series is by no means the conclusion of what Jesus is doing in our midst.  I look forward to the continued increase.  I look forward to the invisible becoming visible.

Bless you this Christmas!  Bless you for 2013!

Journeying with you,   Pastor Merril

November 2012 - Order and the Organic

I’ve had a question, a pondering, that has been running through my mind for some time now and which I would like to ask you: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It’s an old question but a relevant one. Literal biblical creationism would view it as the chicken being first. However, that simple answer is not where this question is leading. The question is whether order comes before life or vise versa.

Let’s consider some biblical pointers to the answer to this question before taking it a step further. There are examples of the order-first side: Adam was created from the dust of the earth before God breathed into him and he came to life; Solomon’s temple was created and everything organized before God’s visible presence filled the temple; & Jesus said He was going ahead of us to prepare a place for us before we get there. On the life-first side you might have: the Spirit hovered over the waters while the earth was still without form; Israel existed as God’s nation prior to God giving order to their worship of Him; the church existed prior to the council at Jerusalem; & the church was moving in spiritual gifts before Paul put some parameters on it in First Corinthians. So, we are left with examples in both directions.

The reason I am pondering this is because there is a controversy for Charismatic/Pentecostal churches in relation to the “flow of the Spirit” in our midst. There are those on the life-first side that claim any structure or order that may be given by church leadership or the order-first camp will hinder that life by controlling it and “quenching the Spirit.” Those of the order-first side claim that the unhindered aspect of the life-first camp introduces “wild fire” that creates more chaos and destruction than it does life. The first complaint could be seen like being against the old Chinese practice of foot-binding, which, while claiming to beautify, created pain and diminished life. The second complaint could be seen like being against cancer, which is the result of unhindered life (the replication of cells) in the body and actually creates pain and diminishes life.

I want to be clear that I am not trying to point fingers at any individuals but deal with mindsets. How a person thinks does not necessarily indicate who that person is but can clearly affect how that person expresses themselves and their Christian life. Hard-line positions in either camp tend to get wrapped within personal senses of identity and destiny which can negate teachability and a sense of the corporate. Both extremes claim God is directing them and that the other is ultimately unspiritual and/or unbiblical. As a body we need to be aware of the validity that both sides can bring.

I would propose, therefore, that the organic involves order. Where there is life we always see order. If you are of the position that human life begins at conception, then you must also realize the order that DNA brings to that life. Neither life without order nor order without life are acceptable. They are intended to grow in synergy and synchronization with each other.

I know that this balanced approach may not satisfy either camp, but also believe it is where God would have us. It is more of a tightrope to walk and I would encourage you all to pray and support the church leaders in walking that tightrope. Ultimately it isn’t about the chicken or the egg but it is about the God who creates and operates life within order.

Journeying together with you,  Pastor Merril

October 2012 - There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch

Well, I’m glad you’re still reading.  My title for this month’s pondering has the possibility of stopping a reader, but since you’re still reading, I believe you to be someone who is willing to be both encouraged and challenged.  You embrace being a disciple of Christ.

The core value we covered on September 23rd was, “Truth that Transforms: we share the truth unashamedly and courageously, not simply to inform but to see change in thought and action.”  I’m trusting that, since you’re reading this, you can “handle the truth.” (Cue Jack Nicholson voice; for those who saw A Few Good Men.)  “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6)  Taking this verse in balance, then the truth can hurt but we can be deceived or deceive ourselves into comfort.

The comfort the church, especially in North America, can deceive itself into is in the idea that everything in Christ is free.  Salvation is free.  Grace is free.  Fellowship is free.  “Now, whoa pastor!, all those things are free!” some of you might be thinking or saying.  And, you would be right ... up to a point.  Salvation is free, but Jesus paid the price for it. (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23)  Grace is free, but its often called upon in a place where little or none exists. (Acts 11:23; 2 Cor. 12:9)  Fellowship is free between believers but often we have to lay down our lives for our friends in small and big ways. (John 15:13)

I bring this all up because as we grow in numbers and maturity it will cost us.  Growing in numbers is great but it may cost you your favourite seat on a Sunday morning; some of your time to help in our burgeoning children’s ministry; showing up early on Sunday to help greet or usher; or numerous other things.  Growing in maturity can cost you time and money in looking after our facility together; time and emotional energy in accountability and discipleship; prayer time in seeking and asking and then seeing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven; or many other ways.

Most people celebrate and are inspired by what they consider heroic risk or sacrifice that they see or hear about.  I believe we can see those examples here and even more so.  I believe we can be a people who count the cost and willingly lay down everything for the sake of being Jesus’ disciple. (Luke 14:25-33)  I believe there are heroes in our church who know there is no such thing as a free lunch.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (Heb. 10:23-25, MSG)

Journeying together with you,

Pastor Merril

September 2012 - Back to School

It’s hard to believe September has arrived again--back to school.  Just when the unroutine of summer is becoming the pattern of life, the routine of back-to-school hits you in the face.  While the routine may be very similar to last year, there are significant differences.  There are still the same classes: Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies, to name a few.  The content of those classes, however, has changed.  There is a building upon the lessons of the past.  There is also the new.  Natasha is joining the high school choir and this will demand more from her and from her parents as she needs to be at the school an hour and a half before classes begin.

I believe that as a church we are also entering into both the familiar and the completely new but we must recognize and embrace the step up.  We have taken the Core Values class before but now we need to embrace it at a new level that builds upon the lessons of the past and draws out a greater response in us.  Maturing means learning new things and embracing those lessons.  There are also new “optional” classes that arise which can enhance your experience and enrich your life.  I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the Engage services we will be having one Sunday evening per month.

My heart for us is that we not treat what we see or feel is familiar as being the same.  We are not simply taking one more trip around the mountain.  As it is God’s heart to bring increase, we must also be prepared to handle that increase.  Many people dream of winning a lottery worth millions of dollars but the majority of those who do win are unable to handle the increase: many are broke within three years.  Jesus said that when much is given, much is then required.  I’m not referring to a fleshly or natural demand; rather I want you to be aware of the spiritual reality that goes with increase.  You have probably experienced the influence of a tractor-trailer unit driving in the opposite direction on a highway.  It is larger than your car and the increased momentum creates a larger push in front and pull behind.  There are spiritual laws similar to our physical ones.

I’m excited for our future.  Jesus said in Matthew 13:52, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom.”  Summer has been fun, but now its time to have a different kind of fun as we go back to school.

Journeying together with you,

Pastor Merril

August 2012 - Blank Slate

Hey, have you noticed something?  Did you see what happened in our building?  You may have missed it.  I know, now you’re going to go looking around to try to see what has been added.  Let me help you a little, it’s not what’s been added but what’s been removed.

A blank slate has been created.  Some signage remains to help with the function and flow of the building, but all of the pictures and banners have been removed from the entrance to the hallway to the Common Room to the foyer to the stage.  Now, this is not the pondering about nothing.  Rather, it’s the pondering that’s really about something.

It can be difficult to write a message on a mage that is already full of words.  It is impossible to paint a scenic picture on a canvas that is already filled with a portrait.  It is hard to speak while someone else is already filling the air with their voice.  You cannot give something to someone who already has full hands.  The building is being prepared to say something new.

You should understand, however, that while we will be saying something “new” it doesn’t mean that it’s completely new.  You may paint different things on a canvas, but the frame and the canvas must remain for each painting.  The building itself says many things about the “canvas” that is being painted on.  We are still situated in the same place.  We are still reaching out to the same region of Edmonton.  We are still serving God to the best of our abilities--following after His purpose and call on us as a church.

Shifts happen.  We are not the same church that was birthed over 50 years ago.  We are not singing songs from over 100 years ago and I am not preaching to you in Ukrainian.  While we currently call ourselves Freedom Centre Church, we were previously Clareview Pentecostal Assembly and began as Beverly Pentecostal Tabernacle--a Ukrainian Church in the Slavic Branch in the PAOC.

Back to our blank slate.  There are some new things to be said, but we are not quite ready to say them.  I would encourage you to make yourself ready to hear them next month.  God has already been painting these things on the canvas of our lives.  Having some good anticipation to hear these things can prepare the soil of our souls to receive them from Him.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

July 2012 - Impressing God

It sometimes amazes me as to what people want to impress others with.  Sometimes people lay on the big words, big ideas and big knowledge trying to impress with intellect.  Sometimes it’s the attempt to impress with success through speaking about wealth or position.  Sometimes its gifts and talents as they seek approval from their abilities.  While these are all good when taken in a proper perspective, there is something that does have a significant impression on me.  I’m sensitive to it because I believe God is also sensitive to it.  This really impresses God.

I bring this up as a counterbalance to my last pondering.  While intellect is important, we should not hold that it is the most important.  There is a trap in thinking.  Paul wrote that knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1).  I admit that there have been times where my theology (knowledge of God) has tripped me up from really knowing Him or receiving from Him.  I am not encouraging the throwing off of all we know of God but to recognize that we know and see in part (1 Cor. 13:12).  I am also pointing to something beyond knowledge that God is impressed with.

What impresses God and me is what is seen in the heart, not the head.  Knowledge is easily added to but the training of a heart is a much deeper work.  Consider God’s own words concerning the importance of heart tuning:

• The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart ... (1 Sam. 13:14)
• But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7)
• For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (2 Chron. 16:9)

Whether you look at Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Peter or Paul, you will see God responding to their hearts.  They all had their flaws and made big mistakes but God saw something in them that caused Him to strongly support them anyway.

I am not discounting or diminishing the need for repentance in our lives – the changing of thought and action.  However, if you change thought and action without having a heart that supports it, then it will be short-lived and shallow.  Paul wrote that godly sorrow leads us to repentance – a heart issue (2 Cor. 7:9-11).  The elders have been sensing this sorrow in their prayer times.  God is bringing us to a place of influence with Him like never before by taking us to the place where our hearts are completely His.  From that place of influence, we will have the impact He desires in the world.  I encourage you to go to the places of the heart that God is dealing with today.  These are often deep places of brokenness that God needs to bring wholeness to.  The changes that are coming our way will require it but the rewards will be well worth it.

Journeying with you,   Pastor Merril

June 2012 - You Are What You Think

Psst … hey, I have a confession to make. While I wouldn’t say that I have been secretly doing this, I haven’t necessarily been telling anyone either. From the moment that I came on as Lead Pastor, I have been working to affect your minds. I am keenly interested in the way you think and in influencing it.

This may surprise some of you, but God is also interested in this. Our minds are important to God. He didn’t create our brains so that He could simply circumvent it. He wants us to think His thoughts. He wants us to perceive from His perspective.

The reason this is so important is that we act as we think. You can see this in the student protests in Quebec. If you read news articles you will see that people for and against the protests see them from completely different perspectives. Those against the protests see the actions of the students as wrong. The student protesters are acting based on their beliefs, even to the point of civil disobedience. How we act in relation to God, society, church, family and self is informed by our beliefs.

I suppose I have a tendency to this because I have a bent for teaching. However, Jesus, the Master Teacher, would also say, “Do not think …” (Mt. 5:17) or “Why do you think …” (Mt. 9:4) or “What do you think …” (Mt. 17:25), just as examples. Paul, a teacher, would write, “… to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly …” (Rom. 12:3) or “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus …” (Phil. 2:5).

What we perceive the church to be and how we think it is supposed to function affects how we act, react and respond. I’m not suggesting that everyone is off their rocker in how they think, but we can have, as was said in a Pixar cartoon, a “kink in our think.” The Word will continue to challenge our thinking as we move forward into the purposes and plans He has for His church. He does renew our spirits but our minds must also be renewed (Rom. 12:2).

So, what do you think?

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril