(By Nora Wheeler)

For those of you that do not know much about the IMPACT Communities maybe I can help. I wasn't real keen with the idea at first.  I mean, we already did some service projects, so what about in-reach, you know, caring for each other? That was my biggest concern.

I was involved over the last few years with a lot of service projects and someone would announce a service project and all I had to do was show up. It was simple. I liked that. If I could make it, I would, or if it was a really cool one, I'd bring my granddaughter Olivia with me too. It was fun and easy and it was another way I could serve God by helping people I didn't know and meet new people in my church.  I was willing to use the little time I did have, to serve by raking leaves, serving in carnivals, things that would ignite me for a while. Then I started to wonder if I really was serving God or just making myself feel better?   I would go one a service project and often the strong feeling of being unified and useful did encourage me.... but something was missing.  When I went home it meant going into the fire of all those responsibilities of life and it was utterly exhausting. Then another exciting service project would come up and that feeling of being ignited re-fueled me but again, but it never lasted, reality always crept in of going home. What confused me the most is that I would serve on a team and some people actually never spoke a word to me. The connectedness I wanted was not there.

So I decided to be a part of an Impact Community (IC) and now that we are 3 months into this IC, I can see already it's definitely one of the best decisions of my life! This group took the basics of reaching out and building relationships within our communities to a whole new level of commitment. I realize how much we would grow spiritually, in so many ways within OUR TEAM (which makes sense, now that I think about it.) If your goal is to reach out to your community and build personal relationships with people, you should all be on the same page, right?  

The commitments of the IC at first scared me.  I thought: “this is real serious; maybe I should not do it.” We all agreed to do several things, one of which was to read the entire New Testament by July. Yikes! We had a guide of course and there is much grace and encouragement given to carry on. Then we had to agree to have an accountable person we would meet with regularly. I so, so, so, did not like that idea AT ALL.  I want to build deep relationships, but not have someone I had to be accountable too!!! I thought with my luck it will get someone I really don't like. But it seems God knows what is best for me. I am utterly surprised how much I look forward to spending time with my accountability partner now. How I have learned from her wisdom, patience and kindness and I know I have encouraged her as well. She is one of the kindest persons I have ever met, and I know I can fully trust her with confidential things. I started to feel like family with in her family, and I did not expect that. And I actually like her!!!

We have meetings twice a month where our entire IC gets together.  I was cool with that. I've met people I would have never met at HC from the shyest to the “not” so shyest.  Despite the wide variety of personalities, we are becoming family.  There is no one here that does not intentionally NOT talk to everyone!  Each time we meet we have an ice breaker activity and then during our large group time, subjects range from: talking about many things from what we have learned so far from our journey through the New Testament, our time spent serving, what new plans we have for a party, football game, new opportunities to build relationships, and our new series at HC called "Gods Story".

What is so amazing and refreshing, quite honestly it brings me to tears, is how we all share in the responsibilities of the IC.  It reminds me of a missions trip where we lived in unity where everyone had a job. The Bible tells us God has no favorites and there are no favorites here as well. No one will "burn out.” in our IC, it's just simply not allowed (which also reminds me of Act 2). Something I have always dreamed of. We are also encouraged to step out of our comfort zones with this job sharing.  Yikes! I signed up to plan one of our outreaches and I have no idea how to do that, but I know I don't have to worry because there will be someone to help me to learn how to do it.  We also spend time in smaller groups where we can be more intimate with our lessons and prayer time.

It's so cool to see God work in amazing ways in such a short amount of time. This is how you build deep relationships. I can now see in Scripture that this is how they did it too. In 3 short months, I've built close relationships within our group I never expected. We are all growing inward and outward, stepping way out of our comfort zones. We truly are working in unity, in one accord. Our prayer time is IMPACTING our lives, our church and the world. Some, maybe a lot of people, are scared of change, including me, but I learned many years ago to trust and submit. That is what I did here and I am so glad I did!!! My favorite Bible verse fit's so well here “watch and be UTTERLY AMAZED for I will do a work in your day, that even if it were told to you, you would not believe.” (Habakkuk 1:5) ..... so true!!!

Jesus was once asked what the greatest commandment was.  His response was this:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22) 

At the end of his time on earth when Jesus was telling his followers what their job was after he had returned to heaven, he told them:   "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  (Matt(Ma(Matt  (Matthew 28)

These two statements have often been referred to as the "Great Commandment" and the "Great Commission" and they form the blueprint of what every church is and should be doing. 

First, we are to Love God with all our heart soul and mind.  This means we have to KNOW God.  This only happens when we spend with him in prayer and reading his word.  We are to learn from him, know him and who he is, and let him adjust our lives accordingly.  This includes both our personal time with God as well as involvement together in training provided by spiritual leadership.  We need to be taught by others, regularly listen to God and be in community together.  So we must encourag and hold each other accountable to the regular study and application of God’s word to our lives.

Second, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  This means we must CONNECT with each other.  The church is not a set of buildings but a community of people who know and serve God together.  We are children of God who interact with each other and care for each other as family.  We disciple, butrue and hold each other accountable to this life together.  This can happen through large groups meetings, small groups meetings, one-on-one relationships and so on.  In every case, Christ calls us to be vulnerable to each other, ready to put their needs before our own.

Third, we are to make disciples.  This is making an IMPACT on the world around us.  We cannot become consumers of God and the church, looking to have our own needs met and moving on when we feel they are not.  God called us to serve and to proclaim his name while doing so.  Jesus came to restore people to a right relationship with God.  In the same way, all believers and churches are missionaries, sent into our culture, to restore people to God through Jesus.  This means intentionally building relationships with people who don't know Jesus.  It means re-shaping our priorities to connect with those people who don't yet know Christ.  It means involving ourselves in their lives and them in ours.

Jesus did make these either/or commands.  We do not get to pick and choose what we do.  We cannot love God without making disciples.  We cannot honestly love each other without knowing and loving God.  We cannot make disciples if we decide to live completely apart from Christ's community.  The forms may differ from culture to culture, place to place and even church to church.  The way these things are done may not be the same.  That's OK.  But we cannot escape the command and commission of Jesus. 

Love and know me.  Love and connect with each other.  Make disciples by getting in the world.  

Have you ever tried to lose some weight?  Unless you are some freak of nature, this is NOT an easy process.  I’m talking about the kind of weight loss that doesn’t come back 6 months later, but the kind that is permanent.  I have been on a year long battle to bring my body to a place that is healthy and sustainable for the long term.  And let me tell you, it has been a tough battle.  I’ve come to the conclusion that this is because I am fighting this battle on two different fronts.

First, I am fighting against years of ingrained habits.  Experts say that you need to do something new for a minimum of 4 weeks before it starts to become a new habit.  Well, that is easier said than done.  I have been more rigorous in my exercise than ever in my life (and am probably more fit than in years) but that alone does not always do the trick.  While that change has worked out OK, changing what I eat has been much harder.  You see, the problem is that I like food!  I really do.  And mostly I like the things that really aren’t that good for me.  None of this would be a problem if my favorite foods were lettuce, carrots and apples.  But there is nothing like a warm loaf of bread or a bowl of potato chips.  I am trying to change 30+ years of eating habits that just don’t go away that easy.  But if it was just about self discipline, I could probably swing it.  But there is a second battle front.

That battlefront is in my spirit.  I have always known that food is not strictly about taste.  As I go through this process, I am seeing more and more clearly the underlying reasons why I eat.  It can be to celebrate because I feel good, to try and improve my mood when I feel bad, to ease stress, relieve tension, or even just because I am bored.  But in almost every case, I am filling a need that can only be properly met with Jesus.  

1 Cor 6:12 says, “ ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial.  ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but I will not be mastered by anything.”  The things I go towards to fill my needs reveals who or what my master is.  For me, that means that I need to put Jesus before food.  Not just because I want to weigh a few lbs less, but because I do not want anything to stand between what Jesus and what he has for me in this world. 

It can be anything.  We can be mastered by food, alcohol, work, church, family, sports, hobbies and the list could go on.   The question I have had to face is “who is my master?”  I want Him and Him alone to be my master.  It’s a slow process, but it’s one that I am winning through him.  

It was in the last two months that I underwent a somewhat traumatic experience.  I am an avid reader, and so I spend a lot of time with a book in hand.  Throughout the last half of 2010, I began to notice that I was having to hold the books a little bit further from my face than I had before, and that especially when tired, that my ability to focus seemed to come and go.    When my wife urged me to go and see an eye doctor for some reading glasses, I refused.  "It's not that bad",  "I can still read fine",  "It's only late at night that it is a problem" were my responses.  Yet some small part of me knew that I would soon reach the point where these excuses would not hold any more.

After 6 months of trying to just deal with it, I finally gave in and made an appointment.  Just as I expected, I had now reached the age where my eyes were not what they used to be.  I needed reading glasses, in fact the first glasses I had ever worn. (I was really hoping to go through my entire life without them . . .)  My first reaction was to be depressed, especially when the doctor told me that in fact my eyes would never really improve, and that in the years to come, I would need to get increasingly strong prescriptions as my eyes weakened.  To me it was as if my body was giving in to the aging process.  I could no longer read well without assistance.

Several weeks later I got my glasses.  And an amazing things happened.  THEY HELPED!  Words were easier to read, seeming to just leap off the page.  It was easy to see and my eyes no longer got so tired.  It actually made reading fun.  And as a bonus, my kids informed me that they made me look smarter.

As I thought about it, I realized that I often approach my life with Jesus the same way as I approached getting glasses.  Life gets hard.  Conflict happens.  I have no energy.  Things get monotonous.  All the efforts I put in seem to come with little results.  And so I try harder.  Deep down I deny the need for help.  I figure that things are OK, that I just need to do a little more to make things all right.   But Jesus said that I cannot live effectively alone.  He once told a crowd that they were to "come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me . . . for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)  It is only when I realize that I cannot do anything on my own, that I need Christ by my side and that my job is to go his direction with his help, does everything change.  He will help.  He will make things clearer.  He will keep me company.  He will help me weather the storms of life.  He will make me effective.

So I admit it.  I am getting older.  I need help.  But more importantly, I need Jesus.  And that is the most important help of all.

I was reflecting very recently on a passage in 2 Thessalonians where Paul talks about the need to not live an undisciplined life.  I began to consider if in fact this is what I do.

Normally, I would think of being disciplined as being able to keep my schedule, to know when to do things, to make decisions on everything systematically, to keep my actions and sins under control, and to basically be someone who could keep to any commitment or thought through sheer willpower.  But if you are like me, you know that even the most self controlled, self disciplined person in the world, eventually makes a mistake and is lulled into a time where they just can't stay disciplined, or burns out.  You know what I'm talking about.  It's like when I eat well for 2 months and then have a week where I binge on everything in sight.  Or like being careful with what I say, being positive and godly, and then letting fly in a sticky situation with some really choice words.  Or spending some time every day reading God's word for a month, but then getting sidetracked and going 2 weeks without opening it once.

I realized as I re-read the verses in question (2 Thessalonians 3:6-11 if you want to read them), I realized Paul is not talking about self-discipline.  Self discipline puts all the reliance on . . . you guessed it, self!  And since I am not perfect, I will eventually let myself down.  The discipline that Paul talks about is a life not out of control, a life that is lived thinking intentionally about what I think, say and do.  But it only comes from God.  So that means waiting for God to speak, looking to hear him prompt me at any time during my day, and then being committed to obeying whatever he puts in my mind and heart to do.  When I do that, I will not only have a disciplined life, but one of satisfaction, joy and meaning.

I had the privilege of recently going to Washington DC and spending a day there with my family, just enjoying the weather, walking around the mall, seeing the sights and enjoying the memorials and museums, and even see the end of the blossoming apple trees.  I thoroughly enjoy being able to go and relax there from time to time (although for a place that is mostly "free", you can sure blow a lot of money if you want to eat, park, etc . . . )

If you've ever been to Washington, you know that each of the memorials, whether it is the Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt or any other memorial has quotes engraved in the marble and granite that these men said at one point in their lives.  They include state of the union addresses, interview quotes and so on.  As I read many of these again, I noticed that there is some profound wisdom in many of the things said by some of these men.  They had an insight into the human condition that allowed them to eloquently address many of the issues and problems that they saw around them.

But as I reflected on some of the things written, I realized that for the most part, they are no longer reflected in the wisdom of our day.  Many of the truths have been now replaced by other "wisdom" that seems to better suit how we want to live our lives today.   As we adjust our lives to live how we want, our ideas of what is right seem to change right along with it, not because we are wiser, but because it is more comfortable to believe that way.  And this can get us into a lot of trouble, either individually, or collectively.

I was reminded again of the necessity of always going back to God's word, the bible, as the basis of all our wisdom, which does not change regardless of the day in which we live.  As it says in Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."  If I live my life by that wisdom, I will never be steered wrongly.

I was thinking recently how tired I am of the cold, snow . . . and more snow . . . and more snow. 

This has been an historic winter in South Jersey and we have been lucky (???) to be a part of it.  I think that more than many other recent years, spring is going to be greeted by most people with an enthusiasm that sometimes lacks with the start of a new season.  But because the snow and cold and dreary, messy winter seems to have lasted forever, two things happen.  We think constantly "When will this ever end?" and secondly a desire to hide inside and just make it through until things improve.

I realize that many of us live our lives the same way.  Things so often are more tough than we wish they would be.  The troubles of life pile up, we endure the coldness of broken relationships, the frustrations of life, and it feels like we are going through an eternal winter.  And it causes us to think, "When will this ever end.  When will my life get better."  And so we spend our time just trying to survive day to day.  There is no joy or contentment, because our focus is on the things that still need to happen to make us happy again.

But I wonder if we have the wrong focus.  Perhaps it is not just about things getting better, about our circumstances improving, about that new job, new relationship or getting healthy.  Maybe it is about seeing the blessings of today, no matter how small they may seem to be.  God promises us that he is with us all the time.  He said that no matter what we face, he is there to walk beside us, give us someone to talk to, and to give us strength in the things we do or face.

By recognizing that Jesus is there for us, that he loves us, maybe it will allow us to actually enjoy the snow, and have fun until spring arrives.

Published with permission from Kurt Jarvis.

When global tragedy happens it is not uncommon for Christians to wonder why God allows such things to occur. The Bible, God’s Word, can help give us understanding of these situations.

In Luke 13:1-5 we read an account where this very issue of tragedy is discussed. This account is of a time when Pilate had murdered many from Galilee and had used their blood in pagan sacrifices. Jesus answered the questions asked by many if this was God’s punishment by posing a question Himself. He asked those around him “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? … Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them, do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?”

Here are two examples of tragedies, one that was the direct action of a person (Pilate). The other tragedy might have been from a natural disaster such as an earthquake or negligence by those who constructed the tower. In both incidences people died. Jesus clarified that it was wrong to think that these people died because they were worse sinners than others. Jesus also said that when these things happen it should be a wake up call to everyone to consider their own relationship with God.

If we think global disasters are God’s judgment on people we are going against the very words of Jesus. Earthquakes happen because this is the way the earth was created; they are part of nature and what makes life. Scripture does not support that they are events triggered by God against certain nations or people. It is part of nature, part of life and part of death. Jesus calmed the storm when he was in the boat with His disciples but Jesus did not end storms forever. Storms, earthquakes and tsunamis are all part of nature.

The real question is how we respond to God and others when such tragedies happen. These tragedies are not much different than when a family member dies or becomes terminally ill. It is the same pain only in global disasters multiplied many thousands of time. In these difficult times we are reminded that God loves and cares for each of us. While thousands might be swept into eternity when a disaster happens, those who know God and have their faith and trust in God are also swept into the very presence of God. For those that know Christ, the scriptures remind us to be gone from our earthly bodies is to be immediately present with God.

When tragedy happens. Jesus is there with the victims and there with those who minister to the victims. Jesus understands the pain they are going through because he went through physical pain as well. He is there to help and comfort and God also gives us the responsibility to respond and give help and comfort too.

When tragedy happens this is our opportunity to renew our faith and be reminded that when we reach out to others that are in need, we are being followers of Jesus. It was Jesus who told us when we help those who are suffering it is the same as helping him. Matthew 25:31-40

This is where we can . . . understand the biblical principles of faith hope and love in the midst of global tragedy; Faith, that God is in control and God cares for every victim. Hope in knowing that there is place of peace for all who know Christ as Savior, and the Love that we can show in practical ways through responding to help victims and countries, especially in times of disaster.

Thank you again for all those who submitted questions during the Pastor's Forum regarding the Holy Spirit.  Below are some of the questions and answers from Sunday, Jan 3rd.  We encourage you to read through some of these Scripture passages yourself as you seek to understand the Holy Spirit better.  May it lead to life change for you.

Q. Who is the Holy Spirit?
A. The Holy Spirit is God.  He was involved in creation (Genesis 1:2), inspired the writing of the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21), and has the same attributes as God (omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence).  Some think of the Holy Spirit as a spiritual "force", but He is a person, that shows feelings, has a will and directs the activities of Christians.

Q. What is the Holy Spirit's role?
A. Jesus said he would send him to us (John 14:16) and he would do various things.  He would: Be our helper (John 14:26-27), Guide us (John 16:13), Comfort us (John 14:16-17), Intercede for us with God (Romans 8:26), Teach us (1 Corinthians 2:13), Convict us of sin (John 16:8-10), Bring life (2 Corinthians 3:6).  This list is not exhaustive, but shows us that the Holy Spirit is God with us, helping us to live.

Q. How do we get the Holy Spirit and can we lose Him?
A. When we accept Jesus' sacrifice for us, and let Him be Lord of our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us.  The Holy Spirit lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16) and we have Him because of Jesus (Romans 8:9).  We cannot lose Him, any more than we can lose our salvation.  Even when we don't feel like it, we can be assured because of the promises in God's Word, that the Holy Spirit is still living in us as followers of Jesus.

Q. If we have the Holy Spirit, and he is God, how come we still sin?
A. Even though we have been forgiven and have the Holy Spirit, w still have a sin nature.  That is why we are told to be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).  Since we already have ALL of the Holy Spirit, it becomes a matter of surrendering and increasing amount of ourselves to the Spirit.  He wants us to yield control to Him and be transformed (Romans 12:1-2).  This means that when the Holy Spirit prompts us with regards to our behavior and actions, we are to listen, change, obey and follow Him.  We don't do this in our own self control, but through his power (Ephesians 3:16-17).  So even as the Holy Spirit points out things in our lives that need to conform to Him, we need to ask Him to give us the power and strength to do it.  There are no shortcuts.  If we want to hear from Him how to live, and have His strength to change and grow, we need to be in daily contact, a constant relationship with Him. 

Q. I've heard speaking in tongues is a sign you are filled with the Spirit.  Is that true?
A. The Bible describes speaking in tongues as a supernatural gift to communicate for a time in another language that you do not even know, such that it can benefit other people.  It is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are listed in Scripture (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4).  So while speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it is not required to speak in tongues, nor is it the evidence that you are filled with the Spirit.  Rather, the best evidence of a Spirit filled life are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) which we are supposed to continually grow in throughout our lives. 

Q. So when I feel guilty, is that me or the Holy Spirit?
A. One of the Holy Spirit's roles is to convict us of sin (John 16:8-10) and so he will point out those things in our lives (if we are listening) that need to change.  The guilt that comes from the Holy Spirit is purposeful, always directing us towards Jesus, to make us more like Him.  Yet he never condemns us, or makes us feel worthless.  He are of inestimable value to Him, and in fact, the Holy Spirit is the one who proves we have Jesus (1 John 4:13).  We feel guilt and shame often when we continue to sin and struggle, and we feel worthless because of our inability to change.  That is not from the Spirit.  He loves us and prompts us to change, but all the while loving us unconditionally.

Q. Why does this all matter?
A. Colossians 2:6 tells us that we are to live in the same way that we accepted Jesus Christ.  This means that just as we are saved through no effort, ability or talents on our own, we need to live day by day in total dependence on the Holy Spirit.  No matter what our circumstances or life situation, the Spirit longs to teach us, guide us, comfort us, and transform us to be more like Christ.  We cannot change to become more like Christ on our own, through our own self effort.  We cannot have any lasting impact in our world without all our activites being directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  As followers of Jesus, we need to daily surrender to Him, to ask Him to guide our actions by the Holy Spirit, and then (and ONLY then), will we see the change and impact in and through our lives that we desire.

The snowstorm that came on Saturday, December 19th, was one of the worst in years in New Jersey, according to news reports.  It snarled up the traffic, made driving difficult (even days after), put people's Christmas schedules out of kilter, and even kept people from their parties and get togethers.

But the biggest lesson I learned with the storm was the need to slow down.  The Christmas season is one of our busiest of the year.  There are so many activities to be done and prepare for, and appointments to keep, and shopping to be accomplished.  In doing so, family time for the two to three weeks before Christmas can become scarce.  And so right in the middle of this frenzied time, everyone, including myself, was forced to come to a complete stop.  And for almost two full days, all the things I thought I needed to do, and all the tasks that I had scheduled, were postponed or canceled. 

Maybe that's why so many people enjoy these types of storms (at least for a day or two).  We get to go sledding with our kids, curl up with a good book instead of going to the mall, shovel the driveway with our teenager whom hardly see any more, watch a good movie as a family, or just play in the snow with the dog.  It's a chance to slow down, to rest, to reflect and to take the rest that God wants us to take.  We are told that our strength comes from "quietness and trust" (Isaiah 30:15) but we are often too busy to do that. 

God reminded me of my need to remember what is important.  To seek him and focus on time with him.  It's like my neighbor said while we were side by side shoveling out our driveways, "It's God's way of telling us to take a day off."

Merry Christmas.