Sacred Space Matters

We are moving into our new facility in two weeks. This is more than a move. This is more than new information about where we will be gathering to worship God. This is more than a necessary convenience.

We are moving because we want to restore people to the image of God. We are crazy enough to believe that people can change and change deeply.

We realize space can help or hinder the process of spiritual, and therefore whole person, transformation. This is why God carefully created a garden. This is why God placed Israel in a distinct place in the middle east. This is why God created a blue print for the Tabernacle and later the Temple that was meticulous in detail. It is because space matters.

God opened the door for us to move into our new space. He could have opened many doors, but he opened this one. We will, with his help, do all we can to make this space as comfortable and sacred. Lives will be changed in our new space on Marion street as they have been in the past. There is something special about this space. It has been set a part for God. It is sacred space.

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Don't Worry Be Trusting

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to not worry. He encourages us to replace worry with trust. Some people trust in trust. Jesus teaches us to trust in God. In Matthew 6:25-34 he gives us three reasons to trust:

1. Because God is passionate about us.
2. Because God provides for us.
3. Because God has a plan for us.

All kinds of questions come to mind with Jesus teaching on worry. How can God love us and let us suffer? Will he give me what I want and not just what I need? What if I don't like his plan for me? Can I trust God - really?

We will dive into this passage and these questions on Saturday night at Restoration. Jesus, our teacher, has answers that satisfy.

God, Money and Your Brain

There is a new field that has developed in recent years called "Neurotheology." It is the study of how prayer and religious experiences affect our brains. It has become a well known fact that the frontal lobe of our brain lights up when we feel connected to God. This releases dopamine and other feel good chemicals in our body. Apparently God has hardwired us to enjoy his presence.

A less known fact is that this same part of our brain lights up when we purchase something. This is why for many, going to the mall is a religious experience. This is especially true of women when they buy shoes and men when purchasing gear.

This shed's new light on why Jesus warned us that we cannot serve God and money in Matthew 6:24. Both money and God create a sense of security, peace, joy and release dopamine!

We will explore this topic deeper on Saturday night at RCC as we seek wisdom from Jesus regarding how to know what is best for us both now and in the age to come.

The call to start a church

I have church planters frequently ask me how to know if you are called. The typical answer is some combination of: 1. I sense God calling me. 2. People tell me they think I would be good at starting a church. 3. I am passionate about evangelism. 4. I love the church and would rather raise children in a new church than raise the dead in an older one. 5. I have a history of starting things. 6. My mother thinks I could do this. 7. I did this monster church planting assessment process and scored really high.

All of this is helpful, but at the end of the day the calling comes down to one primary sine qua non. Do you have a bedrock passion from God to start a church? If you do not have this divine passion burning inside of you then forget it. Church starting is too hard, pays too little and has too many ups and downs for people who do not have this core passion at the center of their being. It is the source of strength and courage every church planter must have. Maybe this is what they mean when people say "He or she has a church planting gift."

Jesus and Narcissism

The more we study the Sermon on the Mount at Restoration Community Church, the more I find myself in awe of its brilliance. It is deep, deep, gospel, soul food. It is rich in its insights about God, our hearts, our relationships, our world and the new creation Jesus is leading.

This week we are looking at Matthew 6:1-8. Jesus confronts our religious narcissism in this passage. He challenges us to be honest about how often we do what we do simply to look good in front of others and avoid shame. He gives us a vision for the kind of people he is restoring us to be. People who naturally give to others generously and who find their greatest joy in being with God. He envisages us being intimate friends with Him in a conversational way. Then he gives us a practical training plan to free us from our narcissistic tendencies so that we can know a richer, deeper joy. The plan involves secret giving and secret praying.

Jesus is committed to nothing short of restoring us all, through grace and practice, into the image of God.