Thursday Thought - 10/10/2024 - Mental Health and the Church

How does one move forward through sadness and grief.

This question has come up quite often lately, and more often than it used to.  These times seem to be breeding this instability that makes people unsure of how to focus, be guided by God, or even reason through some things.  We have become a nation of people completely unfocused on our own beliefs.

There is an answer of course.  It is God.  And I could end the conversation right there.  But of course, as human beings, we need some things explained.  Wouldn’t it be nice just to say it and it be done.  (but again, that’s not the human way)

Jesus said in John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So, if we were to just go to Him, we would find the way, (a path through our struggles), we would find the truth, (enlightenment and plain facts), and we would find “the life”.  Not a life, not a life we are currently enduring. But the life that only He can give us is in relationship with Him.

It’s not rocket surgery.  I was reading “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers today, and it states,

“…We do not grow into a spiritual relationship step by step— we either have a relationship or we do not. God does not continue to cleanse us more and more from sin— “But if we walk in the light,” we are cleansed “from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It is a matter of obedience, and once we obey, the relationship is instantly perfected. But if we turn away from obedience for even one second, darkness and death are immediately at work again.

All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately. Let God’s truth work into you by immersing yourself in it, not by worrying into it…”

The beauty of this is that it is that simple.  We can achieve a walk with God, relationship with God, a cleansing from sin, and an understanding of our purpose if we obey Him.

And what defeats depression, anxiety, sadness more than knowing what your purpose is?

Nothing.  That is why God makes it so clear what our purpose is:

• Worship God and live your life as an offering to Him. 

• Share the Gospel with those around you. 

• Love others the same way God loves you so they can also have a restored relationship with Him. 

• Do everything for the glory of God.

 To be clear, this is not to minimize or take lightly any struggle that anyone is having with depression, grief, anxiety, or any type of mental health illness.  We recognize that these are illnesses, and need care, counsel, and attention.  The church has far too long looked upon these and placed them into a bin to be sorted later.

 That should not be the reaction of the church.  We need to address these concerns, and help with mercy and grace, just like Jesus did.  To love and understand, and to guide towards the truth of relationship with Christ.

 If you or someone you know is struggling right now with a crisis, a mental health illness, and depression – please reach out.  Call your church, call our church, call a mental health professional and share.  There is no shame in getting help.  In fact, there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel!  Working together with a relationship with Jesus and talking to a mental health professional is a wonderful way to find balance.

 Isn’t it great to know that God made it so simple for us to find Him?  Jesus said:

 John 14:27 NIV “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

 Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought - 10/3/2024 - I Thank God

I recently had the opportunity to attend a prayer retreat where I had a unique vantage point of the whole proceeding.

See, I am a technician at heart.  I have run audio and video since high school av club with film strips synced to an audio cassette tape.  Yep, I’m “seasoned”.  And I was invited to serve on the team that got to bring the worship for our retreat.

And standing (sometimes sitting) behind the sound board brings a very intimate view of how people are affected by teachings and worship.

I grew up in the church.  My mother made sure that I understood who Jesus was, what He did for me, and where I got to go if I believed that He died for my sins and He rose again.  And I have held onto this promise my whole life.  In fact, as I get older, this promise becomes more and more a lifeline to my whole existence.  But as a kid growing up, you don’t think about things like fasting, or sacrifice.  And this retreat was all about both.

When you watch people who don’t know they are being watched, that is when you see the true character of people sometimes.  As an audio technician, I got to watch people overwhelmed by the Spirit of God, see humbleness in praying for one another, see people at some of their most vulnerable.

And God is there.  I watched as people were asking God for healing, were praying together over sorrows, as people sought forgiveness and repentance.  And sometimes it isn’t pretty and scripted and follows all the correct procedures.  Sometimes God just comes in, and order goes out the window!  He will have His way!!

I thank God for the unique vantage point I had at this event.  I thank God for the really, really good people that I know who make up the MN District of the Assemblies of God.  I thank God for his direction in the lives of so many leaders in all of these spiritual matters.  And I thank God for giving me the presence of that time, to take it in.  To process it and understand that seeing God’s people isn’t always about the pomp and circumstance, but can be, and will be completely about God moving in the exact direction that He wants things to go.

For God moving in lives, for God directing in plans, for God loving us so.

I thank God.

Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought - 9/19/2024 - Politics

I have been in several discussions lately, as many of you have because of the upcoming elections, that have become very heated, very “passionate” and very animated, due to views on politics.  It is the hot topic right now, and it does seem to have taken the tenor of “whomever shouts loudest will be the one who is right”.

I was a part of a conversation with some pastors this past week on how we address this from the pulpit.  Or maybe the better question was do we even address it from the pulpit.  And there were obviously different trains of thought.

One thought was to just preach the Bible.  Now, that cannot be wrong, right?!?  I mean, who can argue with just preaching the Bible at a time like this, or any time for that matter.  It is the main teaching tool that we use at Northwood Church, and it is likewise the same for most Pastors that I know.  So, this is a great option but also sort of avoids the subject.

Then there is the strong opinion message that comes with a slanted voting guide, either one way or the other – that may alienate or divide in its message.  Something that as I look at Jesus’ teaching, He actually did on regularity.  (Matthew 23:27-28 NIV “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.)

This is just one example of this.  However, if you look at the message, His concern isn’t about the topic, its about their hearts.  See Jesus was always about the heart.  About how we were doing in relationship to Him.

(Luke 20:46-47 NIV “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”)

I believe that Jesus is more concerned with where our hearts are.  In fact, Jesus did speak about the government – this verse from Mark comes up in most discussions.  (Mark 12:13-17 NIV Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.)

In many discussions it is pointed out that what Jesus says in this passage that there’s a place for the government and for us following it. That it may have a true place and duty. But when God comes into consideration there is a new idea. A soon as we place God next to an earthly ruler, “Caesar’s” worth is immediately put into perspective. “Caesar” is a reflection of all others - earthly policies will crumble and statues will erode, but God remains.

I feel as a disciple of Christ that our goal is to direct others to the Cross.  That is our task, assignment, function, and responsibility as the church – and as His disciples.

Getting into shouting matches over who to vote for, and exclaiming truths, however Biblical and correct, have never persuaded people to “seeing” Christ’s truth.  Jesus’ way was one of love, mercy, and grace.  Did He say hard things?  Always.  But if you search the scriptures, you will see that His ultimate goal in all of His responses were to get to the truth of the heart.  Not of any subject matter, or tenet, or platform.

Jesus’ concern was letting people know that they are loved, and that HE came for them.  And that in order to be with HIM in eternity, you had to accept HIS free gift of HIMSELF.  HE came to die and take on all our sins, so that we might be made clean in the sight of GOD.  JESUS came, and now we must believe in HIM, acknowledge HIM as the KING, and believe that HE sacrificed for us and conquered death, rising from the grave to be seated at the right hand of the FATHER.  Jesus’ concern wasn’t that we all aligned on a policy or a manifesto.  HIS greatest desire for us is to be united with HIM.  To come into a place where we have a relationship with HIM.

JESUS’ platform for this election season is this:

John 14:6-8 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”

Maybe it seems naive, but my intelligence chooses to place my trust in Jesus. Will I vote? Absolutely! God will direct me; I believe in that. I count on that.

Peace,

PTV

Thursday Thought - 9/12/2024 - Our hope is built?

The past 5 weeks, we as a church have been going through the letters that were given to John the Apostle from Jesus Christ, and then delivered to the 7 churches of Asia Minor.  These churches were started and run by John himself according to research, and he would check in with them periodically to commune with their leaders and their staff.

This model he established was much like Paul had done with the Acts churches, and what now modern denominations are doing with churches.  But unfortunately, this replication of what worked for these 1st century churches were a product of a watershed movement that was exploding all over that area of the world.  Not like the situation we find ourselves in now.

As I survey most situations now, the biggest reason that we have gone back to this cadre type of stability is because we are trying hard to NOT close churches.  When I read our news of the culture now, or when I am in meetings regarding the health and state of the church in general, we are finding that not only are churches closing, but people are not showing up to attend, and pastors are not staying pastors.

These 3 indicators are the main reason why we see the message of Christ being pushed aside, claimed as hate, and placed into the mainstream vision of what religion is.  And that is NOT Christ’s message. 

Jesus said:

John 17:3 NIV Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 15:13-16 NIV Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Jesus wants relationship with us.  He doesn’t need us to solve everything, in fact He said through Paul:

Philippians 4:19 NIV And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

He just wants us to trust in Him, to obey Him, to follow Him.  It really isn’t that hard.  We think that we need to make it about what is going on in this world, or what is happening in our lives at the time, or about the injustices that we see all around us.  (and yes, there are many) But God is telling us over and over to just trust in Him.  Place our faith in Him.  He has a plan; He has things in control.  In fact, I am beginning to see that when I feel like things are completely out of control, that is when HE shows HE is completely IN CONTROL!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Psalm 125:2 NIV As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

In the hard times we learn, and in the difficult times He knows we who believe will turn to Him.  Even those who don’t believe look to Him in hard times.  It’s unfortunate that this seems to be the only time we actually look to Him regularly.  Because it should be an everyday, every situation type of thing – but He knows us, He understands us.  And He will extend to us peace that only He can give, even when we only seek Him in tough times.

John 14:27 NIV Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

Let’s focus on Him.  In everything.  Yes, it will be hard, uncomfortable and sometimes feel like we aren’t actually “doing” something.  But turning to Him in everything is courageous and fulfilling.  And it will guide us in relationship with Him.

Peace,

PTV

PS… I keep hearing that old hymn by Song by Edward Mote and William Batchelder Bradbury…

My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

He is our hope and King.