Relationship Revolution: Building a Treasury in Your Heart

Did you know that there are approximately 300,000 Christian Churches/Congregations in America today. There are, conversely, only about 12,000 non Christian congregations in America today. Overwhelmingly, in this nation, the Christians out number all others. Yet, for most of us we realize that something is not right. With the dominance of Christian churches in our country why don't we look more like Christians? Why is our behavior not radically different and seen as such to the larger world? Why are our communities suffering so these days? Why are marriages broken, relationships in disrepair and hope all but gone?

I think our problem, or the key problem, is this: we have lost our love for Jesus. Oh sure, we might show up at church every now and then and we may even like most of what goes on while we are there, but I fear with have actually replaced Christ with those things that we like and have failed to really get Him and how awesome a 'life in love with Christ' can truly be.

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus calls it 'loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself.' You don't just regain your love for Christ over night. And, really, it is not something you can simply say that you are going to do. Nope, this type of love must be pursued - that's right - you have to decide to pursue Jesus above all else and others. This pursuit, however, is unique - it is one of prayer and crying out to God for help, for hope! It is not doing things better, saying things better, making sure that you look better - it is none of those things. It is taking a humble and broken position before Christ and asking him, no begging him, to forgive your lack of love and to restore to you that fire you once had for him - that love that once marked all you were and everything you did.

I want you to know that your pastoral staff is praying and fasting weekly for revival to take hold at Westside and for God's Spirit to renew, restore and revive us. We believe that God alone is the answer for life's struggles and that we have far too often tried to fix ourselves rather than crying out to Christ and being fully in love with Him. There are others praying as well - not many - but there is a dedicated and committed few that God is massing to call out to Him. I believe the future is about to be rewritten by the finger print of God in unbelievable ways and I am just glad to be able to say that I was a part of something God was doing and I hope to be able to say that I was one who followed Him, who loved Him totally and completely, no matter what!

You know, if revival - real revival, takes root there will not be a need for 300,000 churches - really just one and that is, after all, the way it should be!

Loving Christ, Loving Others!

Biz

Relationship Revolution: Where is Your Faith?

Let's say that you wake up one morning and decide to read your Bible. Not being sure of what to read or where to find just what you need you do the old standby (though not recommended) method of 'open, drop and read' (not to be confused with 'stop, drop and roll'). On this particular morning you read from the book of Psalms and find truths like this one, "I have numbered your days," or this one, "I am your strong tower," or even this one, "I am your rock and refuge in times of trouble."

These truths excited you with hope, for a moment, for in them you begin to sense that regardless of your circumstances (loss of job, pending divorce, brokenness with your kids) that God might, He just might, still be working it out for you. But the excitement is short lived as your circumstance comes into full view once again with the realities that 'today' will bring. However, God will simply not let up this morning and then He takes you to the New Testament, wherein you read truths like these: 'my yoke is easy and my burden is light,' or 'I work all things (all things) for the good for those who are called according to my purposes," or this one, "your momentary trails will produce great reward if you persist in Him." And once again you hope - a hope you had not realized before and a trust that had been fleeting throughout your previous, days, weeks, months, perhaps even years.

Then, of course, it hits - your worst fears become a reality. The job interview (your fifth in a row) goes nowhere, your spouse packs his/her bags, your child refuses to even speak with you, etc., etc., etc. And, despite all you have just read in the Bible on this morning, you jump to your feet and you scream at God, yes God. Your scream might sound something like this, "Hey God, where are you? Are you sleeping on the job? You must be because my life is in shambles and you are nowhere to be found - it is as if you don't even care!?!?" What do you suppose God's response will be? Will he come with the antiseptic wipes and the band aids? Will he show up with apologies for simply being too busy and tell you that it will all be fine in the morning, and that yes, He is the one to blame? Will he say that 'none of this is your fault or your own doing - those humans you live with are to blame!'?

While I am not sure exactly what He would say, I do know it would sound something like this: "Oh, my child who has read my promises for this life and the next, where, oh where is your faith?" Hmmm, what does one do with that question? This is exactly the question he asked his disciples when they woke him up during the midst of the storm. They are scared to death, thinking Christ has lost his marbles to be sleeping in the midst of the storm. He wakes up, calms the storm then simply says, 'where is your faith?'

Why could Christ ask this question? Well, for one thing He had just reminded them of the type of life they could live if the Word would take root. Also, he directly told them before the storm that they were to 'go to the other side.' In other words, His Word and Destination had changed not one tiny little bit - they were just being tested in the midst of it - they were being tried to the point of fear.

Perhaps the circumstances have changed for you and me, but the question remains the same. In the midst of relationship problems, struggles at work, with our health, our neighbors, our finances, God's direction for our life, we are all faced with the challenge to let our faith be our guide - really our strength. In this context the idea of faith is more akin to a hope and confidence in Christ - a trust in Him, a deep abiding trust that literally unleashes His power in our life and allows us the freedom to remain rock solid and steadfast, no matter what may come!

Do you have this type of faith today? Join us Sunday as we explore the life changing possibilities of living out our faith on a day by day, moment by moment basis!

From His Grace, For His Glory!
Biz

Relationship Revolution: Expectations and Real Love

Expectations are a big part of life! There are few days that can deliver or smash our expectations like valentine's day - especially to a young boy or girl, man or woman. I was in 3rd grade - and a shoebox was far more than a simple shoebox, at least one time each year. Back then, in the old days as my kids like to say, each student transformed a shoe box into a wonderfully colored and image laden valentine card receptacle. I always loved working on the shoe box, but to be honest my favorite part was not the decorations, but what would be put into the shoe box - valentine candies of all sorts, shapes and sizes (as long as it fit into the little opening I had cut with mom's scissors).

This particular valentine's day was going to be special (aren't they all??). I just knew that I would get every valentine card I wanted and ONE in particular from the curly headed girl that sat next too me all year long! She was a cutie and I was certain that I would be her 'main valentine' that year. Yes, you guessed it there were always the 'stand out' cards that represented more than just a valentine wish. Much more, in fact. They represented life long expectations coming to fruition and complete bliss for the one to receive that 'special' card. You could spot these cards a mile away because they were twice the size of all the others and had more than those flat cherry suckers that came with every card in the universe back then.

The day finally came! Boxes came in and, I must say, mine looked great. I placed my box on the counter next to the others already there and then rushed to my seat waiting expectantly for my valentine to come in the door and to hear the chorus of 'oohs and aahs' from all my classmates. It was customary for one to bring in the cards and as they entered to go right ahead and insert all their candies into each individual box. Then she entered the room - time stood still and she did have one card larger than all the others. I was so excited that I couldn't even watch her put the cards in the box - so, I closed my eyes with great expectation and waited until they were all done. Then, my third grade teacher did the unthinkable, at least from a 7 year old perspective, she made us wait until the end of the day to actually check our boxes. It was a Charlie Brown, AAA UGH, moment for sure.

That day crawled by - until finally at 3:05 p.m. the bell rang. I grabbed my box and, while all my friends dug into theirs, I simply ran out the door to the car line and waited for my mom to pick me up. Finally, I got home. My beautiful box went the way of all flesh as I quickly destroyed it in order to get into the goodies. And, much to my dismay - there was no 'stand out you're my special friend' card in my box that day. Nope, I got twenty three cherry red suckers all inserted in little purple and pink cards that read 'Be my valentine.' Now, don't get too choked up. I was still only 7, so twenty three red suckers was like hitting gold.

As we continue focusing on relationships this year, I want to ask you a question. Who or what are your expectations of real love this year? Are you looking for that 'one special friend' card to finally come your way this Sunday on Valentine's day? Are you expecting that one person to make this day the best ever in your life? Are you praying that he or she just will not forget this year and at least get you a card? Perhaps, you are placing your hopes in the wrong things or better yet in the wrong person. Relationships in life are crucial but they remain unfulfilled until we receive the 'long expected one!' The greatest expectation of them all has been fulfilled in the coming of Christ and, if you see Him rightly this weekend and seek Him first in life, then all other expectations seem to fall into place! Join us this Sunday as we look at 'The Expected One and Real Love' from Luke chapter 7!

From His Grace, For His Glory!
Biz

Relationship Revolution - The Basics of a Brand New Relationshp

Did you know that February 7 - 14th is National Marriage Week in the United States? You probably didn't because I didn't know until I got an email from the sponsor organization just a few days ago. If you would like to know more about this focus on strengthening marriages, then check out the following link some time this week: http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/

For our part at Westside, we are going to spend the whole month focusing on the hope that Christ brings into our relationships and how we can live the life He intends us to live - in our marriages, parenting, work relationships, possessions, serving others, etc. I am very excited about the next four weeks, because I know that all of us, everyone of us, need relational help these days. It seems that our marriages, our homes and our communities are more tattered and frayed than ever before and people simply do not know where to turn or whom to listen to.

Maybe you are in that category as well. If so, make it a point to join us during the month of February. If you have friends or family members struggling in their marriages, parenting, etc., then invite them to join you. I promise that you will not be disappointed! You may even leave with more hope than you imagined possible.

Our Series Verse for this month is Luke 6:45, which says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." As we 'dive into' this verse we will be challenged to look at the treasures we keep and what things, relationships, people and practices make up the 'abundance' in our own hearts. Then we will turn them over the the Lord and trust in Him to renew us and revive us! Yes, you can have a better marriage!

Yes, you can have a better relationship with your child, you employer, your parent, your co workers, your neighbor! In fact, Christ promises us that if we will 'listen to him' and 'treasure him' we will find that our lives and relationships will be built on such a strong foundation that even the greatest storm and trials cannot shake it!

We will give you some 'fliers' this weekend that you can pass out to your friends and family so they too can see what is going on at Westside and join you as the Lord leads us closer to Him and into the communities He has called us to reach!

From His Grace, For His Glory!

Biz