By Sherree Funk | January 01, 2012 at 12:30 PM EST | No Comments
New Year's Day, 2012. What a great day to affirm all of the Apostle's Creed.
I Believe in God the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
I Believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there, He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I Believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
The final phrase is a triumphant belief in eternal life, the life He came to make available to all. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
Tennant stresses that we as Christians believe in a bodily resurrection, not just a gauzy spiritual world where our souls live forever. He refers us to Paul's letter to the Corinthians. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. (1Cor. 15:16)
These resurrected bodies will be recognizably us - you and me. I will know you when we all get to heaven. I look forward to long conversations with my great grandmother and grandmother who both died before I was born. We will not simply be existing on a cloud, perhaps playing a harp (although I have always wanted to learn to play the harp, so I wouldn't mind this as a heavenly hobby!) The life everlasting will be fantastic, more than just a body that doesn't get sick or tired, more than just a worship service that never ends. According to Tennant, in the New Creation, "we will be engaged in all the kinds of industrious work, projects, inventions, and building that we are involved with here, but without the presence of sin." Sounds exciting to me. "We will be unleashed into endless creativity and deeper discoveries about God's creation. We will be brought deeper and deeper into the full glory and mystery of the Trinity and His self-revelation." We will finally be like Christ in ways that are impossible in this earthly existence.
The specifics of heaven are indeed a mystery, but we have Jesus' promise, and I am willing to simply believe. In John 10:28 Jesus says, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
And in John 14:2-3 He says, In my Father's house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
I am thankful that the apostles sat down to put together this Creed - this timeless, yet historically unifying set of scripturally supported beliefs - so that we may all affirm together our unique faith in God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And thank you, Tim Tennant for your enlightening commentary on each part of the Creed. May this meditation bring everyone's faith to greater levels in this new year.
By Sherree Funk | December 31, 2011 at 10:51 AM EST | No Comments
Here we are on the final day of 2011, talking about forgiveness of sins. How appropriate. Everyone wants to start a new year with a clean slate. We want to begin again each New Years Day. And forgiveness of sins is the most cleansing we could want for.
Tennant's book is really wonderful on this phrase of the Apostle's Creed. For one thing, he emphasizes that Jesus' work on the cross is the one and only event in history which brought about forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 10:4 says it plainly: It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Tennant stresses that the Old Testament procedures for handling sin - carefully administrated sacrifices of animals on certain days, by certain people - were merely a 'promissory note' on a future complete sin removal. Thus, those who trusted in those ancient sacrifices would have their sins completely forgiven only after Jesus paid the price in full. So Jesus' sacrifice "worked simultaneously back through time as well as forward through time."
Tennant makes three great points about this:
The OT sacrifices had to be endlessly repeated. "...by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Heb 10:14
The OT sacrifices just covered up sin; they did not actually take it away. Atonement means to cover. Forgiveness means to take away or remove.
OT focused on outward sins and disobedience, while the NT focuses on cleansing the heart of all guilt and shame. "This is the covenant I will make with them... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts" Jeremiah 31:33
Read some of these scriptures highlighted by Tennant in this chapter: Matthew 26:28, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, 5:31, 10:43, 26:18, Colossians 1:13-14. Each time we take communion, we hear these words of Jesus: "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." It doesn't get any better than that.
It is a great feeling of freedom to realize that all our sins have been washed away, as far as the east is from the west. We can really start fresh after accepting this gift from God. But there is one thing that can keep us from a full realization of that freedom: unforgiveness toward others.
Tennant says, "We demonstrate that we have been forgiven by becoming forgivers ourselves." Ephesians 4:32 says "Forgive each other just as in Christ God forgave you."
And the Lord's prayer reminds us: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What better way to start the New Year than by forgiving? Forgive those who have hurt you. Forgive those close to you, those far away, those who have already died, and even yourself. Wipe clean the slate. Then ask God to forgive you, once again. Let your new year begin with an open clean heart.
By Sherree Funk | December 30, 2011 at 10:18 AM EST | No Comments
The mention of the church in this creed is significant. With this phrase, we lift the church "from being a mere human organization with certain functions, such as preaching, discipling, or feeding the hungry. The Church is what God is building in the world," says Tennant.
All of us have been in churches that were less than perfect. They are often inefficient. Sometimes theologically askew. Sometimes spiritually dead. And yet, the church is the divine work God is doing in the world.
The terms used here to define the Church, "holy" and "catholic," are important and often misunderstood. Holy means set apart. The church is to be set apart for holiness, for righteousness, godliness and beauty. Thus when certain things take place in church, we are horrified. The church is to be something set apart, something more righteous than the world as a whole. And we in the church are called to be holy as well. This requires an intention to put off our old sinful ways and become more Christlike. How often do we consider our holiness? Is this why the church is often indistinguishable from the rest of the world?
The term catholic used here is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church. Many have been baffled by this phrase. The term catholic - small c - simply means universal. It speaks of the Church of Jesus Christ worldwide and throughout time. It unites all believers, regardless of denominational differences, though these may be significant. Reciting the Apostle's Creed, we stand together with the global Body of Christ throughout history. This creed is ecumenical.
"The Communion of Saints" unites us spiritually with that same global group through history. As Tennant puts it, "To be 'in communion' with someone means to be spiritually connected with a shared fellowship under the lordship of Jesus Christ."
Three things Tennant highlights concerning the communion of saints.
Shared fellowship means we share a common confession. if or when a church stops proclaiming the lordship of Jesus Christ, the church has broken communion with the saints of all time.
We have a mystical connection with one another and with Christ, since we are called "the Body of Christ." We often forget this. Our faith results not only in a 'personal relationship with Jesus Christ' but also this membership in the Body. There are no lone ranger Christians.
The "communion of saints" reminds us that the church is not primarily an organization with a complex set of rules and governance. Nor is it the cathedral or chapel in town. The church is the people. We do not go to church; we are the church.
I love this part of the creed for making me feel part of something much bigger than my local church. I can recall great pastors I have loved and learned from, who are now in heaven. I can think of my mother and grandmother. I can imagine Christians in Africa, Asia and elsewhere reciting the same creed. It speaks of the invisible bond we have through space and time with all other believers. Thank you, apostles, for including me in your creed.
By Sherree Funk | December 27, 2011 at 10:37 AM EST | No Comments
After seven meaty affirmations about the person of Jesus Christ, the Apostle's Creed now turns to the third person of the Trinity. This affirmation plainly places the Trinity in the center of Christian belief. We have already read that the Holy Spirit conceived the child Jesus in the womb of Mary. And we have seen the relational aspects of God and Jesus as father and son, but we now state simply that we believe in the Holy Spirit.
Tennant stresses that the Holy Spirit is crucial to reconciling 'twin truths' about God. God is both high, holy and unapproachable and at the same time, compassionate, tender, loving and merciful.
Two scriptures speak of this paradox:
Isaiah 49:15-16: Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."
Isaian 57: 15: God dwells in two places: in the high and holy place, and also in the place of humbleness and humility.
Tennant strongly believes that the Trinity is the Highest Conception of God. Churches must hold fast to the awe-inspiring mystery of the Trinity in order to keep a proper idea of God. Any imbalance in this understanding leads to oversimplification and trivializing each part of this single entity, the Trinity.
Three things the Holy Spirit gives to the church are:
the empowering authoritative presence of God: This is really a cluster of personal gifts - sanctification, intercession teaching us effective prayer, insight into scripture, fruits of the Sprirt, and guidance. Tennant says, " The Holy Spirit is the one who knocks at the door of our hearts and bathes us in God's prevenient grace, reminding us that we need a savior. If you are a Christian, you had no power to open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ without the prompting and enablement of the Holy Spirit." I love that. And I firmly believe it. It was the Holy Spirit that knocked on the door of my heart about 26 years ago, and helped me open it wide to the Savior.
The Holy Spirit empowers the the church for global mission: Acts 1:8 says that when we receive the Holy Spirit, we will receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
signs and wonders and holiness of life are signs of the inbreaking of the New Creation: Men and women are healed by God's power. Miracles of reconciliation and deliverance happen all the time. These supernatural things are the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is very real, not just something we mention in passing. It is in a sense, the substance that gives us access to God the Father and His Son. It is the communication system God uses to speak to our hearts. It is indispensible in a full understanding in the Triune God. Pray to be filled with this Spirit and your life will begin to take on the character of Christ and you will be His witness.
By Sherree Funk | December 23, 2011 at 02:30 PM EST | No Comments
This may not be the most encouraging piece of the Apostle's Creed. Many of us would rather not dwell on the subject of judgment. I know I am uneasy. It is easy to be joyful about being saved and loved, but judged?
Start at the beginning: He Shall Come. This we can rejoice over. As Tennant reminds us, Jesus said, "at that time the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of the sky, with great power and great glory." Matt. 24:30. And 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 also tells us, "For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first."
Which part do you look forward to? For me it's the trumpet sound. At this time of year, I love to hear Handel's Messiah.... "The turmpet shall sound!!! The dead shall be raised, incorruptible!!!"
But as soon as He returns, we will stand before Him. Romans 14:10 says, For we will all stand before the Judgment Seat of God."
in his book, This We Believe!, Tennant gives us three things to ponder about Judgment Day.
First, Judgment Day will reveal and make known all sins. All wrong thoughts, actions, secret sins, as well as the already well-known sins will be exposed. Yikes. I visualize a muddy grey cloud of my sins hovering over my head, perhaps with neon lights proclaiming all that I am most ashamed of. Sure, everyone will have a similar muddy cloud, but my own sins are enough to keep me embarrassed. Tennant reminds us that God's judgment will set all things right. This rightness will be a welcome change from the chaos we see now. And we have to remember that Christ has ALREADY taken the weight of our guilty verdict, and paid the price.
Second, Judgment Day will vindicate the faith of the Church. The great news is that there is a book, called the Lamb's Book of Life, in which are written all the names of those who have trusted Jesus to have already reconciled us by grace, through our faith. We will be vindicated not because we are sinless, but because we have persevered in faith.
Third, righteous rewards will be granted to God's people. The exact nature of these rewards is not known, but in 1Corinthians 3:11-15 Paul describes how our works are meant to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and how they will be tested by fire. In other words, if our works are done with the right motivation, and with Jesus as their basis, they will be rewarded. It is enough to make us ask ourselves if our deeds have the right foundation. It is not right to expect in any way that our works will save us. Only faith in Christ can do that. But some rewards, or jewels in our crown, will be granted in some measure according to our works.
Lord, help us to do works in obedience to you, out of a desire to serve, not to be rewarded. And help us to trust you completely, so we need not fear Judgment Day.
By Sherree Funk | December 22, 2011 at 01:03 PM EST | No Comments
Ephesians 4:10 says, He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.
Jesus' ascension is more than just another reference to his resurrection. He ascended all the way back to the heaven he left at the incarnation. And his position in heaven is "at the right hand of God," the position of any honored guest. But Tennant cautions us not to think of Jesus in a passive role in heaven, sitting in a great throne next to God's, watching as things unfold in the universe. No, Jesus has three major roles as the victorious second person of the Trinity: Prophet, Priest, and King.
The book of Hebrews clarifies much of this activity of the ascended Jesus. First, He is waiting. The prophets of the Old Testament delivered God's word, and then waited to see what effect it had on the listeners. They waited for repentence, for judgment, for prophesied events to unfold. Similarly, Jesus waits. Hebrews 10:12b-13 says, "He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool." Just like the prophets of old, Jesus delivered the WORD, (himself) and now waits for the world to recognize its truth. One day "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)
Second, Jesus is interceding. This is his priestly role. The priests of the Hebrew people were to intercede for the people by performing carefully designed sacrifices on a particular schedule. They were chosen by family heritage only,their priesthood was temporary, and the sacrifices were performed in an earthly temple, a mere shadow of the heavenly one. Jesus perfectly fulfills the role of priest: "Now there were many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews 7:23-25. I love the thought that Jesus himself is always interceding on our behalf and has been doing this for 2000 years.
Finally, Jesus is Lord. This is his kingly role. He reigns. When Jesus spoke to his disciples before his ascension, he said: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." "And surely I am with you, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 18, 20. Jesus is in heaven and on earth with full authority. And he is both at the right hand of God and with us always. Wow. A truly divine King. He is omnipresent and available to all, everywhere.
As we celebrate Christmas this year, let's not forget that Jesus has already accomplished his amazing work and is now with us all the time, with loving intercession and powerful authority. Thank you, Lord.
By Sherree Funk | December 21, 2011 at 01:09 PM EST | No Comments
Hallelujah! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! The central proclamation of the Christian church is this: Jesus Christ rose from the dead and He lives!
Tennant rejects any attempt by the church to shift its central proclamation to anything else. THe ethic of Jesus, His exemplary life, His teachings, while important, cannot be the central defining belief of the church without weakening it tremendously.
As the apostle Paul said, If CHrist has not been raised, our preaching is in vain and so is your faith.
Tennant says it best: "Without the Resurrection, the Christian gospel is not really that different from Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism. We would be just another human religion struggling with the trancendence of God, but the difference is that the Christian faith is not merely an human religion. ... The great proclamation of the Gospel is about who God is and what He has done. Buddha is in the grave. Mohammad is in the grave. Confucius is in the grave. Jesus Christ is the Risen Lord."
With this amazing powerful resurrection, Christ demonstrates complete victory over sin, death, and hell. "To believe in Jesus is not simply to believe that he lived, or was a great teacher, or that he could perform miracles. Most Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists would also believe those things." The Christian's distinct belief is that Jesus is the Risen, Living Lord.
With His resurrection, Jesus was the "firstfruits" of the resurrection of all believers. Tennant reminds us that God is not simply saving our souls, nor will we be simply resuscitated after we die. In the first notion, our souls are somehow separate from the rest of us - our minds, our bodies, our emotions. Not true, says Tennant. "God redeems the whole person."
Likewise we are not simply going to return to this body with its human frailties. Jesus did indeed 'raise' individuals who had died. Like Lazarus. Like Jairus's daughter. But those people eventually died. When Jesus rose from the dead, he took on a new resurrection body. With this, we have the assurance that one day we will also be given a new resurrection body in which our 'person' will dwell.
I stand on the promise of Jesus to the thief on the cross: This day you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23: 42-43. The day I die, I'm going to be with Him. My favorite Easter Hymn is also the most traditional, but my favorite verses are these two:
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where O Death is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Allelulia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Allelulia!
Following our exalted Head, Allelula!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Thank you, Charles Wesley, for your marvelous lyrics of Christian affirmation. And thank you, Lord, for the resurrection power that raised Jesus and conquered all evil for all time. Hallelujah!!!!
By Sherree Funk | December 20, 2011 at 10:37 AM EST | No Comments
Now we slow the boat. This phrase of the Apostle's Creed represents the activity of Christ on what we call Holy Saturday. Jesus was crucified and buried on Friday, risen and seen by many on Sunday, and the day between is known as Holy Saturday. It was the Sabbath, and all the disciples were laying low, in part because it was the Sabbath.
But Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and he had work to do.
This phrase has been omitted by some. Yet Tennant makes clear that no piece of this creed should be tampered with. Creeds are "historic statements affirmed by Christians all across time and they apply to all churches everywhere." Specific denominations may have Statements of Faith which include distinct views on subjects like baptism, tongues, church governance and other points.
Sheol is the Jewish name for the place of the dead. I like to meditate on Psalm 139:7-8, which says, "Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there." Jesus left no one out. And he can find you anywhere.
This passage in 1Peter 3:18-20 describes what Jesus was doing on Holy Saturday.
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.
After his death, Jesus went and preached to all the dead who knew nothing of him. By his presence in this place, Jesus displays his power over all the forces of evil and over all death.
And finally, "Jesus unites himself with the saints from all time in his glorious ascencion," writes Tennant. Ephesians 4:8 declares,"When He ascended on high, He led captives in His train, and gave gifts to men." This reference is to those who had been captive in death, who were now ascending to heaven with Christ.
Wow. These are not the kind of things we hear much about on Sunday mornings. Tennant emphasizes again and again in his book that the words of the creed were all carefully chosen. This phrase again emphasizes the cosmic importance of Jesus' death.
The time dimension seems to be no challenge for our Lord. What an awesome God we have!
By Sherree Funk | December 19, 2011 at 12:30 PM EST | No Comments
The Apostle's Creed seems to leap quickly from Jesus' birth to his death. This is not to say that all his teachings and miracles were of no importance, but that his greatest work, his essential work, the thing that we believe above all other things is this: Jesus, fully God, fully man, died a humiliating death by crucifixion at a particular point in history. That he really died is a key point. And this begs the question: Why did the eternal Son of God have to die?
Tennant points us to three reasons taken from Hebrews 2.
He died so that He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9 says "He suffered death, so that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone."
He died to express solidarity with the human race, making us all one family. (Hebrews 2: 10-13)
He died to destroy him who holds the power of death, i.e. the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)
In a sense his death proved that he lived.
In his death he faced the one thing that Satan thought he had over us, and triumphed over it.
Jesus did not live and die by avoiding the evil in the world. He faced it head on, without ever succumbing to temptation, without being conquered by evil. He was killed in a most evil way. No one will ever die a more unjust, humiliating, painful death. He tasted human death for us all.
I guess I always wondered why old Pontius Pilate got his name in this creed. It seems like he shouldn't have gotten so much free press. But Tennant points out that this anchors the life and death of Jesus to a particular identifiable point in history. By mentioning Pilate's name, a person who is well-known in history, whose name has been identified on a stone in Caesarea Maritima, the creed dispels any notions that this is just an abstract set of beliefs that may never have happened. While the crucifixion is not solely the fault of Pilate, he was a part of the evil plan to destroy Jesus. Satan was behind it all, but God had a bigger plan.
The previous phrase of the creed reminded us of Mary's humble obedience, while this one reminds us how we, like Pilate, often make wrong choices, and thus work into Satan's evil plans. It is worth pondering this human condition, humbly confessing our sins, and earnestly seeking to obey.
Luke 23:23-35; John 19:18-20; Acts 4:10; 1Corinthians 15:3-4; Hebrews 2:5-18
A verse in Charles Wesley's Amazing Love captures our gratitude:
He left His father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace;
emptied Himself of all but love and bled for Adam;s helpless race;
Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O my God it found out me -
Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou my God shouldst die for me!
Perhaps it makes Christmas even sweeter when we remember what love prompted His birth, knowing that it would lead to His suffering and death.
By Sherree Funk | December 18, 2011 at 10:27 AM EST | No Comments
When I was young, the sounds of Christmas were heard non-stop from our hi-fi stereo as we played the Firestone Christmas Albums with the clear voice of Julie Andrews singing my favorite Christmas hymns and carols. I can still hear her lovely accented version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. In fact, I memorized all the verses to most of these hymns just from hearing Julie sing them over and over.
Today's piece of the Apostle's Creed is the beloved Christmas event. It is the incarnation of God in the flesh. The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us. Tennant points us first of all to Charles Wesley's beautifully poetic and theologically rich lyrics.
Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the God-head see! Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!
The fact that God wanted to come to earth and be with us in the flesh is truly awesome. The way he chose to accomplish this is more stunning still.
When the apostle Paul thought about it, he wrote this: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, But emptied Himself, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself... Philippians 2:5-8.
Tennant gives a wonderful illustration as he summarizes Mark Twain's novel, The Prince and the Pauper. The book is about the son of King Henry VIII who met a ragged beggar and noticed they were quite similar in appearance except for the clothes. They traded places and changed clothes. The heir to the throne then walked the streets unrecognized, ill-treated, pushed aside, and ignored. In the same way, Tennant says, "The eternal Son of God clothed himself in our humanity and walked among us and most did not recognize Him." John 1:10 says, He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
Mary is the only person of faith mentioned in this creed. Her simple obedience to the will of God is exemplary. That God would entrust himself to be born and raised by one of us in this way is a sign of his great love. And it is more than that: He shows that he wants to accomplish his work of redemption in cooperation with us, His people, ordinary people.
Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. His conception was from God, by God, by the Holy Spirit, but within the human womb of Mary. And he was born as we all are. In order to become the perfect sinless sacrifice God intended, he had to be fully divine, free of the inherited sin of Adam. In order to be truly our Emmanuel, to sympathize with our weaknesses, he had to be fully human. He was both. It is a mystery. A paradox. The incarnation is a divine event worthy of our worship and praise.
Luke 1:26-38 describes the encounter between the angel Gabriel and Mary. It is from this scripture that the apostles took the words of this affirmation. Nothing in the creed is carelessly tossed in.
Prepare this day for Christmas, 2011. Allow God in Christ to use you in His work. Be His humble servant as Mary was. Embrace the mystery. Glory to the newborn King.
By Sherree Funk | December 17, 2011 at 11:28 AM EST | No Comments
The second line in the Apostle's Creed is simple yet profound. It is a non-negotiable affirmation of the Christian faith. You can not say you are a Christian without a basic understanding of who Jesus is. So here it is laid out for us: Jesus Christ is God the Father's only son, and he is Lord.
The relational language is very important. Some churches want to change the language of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to "Creator", "Redeemer", "Sustainer" or "Sanctifier". However, it is this relational language that is the essence of who God is, and who we are. Without it, God could be just a "clockmaker" or "commander" or "dictator of his will." The Trinity is above all else a relational entity.
Tennant says, "If we lose the relational language that lies at the heart of the Church's language about the triune God, then we are left only with the abstract God of the philosophers, or Allah (the God of Islam), who has no interest in revealing himself, only declaring his will."
Hebrews 1:1 says: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in many ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son."
Our Lord: This Jesus, this only Son of the Father, is NOT a created being. He is not one of an infinite number of gods. And he is more than a mere human teacher with extraordinary goodness. He IS the full revelation of God in the flesh. Read Colossians 1:16. Also Colossians 2:9: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodliy form."
It's Christmas, so read the words of the angels in Luke 2:11: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Then remember the words of Jesus himself while speaking to Nicodemus in John 3: 16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." And the words of Thomas, the doubting one, when seeing the risen Christ for the first time: "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus is Lord not only because Thomas said so. His actions are the actions of God when he declares, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." He is showing his deity when he forgives the sins of the paralytic and the leaders ask," Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And when he is worshiped - Tennant lists the following scriptures: Matt. 2:11, 14, 33, 28, 9, 17; Luke 24:52, John 9:38, and Hebrews 1:6 - he is none other than the unique representation of God himself.
And take a minute to absorb again the words of Hebrews 1:3, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word."
As Tennant emphasizes in his book, the words of the Apostle's Creed are taken from Holy Scripture, deriving power from God's Word.
I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS! HE IS LORD!!
By Sherree Funk | December 16, 2011 at 04:38 PM EST | No Comments
I just received a wonderful little book called This We Believe! by Tim Tennant, President of Asbury Seminary. It takes a close look at one of the church's oldest creeds, the Apostle's Creed. There are 12 phrases, and each one warrants a chapter. I recommend the book to anyone, but I plan to blog about each chapter for each of the next 12 days. Join me in this meditation on a comprehensive statement of faith.
Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3, Acts 14:15 and Hebrews 11:3.
Tennant highlights the inclusion of the word 'father' in this first statement of belief. He points out that without this word, the affirmation could be said by Muslims or Jews, but the inclusion of the word Father makes it distinctly Christian. God is a person, and in relationship, both with His son Jesus and with us.
The creed then affirms God's power with the word 'almighty.' Isn't it wonderful to contemplate that our God is not only all-powerful, but also personal and protective, like a father.
And this Father Almighty has created something: the heavens and the earth. It is fitting, Tennant explains, that this first phrase of the creed echoes the first verse in all scripture, Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
And the Psalms repeat again and again praise to this God, Creator of the Universe. Psalm 102:25-26, Psalm 8:3-4, and others.
And the writer of Hebrews puts it beautifully when he declares in Heb 11:3, "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
Tennant makes these strong points for us as Christians:
"It is truly amazing that God has taken us, lumps of clay that we are, and has lifted us up as the stewards of His glorious creation and, ultimately, to rule and reign with Him through all eternity."
"We are called to creation care, which is living our entire lives in the presence of God and humbly making choices that remember that He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth."
"Set your faith on this God who is the Lord and King of the Universe. Make sure you are trusting in Him who spoke His Word, and the moon and stars and planets took their place in obedience to His Word. ...Set your faith on the Lord, the King of the Universe who created man and woman in His own image, breathed into us the breath of life, and called us into relationship with Himself and with one another."
I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! Do you?
By Sherree Funk | December 05, 2011 at 09:55 AM EST | No Comments
Remember when telephones were attached to walls?
Remember when computers were attached to your desk?
No longer are we limited to certain locations for phone calls and email. Cell phones connect us with friends virtually everywhere.And calls can be made from anywhere, as long as we have “a few bars.”Moreover, smart phones allow us to check e-mail, send texts, make dinner reservations, and check Facebook updates as often as we like.
Welcome to the on-the-go-lifestyle of the 21st century.
Can our spiritual life thrive in such an environment? Some would say emphatically “no.”How can one hear from God when there is so much noise in our frenetic lives?Don’t we need to just turn off the electronic devices so we can spend time in Bible study and prayer?
While time in prayer is essential, there are also ways to keep our focus on God throughout the day.It is often too easy to compartmentalize our faith.We have a quiet time in the morning with some Bible reading, but then we shelve all thoughts of God while we go about our day.We may even attend a weekly Bible study where we discuss life applications, but then we close the book and re-enter the worlds of work, family, and social life.
How can we maintain a connection with God?Is there an easy way to bring our thoughts back to the Bible study we have been reading?How can we use technology to increase our faith, to encourage us, to enrich or educate ourselves?
Staying Connected
I have found three valuable ways to use a smart phone to enhance your faith journey.There are probably more.Can these work for you?
Jesus Calling Devotional App:This outstanding devotional book by Sarah Young is now available as an app for most smart phones.I just touch the app button on my phone whenever I have a couple of minutes and read it.The scripture references are given right below the short devotion.Instead of reading it just once while sitting quietly at home, I almost always read it several times on my phone during a typical day.It sinks in better that way and often speaks directly to something I am dealing with at the time. And sometimes I just have to share it with someone.
Facebook Bible study groups:I have just begun leading Bible studies on Facebook.This fall, I led a group from all corners of the country, even a few internationals, in a study of my book, Peter: Rock Star from Galilee.I posted short comments maybe 2 – 3 times a day, five days a week.Participants could buy the book and use the Facebook posts to augment their personal study, or they could just follow along.The Facebook platform provided some real advantages.
*Convenience for travelers – People can check Facebook notifications any time of day from any time zone.
*Additional info for those interested – I posted links to articles, artwork, and photographs that were not included in the book.
*Music videos – In Peter, Rock Star from Galilee, there are playlists of songs that pertain to each chapter, and I posted YouTube videos of many of these songs for the group.
* Unlimited group size and diversity - The size of the group was unlimited.My group included both pastors and those who never would join a group with pastors.Diversity was amazing.Discussions included people of vastly different life experiences.
The usual problems faced by small groups were diminished.No one became the “person who does all the talking.”Attendance was never a problem.People who usually are slow to speak in groups were more likely to post comments.
One participant said that by reading the posts throughout the day, the Bible study remained in her mind more than if she had done the study at home and discussed it in a group maybe once a week.
YouVersion Bible App:I am still learning all the things one can do with this free app. Over 100 Bible versions are offered in more than 40 languages.There are reading plans, by topic, by length (7 days to 8 weeks to all year) and by age range. You then get a targeted scripture passage each day. There are highlighting tools, bookmarks, and ways to share on Facebook and Twitter.There are even groups and events for participants to join.I find it very helpful to always have a Bible at my fingertips in case I want to look something up and share it.Another good Bible resource is Olive Tree Bible materials.Commentaries, Bible dictionaries, Greek lexicons, etc are available there.
Give it a Try
I encourage you try using your personal devices - smart phones, iPads and laptops - to remain closer to God.He can speak to us in a minute while waiting in line, or on the bus, or in the car pool lane.He wants to be involved in all parts of our lives, and this is just another way we can welcome his presence.
By Sherree Funk | October 31, 2011 at 11:52 AM EDT | No Comments
Last week I attended an amazing conference on The Word offered through Asbury Seminary's Florida Dunnam campus. Besides hearing several memorable speakers, we were given a crash course in Lectio Divino.
Lectio Divino is a latin term for a contemplative method of studying the Bible. I won't go into all the details here, but I was completely taken by something the instructor said about scripture meditation. When we read a passage, often a few words, phrase or thought jumps out. It is as if those words were "hyperlinked" like on a computer, when some words appear in blue type, and we know that if we "click" on them, something else will pop forward, and give us more information or insight about that particular thing.
So if some words catch your attention in your daily Bible reading, don't just keep reading. Instead, meditate on them. Allow your mind to "hyperlink" to something else, a hymn, another verse, a recent incident in your life, perhaps a dictionary meaning of the word, or the Greek meaning of the word. In this way, God will lead you to a deeper understanding of the passage and give you a morsel of food for thought.
As in any Wikipedia article, there are many things we may click on, and so the Word has more to show us every time we meditate.
I love this idea and plan to do more "hyperlinking" in my Bible study!
By Sherree Funk | October 12, 2011 at 07:12 PM EDT | No Comments
I just returned from the Asbury President's Retreat in Colorado Springs. We heard great music, had great food and accommodations, and heard challenging teachings by several Asbury professors and alumni.
Jorge Acevedo delivered one of the evening talks. Jorge has planted four campuses of Grace Church in the Fort Myers area of Florida. Most of his congregants are people many churches would look past on the street. Yet his W4 plan would make any church a growing church.
He read the story of Jesus healing the paralytic. From that story he extracted four "W" policies that are the basis of his church's tremendous growth and commitment to Christ.
W - Whoever comes. no turning people away because of how they dress, or where they have been, or where they work, or who they know
W - Whenever they choose. having services that meet at a time when people can come. Being available at all times to those people you are trying to reach.
W - Whatever it takes. Being willing to change music, add parking for motorcycles, or whatever else will make people feel comfortable.
W - Without compromising the Word. Preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and the radical message of his saving grace. Jorge said, "Jesus will wreck your life... and you will love it!"
By Sherree Funk | August 17, 2011 at 07:11 AM EDT | No Comments
In Tallinn, Estonia, I recently saw the graceful abstract sculpture commemorating the death of Charles Leroux in a parachuting accident. In 1889 Leroux's 239th jump had been postponed for two days because of high winds. Against the advice of his manager, on September 12, Leroux decided to go ahead. Gusty winds whipped the parachute to and fro, his ropes got tangled, and he plunged to his death in the Bay of Tallinn.
Tangled parachute ropes can really drag you down.When the ropes are tangled, the air escapes and there is little one can do. Without the air in your sails, gravity is in full control of your landing.
What tangled ropes are dragging you down? What keeps you from doing the thing you are called to do?
Sometimes distractions will do it.Too many responsibilities tend to tangle up my time and my sense of peace.
Sometimes painful relationships seam to be the problem.Misunderstandings and hurt feelings tangle up our emotions.
Sometimes poverty and hunger weave a tangled web of pain and want and hopelessness.
What puts lift under your wings? What keeps air in your sails?
I believe God wants only the best landings for us all. He offers us His powerful Holy Spirit which can lift any parachute, large or small.Probably the best way to avoid the tangled ropes that tend to drag us down is to focus on the Spirit that lifts us up.
By looking toward the Spirit we feel the updraft and our sail remains stable in the gusty winds.The Spirit of God has much more uplifting power than we will ever need. Perhaps Laroux should have heeded his manager's warnings. Perhaps we should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
By Sherree Funk | June 24, 2011 at 01:27 PM EDT | No Comments
I have started a war on weeds. My garden areas have been invaded by enemy thistles. It may take all summer, or even years to make serious progress. In fact, we have been waging this war since we moved here eleven years ago. But most summers I have taken this approach: pull all the weeds, then buy plants, then plant them, then mulch. The problem has been that we never really get past the first step, because by the time we are finished, the weeds are knee high again where we started.
So this year I have a new strategy: choose a smallish area, pull the weeds, put down Preen, plant lovely flowers and mulch. In other words, we go from weeds to beauty in one small area before moving on to the next. So far, I have a couple of beautiful areas! And plenty more to do! But at least I have something beautiful to look at while I work on the next area.
I am beginning to understand that the life of discipleship is improved in much the same way. We can never remove ALL our bad habits, our sins, before we begin to create a God-pleasing area. So maybe we need to do one small area at a time. Step by Step.
God has promised to lead us every step of the way, so by simply taking a small step toward discipleship, we are showing that we trust Him to lead.
Peter, when he was learning to be a disciple, often made two steps forward and then three steps back. But he was never disqualified for his failures. Rich Mullins wrote a wonderful song about just this kind of step-wise discipleship. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2KOCgC8DnU
"O God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you. I will seek you in the morning and learn to walk in your ways, and step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days."
By Sherree Funk | June 17, 2011 at 09:06 AM EDT | 1 comment
Well, the day has come to launch Peter: Rock Star from Galilee. And the question before us is, "How does one launch a book?"
Like a boat? In launching a boat, one backs the boat trailer down into the water far enough so that the craft can slide off the trailer, back away, and motor off. And with a canoe or kayak, one must balance carefully while inching the boat away from the riverbank until fully free from the touch of the muddy shore.
Like a plane? Jets take off by picking up so much speed that the air beneath the wings causes liftoff. Paper airplanes circle and crash.
Like a balloon? Enough hot air can carry a huge balloon to great heights with up to four people in the basket. Helium gas is lighter than air.
LIke a rocket? Set the rocket up and explode enough material beneath it to cause it to shoot straight up into the sky. Unless the rocket is a NASA project, it will probably come straight back down to the ground in a short time.
Will the book float? Will it take off? Will it soar? I have no idea. I hope so, but there is always the chance it will get stuck in the mud or crash and burn.
In the case of this study of Peter's life, I release it to God's engineers. He alone can cause it to fall into the hands of a teenager hungry for God's Word. If He chooses, it will reach many young people and instill in them a desire to live for Christ.
So today I launch this book into the sea of God's grace, with a prayer that it will not be another useless, pointless book full of hot air. May it carry the important message about God's eternal love to the next generation.
By Sherree Funk | June 05, 2011 at 06:54 AM EDT | 1 comment
We just finished studying John Ortberg's The Me I Want To Be in our teen small group. The videos and teen participant's guide worked well for us. Yes, we took longer than 5 weeks, in fact we took 10 weeks. The challenge from the beginning was to look for ways to become "you-ier."
We talked in the beginning about situations or people that put you in a box, people who expect certain things of you, sometimes making you feel unloved or less than the person you were meant to be.
Ortberg focuses on several areas in life in which God simply wants us to be the best version of ourselves. Things like our thoughts, our prayers, our relationships. And finally he talks about transforming our experience. Ortberg suggests we all need to find a mountain. Ask for a big challenge - something that will be the convergence of our greatest passions and a pressing need.
The last lesson asks a wonderful question: Why is the cross the 'logo' of Christianity? We understand logos like the golden arches for McDonald's, the apple icon for Apple computers, and others. But why the cross?
One of the girls in the group who listens more than she speaks suddenly got excited. "I get it! The cross was Jesus' mountain!"
YES. The cross was the convergence of God's greatest passion - love for all of us - and a pressing need - a way to justify us before the throne of judgment. And if Jesus could take up that cross, which meant his own death out of love for us, then we should take up a similar challenge out of love for him and for all people.
So the cross becomes the universal logo for followers of Jesus Christ. In order to become the best possible version of ourselves, we need to find a cross of our own, a mountain to climb, a calling or purpose for our lives.
By Sherree Funk | May 27, 2011 at 07:01 AM EDT | No Comments
A newscaster asked a resident of Joplin, Missouri what the people needed in the aftermath of the tornado last week. The young man didn't ask for food, water, or clothing. He just asked for prayers. "There are never enough prayers," he said.
How true. There are never enough prayers for the people in desperate need. There always seems to be someone in the midst of a disaster. Hundreds of lives lost in tornadoes in the past month attest to that. And there are those around the world for whom desperate need is a way of life. There are never enough prayers for them.
And there are never enough prayers for those who think they have no needs. God's name is only on their lips as a curse, never a prayer. Hundreds of lives caught in addiction, immorality, and violence attest to that.
In the past two weeks, i have lost an aunt and an uncle to heaven. They were two of the strongest Christian believers I know. Heaven is having a party, but we are crying. I cry for the sorrow of not having prayed enough for them, for not having contacted them more in recent months. Life is fragile. There are never enough prayers.
And yet, even just one small prayer in the Name of Jesus is heard by the Father. God longs to hear us pray for one another. Sometimes one small prayer IS enough.
In 1 Timothy 2:1 Paul writes, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know." (The Message)
By Sherree Funk | April 30, 2011 at 07:50 AM EDT | No Comments
Dear Peter, I want to thank you. You were the first one to be called and the first one to follow. It must have been a hard thing to do - leave your successful fishing business - to follow a man like Jesus. I mean, you didn't know where his long journey would lead. But thank you for deciding to follow. I bet there were times when you wanted to return to the boats. Like maybe when Jesus rebuked you when all you wanted was to protect him from harm. It was so easy to misunderstand that guy, even when you were trying your hardest. And then when the night came that you pretended not to know him - that must have just about broken you. You cried. You had promised to follow Jesus right to the cross or whatever death he faced. You let him down. But you held on until Sunday morning when it all became a little bit clearer. Thank you for recognizing Him on the beach. Thank you for deciding to recommit and keep following. Thank you for the rest of your life of discipleship. Peter, your life gives me hope. I find it hard to follow sometimes, and I fail Jesus again and again. But Jesus didn't give up on you, so I know he won't give up on me. Thank you. -- another Jesus-follower
By Sherree Funk | March 08, 2011 at 10:27 AM EST | No Comments
All New Orleans Mardi Gras parades have one thing in common: Giving and receiving. It's all about the beads.
The float riders have only one thing to do: throw stuff to the clamoring crowd. Stuff like plastic drink cups, stuffed animals, frisbees, nerf footballs, bracelets, but most of all---beads. Brightly colored, pearl-like strings that sparkle in the sunlight or the torchlight of the nighttime "flambeaux."
And the parade-goers have just one goal: catching that stuff. Everyone, from tiny child to octegenarian, raises hands, looks up toward the masked riders, and shouts, "Throw me somethin' Mister!!!"
I have been to nine parades this week. Nothing quite compares to the Mardi Gras parade experience of catching beads and cups mid-air, hearing the clatter of doubloons falling to the street as if real money were being tossed, or seeing a dad hoist his 4 yr old onto his shoulders yet again as he walks expectantly toward the float. Pure joy. Everyone laughs. Everyone gets stuff. Everyone goes home with their necks laden with dozens of Made in China necklaces, only to pile them in the corner, and eventually stash them in the attic until next year.
God wants to give us so much more than plastic trinkets.
Oh what He might shower on us if we could keep that Mardi Gras intensity and lift our hands toward Him. Bless me, Father! Bless me!
When Jacob wrestled with God, he demanded a blessing. And he got one. His name was changed, God showed Jacob he was with him. And when a guy named Jabez cried out to God, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed," God granted his request, too. I am sure that God is like the one person you know who is riding in the parade-- the person for whom you hold up a sign, knowing which float he or she is on, (and which side)--the person who, when you are right there, dips into his bag and dumps more stuff than you can carry into your waiting arms, making you feel special, really special.
"Test me in this, God says, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it."
God wants to bless you and me; He is just waiting for us to ask. We are special to him. Get some of that Joy. Ask for it now.
By Sherree Funk | February 21, 2011 at 08:43 PM EST | No Comments
"Share Fair is a one day event giving women in Christian ministry an opportunity to come together, encourage one another, pray for each other and share ideas and resources."
I'm going. It promises to be a great event. I'm looking to meet on-fire women in lots of spirit-led ministries. Maybe I will see old friends from my church in Houston. In any case, the chance to share my Character Series Bible Studies with a large number of Christian ministry leaders is a great opportunity.
The world seems like a crazy place right now, but gathering with like-minded women to share "Purposes, Prayers, and Passion!" will be a fine refreshment.
Join me in prayer for the speakers, worship leaders, and exhibitors of 2011 ShareFair.
By Sherree Funk | February 04, 2011 at 09:25 AM EST | No Comments
Last Sunday our middle school kids held a bake sale. It was called Bucks for Ducks, because the money raised goes to World Vision and they use it to help families get ducks. Yes ducks. It turns out that 5 ducks, their eggs, ducklings, and meat, can feed a family for a year. Unbelievable.
On Saturday I was in my kitchen all day baking. One of the students texted me about making posters for the sale. We discussed having a big sign with a "thermometer" to show how much money was being raised all morning. I asked Allyson what our goal should be.
Last year we had a similar sale. "How much did we raise last year?" she asked. Our generous congregation helped us raise over $1000 last year. "Then I think we should have a goal of $1500," she said. Wow. Would that be too much? I wondered, but went along and she made the poster with a goal of $1500.... for a bake sale!!!!!
Well, why not? And when the money was counted at the end of the day, we had raised over $1600 for World Vision ducks for needy families. Set your goals high. God can move hearts and move mountains if the goal is in line with His will. In fact, no goal is too high for God. He is able to do far more than we can ever imagine.
"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" Ephesians 3:20-21
By Sherree Funk | January 29, 2011 at 07:53 PM EST | No Comments
My blogs were here this morning.
And now they are gone. I have no idea where they went, but they're gone. No big deal really. They are not that important. Just my thoughts. It's sort of a vivid reminder that one day everything about me will be gone. And that's not all that important either. What remains is the love we have shown, and perhaps some fruit for the Kingdom.
Tomorrow our 6th and 7th grade sunday school class will have a bake sale to raise money for World Vision. We call it "Bucks for Ducks" because the money will go to buy ducks for needy families. They can raise and sell baby ducks, eat and sell nutritious eggs, and eventually the original ducks can be eaten. 5 ducks can feed a family for a year.
Will the ducks make a difference to a family? Or will they just disappear?
Will the efforts for the bake sale by all the kids and their moms make a difference? Or will they just disappear?
I believe the efforts on behalf of others will make a difference. But I hope all the cookies and cakes and brownies DISAPPEAR!!!
By Sherree Funk | January 21, 2011 at 08:42 AM EST | No Comments
It snowed about 4 inches last night. Snow was predicted and I heard the snowplows early this morning. So when it was just light enough, I opened the front door to a beautiful sight. The light was a perfect early morning gray, and everything was covered with new snow. The tree branches were piled with even lines of powder, as if God had used a white highlighter on each one.
I closed the door and sat down to read about Mary and Martha for a lesson I will teach next Monday. Martha was distracted, but Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Here in Pennsylvania, schools will call a two-hour delay when it snows this much. Kids sleep in; moms relax with a cup of coffee. How do you use your snow-mandated two-hour delay?
Taking time to sit at Jesus' feet can be the better thing. God's white highlighter says: "This is my creation, you cannot improve it with all your work. Sit with me a while, let me speak to your heart."
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me to stop and listen.
By Sherree Funk | December 24, 2010 at 12:27 PM EST | No Comments
Christmas. It's Christmas Eve. This year, it felt like we had an extra week before Christmas. So it's been a good, relaxing season for me. I had time to watch the flash mob happenings at food courts across America. i watched youtube videos of the Hallelujah Chorus. And I had time to reflect on what God did when he sent Jesus.
I think Handel summed it up with a well-chosen verse from Revelation, in the middle of the Hallelujah Chorus: The kingdom of this world......is become..... the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.
God didn't send someone to take over all at once, to wrest control from sinful humanity and give it back to God, so the world could be perfect again intstantly. He didn't destroy the world and start over, as he has surely been tempted to, if God can be tempted.
Instead he began a true "inside job." He put his own divinity into a human baby's frame, and allowed it to grow. Jesus, fully God, fully Man, is the beginning of how God is working toward a new heaven and new earth. His kingdom will eventually replace all of what we see in this physical earth and world, but it will happen in His perfect timing, when the fullness of time has come.
People say maybe the end of the world is near. I think God has the long term in mind, and that he still has a long way to go. I pray that in the meantime, many hearts will turn to him and welcome the baby Jesus. I pray that God can begin an "inside job" in you, too. Merry Christmas!
By Sherree Funk | October 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM EDT | No Comments
I am excited about the future. Whatever you may have believed about teenagers being unable to get serious about God is flat wrong.
On Wednesday in my Bible study for middle school girls, we had an amazing discussion about prayer and worship. These girls don't need to be taught how to pray. They pray in the morning, they pray before they fall asleep, and they pray silently before lunch at school.
They take faith seriously. They seem to know the healing power of God and they call on that for their friends, family, acquaintances.
They are thankful. They enjoy life and they are good friends to each other.
They are unafraid. One is moving to a new school district in the middle of her 7th grade school year. That's a tough time to move, but her attitude is good.
Some of them like contemporary worship, some prefer traditional songs. They enjoy prayer in church, both read aloud and silent.
Looking to the future is easy and full of hope because these young people will be our leaders.
By Sherree Funk | October 01, 2010 at 09:06 AM EDT | No Comments
The meeting of Paul and Lydia in Philippi was a divinely orchestrated "coincidence." Both of these characters were guided by the Holy Spirit and it led to a life-changing experience for Lydia.
Acts 16 tells us that Paul was "forbidden by the Spirit" to enter certain regions of Asia Minor and instead he had a vivid dream suggesting he come to Macedonia or northern Greece. So he went. He found himself in Philippi, looking for the synagogue, and finding none, he went to the river to see if anyone was gathered in prayer.
Lydia, a God-fearing Gentile and an independent, probably wealthy businesswoman, followed the Spirit's leading to join the prayer circle by the river regularly. Or maybe she was just there on that one day, but in any case, God arranged for her to be there when Paul showed up.
What happened next was what God had planned: the gospel changed Lydia's life.
Are you sensitive to the leading of the Spirit? Are you aware of how God is weaving relationships together as you follow the urgings of the Spirit? The blessing to be found when we act on the leading of the Spirit, not knowing exactly where we are going, is exciting and very satisfying.
I hope your week will be blessed with Spirit-led encounters and good news moments.
By Sherree Funk | September 23, 2010 at 07:19 AM EDT | No Comments
The first assignment in my fall study of Revelation was this: Journal daily how God reveals himself to you. It might be through a lovely sunset or misty landscape after a thundershower. It might be through a scripture verse or a devotional or some other reading. It might be through the words or actions of a friend.
The challenge to look and listen for God revealing himself is in itself revealing. It takes our minds off of ourselves, invoking praise and thanksgiving almost without fail. If we find it difficult to see God in our every day, we must be a little too self-absorbed.
So far this week, God has shown himself to me in beautiful ways. A powerful rainstorm, thunder and lightning, a new way of looking at a familiar scripture, and the eager faces of a group of young girls as they begin to study Lydia of Philippi.
Thank you, Lord, for these revelations. I pray that through them I can know you more.
By Sherree Funk | August 03, 2010 at 12:05 PM EDT | No Comments
It has been almost two years since I heard Francis Chan speak at the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburgh. He spoke about the goals of youth ministry: to reach hundreds with a fun time of fellowship or to make a few committed Christian disciples.
He pointed out that a big pile of saltless salt was of no use whatsoever for flavor, for preservation or for anything else. He said too often we think "If I can't make disciples, Ill just make a really big pile of 'Christians'."
There is a tendency in youth ministry to applaud large numbers while never testing the "saltiness" of their growing faith.
Is there a better way to do ministry for Christ with teens?
I believe there is. Give them a Bible. Bring the Bible into their world. If your youth leader is Biblically illiterate, or not a "Bible person", then get adults, no matter what age to teach and lead.
Within many churches there is a large body of adult "Bible students" who would never think of themselves as youth leaders. But these are the people God may want to use to lead those teens to authentic Christianity.
"We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done." Psalm 78: 4
A caring adult of any age who loves the Lord and God's Word can be an excellent model and effective leader for a small group of teens.
Make a difference for God among our youth. Teach them what you have learned from your years of study. Convince them that God's Word has something for them, too.
By Sherree Funk | July 23, 2010 at 03:09 PM EDT | No Comments
It is that time of year. People are wishing summer would last longer, but also preparing for a new academic year to begin. If you are involved in teen ministry, and are looking for some new materials to take your teens deeper into the Bible this fall, why not try an 8-week interactive study from Serving One Lord?
Sunday school teachers, pastors and others have commented on the style and layout of these studies. (see reader reviews) The free, downloadable leaders' guides will help you develop your small group into a bonded bunch of friends through outreach and mission/service activities that highlight the study themes.
At this price, you can't go wrong. And extra copies can always be returned for a refund.
Contact me, place an order, and get ready for a great fall program with your youth.
By Sherree Funk | July 22, 2010 at 03:10 PM EDT | No Comments
That was the message outside a church near my home. I think it means to keep it close. Don't leave home without it. Don't lose it. Be ready for a message at any time.
I get upset when my husband doesn't answer his cell phone when I call. I worry if my children don't answer their phones.
I often miss messages from my friends and family simply because my phone has lost battery power. Some of those messages are important. Then I have to apologize, and sometimes the opportunity is lost.
My grown children have learned how to keep a cell phone close. In fact, they seem to text with friends late into the night. They never let the battery go dead. The phone charger is like prayer, because prayer is what God uses to prepare us to receive the Biblical message. God surely has a message for me in the Bible. Every time I do read it, I am amazed at how perfectly it speaks to my situation. The sad thing is that many times I miss the blessing, the comfort, the learning simply because I didn't have a ready heart, a Bible in hand. I wonder what God thinks when he can't seem to get us to answer his calls. He speaks to us in several ways - through other people and through prayer, but he has definitely spoken through His Word. If we don't read the Bible, we miss learning how much God loves us, what He offers us, what He has to say about life.
By Sherree Funk | June 22, 2010 at 12:43 PM EDT | No Comments
A recent survey of students in an evangelical Christian church revealed that 44% never or almost never read the Bible with their parents.63% wished parents would read the Bible with them more often.
Why do Christian parents leave all or most of teens’ Bible training to the youth pastor?
·Uncertainty of what they believe themselves.
·No time
·No materials to make this interesting and fun
·Where to begin?
Even parents who intentionally bring their kids to church often shy away from reading the Bible with their kids at home.But what are they missing out on?
Parents should thank God for all they have learned and be willing to learn more alongside their teenagers.No one knows everything about the Bible.However, working together using a Character Series Bible study designed for teens can be a win-win for both parent and teen.
Try Lydia of Philippi with your young teen daughters, to see what a confident, capable woman does with a heart changed by the Gospel.Look at Joshua: Strong and Courageous to see how leadership grows while watching and learning from a leader.For some guidance on respectful, godly relationships, study Ruth and Boaz.
Using these studies side by side with your teen can help you
·Discern what your own questions are as you dig in for yourself.
·Go at your own pace, taking a small section at a time.
·Enjoy the colorful photos and sidebars.
·See how real Bible characters lived and learned from their mistakes.
Don’t miss out on your chance to get spiritually close to your teenagers.All too soon, they will be on their own.
By Sherree Funk | June 16, 2010 at 02:04 PM EDT | No Comments
Steven James is an amazing speaker. if his books are even half as good as his presentations, they must be incredible. I have not read The Pawn, The Rook, or The Knight; have you? What did you think?
I was so encouraged by the wonderful people I met in the Christian publishing industry. At the conference I learned much about what magazine editors and book publishers are currently looking for. I also learned a great deal about writing book proposals, setting up media contacts, manuscript editing and critiques.
Lin Johnson does a truly outstanding job of organizing this 4-day event in Wheaton, Illinois. The professional contacts as well as the networking with other authors are invaluable for any Christian writer. I recommend it to anyone.
Writing is a sacred calling, and I hope to be disciplined and focused as I pursue what God has called me to do with these Bible studies.
