Bumpersticker

Today I saw a bumper sticker created by a guy named rebeldeadhead. It fits:

Another Dopeless Hope Fiend.

I Took the Challenge

Some time ago I heard a sermon about praising God through trials. I remember that the talk began innocently enough asking the question: What should a Christian do when things go wrong?

We already had a collective understanding that things can and will go bad for Christians. Having Jesus in my life doesn't inoculate me from tragedy. In fact, one of Christ's promises (if you want to call it a promise) is that we will have trouble. See John 3:16: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV) The comforting part of this promise is that He has overcome the world and that in Him we can have peace.

So, as a Christian, I should expect trouble, but what should I do to have the peace He's talking about? Peace of mind is often an elusive goal I chase especially in troubled times, so I was listening when the pastor offered advice about what to do when things go wrong.

The answer was simple and not at all what I wanted to hear: Praise God. When things are good, praise God. When things go wrong, praise God. We were reminded about what Paul and Silas did in prison after being wrongly accused and whipped: They sang hymns to God! Check out Acts 16: 22-26: "The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose." (NIV)

At first I thought what I always think when I'm encouraged to fashion my idea of living life on life's terms after a Bible character: Well. That was then and this is now. I don't have the spiritual resources and wherewithal Paul did. God didn't manifest Himself in a special way to show me that I am special to Him and I have a role to play in His grand plan like He did with Paul.

Then I come clean: Those are all lies. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus promised that we have the same access to God that He has as God's Son! Certainly I have it at least as good as Paul did. After all, I've never been imprisoned for sharing Christ's message of love with others; I've never been beaten up for preaching God's grace. God has shown up in my life time and time again in miraculous ways to tell me He loves me, to save me from my own best plans, and to lead me in a life according to His purpose that is way beyond my wildest, drunken dreams.

So today I want to be like Paul. When people blame me for problems I didn't cause... When folks try to use me to meet their less than honorable goals... When I'm disappointed in the actions of others and myself... When tragedy visits (as I'm sure it will) I will praise God and revel in the peace of mind that is promised. When I praise God I count on the prison doors of my consciousness flying open and the chains that keep me from serenity coming loose.

Give it a try and let me know if you find any prison foundations shaken.

Friday Nights @ Celebrate Recovery in Burbank

You are welcome to join us as we meet every Friday night for Celebrate Recovery in Burbank

6-7 PM Food Fellowship Fun
Dinner: A full, wholesoe meal with friends

7-8 PM Main Meeting
Large Group Testimonies and Teaching

8-9 PM Open Share
Women’s and Men’s Small Groups

9-10 PM Solid Rock Café
Socialize with group members over coffee and dessert

FAQs

What if I can't get there until 7PM?
Come at 6PM for dinner, at 7PMfor the large group meeting, or at 8PM for open share... but we'd love to see you there from 6PM until the Solid Rock after party!

Can I bring my child?
Kids are welcome -- call at least 48 hours in advance if you need childcare.

I'm not a Christian, am I still welcome?
Absolutely. If you have a hurt, hang up or habit and you'd like to find some peace, you are welcome.

I don't know if I have a hurt, hang up or habit -- I'm not an alcoholic or addict. Is Celebrate Recovery for me?
Yes! Are you curious about the program? Wondering if it might help you with your (fill in the blank)? You are in the right place. Celebrate Recovery is safe place to explore how God can make a difference in your life -- even if you're not sure what the problem is.

Where is Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church?
710 S. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502
We're at the corner of Glenoaks and Cedar Ave. You can take the 5 fwy, exit Alameda East. Turn left on Glenoaks and look for the brick church on the right side of the street just before you get to at Cedar Ave.

I have more questions, who can I call?
Call Pastor Jan or LaViva at (818) 848-7051. We'd be happy to talk to you. Or you can reach us by email at outreach@burbanksda.com.

I Still Don't Understand

“While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man – though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

One Saturday morning I was praying with my church family in our main service: I was praying to God in my head while our friend Rose was praying out loud for the congregation. I stopped my silent whispering to God when I heard something that seemed to speak directly to my experience. Rose said something like, “We don’t understand how You love us, but we respond to Your Divine love with our devotion and desire to know You better.” I’m sure that’s not a direct quote, but that’s the message I took from her prayer.

“I don’t understand Your love,” was such a candid and fresh way to talk to God. I thought, this is how I feel in God’s presence, how I feel when I imagine my Best Friend, my Heavenly Father, His Comforting Spirit. Coming clean about how I still don’t understand why Jesus would leave His Father’s side in heaven to take on the form of His creation and give His life for the sake of a doomed creature like me seems to be a good place to start when I talk to God. I’m still trying to wrap my head around LOVE like that.

My response to His love is only possible because His LOVE came first. Check out Romans 5:8 again: while I was still a sinner Christ died for me! “…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. He destined us in love to be His sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1: 4, 5). Because He loved me, because He chose me to be a member of His family I chose to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and keep choosing to let Him change me and my life from the inside out.

Of course, the way I understand things is not something I’ve been able to rely on in the past. I’ve made some of the worst decisions ever based on my understanding of what role I’m supposed to play, what others are supposed to do, and how life works in general. It’s a good thing that God has that covered: I don’t have to have it figured out to be in a relationship with Him or even to get along in the world. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5). He’ll guide me even without a theologian’s understanding of scripture or salvation.

When I read the Word I get the idea that His love isn’t even within the grasp of my understanding. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). I don’t have to get how it works to live in His love. Thank God!

You're Invited

Happy New Year!

You're invited to our New Year's celebration this Friday, January 2, 2009 at 6PM at Celebrate Recovery in Burbank.

We're planning a delicious Italian dinner and inspiring meetings and fellowship.

I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than with you and other CR friends.

Feel free to call for more information.

Service Opportunity: Child Care for CR

We are looking for a responsible adult (age 18+) to agree to provide child care for the kids that come with their parents to CR on Friday nights. Commitments can vary: Choose a schedule that works for you. Child care is needed on Friday nights from 7-9PM in Burbank. $20 per night + dinner and fellowship.

Must be able to pass a background check.

Call 818/848-7051 for more information.

Celebrate Our 1st Anniversary @ Burbank CR

It has certainly been a busy year -- a Spirit filled year! Praise God!

If someone had clued me in ahead of time about all the awesome blessings and revelations God had in store for us -- I would have been overwhelmed at the prospect.

We have developed real friendships in our Celebrate Recovery fellowship in Burbank. We have listened to inspiring testimonies and learned about the principles of a program that promised (and delivers) freedom from hurts, habits, and hang ups. We have enjoyed good food and better company. We have begun our step studies -- men on Tuesdays and women on Thursdays.

And we have celebrated our recovery together. We have shared our troubles and triumphs. We have been blessed.

Please join us as we get together for a very special celebration of the completion of our first year and our friend C. taking her 6 month chip.

Same CR place: Burbank Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Same CR time: Friday night, October 10, dinner starts at 6PM.

We'd love to see you there -- kids are welcome!