Mind-Blowing!

 

People living two hundred years ago could not even imagine how we are living today. And if they could have seen into the future for a glimpse of our way of life, they would have certainly thought, “I would be happy all the time if I could live like that!” Ironically, just the opposite has happened. Professor Liah Greenfield suggests that the United States and Europe are heading for a mental health crisis of proportions never seen before in history. The reason? Oddly enough, she suggests it is our prosperity and freedom of choice. 

“By definition, functional mental illness is illness of unknown biological origins. The constant, systematic increase in its rates of incidence since the 1840s is proof that its origins are not biological. Yet, against all logic, mental-health research focuses exclusively on biology and doesn’t cast a wider explanatory net. The evidence points to a historical and cultural explanation of the increase in incidence rates. Specifically, it suggests that functional mental illness is a characteristic disease of prosperous and secure liberal democracies.” ^{“The West’s Struggle for Mental Health”, Liah Greenfeld, The Wall Street Journal –  May 31, 2022} 

Human beings have always thought that having more material possessions and choices to determine our path to personal happiness is the goal of living. Many have arrived at that point and found the opposite. Instead of thriving, thousands are wondering why they should even get up in the morning. They have realized that the purely material world in the here and now only leads to a “been there, done that” life. We need to be challenged to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. But when we live as though we are the center of the universe, that becomes impossible. 

Fifty days after the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, something happened to offer any and every person on the planet the opportunity to step out of themselves and be a part of a movement bigger than human life itself. Christians call that day Pentecost. Without going into detail, it is enough to say that the events which took place constitute God’s most extensive and inclusive invitation to join him in what he is doing in this world. It is an invitation to exactly the opposite kind of life discussed above. It is challenging. It requires sacrifice. In fact, it demands a whole new way of looking at things. But it is eternal. It is good. And above all, it is of God. 

Join us for one of our weekend services. The Pentecost invitation might shake up your life in more ways than one. But one thing you can count on, you will always have reason to get up in the morning. 

Weekend worship service time: Saturday: 6:00 pm & Sunday: 10:00 am

Triumphant!

 

One of the classic scenes of car racing is the Victory Lap. The winning driver takes one more lap around the racecourse holding high the checkered flag, basking in the ovation of the spectators. It is a celebration of triumph, the official confirmation of a great accomplishment. 

Forty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a similar event took place with infinitely greater implications. While the ascension of Jesus into heaven must have seemed to his disciples like an unexpected and abrupt interruption of glowing post resurrection appearances, this singular event in history demonstrated the complete triumph of God over that which has been the ongoing devastation of the human race – evil. What humans never have nor ever will resolve, God did through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. These two acts served to satisfy divine justice and so enable unholy human beings to stand in the presence of the holy God who created us. 

Jesus returning to take back his full glory and honor as true God, is the absolute confirmation that not only is there hope for the human race, there is victory. At a time when peoples’ lives imitate a yo-yo wildly careening from frenetic ecstasy to dulling apathy to hopeless despair, with death being the only end in sight, the triumphant Ascension of Jesus reminds us there is a spectacular alternative. Join us for one of our weekend services. Celebrate the triumph!.

Weekend worship service time: Saturday: 6:00 pm & Sunday: 10:00 am

A New You?

 

Maybe we don’t talk about it enough. That could be the reason so many Christians are surprised that their lives don’t become more pleasant or less frustrating after they receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There seems to be an innate belief that if things are right between God and myself, my problems are all going to go away. When just the opposite occurs, we begin to doubt either the influence of God or his importance. 

What is missing in our understanding of the Christian life is what Christ means to happen in our lives after we put our trust in him. Believing in his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and the restoring of our friendship with him is the first step and happens the moment we have faith. Step two in God’s plan for our lives takes a bit longer. In fact, it lasts until the day we leave this earth. You see, God isn’t content simply to save us. He wants so much more for us and that involves making us into the people he intends us to be – for eternity. The hard part is, there’s a lot in us that resists God’s plan to make us new. Unfortunately, the change most often happens through difficulties. 

Some wonder, “Is it worth it?” Another question might be, “Do you want to stay the way you are forever and ever?” Jesus died and rose again because he wants for you to spend eternity with him. And he loves you just as much to change you into the person who will perfectly enjoy that forever with him. The way we are at this moment, that just isn’t going to happen. 

If you are open to considering a new you, join us for one of our weekend worship services. The resurrection of Jesus isn’t only about going to heaven, it’s also very much about getting ready to go right now! 

Weekend worship service time: Saturday: 6:00 pm & Sunday: 10:00 am