There will be no pulpit, no open Bible, no expounding the Holy Scriptures; no prayers, no worship songs.  It is not a worship gathering, nor is it an evangelistic service, so how can this be the church?  How is this any different than any other organization?

This is being presented by a church?  No thanks.  I don't want to be drawn into a different setting but get hit with the same old message; I don't need to hear a preacher.  Why doesn't the church just stay in their own back yard and provide whatever it is they do to those who need that sort of thing?

There you have it, two opposing views, both talking about the same event. 

As we prepare to bring Michael Hingson to the valley to share his story of faith and trust and triumph, some have quietly wondered, what makes this different than any other organization that may bring in a motivational speaker?  Others as they process an invitation to come and hear his story or attend the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast question this on a different level, wondering if the church has a 'hidden agenda'.  Some in their skepticism will choose to stay away, just to err on the side of caution.

Perhaps these kinds of thoughts have gone through your mind; perhaps you have asked these questions from one side of the equation or the other, or both.  For me, I can only cycle back to what prompted the initial ask of Mr. Hingson and my understanding of the Great Commission and the scared  responsibility to share our faith.

I first came across Michael's story in the context of preparing for a series of messages on Psalm 23.  His story from 9-11 served as an illustration in making the observation: when we face a crisis, when we face uncertainty, when we are overwhelmed with fear, we all look for a guide.  Psalm 23, verse 1 tells us, The Lord is my shepherd, my Guide.

Guided to Safety is an opportunity for us to hear Michael's remarkable story and as we've been saying for the past number of weeks, to be invitational, to enter into conversation about life and faith and to demonstrate to a sometimes skeptical world that the church still has a place within our communities; that we are a force for good, with a message of hope; a message that is not only proclaimed from our pulpits but lived out in our daily lives.

The words of the Great Commission encourage us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-10)  As we are going, as we are living our lives day-by-day, sharing our lives with one another and those in our sphere of influence we have the opportunity to live out the message of grace and hope we find in Christ. By being invitational, by entering into conversations around the opportunity to come and hear Michael's story we are sharing that message; through Michael as he speaks about his faith and trust but perhaps more importantly through the conversations we are now having and the conversations we will continue to have in the days and weeks ahead. And, we never know how God might use one of those conversations and our prayers to inspire and encourage and bless someone in our relational world.  It might just be that which leads them to 'taste and see' that the Lord is good.

I wonder, do you believe that?  Will you pray to that end?

For me, I have watched as a few of us first connected to consider this opportunity, as we prayed about it, gave generously, planned and prepared and stepped up to offer to help in various ways.  I have seen God lead and open doors; I have had opportunity to enter into conversation and have witnessed you doing the same.  I have sensed God is at work among us, in us and through us.

Over the next week to ten days, we will in a special way be the church 'on display' in our communities; may we steward well this sacred trust, praying that God will honor the step of faith we have taken to do this and surprise us with an out-pouring of His grace.

Several times in the last few weeks I have been asked, 'how is your dog'?  As many of you know, Chara was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in the fall of 2017.  She was just three at the time so the thought of having to let her go without trying to treat the cancer just didn't sit well with me.  The treatment's have worked to extend her days, well beyond the initial prognosis.  We know at some point the cancer will get the upper hand, but right now we're just enjoying having her around.  Chara, whose name means 'joy' is living up to her name--she's bringing much joy into our lives as she reminds me each day that life is a gift.

Life is a gift!  This is one of those messages you have heard from me before; it is one I repeat often because I believe it to core of my being.  Through all the ups and downs of our lives; each step along the way, from the mountain top through the valley, in good health and favorable circumstances or when our health is failing and storm rages all around, our journey through this life is a gift from the hand of a good and gracious God.

The Psalmist speaks of the abundant goodness of God (145:7) and the familiar words of Psalm 23:6 speak to us of the goodness and love of God; given in this life and carried forward for all eternity.:  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Life comes from God.  Genesis 2:7 reminds us:  the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.  David, in reflecting on his life writes in Psalm 139: 
For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.  (Psalm 139:13-16)

Life is a gift from God, and a such it is precious.  We must not take this gift for granted but rather embrace it in all it's fullness.  God has given us so much, the invitation to walk with Him through all our days, the gift of family and friends, the beauty of the created world around us and the opportunity to engage in purposeful activities; to do good and bless others as we live out our days here on earth.  He has given us a church family with whom we can share this season of our lives; the opportunity to walk together, to bless and encourage one another. 

So my friends at Valley, embrace the gift you've been given and share it together! 

Blessed to be a blessing!

I can’t forgive him.  I won’t forgive him, he betrayed me.  They don’t deserve to be forgiven after what they did to me.   How do you forgive the unforgivable?  How do you forgive when you have experienced abuse,  injustice, heart-break, betrayal or broken relationships?  How do you forgive when there is anger, fear, uncertainty, emotional wounds and scars?  How do you forgive when what has happened to you feels like it is unforgivable?

The Bible is crystal clear in calling us to forgive:  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)  But isn't true, it is easier to talk about forgiveness than it is to do it?  And while we know that however painful it might be to extend forgiveness to one who has wounded us deeply, it is infinitely better than refusing to forgive.  To harbour and unforgiving spirit, which inhibits the flow of God's grace and power in our lives, is a high price to pay and so very often, it is the one who refuses to forgive who is most miserable.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  (Matthew 6:14-15)

The Bible speaks often of the necessity to forgive but perhaps the greatest reason to do so is the humble recognition that God has forgiven us.  The Apostle Paul writes:  When you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)  Our salvation is rooted in the forgiveness God extends to us through Christ Jesus.  If God did not forgive us, we would have to carry our sins forever; a burden that in and of ourselves could never be removed.  If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. (Psalm 130:3-4) 

The truth of Scripture, the remarkable words of Jesus on the cross, Father forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34), should be sufficient to stir our hearts to obedience in this regard.  Jesus uttered these simple yet powerful words, and in those words…your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (1 John 2:12)  When we grasp the enormity of God's forgiving grace in our lives, how can we not also extend that grace to those who have wronged us.

My friends at Valley, is there someone in your life, someone who has wronged you, who has hurt you deeply?  God's demand of us is simple and straight-forward, Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)  Remember, forgiveness is choice, a choice to extend grace, to let go, to release, to pardon--forgiveness is always a choice.  It’s a choice about how you respond to one who has wronged or offended you.  And, the Bible doesn’t say, 'forgive them if you feel like it'.  If you have been wounded, you will probably not “feel” like forgiving.  Forgiveness is not a feeling, it’s a choice, a decision you make in your heart; it is a choice to release others from their offenses against you.  1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us that love keeps no record of wrongs.  Forgiveness means letting go of the hurt, the anger and the desire for revenge.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean we erase from our minds the wrong that was done, forgiveness means we choose not to remember, not to dwell on it.
 
Sometimes people say, 'He doesn’t deserve to be forgiven'.  Of course, he doesn’t, no one “deserves” forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t earned or merited,  it is an offer of grace to the undeserving.  Start by forgiving that person in your own heart; allow God's Spirit to lead you to an authentic place of being able to let go and then as you discern the Spirit's leading, wisely choose whether or not you need to approach that person.  Sometimes we wonder about saying the words, 'I forgive you', is that something we are required to do?
 
I would say the answer is, not necessarily.  If the person asks for forgiveness and your heart is to forgive, then certainly it’s appropriate to say, 'I forgive you'. But what happens when you go to that person and they say, 'I didn't  do anything that needs to be forgiven'?  Often that leads to more conflict or greater tension.  Here's what I'm learning, I don't need their agreement that they have wronged me, I don't need their permission to extend forgiveness, I can simply choose to forgive and move on and know a measure of peace on my end of the equation.  In all of this it takes great discernment, but I believe the Holy Spirit will lead us in the right course of action.
 
May God give to us the heart of Jesus, who has forgiven us and grant us the courage to forgive those who have wronged us.  And may we as the church be an oasis of forgiveness in a very unforgiving world.