Pastor's Perspective - 2011 Means go.

On your mark.

Get set.

go.

In 2011 we at First Christian are getting intentional about motion. We realize and embrace that most of the people God created and loves are outside of our four walls.

The Lord is in the streets and neighborhoods. He’s already in our workplaces. He’s with the marginalized and discarded everywhere, beckoning His people to move, to come, to care, to go.

Our commitment is to embrace our calling as –

Restorers – people inspired to confront brokenness and give the world an authentic and inspiring glimpse of the redemption Christ will ultimately bring.

Artists – people made in His image sharing His creative attributes, desiring to add beauty in the world we live in His name and for His renown.

Our missional measurability is not in church growth, but Kingdom growth; not in ‘who’s here?’ , but ‘who’s missing?’; not in money kept, but money given away; not in God blessing us, but in us being a blessing to the world; not in trying to be anybody else in Kingdom, but instead being the people and church God intentionally created us to be.

go. is others.

go. is obedience.

go. is life.

Pastor's Perspective - What's Impossible?

For nothing is impossible with God - Luke 1:37

What a comforting truth this angelic commentary must have been to a 'greatly troubled' Mary so long ago. Somehow the Word was going to become flesh. Some way the uncontainable was going to become a zygote. Mysteriously the One who cares for humanity would entrust Himself to humanity's care. The voice that spoke worlds into being would limit His vocabulary to coos and cries. Though her shock was immense and her understanding limited, by faith Mary trusted what Gabriel told her - that God can do whatever He wants, with whomever He wants, whenever He wants, without asking permission first! And a Galilean virgin simply responded, "May it be to me as you have said."

Wow.

This Christmas, do you believe that God can do the "impossible" in your life? In your marriage? In your family? In your circumstances? In your church? In your witness and service for Him?

Remember! "Impossible" is only in our vocabulary.

Pastor's Perspective - An Odd Baby Gift

A Sunday School teacher was telling her class of fourth-graders the Christmas story about the Three Wise Men bringing gifts to Baby Jesus. A little girl who had recently become the big sister of a brand-new baby brother said, “Well, I guess gold and all that stuff are all right, but I’ll bet Mary really wished somebody had brought some diapers!”

Although the time of the actual arrival of the Wise Men is debated among scholars, the gifts they brought the Christ child are clear. Most shocking and perplexing is the gift one had the audacity to bring – myrrh. In ancient times, myrrh was a fragrant lotion or anointment that was closely identified with death and the unpleasant practice of embalming. At a glance, this seemed to be quite a gift-giving disaster of judgment. What would Miss Manners say about bringing such a grisly gift to a young couple celebrating the arrival of their firstborn? Knit booties, yes. Embalming fluid, no! Yet, this unidentified traveler from the east delivered a gift that accurately identified the real reason the child had come in the first place - Jesus came to die.

Nothing stirs up more emotion in the human mind as the volatile mixture of children and death. Children are the manifestation of life, energy and vibrancy. The two do not mix. Young ones seemingly are impervious to peril. Our blood turns cold when we hear about a child dying – a life cut short. The grief is immeasurable. Yet, make no mistakes about it, the central figure of nativity scenes across Solano County came to die a death and pay a penalty none of us could pay – individually or collectively.

My challenge to you is to stop and look closely at the nativity scene gracing your living room or lawn. No, really look at it. Peer beyond the lowing cattle, the bowing shepherds, the regal magi, the smiling parents and the swaddling clothes. I challenge you to see the nativity scene for what it really is – a divine rescue – evidence of sin’s devastation – evidence of a God’s amazing grace and unfailing love. In the manger is not just the sweet cuddly fodder of Hallmark cards. It’s so much more! In Bethlehem’s manger lays your sins and mine, my salvation and yours.

Merry Christmas!