Pastor's Perspective - God Knows Your Name

Yesterday our beautiful 15-year-old daughter Emma returned from a three-week getaway to Florida to visit family and attend a Christian youth conference with her cousins. This was the first time she had ever flown by herself and the longest she had ever been away from home. Thanks to my wife’s good planning and the loving care of family and friends in the Sunshine State, Emma came home with a suitcase-full of beautiful heart-warming and life-changing stories and memories. Perhaps the best story happened just ten minutes after taking-off.

As mentioned, this was Emma’s first time flying alone.  She was a bit anxious and so were we. My wife Michelle was able to take her personally to her departing gate in Sacramento. We texted Emma as she settled into her seat to offer our best parental assurance; but, as all frequent flyers know, those electronic devices don’t stay on very long! With that, we could only trust God and pray. Sounds like parenthood, huh? You plan for your child, you protect your child, you reassure them and walk with them as far as you can – but ultimately you must trust God and release them into His sovereign care.

As the 737 Emma was on was climbing in altitude out of Sacramento, she said that the plane experienced severe bumpiness that only seemed to intensify. Though Emma has flown with us several times, she had never experienced this unnerving sensation to this degree before. In her seat in Row 8, she began to do what we hoped she would do under such circumstances –she prayed; but, the shaking only continued. She told us that she felt herself begin to panic. Here she was, a teen flying alone, trying her best to be brave. She told us that as the panic continued to rise, she knew that she was within seconds of publically “freaking out”. Just then she heard a voice she described as a distinct whisper – “Emma Kiefer”.  She turned around in her seat, but she was cognizant of the fact that nobody on the plane knew her; yet, somebody had just clearly spoken her name. Though the turbulence continued, Emma said she felt an immediate peace wash over her. Likewise, she knew Who had spoken to her.

Friends, God knows your name.

When you feel all alone and have no one to turn to, God knows your name.

When life is turbulent and seemingly out of control, God knows your name.

When you’re on the brink of a complete breakdown, God knows your name.

He knows everything about you – the good, the bad and the ugly. Everything! And He still loves you any way. There is nothing you can do today to make Him love you less. The Cross of His Son Jesus is the proof of His immeasurable love for you. So, stop running from it. It’s a love that would rather die than live without you.

God knows your name.

Pastor's Perspective - Falling Short

Like most of you, I was stunned and saddened by the news of the ill-fated landing of Asiana Airlines flight #214 at SFO recently. The horrific images of people running from a torn burning fuselage and of a debris-littered runway reminded me of the unpredictability real life offers each of us. As my congregation and I pray for the family of the two victims and the healing of the survivors, the investigation of the cause of the crash continues. Of unanimous initial agreement, from flight data and video, is the fact that the lumbering wide-body fell short and was unable to avoid disaster.

The idea of ‘falling short’ is one we can all personally relate to as humans, isn’t it?

Like me, maybe sometimes you feel like you’re falling short of the expectations, real or imagined, of others. Perhaps you continuously fall short of personal goals and experience the disillusionment and discouragement that follows. All of us can rewind the tapes of our lives and pinpoint those regrettable seasons and events in which we deviated from the proverbial flight path we knew was best for us.

Do you ever feel like you’re falling short somehow?

If so, you’re in good company.

Speaking of falling short…

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:23 that ‘all (of us) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God’. That means that whether we feel like we’ve fallen short in life or not, God’s perfect Word assures us that we have! So what does it mean that every member of the human family has fallen short of God’s glory?

The Bible tells us that God’s glory is the sum impression of all that He is. This includes especially the sublimity of His elevated position and His pure and moral perfection or holiness. Scripture also makes it emphatically clear that sin (lawlessness or transgression of God’s will) shuts down our proverbial engines, reduces our air speed, and makes it absolutely impossible to mirror His holy character or even have fellowship with Him. Stated simply, sin separates us from God. Sin makes each of us come up short and crash.

Here’s where God’s scandalous and incomparable love and grace come in.

By placing our personal trust and faith in the perfect redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are justified freely before God. What’s justified mean? Jesus makes us right with God! We are made right with God not based on our righteousness (God’s standard for a holy life), but on Christ’s righteousness. This is why the Gospel is good news! Through Christ alone (John 14:6) we don’t get what our sinfulness deserves; but instead, we get what we need - forgiveness.

Friends, let’s face it. We’ve all fallen short. We continue to fall short. It’s the human condition in a sin-fractured world. It’s real life. However, through Jesus Christ we can overcome the guilt and shame of our crashes, and experience the immeasurable joy and freedom of a saving, rewarding and eternal relationship with our Creator.

In an unpredictable world, only through Christ are we assured a safe landing!

Pastor's Perspective - Prison Break

In recent months I have been given some unique touring opportunities. Last month, through a connection here at the church, I was privileged to tour the president’s plane while it was parked over at Travis AFB - a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Notice I didn’t call it Air Force One? Some readers would be quick to point out that it is only officially that specific call sign when the president is on board. Despite semantics, it was an amazing morning that I will share about it in my next article submission.

Several months before that, I was given the opportunity to tour the notorious San Quentin State Prison. A corrections officer pal who works there, invited my wife, daughter and I join him and his family for the annual ‘Family Night’ event hosted by the institution. After the residents were locked away for the night (Thank you Lord!), the entire facility (accept for a few cell blocks) were open for guests to meander and explore. We were able to tour the infamous ‘yard’, the massive mess hall, the hospital, working areas, and even the execution chamber. For hours we asked every question we could and were amazed by the answers. The heaviest reality moment came when we were allowed to go into an actual occupied cell. Only a few could walk in at a time due to the cramped conditions. As I walked deeper into the cell, I could touch both opposing walls simultaneously. It struck me that this was the life for two inmates, two grown men. This was their ‘normal’.

Two weeks ago, we as a nation collectively gasped at the breaking news coming from Cleveland, Ohio. Three young women and a child escaped their imprisonment from a nightmarish suburban scenario after ten long years. As I peck this out, details are still being disseminated of the horror they endured together at the will of a very deranged and perverse mind. Thankfully, through courage and opportunity, they escaped. As I watched the news unfolding, I wondered if after almost a decade of captivity, if their condition over time somehow took on a rhythm of normalcy.

I share and link the prison tour and the abduction story together to make an observation – though foreign to most – imprisonment can become normal – regular – daily life. Again, foreign, but true.

God tells us in the Bible that every single member of the human family is imprisoned. Our inherent sinfulness and fallen nature stands in direct opposition to the Lord’s holiness. We are each born with a spiritual birth defect called unrighteousness. Scripture labels us as follows: lost, blind, dead. We are incapable of finding our way to God – lost. We are demonically deceived – blind. We are devoid of all hope – dead. This is our normal.

For many in Solano County, captivity has become our normal. We are enslaved by fear. We are chained by shame. We are incarcerated by guilt. We are shackled by regret. Yet, over time, we’ve grown to accept it and live with it. Our self-imposed prison cells are simply the human condition. So, just get used to it, right?

The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:1 tells us this – ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free’. Jesus Christ left glorious and perpetual worship, became a man, lived a sinless life, died an agonizing death on a cross and rose three days later so that you could be free!

Are you living in that freedom?

My article is not to judge you or convey any spiritual elitism. Though I’m a pastor of a local church, I’m a real person just like you. Like you, if you’re willing to admit it, I’m a mess. I still struggle with a lot of stuff in my life and I’m still clearly under construction. All I really know is that for many years I lived a life of needless imprisonment. Stuff that I thought gave me a sense of freedom and autonomy, only lengthened my sentence and tightened the chains on my life and potential. Then, I met somebody named Jesus and He set me free – free to live a bigger life than I could ever live just by myself – free from guilt and shame – free indeed.

My challenge is simply that you would stop and take a good look at your life like I did, and ask yourself, “Am I really free? Perhaps like me, if you’ll be honest, you’ll see that your normal isn’t all that normal – that you’ve simply learned to live with things that Jesus died to take away.

Friend, imprisonment can become normal. Don’t let it become your normal.

Jesus died to set you free.

Are you?

The great news is you can be!

Pastor's Perspective - RESCUED!

You never know what a day will bring.

Spirits were soaring here in the church building yesterday morning. Our homeless ministry was in full gear as our guests from the camps were being fed, given the opportunity to wash their clothes, take showers, select nice donated clothes and receive encouragement and prayer. The volunteers were giddy with the joy of serving, including the lead pastor – me.

Suddenly it was announced that one of our dear church partner’s house was on fire! The giddiness came to a screeching halt as a few of us raced to the scene. Upon arrival, the fire had just been doused and several first responders were congregating near the blackened smoldering home. Our hearts sank as it was announced that the family dog ‘Dino’ was still inside and had not yet been located. By looking at the devastation and extensive smoke damage, the odds initially looked pretty slim that the treasured little pooch survived. As believers, we encouraged the shocked family members and offered our best faith-laced optimism, but our minds were clearly on the little helpless dog.

By God’s kindness nobody was in the home at the time, so we had reason to smile and see His divine fingerprints. He knows how to bring immeasurable blessing out of the obvious bad.

As we put our arms around each other to offer solace, two firefighters appeared quickly, one with a shaking Dino in his arms! Our hearts leaped and the sad and somber atmosphere broke. Admittedly, we all brushed away some tears as the grateful homeowner scooped his trembling dog up in his arms.

I thought a lot about that scene the last 24 hours, especially in lieu of Good Friday.

Dino was just a little innocent animal suddenly stuck in a dangerous, hopeless and inescapable situation. Then, someone broke into his darkness, scooped him up and ushered him into the light.

As much as I’d like to equate mankind’s parallel plight with Dino’ yesterdays, there is a profound and undeniable variation I cannot ignore.

Unlike Dino, we in the human family are not innocent. Scripture tells us that our open, willful and mutinous rebellion before a holy God beginning in Eden’s garden declared us His enemies – guilty – worthy of divine wrath and destruction - sad but true.

Then, when everything was burning down around us in our culpable hopelessness, a heavenly light broke into our darkness (John 1:9), and graciously rescued us – ushering us into His light – giving us a living eternal hope and a future.

Today as we remember the agonizing crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, let me encourage and challenge you to see it with a fresh and renewed comprehension. Christ rescued us from what we rightfully deserved, so that someday He could scoop us joyfully into His arms!

Today, traditionally, we remember together that scandalous Friday a long time ago.

You never know what a day will bring.

Pastor's Perspective - The Ultimate Ride

Boy, my dogs are still barkin! (Southern Translation: ‘Boy’- ‘ouch!’, ‘dogs’ - ‘feet’, ‘barkin’ - ‘hurting!’)

Our wonderful twins, Sam and Abi, recently entered the amazing realm of ‘teendom’! My sweet wife Michelle and I decided to surprise them with a long weekend trip down to Six Flags Magic Mountain as a family, a place we had seen several times from the road but never visited. What a blast! For three days straight we used our passes and walked all over that packed and bustling piece of real estate – waiting, riding, screaming, walking, waiting, riding, screaming, walking. We loved making memories together; but, the toll on the feet at the end of the day was treacherous! You all know that discomfort, don’t you? It’s the satisfied anticipated exhaustion you experience as you literally hobble back to your vehicle. But, that’s the price of fun – the price you pay if you’re going to ride.

Speaking of rides, in my opinion, the centerpiece of the entire park is one called ‘Superman: Escape from Krypton’ – a ride I believe the devil himself created with a design team of masochists! On this particular ride, the passenger is strapped like a fighter pilot into a car, then is suddenly propelled backwards accelerating to 100 mph in seven seconds, before shooting up a vertical 41-story tower and back down! For the first two days we all just watched it from below shaking our heads. All six of us said things like, “I’d never get on that,” “You have to be crazy to go on that,” and “Never in a million years.” To make a long story short, we rode it multiple times our last day and loved it! That ultimate ride that we feared the most became our favorite of the entire trip.

Here is the evolution of us conquering our fears on Superman. I watched a young man exit the ride who was very much alive, smiling and inviting his friends to join him. I found that very reassuring! So, I dug down deep, rode it alone, loved it, exited the ride very much alive (Thank you Lord!), smiled and invited my children to join me. They accepted my invitation and we made an exhilarating victory memory together our last day.  

Life is quite a ride, isn’t it? It is a ride that is a compilation of rides. Some of those bundled rides are called childhood, marriage, parenthood, aging, education, vocation, and so on.

Sometimes these rides at times may seem slow, meandering, predictable, even boring; then without warning they begin to spin you, launch you, driving you backwards, sending you plummeting, dizzied and disoriented, testing you, pushing you to the limit, making you face your worst fears, while somehow simultaneously giving you awe-inspiring glimpses you’d never see standing safely on the ground from a stationary position. And just when you think the ride is over, before you catch your breath, it leaps to life propelling you in a new heart-racing direction! Yep, life is quite a ride.

This past weekend I was reminded that all of our life-rides, though immensely diverse, eventually merge into the Ultimate Ride – a ride even greater than Superman – an unavoidable ride – a ride we must all enter regardless of who we are, where we live, what we own, who we know, or what we’ve done – the Ultimate Ride called ‘Eternity’.

Many people in Solano County choose to live their lives like the Ultimate Ride doesn’t exist. Some live thinking that their rides will be long ones, only to find themselves on the Ultimate Ride before they anticipated – before they were truly ready.

Imagine something for a moment. Imagine the buzz, speculation, media coverage and fear that would surround an amusement park ride somewhere where people entered but never walked out! Yet, this has been the reality and mystery of the Ultimate Ride for centuries from generation to generation. Everyone wants to know, ‘What happens after you die? Everyone goes in, but nobody comes out.’

It’s Easter-time 2013.

For Christians around the globe it is a day representing so much more than pastel eggs and chocolate bunnies. It is the day in human history and documented in Scripture when a young man named Jesus after entering the Ultimate Ride emerged alive and well, smiling and reassuring the world that the ride of life doesn’t end with our last heartbeat, but continues – that He is the Ultimate Ride!

Christ’s predicted emergence from the tomb validated that all He did and all He said was divinely approved. For instance, that there was a real Hell to shun and a real Heaven to gain – that His substitutionary death on the Cross was enough to forgive the worst of sinners - that the endless Ultimate Ride of Eternity would be either exhilarating and blissful or horrifying and regrettable based on whether or not people placed their faith in Him as their personal Lord and Savior – that we didn’t need to fear the Ultimate Ride – He went in and came out victorious!

Are you ready for the Ultimate Ride?

The good news is – through the risen Christ you can be!