Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.

-Colossians 3:14-15

This week, I'm in Montreat, NC with our high school youth. We are in small groups, worship, recreation, and reflection times on this beautiful mountain campus, nestled in what we call a thin place, a place where we seem to experience God in very close and personal ways all week. Some groups are as large as 60 and some as small as 3, so ours of about 20 is medium, and yet mighty. 

The theme for the week is "Let Love Lead." Not only are we resoundingly enthusiastic, but we are leading. The youth who lead worship are a small group of 8-10 youth and 2 of them are ours. And last night, communion was served almost entirely by ordained youth who are elders and deacons at their home churches. And of those dozen youth, 2 were our girls, our first and now second ordained youth. And our group all went forward to be served by them. It was a first for me to be led in worship and served sacrament entirely by my youth and to participate only as a worshiper and not a pastor. 

I think that for many of us, we mark the transition from our children's childhood to adulthood (or try to ignore it) in various ways. Sometimes it's varying degrees of financial independence, perhaps when they cook the dinner for the family, or when they host us in their first home. But I think it's when we let love lead. When they take on the most important roles in our lives, leading and serving us in worship. These youth have much more to learn, but they are our love embodied, our love living and serving and leading. And when they come home to JCPC and go to our world in need, we are called to let that love lead.

Prayer for Today

Lord, give me your love and wisdom to nurture and tend to young people that they may grow in spirit and truth and then lead in love. Amen.

When he [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

- Luke 24:50-53, NIV

On my Presbyterian planning calendar, it noted that last Thursday (May 30) was the day to remember the "Ascension of the Lord." The Bible story above tells about that event. When we read this passage and think of Jesus going "up" as he ascended, this has caused problems for those who take it as a very literal direction or place Jesus went to. In April of 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth a few times. After he landed, he declared that he had disproved the existence of God. He said he had been up there and had seen no sign of God. According to one source, his actual words were, "I looked and I looked but I didn't see God."

Of course, when the world is round, where "up" is can be problematic - depending on your place on the globe. I think this is where language is inadequate to fully explain where Jesus "went." I believe Jesus went to be in the presence of God, which is "heaven" - where God's will is always being done. And as our Lord's Prayer reminds us -- God's will occurs when things are done "on earth as in heaven." The ascension was the end of the earthly, post-resurrection encounters with the risen Jesus. Jesus returns back to heaven - at least until his return at the Second Coming. The Holy Spirit, which is the spirit of the Risen Christ - was sent to fill us and empower us to do our part in God's mission here and now.

What I found most intriguing in the story from Luke's gospel is what the disciples did in response to this ascension -- they worshiped Jesus with great joy and continued that in the Temple in Jerusalem. Worship is the core of what we do. It also sustains us and propels us out into the world to do God's work - our mission! So, may God's Spirit fill you as you do your part of God's mission today!

Prayer for Today

Fill us today, Lord, with the power of your Holy Spirit - the spirit of the Risen Christ - so we might joyfully complete our mission in the world. We pray this in the strong name of the Risen Christ. Amen.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

-John 14:27
 

Darnell entered the physical therapist's office knowing he would experience a lot of pain. The therapist stretched and bent his arm and held it in positions it hadn't been in for months since his injury. After holding each uncomfortable position for a few seconds, she gently told him: "Okay, you can relax." He said later, "I think I heard that at least fifty times in each therapy session: 'Okay, you can relax.' "

Thinking of those words, Darnell realized they could apply to the rest of his life as well. He could relax in God's goodness and faithfulness instead of worrying.

As Jesus neared His death, He knew His disciples would need to learn this. They'd soon face a time of upheaval and persecution. To encourage them, Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit to live with them and remind them of what He had taught (John 14:26). And so He could say, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (v. 27).

There's plenty we could be uptight about in our everyday lives. But we can grow in our trust in God by reminding ourselves that His Spirit lives in us-and He offers us His peace. As we draw on His strength, we can hear Him in the therapist's words: "Okay, you can relax."

Prayer for Today

Teach me, Jesus, to trust Your faithfulness, to know Your presence, to experience Your peace-to relax. Amen.

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."  When he said this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." 

-Luke 8: 4-8  

I must confess that I love this parable of a farmer using out of the ordinary planting methods. After all, the Kingdom of God shows up in our midst in some ordinary ways. An element of growing seeds that doesn't get mentioned in the parable yet is essential to growth is the watering of the seeds. 

I was reminded of this when I caught Lisa Lucas in the act of watering young plants that will be grown in the new preschool garden.

The act of watering is what I call the wisdom of hope. It's one thing to fling seeds all around and hope that they will grow. I think that is more wishful thinking. The knowledge of growth; however says that it's wise to faithfully water the seeds and continue watering as they develop into mature plants.

As a gardener myself, I believe that it is wise to have a calendar of planned watering. Rain comes and it doesn't as we have all found out this spring. Hope has a consistent schedule for watering.

Speaking of schedule, I hope that you have a copy of our Quarterly Brochure which lists all the scheduled watering for the Kingdom of God. Here are a few: Soles for Souls Shoe Drive; Youth High School Trip to Montreat; Middle School Youth trip to the Great Escape and our Mission Week. To learn more read the Quarterly Brochure of Activities at JCPC and water your growing soul.  Click here for Quarterly Brochure.

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, you offer so many opportunities to grow in our faith. Move us to participate in the activities of your Kingdom offered through the programs of JCPC and by doing so may our faith increase to your glory. Amen.

I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

-Deuteronomy 15:11

On the outskirts of Paris, as in other cities around the globe, people are coming to the aid of the homeless in their communities. Clothing, covered in waterproof bags, is hung on designated fences for those living on the streets to take according to their needs. The bags are labeled, "I'm not lost; I'm for you if you're cold." The effort not only warms those without shelter, but also teaches those in the community the importance of assisting the needy among them.

The Bible highlights the importance of caring for those who are poor, instructing us to be "openhanded" toward them (Deuteronomy 15:11). We might be tempted to avert our eyes to the plight of the poor, holding tightly to our resources instead of sharing them. Yet God challenges us to recognize that we will always be surrounded by those who have needs and therefore to respond to them with generosity, not a "grudging heart" (v. 10). Jesus says that in giving to the poor we receive an enduring treasure in heaven (Luke 12:33).

Our generosity may not be recognized by anyone other than God. Yet when we give freely, we not only meet the needs of those around us but we also experience the joy God intends for us in providing for others. Help us, Lord, to have open eyes and open hands to supply the needs of those You place in our paths.

Prayer for Today

Are you holding too tightly to your resources? If yes, why? What need can you fill today?

Generosity displays confidence in God's loving and faithful provision.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Like most parents, we try hard to offer more praise, encouragement, and affirmation than criticism to our kids. This can be challenging. Like adults, they have so much to learn and a strong inclination not to do so. After one particularly difficult and challenging evening last week after much lecturing and frustration about contributing and being grateful, Jessica and I settled in to cook dinner. Our oldest wandered into the kitchen and hugged my wife and mumbled. Then he hugged me and mumbled again, "thanks for getting me this far."

I was struck by his gesture and his little heart that generated it. I wondered to myself if I had thanked enough people this week and if my prayer life had recently included that sentiment. I had earlier in the week attended both a church preschool graduation and a public high school graduation. At the former, there was a strong emphasis on gratitude to the parents and teachers and of course, to God. At the latter, I listened to three of their top grads give speeches. They lauded the student body and its accomplishments. But I never heard them thank their teachers, faculty, coaches, parents, or administrators who have made it one of the top schools in the state and nation. The difference was glaring. Gratitude. 

When JCPC celebrated our graduates a few weeks ago, I saw proud parents and mentors. They all stepped forward and surrounded our grads to show them love once more in the laying on of hands and prayer. I know how grateful these kids are for the love they've received and the encouragement and challenges. We've all had those people and moments. This week, I encourage you to write a letter or make a call to your mentors and supporters, parents and coaches and teachers. Thank them. And do some reflection. Are you showing gratitude by offering that same guidance to someone else now? And have you said a prayer to the one who gives us parents and mentors? Have you said, "thanks for getting me this far?"

Prayer for Today

Lord, thanks for getting me this far. Thank you for every mentor and teacher you've given me, your prophets, and your son, the rabbi, teacher, our brother. Help me to be a good mentor and teacher to the young people in my life. Amen. 

Worship the Lord with gladness...

-Psalm 100:2a, NIV

In February of 2018, our church family began our "Dare 2 Dream" long-range planning process. We invited everyone to attend on four consecutive Sundays. We wanted to envision what God might be calling Johns Creek Presbyterian Church to do in the coming years. Many of you attended and shared your best insights regarding what God's vision might be.

Last fall, we took the ideas shared by our congregation and shaped them into our "Dare 2 Dream" long-range plan. (Copies of that plan can be found throughout the church.) Goal #4 was summarized this way: "Explore ways to enhance the variety in our existing worship services, and the possibility of adding new worship services." We set a Spring 2019 to Winter 2020 time-frame for implementation. A Task Force was created in February to survey the congregation about ways to "enhance the variety" in worship. During this past April, we asked everyone in worship to take that survey - either on paper or online. Thank you to everyone who took the time to do that!

Our Task Force took that information and summarized the key points of the survey. All of the survey information was shared -- first with our Worship Ministry Team, and then with our Session. Both the Worship Ministry Team and our Session agreed with the findings and the suggested courses of action, which are beginning soon. The Worship Ministry Team will be using all of this information to guide new enhancements to worship in the coming months.

By clicking here, you will see these observations that were presented to the Worship Ministry Team and the Session. We hope you will take time to review this information. If you would like to see the complete survey data, including comments, (but without the names of those who responded), simply contact the church office. We will gladly provide you a copy.

We are excited at some of the suggestions that came from our church family. If you have any questions, or would like to talk further about this, you can contact me or our elders serving on the Worship Ministry Team -- Angela Baker and Spencer Olsen. Also, please pray for JCPC, that we would continue to worship God well - because, as we say around JCPC, "Worship is the most important thing we do!"

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, bless Johns Creek Presbyterian Church - that we might reflect the light of your love out into our world. May we also reflect the praise of our world back to you through our worship. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Do you prefer to be comfortable? Often we can devote our time, money, and energy to keeping it that way. If it's hot in the summer we turn on the AC. If it's cold in the winter we crank up the heat.  Your closest friends tend to be those that you feel the most comfortable around. And there's nothing wrong with being comfortable-the problem is when we become too comfortable. God didn't create us just to be comfortable. He calls us to live for something much bigger. 

Relationships are sometimes the hardest area for us to be stretched in. It's easy to get so caught up with our circle of friends that we don't make room for anyone new. When have you had an opportunity recently to reach out to or interact with someone new?

Did you miss an opportunity to share God's love with someone struggling with loneliness, or maybe it was a chance to be challenged by a fresh perspective and new insight? Life's not always about what's easy and comfortable for us.

As part of the body of Christ we are called to get involved. But what if there aren't any needs in my area of comfort? Instead of only looking to get involved in the areas we feel most comfortable in or "called to" as some put it,  why not ask what the most pressing needs are and fill those even if it's not our first choice. Luke 10:2 says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." To follow Christ's example is to become servants and allow Christ to use us in unexpected ways.

How will you be open to God using you in unexpected ways this week?

Prayer for Today

Creator God, Open our eyes to some new opportunities this week where we can be stretched in our faith. Give us the courage and strength to step out of our comfort zones and follow you with our whole hearts. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. 

-Hebrews 11: 1-2

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." 

-John 20: 24-25

This coming Sunday we will be observing Cancer Survivor Sunday in our worship. Cancer survivors are one of God's gifts to/for us. The survival rate of 5 years and beyond has risen over the 70% mark and God willing will continue to rise. The journey of survivorship is full of faith, doubt, and hope. While the two Biblical passages above may seem contradictory, they are not; rather they are complimentary.

When you hear the words, "you have cancer," the thought, "will I die" is automatic. Much of life becomes shrouded in doubt and you don't know what the future will bring. It can seem like a game of 52 card pick-up. Doubts abound and may seem contrary to faith, but they really aren't. Doubts are an attempt to sort our grief out and regain our footing. That's why we need survivors to help navigate the way.

What our CanCare volunteers are able to provide cancer patients and their families is a hope in a future not yet seen; but rather hoped for as a possibility. CanCare volunteers are hope on feet and provide a survivor by the side of the cancer patient and/or caregiver.

CanCare is teaming up with local restaurant Mavericks Cantina for a Fiesta of Hope fundraiser on Saturday, August 17th. Mark that date on your calendars. If you want a preview of what the event will be like, Mavericks invites you to Miracle at Mavericks this coming Saturday, June 1st. For more information go to www.maverickscantina.com/charityguild.

Prayer for Today

God of mercy, healing, and wholeness, grant us a faith that hopes for things not seen, so that when we are in our troubles, we can look back on the faith of those who have gone before us and be renewed with hope; especially when we doubt. Amen.

When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

-John 8:44

When Aaron (not his real name) was 15, he began praying to Satan: "I felt like he and I had a partnership." Aaron started to lie, steal, and manipulate his family and friends. He also experienced nightmares: "I woke up one morning and saw the devil at the end of the bed. He told me that I was going to pass my exams and then die." Yet when he finished his exams, he lived. Aaron reflected, "It was clear to me that he was a liar."

Hoping to meet girls, Aaron went to a Christian festival, where a man offered to pray for him. "While he was praying, I felt a sense of peace flood my body." He felt something "more powerful, and more liberating," than what he felt from Satan. The man who prayed told Aaron God had a plan and Satan was a liar. This man echoed what Jesus said of Satan when He responded to some who opposed him: "He is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

Aaron turned to Christ from Satanism and now "belongs to God" (v. 47). He ministers in an urban community, sharing the difference following Jesus makes. He's a living testament of God's saving power: "I can say with confidence that God saved my life."

God is the source of all that is good, holy, and true. We can turn to Him to find truth.

Prayer for Today

How have you experienced God rescuing you from evil? Who can you share your story with this week?
We are thankful God is more powerful than the father of lies.  Amen.