Beauty For Ashes by Pastor Brent Lokker

We’ve been singing a song in worship lately called Beauty for Ashes. As we bask in the afterglow of last weekend’s powerful Easter celebration, I want to share this story with you from Max Lucado’s book, A Gentle Thunder that touched me deeply. It explains the miracle that took place on the cross when Jesus gave us his beauty in exhange for the ashes of our lives:   “Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God” (2 Cor 5:21). It wasn’t his death he died; it was ours. It wasn’t his sin he became; it was ours.   A beautiful illustration of this happened inside of Cinderella’s castle at Disney World. It was packed with kids and parents. Suddenly all the children rushed to one side. Had it been a boat, the castle would have tipped over. Cinderella had entered.    Cinderella. The pristine princess. She was perfectly typecast. A gorgeous young girl with each hair in place, flawless skin, and a beaming smile. She stood waist-deep in a garden of kids, each wanting to touch and be touched.   The other side of the castle was a boy maybe seven or eight years old. His age was hard to determine because of the disfigurement of his body. Dwarfed in height, face deformed, he stood watching quietly and wistfully, holding the hand of an older brother.  Don’t you know what he wanted? He wanted to be with the children. He longed to be in the middle of the kids reaching for Cinderella, calling her name. But can’t you feel his fear, fear of yet another rejection? Fear of being taunted again, mocked again?   Don’t you wish Cinderella would go to him?  Guess what? She did!  She noticed the little boy. She immediately began walking in his direction. Politely but firmly inching through the crowd of children, she finally broke free. She walked quickly across the floor, knelt at eye level with the stunned little boy, and placed a kiss on his face.   Rather than a princess of Disney, Jesus is our Prince of Peace. In both cases the lovely one performed a gesture beyond words. But Jesus did more than Cinderella. Oh, so much more.  Cinderella gave only a kiss. When she stood to leave, she took her beauty with her. The boy was still deformed. What if Cinderella had done what Jesus did? What if she’d assumed his state? What if she had somehow given him her beauty and taken on his disfigurement?   That’s what Jesus did.  “He took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us…He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds” (Isaiah 53:4-5)   Make no mistake: Jesus gave more than a kiss—he gave his beauty. He paid more than a visit—he paid for our mistakes. He took more than a minute—he took away our sin forever!   What a beautiful Savior!

It Is Finished by Pastor Brent Lokker

Tetelestai!  It’s what Jesus cried out on the cross before giving up his spirit.   It is finished!    It’s been fulfilled!   All has been accomplished!   Once again, in this Easter resurrection season, my heart is in awe and in love with the One who purchased me and freed me to be my truest and best self. I’m so often drawn back to the book of Hebrews to reflect on the astounding truth of my Jesus, my Savior, my all in all:   “By his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!” Hebrews 10:14   “And since we now have a magnificent King-Priest to welcome us into God’s house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out.” Hebrews 10:21-22   “As members of the Church of the Firstborn, all our names have been legally registered as citizens of heaven! And we have come before God who judges all, and who lives among the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect in his eyes!” Hebrews 12:23   Only as we see Him face to face one day when we follow in His footsteps into resurrected glory will we know the full beauty of this man, but until that time, we are reflecting his glory in greater and greater measure:   “All of us, with our unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the image that we reflect in brighter and brighter glory. This is the working of the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor. 3:18   Before moving on with your day, take a moment to appreciate Jesus. Really and truly appreciate Him. On the cross, he paid in full the price for you to be your truest and best self!   And together, we are representing His heart of love and grace as He changes the world through us.  Happy, glorious Resurrection weekend!

A Tribute to Steve McRee by Pastor Brent Lokker

A Tribute to Steve McRee by Pastor Brent Lokker “Take as many mulligans as you want on every shot,” my dear friend Steve McRee would say to me with a glint in his eyes and a sizable grin on his face, “Why keep score? We’re here golfing to have fun, right?”   And that’s the way Steve and I played golf.  I know you golf purists out there are wincing…but, oh well. We easily played 100 rounds of golf together over the past 20 years and I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to count the number of mulligans we took (that’s a free do-over after a bad shot for you non-golfers), but boy did we know how to laugh together!  And you know what? By unashamedly hitting mulligans whenever we needed to, we ended up hitting significantly more impressive shots by the end of the round—making moments that would prove to be far more memorable than if we had spent the time muttering after a poor shot.   As many of you know, Steve’s life on this earth ended suddenly and without warning on Tuesday morning as he entered into the bliss of heaven’s reward with Jesus who he’s always been so in love with.   God, in His brilliant masterfulness, brought Steve and Carla McRee to our Tri-Valley 20 years ago to take the beautiful dream of a woman named Alice Ann Cantelow to help homeless and battered women and children regain their lives—a place called Shepherd’s Gate—to a whole new dimension these past two decades. The impact that these two have had on this region, with ripple effects to the world, is unfathomable.  Please be praying for Carla, who is leaning into the loving arms of Jesus as she navigates her life without Steve’s companionship.   Steve endured a tragic accident three and a half years ago that left him paralyzed from the neck down with doctors saying he would never have the use of his arms or legs again. We knew differently because of the miracle working power of Jesus. Steve not only regained the use of his limbs, but I even took him out to the driving range on a beautiful, sunny day last Spring to hit a few golf balls. Okay, so they only went about 20 yards, but straight up the middle, which I was quick to remind him rarely happened before his accident.  This, of course, caused Steve to laugh out loud which became another memorable moment etched in my mind. (Pictured below)

Steve, I will greatly miss your friendship, your laughter and your smile…until the day we’re sharing moments again in the glorious presence of Jesus.   So often we’re taking ourselves way too seriously and missing the moments of joy along the way that Papa God intends for us to have each day. It’s true that we’re going to have difficulties in life—sometimes painful ones. Yet even in the midst of our difficulties, our less-than-stellar days and our miss-hits along the way, God says to each one of us, “There’s plenty of grace for that. Why don’t you go easy on yourself and try again? Take as many mulligans as you need. We’re here to have fun along the way, remember?”   Please give yourself permission to laugh more and make more memorable moments with the ones you love. It's true that life is short, but it can also be filled to the brim with moments of love and laughter. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." ~Jesus in John 16:33   "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Becoming As One by Pastor Susan Fochler

When I first got married, it was a big adjustment getting used to being “us” and not just “me”.  I gave up my maiden name Wilson and became a Fochler.  Where previously I had made decisions on my own without a second thought I now needed to consider my husband’s desires and plans.  All those things I had taken care of myself became ours and not just mine…the bills, the bank account, choices about vacations, events, etc.  I had been raised to think and act very independently, oblivious to how my actions and choices might affect someone else.  It took a lot of time and process to recognize my husband was a partner and not an adversary when making decisions together!   Living in Union Coming into a relationship with Jesus we make that same leap from independence to partnership.  Jesus yearns for us to have the same relational experience with His Father that He has.  It’s a mystical, supernatural but very real transformation; for when we choose Him, we become one with Him.  And even more, we come to  “live in union with (Him) as our source.” Jn 15:5 The Passion.    Engrafted directly into His Heart In this scripture where Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent death, He uses the analogy of a branch being engrafted into a vine.  We are that branch, which in and of itself cannot live.  But when the branch lives engrafted directly into Jesus, His roots draw deeply from the river of life which then flows through Him into us.  Our role is simple: receive all He has for us, unconditionally with abundance!  The more I have learned to dial in and be present with His life in me, the sweetness of His presence becomes tangible, my heart softens and soars and the cares of the world flee….so good.   His Joy is Our Joy Jesus desires that we would live fulfilled and enter into the same joy and affection that exists between Him and His Father.  May we all come to comprehend with ever increasing measure His heart for us when He says,  “My purpose for telling you these things is so that the joy that I experience will fill your hearts with overflowing gladness!”    Jn 15:11   Make it so for us all, Lord!                                                                         Love,                                                                                 Susan

Light Thrives in Darkness - Pastor Karena Lout

“A light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazes through murky bottoms. It cannot and will not be quenched.”  - John 1:5 - The Voice translation -  Light seems to be the theme in my life lately. Whether I turn on the radio, open my bible or have a conversation with someone, light is mentioned. I recently spoke about human trafficking and the safe house I help at to some students from Bethel’s School of Supernatural Ministry. After I spoke, one of the students told me, “Even though you’re talking about such a heavy topic, I could see light the whole time. You gave us permission to partner with hope.” Her words really encouraged me. Even though our world often feels upside down and there is so much injustice around every corner, my prayer is that I would see light increasing.   This increasing light can also be applied to our hearts. There have been times that I was afraid to uncover pain in my heart, fearing that I’d be judged, disappointed or left to deal with it on my own. It takes time and trust to believe that Jesus not only enjoys being with us on our “mountaintops” but also in our “valleys.” He IS light and in Him there is no darkness, so when we invite Him in, every corner and every space of our hearts gets illuminated with light. “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid.”  - Psalm 27:1 When my nephew, Zion was little, he had a difficult time pronouncing his name and would go around saying, “My name is Shiny.” As cute as that sounds, it’s true! You are shining ones. Even as you brave your way through the seemingly dark places, the light inside you will lead you home. I pray for courage to invite Jesus to shine light on the places of your heart that have felt untouched and hidden. As the light of His face shines on your heart, you will thrive through the throes of every storm that comes your way. I pray that you would experience that in greater measure than ever before.

A Little Patience Please by Pastor Todd Lout

The other morning an interesting, and rather humbling, thing happened at the gym.  Having just climbed stairs in place for 15 minutes, I made my way over to the next set of machines I like to use.  When I got there I could see that both of them were occupied so I changed up my stubborn routine to wait.  I spent a little time on the chest workout machine, which is positioned such that I can keep an eye on those other machines I was waiting for.  While there I could see that both people, whose backsides laid claim on those two machines, were not actually using them, but were staring at their phones…and staring at them…and staring at them…and staring at them, all while sitting on MY machines! There I was, sitting on that chest machine, starting to get all judgey, impatient and crabby and trying to use my eyes as an unfruitful poking stick to knock those two off of those machines.  I mean, how dare they take up all this time at a machine that someone else, (who they don’t even realize is there, giving them the eye from across the room), wants to use it?!? Then I felt something.  I felt a something coming towards me that was very familiar because it was the very something that I was doing, pertaining to those two ladies across the room.  There was a guy staring ME down.  He was staring me down because he wanted to use the machine I was sitting on, not using because I was sitting there judging other people for the same thing!  When I realized this I was apologetic, “Oh, I’m sorry.  I’m finished with this one.”, and left my perch….or judgement seat.  When I walked away I heard Holy Spirit in my heart, “Ya’ll do this in many areas of life.  You waste time being overly concerned with what other people are doing.  Doing wrong and otherwise.  All the while you aren’t moving forward.  You could have followed My lead on things, gotten My heart, My energy and wisdom.  Instead, you stay in one place and often duplicate the very things you don’t like…..but I love you all and I’m still here saying, ‘Come up here.  Come up now.’” Also, I was reminded of Matthew 7:1 - 5 (The message tells it more like I talk) “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Here’s what this little incident spoke to me: “Toddy, remember that you have the fruit of the Spirit in you.  Patience and Kindness are two of them.  Let’s focus on those a bit more for the rest of today. I’m so proud of you for listening and being willing to grow.”  This was one of those times where I felt HIS correction and I welcomed it, knowing He has the best in mind for me.  Oh how He loves His kids so so much!

Jesus: The Slain Lamb, The Conquering Lion by Pastor Todd Lout

There are some seemingly contradictory themes in our beloved Bible.   For example, it tells us to seek God out:        *Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you see Me with all your heart.        *Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found.   - But then it also tells us that God and HIs traits are unsearchable:       *Psalms 143:3 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised!  His greatness is unsearchable.      *Job 5:9 God Who does unsearchable wonders.      *Eph 3:8 The unsearchable riches in Christ.        *Isa 40:28 His understanding / wisdom is unsearchable. These are mysteries that God actually invites us into, which requires intimacy with Him.  Lean into Him and come to know His heartbeat more and things will not only start making more sense, but the wonder of His depth and vastness will be revealed.  It also means that He is HUGE, TOTALLY OTHER THAN, so we are invited to just dive into Him and trust. Another such contrary concept is the Jesus is both the "Slain Lamb" and the "Conquering Lion".  In Revelation 5 we see an epic scene where God is holding a scroll with important revelations in it.  An angel announces a great search for anyone worthy to open this scroll and know it's contents.  The search explores all of Earth's history, all of Heaven and even Hell.  John is there, feeling stressed out that nobody worthy can be found.  Finally an Elder tells John, "Duuuuuuuude!  Stop cryin' dude.  Check out the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David.  He's the one we've been looking for!"  John turns to see this Lion, but rather, sees a Lamb that's been slain.   Right here in this scene Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 49:9 when Judah is referred to as a "lion's cub" and is the Messiah Who would come from the tribe of Judah.  As the Lamb of God He is the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin.   Why is Jesus the "worthy" one here?  Because He has conquered.  We know this because of the massive passion expressed on the cross, defeating your sin, my sin and the sin of everyone throughout history. But He continues to conquer as a lion in Revelation 19 where He returns to defeat all of God's enemies.  HE'S AMAZING!!  A lamb and a lion! Jesus is the Gentle Shepherd, Who takes care of us, fostering the tenderness of our hearts while also acting as our fierce bodyguard.  Oh yeah.  He's got our backs while nurturing us.  It's a beautiful, wonderful contradiction that we get to benefit from, because we are the darlings of creation.