Handling Hopelessness

(These are my reflections on Jentezen Franklin's talk at C3.)

In ancient culture tearing one's clothes symbolized deep grief, overwhelming circumstances, and utter despair. There are many instances in the Bible where people tore their clothes as they faced horrific trials that seemingly could never be reversed or fixed. As some point, I suppose, every human faces suffocating pain from which there appears to be no relief. Though it's uncommon for us to respond by tearing our clothes, we would all be familiar with the desire to crawl in bed and never come out.

But in Leviticus 21:10 the Bible says somthing that seems strange, almost unreasonable and heartless. God instructs the High Priest to never tear his clothes. Not when he faces sickness, not when his child dies, no matter what. How is that possible? Should he just be expected to pretend that all is fine and paste a smile on his face when he has fresh, gaping wounds in his heart? Why is it okay for others to tear their clothes but for the High Priest it is forbidden?

One subtle but significance difference. Once a year, the High Priest had access to the Holy of Holies. He had access to the presence of God. He lived with the annointing of God on his life. He had an intimacy with God to which the other people did not have access.

For the High Priest to tear his clothes would imply that his problems were greater than his God.

The same is true for believers today. The Bible tells us that WE are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Through Jesus, we have access to the "Holy of Holies", not just once a year but at any moment we call upon Him. So we don't grieve like those without hope. We don't face insurmountable odds like those without faith. We don't endure trials like those without Jesus.

In this life we will face grief and pain and despair. But we face it differently because we know: There is no problem in our lives that is greater than our God!

Fear & Uncertainty

"Fear should never take the place of joy. Uncertainty should never take the place of passion."      Lisa Young

There is so much uncertainty about life and specifically about church planting. We didn't know if this church would get off the ground or if we'd be beating our heads against the wall. We never know from one Sunday to the next who will show up. When we change something or start something new we don't know if it will work, how to plan, if anyone will come, etc... 

That uncertainty can lead to fear which has the potential to derail your willingness to take risks and live by faith. But when we pull into ourselves seeking our own security or comfortability, we lose all sense of deep joy and driving passion. Meaning, purpose, and significance gets lost in attempts to live a pain-free life. 

Growth requires uncertainty. But the level of joy awaiting those who will risk it all and, in so doing, prove God's faithfulness is unmatched by any other lifestyle.

(These are my reflections on Lisa Young's 

time with the pastors' wives at C3.)

C3 Overview

Our staff had an incredible time at C3 (Creative Church Conference) at Fellowship Church in Texas. There was not one bad session or speaker. I look forward to sharing some of my insights and "take-aways" from the conference in the coming days. But for now I just wanted to share a few pictures and one incredible video.

This video was taken from my camera, so the quality is not very good. However it was a powerful moment. The conference opened with a video of things in the world that are not right...poverty, injustice, etc. Then, this lady dressed in white dropped out of the ceiling supported only by these two ribbons. Try to listen to the words in the background as she dances. The narrator describes the strength and beauty of the Church in a dark and hopeless world.

A Picture of The Church from Stacie Wood on Vimeo.

The video below is Pastor Ed Young's debut as a rapper. Not bad!

C3: Rise of the Iguana

 

I am SOOOO excited that I get to attend C3 again this year with my husband and the South Bay staff. Last year one of our partnering churches paid for Andy and I to attend C3 at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX. It was such a time of refreshment and inspiration for us. The whole time we were there, we kept saying how we wished our staff was with us. This year we were able to bring a team of ten people! Filipe and Mandy couldn't make it due to having a very new addition in their family, but everyone else is here. 

So today we are flying to TX and we'll be coming back on Saturday. I'm looking forward to taking lots of notes and I hope to pass on a few nuggets to you! 

(My precious friend, Lina, is taking care of Caedmon. Caedmon on steroids. Pray that he'll be a good boy for her!)