Why Pause?

Here's a fun question: When was the last time you heard anyone - better yet, a Bible-believing Christian - openly brag about breaking a commandment?

I'll wait while you think.

Nothing?

Normally I'd say, "Never". Never in my life have I walked into church or into a small group and overheard anything like, "I am the best at dishonoring my parents - I dishonor them all the time. "I'm a parental nightmare!" or "You call that a lie? That's nothing! I've lied WAY more than you" or "Guess who coveted their neighbor's ox today? THIS GUY!"

That would be silly.

And yet...

Christians of all generations, denominations, and lifestyles (especially those of us in the 21st Century West) basically do this all the time without even realizing we do it.

Guess which of the 10 commandments we love to brag about -even celebrate and reward - breaking?

It's the 4th one.

"Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." - Exodus 20:8

"Sabbath". That's a weird word. A little vague, right? Antiquated. After all, the Sabbath in the context of this verse was only a special rule for the Hebrew people, not necessarily their Christian descendants, right? On this side of Christ's death and resurrection, we understand that no one particular weekday is any more or lesss sacred than any other. And besides, I go to church every Sunday! Well, most Sundays... Sabbath is meant to be holy. Going to church is holy. Most Christians consider Sunday "the Sabbath"...so.

There! I remembered it. I'm keepin' it holy. What's the problem?

Well, like many of God's rules, we often miss the forest for the trees, so to speak -getting lost in the minutia, the technicalities, and ultimately missing the whole point of the rule itself. And if God's people love to do anything, it's arguing about His rules!

"Sabbath", the word itself and what it means, has been argued about by God's people since the word was first written down. It was a VERY big deal in Mosaic Law (after all, it made the Big Ten), but it was also a HUGE source of controversy amongJ ewish people in Jesus' day. Jesus Himself ended up getting involved in several debates regarding the nature of "Sabbath", often ticking off the religious leaders of his day. It was such a controversial topic, in fact, that the amount of hysteria andc onflict surrounding the "Sabbath debate" was not dissimilar to the modern American church's current debate over sexuality and gender politics. The debate over "Sabbath" incited physical fights, bred factions, and even cost people their positions in their religious communities if they didn't adhere to the correct definition...which was different depending on who you asked.

It was a big deal.

"Sabbath", I submit, is no less of a big deal for us today than it was then. Jesus had alot to say on the subject, and His words stand forever. However, as people of the New Covenant, our approach will be (and ought to be) different than it was for our Jewish predecessors. It is not confined to an hour of a day, or even a day of the week. Sabbath is an ongoing process, a heart posture, if you will; and it is much more essential to the Christian life than most of us would ever have guessed growing up in our fast-paced, 24/7, 40+ hour work weeks.

"Sabbath" might simply be called "intentional rest". Exodus 20:9-11 goes on to state explicitly that one day out of every week (basically, one seventh of your entire mortal life) should be set apart ("made holy") as a day of "intentional rest". This was not a suggestion. It was a command. By virtue of being on the Big Ten roster, "intentional rest" is just as much of a moral priority to God for you as not lying, not stealing, not cheating on your spouse, and even NOT KILLING PEOPLE.

Wow!

And yet, we love to break it. All the time. We feel proud of ourselves for it, expect it from others, and are even rewarded with money, prestige, and respect as a result of breaking it. Christians may not brag about all the cash that they stole or the times they looked at pornography, but we have no shame going on and on about how busy, important, and subsequently, how exhausted we are - ESPECIALLY those of us in vocational ministry! Often I find myself making the false equivalency between doing" the Lord's work" on a weekend (and throughout the week) and thinking that counts as Sabbath. It's actually pretty funny, when you think about it. And it's an easy mistake to make.

But it's still a mistake.

In the 24 years that Allen Creek Community Church has existed, we have set apart (made holy) the month of August as a month of "intentional rest" for our congregation, volunteers, and leadership. We call it the PAUSE. Not a year goes by where we are short of strange looks or confused questions regarding "Why?" we do this. "You take a whole month off from church?? Isn't that, like, immoral?"

We would say no, actually - just the opposite.

It is right. It is moral. It is very, very good. And, it is necessary. Oh, so necessary.

Personally, I've learned that Sabbath as an ongoing, intentional spiritual practice is non-negotiable. It's not even going far enough to simply call it a "rule" or a "command". Sabbath is like gravity in that we can't exactly "opt out" whenever we want. Or, more accurately, it is like oxygen - humans can't just "go without it"; no matter how much church work needs to get done; no matter how many events we're expected to squeeze onto our calendars; no matter how busy and important and essential we think we are; no matter how healthy we appear or feel. The consequences of not resting will eventually catch up with you physically, mentally, emotionally, and CERTAINLY spiritually.

Humans need rest. Even in Eden, before the Fall and sin and all of that junk, Adam and Eve rested on their very first day on earth. No really. In fact, God Himself rested, for our benefit and example, even though He didn't (and doesn't) have to. Some theologians have even made the argument that the 4th Commandment was technically the very first commandment, because it predates the Mosiac Law*.

So, if humans need rest by design, if Sabbath was expected of us even before the Fall, and if GOD HIMSELF RESTED...who are we to say we get to break this commandment? Are we holier than God??

I sure ain't.

So, I'm planning to make the most of my PAUSE this August, and I hope you will join me in this month of "intentional rest", whatever that may mean for you, your family, and God.

And by the way, if you are looking to learn more about "Sabbath" in general, or are looking for some cool, practical ways to begin practicing Intentional Rest, consider this blog post my official commercial for the book Subversive Sabbath by A.J. Swoboda. Great read. Changed my life. All the stars.

Shabbat Shalom, AC3!

*for more on the theological implications of Sabbath and Genesis, check out Subversive Sabbath by Dr. A.J. Swoboda

-Written by Kellie Ade

The Big Game-Week 4

Reverse Engineering the Faith

When I was freshly saved, newly bowled over by the peace of the Gospel, I immediately began to explore why “it worked”!  The question plaguing me was something like this:  did it work (to bring me peace with God, to fill me with an overwhelming sense of being reconciled, sins forgiven and a hope for heaven) because it was true, or was it merely “true” only because it “worked”?

In this way you could say I was suddenly interested in reverse engineering the Gospel. 

Which reminds me of the B-29 Super Fortress Bomber the US developed in WWII.  That plane was a game changer for world powers because it was the only weapon in the world that could deliver atomic bombs anywhere in the world.  Seeing its powers at the end of WWII, the Russians were worried and jealous.  They had no such tech and didn’t seem close to developing it.

Then, they received what they called (ironically in an atheist country) a “gift from God.”  In 1945, 3 B-29’s that were in trouble in the South China sea had to land in (then fellow Allied power) Russia.  International law gave Russia the right to seize the military equipment but return the combatants – which they did.  America considered the planes a loss.

2 years later, an American delegation showed up in Russia for one of their gaudy public displays of military hardware.  At the end, they were stunned to look up and see not one, not two, but three B-29’s fly overhead!!  At first they assumed these were the three confiscated planes, but then a 4th flew.  And eventually 300 Tu-4’s would fly!!  The Russians had reversed engineered the B-29 down to the last rivet, making a perfect copy of the superweapon.

With that kind of zeal, I wanted to know HOW the Gospel worked, WHY the Gospel worked, and so I needed to investigate (after I had accepted it) all its inner workings.

Sometimes the questions people ask about Christianity, come BEFORE they accept Jesus, and they can’t accept Him until those questions get answered, until the plausibly of Christianity is established.  That’s why apologetics and Ask Anything series matter. 

Other times, the questions people ask come AFTER.  And this doesn’t make them any less important.  For if we ever want to reproduce faith in Jesus in others, we need to understand, not just THAT it works, but WHY it works.

And finally the careful investigator finds that it works, because it’s true!  And truth can always handles the hardest questions.

-Written by Rick Thiessen

The Big Game-Week 3

The Big Game—Week 3
Ask Anything:  You’re only a Christian Because Your Parents Are

As a teenager I received this very accusation from some of my atheist friends.  During this season of my life my parents were going through a divorce which meant an otherwise stable environment I had always relied upon was uprooted.  The Enemy used this temporary lapse in life stability to introduce an argument against my faith which at the time carried with it an element of truth that I was unable to explain away.  I really hadn’t investigated Christianity’s truth claims for myself.  The appropriate response should have been to do just that.  Unfortunately, the angry and hurt teenager that I was back then threw in the towel on God and I turned my back completely on God and everything I believed had to do with Him.

Much later in life (January 2009) I finally did embark on that journey and it only seemed natural to first tackle the problem that led to my doubts in the first place.  A variation on the argument can sometimes go like this if we break it down into a logical syllogism:

1) You were born in a Western culture that is predominantly Christian.
2) If you had been born in Mumbai, India you would be Hindu.
3) Therefore, Christianity is false.

If you’re scratching your head wondering what the first and second premises have to do with the conclusion, then you’ve landed squarely on the problem of recognizing that this formula has an error in it, formally known as Genetic Fallacy or fallacy of origins.  It is the idea that you can invalidate someone’s belief/position by showing how a person came to hold that position or belief.  How a person came to believe something (even if they have inadequate reasons for doing so) has nothing to do with whether the belief or position is true or not.

Coming to this realization, I then applied the same formula to my own situation and realized I now had 1)  permission to investigate the truth claims for myself with no commitment to a particular outcome, 2) resolve any doubts encountered to the best of my intellectual powers of reason and known data at that time, and that 3) given a thorough investigation, putting truth and evidence above all other factors, I could have confidence I would arrive at the truth and have peace in it knowing I had done proper due diligence.

If you’re investigating Christianity for yourself, and if you happen to be attending AC3 for the next couple of weeks during that process I hope you’ve found an environment where you’re encouraged to ask questions and do your own digging without fear of condemnation.  We’re glad you’re here!

-Written by James Boerner

AC3 VB205 The Whole Point

Check out our next video blog with Dan as Rick is still on vacation :) Enjoy!

AC3 + Kreek Kids Parents = A Great Partnership

Video Blog Option

As we head into one of the biggest KidMin seasons ever, I'd like to share a couple of reasons why partnering with Kreek Kids is a great idea, and hopefully, in a way, you may have never thought about before. Because when we combine the LIGHT of the church with the LOVE of the home*, we create real opportunities to help entire families grow in their faith!

When someone chooses to help in Kreek Kids, they help fulfill AC3's #1 mission…to create a SAFE place for seekers to become fully devoted followers of Christ. And yes! That includes our littlest seekers at AC3.

Now I know not everyone feels they have what it takes to work with kids, but one of the best ways you can help support our kids is to support those who do; our parents, teachers, and helpers. Kreek Kids, A Co-op Ministry.

So when you help in Kreek Kids, you provide parent support. Helping as little as just once-a-month, you help provide SAFE staffing ratios in Kreek Kids, giving our visiting parents, the confidence that their child will be SAFE with us! And when parents feel their kids are SAFE and having fun, they can relax and soak in the weekend’s message.

And when you help in Kreek Kids, you provide teacher support. Our teaching teams need and deserve a healthy support system. Even the most committed Kreek Kids volunteers are sometimes left feeling alone and wondering if what they do matters. When you choose to serve along-side of them as little as once-a-month, you can encourage them (be there cheerleader when needed) helping them feel valued and supported. When you do, they will become better at what they do and be reassured that they are making a difference and are part of the bigger picture at AC3!

Now, I’ve saved the best reason for partnering with Kreek Kids for last…This next year we are projecting to have our biggest group of 1-5th graders ever in one room; Saturday or Sunday depending on when families choose to attend. So we are actively looking for age-level teachers or something new we're calling Breakout Buddies for our 1&2 or 3-5th graders; boys, girls or both. An example of a Breakout Buddy’s day would look something like this: You would start in the main classroom with our 1-5th graders for about 20 min. during large group teaching time. You would then be dismissed with your small group of kids (5-6) to another room for a craft, carpentry project, baking or game time, sewing project, science experiment, music, dance or another activity of the Breakout Buddy’s choice!

So if you like to bake for example, and we’re talking about the Israelite's eating Manna, you can become a Baking Breakout Buddy for the day and help the kids bake a yummy cookie to help them remember their lesson.

And did I said you can serve as little as once-a-month in Kreek Kids? 😉

So during July, pick up your copy of our Kreek Kids Entry Level Positions at the Info Desk and let's chat about options over coffee! Just sign up to have coffee with me this month and you'll be able to ASK ANYTHING about Kreek Kids!

Our Kreek Kids Team looks forward to partnering with YOU,
Twila  360-659-7335 EXT. 202

AC3 + Kreek Kids Parents = A Great Partnership   

*https://thinkorange.com

The Big Game--Week 1

Ask Anything: Cattle, Hills, and the All Powerful

If God has the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), then why do I need to tithe (give a tenth of my earnings)?  What about all this stuff about trying to break free from the bondage of our creditors (Proverbs 22:26-27), shouldn’t I use my money there instead?  If God is all powerful and created all things, why does HE need my money?  Questions like this are among some of the hardest I have had to deal with while I was exploring my faith; and even today, especially when money is tight.

Many of us have heard the most direct answer is, God doesn’t ask for our money, time, or harvest specifically, and it’s not because He needs it.  God asks for us to tithe, or more specifically give to Him from the best of our first fruits (Leviticus 27:30).  What He is really asking for is the thing we are most likely to replace Him with in our hearts.  In our time and culture, it is not fruit or cattle that is important to us, but our finances which are the gateway to the things we want (stuff) and physically need (such as food).  So God asks us to trust Him and He will provide, therefore through our trust we can tithe willingly.
So, God does not need my (or your) money and He asks for the purpose of winning my heart for him…OK.  Now, we come to the stuff about getting our house in order and not being a slave to the lender (Proverbs 27:7)?  Wouldn’t it be easier to overcome those debts with that tithe (or tenth) applied to pay them off, getting me free so I can do good for others?  In the extreme short term, the answer is most likely “Yes”, however, our hardened and stubborn hearts would not really do it the right way, would we?  Most people who pay off debt or consolidate debt don’t end up giving more, they just harness it to go back or further into debt.  Therein is part of the lie the devil tells us to help us justify not following God’s command.

Now, here is where it gets even stickier.  If we justify taking our tithe away from God to pay our debts, which He has told us not to get into in the first place (Proverbs 22:26), are we sinning to pay for our sin?  Put another way: If I take God’s requirement of a tithe and disobey so I can pay my debt which I got myself into by not following His command, am I committing a new sin to cover an old one? Yes, I would be.  It is true we should let no debt remain outstanding (Romans 13:8), but we should never venture down the path where we disobey a command of God to try and pay for our previous sin.

Tithing is necessary for my heart to be right with God.  We should not therefore use our tithe for anything other than a tithe.  However, you might wonder about the debt that still needs to be paid.  Four points to ponder: 1)  Trust in God and His provision, 2) Budget with Discipline, 3) Pray and praise God for the guidance you need and the good He has done, 4) Trust in God and His abundant provision.  Ok I know the first and the last were the same, but it is so vital it needed repeating.

-Written by Christian Love