Easter Eggs: Promise

by Devin Dummel

This year Americans are projected to spend 14.6 billion dollars on Easter related products, a number which includes the expected 2.5 billion on Easter candy alone.  I don’t know about you, but that seems like a lot of eggs to fill and too many to hide.

Each year my boys go to their grandparents and go hunting for candy filled eggs.  With a little help from mom and dad they go home with a large bag full of sugar-packed goodies.  But the real treat comes months later – where if you’re lucky you may just find some hidden eggs with treasure left inside that were missed in the Great Easter Sugar Hunt.

Looking for Easter Eggs can be a wonderful family tradition, but in addition to being a decorated or plastic egg, an "Easter Egg" is also a term used to describe an unexpected feature in a piece of computer software, movie or a game - often included as a joke or a bonus.

Over the next few weeks we are going to be looking at some of the hidden "Easter Eggs" about Jesus in the Old Testament, and what they mean for the Easter story today. Hopefully as you and your family prepare your hearts for the Easter season, you can share not just plastic eggs filled with sugary treats but hidden “Easter Eggs” found in the Old Testament scriptures that have always been pointing us to the Easter story.

If you start at the beginning of the Old Testament scriptures, you don’t have to look far to find the first “Easter Egg”.  If you are familiar with the story of Genesis, then you know it all starts when God speaks.  As God spoke the world was created from light and darkness, land and sea, plants and animals and finally humans.  God placed the humans in the middle of his perfect creation and when it was all said and done, God looked at His handiwork and rested knowing that it was good in every way.

From that moment the humans had freedom and responsibility – a dangerous combination for sure, but at the end of each day after their work was done they would walk with God in the cool of the day.  Their relationship with God was just like His creation – good, pleasing and perfect.  This is what the world was like.  We aren’t sure how long it was like this.  It could have been a day … a year … a decade, no one really knows.  What we do know is that one day it all changed.

You’ve probably heard about THAT day.  Most of us have heard someone tell the story at some point.  The day sin entered the world.  The day we started blaming each other.  The day we turned our backs on God.  The day we realized we were naked.  The day we fell.

The consequences of sin entering God’s perfect world were severe.  The full effects are outlined in Genesis 3.  But let me share some highlights.  Because of sin …

• ·      Women now feel pain in child birth
• ·      The ground became harsher, producing less
• ·      Men now have to work hard to take care of their family
• ·      Tension between the sexes was born
• ·      And death entered God’s world for the first time.

The consequences of sin are extremely regrettable.  I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t wish to overturn the terms and conditions of sin in our world.  While we are familiar with these punishments when we reflect on Genesis 3 we often forget that we weren’t the only ones who were cursed.

So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

“Cursed are you above all livestock
    and all wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
    and you will eat dust
    all the days of your life.
¹⁵ And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;

he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.”

GENESIS 3:14-15

Nestled in the first curses found in scripture, tucked between the fall of humanity and Adam and Eve’s exile from God’s perfect paradise is the first “Easter Egg” pointing us to the promise of Hope we have in Jesus.

It’s easy to miss it if you don’t pay attention.  With all that’s going on in Genesis 3 it’s understandable to read over it.  But we would be wise to pay close attention to the promise that God declares even if it is found in a curse.  “I will put enmity between you and the woman ‘s offspring … he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

While the enemy may believe in the moment of “the fall” that he’s won – that he’s ruined God’s perfect creation by introducing sin and death, the reality is that he has signed his own death warrant.  The devil and all who would work against the LORD God may have won this battle, but they lost the war.

Even from this moment, from the very beginning God had planned to redeem the fallen world through the death of His Son.  While the enemy might wound Him and strike His heal.  The Son would deliver the final blow, striking the head of the enemy and declaring victory once and for all.

Jesus was never “plan B”.  In fact, the Apostle Peter tells us that “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) Jesus was chosen to deliver God’s people from their sins.  What a wonderful treasure to find buried here in one of the hardest chapters of the Old Testament.

What the enemy meant for evil, God has redeemed through the event of Easter – through Jesus life, death and resurrection.  This week as a family, thing about how much God must love us to plan the story of our freedom in such detail, and over such a long time. 

His love is absolutely incredible.  So, no matter what you’re facing remember He has things under control.  You may feel like you have done something unforgiveable; or that God is done with you.  That’s simply not true.  The God who put an incredible plan in place for Jesus to come, loves you in spite of your sin.

Easter is a reminder of His love and His promise of hope for us all.

Love Who You Are

by Devin Dummel

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Treat someone the way you want to be treated.”  The idea is a simple yet compelling platitude.  As we interact with all kinds of people if we could just treat them the way we would like to be treated this world would be a better place.  It’s a great idea … but the problem is often our execution.

We struggle not just in the way we treat others but in the way we treat ourselves.  All too often we have a warped or distorted view of who we are and while we work desperately to love others in our lives we forget to first love ourselves.

We aren’t talking about making everything about you, or about making all of your wishes and desires the most important things in your life.  What we are talking about is loving who you are, embracing your God given identity and allowing that love to inform how you actually treat others.

Because if you can see yourself and love yourself through the correct lens you will be more likely to see others as they are and love them in spite of the faults and failure.

So let’s take a moment and remember a little bit about who YOU are …

YOU ARE ACCEPTED

Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise God.

We tend to get caught up in trying to be accepted and loved by others, but Christ loves and accepts us right where we are.  And we are encouraged to love and accept not just ourselves but others as well in the same light – just as we are.  When we do this we are told that it brings praise directly to God.

YOU ARE SET APART

Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart …

You are unique and different … and that’s a good thing!  It’s part of God’s plan.  You are gifted and skilled and you have a purpose.  Never forget that God chose you to be YOU – and he wants to partner with you to bring hope, healing and love to the world.

YOU ARE FREE

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

If you have accepted Jesus as your savior, you are free.  You don’t carry the burden of all of your mistakes and sins.  Instead of worrying if you are good enough you can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has your back.

__ 

We could go on and on with scripture after scripture confirming the truth about our identity.  The point is that in order to love the world – meaning our family, or friends, or workplace, our community, etc.  – We must first love ourselves.

We must begin to see ourselves the way that God does and love who we are just as God loves us … right where we are now.

How to Show Love to Your Kids

by Devin Dummel

As parents we all love our children, but depending on the phase that your child is in you may find it difficult to express your love for them in ways that they can tangibly understand and appreciate.

We all know that love isn’t a noun – it’s a verb.  We don’t have love we DO love – Love is a dynamic action. 

And because we know this it’s often not enough just to say “I love you”.  As the old adage goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’.   So when we want to demonstrate this dynamic love to our children how can we make sure we speak their love language.

All children are different, and are at different phases of life.  So how can you make sure you communicate your love during these different phases?

From Birth – Four Years Old

In this first phase of life, your child is motived by one thing – safety.  They want nothing more than to know you are present and that when they are afraid you will be there for them.  When they get hurt, they don’t want you to tell them to “rub some dirt on it”.  Your touch and your attention will heal any wound they experience.  So during this phase give extra time and attention make sure they feel safe and secure with you.

From Kindergarten – Fifth Grade

This phase is the “fun” phase; I don’t just say that because these years are full of fun, I say it because what motivates elementary age children more than anything is fun.  While you have likely had a hard day at work and you are dealing with pressures from every direction – your son or daughter just want to know that you will pretend with them, go play catch, or take them on an adventure.  If your children are in this phase, make sure you are taking a break from being “lord business” – get down on their level and have some fun.

From Sixth Grade – Eight Grade

There is only one thing that matters to a Middle School Student – fitting in.  The question they are asking themselves every day is “Do I belong?”  All they are looking for is a place to fit in.  To demonstrate your love for them make sure they know that you love them just the way they are.  Make sure that you remind them to be themselves, even as they try to fit in with every group imaginable.  They may try on a few personalities during this phase, but don’t lose heart – what they really want to know is that you love and accept them for who they are.

From Ninth Grade – 12^th Grades

This phase is a challenging one for parents.  It feels just like yesterday that you sent them off for their first day of Kindergarten.  And while it feels that way – the reality is your child is no longer a little baby.  They want one thing – freedom.  One of the reasons children and parents fight so much in this phase is the struggle over this single aim.  To help your child know and understand just how much you love them – teach them about freedom.  Notice we didn’t say “get them unlimited freedom”.  No there is far too much danger for a teenage with unlimited freedom.  Don’t give them unlimited freedom – instead teach them the responsibility of freedom and little by little as they earn your trust – show them how much you love them by giving them their freedom.  The single thing to communicate to a teenager how much you love them – is to show them that you trust them.

Love is more than a word.  It’s more than a feeling, and as your child changes so too will your best way to communicate your love to them.  And while your world is a busy place, with your schedule and practices and getting everything done that you want to get done; and although you feel like you are at times traveling a whirlwind speed, make sure you slow down enough … not just to say “I love you” – but to speak the language of your children and show them you love them through safety, fun, acceptance and freedom. 

Love Is...

by Desi Ash

God is love. What does that mean?

            Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God is patient and kind. God is not easily angered and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. God always protects and God always perseveres.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-7

When I read First Corinthians and think about God that way, it is a powerful image. I think of the ways that I have screwed up and how God doesn’t hold any of those mistakes against me. I think of the times I have wanted to give up and felt alone but am reassured that God was there wrapping His loving arms around me.

This passage isn’t just about God. It should also be about us. We should be love. Another translation (the Message) puts it this way:

            Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

Are you those things? Which one really struck a chord with you just now? How can you be more loving to your children, your co-workers, and the everyday strangers you come in contact with?

Remember that when we show love to others, we are showing them God!

Love is a Verb

by Whitney Jones

Everyone believes that love is important, but love is frequently thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action. God’s love always involves a choice and an action, and our love should be like His. How well do you display your love for God in the choices you make and the actions you take? Are the choices you make each day for your benefit or for others?

“Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” -1 John 4:7-8

John says, “God is love” NOT “love is God” Our world has turned these words around which can skew our understanding of love. The world thinks that “love” is what makes a person feel good and that we should expect something in return. But that isn’t real love; it is the exact opposite- selfishness. And God is not that kind of “love”. God’s kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is completely unselfish. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return. The more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others.

 “Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”           -1 John 3:18.

Scripture is not saying that telling someone you love them is wrong. It’s saying that instead of going through the motions and saying “I love you” to your spouse, children, friends, and family; show them you love them by the choices you make each day and by your actions.

How will you reveal to others that you love them this season? Be specific. Think about each member of your family. How can you show your love to ____________? Fill in the blank and take action. Spread God’s kind of love, not the love that this world offers to us.

Milestones

by Desi Ash

Yesterday we got to celebrate both baby dedications and baptisms and it was a beautiful service. As I sit here and reflect on Sunday morning it reminds me of what Heaven will be like; a room full of witnesses supporting and loving each other, singing His praises.  

As Michael said during service, we want to partner with you. We believe that the church is designed to partner with parents as they raise their children in faith. As such, we have created milestone events that provide tools and support for parents. These tools will help parents start key conversations about God and faith as their children transition into different life phases. 

The milestones we offer are: 

•        Baby: We want to celebrate the gift that God has blessed you with from the beginning! It is never too early in the life of a child to start sharing God's word. There are 936 weeks until your new baby graduates high school and we want you to be present in all of the phases and milestones your child goes through. 

•        Kindergarten Kickup: The transition into kindergarten is an important milestone for both child and parent.  We have designed an annual milestone event called "Kindergarten Kick-up", which is offered before the start of a new school year.The "Kick-up" is specifically tailored for this age group and will help them discover more about their faith.  At the event, families will experience multiple hands-on learning stations that will teach about key topics relevant to this life stage.  Topics like:  grace, truth, forgiveness and more.  

•        Kids Splash: Kidz Splash is a tool that PCC has developed to come alongside parents as they help their children understand and process the decision to follow Jesus and to be baptized. We have books available and we offer a class for parents and kids quarterly. 

•        Bible Milestone: The Bible Milestone is a two year class offered to 4th and 5th graders on Sunday mornings. During this class preteens will discover the overarching story of the Bible and dig deeper into each book of the Bible. The class involves an opening activity, a lesson, and time for preteens to think individually on what they just learned. Each week we provide questions and activities through the website and app for preteens to engage in the lesson on their own and with their parents.

•        Graduation: At the end of the school year we recognize our graduating seniors. During the recognition we reflect back 936 weeks ago and see the baby God blessed parents with and see how they have grown over the last 18 or so years. 

We know that parenting and raising kids is hard work. Help us help you. We are all just a phone call or an email away.  

Reservations About Resolutions

by Devin Dummel

By now you have likely spent a least a few minutes in the new year thinking about resolutions.  Maybe you read a blog, made a list, or responded to the question – what is one of your New Year’s resolutions? 

Every year we ask ourselves these types of questions.  We set goals and make plans.  But the reality is that while we’re all good at making New Year’s resolutions; we’re just not very good about keeping the resolutions. 

Last year, two out of three Americans made New Year’s resolutions, but just one month into the year 90% of resolution-setters already admitted they were struggling to keep them. 

So this year, instead of making resolutions, what if in order to become a better version of ourselves we started making reservations. 

What if this year instead adding items to a list – you added items to your calendar.   What if instead of checking off a list, you decided to make time and show up for the things that matter most; the things that could help you be the best version of yourself this year. 

Here are some reservations I think we could all add to our calendars this year: 

Reservations for God 

In the midst of the chaotic lives that we lead, we often forget that the best way to become the best version of ourselves is to be who our creator made us to be.  It’s impossible to know that, understand it or live it if we don’t spend time with Him.   

You could set aside time daily to spend in the scriptures and prayer.  Maybe you take a half day a week to get alone and get personal with your Heavenly Father.  There is not one way to spend time with God; so whatever you do make sure you add this reservation to your calendar, and make sure you show up. 

Reservations for your Spouse 

There is no relationship that matters more to your daily health and the health of your family than the relationship with your spouse.  It’s easy to get comfortable and let your relationship with your spouse suffer.  But it’s important to give your spouse undivided attention – don’t let anything else distract you.   

Use this time to meet the needs of your spouse and find connection and companionship.  Make sure you set aside time for just each other.  Find a sitter, get out and pour into your relationship.  You might feel like you are taking away from family time, but when you make reservations for your marriage – your family benefits the most. 

Reservations for Yourself 

Take time to “do you”.  If you spent all of your time trying to make your boss, spouse and kids happy – it’s very easy to lose sight of who you are.  And when that happens you are more vulnerable than you realize.

You don’t have to do it often.  It doesn’t have to be a huge deal.  But take some time to do something you want to do.  You can make reservations for yourself.  Go to a movie only you want to see.  Spend an evening out with your friends.  Go on a trip you’ve always wanted to take.  Whatever it is – this year make reservations for you. 

Our prayer for you and your family this year is that you would make more reservations than resolutions.  Add these appointments to your calendar, and adjust your rhythm and schedule this year. 

Make time for the things that matter and know that when you do that, so many other things will fall into place.  And your family will be healthier and happier than you’ve ever been.