Jesus' Questions

Children's Pastor Darlene Thulson

I was struck, again, today by Jesus’ questions and what his purposes are when he raises them.  In John 6 Jesus asks Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  It’s the next statement that’s telling: 

“He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”

How many times do I fail the test and think Jesus is asking me to come up with the solution for a problem on my own?  …when all along he just wants me to realize he is the only one who can solve this and bring peace.  My worried prayers (praying to the problem and not to the Problem Solver) can be as ridiculous as my anxiety and worry during last Sunday’s playoff game.   

My fretting did nothing to help the Broncos win.  My fretting will do nothing to bring peace to a friend or family member.  But I do believe my faithful interceding in the Spirit’s power can make a difference. 

So once again, I need to acknowledge the Provider of Living Water and Bread and offer myself into his plan for this broken world.  Remind me of David’s inspired words, Lord: 

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
…do not fret – it leads only to evil.”  Psalm 37:7-8

Short and Sweet, Hopefully Thought Provoking

Pastor of Youth and Young Adults
Karl Helvig

I have been doing a lot of running lately.  Turns out that I love running.

Here is what I have noticed.  Because I run so much, I am really in tune with my physical energy level.

I almost always know when I have 

lots of energy

I almost always know when I have

almost no energy.

Somethings give energy, some drain it, certain people and activities and events fill me up with others wear me out.  I find myself in tune with the full spectrum of my physical self.  High, middle, low: all of it.

There is, however, a contrast that is particularly striking.

I seem to have almost no awareness of my emotional energy level.

I know when I am emotionally full (energized, strong, healthy) and I know when I am emotionally depleted. 

But it is hard discerning that huge middle ground of emotional health.

Am I getting filled? Am I approaching depletion?  When do I need to stop and say, "I must take some time for rest and refreshment"?

What about you?  Are you the same?  Different?

How well are you in tune with your emotional energy level?  Or your spiritual energy level? What fills and depletes you?  What are your signals and triggers?

I pray that we might be come people who are more and more in tune with our own hearts and lives. 

Grace and Peace,

Karl

A Prayer for the New Year

Senior Pastor Steve Thulson

We thank you, Father,

…that our stories are not over,

and that you are not done;

…that you have an abundance of gifts,

and plenty of time to give them all;

…that you waste nothing,

can redeem anything,

and will fulfill everything.

May your kingdom come and will be done

on earth – and in our lives – even as in heaven.

In the name and presence of your reigning Son,   
Amen

   

With Us

Darlene Thulson, Children's Pastor

Last week my three year old grandson, Drew, wanted to watch a short “Chip and Dale” on my tablet.  As we sat on the couch together, I found the Centennial Covenant’s Children’s Christmas program on YouTube that we had posted. Drew and I decided to watch that first.  What a gift from God that turned out to be!

Since I was “directing” from the floor on the Sunday we presented our program, I didn’t see what was going on by the stable. But the video captured the whole thing.  While the kids were coming and going on the stage, acting out the Christmas story, there was one “sheep” – and his “shepherd” – standing by the manger, riveted on “baby Jesus.”

It was at that moment that the Holy Spirit reminded me that the most important thing during this season of doing things for Jesus is to be with Jesus.  

 He is inviting me to just be with Him,
to look into His eyes filled with love for me.   

Words from an old song came to mind, 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face. 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

These last 10 days have been a snapshot of life in our broken world.  

In the very middle of Advent, a time of celebrating the coming of Emmanuel, a very disturbed young man walks into his school and shoots an innocent girl sitting in a hallway.  The impact of that 80 seconds of destruction has been deeply felt in our church family.  With seven students and two faculty (one of them being my son-in-law) from our church being at Arapahoe High School, we have felt the grief, anger and sadness in a huge way.  

 Yet, the darkness of that act cannot negate the fact
that Emmanuel is with us.   

As more and more stories come out from that day, it is obvious that Emmanuel was in that school, alongside the students and faculty.  Emmanuel was with each of us as we prayed and waited and helped as we could.  Emmanuel will bring redemption in ways we cannot see now. 

May each of us take time to look into His face day by day, minute by minute. Even Now!