Living on Mission – The Great Gentleness Experiment

Living on Mission – The Great Gentleness Experiment

Guess what I chose to do for the Great Gentleness Experiment? You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you. I’m driving for 12 hours. *Insert gigantic cheesy grin here* (If you have never met me, you might not know that I once declared – while preaching – that I sometimes wish I had a torpedo launcher on the front of my vehicle because I have zero patience for people while driving. I'm a work in progress.)

My family is going on vacation for Christmas and we are driving 2 cars from southeast Missouri all the way to Plano, Texas in one day. Yes, MapQuest says it’s 9 hours, but we are travelling with children, so you know it will be more than that. Plus, people have to have “rest stops” and gasoline and snacks and bathroom breaks and meals and stuff. So, yeah. I will be doing a Gentleness Trial by Fire. 

I’m actually looking forward to it. Why? Because I am painfully aware that I cannot be gentle on my own, BUT I know the Gentle One, and I if I hang in there super close to Him, I can be gentle like He is.

Oh! Then a week later I’ll be doing it all over again! (PRAY FOR ME!!!)

Let’s ALL practice Living on Mission and being gentle by staying close to the Gentle One.

Pastor Angela

PoC's Great, Great Experiment: Giving the Great, Great Gift of Gentleness in Our Time

In this week leading up to our collective PoC Family giving the Great, Great Gift of Gentleness in Our Time, we "bloggers" have been asked to share our plan for this upcoming Sunday. 

When I first heard of what we would be doing on December 20th, I wondered to myself, What will I do?  Would I rest and refresh?  (I thought this would be the clear winner, because to be frank, I'm tired and I need a nap.)  Would I help the frazzled?  (Well, I do like to be helpful.  So. Many. Choices!)  Would I enjoy community?  (Oh, it's getting tougher and tougher to decide... I do like people and there are lots of people I so want to get to know better!  This means you!) 

This upcoming Sunday, I feel led to express the great gift of gentleness in our time by taking a "thank you" gift to Meadows Mennonite Retirement Home in Chenoa, IL, for the staff who happens to be working Sunday morning in the Alzheimer's wing. 

This week, let us all pray for both our collective efforts on December 20th as well as our continued reliance on God to help us be gentle in our time, always.  Remember, this is not something we maintain on our own, but something that we have true, transformational, long-term success with because of our daily time with God.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:29

PoC, enjoy your time with God. 

Blessings,
Pastor Celia

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm!  We'd love to have you join us!

PoC's Great, Great Experiment: Giving the Great, Great Gift of Gentleness in Our Time

I am so excited about our family’s Great, Great Gentleness Experiment!  It took us a little while to pin it down.  The first idea or two didn’t work out.  But I think that may be because God had something better in mind.

For the first time in our family’s history, we will not be spending Christmas Day with any extended family.  It is a rarity for us, and I began to anticipate the gentle joy of a just-the-four-of-us Christmas morning.  (I love our families, but sometimes it's nice just to be The Orwigs.)  But it also got us thinking about all of the people we know who don’t have any extended family, or even immediate family to share the holiday spirit with.  The pinnacle of holidays becomes a sad reminder of what’s missing in their lives.  So we’re sharing the gentle love of Jesus by inviting some single, displaced friends over to share our Christmas Day with us.  It’ll be casual, cozy, and oh so sweet.  I’m really excited!

Of course, that’s not happening until the 25th.  So what are we doing on the 20th, the actual day of the Great, Great Gentleness Experiment?  Well, we’re spending some time together as a family, likely lounging around in our jammies for a bit and enjoying a wonderful breakfast…or maybe brunch.  And then later in the day hubby and I are heading out of town for a mini-getaway.  We’ll do a little last-minute gift shopping without having to hide the items in the cart under coats, eat at one of our favorite restaurants that the kids don’t like, go see a movie that doesn’t have a castle in the opening sequence, and then crash in a bed that neither of us has to make in the morning.  All while the kids spend the night with wonderful friends.  (That’s their act of gentleness—isn’t it awesome the way that works out?)

Yes, Virginia, even parents need a little gentleness.

I hope you and your family find a wonderful way to share gentleness together!

Living on Mission – Gentleness in Battle

Living on Mission – Gentleness in Battle

Gentleness. Battle. Those are a couple of words you don’t often hear together. How can you be engaged in a battle and remain gentle? The key is to remember who the enemy really is. (Hint: It’s not any of the people around you!)

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Ok – those verses cover the battle part, but what about the gentleness?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Praying for others is the key to gentleness in the manner of Jesus.

It is clear from these verses that Paul understood that the people who imprisoned him were not his enemies. He continued “speaking boldly” for Jesus – witnessing the love of God and the Good News to everyone around him. That’s gentleness in action.

Fight the real enemy and gently love people.

Let’s practice Living on Mission and practice gentleness with people as we battle with the real enemy.

Pastor Angela

pray it! gentle in our time - ephesians 6:10-24

Finally.

Paul begins our final part of the passage with finally.

All this gentleness has been building toward something.

And it's wonderful. 

If you haven't read Ephesians 6:10-24, I suggest you do so, now!  Check it out here!

To maintain gentleness in the manner of Jesus, in our time, requires a prayerful and complete abiding in God, resulting in powerful victory when we utilize His resources and provision as He intends.  Check out our Ephesians passage and notice a few key words.  It requires a completeness.  (ie we don't put on just part of our armor, half-heartedly.  We put on the whole armor.  We don't wield our shields of faith in just some circumstances, but in all of them.  We also don't go through the effort of donning all of our armor just to plop back down on the couch and decide that we're just done now because armor is heavy and it's nap time.  Oh no!  What then is it, that we do, having done all this other stuff?

We pray! 

At all times! 

In the Spirit! 

For everyone. 

And all of this is possible because we are doing this all in the strength of the Lord. 

Yay prayer! 

How many of you are thinking "Yeah, yeah, sure we pray, but I have all this armor on and ALL I REALLY WANNA DO IS HIT MY ENEMY RIGHT NOW!"??? 

I get it!  Perhaps prayer is more key to that endeavor than what we like to believe.

We have an enemy who, as this passage suggests, is not our fan.  Paul clearly felt a need to remind us of this.  In a passage that promotes victory and abiding... faith and truth... prayer... vigilance and awareness... we also get a clear reminder that we are indeed in a battle.  And it's serious.

Prayer is actually... pretty easy.  Prayer is a conversation with God.  Yet, when it comes to our "to-do" list, prayer often gets bumped for more tangible and concrete tasks.  Ask the Holy Spirit to take inventory of you (remember, He does this in kindness, not to make us feel bad.)  Ask God to show you the moments and reasons when and why does prayer not "make the cut" in your life.  Ask God to help you with this.

Much like our gentleness struggle, it's tempting to want to gravitate toward things that look like strong exhibitions of power and might, when in fact it's the gentle, humble, Jesus-route that is effective and strong.  The same is true for prayer.  For example, it may be tempting to take the concrete route of offering our immediate advice to "fix" a situation (ie "Quit!  or "Dump him!"), when in fact, our first response should likely be a prayerful one (ie actually involving time in prayer).

In light of this passage, this week, and in light of gentleness in general, how should we pray it "in our time."  I would suggest that we pray with and pray for a sense of urgency.  We need this sense of urgency restored.  Imagine the transformation that can and will happen as our continued gentle responses are coupled with the single-minded, undeterred focus of a whole group of God's kids who are aware of their source of strength, and act upon it.  Prayerfully.  Mightily. 

Blessings,
Pastor Celia

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm! 

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Gentle in Our Time”

Gentleness is difficult.  Have you noticed?  Even after focusing on it for three months, we can start the day with wonderful intentions, but by bedtime we end up needing to put a quarter…or three…in the “I Could’ve Handled that Better” jar.  I hope your family isn’t getting discouraged.  This apparent failure is not because you aren’t trying.  Read Ephesians 6:10-12 to find out what the real problem is.

Yep, that’s right.  There’s an enemy out there, and he’s got your family in his crosshairs.  Every time you all make a decision to be a gentle force in the community, he sends a sneak attack to disrupt your plans.  When you’re determined to be gentle at school or work, or even with each other, he sends a squad of demons to stir up chaos that pushes every button and jumps on every nerve.  It’s hard to be gentle when flaming arrows of challenging circumstances keep zooming past your head.

But God wouldn’t call us to be a gentle people if he didn’t also have a way for us to be successful.  Keep reading vs. 13-18 to find the solution.

If you have some younger kids in your family, they will be a big help to your family right now, because we’ve been talking about the armor of God for 12 whole weeks in PoC K.I.D.S.  They are armor experts!  But just in case your lacking in elementary kids, let’s do a quick summary of these vital pieces of “equipment”:

The Belt of Truth—Knowing the truth about who God is and what his promises are so that you won’t be tricked by the enemy

The Breastplate of Righteousness—Making right, holy choices to protect your heart and keep sin out

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace—Remembering that Jesus died to save us and everyone who accepts Him from sin (This is what we’re fighting for!)

The Shield of Faith—Believing all that God promises and that he will do what he says he will do to protect you from doubt and fear

The Helmet of Salvation—Walking in relationship with Jesus which gives you peace and security

The Sword of the Spirit—Reading the Bible so you can carry God’s word with you wherever you go whenever you need it

Think about these pieces of armor.  Each one has a purpose and can help you defend yourself against the enemy’s tricks and attacks.  Each one can hep you in your quest to be a gentle family force.  But each one can be challenging to remember to “wear.”  Which one do you struggle to remember to put on?  Go around and share which piece of armor you miss most often and how it impacts your ability to be gentle.

It is so important that we “put on” that armor every day.  Paul’s right in his instruction!  We can encourage each other as a family, but the reality is, we aren’t with each other a lot of the time.  We start the day together, then we each go out to school and work bringing our mission of gentleness into our own part of the community.  It’s even harder to stay “armed” and gentle when we’re by ourselves.

What can you do as a family to arm yourselves each morning together and prepare for a gentle day?  Sit down and make a plan.  Maybe you’re going to read through these verses together and remind yourself what the pieces of armor are.  If you have younger children (or not), you could pretend to put on each piece as you talk about it.  Maybe you’ll recite your family motto together before you head out the door.  Turn it into a team chant!  Maybe you’re going to pray together every morning.  That alone would be powerful!! (See vs. 18.)

Decide on your armor routine then end your time together in prayer, asking Jesus to continue helping your family be a gentle force in this world!

Living on Mission – Gentleness in our Closest Relationships

Living on Mission – Gentleness in our Closest Relationships

This week we are focusing on gentleness in our closest relationships: our family and our workplace. Most of us spend the bulk of our time with these people. Conflict can arise easily in close proximity. Familiarity can sometimes breed contempt. We may forget to show appropriate respect toward people we’re very close to. But this is not the gentle way of Jesus.

Paul gives us specific instructions for how to treat one another. We can easily see that obedience, honoring, instruction, serving, pleasing, and working with enthusiasm all require gentleness and align with the gentle ways of Jesus. How can we put these instructions into practice this week?

“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, ‘things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.” (Ephesians 6:1-9)

Let’s practice Living on Mission and practice gentleness in our closest relationships.

Pastor Angela

pray it! gentle in our time - ephesians 6:1-9

Question:  What are some hang-ups or hold-ups you have when it comes to prayer?

Confession:  Okay, I'll answer my own question.  Sometimes I am fearful to be vulnerable in prayer and talk to God about what I'm really thinking, feeling, needing, or wanting because once it's out there... once it's out of my mouth... I can't take it back.  And the "what-if's" of the vulnerable begin to flutter about my head, whispering doubt and panic, either in myself or in my (more than capable) God.  What if God thinks my request is stupid?  What if God doesn't answer my prayer like I want Him to?  Or in the time frame I want?  What if I don't like that?  What does that say about me?  Or what does that say about God? 

If I am vulnerable in prayer, it's like I have tossed the ball into God's court.  I have surrendered control and have bounced this trust to God, hoping he will respond and bounce something back.  I have to trust and wait. 

This week's "pray it" challenge is to be vulnerable in prayer as we continue to ask the Lord to make us gentle in our homes, in our world, and in our time. 

Vulnerable - some synonyms include helpless, defenseless, powerless, impotent, weak, and susceptible. 

Sign.  Me.  Up.  [Insert sarcasm here.]

This is so counter-intuitive and counter-cultural.  Yet, that's kind of how things are with Jesus.  So, we're on the right track.  Fruit is different than Fruit of the Spirit.  Likewise, vulnerability with God is different than the world's vulnerability. 

What if in positioning ourselves in this transparent dependence let's God power and strength (which far exceeds mine) shine through in the most effectively way? 

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.  (NLT)

If we are to truly be gentle in our time, gentle in our homes... gentle in our work places... gentle at school... gentle in our world... gentle wherever God has placed us and in whatever season... we need to be willing to entertain the notion of being vulnerable with each other, and forever letting people know where our true power and strength comes from (God!).  It is going to be challenging to do that if we are not first vulnerable with God and in our prayer life.

Let's pray it, vulnerably!

No PoC|Coverage tonight - Happy Thanksgiving!  Praying for you all and so thankful for you as we get to walk with God and each other.  We truly are blessed.  Love you all.

Pastor Celia

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Gentle in Our Time”

Can you believe that you and your family are sitting down to your twelfth discussion about gentleness in this amazing series, “Gentle in Our Time”?  We’ve been able to cover a lot of areas about how our families can be a gentle force in our communities.  I know God’s been moving in great ways through you all.

Today, we’re going to shift gears a little and focus exclusively on gentleness in our homes.  (Yikes!)  There are a lot of wonderful adjectives I could use to describe my home—loving, silly, crazy—but I’m not sure gentle is one of them.

In this week’s passage in Ephesians, Paul shines a spotlight on the most prominent relationships we have, including parents and children.  Have someone read Ephesians 6:1-4.  

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  (ESV)

So there it is: God’s plan for your family.  Paul’s written your job descriptions just about as simply as he possibly could.

Kids—Obey and honor.  Do what your parents say and treat them with loving respect.  I hope you don’t do it just because “the Bible tells you so.”  I hope you believe, like Paul does, that it’s the right thing to do.  The cool part of your responsibilities is that they come with a bonus: a promise!  Your obedience and honor leads to blessings.  It will “go well with you”—sweet!

Ok, ‘rents,  now it’s your turn—Raise your kids with Jesus.  Teach them how to lead holy, God-honoring lives, to be disciples.  That will require discipline at times, discipline for you (it’s a tough job) and discipline from you (they are kids, after all).  But be careful with that discipline.  Don’t go over the edge, because that can have some long-lasting repercussions.  Think “gentleness.”

So that’s the standard, the goal we’re aiming for.  If we fill our roles well, we will likely have a happy, gentle home.  Parents will lead their children, children will obey and honor what’s being taught, parents won’t lecture just for fun.  It sounds like a wonderful environment for peace and gentleness to blossom.  

But how’s it really going?  This may be what we’re striving for, but if your family is anything like mine, ya ain’t there yet.  If we’re serious about reaching this point, however, we need to figure out where we’re at and identify some things we can do to be better.  Take some time right now to have an honest conversation around the table.  (If now isn’t a good time, schedule when this conversation will take place.)  Be honest with each other, but remember to also be gentle.  

Kids, give one or two ways mom and dad can be more like the parents Paul writes about in these verses.  Parents, give one or two ways your kids could be more obedient or respectful.  Try and be specific.  This is not the time to pull out your list of every mistake your kids or your parents are making.  The goal is to help our families become more gentle, so let’s practice that even while we’re trying to improve it.

After you’ve each had a chance to share, be sure to pray about what you heard.  This could be the Holy Spirit talking to you!  How can you respond to this information in a way that will help you be a better parent, son or daughter?  

End your time together by rereading the passage and personalize it.

Kids (read in unison): Mom and Dad, I/we want to obey you in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor my/our father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with me/us and that I/we may live long in the land.” 

Parents (read in unison):  Kid/s, I/we will not provoke you to anger, but bring you up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

All (in unison): God, help us as we strive to be the family you want us to be.  Help us to be gentle in our home, so that we may also be gentle in your world.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Living on Mission – Gentle Acts of Goodness and Kindness

Living on Mission – Gentle Acts of Goodness and Kindness

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” (Proverbs 3:27, 28 NLT)

We’re keeping it super simple this week, my Friends. I’m extending a challenge for each of us to ask God to show us how we can put this verse into practice this week. Father God, please guide us to someone in need this week, or even today, and help us to show goodness and kindness to them. Remind us of this in case we are tempted to withhold good from them instead of showing them gentleness in the manner of Jesus.

This scripture is so good I just have to repeat it in another translation. “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor ‘Maybe some other time’ or ‘Try me tomorrow’ when the money’s right there in your pocket.” (Proverbs 3:27, 28 MSG)

Let’s practice Living on Mission through Gentle acts of Goodness and Kindness.

Pastor Angela

pray it! gentle in our time - ephesians 5:1-20

Ephesians 5:17:  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.  (NLT)

What a verse.  It's clear.  It's simple.  It's perfect. 

As the gentle children of God, we have to understand what the LORD wants us to do.  Who?  The Lord!  Who?  The Lord!  Who?  The Lord!

In order for us to have that understanding, we have to have the Lord.  We have to be dependent upon Him 24/7.  We have to abide.  Daily presence!  John 15!

How do we pray it this week as we prepare our hearts and minds for Sunday's message? 

Individually and collectively, let us pray for understanding.  Let us pray for clarity and obedience regarding missional impulses that express themselves in acts of gentle kindness and gentle goodness that flow out of our relationship with God. 

God, what is it you are wanting me to do today?  In what way(s) are you calling me to serve?

Don't wait.  Begin now.  If you don't want to ask the question, start there.  God already knows your heart... your concerns and worries and fears.  Talk to God about it.  Avoiding asking God the question probably doesn't stop the missional impulses from creeping into your heart.  But it will likely cause you even more distress!

God moves beautifully when His people obey.  There's gentle power in the life of one child of God who obeys.  Add all those acts of obedience together and there's a different kind of gentle power, displaying beautifully the love of God for all to see.

Dear God,
Please show me (or remind and renew) missional impulses that come from you that you want me to do.  Please show (or remind and renew) PoC together the missional impulses that collectively we can do together in community and fellowship with you and one another.  Please let the world see your kindness and goodness as a result.  Please let us be a light to the world.  Amen.

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm.  Yes, it's dark out.  Yes, it's been a long day.  Come anyway! 

Pastor Celia