Articles and Blogs https://www.christredeemermn.org Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:45:41 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Church Polity: Our Elder Council Structure https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/our-elder-council https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/our-elder-council#comments Wed, 20 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/our-elder-council Christ Redeemer Church employs what we believe to be a biblical "plurality" model of elder/pastor leadership, including both vocational (paid) and non-vocational (unpaid) elder/pastors. One of the best resources we've found explaining this model is a book by Pastor Dave Harvey entitled, "The Plurality Principle".  Follow this link to a helpful summary and review of the book, posted on The Gospel Coalition website.

]]>
Christ Redeemer Church employs what we believe to be a biblical "plurality" model of elder/pastor leadership, including both vocational (paid) and non-vocational (unpaid) elder/pastors. One of the best resources we've found explaining this model is a book by Pastor Dave Harvey entitled, "The Plurality Principle".  Follow this link to a helpful summary and review of the book, posted on The Gospel Coalition website.

]]>
Bible Reading Plans for 2023 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/bible-reading-plans-for-2023 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/bible-reading-plans-for-2023#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2023 14:00:00 -0500 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/bible-reading-plans-for-2023 For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from. Maybe in 2023 you will read more of the Bible each day. Perhaps you’ll slow down your reading and instead spend more time considering what you read. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a reading plan, you should find it below: Keep Reading

]]>
For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from. Maybe in 2023 you will read more of the Bible each day. Perhaps you’ll slow down your reading and instead spend more time considering what you read. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a reading plan, you should find it below: Keep Reading

]]>
Reading the Bible to Meet With God https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/reading-the-bible-to-meet-with-god https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/reading-the-bible-to-meet-with-god#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2022 14:00:00 -0500 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/reading-the-bible-to-meet-with-god In my book Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith I wrote about how important it is to read the Bible to meet God, to read it relationally and as sustenance for the soul. Often we simply read it for information, to follow a rule, or as an academic pursuit. Reading to meet God sounds like a great idea and the ideal for a Christian, but how do we actually do it? How can we change our mind-sets to view Scripture as a living, rich revelation instead of a religious tome of instructions and history? Here are seven ways. Click here to read

 

]]>
In my book Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith I wrote about how important it is to read the Bible to meet God, to read it relationally and as sustenance for the soul. Often we simply read it for information, to follow a rule, or as an academic pursuit. Reading to meet God sounds like a great idea and the ideal for a Christian, but how do we actually do it? How can we change our mind-sets to view Scripture as a living, rich revelation instead of a religious tome of instructions and history? Here are seven ways. Click here to read

 

]]>
Advent Encouragement and Prayer-Week 1 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-week-1 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-week-1#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-week-1 As we approach Christmas, it seems like things get busier and our attention can easily shift from the joy of celebrating Christ’s birth to a long “to-do” list and a heavy load of expectations. If we’re not careful this season can rush past us (or run right over us!) One way we try, as a church, to anchor our hearts in this season is through intentionally observing Advent. Advent is the first four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the arrival of Christ. During this time we celebrate Christ’s birth and we look forward to His second Advent when he returns to “make all things new.” Each week of Advent represents a different theme: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Exploring these themes help us to intentionally walk through this Advent season and give us an opportunity to pause for a moment and reorient our hearts to Christ.

Week One: Hope

What is hope? Is it wishful thinking or just a happy thought? According to the Bible, hope that is grounded in Christ is not a fleeting feeling but a confident expectation. Biblical hope is founded on what God has already done and promises He will do. Our hope is placed on the trustworthiness of God’s word and deeds. As we look forward, we also look back at the ways His word has never failed. The good news of Jesus’ birth, teaching, death and resurrection gives us tangible hope for the day He will return and make all things new again. While we wait in the “already, not yet” tension of this life, it can be easy to grow weary. Our hope, however, is not dependent on our own strength or circumstance. Instead of being diminished by the weight of sin and suffering in this world, hope illuminates that something better is coming. 

As we enter into the Christmas season, hope shines in a world full of brokenness. This season can be filled with both great joy and deep sorrow.  Hope in Christ meets us right where we are. So, whether you are entering into this season excited and encouraged, or mourning the loss of a loved one, struggling financially, fighting the nagging feeling of fatigue, or are simply discouraged by the state of the world, you can confidently cling to hope. Our hope endures because Christ endures.  

“And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

As you head into Advent this season, consider giving time to pause and pray that the Lord would reveal to you what you are placing your hope in. Circumstances, people, career, children and lots of other things are always competing for your hope. And if left unchecked, our hearts can attach to these things in unhealthy ways. The New City Catechism asks, “What is our only hope in life and death?” The answer is profoundly comforting: “That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.” Let’s try to slow down and pray with the paslimist, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:5).

Also, here is a nice little resource for you this week: The Advent Bible Project Video on Hope! It's great for both kids and adults. 

]]>
As we approach Christmas, it seems like things get busier and our attention can easily shift from the joy of celebrating Christ’s birth to a long “to-do” list and a heavy load of expectations. If we’re not careful this season can rush past us (or run right over us!) One way we try, as a church, to anchor our hearts in this season is through intentionally observing Advent. Advent is the first four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the arrival of Christ. During this time we celebrate Christ’s birth and we look forward to His second Advent when he returns to “make all things new.” Each week of Advent represents a different theme: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Exploring these themes help us to intentionally walk through this Advent season and give us an opportunity to pause for a moment and reorient our hearts to Christ.

Week One: Hope

What is hope? Is it wishful thinking or just a happy thought? According to the Bible, hope that is grounded in Christ is not a fleeting feeling but a confident expectation. Biblical hope is founded on what God has already done and promises He will do. Our hope is placed on the trustworthiness of God’s word and deeds. As we look forward, we also look back at the ways His word has never failed. The good news of Jesus’ birth, teaching, death and resurrection gives us tangible hope for the day He will return and make all things new again. While we wait in the “already, not yet” tension of this life, it can be easy to grow weary. Our hope, however, is not dependent on our own strength or circumstance. Instead of being diminished by the weight of sin and suffering in this world, hope illuminates that something better is coming. 

As we enter into the Christmas season, hope shines in a world full of brokenness. This season can be filled with both great joy and deep sorrow.  Hope in Christ meets us right where we are. So, whether you are entering into this season excited and encouraged, or mourning the loss of a loved one, struggling financially, fighting the nagging feeling of fatigue, or are simply discouraged by the state of the world, you can confidently cling to hope. Our hope endures because Christ endures.  

“And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

As you head into Advent this season, consider giving time to pause and pray that the Lord would reveal to you what you are placing your hope in. Circumstances, people, career, children and lots of other things are always competing for your hope. And if left unchecked, our hearts can attach to these things in unhealthy ways. The New City Catechism asks, “What is our only hope in life and death?” The answer is profoundly comforting: “That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.” Let’s try to slow down and pray with the paslimist, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:5).

Also, here is a nice little resource for you this week: The Advent Bible Project Video on Hope! It's great for both kids and adults. 

]]>
Advent Resources for You https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-resources- https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-resources-#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-resources- Are you interested in making the Advent season a part of your daily life this December? If so, here are some resources that may help you in that experience. Of course you may already have some traditions and resources you like to use. But if you’re at all like me, you have discovered Advent a bit later in life and are still learning how one goes about participating in it. This is not an exhaustive list (there are many resources out there), but it can get you started in your journey. 


Books and Devotionals

Youversion Advent daily bible studies (free)

Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper (only $1 right now!)

The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent Edited by Melissa Kruger

The Dawn of Redeemer Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent by Sinclair Ferguson
Joy to the World: Daily reading for Advent by Charles Spurgeon

The Advent Book - More expensive but good for kids and families every year. (This one has become a tradition in our home)


Music

CRC Youtube Playlist - Still adding more to this
The Gospel Coalition Advent Playlist on Spotify - 100 Advent songs

Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition Advent Resource Page - Several more resources can be found here

Blessings,
Pastor Levi

]]>
Are you interested in making the Advent season a part of your daily life this December? If so, here are some resources that may help you in that experience. Of course you may already have some traditions and resources you like to use. But if you’re at all like me, you have discovered Advent a bit later in life and are still learning how one goes about participating in it. This is not an exhaustive list (there are many resources out there), but it can get you started in your journey. 


Books and Devotionals

Youversion Advent daily bible studies (free)

Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by John Piper (only $1 right now!)

The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent Edited by Melissa Kruger

The Dawn of Redeemer Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent by Sinclair Ferguson
Joy to the World: Daily reading for Advent by Charles Spurgeon

The Advent Book - More expensive but good for kids and families every year. (This one has become a tradition in our home)


Music

CRC Youtube Playlist - Still adding more to this
The Gospel Coalition Advent Playlist on Spotify - 100 Advent songs

Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition Advent Resource Page - Several more resources can be found here

Blessings,
Pastor Levi

]]>
Advent Encouragement and Prayer-Week 2 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and- https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and- See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. - 1 John 3:1

Advent Week 2: Love

Since the dawn of creation God’s love has been on display. Out of nothing, God spoke everything into existence. He separated the light from the darkness, the land from the water. He created the sun, moon, and stars and all the creatures of the earth, but his pinnacle of creation was humanity. He created us in His image to love and be loved. However, Adam and Eve doubted His love and goodness for them and rebelled against God. And yet, even in the midst of their disobedience we see God’s loving hand of mercy. He clothes them and gives them children and remains attentive to them and all of creation. This picture of radical love is found continually throughout scripture, from God’s promise to Abraham to His rescue of the Israelites from Pharaoh. Over and over we see that God’s love for His people is not dependent on their righteousness but instead is founded on His own character.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” - 1 John 4:9-10   

It is out of God’s great love for the world that He sent Jesus. Not only did Jesus humble himself and take on human form but he sacrificed himself in our place. He went to the source of all our pain and problems. On the cross Jesus took our sin and its deserved judgment and reconciled us back to God. And during his lifetime on earth, he taught us how to live lives of love in a world desperately in need of it.

And now,  as we wait for Christ to come again we stand in the tension of what God’s love has done and will do. We daily balance trusting God's love as well as understanding that it does not spare us from pain in this life, but it will bring us safely to eternal life with Christ. In a world that is filled with uncertainties, fear, anger, and pain; God’s love is our anchor to hope in the midst of the storm. As Romans 8: 35-38 reminds us, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We can rest in the assurance that no matter how we feel, what we do, or our current circumstances, God’s steadfast love will endure. 

In the midst of the business of this season, consider quieting your heart and meditating on the steadfast love of God. Perhaps start with Psalm 136:23-26:  “It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Check out this week's Advent video on love from The Bible Project.

]]>
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. - 1 John 3:1

Advent Week 2: Love

Since the dawn of creation God’s love has been on display. Out of nothing, God spoke everything into existence. He separated the light from the darkness, the land from the water. He created the sun, moon, and stars and all the creatures of the earth, but his pinnacle of creation was humanity. He created us in His image to love and be loved. However, Adam and Eve doubted His love and goodness for them and rebelled against God. And yet, even in the midst of their disobedience we see God’s loving hand of mercy. He clothes them and gives them children and remains attentive to them and all of creation. This picture of radical love is found continually throughout scripture, from God’s promise to Abraham to His rescue of the Israelites from Pharaoh. Over and over we see that God’s love for His people is not dependent on their righteousness but instead is founded on His own character.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” - 1 John 4:9-10   

It is out of God’s great love for the world that He sent Jesus. Not only did Jesus humble himself and take on human form but he sacrificed himself in our place. He went to the source of all our pain and problems. On the cross Jesus took our sin and its deserved judgment and reconciled us back to God. And during his lifetime on earth, he taught us how to live lives of love in a world desperately in need of it.

And now,  as we wait for Christ to come again we stand in the tension of what God’s love has done and will do. We daily balance trusting God's love as well as understanding that it does not spare us from pain in this life, but it will bring us safely to eternal life with Christ. In a world that is filled with uncertainties, fear, anger, and pain; God’s love is our anchor to hope in the midst of the storm. As Romans 8: 35-38 reminds us, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We can rest in the assurance that no matter how we feel, what we do, or our current circumstances, God’s steadfast love will endure. 

In the midst of the business of this season, consider quieting your heart and meditating on the steadfast love of God. Perhaps start with Psalm 136:23-26:  “It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Check out this week's Advent video on love from The Bible Project.

]]>
Advent Encouragement and Prayer - Week 3 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---week-3 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---week-3#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---week-3 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Week Three: Peace

The word peace can be found throughout the Christmas season, strung on garland and sung by choirs. It can be used so much that we can grow numb to the deep and life changing meaning of the word. Most of the time we equate peace with an absence of conflict or a feeling of inner tranquility but true biblical peace is so much more. The Hebrew word used in the Bible for peace is Shalom, which means to be in a state of safety, wholeness or completeness, without any deficiency or lack. This peace is only possible through Christ.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came into this world to restore our relationship to God. When He took on our sins and died on the cross he fulfilled God’s promise to recile us to Himself, making a way for us to experience wholeness in our relationship with Him. Jesus came to give us eternal and everlasting peace as well as give us access to peace on earth through the Holy Spirit.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  It is because of this we can find peace even in the darkest times. No matter our circumstance we have access to the true peace which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds. 

It is from this assurance of peace that we can also seek to extend peace to others. In a world that is easily divided, the Holy Spirit empowers us to be peacemakers with our neighbors, friends, and enemies. “As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). 

This advent season we rejoice in what Christ has done, we press on to be faithful with what he has called us to, as well as look forward to the day when all of creation is brought into perfect peace again. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).


In the hustle and bustle of the season it can feel difficult to find peace. Consider taking time this week to intentionally take time to rest in Christ’s shalom. “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’-Numbers 6:24-26

]]>
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Week Three: Peace

The word peace can be found throughout the Christmas season, strung on garland and sung by choirs. It can be used so much that we can grow numb to the deep and life changing meaning of the word. Most of the time we equate peace with an absence of conflict or a feeling of inner tranquility but true biblical peace is so much more. The Hebrew word used in the Bible for peace is Shalom, which means to be in a state of safety, wholeness or completeness, without any deficiency or lack. This peace is only possible through Christ.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came into this world to restore our relationship to God. When He took on our sins and died on the cross he fulfilled God’s promise to recile us to Himself, making a way for us to experience wholeness in our relationship with Him. Jesus came to give us eternal and everlasting peace as well as give us access to peace on earth through the Holy Spirit.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  It is because of this we can find peace even in the darkest times. No matter our circumstance we have access to the true peace which transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds. 

It is from this assurance of peace that we can also seek to extend peace to others. In a world that is easily divided, the Holy Spirit empowers us to be peacemakers with our neighbors, friends, and enemies. “As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). 

This advent season we rejoice in what Christ has done, we press on to be faithful with what he has called us to, as well as look forward to the day when all of creation is brought into perfect peace again. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).


In the hustle and bustle of the season it can feel difficult to find peace. Consider taking time this week to intentionally take time to rest in Christ’s shalom. “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’-Numbers 6:24-26

]]>
Advent Encouragement and Prayer - Week 4 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---joy https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---joy#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0600 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/advent-encouragement-and-prayer---joy Joy to the world the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!

Week Four: Joy

What is joy? So often we use the words joy and happiness interchangeably. While they are both wonderful feelings, they are quite different. Happiness tends to be a feeling tied to external things while joy is not reliant on our circumstances. As Christians our joy is not based on who we are or what we have but instead who God is and what He has done. We can hold both joy and sorrow at the same time. The gospel itself is filled with both. Jesus experienced incomprehensible sorrow on the cross, taking on God’s wrath and dying an unjust and  horrible death in our place. But the writer of Hebrews tells us that even there joy was present when he says that it was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb 12:2). His joy is then passed on to us - because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are joyfully reconciled to God!

During this Advent season we choose to rejoice because of the great joy we have in Christ. Although we may be weary from the groanings of this world our joy comes from the Lord and through our dependence on Him. This life and all that’s in it is temporary, but the joy of the Lord is eternal. In a world that is obsessed with obtaining happiness and avoiding sadness our joy points to something much better. Our greatest joy is yet to come when Christ returns to make all things new. The hope of what is to come gives us the strength to persevere and rejoice even in our darkest moments. 

As we celebrate Christmas this year these lyrics from the hymn O Holy Night seem extra fitting,

Long lay the world in sin and error pining 

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. 

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices. 

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

This week as we celebrate Christmas, consider taking a moment to quiet your heart and be still. If joy has been difficult to find this season remember that, “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” Psalm 34:18. Perhaps consider praying through a psalm of lament like Psalm 6 or Psalm 71.

Here is the Advent Bible Project on Joy

 

]]>
Joy to the world the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!

Week Four: Joy

What is joy? So often we use the words joy and happiness interchangeably. While they are both wonderful feelings, they are quite different. Happiness tends to be a feeling tied to external things while joy is not reliant on our circumstances. As Christians our joy is not based on who we are or what we have but instead who God is and what He has done. We can hold both joy and sorrow at the same time. The gospel itself is filled with both. Jesus experienced incomprehensible sorrow on the cross, taking on God’s wrath and dying an unjust and  horrible death in our place. But the writer of Hebrews tells us that even there joy was present when he says that it was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb 12:2). His joy is then passed on to us - because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are joyfully reconciled to God!

During this Advent season we choose to rejoice because of the great joy we have in Christ. Although we may be weary from the groanings of this world our joy comes from the Lord and through our dependence on Him. This life and all that’s in it is temporary, but the joy of the Lord is eternal. In a world that is obsessed with obtaining happiness and avoiding sadness our joy points to something much better. Our greatest joy is yet to come when Christ returns to make all things new. The hope of what is to come gives us the strength to persevere and rejoice even in our darkest moments. 

As we celebrate Christmas this year these lyrics from the hymn O Holy Night seem extra fitting,

Long lay the world in sin and error pining 

Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. 

A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices. 

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

This week as we celebrate Christmas, consider taking a moment to quiet your heart and be still. If joy has been difficult to find this season remember that, “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” Psalm 34:18. Perhaps consider praying through a psalm of lament like Psalm 6 or Psalm 71.

Here is the Advent Bible Project on Joy

 

]]>
Instructions for Live Streaming our Services https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/instructions-for-streaming https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/instructions-for-streaming#comments Fri, 01 May 2020 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/instructions-for-streaming We are preparing to livestream our services starting this Sunday. Who would have ever thought that this is where we would be on such short notice! It may not be ideal, but I am thankful that we have a way to be “together” during this strange and difficult time. I am also thankful for the simple truth that God is with us wherever we are. We may not be able to fully gather together, but God is still fully with us, and He provides the grace we need in all circumstances. Our aim with the livestream is to keep it real simple and similar to what we normally do on Sundays. We will start at 10:30am, but the link will be live by 10am so you’ll have time to secure your connection. Our service will last about one hour, 10:30-11:30am.
 
The following information is what you need to know in order to livestream our service. Please pass along this information to others who might be interested in joining us!

How to connect to the livestream:
1.    Our Website—The easiest way to get to our livestream is by going to our website: https://www.christredeemermn.org/live on your computer, tablet, or phone. You will find on that page our liturgy and song lyrics for the morning as well as a link to give online if you choose.
2.    Facebook—We will be live on facebook. Our aim with this is simply to reach a wider audience. Feel free to invite others to watch on facebook if you think that’s a better option. If you have not done so already, please “like” our facebook page so you will receive notification for when we go live. Click here to go to our facebook page.
3.    YouTube—If you have a smart TV you can download the YouTube app and watch our service on your TV. We have not really used YouTube in the past so you’ll have to find our channel. Click here to go to our youtube page. When you get there, make sure to click the subscribe button. That will help keep you informed when we go live or add anything to that channel.
4.    Vimeo—For those of who want to go right to our streaming service provider, go to https://vimeo.com/christredeemerchurch. You can also download the Vimeo app and watch on your electronic device. Vimeo does have an app you can get on your smart tv as well, but I don’t know how easy it is to access our livestream there. Feel free to try it if you’d like.
 
Suggestions for how to improve your streaming experience:
1.    Use external speakers or headphones if you can.
2.    Join the livestream early to ensure everything is working. We will start the stream at 10am, but the service will not start until 10:30am.
3.    Try to gather like you would normally for a service. If you are married or have kids, sit together as a family. Use the bathroom ahead of time, talk about expectations with your kids, have a Bible on hand. I'm sure there's more you can do, but you get the idea.
4.    Prepare your heart by quieting down, slowing down, praying, getting your Bible, etc. This will help you be a participant in worship rather than simply an observer.  
5.    Don’t multitask if you don’t have to (i.e. doing laundry, cooking breakfast, working on the car, talking on the phone, shopping, etc).  
6.    Download and/or print the liturgy ahead of time. You can find that on our livestream page.
7.    If you are techy and have a smart tv, try to mirror from your computer or stream from youtube. A bigger screen can help you engage.

]]>
We are preparing to livestream our services starting this Sunday. Who would have ever thought that this is where we would be on such short notice! It may not be ideal, but I am thankful that we have a way to be “together” during this strange and difficult time. I am also thankful for the simple truth that God is with us wherever we are. We may not be able to fully gather together, but God is still fully with us, and He provides the grace we need in all circumstances. Our aim with the livestream is to keep it real simple and similar to what we normally do on Sundays. We will start at 10:30am, but the link will be live by 10am so you’ll have time to secure your connection. Our service will last about one hour, 10:30-11:30am.
 
The following information is what you need to know in order to livestream our service. Please pass along this information to others who might be interested in joining us!

How to connect to the livestream:
1.    Our Website—The easiest way to get to our livestream is by going to our website: https://www.christredeemermn.org/live on your computer, tablet, or phone. You will find on that page our liturgy and song lyrics for the morning as well as a link to give online if you choose.
2.    Facebook—We will be live on facebook. Our aim with this is simply to reach a wider audience. Feel free to invite others to watch on facebook if you think that’s a better option. If you have not done so already, please “like” our facebook page so you will receive notification for when we go live. Click here to go to our facebook page.
3.    YouTube—If you have a smart TV you can download the YouTube app and watch our service on your TV. We have not really used YouTube in the past so you’ll have to find our channel. Click here to go to our youtube page. When you get there, make sure to click the subscribe button. That will help keep you informed when we go live or add anything to that channel.
4.    Vimeo—For those of who want to go right to our streaming service provider, go to https://vimeo.com/christredeemerchurch. You can also download the Vimeo app and watch on your electronic device. Vimeo does have an app you can get on your smart tv as well, but I don’t know how easy it is to access our livestream there. Feel free to try it if you’d like.
 
Suggestions for how to improve your streaming experience:
1.    Use external speakers or headphones if you can.
2.    Join the livestream early to ensure everything is working. We will start the stream at 10am, but the service will not start until 10:30am.
3.    Try to gather like you would normally for a service. If you are married or have kids, sit together as a family. Use the bathroom ahead of time, talk about expectations with your kids, have a Bible on hand. I'm sure there's more you can do, but you get the idea.
4.    Prepare your heart by quieting down, slowing down, praying, getting your Bible, etc. This will help you be a participant in worship rather than simply an observer.  
5.    Don’t multitask if you don’t have to (i.e. doing laundry, cooking breakfast, working on the car, talking on the phone, shopping, etc).  
6.    Download and/or print the liturgy ahead of time. You can find that on our livestream page.
7.    If you are techy and have a smart tv, try to mirror from your computer or stream from youtube. A bigger screen can help you engage.

]]>
From Pastor Brett https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/from-pastor-brett https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/from-pastor-brett#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.christredeemermn.org/pastors-blog/post/from-pastor-brett Dear Christ Redeemer Family,

I hope and pray this email finds you healthy and resting in our Father’s sovereign control of all things. It is so good to remember that, for those who trust in Christ, nothing comes our way in this life that has not first passed through the hands of a God who loves us, a God who is always, in all situations, working for the eternal good of His people and to fulfill His purposes on this earth. The coronavirus is not king. God is! He is still on the throne, still in control, and somehow using even this virus for His glory and the eternal joy of His people (Rom 8:28-30). I was working earlier this week on the sermon I was planning to preach this Sunday from Acts 25 and, ironically, the theme of the sermon was how God works in mysterious ways, ways we may never fully comprehend until we see Him in heaven, face-to-face, when all things will become crystal clear. But until that day, lots of things in this life will continue to seem very mysterious, cloudy, even confusing at times. “How in the world could God work good through that?!” But that’s just because we are very small, finite creatures, viewing all things from a very limited perspective. Even as Christians, we still just “see in a mirror dimly…and know in part” (1 Cor 13:12). We cannot see all things as God does, from an eternal perspective, seeing the end from the beginning. And we just have to trust that, in all things, even coronaviruses that send the world into a frenzied panic, that God is still King, still on the throne, still in control, and working through all things, maybe in very mysterious ways, and yet in very amazing ways, to fulfill His good purposes in this world. 

Having said that, I realize these are crazy days! Who would have thought a month ago that our entire country would be on almost total lockdown?! These are uncertain times, for sure. If you are not convinced of that, just try to buy some toilet paper. Wow! And in these crazy days, as lead pastor of our church, I just wanted to communicate a few thoughts. As I was praying this morning, four words were coming to my mind. It seemed the Lord was maybe impressing them on me for our entire church, just a few simple encouragements and/or directions for us during these days. 

The four words are:  

1) Love. It’s tough in times like this to know exactly how to act as Christians. Do we continue to have services and/or meet in large groups even though our country is discouraging that? Do we meet with our Life Groups? Do we keep reaching out to neighbors? Or do we buy up all the toilet paper and run for the hills? And it’s important for us, in situations like this, to remember that we should always be governed and directed by love. When we’re not certain of what to do or how to act, we can simply aim to love God and our neighbors to the best of our abilities (Mt 22:36-40). And that can look very different at times, depending on the situation. So what does love of God and neighbor look like now? Well, for starters, it probably means avoiding group gatherings, for a time. One infected person in a smaller gathering might infect just one or two people, but in a larger gathering maybe twenty people, spreading a virus exponentially. And even though you might not be concerned yourself about getting the virus, because you’re young or healthy, you can still spread it to people who are more susceptible. So loving our neighbors now probably means we avoid group gatherings. It also probably means that, when we are gathered with a very small group, or just meeting with one friend, we take care of the simple basics, like washing our hands, covering our coughs and sneezes, keeping a 6ft distance, etc, not just so we stay healthy, but so our friends do, as well. And then, let’s just make sure we’re still reaching out at this time to one another and our neighbors. Because love doesn’t hide in times like this. Love enters in and pursues. And our country and our world now need Christians to enter in and pursue, in love, in appropriate ways. So let’s aim as a church now to be governed by love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn 4:11). 


2) Pray. It’s ironic how God works. We tend to think God does His best work in this world or in our lives during times of peace, prosperity, safety, and comfort. But that’s not typically the way God works. God often does His best and most powerful work in times of uncertainty, unrest, poverty, discomfort, sickness, and even death. If you read through the Gospels in the Bible, it’s always the people in pain, fear, doubt, poverty, sickness, and so on who come looking for Jesus and are willing to press through the barriers to get to Jesus. So when it comes to our world’s eternal good? Some of the worst things can be comfort, security, certainty, prosperity, health, and etc. So what does that mean during this time now, with a coronavirus causing our world and country to go crazy? It means that many of the people in our world, our country, are right now much riper than they’ve been in years…to come to Christ. So let’s set our hearts right now, as a church, to pray. Pray for health, sure. Pray for the health of your family, friends, etc. Just please don’t stop there. Let’s think bigger than just our health in this little finite life. Let’s think eternally. We can be confident that God is working right now through this uncertainty, fear, discomfort, sickness, and even death to bring people to His Son in faith. So let’s line up with what God is doing right now and pray for the eternal good of our fearful, panicked country, families, friends, and loved ones.   

3) Trust. Times of uncertainty can stir up fear in the human heart. You can hear that fear all over the news right now. You can see the fear in the empty toilet paper shelves. Maybe you’re feeling a little extra fear yourself right now, for the health of your family, for your finances, or maybe for your favorite politician. “Oh no! What will this mean for the November elections?!” Fear is a very human emotion. God understands that we are fearful at times. And…God calls us to trust Him, always. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5). So let’s aim to trust in God right now, who loves us dearly in and through Christ. And let’s be very careful, as a church, that we don’t follow the rest of the world and start trusting in other things. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps 20:7). So let’s not trust in our hand washing, though we wash our hands. Let’s not trust in the stock market, though we may talk with our financial advisor. Let’s not trust in our favorite politician, though we may pray for him or her. Let’s do what we need to do during these times. And…let’s trust in God. Or, as they said in Revolutionary War days: “Trust the Lord, and keep your gunpowder dry.” For it is the Lord who ultimately watches over, leads, protects, and keeps His people alive. So may we live, at this time, in childlike trust in our really good God. And just remember that nothing can ever happen to you apart from His eternally good and sovereign will.  

4) Be. The Lord knows how to slow people down. And this has definitely slowed our country down. No sports. No school. No kids’ activities. No large gatherings. No reason to run to the store for toilet paper. But rather than bemoaning the fact that there’s not as much to do and trying to find alternate ways to fill our lives with busyness, let’s just embrace it! This is what our good and kind Heavenly Father has providentially allotted for us right now. So let’s not fight against it, but lean into it, which could be a really good thing for our entire church! Because the reality is that we could all probably slow down a little, and probably a lot! So during this time when God has forced us to slow down, let’s just do it. Contrary to popular belief, God did not create us to be human doings, but human beings. So let’s practice just BEING for a while. Just BE with your family or small groups of friends or neighbors - talk, play games, engage. Just BE in your quiet home - read, rest, revive. Just BE…with…God. And let’s aim during this time to be fully present, truly present, with both God and others. We’re so used to being busy all the time - do, do, do - that even when we’re with God and others, we’re often not really with God and others. So let’s aim to be there, truly be there, with God and others, during these crazy times. And when things calm down and we start doing a little bit more, maybe we will have learned how to be a little more present, our doing flowing out of our being. Don’t fight the coronavirus slow-down. Let’s embrace it, by the grace of God. “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).

So those are the four words it seemed God was impressing upon my heart. Let’s aim as a church now to Love, Pray, Trust, and Be. And just know that God is now working through all things, even this crazy coronavirus, for His glory and the eternal joy of His people. 

That’s it for now, I think. We will try to communicate regularly by email, especially since things are pretty fluid right now, changing frequently. Let’s continue to rally together as a church. Let’s aim to be patient, prayerful, and ready to flex with things as needed. The Lord is good. He is sovereign. And He loves His people dearly! May God be glorified in us now as a church family, and may we come out of this even stronger. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Much grace in Christ,

Pastor Brett 

]]>
Dear Christ Redeemer Family,

I hope and pray this email finds you healthy and resting in our Father’s sovereign control of all things. It is so good to remember that, for those who trust in Christ, nothing comes our way in this life that has not first passed through the hands of a God who loves us, a God who is always, in all situations, working for the eternal good of His people and to fulfill His purposes on this earth. The coronavirus is not king. God is! He is still on the throne, still in control, and somehow using even this virus for His glory and the eternal joy of His people (Rom 8:28-30). I was working earlier this week on the sermon I was planning to preach this Sunday from Acts 25 and, ironically, the theme of the sermon was how God works in mysterious ways, ways we may never fully comprehend until we see Him in heaven, face-to-face, when all things will become crystal clear. But until that day, lots of things in this life will continue to seem very mysterious, cloudy, even confusing at times. “How in the world could God work good through that?!” But that’s just because we are very small, finite creatures, viewing all things from a very limited perspective. Even as Christians, we still just “see in a mirror dimly…and know in part” (1 Cor 13:12). We cannot see all things as God does, from an eternal perspective, seeing the end from the beginning. And we just have to trust that, in all things, even coronaviruses that send the world into a frenzied panic, that God is still King, still on the throne, still in control, and working through all things, maybe in very mysterious ways, and yet in very amazing ways, to fulfill His good purposes in this world. 

Having said that, I realize these are crazy days! Who would have thought a month ago that our entire country would be on almost total lockdown?! These are uncertain times, for sure. If you are not convinced of that, just try to buy some toilet paper. Wow! And in these crazy days, as lead pastor of our church, I just wanted to communicate a few thoughts. As I was praying this morning, four words were coming to my mind. It seemed the Lord was maybe impressing them on me for our entire church, just a few simple encouragements and/or directions for us during these days. 

The four words are:  

1) Love. It’s tough in times like this to know exactly how to act as Christians. Do we continue to have services and/or meet in large groups even though our country is discouraging that? Do we meet with our Life Groups? Do we keep reaching out to neighbors? Or do we buy up all the toilet paper and run for the hills? And it’s important for us, in situations like this, to remember that we should always be governed and directed by love. When we’re not certain of what to do or how to act, we can simply aim to love God and our neighbors to the best of our abilities (Mt 22:36-40). And that can look very different at times, depending on the situation. So what does love of God and neighbor look like now? Well, for starters, it probably means avoiding group gatherings, for a time. One infected person in a smaller gathering might infect just one or two people, but in a larger gathering maybe twenty people, spreading a virus exponentially. And even though you might not be concerned yourself about getting the virus, because you’re young or healthy, you can still spread it to people who are more susceptible. So loving our neighbors now probably means we avoid group gatherings. It also probably means that, when we are gathered with a very small group, or just meeting with one friend, we take care of the simple basics, like washing our hands, covering our coughs and sneezes, keeping a 6ft distance, etc, not just so we stay healthy, but so our friends do, as well. And then, let’s just make sure we’re still reaching out at this time to one another and our neighbors. Because love doesn’t hide in times like this. Love enters in and pursues. And our country and our world now need Christians to enter in and pursue, in love, in appropriate ways. So let’s aim as a church now to be governed by love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn 4:11). 


2) Pray. It’s ironic how God works. We tend to think God does His best work in this world or in our lives during times of peace, prosperity, safety, and comfort. But that’s not typically the way God works. God often does His best and most powerful work in times of uncertainty, unrest, poverty, discomfort, sickness, and even death. If you read through the Gospels in the Bible, it’s always the people in pain, fear, doubt, poverty, sickness, and so on who come looking for Jesus and are willing to press through the barriers to get to Jesus. So when it comes to our world’s eternal good? Some of the worst things can be comfort, security, certainty, prosperity, health, and etc. So what does that mean during this time now, with a coronavirus causing our world and country to go crazy? It means that many of the people in our world, our country, are right now much riper than they’ve been in years…to come to Christ. So let’s set our hearts right now, as a church, to pray. Pray for health, sure. Pray for the health of your family, friends, etc. Just please don’t stop there. Let’s think bigger than just our health in this little finite life. Let’s think eternally. We can be confident that God is working right now through this uncertainty, fear, discomfort, sickness, and even death to bring people to His Son in faith. So let’s line up with what God is doing right now and pray for the eternal good of our fearful, panicked country, families, friends, and loved ones.   

3) Trust. Times of uncertainty can stir up fear in the human heart. You can hear that fear all over the news right now. You can see the fear in the empty toilet paper shelves. Maybe you’re feeling a little extra fear yourself right now, for the health of your family, for your finances, or maybe for your favorite politician. “Oh no! What will this mean for the November elections?!” Fear is a very human emotion. God understands that we are fearful at times. And…God calls us to trust Him, always. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5). So let’s aim to trust in God right now, who loves us dearly in and through Christ. And let’s be very careful, as a church, that we don’t follow the rest of the world and start trusting in other things. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps 20:7). So let’s not trust in our hand washing, though we wash our hands. Let’s not trust in the stock market, though we may talk with our financial advisor. Let’s not trust in our favorite politician, though we may pray for him or her. Let’s do what we need to do during these times. And…let’s trust in God. Or, as they said in Revolutionary War days: “Trust the Lord, and keep your gunpowder dry.” For it is the Lord who ultimately watches over, leads, protects, and keeps His people alive. So may we live, at this time, in childlike trust in our really good God. And just remember that nothing can ever happen to you apart from His eternally good and sovereign will.  

4) Be. The Lord knows how to slow people down. And this has definitely slowed our country down. No sports. No school. No kids’ activities. No large gatherings. No reason to run to the store for toilet paper. But rather than bemoaning the fact that there’s not as much to do and trying to find alternate ways to fill our lives with busyness, let’s just embrace it! This is what our good and kind Heavenly Father has providentially allotted for us right now. So let’s not fight against it, but lean into it, which could be a really good thing for our entire church! Because the reality is that we could all probably slow down a little, and probably a lot! So during this time when God has forced us to slow down, let’s just do it. Contrary to popular belief, God did not create us to be human doings, but human beings. So let’s practice just BEING for a while. Just BE with your family or small groups of friends or neighbors - talk, play games, engage. Just BE in your quiet home - read, rest, revive. Just BE…with…God. And let’s aim during this time to be fully present, truly present, with both God and others. We’re so used to being busy all the time - do, do, do - that even when we’re with God and others, we’re often not really with God and others. So let’s aim to be there, truly be there, with God and others, during these crazy times. And when things calm down and we start doing a little bit more, maybe we will have learned how to be a little more present, our doing flowing out of our being. Don’t fight the coronavirus slow-down. Let’s embrace it, by the grace of God. “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10).

So those are the four words it seemed God was impressing upon my heart. Let’s aim as a church now to Love, Pray, Trust, and Be. And just know that God is now working through all things, even this crazy coronavirus, for His glory and the eternal joy of His people. 

That’s it for now, I think. We will try to communicate regularly by email, especially since things are pretty fluid right now, changing frequently. Let’s continue to rally together as a church. Let’s aim to be patient, prayerful, and ready to flex with things as needed. The Lord is good. He is sovereign. And He loves His people dearly! May God be glorified in us now as a church family, and may we come out of this even stronger. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Much grace in Christ,

Pastor Brett 

]]>