What a beautiful day it is! 

I was out very early this morning before the sun came out, and the moon was shining full and bright. I stood for a moment in my driveway, mesmerized by the beauty of the creation of God. I was taken back by the way that our human eyes capture what even the best camera lense misses at the periphery. God’s creation is tremendous to behold, and it fills me with awe and wonder.

This afternoon, I look out and see God’s wonderful creation once again. Blue skies fill the window in my office, and the sidewalks out along the street have been crowded all afternoon with people basking in the rays of sunshine. Spring has sprung, and even if we get another cold snap or two before the month comes to an end, we know it it is only temporary. The facts of life are demonstrating themselves all around us. God keep the balance of things in motion. The seasons are changing. New life is budding all around the world. Can you see it? Can you hear the sounds? Of course you can!

Today, when you walk around your neighborhood, when you see the people on your street you haven’t been around since the kids went trick-or-treating, this: let your light shine. Just like the sun shines on us this afternoon. Just like the full moon shines over the earth on a crisp clear morning. You are to be a city on a hill for the sake of Christ. 

“Whatever you do or so, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus.”
Colossians 3:17. 

Represent Christ!
- Pastor Milo

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...the hopes and fears of all the years...

We don't know what all Pastor Phillip Brooks was thinking when he penned these words in 1868, but hopes and fears are universal emotions. They are powerful emotions. They are controlling emotions. But many times hope and fear are at odds with each other. 

What hope longs to embrace, fear tries to push just out of reach. - Stanley Martin. 

For all of us, (unless you happen to be a 102 years old) we are experiencing something different in 2020 than any of one us have ever lived through previously. That is, experiencing and celebrating Christmas while enduring a pandemic. For many, our hopes and fears are colliding, much like eternity collided with time many years ago in the village of Bethlehem. 

Remember that the Christmas season often stirs up grief and other difficult emotions in people. Given the current circumstances, these reactions may be more pronounced, in ourselves and in others. Rather than avoid these emotions, how can we be intentional in addressing them, and provide hope for one another? Here are a few things to consider.

 

People Are Relational: We believe that all people are relational in nature, and need opportunities to interact with each other. We believe in connect and loving our neighbors. Doing so this Christmas is more important than ever!

People Need To Hear: We believe people need to hear the G.o.s.p.e.l. Truth. For those who will listen, John 3:16 says that God's gift still remains the greatest gift ever given! God's Only Son Provides Everlasting Life. Hearing this truth this Christmas may have greater impact than ever before! 

People Need To Know: We believe that Christmastime may open people up to connecting with the Gospel story in a way they wouldn't other times of year. We see that people are looking for something more at Christmas than the frantic shopping spree can provide. This year, many will be avoiding the busy shopping centers and evaluating what is truly most valuable to them. We believe people need to know the true Jesus. 

People Will Be Effected: We believe that God actually placed us in this time and in this pandemic for a reason. This is and will be a time of lament, grief and loss for people all around the world. While we have anxieties, worries, and concerns to be sure, we have a hope and confidence secure in Jesus Christ.  We believe that while the pandemic may effect millions of peoples lives here on earth, we serve a Savior who gave himself to change all humanity's lives for eternity.  

Praise be to God. The hope and fears of all the years have met their solution in you Lord!

-Pastor Milo

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 I’ve been recently drawn into “The Last Alaskans,” a series documentary about the difficulties of life for the four remaining families residing in a remote preserve the size of South Carolina, The National Arctic Wildlife Refuge. To be fair, the rest of my family does not find the series to be quite as riveting, so I rarely have the opportunity to watch even a complete episode before someone begs me to find something else to watch. 

Why is it hard to sit down and watch? It’s pretty slow moving, its fairly monotonous, and in the end, its downright lonely. These families live 200 miles from their nearest neighbor, who is also all alone. How isolating it must feel! Any correspondence comes to them by AM radio broadcast once a week, where a volunteer reads aloud letters written to those beyond the reach of the post office. How do they cope? How do they go about the “normal” activities of the day without other human interaction?

I was reading This morning from 1 Kings 19 where the prophet Elijah is hiding out in a cave feeling defeated and afraid. In God’s power, he had just defeated the 450 prophets of Baal, confronted the weak King Ahab, and called out the evil Queen Jezebel. Yet, he felt all alone as one of the last prophets of the true God. 

I’m not sure what your circumstance may be, but perhaps you need to hear this today. Perhaps you feel alone. Perhaps you feel forgotten. The Lord did not allow Elijah to remain down and defeated. The Lord was faithful to show himself strong. He spoke to Elijah and reminded him of his power and purpose. 

You see, passages like this illustrate for us that people are God’s treasure. He made mankind in His own image, and when our sin corrupted God’s perfect creation, our Heavenly Father made a way through His Son Jesus for us to find our way back to a right relationship with a Holy God. The Lord addressed the deepest needs of Elijah’s soul, and He will do the same for each of us as well. 

When you feel alone, when you face hard times, may your ears be open to hear the gentle whisper of our loving Father. 

- Pastor Milo
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This week, our church will honor another one of our spiritual giants, Cliff Schiefer. I only knew Cliff for 5 years or so, but his impact on my life has been significant. One of the great honors of pastoring Randall Church is interacting on a weekly basis with the five generations present each Sunday. The longer I’ve been doing this, the more I realize that I am experiencing something very unique.

I have the wonderful opportunity to shape young hearts and minds while being simultaneously shaped and discipled in the process myself. While there is tremendous pressure on our leadership here to continue to carry on a influential heritage of faith, there are also gracious mentors like Mr. Cliff here who walk beside me throughout the journey as I go. Today I reviewed the legacy of Joshua’s dear friend Caleb, and I believe it speaks well to  what many of us experienced from  global missionary and friend, Cliff Schiefer. Those who knew him better than I will see the similarities!

10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day! Joshua 14:10-12

He remembered the right things. 
His confidence never ceased. 
His God never forgot him.

Mr. Cliff experienced plenty of life’s hurts that he would have loved to forget. But he never forgot his love for his family, and his call to reach the Japanese, or anyone else he would journey with carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While many may knew him for 50 years or more, I only knew him as an old man who refused to give up the fight. It was an honor to know you sir!

Now Give Me This Mountain! 

Pastor Milo
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Even though our family is going through one of life's many valley's, we have been thoroughly encouraged by the experience. Truly, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of God's people over the last few months. This begins within our local congregation, but extends and ripples out from there. As people of God, we are called to give, but I think it has been a good exercise in perspective to be on the receiving end of things for a season. Here are a few lessons I'm being taught. Maybe they will be helpful to you today.

Love to Experience The Simple. Learn To Accept The Extravagant.

Today we should all gratefully receive the simple gifts that God has provided. We love the feeling of warm sunlight pouring into a cool room, the sound of birds singing, or the first snow of winter. We also love healthy human interactions, in form of a card, a nice compliment, or a prayer. Learning to receive the extravagant however is an opportunity for growth. Our natural inclination is assume we can handle everything on our own. However, we have been created for community. God has built us to need one another, and be stronger together. Learning to accept an exceptional gift is not only humbling, but healthy. Not to mention it is a tremendous encouragement to the person doing the blessing as well!!

Love To Give Good News. Learn To Receive Bad News.

When given a chance to share something truly exciting with a close friend, or even a casual co-worker, it is medically proven that our body responds by infusing a surge of adrenaline into the bloodstream. This leaves both people with a great feeling, and it certainly isn't a bad way to start the day. Still, life doesn't always produce one adrenaline rush after another. God allows us, even nudges us to walk through the difficult, where we must hear and experience things we would never choose to go through on our own. Learning to process unpleasant information is part of the process the Potter uses in molding us into His image. The situation is hard, but the tension is good. Learn to lean in.

Love To Give Generously. Learn To Give Simply.

It is a tremendous honor to be able to abundantly bless someone else with a gift. It is a tremendous opportunity to share the love of Christ in a practical way. God loves a cheerful giver, and believe it makes him laugh when we pull out on the stops. When you are able, and even when you are not... give! However, sometimes a tremendous, over-the-top type of surprise is not only impractical and unnecessary, sometimes it just isn't helpful. Learning to give a simple, heartfelt gift might be the best way you can support someone. 

Remember, whether simple or extravagant, all gifts come from God. I pray that you would be a shining light for His greatness today. I pray that today, you would love and learn!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:10-11

I love living in Buffalo, New York. It is one of the most beautiful and emotionally rewarding places a person could live. For someone reading this article that is not from the WNY area, this statement seems simply; unfathomable. The only time they see Buffalo, New York in the headlines, it is related to some catastrophic snowstorm, or most recently, a catastrophic football team, and a delinquent hockey team. However, those who know and call this place "home" realize that much of its appeal comes from four distinct seasons of weather.

In Buffalo, yes, our winters are chilling, but our "snow fed" vegetation in the spring is just incredible! There are very few mild summers nights in the region that do not have a festival, firework display, or food truck gathering of some sort to enjoy with a few thousand of your closest friends. And, the fall foliage, an explosion of color everywhere you look, mixed in with chili evenings around a campfire, or frosty Friday night football games… This is the place to be! 

Have I convinced you yet?

Embracing The Seasons

Here is the thing with seasons. We know that seasons change. We know that weather patterns, each and every year, are part of the rhythm of life; the ebb and flow, the give and take, the rising and falling. We can plan for the seasons. We can get used to the seasons. We can adapt to the seasons. However, we can't change the seasons.

Christian author Karl Vaters says this: "Because we can't stop seasons from happening, we have to stop kicking against them." Remembering and appreciating past seasons is nostalgic. Wanting to live in them is irrational. Not liking the cold of winter is normal. Denying it and dressing as though it's still summer is delusional and dangerous.

We can't control the seasons of life, but we can do something about the cycles.

Breaking The Cycles

Cycles are similar to seasons in that they also have a sense of change and rhythm to them. But that is where the similarities end. Cycles can be stopped, reset, or reversed. A new perspective, a new motivation, or a new situational reality can break the bond of old cyclical behavior(s), and can do so rather quickly. Every time we get a new job, move to a new town, bring home a new addition to the family, or establish a new behavior pattern there is a break in the cycle. This is a new opportunity to for growth.

A time for every season...

In our lives we have seasons of loss, birth and death, planting and harvest. This will always be a part of our human interactions while we reside in this temporal world. In our lives we also experience cycles of behaviors, habits, and communication patterns that might put us in a bad place... How often is it of our own making? We need to be able to decipher the difference between the two.

Perhaps you are experiencing something that feels like a cold wintry season, where life can be difficult and sunshine can be hard to come by? I know the feeling. Can I encourage you (us) today?

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9

Don't Give Up!
Pastor Milo

Never Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth...

In a remote corner of California, news headlines this week tell us the U.S. Forest Service is set to round up a thousand wild horses arguing it's necessary to reduce overpopulation in Modoc National Forest. If you are interested, these wild horses are available for adoption for only $1. Though transportation of these beautiful animals is on your shoulders, every middle school boy and girl who ever wanted a horse is begging their parents to take advantage of this "rare investment opportunity!"

I was reminded of the old saying: "Never Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth..." Now, I am aware that this may not be a saying you grew up with, but what it comes down to is being grateful for what you have been given. Horse people will often look into a horse's mouth to be certain that the animal is healthy and doesn't have any problems that would keep them from easily take a bit and bridle. Surprisingly, one of the most valuable contacts a horse owner has, is that of a good horse dentist. Didn't know that, did you?

Imagine that a benevolent family friend heard about this $1 Horse Deal, and delivered a beautiful wild white stallion to your middle schooler, along with five years of stable fees covered at a nearby horse farm in their name. Imagine your middle schooler responding by throwing a fit and slamming their door, because what they really wanted was a black horse, not a white one! How frustrating would this be to you as a parent!

This week, I had a vehicle in the shop for some pretty extensive work. It was at the mechanic for a full week before I got it back home. The following morning, when I went out to drive my newly repaired vehicle, I found one o the tires to be completely flat and resting on the rim. After some grumbling and complaining about how hard my life is, I changed out the flat tire for the spare and took it to the tire place to get it repaired. After waiting a couple of hours while working on my laptop in a crowded waiting room, I was given the good news that my tires was completely fine. They had checked and double checked it, but there was no puncture, no leaky seal, or faulty stem. This tire was fine. I was free to go, no charge for the trouble. 

I had been given a gift. After a hefty bill from my mechanic earlier the day before, this time I had no charge due, and all was well! Or was it? I left annoyed with a poor attitude that there was nothing wrong with my tire. My precious time had been wasted, so I thought, and this was all a bit too ridiculous. What do you suppose my Heavenly Father thought about my little temper tantrum? He had arranged for me to be taken care of, and not be under additional financial strain. What had I done with that gift? I had looked the gift horse in the mouth. Seems kinda silly now... Maybe you can learn from this fool today?

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Pastor Milo

@milowilson

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article219495790.html#storylink=cpy

Back in fall of 2015, when Renewal Church, our church plant, was only about 2 years old, Erin and I felt I felt called to something unexpected and, frankly, a little terrifying. Randall Church was without a pastor and was experiencing an exodus tidal wave of paid and volunteer leadership. This happened for a number of reasons; including job transfers, retirement, the mission field, or overall "fit" issues.

As our sending church, it was very important for us to know that Randall could remain healthy and sustainable for the future of both congregations. Feeling somewhat like Nehemiah and his call to rebuild the walls of his city to establish a safe place for his people to gather and worship, we believed the Lord laid it on our hearts for me to hand over the reigns at Renewal and pursue the Lead Pastor position at Randall.

The Lord has done remarkable things in this community of Christ followers in the last three years. With five generations present each Sunday, we are awarded the unique opportunity to worship and experience the greatness of God with a mighty 100 years of bandwidth! We are a unique people, but God is growing us deeper and wider. Each week, more and more people are finding their place upward in Christ, inward in the Church, and outward in the community. This church did not close, fold up, or give up hope. Instead, this church will reach 200 years old in 2026, and Lord willing I will get the honor of leading that ribbon-cutting ceremony! God is still faithful, and His Word is still true.

When Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem’s walls had been destroyed and her gates burned to the ground, he was devastated. As he wept for his home and his people, he did the one thing he knew to do: he sought the Lord. As a church, it seems as though we are walking through a time where many of our people are walking through really significant things. We must do one thing: we must seek the Lord.

This summer has been one of great loss, family trauma, and difficult health diagnoses for many in the Randall Church body. While many of you struggle through your specific situation and less than encouraging reports each day, we must, like Nehemiah, be reminded again and again that we serve a God of restoration and second chances. While many of these situations leave us equally terrified as Erin and I were in 2015 with what faces us now, our faith in Christ rests on the strength, sovereignty, and grace found only in Him.

As we study this Old Testament narrative together over the next three months, we’ll see how God indeed called Nehemiah to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. But today, as we read this prayer from a broken man for his broken city, may we, too, begin with prayer and confession.

"Let’s declare God’s goodness and recall His faithfulness. Let’s speak His promises back to Him, knowing that He has both fulfilled them and is fulfilling them right where we are. May God give us strength and courage for whatever work He puts before us, both the grand endeavors and the single acts of faithfulness; to the honor and glory of His name!"  —Amanda Williams

Milo Wilson
@milowilson

The last few months have been particularly intense for my circle of friends and family, both in the church, on our street, and for that matter, in our nation. It's tempting to not read newspapers or listen to the news on tv/radio anymore. Why? They’re filled with articles of people that have run out of options. It's like we are all recording the same mix tape. It's a pretty hopeless playlist of stories and situations called: Out of Options.

Like the college student who is beginning her junior year, but she still hasn't declared a major or determined at all what kind of job field will be open to her in the future but already has $30,000 in debt. The thought of soon having to pay for her utilities, car payment, rent, and health insurance on her own with a minimum wage job gives her anxiety. And her parents.

Like the couple who has made it work for the past 25 years even though their marriage has been anything but glamorous. Now, the kids are out of the house and the latest round of disagreements is beginning to stack up discontentment upon disapproval, and frustration is taking over. The idea that things will ever improve seems impossible, and everyone of their peers seems to have found other friends who don't argue so much. It's getting too lonely to bear.

Like the woman who lost her husband to cancer this year. It wasn't sudden, or unexpected, but the grief has been too much to bear. She has come to the realization that she doesn't know how to do some the basic things in life, because for the last 45 years her husband has always done them for her. She has never pumped her own gas, she's good at managing the finances, but can't seem to make a decision on new purchases. So she pays too much for things. Her car is on the fritz and she is uncomfortable negotiating a price for a new one. This is too much to deal with right now.

Like the family who has a particularly difficult child. He has all the potential in the world, is well liked by his peers, and it appears to everyone that he is going to do great things. Yet, when you look closer he is insecure, angry, and afraid of something or someone. Depression grips him, and the family is on pins and needles waiting for the next shoe to drop. Counseling doesn't seem to help, medication just makes him more miserable, and no one can seem to tell his parents what the long term prognosis will be. Somethings gotta give.

So what do you do when you are out of options? We all face problems so looming and so large that only God can solve them. Luckily, we aren't the only people to run out of options. The Bible is full of them. Specifically, at Randall Church over the past weeks, we studied the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50, and we saw a young man forced to rely on God in desperate circumstances. And along the way, we learned how we can also access the power of God for the life crises we face.

You see, the enemy uses idea that we are out of options to make it seem like there is only one choice before us, and we have to take it. The enemy is the great deceiver, and he makes it look like the only thing we can do is take on more debt, more pain, more discouragement, more anxiety and more loss. Yet, the reality is that we belong to a Heavenly Father who loves His children and is always there. Throughout the life of Joseph, we read the words again and again "...and the Lord was with Joseph."

The Lord was with Joseph when he was given the colorful coat.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was thrown in to the pit.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was sold as a slave by his brothers.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was promoted to head of household.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was falsely accused of rape.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was forgotten about and left in prison.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was raised up as second in command.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was forced to face his brothers.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was going to bury his beloved father.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was forgiving his brothers.
The Lord was with Joseph when he was passing the baton to his sons.

You are not out of options. You are not alone. You can face the day!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

The Legend of Issaqueena 
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there once lived a Creek Indian maiden named Issaqueena, in a village called Keowee Town, aptly named for the beautiful Keowee River. Issaqueena fell in love with an English trader, Francis Allen. One night she overhead a tribunal talk of attacking Star Fort, where Allen had gone to do business. She jumped on her pony and made the 96-mile trek to alert Allen and the fort of the impending attack. Her mission was successful and she and Allen were married and had a son borne of the union.

Issaqueena’s Last Ride is a challenging bicycle ride through the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina commemorating this young Cherokee woman's contribution to the English settlers. Ten years ago, in 2008, I took up the challenge and logged my first 100 mile bike ride on this difficult route. In the middle of the experience, thought it might be my last.

I wasn't really sure what to expect, so I arrived at 7:30, one hour before the start time. I didn't come with anyone to go on the ride, although my wife did come to cheer for me before we took off. I really appreciated her support. At 8:30, we promptly took off out of the Walhalla area. I had lined up about middle of the pack, a position that I felt would keep me from going out too hard, and keep me from getting caught up in the high speed riders.

However, somewhere between 30 and 40 miles in, and I was finished. I had been riding at a 20-25 mph pace. This could really be trouble. A stop helped dramatically, but only for a few miles... Somehow my wife and father-in-law decided to drive out and find me, and when they did, they found I had become all alone. I stopped and talked with them for a few minutes, drank another entire bottle of gatorade, and pounded a Cliff bar. The problem was, I had only just now reached the bottom of the mountain section. Talking with them raised my spirits a little, and put things into perspective that unless I rode at my own pace, I would to be able to complete the total 100 miles.

I didn't push it. I got up to 9 mph occasionally, but I stayed at a pretty consistent 6mph. Not a blazing speed by any means, but I was still moving. I didn't see anyone at all for 2 or 3 very slow miles. It is amazing what your mind thinks about when you are all alone. I began to worry that the volunteers would clean up and leave their rest areas before I got there. The road was painted with things like "You thought that was hard," and "Nope, there is still more" but I did begin to get excited when it said "One really hard mile left" I might actually get up this thing! It must have been a cyclist who wrote that last sign, because it ended up only being .77 mi left in the mountain climb. Normally "one mile to go" turns out to be about 1.3 or so, but this time it went in my favor. This was a stop overlooking beautiful Lake Jocassee.

The next stop was at 70 miles or so, and I was making good time, and all was well in the world until a rider says "Now there is one more real nasty climb coming up" I think he said it would have 17% grade... I'm not sure if I heard him right on the second part, but he was right, it was nasty. Then the home stretch.. I had 20 miles left to go, mostly flat or downhill. It is funny how hard even the slightest uphill became. But I was doing it! I knew my girls would be waiting for me to come in, and that excitement began to turn into speed. I pulled stronger and stronger over the last 10 miles until finally - we had made it!

My computer said 100.043 miles, and had a total ascent of 8900 feet. Awesome! I had survived the experience, but I would not have if it had not been for the support of many others along the way.

As I said, 10 years has passed since that ride, but it is still a vivid memory for me. I have been eager to try many additional challenges in life, and feel like one of the most pastoral things I can do is to lead others to do the same. Why? Because it is in our own weakness we find out how strong God really is. It is in our need of one another, that God unifies our hearts.

In Romans 15:5 it says: 
May the God who gives ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT give you a spirit of UNITY.

What is God challenging you to do today? It may not be a difficult bike ride, hike, or public speaking engagement. Yet, whatever it is, through it he will teach you to rely on Him. Are you willing to take action today? I hope you will!

Pastor Milo
@milowilson
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The Fresh Cut Grass
The smell of fresh cut grass is a tremendous thing. Going for a jog, or walking the dog as the sun dips behind the tree-line is exponentially improved when the sound of a push-mower firing over after a few pulls disturbs the evening air. The smell of fresh cut grass makes an old dog suddenly tug on the leash, it puts bounce in a worn out person's step, and it petitions bored school-kids to toss their backpacks in the air and RUN!!

The John Deere Man
I once had a biology teacher who joked with the class how he loathed the "John Deere Man." Every spring, while deep in discussion on enthalpy vs. entropy, our class would be interrupted by the janitorial crew buzzing back and forth at Mach 5 out the window while cutting the school's back acreage. With each pass, the classroom's attention was drawn farther and farther outdoors, compelled to do so by that familiar smell of fresh...cut... grass. Ahhh, breathe deeply my friends!

Note: If you happen to be reading this from somewhere other than at Randall Church in Buffalo, NY at a date other than May 2018, this illustration may not be able to directly apply to you. However, here in WNY we experienced a particularly long winter where just this past weekend, although ski resorts lifts have been closed for a month, hikers were permitted to climb to the summit carrying their skis and cruise down the slopes on what still remains of the snow base layer.

The Need for a Fresh Start

Sometimes we just need to smell some fresh cut grass! Sometimes we just need a fresh start! Maybe that resounds with something inside you today? Perhaps you are looking to experience a fresh start as well? 

Perhaps you are feeling out of place and aren't sure where you fit in the family room, the board room, the dorm room, or even the local church. Can I share something with you? God has a place for you. He has heard your cry for help!

I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.​ (Psalms 40:1-3) 

About 20 years ago Rick Warren came up with a little acrostic called S.H.A.P.E. to talk about the five things that make you, you. SHAPE is the way God wired you for your life. Every area of your life is influenced by the way you're shaped.

Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences — these are the five things that make you, you. In that combination of spiritual gifts, you have heart, passion, and interests. Why do you think you have those interests? Because God gave them to you. And if we all liked to do the same things, there would be a lot less accomplished in the world.

"God will never ask you to do anything in life that he hasn't already given you the ability to do." 
- Rick Warren

God has a life mission for you that nobody else on this planet can do. Maybe you've missed that mission. Maybe you've missed serving God. But you can start fresh today to make the rest of your life the best of your life. 

Breathe deeply. 

A fresh start is a breathe of fresh air!

Pastor Milo

@milowilson

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Taking A Dog By The Horns?

​I grew up on a farm in the country. I didn't have a job stocking shelves at Walmart, flipping burgers at McDonalds, or slinging newspapers for the local news. My job was built in. Kinda like room and board. I didn't have a curfew in high school, I just had to be at work Saturday and Sunday mornings at 4am. I quickly learned it didn't want to stay out past 11:00 the night before.

Through growing up in this culture I had a built in love for horses, cowboys, and rodeos. One of my favorite things to watch at a rodeo was the steer wrestling contest. The cow was released from the chute, often with a little electric shock on his hindquarters to "encourage" him along.

Time starts. The cowboy spurs his horse out of the box and jumps from his saddle onto the steers back at 20mph or more. He then grabs the bull by the horns and cranks his head around until the steer's momentum and the cowboys good technique and muscle flips the cow over onto his back. Time! All of this happens in a matter of seconds, and a real professional at the sport is incredibly entertaining to watch. 

Throughout my life, there have been many opportunities that have come my way where I have needed to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. I need to deal with something quickly, give it all my attention, and resolve it in a timely manner. I believe this is a good quality in a person.

My Bible reading plan today took me through Proverbs 26:17. "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears." 

This is a very different proposition than taking the bull by the horns. Now that you have the dog by the ears, what are you going to do with it? Why on earth would you want to get into that position? Now you have an angry dog on your hands, and nowhere to run. Why would you just grab some passing dog by the ears? He might be gentle and playful, or he might eat you for dinner. You don't know this dog... you have no business getting "involved" with it.

I have been guilty of taking a dog by the ears multiple times in my life. In fact, while I was in the Marine Corps I earned a poor reputation of walking up on a conversation and forcing myself into the middle of it. It didn't take long before conversations would fizzle out the minute I walked up on the group. It was my own fault... I had chose to grab the dog by the ears too many times, and now I had to deal with the consequences.

What about you? Are you a person who "meddles in quarrels not his own?"

Pastor Milo

@milowilson

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C. S. Lewis was a heavily influential author and theologian in his own time, whose writing continues to inspire and challenge readers some fifty years after his death. Lewis lived through some of the most turbulent times our globe has ever seen, experiencing the World Wars, the international political unrest to follow, as well as living through the assassinations of many of the most influential leaders around the world. Yet throughout all of writings, fiction and nonfiction, we find a continuous thread of hope. "In such a fearful world we need a fearless church" says Lewis.

How do we live fearless in a fearful world? 
All eyes of our nation are glued to a small city in Charlottesville, Virginia this week where we saw the battle lines clearly drawn: White Supremacy Versus the Gospel. There is no question that the implications of this horrific event are frightening. There is no question that the responses to this domestic act of terror are polarizing and equally terrifying in and of themselves. But will we speak up? Will we speak out against bigotry and hate because Gospel compels us to do so? Will my voice as a white American male in opposition to the stereotype of me even be heard?

We need a fearless church. 
For some, being a fearless church means not being afraid of what racists and hate mongers might do to their beloved city, their place of worship, or their congregational members. For others, we live conveniently far enough away from the fray to become apathetic to it's deep physical and emotional wounds. After Charlottesville, white pastors are asking: are we complicit? Across America, some white pastors are confronting both white supremacy and their own silence. Maybe speaking out is feels like the night Jesus asked Peter to join him walking on the water and fear gripped his heart at the sight of the waves.

"Perhaps Peter wouldn’t have been so scared of going into waters had he not doubted that Jesus would be there with him." - Emily Heath. What are we so afraid of? Have we lost sight of Christ?

Psalm 46 gives three insights that a fearful church must hear today. 

[adapted from sermon by Don Lough Jr.]

1. The Reality of Our Hearts [Psalm 43:23-26]
- In fearful moments, we come face to face with the fact that we are not in control.  

23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep?

    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide your face

    and forget our misery and oppression?

25 We are brought down to the dust;

    our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Rise up and help us;

    rescue us because of your unfailing love.

2. The Resource of Our Help [Psalm 46:1-5]

- In fearful moments we find that God is our refuge though all the earth falls away.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;

    God will help her at break of day.

3. The Renewal of Our Hope [Psalm 46:6-10]

- In fearful moments, we can live victoriously because God is still at work.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,

    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease

    to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.”

In such a fearful world we need a fearless church. Do not be afraid!

Pastor Milo
@milowilson

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I had the great opportunity this week to hear Pastor Phil Moser speak at on the subject of anxiety and change from Philippians 4. I took pretty good notes, and want to share the highlights with you. The big idea is captured by the Wayne Dyer quote "When you change the way you look at things,  the things you look at change."

Change how you think about worry - God commands us not to worry 

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Change how you think about prayer - Make it your pattern not your panic button 

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Change what you think about - It is your mind, you are response-able to control it 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

What is it that you need to change the way you look at? What is it that anxiety is keeping you from seeing? What does the Bible have to say about your situation?

Pastor Milo

@milowilson

Regardless of which side of the political aisle you are on, you know that the American media has been in a frenzy. It is relentlessly debating, punching and counterpunching with the administration, with the political power players, and with each other. They shout to their listeners: "Someone must be held accountable!!!" I couldn't agree more.

Here is the thing with accountability. Very few people sign up for it. 

Everybody says they want it, but how many really have it? Webster defines the word as "subject to giving an account." Giving account conjures up all kinds of mental images, some of them good and some of them dangerous.

In Ephesians, Paul sets a framework for accountability thinking. "...and be subject to one another in the fear of Lord." (5:21) Paul clearly calls for submission on the behalf of someone to someone. Dwight Smith, a grandfather, a mentor and a theologian I personally hold in high regard says: "I am convinced, more even today then at any other time in my life, that I need both accountability and a group of men to whom I submit that accountability. "

A Barna Group telephone survey in 2013 of Christians across the United States reveals some interesting facts about the state of accountability in the church: only 5% of people say their church does anything to hold them accountable for integrating biblical beliefs and principles into their lives.

Transparency is the first step towards accountability.

I was first introduced to an accountability group in the early 2000s. I was not an alcoholic, a gambler, or a abusive spouse. However, my private sin was deep rooted and equally vile. In fact, I've grown to understand that all sin is equally repulsive before a holy God. When I took that first step and allowed someone else to see the darkness inside of me, that person was able to hold me accountable to a path towards restoration. The recovery community calls this process "sponsorship." Big brother calls this process "mentorship." The Bible calls this "discipleship." Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

What kind of people are we looking for when we say accountability?

People who understand God's grace. People who point back to God's Word as the authority. Consider memorizing Scripture and commit to meeting regularly with 3-4 people of the same gender. Pray for each other. Choose a leader or group member to facilitate the group each time you meet. Always keep in mind your purpose — not just to socialize but to help each other grow and live for Christ. Agree to let the members of the group hold you accountable to the commitments you make in whatever loving ways you decide upon. As a group, choose to commit together to the accountability necessary to stay the course and answer the call to become men and women who are faithful to Jesus Christ and the teaching of God's Word.

Your first step is to be transparent. Be vulnerable. Be gut wrenchingly honest. 

The truth will set you free!

Pastor Milo

@milowilson

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DENIAL: a refusal to believe or accept something as the truth.

We heard the fire sirens before we realized what was going on. They grew steadily louder and louder, and next thing you know they began streaming into the parking lot. What's going on? Why all the commotion?

Directly out in front of the church was a disabled vehicle. The fuel line had ruptured and left the car stranded on the shoulder of the road in a pool of gasoline. While there was no visible flames, the fire truck was positioned in a way where they sprayed the hood of the vehicle continuously to be certain. Emergency responders also poured kitty litter type bags of containment sorbent in all directions around the vehicle to be certain the threat did not spread.

All the while, the driver refused to leave her vehicle. She simply could not come to grips with what she was experiencing. As wild as this scenario may seem, denial is something that every business, organization, and individual deal with at some level. What everyone else can see easily in you, is a blind spot for yourself.

Oftentimes, as in this illustration, denial is driven by fear. Fear of past failures that have tripped you up, or fear of future failures that can freeze you up. Celebrate Recovery has been effective helping people break the fear choke-hold of denial by pointing us back to Christ. These truths are not just for those in recovery, but are consistent for every believer to grab hold of. Here is what the acronym DENIAL stands for:

Disables our feelings

Energy lost

Negates growth

Isolates us from God

Alienates us from our relationships

Lengthens the pain

Our denial keeps us in the dark but remember, God's light shines on the truth. 

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7

Walking out of your denial is not easy. Taking off that mask is hard. Everything about you shouts, "Don't do it! It's not safe!" But it is safe here. Safe in the arms of Jesus. We invite you to discover your place in Christ today. I'd love to show you how. Perhaps today is the day!

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Pastor Milo

@milowilson

Friday, my wife Erin and I had the opportunity to go out on a bike ride together, pulling our 6 month old in a bike trailer. This is a big deal for us, because its something we used to do a great deal with our older girls, but have not been able to do in quite a while as a couple. It was a wonderful ride. About 20 miles into our adventure date, a cyclist in full gear passed by us saying as he passed something like: "I bet that bike trailer slows you down a lot on a windy day like this!" My pride swelled, and without hesitation I stood up in the pedals and began to run him down, careening along with our precious 6 month Maia cooing and laughing in the trailer behind me.

I didn't catch him.

No, the strong wind was too much for me to overcome with the trailer in tow. Instead, my heart was pounding and my face was flushed, and now I had left my beautiful bride in dust with no one to ride with, and to no one's surprise she lacked desire to chase after an overly-competitive husband.

Pedaling into the wind.

Sometimes, we chase after things that have little meaning, and leave those we love in the wake of our foolish choices.

Solomon, the wisest man ever to live says this in Ecclesiastes 2:11 says: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun."

So what are we supposed to do?

Here is Solomon's solution: Ecclesiastes 2:24 So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

How's pedaling into the wind working out for you? Try something different. How about living fully, for God, right here and right now in the present moment?

I am reading through 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 3 times this morning.

1st Reading: Observe

What's being said?
We all are in training, like someone training for a marathon, or a boxer for a prize fight. Train so that you can win. We will receive a prize, a crown for winning, one that has great value. So don't train aimlessly, without discipline, but train in a way that will produce results.

What stands out?
Vs 25. Everyone who competes exercises self control in everything.

2nd Reading: Interpret

What does this mean for me?
When I look at professional athletes, they are consumed. They work out, and they eat healthy, and they sleep. I don't do all these things, and it's no surprise I am not a professional athlete. But they are pursuing a temporary prize. I have no idea who won the last mens figure skating gold medal. But I am certain the competitors trained their tails off for it. I am after a prize that has much greater lasting value. Eternal value. However, if I don't practice self control across the board spiritually, I will not reach Gods potential for me in that category either.

3rd Reading: Apply
How does this apply to my life and to my community?
Today I feel God led me to this passage very specifically. I'm in the middle of building a regular training regiment of going to the gym and riding my bike. I know many other people have started the new year doing the same. Yet, if all I get at the end of the day is my body in better shape, I have come way short of setting a useful goal. A more useful goal would be to be an athlete that exercises self control in everything. Everything. Including a regular regiment of studying Gods Word.

I listen each morning to my bible reading passages using an app called dailyaudiobible . The person who does all the reading each day is a pastor, author, and artist named Brian Hardin. Today we read through Ex 23:14-25:40. While I really enjoyed the reading, Brian unpacked some great insight on the passage that I would like to paraphrase.

I find myself with Moses, and God gives him some rules for the journey across the desert into the promised land. God says "I am going to send angels ahead of you. The Jebusites, the Amalekites, the Hittites, are all going to freak out, and they are going to be displaced before you. This isn't gonna happen tomorrow. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive these people out, but not tomorrow, not this month, and not even this year."

Now we want God to do something, and we start claiming promises, and we start claiming God's authority, and we start moving in the time span the WE want to move in and expect that he is going to show up and fall in line. And yes, God may have said some things, and yes he may be moving on your behalf and in your life, but a lot of times we don't want to be patient... not even a bit. We want to move. Now. We don't like where we are, we like the idea of where we might go and we try to make a straight path to that place and ask God to bless the efforts completely because we get impatient, and we don't like any of the hardships of the desert to get from A to B. But God says even to his chosen people as he is establishing their culture, and even as he is promising their land, this isn't going to happen over night.

What are you moving in on that you need to wait for God's timing for?

The Book of Obadiah is the shortest in the Old Testament. It only contains 21 verses, but packs a big punch. It deals with a very long running family feud between Israel and the Edomites.

The Israelites come from the line of Jacob, and the Edomites come from the line of Esau. These two were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca. When the two brothers split from one another, the relationship was severed, and never fully repaired. There were times that reconciliation occurred, but overall the damage had been done.

The book of Obadiah is an incredible view into the heart of God himself. He is personally offended when the humans he created in his own image refuse to rectify their broken relationships. This book is a prophecy of what would become of the Edomites for how they treated His people.

Recovery is a huge part of what we do here at theWELL. (www.CRwithHOPE.com)One of the primary things we teach is that recovery is not just for those with drug and alcohol issues. We all have hurts habits and hangups we need to gain freedom from. We use the word RECOVERY as an acronym for the 8 principles that will help anyone along the road to recovery.

The 6th principle is this: Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when to do so would harm them or others.

What relationships do you need to mend? How many generations could suffer if you refuse to come together with that person?