Chocolate Pudding and Jesus by Wil Triggs

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I was scanning through headlines online Thursday morning when this one caught my eye:

“Chocolate Pudding is the Answer”
 
Sometimes a good headline is hard to resist, pleading with you to click and read more.
 
It was right there on the same screen with others like:

  • Biden signals he’s flexible on immigration overhaul

  • How does Bill Gates plan to solve the climate crisis?

  • Opening a new musical in Tokyo in a pandemic

  • What to know about avalanche safety in the backcountry

Chocolate pudding and I go way back. When I was little, my mother’s chocolate pudding was a favorite, provided it was still warm from the stove, and before the skin formed on top. Even though she made it with cornstarch, it never had lumps.

If chocolate pudding is the answer, I wanted to know what the question was.

As a Bible school teacher, I’m used to people joking about Jesus being the answer to almost any question. And it’s true. Usually Jesus is a pretty good guess. Even if the answer I’m looking for is Joseph or Moses or Peter, I can usually shift into biblical theology and find a way to affirm the answer. So that background came to the fore. I imagined myself on Sunday morning responding, “No, Jesse, the answer is not Jesus. Chocolate pudding is the answer.”

How could that be?

So, yes, I fell for it. And clicked.

The two questions in the article were: “How are you?” and “What to cook?”

The writer told of a woman who gave trash collectors bags of home-baked cookies. Besides the pudding, it provided links to recipes for macaroni and beef casserole, kimchi fried rice, braised porkall’arrabbiataand more, then went on to describe daring to cook without a recipe at all, or only giving a description of how to cook chicken thighs with lemon, garlic and other ingredients.

Feeding people makes the world a little bit better.

“I think it’s more important than ever” says the chocolate pudding writer, “that we try to believe that people are operating mostly from a position of good faith rather than bad, and to respond to the stimuli the pandemic offers us accordingly.”

In some ways, the writer had me at chocolate, but I wasn’t so sure about that good faith thing. Most of the time I want to be nice to people, but we have been restraining ourselves in this season of sickness. We didn’t give our annual ice cream sauce Christmas gifts this year, and it’s still bothering me. Nevertheless, we kept our possibly tainted jars away from people during the holidays even though we’ve discovered a really good butterscotch recipe.

Good faith, I don’t know, doesn’t seem to fit the food we feed people or give away or don’t. But the thought of chocolate pudding was appealing.

Just an hour after reading this story, I read another that kind of spoiled the mood. Thoughts of comfort foods in this snowy pandemic February gave way to something else. Here is the brief report:

“Iranian Christian convert Ebrahim Firouzi was summoned from internal exile in early February 2021 to a court hearing, after which he was re-arrested. Ebrahim had already spent nearly seven years in prison and was completing a three-year internal exile 1,000 miles from home. He was summoned to court to respond to accusations of propaganda against the Islamic Republic in favor of hostile groups. In September 2020, Ebrahim received an unexpected package at the post office that contained Bibles. The Ministry of Intelligence was watching his mail, and when Ebrahim went to collect his package, they were waiting. They accompanied him to his house, where they confiscated laptops, cell phones and theology textbooks without a warrant. They also wanted to confiscate the Bibles, but Ebrahim told them he had been officially recognized as a Christian by the judiciary, and that he had a right to keep the Bibles.”

The article concluded “Before his court appearance, Ebrahim said, ‘I ask Christians to pray not for my acquittal, but for the great name of God to be glorified.’”

I checked some other sources and discovered that Ebrahim began a hunger strike on February 13, saying that he would not eat until charges were dropped.

Negotiating for the Bibles with authorities is something that I did in a totally different time and context, not for myself, but for Christians I was hoping to visit in a country whose authorities only wanted Bibles for profit in their black market.

So here's a third question. Not how are you. Not what to cook.

What food fills you?

Comfort food one fork or a plate at a time.

Or food that gives life with its invitation to taste and see, take and eat. Bread of life. This is my body.

And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. (Ezekiel 3:1-3)

Let this food comfort Ebrahim in the middle of his hunger strike.

Jesus, let me draw deep from the well of your water. Refresh and revive. Bring life through the food of your Word. May the nations fighting your Word break their souls’ hunger strike, see the truth of Jesus, and eat the food that nourishes and satisfies forever.

Pray with me and Ebrahim for the great name of God to be glorified.

Lover of Our Souls by Wendell C. Hawley

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from A Pastor Prays for His People

Everlasting God, Lover of our souls,
Open our eyes to see your love for us—
your love which was established before creation
and continues unfailing and unending, even unto this very hour.
Your Word tells us that you had a plan for us a long, long time ago.
A love for us not based on 
performance,
or beauty,
or inherent value.
A love which sent a Savior to the unlovely,
the destitute,
the helpless,
the condemned.
A Savior whose love prompted him to say:
"Come unto me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Lord, may you this day be the present help of all who turn to you,
whether hurt or ashamed,
whether sick or disheartened,
whether afraid or defeated,
whether troubled or angry.
You have come to change the human condition drastically, totally . . .
the sinful heart,
the stony heart,
the rebellious heart.

Holy physician, divine surgeon . . . work in our lives that our souls might prosper in spiritual health and vitality.
Thank you, Lord,
for hearing,
for answering,
for meeting every need.

Amen.

Over Packing by Lorraine Triggs

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It was July 2001, two months pre-9/11, and our multitude of bags were packed and ready to go on the first STAMP trip to Russia. We were off to summer camp to help the national staff with crafts, sports and all around entertainment (of which our skills were many).

I have always prided myself on my packing skills even with the following list:

  • camp clothes

  • good walking shoes

  • first aid kit, including pouches of grape-flavored Pedialyte

  • googly eyes for sheep craft

  • black and white yarn for sheep craft

  • construction paper, glue, tape

  • scissors

  • soda ash

  • dye from art store

  • rubber bands

  • white t-shirts

The only thing I neglected to pack was a month's supply of sticky fly paper, but I digress.

Packing for the trip home was a lot easier:

  • dirty camp clothes

  • one broken walking shoe

  • pressed wildflowers

  • our own autographed tie-dye t-shirts

We left behind the shirts, one for every camper and camp staff, now dyed in blues and magentas, leftover craft supplies, first-aid kits, sports equipment, some of our suitcases and our hearts.

Though proud of my packing skills, I never list it as other skills on my CV. Too bad, because when it come to carrying baggage, I could teach a Master Class.

Let's see, there's the baggage of childhood hurts:

  • fourth-grade teacher who played favorites (I was not one)

  • unfriended by best friend, Kathy, prior to Facebook.

Things happen. Bad or sad. If I look back for them, I can find them from any stage of life.

I probably shouldn't even mention the baggage Facebook adds to my life, but since it is a Master Class, here goes—I have zero pairs of matching Christmas pajamas, same for vacations to any of the 48 contiguous States this last year and not one photo of cute little children frolicking in the snow.

As I start to inspect my baggage, it's clear that Facebook isn't the problem. I am, and my stubbornness in carrying around jealousy, discontent and grumbling. Here's a stinging joke, like a pair of extra pants that I don't need. An unresolved disagreement is like a heavy, itchy wool sweater that takes up way too much room than it should. I add to my load the hurts and disappointments of life not going the way I had planned. I take no pride in these packing skills.

There's hope for habitual over packers like myself. It's in the One who invites the heavy laden to come and find his rest and to learn from his gentle and lowly heart. Jesus invites us to exchange our burdens for his burden that is full of light and grace and truth.

And that involves forgiveness. For me and for those who handed me stuff I don't need, that only makes traveling heavier and harder than it needs to be. Jesus frees us from all that and gives us something new. Back when we went to Russia with so many suitcases, we unloaded them and gave most everything away to help tell the campers aboutJesus and to give them anything that might be a help in the days ahead. I want to let go of heavy bags and give away the blessings God gives.

When I look for the God who gives, my heart, not my suitcases, is filled. I think of the friendships forged with Russian Sunday school teachers turned camp counselors for the summer. They never dreamed it would be possible to have children's camps and there we were doing just that in a Soviet-built school. Think of the eyes of the children at camp, bright-eyed as we unwrapped their shirts revealing bright colors of summer that came from the other side of the world. Think of the wonder of sin washed away. The one and only Savior who came with nothing more than himself, not from the other side of the world, but all the way from heaven, teaching, touching, humbly dying, rising, giving new life and calling us to follow him.

The next time a mad moment of over packing pride hits me, I will remember another childhood memory, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he might exalt you in due time. Casting all your cares upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:6, 7 intentionally in the KJV)

Try a different kind  of light therapy this winter by John Maust

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“Lift your mood with light therapy” said the title of a Mayo Clinic article earlier this month.

Reading this on a gray day in January, I had to admit that a little extra light sounded good and kept reading.

The writer explained how the long, dark days of winter can sometimes send one’s spirits into a nosedive,  leading to “seasonal affective disorder,”  a kind of depression linked to changes in seasons. 

“Light therapy is one of our effective treatments,” Mayo psychologist Craig Sawchuk said. 

“You want to make sure that the light is sitting about an arm's length or so in front of you,” he said.  “You don't have to stare directly at the light, but you want to keep your eyes open.  So you could be doing things like having breakfast or a cup of coffee, watching TV, or working online," says Dr. Sawchuk.

Just keep on using light therapy into the spring, he said, or whenever your mood starts to improve.

Probably you know someone who has used light therapy.  Maybe you’ve benefitted from it yourself.

But during this wintry pandemic I wonder if perhaps we need a stronger form of light therapy.  Let’s call it “light of the world therapy.”

“I am the light of the world,” Jesus declared (John 8:12).  Indeed, “God is light; in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). 

This is no light bulb we are talking about!  Looking to Jesus, the light of the world, does way more than elevate our mood. This Light points the way to eternal life and offers daily guidance and spiritual protection, among other things.

Eternal life.  Jesus said, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Also, “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light…the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  

Jesus is the light who leads us from the darkness of sin and death to the light of righteousness and a right relationship with God through Him.  

Daily guidance.  In the darkness of confusion and uncertainty, when we cannot see the way ahead, let us seek God’s light on the situation through spending time with Him in prayer and daily Bible study. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path,” the Psalmist says.  “You are my lamp, O Lord,” David sings. “The Lord turns my darkness into light” (2 Samuel 22:29).

Scripture says that “in his light we see light” (Ps. 36:9). 

Spiritual protection.  Lately I’ve been reflecting on Romans 13:12 where we are asked to “put on the armor of light.”  What a powerful image.  It reminds me of the incident in Lord of the Rings when Frodo defends himself from the evil spider Shelob by holding aloft the bottle filled with blinding light from Eärendil’s star.

But our armor of light is not found in a bottle.  Our armor, as detailed in Ephesians 6, consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet fitted with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the spirit which is the word of God. 

This armor of light will protect us from Satan’s attacks and help us stand strong in Christ even when temptation, discouragement and doubt besiege us. 

We can affirm with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? (Ps. 27:1).”

Winter will be here for awhile.  It’s fine to turn on an extra light or two until blue skies return.  But what better time to spend extra minutes sitting in the light of our Lord’s presence and His Word—getting some good old-fashioned light therapy of the soul.  The effects will be noticeable. 

“Those who look to him are radiant,” Scripture says.  “Their  faces are never covered with shame.” 

March for Life Chicago 2020: Review and Illustration Charlie Stevens

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“Go home.  You don’t belong here.”

The words penetrated the drone of the school bus as I peered through the condensation on the windows into the cold gray Chicago cityscape on January 11, 2020. 

Only an hour before, we had been in the welcoming warmth of the Commons, arranging the March for Life hats, hand warmers, snacks, and bottles of water to be gathered by the 109 attendees before boarding the chartered buses and heading downtown.  On tables in the large meeting room lay signs that had been painted at the Sanctity of Human Life Committee’s sign painting party the week before, waiting to be retrieved by their creators for display during the march.  High school and college students, singles, couples, and families collected their hats and snacks, perused the signs, and talked quietly while waiting for the event overview to begin.  Guidelines and procedures were reviewed, a prayer was said, and bus loading commenced.  Once all were present and accounted for, the buses rolled out of the parking lot and headed downtown.

Bring Illinois back to life!

Having not been on a school bus in decades, I had forgotten how noisy they were.  There were conversations taking place around us, and my daughter and I initially tried to hear and be heard, but we eventually lapsed into silence and looked out the window.  We were about three quarters of the way to our destination when I heard the voice, clear as day, telling me that we were not welcome; reminding me that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)  

Abortion: One heart stops, another heart breaks.

This was not the first sign of the opposition we faced surrounding this event.  Already that morning the bus company had called to inquire if we still planned to go downtown that day. (Well, yes… why do you ask?)  There was a situation, and they had to scramble to replace a driver for the fourth bus. Our driver was called in on his day off, and graciously agreed to drive us.  We were thankful for the Lord’s provision, and for our driver’s positive attitude, despite the inconvenience.

A person’s a person, no matter how small

When we arrived downtown, the buses let us out across from the Congress Plaza Hotel, where the march was to end, and we began our mile-long walk to the Daley Plaza where the rally was held. Our group gathered for pictures and then blended in with the crowd to listen to the speakers, who united and encouraged us with their exhortations on the theme “Life Empowers: Pro Life is Pro Woman.”  The last speaker got everyone psyched up to start the march, and the group of young people carrying the street-wide “Life is Beautiful” banner led the way down Washington Street toward Michigan Avenue.  

Save the baby humans

Across the street, those who had come to protest our stand for the lives of the unborn held their signs aloft as we passed.  The media who interviewed both sides for the news report declared them “pro-choice;” we were labelled “anti-abortion.” 

Social justice begins in the womb.

We were absorbed into a sea of people of all ages in winter coats and hats and gloves, holding up signs and phones and cameras, following the drum cadence down the street. We walked and held our signs and phones and cameras, occasionally passing or being passed by someone in a white and light blue March for Life hat. Here, a father with his high school-aged daughter followed by three middle aged men. There, a couple, each with a child strapped to their chest, walking next to an older gentleman pushing his wife’s wheelchair. Interspersed throughout were groups of young people holding signs saying, “Love Life, Choose Life” and “I am the pro-life generation.” Onlookers watched from the sidewalk, and from the windows of the office buildings that lined the street. Police officers on foot and on horseback blocked the intersections and looked on with varying degrees of interest.  We turned on Michigan Avenue and walked back to our point of origin, where the marchers collected and mingled, and we gathered and waited for our group to reassemble for the bus ride back to the church. 

Every life is precious.

I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to participate in this annual event. The next March for Life event will be January 23, 2021. Information / registration can be found by clicking here.

This photo verse art is how I processed and summarized my experience of the day; the stark reality of abortion in Illinois standing rigid and bleak against the clear but barely audible voices of a few, and against the Most High God, the giver of Life.

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

Psalm 139:14-16

 

Marchforlifeimage-2.jpg

Best Books 2020

We asked ministry leaders for the best books they read in 2020. The titles didn’t need to be first published in the year. They just had to have read them in 2020 and identified them as the best books they read this year. So have a look.

Just a few of the titles church leaders names as best books they read in 2020.

Just a few of the titles church leaders names as best books they read in 2020.

Becky Sandberg, board of missions

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isobel Wilkerson

Ben Panner, college pastor

Enjoying God by Tim Chester

Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries

Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin

Parenting by Paul David Tripp

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower

The Steward Leader by R. Scott Rodin

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

Curt Miller, missions pastor

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose

Dan Hiben, middle school pastor

A Merciful and Faithful High Priest: Studies in the Book of Hebrews by Martyn Lloyd-Jones 

I have been reading this set of Lloyd-Jones’ sermons devotionally as I go through the book of Hebrews. It has been very encouraging, pushing me to live out the truths I’m reading.

Eric Channing, pastor of congregational care and family ministries

The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer.

John Stott Biography, vol 1 by Timothy Dudley-Smith

Leading Change by John P. Kotter

Jeremy Taylor, elder

God and the Pandemic by N. T. Wright.

This short book is easy to read in one or two sittings and gives great insight into the appropriate role of the church during a time of crisis. I was particularly struck by Wright’s treatment of Acts 11, where the church in Antioch of Syria responds to the prophecy about an upcoming famine by collecting relief funds for the church in Jerusalem. Rather than looking for a scapegoat or making dire predictions about the end of the world, the church simply asked who would be most affected by the crisis and then decided to act in response. How are we at College Church responding to COVID? Are we looking to point fingers? Are we issuing doomsday proclamations? Or are we identifying those in our community and beyond who are most adversely affected and then finding ways to lovingly show Christ to them? I hope those observing us can see by our actions and our attitudes how much we care for others.

Jon DeLew, board of missions

I really enjoyed Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard which is the historical account of Winston Churchill and his exploits during the Boer War.

Josh Maurer, pastoral resident

Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams

Josh Stringer, pastor of discipleship

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Much of the impact of a book in a person’s life depends on the circumstances when he or she reads it. This was the right book at the right time for me. 

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (four-book series).

The Care of Souls by Harold L. Senkbeil

Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon by Robert Kurson

The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

Kat Haase, culture impact committee chair

The Church and Its Vocation: Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology by Michael W. Goheen

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Lorraine Triggs, nominating committee

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Orlund

Ditto what Josh Stringer said, “right book at the right time for me.” And I read more fiction than non-fiction, so that’s an endorsement in itself.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Historical fiction (my true love when it comes to reading) about the women who created and made Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown. 

Mark Bodett, board of missions

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher

This is a book written to Christians to prepare them for living under “soft” persecution.

Mary Nellessen, deaconess

A book I enjoyed in 2020 is The Lucky Few by Heather Davis. It is an inspiring story of adoption, as Heather and her husband adopted three children—two that have Down syndrome and one whose heritage is Guatemalan-African American. It is an encouragement to me as the mother of two daughters from China.

Mike McKevitt, deacon

Chasing Contentment by Erik Raymond. 

The subtitle is “Trusting God in a Discontented Age,” which I’m sure everyone would agree that we live in discontented times. The book is a good reminder that being content doesn’t mean we ignore those problems, but we can nevertheless rest in our sovereign God in the midst of such issues.

Mike Solis, pastoral resident

The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby

Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries

Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference by Tim Keller & John Inazu

Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson

Hidden Worldviews by Steve Wilkens & Mark Sanford

In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin

Penny Thrasher, board of missions

Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

“I used to be a lesbian.” Jackie, with masterful skill, shares her story of coming to faith in Jesus. So refreshingly beautiful!

Randy Jahns, elder

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Tom Paulsen, culture impact committee

The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn

The book is a fascinating look at the intersection of the prophesies related to the children of Israel returning to their homeland and historical events.

Wil Triggs, director of communications

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Zach Fallon, high school pastor

If someone is looking for a new, solid book that offers an introductory level on the biblical storyline I would recommend Unfolding Grace, newly released from Crossway and also the workbook that goes with it. We are planning on using it in Project Discipleship with some of our high school students next semester.



Christmas Eve--The Christ Candle

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Advent four OWJ.jpg

Say: Listen to the Words of God from Isaiah 9:2.

Read: Isaiah 9:2

Say: We relight the first Advent candle to remind us to look up and center our thoughts on a loving God, who sent his promised Son to us—and who promises his Son’s return.

We relight the second Advent candle to remind us to look back 2,000 years to the moment when God’s gift came to us in Bethlehem—and look forward to his coming again.

We relight the third Advent candle to remind us to look within ourselves, reflecting on Christ’s first coming and preparing for his return.

We relight the fourth advent candle to remind us to look out at a lost and needy world, sharing the good news of the Savior’s birth, and warning of the judgment to come at his return.

As we light the Christ candle, let it remind us that the message of Christmas calls us to open our hearts to Christ—the Light of the world—and give him glory, honor and love until he returns.

Read: John 1:1,4; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:3, 5

Sing: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light, Joy to the World

Pray: Our Father, thank you for shattering the darkness with the light of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for making us children of light. Help us to let our lights shine before men so that you may be praised and glorified. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.