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How is Your Soul? (Caring for Your Soul During COVID-19)

3/29/2020

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We’re a few weeks into the COVID-19 crisis now and I think we need to be asking: how are you doing?  This time we want to take a look at our souls and ask how is your soul doing? You may be saying “what’s a soul?”  or “I know I have a soul, but I have no idea what it is.”  Before we get into how our souls are doing, we need to understand what the soul is.

The soul is the part of people that is not physical.  It’s what makes you, you, and consists of the will, mind and body. 

  • The will is your intentions – the ability to make choices
  • The mind is your thoughts and feelings, your values, your conscience. 
  • The body is your physical self: your body language and actions. 
  • The soul is what integrates or holds together all our parts[1] 

The soul persists after our physical bodies die.  The soul is the part of us that is eternal.  Knowing how your soul is doing is a little bit complicated, yet we can learn to understand our souls.  Just as there are warnings when things are wrong physically in our bodies, the soul also gives indications that things are not right, but they can be more subtle and hard to recognize.

This definition is key to understanding the soul: “What is running your life at any given moment is your soul.  Not external circumstances, not your thoughts, not your intentions, not even your feelings, but your soul.  The soul is that aspect of your whole being that correlates, integrates, and enlivens everything going on in the various dimensions of the self.  The soul is the life center of human beings.”[2]

Whether we are aware of it or not the soul has a constant desire.  This desire is for God, our creator.  Especially in a crisis, we see the limits of the things we tend to put our trust in.  The financial system is in disarray.  People have lost jobs; our health care system is challenged.  Governments are scrambling to provide solutions.  As human systems fail, the desire of our souls is designed to lead us to God, who has solutions.  Even, or especially, in a crisis, you can have a life transforming relationship with Jesus.  This is because Jesus cares more about who are you becoming than what circumstances you are facing.
 
Because our souls and our inner lives are invisible, they are easy to neglect.[3]  In a crisis it is totally normal to feel anxious and more stressed and worried than normal. Your soul needs some care.

For some solutions let’s look at the Psalms.  The Psalmists poured out everything to God

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)

The Psalmist expresses that the soul thirsts for God.  Just like we need to drink water physically, the soul must be filled by God.  The soul centered in God knows peace.  Psalm 23 is a great picture of this:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

The amazing thing is that there is opportunity to grow closer to God where you are right now.  Even in tough circumstances you can know deep peace (not to say you won’t be anxious or stressed, but your foundation is secure).  The Apostle Paul says in Phil 4:12-13 “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Paul is at peace and content despite external circumstances. This is because his soul is secure in Jesus

So how do you center your soul on Jesus?
 
Speak to your soul 

It might feel weird, but you can speak to your own soul.  The Psalmist speaks to his own soul:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
 
Ask: How are you doing my soul?  I find when I do this, I get an answer or an impression.  Knowing where your soul is at helps you to know what you need to do next.
 
Get Healthy 

To be healthy the soul must turn to Jesus.  We have a great illustration of this with the woman at the well in John 4.  “Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[b] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)  Jesus provides people with living water.  This water quenches the desire of the soul.
 
Put your identity in Jesus. 
 
The soul centered on Jesus has an eternal future.  “God planted eternity in our hearts so that we would not stop seeking life beyond ourselves.”[4]  The soul centered on Jesus keeps returning to him.  It’s like when you’re using google maps on your phone.  When you push the little GPS button the screen re-centers on your location.  The center point is Jesus and we must continually re-orientate our souls to him.   
 
In conclusion here are a few practices for refreshing your soul:

  1. Read the Bible. The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s word to people and speaks as we read it.  The soul craves connection with God.  Read a passage like Psalm 23 and mediate on it.
  2. Be honest with your emotions.  Seek out a trusted friend (online) and/or see a counsellor (online or via phone) and pour out your heart.  Build a support system into your life and use it.  Stay connected.
  3. Take care of the basics:  Eat well, drink lots of water, get exercise, get enough sleep
  4. Spend intentional time with Jesus.  Pray, remind yourself of his presence. 
  5. Even in this time of physical distancing where many regular activities are cancelled, digital devices don’t allow us any time to be bored.  Put down your phone, turn the TV off and spend some quality time just thinking.  Grab a paper journal and write your thoughts and feelings
  6. Practice the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude.  “Only silence will allow us life-transforming concentration upon God.”[5]  In fact I preached on these two disciplines just a month ago.  Scroll down to Feb 24, 2020 and see the blog post for that sermon.

Let this time of physical distancing be a re-orientation for your soul.  Evaluate what the things in our lives mean.  What is most important?  When this ends, what might you want to do differently in your life?  If you don’t know Jesus, maybe this is the time you need to begin a relationship with Jesus.  If you want more information on beginning a relationship with Jesus click here.

God bless and may you find refreshing for your soul in Jesus! 

P.S.  Check out the book Soul Keeping by John Ortberg for a great soul care read.

[1] Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. Pg 42-43
[2] Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. Pg 39
[3] Soul Keeping by John Ortberg Pg 38
[4] Soul Keeping by John Ortberg Pg 112
[5] Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines, pg 164

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Prayer: The Best Way to Waste Time (During COVID-19)

3/22/2020

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Given ‘social distancing’ and the cancellation of so many activities in the world right now, we suddenly find ourselves with a lot of extra time on our hands.  With that in mind here are some funny ways to waste time
  • Watch funny cat videos online
  • Pretend you’re a robot
  • Repeat the same word over and over until it loses its meaning

Sometimes prayer is one of those things that feels like a waste of time.  We may put a lot of effort into it and it can feel like we don’t get a lot of results.  There isn’t always something to ‘See.’  Yet prayer accomplishes much that we cannot see behind the scenes.  I would like to propose that prayer is the best possible way you can ‘waste’ your time, especially during a time like this.  Rather than finding meaningless or silly ways to waste time, spend some time in prayer!  Let me propose 4 things prayer accomplishes.

First, prayer helps us admit that we are not God

As the COVID-19 crisis has taught us, we are much less in control of our lives and our world than we might like to think.  “We are witnessing at this very moment the humbling of a civilization that believed itself to be in control of the world—impervious to this kind of threat.”[1]  When everything is going well in the world, it’s easy to think we don’t need God.  Now, when things are not going well, people may be much more likely to turn to God.  Prayer has always taught followers of Jesus to rely on him.  Turning to Jesus in prayer, helps people admit that they are not God; we are not in control.

During a crisis we face all kinds of questions about the meaning of life and questions of safety and security.  Jesus has always had the answers, but maybe we’re more ready to hear them now.  Over 2000 years ago Jesus said “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Notice that Jesus didn’t say that people have overcome the world, he said that HE has overcome the world.  Prayer has always taught people that they are not God and are not in control, but the lesson is more relevant than ever now.
 
Secondly, prayer centers people on God.

Prayer reorients our posture from looking at ourselves or at our world, to looking at God.  Recent events have certainly pointed this out.  Prayer has always pointed to something greater than humanity.  It is easy to spend all day reading and watching the news and spiraling deeper into despair and fear.  Prayer refocuses people on God and moves away from focusing on what we cannot control.  Matthew 6:34 says “34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” In this time, we can’t predict what is going to happen tomorrow.  Prayer teaches us that there is something beyond our present circumstances and troubles.

I Pet 1:3-7 says “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Peter here is speaking of an eternal perspective.  An eternal perspective requires us to believe in something we can’t see and do not yet fully grasp.  Prayer orients our hearts to heaven and towards an eternal perspective. 

Thirdly, prayer teaches about sacrifice and caring for others

Spending time in prayer can feel like a sacrifice, as we are giving up time that we feel could be used on ‘practical’ things.  What better way to spend time right now however, than in praying for our world and for others?  Eph 6:18 says: “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Prayer helps us orient ourselves towards those that need help.  You can give up some of your time in order to pray for other people and then turn those prayers into practical action.  Maybe Jesus will lead you towards a certain person you could help.  You can reach out digitally to someone that needs encouragement and friendly voice. 

Finally, prayer builds our relationship with Jesus

Jesus is relational and he does not engage in social distancing!  For people that don’t know Jesus, this is a great chance to ask some deep questions about life and the meaning and purpose of humanity.  In this time of social distancing, we can engage in spiritual closeness.  In a time where we suddenly have extra time on our hands this is a great opportunity to spend time getting to know Jesus.

In conclusion, I think Romans 12:12 is a great verse for these times: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” When we look to God, there is always hope.  Prayer leads us to God, hope will keep us going, and patience will prevent panic.

Stay close to Jesus, stay in touch with each other (from a distance) and continue to trust God. 

There is hope for tomorrow!


[1] https://albertmohler.com/2020/03/16/the-humbling-of-civilization-praying-for-the-mercy-of-god

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Rise Up - A Response to COVID-19

3/16/2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed things quite dramatically in our world in a short period of time.  A small virus, invisible to the naked eye, has shaken the world.  In North America life has been pretty good for quite some time.  Health care is good, real estate and stock markets generally go up and we live the Canadian dream.  With COVID-19 we have seen stock markets drop dramatically.  We feel a threat to our health and we see that our healthcare system has limits.  Is it possible that we have trusted too much in good health and good finances?  When these systems are threatened, we are challenged to see where our faith lies. 

In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus tells a parable about two builders.  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matt 7:24-27)

If we build our lives on good health or money or freedom, this is like the builder who built on sand.  A crisis can destroy the foundation and everything we have built.  A pandemic teaches us how little we can really control in our world.  However, a life built on Jesus is a life that is built on a firm foundation of rock.  No crisis can sweep away the life that is built on Jesus.

If health is threatened, if the economy is declining, if retirement savings are threatened, where do people turn?  The answer is found in placing our trust in Jesus.  The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  Our peace is not determined by the external circumstances that we face.  Our peace is determined by trust in Jesus.

We also need to put our present struggles in context.  Things are probably not as bad as they seem.  C.S. Lewis wrote a piece in 1948 responding to a world that was struggling to come to terms with the atomic bomb.  The Gospel Coalition website suggests replacing the word atomic bomb with coronavirus as we respond to the current crisis.[1] 

“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
 
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
 
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
— C.S. Lewis “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
 
In the end, though the crisis of COVID-19 is real, and we need to be wise and cautious, we need not live in fear.  I love the Lord of the Rings – in it the hero, Frodo Baggins, begins lamenting the circumstances he finds himself in, a time of war, trouble and uncertainty where Frodo has been tasked with a burden he thinks he cannot carry. 
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

During this time, followers of Jesus and the church have an opportunity to rise up.  In conclusion I’d like to offer three takeaways. 

First, Followers of Jesus can point to the one who holds the future in his hands

Colossians 1:15-20 describes Jesus: “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Col 1:15-20)
This is the Jesus we serve!  He is not changed or threatened by the circumstances of our world.  In him is peace.

Secondly, we can take a step back from the frantic pace of life.

Activities are cancelled, sports leagues are on hold and many of the things we fill our lives with are not happening.  Why not take time to slow down and relax and reflect?  Leave the TV off and get creative with other ways to spend time!  Why not get outside and go for a walk or spend time in an outdoor activity?  Feel the absence of activities we have come to rely on and see what your imagination can do.

Thirdly, people can act and be the hands and feet of Jesus

Reach out to your friends and neighbours and see what you can do to help.  Perhaps there is a senior you could bring groceries to.  Maybe you have some extra toilet paper you could share.  You can gather your family to pray and study the Bible.  Get creative in how you can help people during this time!

Let the church rise up and rise to the occasion!  Historically, Christians have been on the front lines of helping people in crises because we choose not to live in fear.  Be smart, be safe but point people towards Jesus, enjoy the break from normal activities and be the hands and feet of Jesus.  God bless!


[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cs-lewis-coronavirus/

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Where is the Spirit Leading?

3/2/2020

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This morning we are concluding our series on “Seeking the Heart of God.”  Our topic is “Where is the Spirit leading.”  Spring is (hopefully) just around the corner and as we look forward to the warmer weather and new growth of spring, so we look forward to what God is doing.  At CCC we’re beginning a roll out of refreshed CCC core values.  We believe these are our priorities for this season and we’ll be giving them quite a bit of focus this year.  This sermon will be a primer or introduction to the roll out of our new values.

As we discuss values and where the Spirit is leading my tendency is to want concrete plans.  What does God want me to do today? Tomorrow?  What is the specific plan?  Sometimes God is very specific, but other times he is much more general.  This morning we’re going to look to few different passages and see how the Spirit leads us. 

We’ll start in Galatians
“16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Gal 5:16-26)

What does it mean to be led by the Spirit?  Sometimes we’d just like God to bless the plans we have already made without him.  Other times we’d like him to write in the sky a nice tidy schedule for us.  Usually he does neither, yet the Bible does give us a path forward.

As we see in the passage from Galatians there is a clear distinction between the life of the Spirit and the life of the flesh.  The life of the flesh is marked by the feeding of sinful desires and a pervasive pursuit of those things.  The life of the Spirit is marked by the fruit of the Spirit.  The Bible explains this as the difference between an old life and a new life in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).  These two different lifestyles lead to totally different results. 

When we want to be led by the Spirit, we choose to follow the Spirit and we find ourselves being led by him.  The Spirit leads us to a lifestyle of fruit and the lifestyle of fruit of the Spirit leads us to him.  “Life by the Spirit is neither legalism nor license – nor a middle way between them.  It is a life of faith and love that allows a person to be led by the Spirit.”[1]  This lifestyle is both a choice and a submission.  We are led and we choose to follow.  The soldier chooses to join the military and then gives everything in unquestioning obedience to the mission.  Likewise, this is the call of Christ.  “…since believers have been made alive by the Spirit, they must follow.  Indeed, they are to get in line with him or keep in step with him.”[2] The Holy Spirit is always present and always moving. 

So, what does the Spirit lead people to?  Let’s look at a passage in the gospel of John. 

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:12-15) 

Primarily the Spirit leads people to truth.  “…”all truth” is the communication about and from Jesus.  The Spirit is the agent between the Son (and Father) in heaven and believers on earth.”[3]  The truth the Spirit leads people into is the person of Jesus.  When people follow the Spirit, they inevitably draw closer to Jesus.  In short, in the simplest terms, the Spirit leads people to Jesus.

How can we be led by the Spirit?  Live a lifestyle of obedience to God – the result will be the fruit of the Spirit.  Remove yourself from a lifestyle gratifying your desires or sinful fulfillment.  Everyone makes mistakes, but a consistent, wilful disregard of Jesus and desire to sin will gradually lead away from him. 

Be an assertive disciple and a submissive follower of Jesus.  Some people in the gospels ran after Jesus just for a chance to see him, touch his robes or have a word with him (blind beggar-Mark 10:46-52, Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10).  Others ignored him and hoped he would stop upsetting their worlds that didn’t need a saviour.  It sounds surprising, but not everyone wants a saviour.  If you want to be led by the Spirit, aggressively chase Jesus down and then willingly submit to him.

It’s not so much about a 5 year plan for your life, rather it’s about following the One who will lead you where you need to go. 

Spirit lead and help me follow.


[1] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 739
[2] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 743
[3] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 94

1 Comment

    Pastor Michael Stone

    In ministry I get excited when theology comes to life in practical ways resulting in changed lives and passion for relationship with Jesus.

    These blogs capture our current sermons at CCC.  You can find matching sermon audio here.

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