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Better than a bucket list: by Jen Hansard

Starting a church has never been on my bucket list. Ryan and I went to art/design school and dreamed of traveling the world— painting, writing and eating really good food. Those plans changed when we turned 26. God knocked on our door and called us into ministry. The idea is still crazy to me, really. But over the last three years, we have adjusted to this plan, and I can honestly say I am really excited!

Our house went up for sale a month ago, we bought a trailer on Craigslist to lug our necessities across the  country and we have been selling off our other possessions every day. I am learning how beautiful simplicity is (less things to dust or vacuum around is amazing!) and how far you can stretch a buck. Living off unemployment really stretches a family of four, yet it also opens up doors of creativity.

Friends and family have asked us "You really want to do this?"And I can honestly say yes with a big smile on my face (and a little sense of disbelief in what God has in plan for us). God really does have a sense of humor and I am glad he pours it out on us. We all can use a laugh.

Yes, there are days when we get overwhelmed. Sometimes it spans a week. Yet we are always lifted out of this darkness with an amazing story. For instance, Saturday afternoon I found a trailer on Craigslist. It was exactly what I have been looking for the last three months and the price was right. I contacted them instantly and that night we drove to Sun Valley with our kids to meet the owner of the trailer in a church parking lot at 9pm with $2800 in cash. 

My dad thought I was crazy, and it sure sounded crazy. Yet when I spoke to the owner Kat on the phone about the trailer, it just felt right. So we raided our savings account, packed the kids up and headed to Sun Valley. A couple times I did think of the horrible things that could happen — get robbed, steal our truck, take our kids. I do tend to think of the worst case scenario and then whatever happens is a relief. 

We pulled into the church parking lot and saw the trailer—it was perfect. Big, white and gently used. The lady came out of her SUV with her husband greeted us with warm smiles. Turns out they just moved from Texas to Los Angeles to go to seminary. They are missionaries who felt called to leave the mission field and go back to school. They used the trailer to get them to LA, where God called them to be for the time. So we bought the trailer, and have it as our way to get us to our missions field in Florida. What are the chances of that?!

The whole drive home, Ryan and I felt at peace about our lives. Yes, we were surrounded by chaos— unemployed, selling a home in a horrible market, raising two toddlers, moving across country away from our family and friends, a brand new job with very little pay, no health insurance... I could go on and on.  Yet Saturday night, God reminded us that everything will be okay and he will continue to open the doors if we choose to go through them. 

God's plan is way better than my bucket list and I am learning to enjoy the ride. 

Radical Faith

Ruth 1:11-18: But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!” 14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. 15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

Over the last few weeks I have been reading and studying the Book of Ruth. Ultimately, Ruth is about inheritance and genealogy. But I want to discuss the faith of Ruth at the very beginning of the story. The first thing we realize about Ruth is that she is a Moabite. Ruth was a foreigner and did not grow up in Israel. She married Naomi’s son, who died. In verse 11 we begin the dialogue after his death.


What I find interesting is that Ruth could have left and went back to her homeland. She could have gone home to her family, comfort, and security. Her homeland is where she feels safe and not an outsider. But she chose to stay with Naomi even after Naomi insisted she go back home. Naomi knew there was nothing for her in Israel. Naomi also knew that Ruth would be treated as a foreigner. Ruth says in verse 16, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Here is a bold statement. Ruth knows she needs to stay with Naomi, even though she does not know how it is going to work out.


In 16 weeks, my wife and I and our two children are moving to Wesley Chapel. Wesley Chapel will be our new home. We have never lived in Florida and only visited Florida for vacation. Now we are called to the community of Wesley Chapel; to live among them and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We trust God to lead and provide for us, but we are leaving behind our family, comfort and security. May each person reading this blog be praying for our move as we travel to Florida and become part of their community.


Also, be praying for Ryan and Jen Hansard moving from California and also JD and Kristin Winter moving from Wichita, KS. Our team keeps getting bigger.

Radical: by David Platt

I have been reading a book called Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt.  Here is a quote from the book:

“When you or I open the Bible, we are beholding the very words of God- words that have supernatural power to redeem, renew, refresh, and restore our lives to what he created them to be.  That is why I believe it is more important for you and me to read Leviticus than it is for us to read the best Christian book ever published, because Leviticus has a quality and produces an effect that no book in the Christian marketplace can compete with.”

Platt would be the first to tell you that God can and has used other books throughout Christian history.  I was struck by this passage, not because I did not know the Bible to be the “Word of God,” but because we hear it so much we become numb to the power of God in the Bible.  I think for most of us, if we are truly honest, spend very minimal time reading the Bible.  Churches tend to be our place of learning and once we understand the basics of Christianity then we don’t see any need to read it ourselves.

Platt tells a story of being overseas.  He was asked to do a Bible study for a group of pastors in an area where Christianity is illegal.  He shares how he was picked up and put into the back of a car.  He arrived in a village where he entered a dark room with a couple of lit candles.  The pastors were gathered in this room eager to learn and study the Bible.  He said a very simple Bible study lasted twelve hours.  After it was over they wanted to meet the next day for another twelve hours. 

What would it look like to study the Bible for twelve hours?  In our culture we are lucky to have a Bible study, which lasts about 1 hour.  In our culture, if the pastor’s sermon goes over the allotted time we get upset.  If we had to risk our lives to study or read the Bible would we do it?  How important is it to read the Bible?  Does it speak to you or change you?  Or do we read it to finish our daily reading for the day? (Obligation to check off the list) Just a few thoughts…

I encourage all of us to answer these simple questions.

See people and be moved

"The Gathering" in Jacksonville

This week I wanted to share a few points from one of the speakers at the Gathering. Keith Loy is the lead pastor of Celebrate Church (Wesleyan) in Sioux Falls, S.D. Keith has a passion for ministry and when he spoke that passion was communicated.

Matthew 9:35-38: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Keith points out: Jesus saw people, Jesus had compassion, and Jesus met the need. 

How many times do we attend church on Sunday morning, leave, and never apply the message?  This message hit me and I wanted to share it with you.

Matthew 9:35-38 reminds us that the church is about people.  God wants us to partner with him in our communities and see the people who God sees.  Jesus saw the crowds and immediately felt compassion.  We see people all the time, everywhere we go and most of the time there is not a response.  Some of us have been trained to focus only on our own needs and our own responsibilities.  We are so consumed with our own situation that when it comes to others we are without strength or motivation.

Believe it or not people, Christian and non-Christian, matter to God.  Jesus saw the crowds and something moved inside him.  When was the last time you saw the crowds and something moved within you?

The “Gathering” is all about people.  We want to see the people around our community and we want to partner with God.  We want to “gather” together so we can “scatter” into our respective jobs and communities.  We want to share the hope of Christ wherever we go. 

My prayer is that we can all see people and be moved.  But more than being moved we need to take action.  Jesus saw the crowds, had compassion, and then met the need.  My prayer is that we can all find ways to meet the needs (spiritual, physical, and emotional) of those around us.   

Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what is going on around us.

Continue to pray for us as we plan and prepare for the church in Wesley Chapel.

A New Year

I hope everyone is doing well. I just got back from a Wesleyan Ministry Conference in Jacksonville, FL. If you want to check out any of the speakers feel free: http://www.wesleyan.org/gathering


I drove down on January 4, 2011 and was scheduled to pick up Ryan at 5pm. When I arrived in town, I had 3 hours to kill. I was going to find a Barnes and Noble. Coffee and a good book is always a smart choice. When I got to the parking lot, I noticed my car was making some funny noises. The more I drove the louder the noise got. I knew I had to get somebody to look at my car, because I thought the wheel was falling off. I found a Midas about six miles away from the Barnes and Noble. They were very helpful. They told me the back brakes on one side had locked up and I had a huge nail in one of the tires. $956.00 later I was on my way to the airport. I got to the airport with about 10 minutes to spare. What a way to start off the trip.


God showed up during our time in Jacksonville. Ryan and I had some great conversations. One of the most exciting conversations came after a seminar, which talked about creative planning for the worship space. This sparked some ideas for Ryan and we began to brainstorm. The speakers provided us with great challenges as we move into 2011. Next week’s blog is going to focus on one of the messages we heard. Overall the conference was inspiring and helped light a fire within me for ministry. I am ready to get on the ground and implement the many ideas we tossed around.


I am reminded of patience. I am also reminded of prayer. Patience and prayer are so vital at this stage of a Church Plant. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us.


This is God’s church and we are so lucky to be a part of His work!!!

Let's Celebrate Christmas ALL year

Jen and I really enjoyed this Christmas. Maybe it was extra special because we know it is our last before we move to Florida. We were faithful to our tempting Advent calendar from Trader Joe's and only ate one piece of chocolate a day. Jackson loved opening all the Christmas cards that filled our mailbox daily and even helped hang them on the wall. We also discovered Clare's love of dancing— she's wild! We also had a great time visiting with our neighbors— who brought presents for the kids and invited us into their homes for cookies and cider. There really was a special feeling in the air this Christmas.


Yet now that Christmas is over, some of that special feeling is gone. The parties and gift-giving is over and the air just feels a little more stale.  Yet why does that have to happen? Christmas is something that can and should be celebrated all year. I'm not talking about leaving your Christmas lights up all year or drinking hot chocolate in the summer. I'm talking about celebrating the fact that God loves us so much that he came and lived among us. That is what Christmas truly signifies— God becoming flesh and blood in the person of Jesus. God wanted to show humanity what he was like in a way that was tangible. In 1 John 1:1 we read, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." They're talking about Jesus. They heard, saw and touched him. Christmas is important because it shows and reminds us that God loves us so much that God entered into it in order to bring healing, hope and restoration.

As Christians, our lives are to point people toward Jesus. This means that we need to love, forgive, share and celebrate just as Jesus did while he was on earth. You don't need to thump people on the head with Bibles or pretend that we have it all figured out— we are called to point people to Jesus by the way that we love each other.

Here are a few practical ways that we can celebrate Christmas year round. First, love and spend time with people and get to know them. Not just family, but neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers. That is what Jesus did. Second, be more generous and give. Let someone know that you care about them and expect nothing in return. Imagine what that would feel like?  Finally, the best way to celebrate Christmas is to be thankful. Constantly remember what God has done, is doing and is will do in the future and share it with your family, neighbors, and even strangers. 

May we point people toward Jesus as we share life together. Amen.


Merry Christmas!
Ryan Hansard

(Weekly readings: Psalm 147;  

Isaiah 61:10-62:3; 

Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; 

John 1:1-18)

It's Christmas time!

Tonight we attended a Christmas Eve service and watched this video. I wanted to share it with you. The video is based on the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke (found in the Bible). I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas. 

Restoration

“Don’t imagine that the world divides naturally into those who can understand what Jesus is saying and those who can’t.  By ourselves, none of us can.  Jesus was born into a world where everyone was deaf and blind to him.  But some, in fear and trembling, have allowed his words to challenge, rescue, heal, and transform them.”

-         N.T. Wright (Christianity Today Magazine)

I heard a debate the other day about businesses using “Happy Holiday’s” vs. “Merry Christmas.”  The debate continued with the argument that as a society we need to put the “Christ” back in Christmas.  In our society we love to argue religion and politics.  People get so upset if someone says anything against their own personal beliefs.  Around the Christmas season the arguments tend to escalate.  This year is no different, because some people celebrate the Birth of Jesus while another group celebrate the season.  The secular world and the Christian world collide on this holiday called “Christmas.”

   

N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, helps us understand that even in Jesus day the message of Christ fell on deaf ears.  Some believe His message and others do not.  Some people saw Jesus for who he was, the Messiah.  Others saw him as a threat to their religious structure.  The Pharisees had a religious structure where they controlled the schedule, the sacrifices offered, and the community.  The governing officials had a tight rein on the religious groups in their region.  They did not understand how a baby boy, born in a stable could uproot their whole society. 

            During this week in advent the scriptures remind us; even during the time of Isaiah, it was prophesied that God would give a sign.  The sign was “the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).”  Immanuel meaning, “God with Us.”   Psalms 80 mentions the phrase or the cry, “Restore us, O God.” 

            During this week leading up to Christmas, how do you feel?  Do you feel tired or exhausted at the end of another year?  Has the events of this year been positive, or have you had some moments you wish could be changed?  Maybe you lost a loved one.  Maybe you had a great year- job promotion, new baby, career change, etc.  I find myself reflecting on the past and looking toward the future.  No matter where you find yourself this Christmas season- you have a choice on how to respond.  Is your cry going to be “Restore us, O God?”  Maybe you do not understand how a baby boy, born in a stable could change your life?  Are you comfortable, year after year? 

The choice is yours- is the story of God going to fall on deaf ears or are you anticipating, like me, how His words are going to challenge, rescue, heal, and transform?

Week 4 Advent scriptures- (Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-10, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-25)

Patience

The best way to see if you are a patient person is to go to Disneyland. This past Friday Jen and our two kids braved the crowds at Disneyland. Thankfully we know Eeyore so we got free tickets, seriously. After standing in line after line I'm convinced there are at least two kinds of patience; active patience and inactive patience. Active patience is when you don't mind the wait. Often this happens when you meet someone next to you and you start having a conversation, the wait seems to go by more quickly and you enjoy yourself. Inactive patience is when you are just standing in an endless line of strangers and you can feel yourself getting older.

The readings from the lectionary this week focus on patience and waiting. John the Baptists asks Jesus  "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus and had the job of preparing the way for Jesus. However due to John's preaching he finds himself in prison and he is forced to wonder and even doubt if Jesus is the one the Scriptures promised who would come and make things right, the Messiah. Jesus responds by saying, "The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them." In other words Jesus says, "Yes, I'm the one, things are beginning to be fixed and restored."

Here is where patience comes in. Picture yourself in John's position, you believe that Jesus is going to come and make things right, but you find yourself locked up in a prison cell. Jesus tells you all the good news about how people are being restored and lives are being turned around, but your own future looks hopeless. At this point we are challenged to see things from a different perspective. We often view things as if we, or our families, were the center of the world. It is important to be able to look and see what God is doing, even if our own lives are difficult at the moment God is still working and bringing new life through the Spirit.

As Christians we are called to be patient as we live in the time between Jesus' death and resurrection and the future time when God will restore and renew all things. In theology this is referred to as already/not yet, because God has begun to renew and restore but the complete renewal is still to come. So as we wait for this to happen we are also called to action and participation. This is active patience and it involves living in the moment in light of God's future. For example, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and be merciful even though this is not our natural way of responding. As Christians we are to point to different way to live, we won't always get it right but we are to participate in what God is doing in the world.

Ryan

Hope

Unemployment Benefits that had been extended up to 99 weeks started running out Wednesday. Unless Congress approves a longer extension, the Labor Department estimates about 2 million people will be cut off by Christmas. – Tom Breen, chicagotribune.com (Dec. 1, 2010)

As many of you know I am a school counselor at an alternative school in North Vernon, IN. We have a Work One, an organization that helps people find employment next to our school. On Friday, one of the consultants from this organization warned us that Monday may be very busy. On Monday morning many people are losing their unemployment. This news came on the heels of watching Thursday Night Football, where Deion Sanders talked about Michael Vick and his return to football after prison. Deion mentioned how Michael Vick brought hope to the field.


I began to read the Advent passages from this week and I was surrounded by the events of unemployment and Michael Vick bringing hope to the football field. No matter what your opinion is concerning unemployment benefits, Monday is going to come and people are going to lose everything. People have relied on the government and the government is saying “Enough.” According to this article from the Chicago Tribune, Christmas will be a very sad season for many people in our communities. I ask myself, what is the role of the Church during these uncertain times? What about the role of people who call themselves Christians? How do we respond? Unemployment is a real issue. Our society seems to be so starved for hope that we have to find it on a football field. We cannot take away the pain of this world, but we can bring hope. What is our role this Christmas season?


Romans 15:13 says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Early church knew a thing or two about tough times. Persecution was something followers of Christ experienced every day. The Early church did not have security or safety and they feared for their life daily. How did they respond? They responded with love, gathered together, and gave to anyone who had a need. The Early church knew where their hope was found and they lived it. Their comfort and peace were found in Christ.


On the Second Week of Advent let’s pray that God help us to remember where hope is found. Let Him help us to find strength when we cannot go on, comfort when we feel alone, and peace in the Christ child who was born to transform the world. 


For a lot of people this year will be a very difficult Christmas season and maybe we can provide for someone who is in need. Maybe this year we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to make a difference.

Are we awake? Matthew 24:36-44

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and this marks the beginning of another Church year. Josh and I believe that this is a good time to begin a weekly post relating to the Gospel lectionary reading. For more information and the reading schedule check out Revised Common Lectionary.

We hope these posts will do a number of things: first, it would be nice if people read them. Second, it creates a space where people can interact with a Biblical text. Third, it helps Josh and I keep focused on preparing for church planting next summer in Florida. And finally, the lectionary keeps us on our toes because it forces us to engage parts of the Gospel story that we might ignore. An example of this is today's passage from Matthew 24:36-44.

I'm not going lie this text is confusing. Some believe that this passage refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in A.D. 70; and others believe that is refers to the second coming of Jesus. And for the record I'm thankful I was never forced to read or watch any of the "Left Behind" books. If you have no idea what I'm talking about consider yourself blessed. We also have a reference to the story of Noah (if you haven't read that story in a while read it Genesis 6 and 7), the reason for the flood was the corruption of the earth and violence. Interesting, we need to be reminded that God is not pleased when we hurt each other. The passage also refers to Jesus as the "Son of Man" which adds to the confusing. One thing is clear this passage calls Christians to be awake, ready and to keep watch.

So what does it mean for Christians to be awake and ready? This passage and the stories that follow show that to be awake means to do things that you are supposed to do. Part of being a Christian means to share life together. We shouldn't take for granted the gift of life that we have been given. Another way we know if we are awake is if our lives are marked by love and forgiveness.  This time of year there are so many distractions and things on the calendar that it seems our lives are more marked by shopping and the holiday drinks at Starbucks. As chaotic as the holiday season is, it is important to reflect on what Jesus has done, is doing and will do in our lives.

We need to realize that being ready doesn't mean that we try and figure out a date for the second coming of Jesus, or when the world is going to end by the Mayan calendar (2012, for the record). These dates and times are not important and unknowable— this week's passage mentions that Jesus doesn't even know them! We are to live each day as if it were our last. It is not my intention to use fear to motivate people because I believe that is more harmful then helpful. We just need to see the importance of giving thanks for life, and all that God has done and is going to do.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Ryan

May we be people who are awake, Lord forgive us when we fall asleep. Help us to keep watch, help us to be ready, help us to know and share your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Florida Here We Come!

After spending a week in Wesley Chapel, FL with Josh and Jen, Ryan and I feel this is where we need to be. God is calling us to leave Southern California and move to Florida and be the church for this community. We drove around the area, talked with locals and got a feel for what we think this town is missing. Most people who move to Wesley Chapel come to get away from the city (Tampa). They are starting their families and just want to own a home, have safe parks and good schools for their kids. They aren't necessarily looking for God, but they didn't close the door fast when I mentioned why we were thinking of moving to FL. Who knows... maybe our paths will cross again! So although leaving our parents, jobs (with amazing health insurance) and our newly bought home are VERY scary things, moving somewhere safe, growing and in need of a new church is very comforting. Especially when we feel that God is calling us...