All posts by : Joel Phillips

Led by the Spirit, Simeon took the baby Jesus and held him in the air.  Everyone in the temple could hear the old man crying as he said, “Thank you God. I can now die in peace, for with my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation.”

Two generations later…

The young men were walking home from the rabbinical school of Shammai.  One of them was talking about his grandfather, when the others interrupted, “Oh no! Here we go again!”  “What?  Can’t a guy talk about his grandfather?” he asked.  “No! We’re tired of hearing that same old story,” they replied, then sarcastically added, “We know, we know, ‘My granddad was at the temple one day praying and got to hold the baby Jesus.’”

He quit talking, but his mind raced through the stories he’d been told about his grandfather.  Stories about how God’s Spirit would come upon his grandfather and show him things.  Stories about how his grandfather had dedicated a baby from up north that he swore was the Messiah.  Stories about how from that day forward his grandfather was never quite the same.  And the stories about how his grandfather’s face seemed to be joyful the day he died.

Jolted back to the conversation, one of his classmates asked, “I suppose the next thing you’re going to tell us is that you think these crazy people who believe Jesus was the Messiah are right?!” “No, well, I mean…” he stumbled for words.  “Come on, that’s what your grandfather believed!” The others laughed.

Finally he made his way home.  Tired from day’s activities, he laid down in his room.  “I don’t know, maybe my grandfather was crazy,” he thought to himself.  “After all, my own father never bought into any of it.”  In fact, it was his father who demanded that he go to the conservative school of Shammai where he was to be taught the right way to believe. 

But something was stirring in him.  Something down inside of was pressing him so hard that he said, “Father God, I believe in you. I believe in the promise of a coming Messiah.  My grandfather believed that Jesus was the Messiah.  I’m not sure what to believe.  Please help me.”

The room flooded with a warmth similar to what he had felt during certain times of prayer, but this was much different and much stronger.  His heart pounded.  Suddenly he was standing in a room glistening with colors and light.  He couldn’t believe his eyes.  He saw a man who he knew was his grandfather.  He began to reach out for him when he heard someone say his name in a way that made everything else fade.  He knew who it was, and began to cry out, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”  Everyone else in the room including his grandfather joined him. “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!”

“Get up! You’re going to be late!” yelled his dad.  It was morning and he had overslept.  As he gathered his things and ran out the door, the memory of what he had experienced filled his thoughts.  Was it a dream?  Whatever had happened, he felt different.  He could tell something had changed inside of him.  He knew he wasn’t crazy, and neither was his grandfather.  

Simeon’s grandson from that day forward was never the same.

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28, NIV84)

They sat at the tiny candle lit table. They had been there many times. This used to be their favorite place, but it had been a long time since they had been there together. Things seemed different and almost awkward this time.

He reached his hand across the table and touched her arm. She was uncomfortable and avoided eye contact with him, just staring over his shoulder hoping he would think she was looking at him. He begged her to tell him what was wrong. She thought to herself, “This place is such a silly little hole in-the-wall. I don’t know what I ever saw in it.” She seemed to forget it was here that he proposed to her and she said yes.

He could sense her distance. Tears began to fill his eyes as he said,

“I remember how much you loved me. I’d crush anyone who would harm you. What happened? What did I do wrong that you traded lovers?”

Though it seems like a scene from a TV drama, it’s actually an accurate depiction of God’s love affair with his people. God told the prophet Jeremiah to tell Israel,

“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness. You were holy unto me, the firstfruits of my harvest; all who tried to devour you were held guilty, and disaster overtook them…What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.” (Jeremiah 2:2-3, 5)

Rather then reacting in a jealous rage, God reminisces about the early days of his relationship with his people and pleads with them to explain what had happened. Like a jilted husband who misses the tenderness of his wife’s embrace, God wonders if there’s something he’d did to cause this.

What amazing insight to the heart of God. It was his people who had strayed, but he went after them. They were the ones who put their affections on other things, but he continued to express his love for them. They forgot the special place of their first love, but it was still dear to him, as were they.

God’s heart for you is the same. He longs for things to be how they used to be. He wants that place you and he used to go to be special again. He doesn’t want you looking towards him, but to see in his eyes the faithful love he has for you. He’s reaching out to touch you and makes this heart-felt plea,

“You’ve lost the love you had for me. Think about how much you’ve changed! Stop and come back to me before it’s too late”
(Revelation 2:4–5, JHP)

Other things have come into your life that are very pleasurable. But do you remember how much you loved him? Stop for a moment and be honest, nothing compares to what you had with him. It was magic! It was electric! It was amazing! And it can be restored to its fullest, if you would go back to him. He’s waiting.

Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is life changing!  Realizing there is a God who loves us greatly, coming into freedom from the guilt and condemnation of our past, gaining the ability to love others, and having the realization that our lives have purpose, Jesus is the source of these and many other amazing things.

It is so remarkable what Jesus does to people who follow him that it’s noticeable to others.  Jesus tells us… 

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:14–16) 

Letting our light shine before men is easy when we first come into life with Jesus, but something happens over time that causes our light to shine differently.   The process looks something like this… 

1. Become a follower of Christ
2. Become part of church life
3. Become part of the Christian culture
4. Become Jonah

“When God saw what [the people of Nineveh] had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry.” (Jonah 3:10–4:1, NLT)

After being a part of the Christian culture for a few years, we begin to complain and point out the horrible things happening in the world outside of the Church.  Like Jonah, we don’t want anything to do with those who aren’t following God as we are. Like Jonah, we begin to have a secret sense of delight thinking about how God will one day punish all those sinners in our towns and cities. And like Jonah, who, even after God gave him a second chance and he saw the people of Nineveh repent and cry out to God, complained about not having shade over his head and being uncomfortable, we complain about how the church is not providing what we want, and grow numb to the fact that people all around us need the love and grace of Jesus.

We need to have the Holy Spirit melt away those hardened edges around our lives, and re-sensitize us to others and how great God’s love for them is.  We need to have our lives shine as lights that attract and help, rather than blind people, spotlighting their failures. 

The mission statement of our church is, “Escondido Christian Center is a place of new beginnings and lasting hope.” We love that statement because we know this is what God has called us to do and be.  But think with me for a moment about the name of our church, Escondido Christian Center.  Sure, we’re located in Escondido and we are a Christian church, those are both pretty obvious.  But what about the idea of our church being a “center”?

For the last several months we have been using the term, “The Center” as a shortened reference to our church.  It’s easy and even kind of cool sounding, but I believe there’s something much deeper and more important in this simple phrase because the idea of a place being a center can have amazing spiritual overtones.

When I was in my first year of bible college, I had the opportunity to travel with my dad to a conference in another state where he had been invited to speak. On our way to the hotel my dad asked the man who had picked us up at the airport, “Where’s the life centers in this city?”  The man looked a little puzzled.  My dad then said, “You know, churches where there’s life, where there’s people coming and going, where things are happening.”  “Wow! ‘Life centers,’” replied the man. “That’s an incredible thing to call a church!”

I’ll never forget that conversation and what I learned from it.  The church, any church, could be and should be alive with people and God’s Spirit.  There should be things happening.  There should be life-changing resources available.  There should be something for everyone. 

But I’ve started to think of a center in additional ways.

A pastor in New York named Bill Wilson (not the Bill Wilson of AA) is credited for having one of the largest and most successful bus ministries in the world, gathering over 10,000 people every Sunday.  I heard him once say,

“If your church isn’t known in its community, it’s not doing its job.” (Pastor Bill Wilson)

Combine Bill Wilson’s challenging statement with Jesus’ words,

^“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-16, NIV)

A church is not only a center that gathers people and life happens, but it should also be a place where people are sent to offer life to others.  A center where people are coming for resources, training, encouragement, understanding, etc., and then going out offering the hope, life, healing, love, etc. of Jesus Christ.  A life center!

There’s a story about a man in the Philippines who was driving of a wagon pulled by two carabao.  He was on his way to the market when he overtook an old man carrying a heavy load on his back.  Having compassion on him, the driver invited the old man to ride in the wagon. Gratefully the old man accepted.  After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the old man was doing. To his surprise, he found him still straining under the heavy load.  He had not taken the burden off his shoulders.

There a similarity between this elderly man and me…maybe you too.  Jesus tells people,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30)

I have heard Jesus’ invitation and I’ve come to Him. I believe in him.  I love him.  But I often hold onto things that keep me from experiencing the rest that He offers.  And like that old man, I’ve crawled on the wagon but haven’t unloaded what I’m carrying.  David wrote,

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Ps 55:22)

The word “cast” literally means “to roll.”  The idea is to unload whatever burdens we have over to the Lord.  And while we do this, God takes care of us so we can rest.

He pulled his hat down a bit more to shield the hot summer sun, then held his program guide up to block the light as he squinted his eyes to catch a glimpse of his son. “There he is!,” he shouted. Pride filled Jim Redmond’s heart as he watched his son Derek, who was preparing to run the 400 meter event in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Butterflies filled Jim’s stomach as he watched the runners take to their starting blocks. “Bang!” They were off. Derek was looking good. He was fast, real fast. In fact, he was the favorite to win. But suddenly he heaved upward and halted out of his stride. Grabbing the back of his right leg in obvious pain he fell to the ground. After sitting for a moment crouched down on the track, Derek managed to get to his feet and begin to hobble forward on the track. But the pain was too much. The announcers told their listeners it was over for Derek.

Jim Redmond could not watch his son from a distance any longer. He pushed his way out on the track. The security tried to stop him but he shouted, “That’s my son out there and I’m going to help him!” The security yielded and Jim was able to make it to his son who was now crying in agony.

“I’m here, son,” Jim said to Derek. “We’ll finish together.”

No medals were won, no records broken, but 80,000 people cheered as a father helped his son cross the finish line.

There’s another moment in time when a father broke through and expressed is love and support for his son. But rather than in a stadium filled with people, it was in a dusty little valley in northern Israel. Jesus had made his way to the Jordan river to be baptized by John the Baptist. And as he came up out of the water the Bible records this,

“Then the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:
‘You are my Son, who I love; and with whom I am well pleased.’”

Imagine hearing that! No really, imagine you’re hearing that right now, because this your heavenly father’s heart for you. He is not a stoic, distant, uncaring God who is idly watching you. On the contrary, the race you’re in has brought him to his feet, and he and the stadium of heaven is shouting and cheering for you. Your heavenly father is pressing past anything or anyone trying to stop him to get to and tell you,

“You’re mine. I love you. I’m proud of you. And we’re going to finish this race together!”

Music has a universal way of reaching people’s hearts like nothing else. The American composer Billy Strayhorn, who wrote the jazz classic, “Take the A Train,” said something so simple yet so profound,

“All music is beautiful.”

Whether it’s rock and roll, country western, classical, jazz, hip-hop, pop, folk, indy, etc., every style of music has someone who admires it, who is moved by it, and who sees it as beautiful.

We have an old upright piano in our living room and I love hearing it played.  It’s a little out of tune, and a few of the keys don’t work quite right, but it still works and can actually sound amazing. Although you may like one style over another, the truth is no matter who’s playing our piano, there’s something beautiful about it.

This morning we were treated by our friend who is an accomplished pianist, Caleb Collins, playing various songs from the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Although not as accomplished as Caleb, my wife Kathie has plucked out some of her masterpieces on this piano.  My son Cameron, who has never taken a piano lesson, can sit for hours playing and creating at the same piano.  Then there are the many kids (and some adults) who can’t resist playing chopsticks or just pressing the keys in some random order.  I love all of it!

Unfortunately in the church different styles of music are seen more as points of division rather than objects of beauty.  Some opinions and approaches to worship are so adamantly held that it makes one believe God actually likes one particular style better than another.  David cut through everything when he said,

“But Lord you are holy and you inhabit the praises of your people.” (Ps 22:3)
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me.” (Ps 50:23)

One style or approach to worship cannot be held as superior. Whatever is being played, sung, jammed, shouted, rapped, whispered, unto God it draws his presence and glorifies him no matter who is doing it.

All of it is beautiful!

Nervous doesn’t even come close.  Scared to death is better.  Grieved and disheartened even.  Amram and Jochebed put their little baby in a basket, pushed it out into the current of the huge river, and then stood watching as it drifted away. Such a desperate situation, but God was at work. 

Downstream the river began to eddy, sending the little basket into the same place that Pharaoh’s daughter happened to be bathing. The basket and it’s tiny passenger where discovered and brought to her.  It was love at first sight, but Pharaoh’s daughter wasn’t too baby savvy and wrinkled her nose when she heard it crying.  Her assistant made a suggestion that they get one of the Hebrew slaves to nurse and care for the child.  The idea was quickly approved and implemented.  A few moments later baby Moses was placed back in the arms of his mom.

It would be good for you to remember this story of Moses and his parents.  When you’re looking at your life and things don’t seem to be turning out the way you wanted or hope for, remember this story.  When it seems like the only break you get is a bad one, remember this story. When it seems like all the forces of darkness are attacking you, remember this story. When that nagging little voice tells you that God’s purposes for you aren’t going to happen because of all the mistakes you’ve made, remember this story. 

I’ll bet Isaiah remembered this story when he wrote,

“For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Is 14:27)

There is nothing and no one, including you, that is powerful enough to stop, void, cancel, or change the plans of God.  His plans for you are made, and he will see to it that they happen.  His hand is on your life, and his destiny for your life will not be thrown off track.

You may not always see it.  You make look at things and think there’s no possible way something good could ever happen, but God has thousands of ways you’ve never even thought of.  In fact, he’s working right this moment at unseen levels that will affect your destiny.   

It’s not about where you are, but where you are going.  The enemy doesn’t wage battles over your current position, but over your potential. God knew about the times you would be rebellious, or fearful, or faithless, but you are still precious to him, and his plans for you work in and through everything.

David must of doubted that God could make anything good out of the mess that surrounded him.  But he discovered something.

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul…the Lord will perfect and work out his plans and purposes for my life.” (Ps 138:3, 8)

Make yourself available to God. Give over and he’ll take over.  Keep God first and honor him.  Let his spirit arise in you and you’ll find strength replacing weakness, and boldness replacing fear.  And soon you’ll see things taking shape around in ways that you never even thought of, but God did.

What’s your favorite viral video?  There are some really funny ones (like the Star Wars kid doing a ninja routine), and there are also some really moving ones (like soldier returning from Iraq and surprising his son at school). But what causes those videos to go viral? It isn’t the quality of the camera work, lighting, or production. Videos go viral because we watch them, laugh, cry, or go whoa, and then tell our friends. 

There are some things so good you can’t keep them to yourself.

Last week Kathie received the shipment of her and our choir’s second CD, “Songs from the Center.”  Immediately she posted on Facebook that the CD was finally done and ready for its debut on June 10.  She invited people, who invited others, and soon there were people all over who were talking about the new record.

They’re some things so good you can’t keep them to yourself.

When I was 19, I began to experience pretty severe migraine headaches. After telling my doctor about what was happening, he sent me to a neurologist.  I asked him what the concern was and he told me that the symptoms I was experiencing were indicative of a brain tumor.  So the neurologist began putting me through a series of tests, including a scan that required dye with radioactive particles in it that was injected into my blood.  Then he called me into his office and told me that I should have my family come with me.  As we sat down, I could tell something was wrong.  He began to hem and haw about the test not being conclusive, when I interrupted him and asked if I had a brain tumor. “No,” he answered. “but I’m afraid you have ophthalmic migraines.”  I shouted, “Hallelujah!” and ran out of his office to the nearest pay phone to call everyone who had been praying for me. 

There are some things so good you can’t keep them to yourself.

The Bible tells us about the northern tribes of Israel being besieged by their enemies, and as a result a severe famine break out.  It was so bad that they were eating donkey heads, dove dung, and even boiling infants (2 Kings 6:24ff).  There were four lepers who figured that they were going to die anyways, so they decided to cast their lots with the enemy.  When they got to enemy’s camp they found it totally deserted, yet all the food and valuables left behind.  They began to gorge themselves with food and wine, while catching up on Bedouin sports on their new iPads. But after some time they began talking to each other.

“We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” (2 Ki 7:9)

There are some things so good you can’t keep them to yourself.

The New Testament calls the message of Jesus Christ, “good news,” yet it seems that most of us have difficulty freely sharing it with others. We feel limited by our lack of Bible knowledge. Or we feel intimidated by hard questions like, “If your God is a God of love, why would he allow children to die of starvation?’  But those aren’t the issues in the good news of Jesus.   It’s forgiveness for all of us who have sinned.  It’s deliverance to all who are oppressed.  It’s help for the helpless.  It’s hope for the hopeless.  It’s news so great, so awesome, so incredibly good that you’ve got to tell, text, post, Facebook, Twitter, blog, video, about it!

There are some things so good you can’t keep them to yourself

Born 20^th out of 22 children, 2 months premature and weighing only 4.5 pounds, on June 23, 1940 in St Bethlehem, Tennessee. Because of racial segregation the baby girl and her mother were not permitted to be cared for at the local hospital.  It was for whites only.  And because of her weakened condition and insufficient medical care, she suffered from a series of childhood diseases such as mumps, chickenpox, scarlet fever, double pneumonia, and remained bedridden.  Her left leg was deformed from Polio.

Refusing to believe that her child would never walk again, her mother Blanche, sacrificed every last penny for bi-weekly physiotherapy sessions. Every session was a painful experience but the girl persisted on believing her mother when she said,

“Honey, you will not only walk again, but you’re gonna run!”

A few years later, that same girl walked into church on a Sunday morning without any assistance to the cheers of everyone who was amazed by her perseverance.  When someone asked her to say something she said,

“My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”

When she was in junior high, she joined the basketball team but remained on the bench for 3 full years where she watched, observed and analyzed the games. In her 4th year with the team, she made an appeal to be in the starting lineup and her wish was finally granted.  She dazzled everyone by leading the team to an undefeated season and the state championships.

By the time she was 16, she earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic track and field team and came home from the 1956 Melbourne Games with an Olympic bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay.   Then at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome she won three Olympic Gold medals in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and the 4 x 100 meter relay events.

From the girl whom doctors told would never walk, Wilma Rudolph was hailed throughout the world as “the fastest woman in history.”