Pretending by Alesha Sinks

When you’ve been let down or ignored or forgotten or taken advantage of…when you’ve been hurt, it’s easy to hide.

It’s easy to slip into the shadows of fine. It’s easy to quietly let your soul retreating into hiding. It’s easy emotionally step back into a pattern of pretending.

BUT PRETENDING BEFORE OTHERS LEADS TO PRETENDING BEFORE OURSELVES AND PRETENDING BEFORE GOD.

If we think we are doing okay... If we think the little things don't matter... If we think we can gloss over the messy parts... If we think it's fine to avoid certain topics or areas of life... If we think we need to seem a certain way for the sake of others…

...then we are lying to ourselves. We are pretending.

And that’s the tricky part about pretending.

WE CAN TRICK OURSELVES WITH OUR OWN PRETENDING.

When I focus on presenting myself just right to you... When I focus on glossing over certain areas of my life... When I focus on manipulating facts just a bit in my favor... When I focus on showing you only the good parts…

...I start to become a pretender in all of my life.

I can’t pretend in front of you and not in front of God. Because I’m a whole person, not a network of little pieces functioning together under some sort of contract. I’m a whole person and all of me is affected by every decision part of me makes.

WE ARE WHOLE PEOPLE AND WE CAN’T PRETEND IN ONE PART OF OUR LIVES AND EXPECT IT TO STOP THERE.

If we spend our time curating an specific image of ourselves to present to those around us, we’ll begin to believe our own lies. We’ll trick ourselves into thinking we are doing just fine or that our lives actually look exactly like what we say they do.

If I only show you the disciplined parts of my life, hiding the messy, lazy, disorganized parts, I’ll begin to believe that I am a disciplined person…with no room for growth.

If I only show you the thankful and joyful parts of my life, hiding the worried, anxious, ungrateful parts, I’ll begin to believe that I am a thankful, joyful person…with no room for growth.

If I only show you the strong and faith-filled parts of my life, hiding the fearful, weak, discouraged parts, I’ll begin to believe that I am full of faith and strength…with no room for growth.

WHEN I THINK THAT I HAVE NO ROOM FOR GROWTH, WHEN I THINK THAT I’M FINE, I’M LYING TO MYSELF.

So many times I’ve found myself feeling shallow and disconnected and joyless and I am unable figure out why because, “Everything is fine.” Until I realize that the “fine” I’m preaching isn’t real. It’s a lie I started telling others and believing myself and hiding behind when I came before God. It’s a self-sufficient, I-don’t-need-you-God kind of “fine” that  isolates me from others, disengages me from God, and starves my soul.

It’s okay to be full of joy, but it’s not okay to pretend we’re that way.

It’s okay to be happy and excited in life, but it’s not okay to pretend we’re that way.

It’s okay to choose thankfulness in all circumstances, but it’s not okay to pretend it’s easy…that it doesn’t require grace and strength from God.

And it’s okay if some struggles are private from others as long as we aren’t pretending we’re fine when we should be asking for prayer.

And it’s okay to not share everything with others as long as we are sharing everything with God.

We don’t want to find ourselves starting down the path of pretending, because...

PRETENDING BEFORE OTHERS LEADS TO PRETENDING BEFORE OURSELVES AND PRETENDING BEFORE GOD.

And I’m preaching to the choir with this post. I hope you see that. Because I see the tendencies in myself every week. I see my heart start to retreat into the shadows of ”fine”. But I know what’s down that path and I don’t want to go there. 

Let’s stop pretending.

FAST AND PRAY WITH US EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY

As a church, we are going to be taking the first Wednesday in every month to fast and pray individually. We chose this day because many pastors and churches in the area are also setting this day aside to pray. At Redemption Church, we highly value prayer and incorporate prayer in all we do, and we know God works in mighty ways when we bring our needs to Him. This is a special opportunity to be unified with our brothers and sisters in Christ and lift of the needs of our community, our church, our leaders, and the world together. We would love for you to participate THIS WEDNESDAY and choose one meal to fast at home or work and focus that time to pray. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

- Pray for church leadership and their families: spiritual vibrancy, physical health and emotional strength

- Pray for our Redemption Church family: for spiritual growth and maturity, healing and provision for those in need, and continued growth as new people come to know Jesus

- Pray for the lost in our community: to know the love of Jesus and follow Him

- Pray for the worldwide church: for protection, encouragement, and strength to follow Christ

A Beautiful Lesson by Jason Sanchez

The Lord taught me a most wonderful, power lesson this past Sunday that I pray I will treasure all my life. Church was packed, especially because we had an extra 14 brothers and sisters from Washington and New Mexico. This missions team has come down to install a heating system in our new house as well as build cabinets, insulate and hang sheet rock, paint in the orphanage and of course love on the children.

It was beautiful seeing the church full of people singing their hearts out in adoration to our Lord. As we transitioned into the bible study, I took my usual seat in the back to usher.  Sitting about 5 feet from me was a gentleman that has come to church off and on, sometimes sober while other times drunk.  This time in particular was the latter. Not only did he smell of alcohol but also of urine and body odor from probably not showering for a few days.  The smell was almost unbearable.  My initial thought was I need to ask this guys to sit outside.  As scenarios ran through my mind of just how to go about asking him to step outside, the Lord immediately and strongly began to speak to my heart.

Who was I to ask this man to leave the sanctuary?  It wasn't like he was being disrespectful or disrupting anything.  He was simply sitting there listening to the words of Jesus.  Why was I more deserving to sit in the service than this man?  Or anyone else for that matter sitting in the sanctuary? Was it because I got to take a hot shower that morning or had clean clothes to put on?  Maybe because I showed up on time for service, sang the songs or even lifted my hands during worship?  What made me more deserving that Sunday morning than this drunk smelling man?  Absolutely NOTHING!

You see that's the very message Jesus was speaking about in the gospel of Luke 18:10-14...

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Sunday morning I was that pharisee when I should have been the tax collector, asking God to forgive me and be merciful to me, to change my way of thinking about this brother next to me.

You know what probably was the most powerful part of that lesson?  While I was bearing the smell of alcohol, urine and BO, it was actually a sweet fragrance to the Lord.  Here sat one of Gods beloved, one whom He went to the cross for.  Here was a lost sinner, in need of hearing Gods precious words of life.

Isn't that the very reason why we answered the call to move down to Mexico and start an orphanage, 3 1/2 years ago?  To minister to the hurting, broken, lost, smelling children and others that are desperately in need of the very Savior that spared and saved my life.

God, please help us to not slip into the thinking of a pharisee.  May we be reminded that we are nothing more then smelly tax collectors who have been saved by Gods amazing grace, purchased by Jesus' very own blood!

Kids Sunday (photo essay)

Dominick & Blaise's Baptism (4-5-16)

Keeping A Team Mentality by Travis Sinks

"None of us are as smart as all of us.” -Pastor Daniel Williams

The reality is that we, as individuals can accomplish a lot on our own… But we’ll never be able to accomplish alone what can only be done with all of us together.

"Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:6

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Even in scripture, we learn how importance teamwork, but it can be so difficult to obtain. At Redemption Church, we strive to keep teamwork a priority and making sure that we’re emphasizing the body of Christ in all of its diversity of gifts, and personalities. Here are three things we keep as a priority in order to bring about a team mentality:

Share a vision, not a task list

Yes, tasks will be shared, but what is most important is for all of us to be centered around a common vision and goal. This is why we emphasize our mission statement so much: To Pursue and Proclaim Jesus. We want everything we do to emphasize these two points.

Play everyone's strengths

What makes teams so difficult is that everyone is different, but this can also be our greatest strength. It’s amazing that we are not only good at different things, but how some people can absolutely love doing what others would never do. Learning these things is crucial to our success as a group. Jesus has gifted each of us differently, and made us to enjoy different parts of the work that goes towards the same vision. We want everyone to be able to not only work well together, but to thrive in the place God has made them to be in His Church.

Delegate everything you can

This one has been, and always will be the thing most struggle with. Handing over important tasks, projects, and especially management is extremely difficult. The reality is that the biggest bottle neck most teams will face is their leader. The best advice I’ve ever heard is that if someone can do something 60% as well as you then you should have them do it instead. This may seem easy, but you realize very quickly that 60% is a very far way from 100%. Nonetheless, teaching others and delegating areas of responsibility (and truly letting them take it over without you micromanaging them) is the only way to utilize a team well and will encourage everyone to take part and work as a team rather than a one man show with many helpers.

In order for us to function well as a church, we need to all be aware of what keeps a team running smoothly. Let’s continue to pursue a great vision together, to encourage each other in our unique gifting, and to continue to include others in the work so that Jesus may continue to be even more glorified in not only in the work accomplished, but in the love and service we have towards one another.

Choose To Remember by Daniel Williams

My wife and I have been in the process of church-planting for about 5 years. We didn’t officially open the doors for Sunday services until much later, but the process of planting began much earlier. We still look back to those first days of when God told us to get ready to leave, the morning I heard His voice tell me where to plant, the visions He gave in the early days, the first person we shared Jesus with in our new city, the families who have come and gone, all those we’ve been so blessed to baptize… miracle after miracle of God’s provision, His goodness, His unexpected favor, His comfort, and His presence. It is these precious stories and moments of God working that remind us of Who God is and why we are here. And we all need that. We need to remember Who our God is and why we are doing what we are doing. God knows that, and that is why over and over again He tells us in His Word to REMEMBER.

WHY REMEMBER?

Why is it that we need to be told to remember such incredible things in our lives? The nation of Israel had to be told again and again not to forget the work of God. They were even told not to forget God Himself! Throughout the Old Testament, we see men building alters from piles of rocks as a place to worship and commemorate an encounter with God. It is almost funny that in order to remember a work of God, they would build a physical structure that people would have to walk around or literally trip on to force them to remember something special that God had done. 

Even in the New Testament, the Apostle Peter wrote about the importance of remembering. He said that he was writing to REMIND them of things they already knew (2 Peter 1:12-15). We need that! You know God is good. You know He has called you. Yet, we all need to be reminded of what God has done so that we do not forget! This has become one of the most important things about our church planting journey—choosing to look back and remember. Creating these alters of stones reminding us of the faithfulness of Jesus.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?

It is very easy to get so caught up in the business of what planting a church involves, that we can forget what God is doing and has done. There is certainly much practical work to be done, and it is not unimportant, but the practice of looking back at all God has accomplished ALREADY will strengthen and spur you on in those moments where it does get tough! The urgency of this moment’s tasks will always be there, but the spiritual importance of creating this habit is immeasurable. You know the God stories you tend to tell over and over again? The people who you’ve seen God save and transform? As time goes on, you will forget these precious stones that God has given you to pile up for yourself to REMEMBER. We do not choose to forget these things, but we MUST choose to remember them. 

As we do look back and see the faithfulness of Jesus over and over, our hearts become full again of worship and trust in our Savior. Alters were not just a place of remembering, but a place of worship to God. And this makes so much sense when you’ve experienced God’s goodness and provision. The memories of all He has done creates such a sweet sense of true praise in our hearts. And as a church planter, this MUST be who we are! Before door hangers and connection cards, before worship sets and strategies, we need to have our hearts full of love and worship for our God for all the good things He has done for us. 

HOW TO DO IT

Making this a priority in your life does take time. It takes discipline. Building an alter from heavy rock was hard work! But once completed, it was a testimony to what God had done. This is also something that can become a habit for you as you do it more and more. You can get creative in the ways you choose to record and remember God’s work in your life and your church planting journey. 

One of the things I see working best is keeping a written journal of God stories as you go. Remember, the things you think you’ll never forget will be forgotten if you don’t write them down! Write down the person you saw come to church for the first time and get saved. Write down the money that came in at the last second when God provided. Write down the scripture that God gave you when you first felt Him calling you. 

Another great way to remember is to make it visual. Pictures and videos are an incredible gift from God that allow us to literally look and see the people and places God has moved. I started making short baptism videos ( http://www.redemptionindelraybeach.com/baptism) of each person we’ve baptized from the beginning, and though it seemed silly at first, I am so thankful now to have these to look back on and watch life after life that God has redeemed here again and again. It’s beautiful and moving to have these things that stir us so deeply when we remember them.

READY, GO!

Whether you are just beginning your journey to plant a church or are simply in the midst of daily life with Jesus, today is always the best time to start remembering the goodness of God. It is never too late to write down something unexpected that God did for you or a miracle when it happens. I hope you will experience the joy that comes from looking back at these things months and years from now and will rejoice and find comfort in the faithfulness of our God.

Be blessed,

Pastor Daniel

MY STORY by Colleen Sloan

Easier Next Time by Alesha Sinks

Every habit starts with a decision. That is all it is...one same decision made over and over again.

When you’re at the very beginning of a new habit or routine and you look down the daunting string of daily repetition of decision making to come, it can begin to feel overwhelming. And the weight of repetition can crush you from that perspective.

A habit is a decision that you make today and tomorrow and then next day…forever.

But as painful and overwhelming as the weight of decision can feel on the first day, that first time, it won’t always be that hard. Because…

Each decision you make, will make a future decision easier.

No matter what path you take, left of right or indecisions, every decision made will make another decision easier the next time…which decision do you want that to be?

Make the decision you want to be the easier choice next time.

Make the decision you want to be come default.

Make the decision that is the first step on a path you want to travel.

Make the decision you plan to make tomorrow, next week, next year.

Make that decision today.

Because if you don’t make that decision today, you are making that decision harder for tomorrow. If you don’t make that decision now, you are instead making the opposite decision…a decision you plan to reverse later anyways or that you know is wrong or that is one step closer to a far worse decision that you never plan on making but are heading toward nonetheless.

And it might sound dramatic, but it’s true. Each decision you make is a step on a path, one direction or the other, with all the implications that lie farther down that decision pathway.

In the moment of difficulty…

In the moment of pause before action...

In the moment of putting off a decision…

…in those moments, we tend to rationalize and minimize the importance of the choice before us. We forget that each action we take or choose not to take in turn makes the next decision in that same direction a little easier to make.

I want to remind myself of this as I stare at my ringing alarm clock wishing for more sleep, as I feel the angry words rising hot in my throat, as I reach for a distraction when I really need Jesus. In the hard moments, in the decision making moments of life, I want to remember that how I make the little decisions before me will impact the way I make those same decisions the next time and the next and the next.

Make the decision you want to be the easier choice next time.

Perhaps you find yourself down a long path of bad decision making already. You’re looking back sad and overwhelmed and realizing how far the journey back will be…

Remember, there is grace for past mistakes and there is strength not our own to be found in Jesus.

So take the grace and strength that is offered you and make the decision that you want to be easier tomorrow and the next day and the next.

What little decisions are facing you today? What paths do you find yourself on that you are thankful for? What paths are you on that you wish you’d never started down?

Be blessed

Sundae Sunday (a photo essay)