Rhythm

Freedom In Christ

Posted by brandonwilson on July 16, 2010

Freedom. We’ve craved it since elementary school, always wanting to make that next step into the next phase of our lives so that we can have more freedom. And when we get to that next phase, it’s never all we thought it would be, so we start craving the next phase and hope that more freedom comes with each new phase of our lives. We could go from elementary school all the way into being married with children in the blink of an eye in our search for more freedom, but for some reason, we can’t find the freedom we seek in the phases of our lives.

This week at Rhythm, Tom Maxwell brought a super strong message about our freedom in Christ and how “not all free acts lead to freedom”. Jesus is quoted in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So for Jesus, truth leads to freedom. Not that awesome car, or what we think will come in the next phase of our lives. Truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. So because A=B and B=C then A=C (or some other math problem – sorry, I was an English major for a reason) Jesus is freedom!

Unfortunately, we tend to try to walk in this strange middle ground where we can have one foot on the narrow way with Jesus and one on the wide road so that we can follow the world and Jesus at the same time. But those two roads are going in different directions and if we continue to try to keep one foot on each road, we’ll split in two (and that’s just not a pretty sight)! Tom encouraged us to stop trying to be a friend of the world and a friend of God.

True freedom comes from God alone and He deserves our complete focus. Sure, there are times when sin is just plain fun, but what benefit has it ever brought that lasted for more than a little while? Sure, it may seem like a good idea at the time, but what’s the benefit? Obedience isn’t always a word we like because it seems that to be obedient to God means that we do not have the control and when we don’t have control, we feel like we have no freedom. But if we are to be free from the slavery of sin and become slaves to righteousness, obedience to God is pretty much the only way to achieve freedom. It’s not easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it. But the rewards are heavenly and eternal!

Someone I was talking to today has the joy of the Lord literally shining out of her face. She said that she feels like such a dork because she’s smiling all the time. I encouraged her to go with it! Be the dork! Go ahead and grin like an idiot because you have found a freedom in Christ that many people have been searching for their whole lives! Are you grinning today? Have you obeyed and found freedom in Christ? Are you being the dork?

Rock on,
Shanna

Scandalous

Posted by brandonwilson on July 9, 2010

Last night Rhythm was blessed to have the talented Sam Spangler to deliver a message he appropriately entitled “Scandalous”, based on the book of Matthew’s telling of his own calling to discipleship (chapter 9, verses 9-13). Sam noted that Matthew is the only disciple to have his story told in three of the gospels (Matt, Mark & Luke)… which means it must be pretty significant.

Jesus did a few things here that the Pharisees would have considered absolutely unacceptable – and we often miss the importance of. First off, in verse 9, Jesus sees Matthew, a tax-collector (certainly no one anyone wanted to be associated with in those days). How often do we simply overlook those around us who we deem unworthy of our time? How often do we miss opportunities to share God’s love because we fail to take the time to look? Jesus recognized an opportunity for ministry. Secondly, Jesus spoke to Matthew. He acted. Acknowledging an opportunity isn’t enough. If we’re following in Jesus’ footsteps, we have to act.

In verse 10, Matthew invites Jesus and his disciples to a feast… along with many notorious “disreputable sinners” (NLT). And Jesus went. He wasn’t intimidated; He didn’t care what everyone else would think or say. More importantly, He wasn’t intimidating; Matthew and the other people at the feast were eager to talk to Him and learn from Him. (Can you imagine a Pharisee sitting in Jesus’ place at that party? Doubt that would have went over well!)

Jesus caused people to question his motives. Why? He wasn’t focusing on people who thought they could handle life themselves. He was interested in helping those who needed help (and those who didn’t think they had the right to be helped). These people still exist today – we are these people – broken, lonely, empty people in desperate need of a loving God. Are we, the church, like the Pharisees, treating people as if they aren’t worth our time and effort… or are we like Jesus, seeking and talking to and spending time with anyone and everyone to show God’s love (letting Him speak through our actions)? Sometimes being effective requires breaking the rules of tradition and expectations. After all, we can’t be scandalous like Jesus if we just sit back and let things happen – our motivation has to be love; love for Jesus & love for each other.

Love,

PJ

P.S. – Special thanks to Stephanie Painter who led us in worship!

I love you, but…

Posted by brandonwilson on July 2, 2010

As we progress further along into John’s letters to the seven churches, it’s interesting to notice a pattern developing. Jesus is quick to praise each church for the good they are doing, then letting loose on the things they need to change. It seems that churches haven’t really changed that much… we all only want to focus on what we’re doing right and sweep our failures and mistakes under the rug. If we’re as right with Jesus as we often lead others to believe, we should be willing to listen to His corrections in our lives. We, just like the church at Thyatira (Acts 2:18-29), are full of Christian arrogance.

Yes, God gives “authority over all nations” to those who hold tight and obey ‘til Jesus returns, but we tend to overlook those verses that chastise us. The Thyatirans showed great love, faith, service, and patience – all awesome characteristics – but also embraced the current culture of their day, which happened to be filled with idol worship and extensive sexual immorality. Sound familiar? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the things in our surroundings that appear trivial… but as much as we justify our actions, these seemingly harmless things inevitably lead to actions that aren’t so trivial. Here, we see Jesus blatantly calling people (and us) out.

One of the greatest things to notice here is that though He calls us out, He does it with immense and incomprehensible love and mercy. Verse 21 even goes to tell how He gave the not-so-lovingly-called Jezebel of the city (who claimed to be a prophetess and was openly trying to entice people to join her in her “embrace” of the culture, all in the name of God) plenty of time and opportunities to turn from her immorality. If Jesus punishes her only after she completely refuses to accept His offer for forgiveness, how much more grace will He offer us who admit that we’re not always going to make the right choices, yet accept His offer of forgiveness?

Temptation is called temptation for a reason… none of us are immune; we all fall short and make mistakes. The question is, do we love God enough to call sin, sin?

Grace and peace, friends!

PJ

Is it hot?

Posted by brandonwilson on June 25, 2010

Let’s start out with the obvious…tonight Rhythm got a little heated. Both the spiritual level and the temperature level were at a somewhat uncomfortable place for many of us. I have to admit that when I showed up to set up tonight, I was ready to call it on account of the heat. But nonetheless, 145 people braved the temperate conditions to hear the word of God preached. Little did we know it was gonna heat up even more.

In talking about the church in Pergamum, we see that God is calling us to be something different. At times we all fall into the traps and the world has a hard time differentiating those who love God from those who could care less because we justify our actions and behaviors sometimes even associating them with a gallant cause. It’s hard to stay committed many times when the world around you seems to be going the opposite way, but blending in is not what God has called us to. He says to those who run the race and stand firm, He will give them the white stone, the stone that says by His grace and mercy ALONE, we are acquitted of all of the charges against us.

My prayer this week is for all of those that are finding it somewhat difficult to be a Christian today, that they would be lifted up and know that struggles were promised to us, but if we continue to live faithful to the cause of Jesus Christ, set apart for Him and Him alone, we will find abundant joy and grace and the white stone that says we are free because the price has already been paid.

Blessings,
Brandon

The Water’s Kind of Rough, But Come on In

Posted by brandonwilson on June 18, 2010

How would you react if Jesus came up to you and introduced Himself in this way, “Hello. I am the beginning and the end. I died and came back to life and I know you.” Are you relieved or worried? Have you lived your life in such a way that you are pleased that Jesus knows you or are you concerned because He sees your life?

I imagine the church at Smyrna breathed a sigh of relief because they had a clue about what it meant to be persecuted and remain faithful. The people of Smyrna didn’t join the church without being completely aware of what they were getting into. They suffered. They suffered a lot, even to their deaths. But Jesus introduced Himself by claiming power over death and encouraged them to remain faithful because their persecution would only last for a set amount of time. At the end of that time, they would receive a crown, but not just any crown of plain old gold; a “stephanos”, a crown of joy and victory! They were willing to die for their faith and were promised a reward of complete joy!

Are we willing to die for our faith? Here in Roanoke, Va, we have little opportunity to physically die for our faith in Christ, but what about socially? Are we ready to take our social life and give it to Jesus? Are we ready to stand out in a crowd of our peers and be completely sold out for God? What would that cost us? A few friends, perhaps a social status. But what will your silence about the love of God cost them?

What if we were sold out, all in, with nothing left to give because we have given everything we have, everything we are to the cause of Christ? What would this valley look like? What would Rhythm look like? What would you/I look like?

Just Wondering,
Shanna

Ephesus and Update!

Posted by brandonwilson on June 11, 2010

So let me give a recap of the past four weeks. Four weeks ago I gave rhythm a challenge on my blog to hit the 200 mark again and step up and invite our friends and colleagues. We didn’t just hit 200, we smashed it with 229 the week that Harris III came! The next week God did AWESOME things through the 37 Rhythmers who went to New Orleans. Then last week we had 165 people at rhythm and began our series in Revelation.

Now to last night, we had 175 Rhythmers, our average in the last 4 weeks has been up by 25 people! So I applaud your efforts in getting more people there! Awesome!

Now to what God did last night! Worship rocked! Energy was just awesome and people were genuinely excited to sing praises! So cool to see you guys singing out to the Lord from your hearts!

This week’s message was the letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation. Craig talked about the importance that we don’t worship the act of rhythm, but we in act in rhythm because of the overflow of our worship to God who GAVE it to us! So with the church in Ephesus they became so caught up in the act of their religion, that they lost the God that should have been the focus all along. GREAT message.

So with all that God is doing let’s continue to get people there! People will be challenged by the love of God and His truth every single week! So let’s not waste that!

Rock!

Kevin

Revelation to… Rhythm?

Posted by craigtackett on June 4, 2010

When most of us discover that we’re about to hear a message on the book of Revelation, we get a little spooked… we’ve heard there’s so much imagery and symbolism and crazy sounding stuff that I think we tend to run in the opposite direction all together! Last night, however, the majority of us had no idea what topic Craig would be speaking on, and honestly, after the last few stand-alone topics, I’m sure many of us were surprised to find out we would be spending the next 7-10 weeks over the summer on such an intense book of the Bible.

I think it’s awesome.

We’re going to approach the Revelation to John in an honest and open way while trying to see how God is revealing His mysteries to us today just as He did with John 2,000 years ago on the island of Patmos. After all, Rev. 1:3 says “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.” (NLT) Why are we so hesitant to dive in?

We made it through the first chapter last night; John gives a fairly typical introduction to what the upcoming letter will touch upon and the inspiration behind his motivation for writing in the first 8 verses. We then get something pretty spectacular: a visual description of Jesus! The only one in the entire Bible, to be exact. This is, of course, after he has ascended into heaven after the crucifixion and resurrection, so we still don’t know what he looked like as a man during his lifetime (let’s get real here – He certainly wasn’t the frail, pale, light-brown-haired, blue-eyed icon we see on so many stained glass windows and Renaissance-era paintings).

In John’s description, we see Jesus wearing a robe (like the priests’) with a gold sash (like a breastplate), white head and hair (purity, elder, earned respect), eyes like flames (no where to hide around here!), bronze feet (power), and voice like rushing water (overpowering and impossible to drown out)… which, I’ll admit, is a bit intense… but the symbolism behind this account is wicked sweet! You’ll have to check out the podcast to hear the rest; we all know Craig can get a little wound up and my brain & writing hand doesn’t quite comprehend as quickly as he’s pouring out the information! =)

One of my favorite illustrations from this first chapter has to do with the gold lampstands; again, you really need to hear this explained in the podcast to get the full gist. Anyway, I have always had a fascination with the way light was used and controlled back in Jesus’ day- oil was the primary source of fuel for lamps and people had to be very aware of how much oil they had and how much they needed (anyone remember the story of the 10 bridesmaids waiting on the bridegroom and 5 of them ran out of oil? Same principle here). So now we have John describing to his readers seven lampstands… which everyone back in John’s day would instantly recognize as valuable and extremely important to everyday life. The interesting thing to remember is that without the actual flame, though, all the oil and lamps in the world are pointless. It is we, God’s people, whom these lampstands represent. We are the carriers of the light, but we are not the light. Jesus alone is the light. Too often we get caught up in the importance of the lampstands (our money, our time… our egos) that we forget that without Jesus, we aren’t worth very much at all (and really don’t have the capability to do anything)! Our purpose isn’t to be the light; it’s to carry the light.

And that about wraps up chapter 1. I’m very excited to see what other truths God will open our eyes to over the next few weeks and how we can respond individually and as a community.

Until next time, “grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come…” (Rev. 1:4)

PJ

P.S. – There were 165 of us out last night! Welcome to all the newcomers and soon-to-be-graduating high school seniors who are now joining us!

Mission: New Orleans – Day 4

Posted by craigtackett on May 28, 2010

Today we set off on another adventure, full of serving our Lord. We headed out today at 7:15 a.m. ready for the last day ahead of us and to give it all we had left. Looking at this week and the mindset I had before leaving the Noke I was a little unsure of how this trip would go, to be honest I thought this trip was going to be just like a vacation, a social event full of play and some work and not really a “God thing”. Well I was completely wrong; God’s presence on this trip was unbelievable, each day was unique and such a beautiful experience of meeting new people, serving others, good times full of good people, and bringing glory to God above everything else. When I look back at everything today and through out the week I get a huge smile on my face thinking about how amazing our God is and what a great opportunity He has given us. God provided, taught, and loved all of us this week. Our God is amazing, just sayin’.

Brooke

At the beginning I came in not knowing anyone. I really didn’t know what to expect because I never have done anything like this before. Through out the week I got to know a bunch of people and really felt like I belonged. The best moment that I had was when we all we singing on the dock by the Mississippi River and right then it really hit me that I was surrounded by loving and caring people and we were all there to praise God for this wonderful opportunity. I was never really close with my church back home and making this trip to New Orleans has opened my eyes and my relationship with God. This has definitely been the highlight of my summer and I will keep in touch with all the new friends I have met through Rhythm…

P.S. The last day we all had crawfish and they were in the words of Joe Hine “they were BOMBIN”

Meghan “Goose”
via Josh

This is my second time coming to New Orleans with Rhythm. I just want to tell you all that this is ultimately the best week I have had here. The people of New Orleans are so grateful that we are here to help rebuild their community. Its been a great week to get closer to God but also a great week to show Gods love. One of the nights we were down here we went downtown and worshiped on the dock and I noticed a guy who was on the bench not too far from us; and he started tapping his foot to the beat. After a couple of minutes he came closer and sat right beside us and I could tell he really enjoyed us being there. Its such a great feeling to see people smile when they have gone through so much. I cant wait to get back and share the awesome love of Jesus and share the wonderful stories I have experienced here in New Orleans!

Matt
via Charles

Click here to see pictures from today!

Mission: New Orleans – Day 3

Posted by craigtackett on May 27, 2010

Today was amazing. There was so much to do but everyone praised God and worked through the day and did what was needed to be done. Some worked inside installing doors, handles, and stoppers, and then cleaning up after that. Some were outside digging and then making mortar and and putting cinder blocks together. Some worked on the side of the houses to install the hurricane window protection. Though out the entire day no matter how hot it got God was praised and that’s all that matters.

Heather

Burn. Burnt. Burning. It just doesn’t seem to cool down in NOLA, ever. At 7:45 in the morning, the white caravan of rented vans is rolling to a stop in front of two vacant lots at the end of a shady dead-end road. Before us are the beginnings of a foundation for one build, and the outlines for another. We’re all excited, I am to a degree, but all I can think about is how there’s no shade at this site and my back is gonna be feeling in no time. I made the mistake of playing Mr. Bigshot on day one—wearing a cut-off muscle shirt—and ended up doing some roofing while simultaneously burning my meaty flanks underneath my shoulder blades. Now I’ve been paying for it all week and working through the unending heat and humidity . . . and pain. Today though, it’s a little more bearable, and the burning I had anticipated around 8 a.m. wasn’t the one that wore at me as I had expected. Rather, God decided to go to work with me today on an old nemesis of mine, pride, and not my own this time (well, to a small degree). Now, the day’s tasks included digging holes for pouring the foundation, one group was assigned the job of prepping windows in a few houses for hurricane protection measures, a few individuals did some touch up painting, and the remainder of us were put to work building the supports for one house out of cinderblocks and mortar. As far as the work goes, I enjoyed most of it, but I was so annoyed all day with a lack of effort by some in a few occasions, and one individual more so throughout the day. This one individual wasn’t doing anything to me specifically, but there was a twinge of arrogance that had me cringing at many of their words. And I realized it wasn’t really them that made me mad, it was the me in them—the old me—the me that God has helped erase with his spirit over the past few years. The whole day, shovel scoop after shovel scoop, cinderblock after cinderblock, despite the fact that I was enjoying the work, I was struggling. Thankfully, there was a lesson here, one that I asked God to teach me: Patience and Humility. As I tediously leveled each layer of mortar, and adjust each block, God reminded me of my own pride, and used this individual to show me how He sees me, excuse me, how He saw me. And in the late afternoon, as the first clouds we’ve had all week started to cover the sun for moments of glorious shade, God showed me how I was taking pride in humility. I wanted this person to examine themselves, to adjust, and in so doing, I was elevating myself because I was the measuring stick I was using. So, though the heat didn’t quite subside, my anger was forced to. It’s interesting, to say the least, how God surprises us with growth and lessons. Thank God for hot sticky days, covered in sand, and building a little character with shovels and cinderblocks.

Joe

Mission:New Orleans – Day 2

Posted by craigtackett on May 26, 2010

Today was our second full day down here in New Orleans and after a few dozen cell phone alarms and showers; me and the guys in my room were ready to head down for a quick breakfast. When we walked outside today I was so relieved that it wasn’t nearly as bright or as hot as it was yesterday. The first day on site progressively got hotter and hotter until around lunch. However, today there was a nice breeze and the sun felt just a little bit further away. We all arrived on site around 7:30 and got to work shortly after. The people that were doing siding on the right side of the house continued their work, the guys on the roof the first day, including me, changed it up a bit and helped with measuring, cutting, and some siding wherever it needed to be done or continued. There were a few people on the first day working inside the house had finished yesterday and they were the ones on the roof today.

I was on the left side of the house with Megan Goose, Jessica B., and Brooke Drew doing some siding. After I’d finished some trimming all around the house I jumped in with them and we got things down relatively sooner. I was up on the ladder for the most part while Goose would bring the wood. Brooke and Jessica and a couple other girls were finishing some siding on another wall close by. At about 11:30 we all left for lunch and split up between Mcdonald’s and Burger King. At Mcdonald’s I had an amazing Big Mac with Taylor Hurley as we joked and conversed in the nice air conditioning. When I first sat down there were some locals asking me why we were here and what we were doing. I told about what we were doing for Habitat for Humanity and how much we’d gotten down on the house so far and shared with them what kind of group Rhythm was and how awesome it was doing some work that needed to be done.

After lunch all work continued for about an hour or two. During those hours the right, left and back wall as well as the roofing had all gotten completed, and all that was left to do was finish walling and shaping up the front of the house. Unfortunately the front side took longer than we’d hoped. So, while I and 9 other people stayed to finish that up, Craig had sent the rest of the group on back to get freshened up.

Overall, it was an awesome and very successful day. We finished all the siding and we are officially done with our work on that house. Tomorrow we will be sent to a new sight to start on some cement block laying and digging and a bunch of new stuff.

Tonight we’re going downtown for the first time and I am so excited about it. We’re eating together tonight, but tomorrow we’ll most likely be splitting up and exploring downtown New Orleans in our own little groups. I have to say Craig, Shanna, Josh, Bobby, and all the other people that are taking the responsibility to handle close to 40 youthful adults, are doing such an incredible job and I can’t thank God more for them. They are great people to look up to and I’m glad God those them as leaders. We’re being excellently taken care of and I couldn’t be having a better time. We’ll see what tomorrow brings!

Click here to view pictures from today!

Matt