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One Team. One Goal.

Posted by Michael Breznau on 6:24 pm in Church & Praxis, Devotionals, Discipleship, Mission | 0 comments

Exciting word pictures from the field of athletics are sprinkled throughout the New Testament, yet they’re often hidden underneath our various English translations. One such image with vivid application is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, embedded within a passage we looked at a couple weeks ago at Mayfair Bible Church:

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27 – NASB)

These days, the phrase “striving together” has a double connotation – one for a fight scene and another for teamwork. God’s command here is not that we don boxing gloves and begin punching each other on the beak, but instead unite as a team on a singular mission for the sake of God’s good news to the world.

In Daniel James Brown’s modern classic The Boys in the Boat, he details the captivating, true story of the mid-1930s rowing team from the University of Washington. At that time in history, rowing teams were just as popular as college football or basketball teams are today. Most of the boys on the UW team were from working-class families. They knew how to work hard and endure pain. All of them had significant academic and athletic ability. The renowned Coach Ulbrickson put them through a grueling yearlong training program and would only recruit from those who completed his course.

After winning against their arch-rival, U.C. Berkeley, Ulbrickson set his sights on the 1936 Berlin Olympics. But while his team had many gifted rowers, the young men were not working together to produce the “synchronicity and close cooperation – in a word, ‘swing’ – necessary for Olympic victory.” [1]

Only after some of the students worked side-by-side on the Grand Coulee dam did they begin to realize how similar they were, despite their different physical and mental capabilities. They returned to school that fall as a team united around one purpose. Coach Ulbrickson found that every rower needed to be skilled and built in different ways, yet functioning with all the others in perfect humility and unity. The result? The motley crew of young rowers from middle-class America brought home the gold at the 1936 Olympics.

With each paddle dipping into the water in perfect rhythm, so God calls us to “contend side-by-side for the faith of the Gospel.” Each of us is wired and gifted in different ways by our amazingly creative God. No two rowers are alike. The same goes for church members in the body of Christ. So we must exercise humility, which is the Spirit-directed source of unity.

Why is this so important? Our mission effectiveness hinges on our oneness. A one-man band or a split team will never blaze down the river to the glory of their Captain. Only through all of us, in the power of the Spirit, functioning together in one boat toward one goal will we accomplish what God has called us to do. Will this be easy, comfortable, or a quick study? No way. But what great goal was ever achieved with no challenge?

Imagine a day…

…when thousands of men, women, and children are thriving in Jesus Christ across Genesee County…bringing the gospel into their workplaces, neighborhoods, and community epicenters. Envision a week when instead of a person dying from heroin (more than one per week is the current data), one person per week is coming to saving faith in Christ at Mayfair Bible Church. Pray for marriages to be restored by the Gospel and children to return to vibrant devotion to Jesus. Dream of a year when we send out 10 church planters and 25 missionaries to local and foreign fields…

Let’s grip a hold of what God can do.
Gospel mission is our goal. Let’s point our oars in that direction.

GO Team Mayfair… to the praise of God’s glory and grace!

In God’s Vineyard,

Pulling Back the Curtains

Posted by Michael Breznau on 10:05 pm in Devotionals, Marriage & Family | 9 comments

Perhaps more than ever before, I look forward to celebrating the Lord’s Supper this coming Sunday morning with Mayfair Bible Church. Stephanie and I need our church family, the community of other Jesus-followers. Our moments of communion remind us of this need in a profound way.

May I pull back the curtains of our home and let you see in for just a moment? Today, my wife and I are reeling with the news of our sixth miscarriage. We hoped and prayed God would grant us a fun and exciting pregnancy announcement, and the delight of a fourth child. But now those ideas have completely unraveled in tears and agony.

In our sadness and grief we’re feebly attempting to take one step forward in quiet trust.

God gently beckons us to place quiet trust in Him. Here’s how the prophet Jeremiah put it:

“Blessed is the person who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For they will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8)

Stephanie lives faithfully with quiet trust in God. She places her present struggles, feelings, joys, and pains into God’s hands knowing He is faithful and strong enough to carry her through. I’ve seen my strong, courageous wife do this time and time again. Very much unlike her, sometimes I want to go out in the backwoods and punch away at a large oak tree. I’ve screamed and cried, shouted up at the sky, and yelled into the breeze. Yet in His patience, God has always proven His presence – even in my lack of quietude.

Notice the parallel thought of the second phrase in Jeremiah 17:7, the “blessed” one puts their trust in the LORD, but also their trust is the LORD.

A number of years ago, my wife and I put together will and trust documents for our children. We detailed how we desire everything to be understood and distributed, so that our will would be accomplished upon our death.

Yet here God’s Word points us to make the trust itself – all the details of the future and all the wishes and desires – God Himself. We are called to make the trust itself God Himself, meaning God is all we ultimately hope to have and serve and love.

We know God to be our trust and find Him worthy of our faith. Stephanie and I are placing our future in His hands, recognizing that HE Himself is the ultimate future to be enjoyed forever.

Because God is our trust, we are receiving hope, comfort, and peace. This is what the Gospel, God’s Good News in the risen and returning Jesus Christ, does for all who trust Him (not themselves).

But the wounds are fresh.

The pain is real.

The tears sting.

So we cling to Christ our King who will come again – with our babies in His arms – to make everything gloriously new again.

To the many who have already told us they are lifting us up in prayer, Thank You. We look forward to sensing God’s presence uniquely and powerfully among His people around the table of communion. We’ll share our griefs, carry each other’s sorrows, and choose again to be renewed by hope…until Christ comes.

“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community… Let him who is not in community beware of being alone… Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community

No “Yes and No”

Posted by Michael Breznau on 2:38 pm in Bible Study, Devotionals, Discipleship | 0 comments

A few days ago, Hudson asked, “Hey Dad, am I going to get another Lego set?”

I replied, “Well, buddy, probably at some point you will receive more Legos. But I’m not sure when you’ll get them or what, specifically, you’ll receive.”

Truth Be Told!

Yet we live in a world full of non-answers, “yes and no,” and “I’m not sure.” One very well-known politician recently said, “truth isn’t truth!” A seasoned lawyer once told me, “Justice happens by accident and the best liar usually wins.” Everything seems up for grabs lately. Our culture’s current discourse, which displays such a lack of integrity and morality, leaves many people with a sense of confusion – even utter bewilderment. All this reminds me of Pontius Pilate’s famous interrogative phrase, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)

Duplicity seems to be the gasoline that fuels our nation’s law-makers. Scientists make myriad “probable” estimations. Hollywood stars swim in a sea of relativity.

But it is not so with God and His good news given to an uncertain, questioning, wondering world. The apostle Paul wrote to the new believers in Corinth:

“But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us – by me and Silvanus and Timothy – was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.” (2 Corinthians 1:18-19)

There is no “yes and no” with the Gospel. The “word” that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy preached was clear and certain, tried and true – certainly more secure than FDIC-insured bank accounts, Wall Street, or the winds of legalese blowing through Washington, D.C. and over the airwaves.

How do we know the Gospel is not up for grabs? Paul goes on to explain,

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

What God promised about the coming Rescuer long ago is fulfilled in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t say, “yes and no.” He shouts, “Yes!” across the horizon about His Son.

But it gets even better. 

Look at the last line of verse 20 again. God does not give us a “yes and no,” but “Yes and Amen.” The word Amen in NT Greek means, “verily, truly, so let it be, or may it be so.” Therefore, through Christ, the will of God for the glory of God to be magnified and displayed through His people is coming to pass. It is so… even now.

God’s gospel is worthy of our trust because He is trustworthy. In a “yes and no” world, we can believe in the promises of God for the future because the past proves He is faithful.

He rescued us in Christ. He secured us in Christ. He commissioned us in Christ. He will bring us home with Christ. YES!

A Place of Refuge

Posted by Stephanie Breznau on 10:27 pm in Church & Praxis, Marriage & Family, Mission, Theology | 4 comments

Is the church a place of refuge?

Today was a sunny Sunday much like any other. My husband and I often travel separately to church, because as the Lead Pastor of Mayfair Bible Church he needs to arrive early to pray and make certain all the details are in order for the morning. He’ll often take one of our children with him as a cheery tagalong.

But most often the ramp-up to the worship service feels very busy as he and I greet hundreds of members and guests, pray with folks in the foyer, check-in our younger two children into Sunday School, and find a place to sit just before the band strikes the first chord. We don’t resent this, but rather embrace these moments as times of meaningful interaction with God’s people. On this particular morning, Michael led off the service with a few announcements and a call to worship, which meant I would be flying solo with our oldest son who has high-functioning ASD and ADHD…

…I silently slid into the back pew with Hudson and hoped today he would be calm during the worship service. I quietly whispered a prayer that he would not run off like a wild goose or blurt out, “Don’t touch me!”

But like so many Sundays, his composure quickly unraveled. As he flopped onto the floor and rolled over, my heart sank. Yet again, it would be a struggle for us until the kids were dismissed for children’s church, where he could go into a quieter, more hands-on environment with his peers.

Do I say this because I don’t want Hudson to worship with me? No. We’ve tried for years upon years to train him to sit still, sing, and listen. I want nothing more than to worship Jesus with my children. But far more often than not, he is unable to sit still, listen, or participate with any sense of normalcy for a 9-and-a-half-year-old boy.

We have learned to cherish his moments of full engagement in the service, yet respond with grace and patience toward him in the other times when it all seems too overwhelming. Most important is that he knows we love him even in his many moments of overstimulation and frustration. Our pray is for him to increase in his love for Christ and for His Church… rather than grow up to despise the Savior and reject the Church.

The church, as a gathering of Christ-followers, should be a haven where any child – particularly those with special needs – can come to Jesus Christ and be accepted for who they are. After all, He is the one who created them in His own image. No child is too different, too challenging, too loud, too wiggly, or too unacceptable for Him.

We follow a King who said to his demanding, commanding disciples:

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14 ESV)

Thankfully, we are part of a church that is doing everything they can to show love to him and our family. Just this past week, a phenomenal team of volunteers met with us to develop a specialized IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for his success in our children’s ministry. Unfortunately, this is not a common practice or attitude in most churches. Strong data indicates 90% of families with special needs children do not attend any place of worship. They are considered an unreached people group. Why? Because there is usually either avoidance or intolerance.

A warm and loving welcome toward those with special needs is a necessity in the church. For without it, the congregation is missing out on the many gifts that come from befriending people with special abilities.

So let us, the body of Christ, follow His example and let these children come to us as a place of refuge.

P.S.
My husband and I have written more in-depth on our unique journey with our son elsewhere. On his struggle with perseverating around bad words and ideas, Michael wrote “New Paint” <—- click here. Concerning our inner struggle with his challenges, we wrote “Our Journey with Autism.”

Freedom Called My Name

Posted by Stephanie Breznau on 11:38 am in Devotionals, Discipleship, Worship | 2 comments

Years ago, in my mid-twenties (shortly before I met my amazing husband, Michael) I was incredibly entrenched in the swamp of legalism. I heard the wise-sounding lies everywhere… from many places. My life was led by fear and worry that I would never measure up to the expectations of people.

The slime of law-based, performance-oriented religion came from all sorts of directions. All kinds of well-meaning people told me what I must add to my life (and add on to the Bible) in order to become better and more pleasing to God. Looking back, I believe this environment was rooted in fear, pride, and nice people generally wanting to control the outcome of my life.

Moms and dads told me they wanted their daughters to be like me. Young girls looked up to me. I was expected to be perfect and blameless. It was a heavy load to carry (maybe I’ll share more on that at another time). Day after day and year after year the weight pressed down on my heart as I struggled to make sure I never messed up.

One day, I was out for a short drive by myself and secretly turned on the Christian radio station (the one we weren’t supposed to listen to because it had “worldly music”).

“The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns came on the radio and as they sang, my heart overflowed with the grace-saturated lyrics. I wept alone….

The song rocked my world.

What a fascinating concept of listening to the voice of truth instead of all the lies of dishonest charlatans disguised as men of God. I began to understand that God didn’t create us to live in our own echo chambers of agreement but to go into a life of risk, faith, and fulfillment in Him.

I realized I’d been living my life trying to fit into the mold expected of me, instead of embracing who I was in Christ.

Oh Jesus, what freedom You presented to me!

It wasn’t until I met my Michael that I fully comprehended grace, but this moment started me on a path I still continue to journey today.

I’ve had people tell me sadly and accusingly over the years that I’ve changed and that I’m not the “same old Stephanie”. Well, praise God that I’m not!

Some friends have broken ties with me because of finding my voice and speaking out against spiritual abuse, and legalistic, cultic-controlling religious leaders. Others have walked away when I’ve been honest about my own struggles. These breached relationships deeply sadden me. But I’m FREE.

Free to be who God created me to be.

“If you continue in My word then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. . . so if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” – Jesus (from John 8:31-32, 36)

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

____________________

Obviously this is just a tiny sound-bite of my story, but I hope I can honestly and openly express my gratitude for the depth of his mercy and grace toward me.

He knocked out the giants of legalism and oppression with a stone of grace and I’m never going back.

These lyrics still bring a balm of freedom over my soul and tears to my eyes! I will never be able to thank Jesus enough for what He has done in my life and still continues to do.

The Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He’s holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant, With just a Sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors, Shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”
“You’ll never win”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me (Calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don’t seem so high
From on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe

Because Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to You

Listen to “The Voice of Truth”:

Sweet Freedom

Posted by Michael Breznau on 3:08 pm in Devotionals, Discipleship, Uncategorized, Worship | 8 comments

I’ve ministered in other countries that operate under a strict police-state system. Can you imagine registering with local law enforcement every time you traveled to a different city? I’ve preached in places where pastors are thrown in jail and churches are burned to the ground while the government turns a blind-eye. Have you seen the charred remains of Bibles and churches across many Asian and Middle Eastern nations? I’ve walked streets literally filled with poverty, disease, and fear. I’ve seen kids sleeping in their feces; the maimed and crippled abandoned on the sides of dusty roads.

Slavery’s smell blows in the breeze. Yet one slowly succumbs to its stench until the raunchy odor goes unnoticed.

Though I’ve deeply loved every moment God has given me for ministry in foreign lands, I’ve wept with joy every time I’ve returned to the land of the free. The air is sweet… and I can taste liberty hitting my palate yet again. Our gratitude for freedom ought to lead us to celebration…but also intercession.

Our faith will be sight and sweet freedom in the glory of the Son will be our delight: “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)

Happy Fourth of July | circa 2015

Will You, Pretty Please?

Posted by Michael Breznau on 4:53 pm in Devotionals, Discipleship, Worship | 2 comments

“God in heaven, will you please ______________”

This morning, as the sun rose over the lush green trees in our backyard, I hit stride in my typical routine: wake up, shower up, open the Word, and bring a series of requests to God. As usual, I found myself coming to the Lord with two oft-repeated agenda items:

• “God will you forgive me for ____________?” (I’m still readily prone to many sinful faults and failures)
• “God will you give me ______________?” (I’m continually in need of strength, direction, peace, healing, etc.)

Now there certainly isn’t anything wrong with bringing our confessions and requests before God. In fact, His Word instructs us to do so. But as I’ve been studying through Paul’s letter to the Galatian Christians, I’ve again been confronted with the radical truth that God calls me His child – even His son and His friend.

Paul wrote: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:25-26)

Continuing the same mind-blowing theology, the apostle continued:

“…God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons . . . therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Gal. 4:4b-5, 7)

You and I have been adopted into the family of God, not as hired servants or indentured slaves but as God’s chosen sons and daughters! Not only are we His children, but also inheritors of God’s ultimate promise given to Abraham through Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:6-9, 14; 3:39). If we are in union with Christ through faith, then we are true children of Abraham. Take it one step further: if God called Abraham His friend, then we, too, are friends of God (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:23; cf. John 15:13).

Only Give and Forgive?

Today, this truth assaulted my all-too-feeble and shallow prayers. Would I find it healthy and good if my children and close friends only came to me if they wanted me to give them something or forgive them of an offense? No way!

As a father and friend, I desire depth in my relationships with those I love. I want to know what is on their heart and mind. I look forward to hearing how they are feeling and what they are learning.

My heart warms up with gladness when Everlynn chirps like a songbird about what she discovered in the backyard. I delight in Hudson’s witty sketches and hilarious journal entries. And there’s nothing quite as sweet as Carson’s gummy kisses on my cheek.

Q: If in my limited, human role I long for more than mere requests from my loved ones, how much more may God in His limitless, divine love desire deep communion with His children?

God’s heart for us compels us to move from the shallow, safe end of the pool to the raging, rushing, freeing ocean of His love. In the deep with God we pour out our praise, our delight, our fear, our doubt, and a whole swirling sea of other whitecap emotions… and we find that we can know Him and be fully known, and yet fully loved by the One who has called us His own.

We may not only come to God with requests but also with our joy, wonder, discovery, and excitement.

Yes, we may say, “Lord God, please ________________.”

But by His unstoppable, adopting love, we may also respond, “God in heaven, I love __________________ about You. I’m amazed that You _________________. Oh Father, I’m feeling ______________ today, but I’m thankful that I know ____________________ is true.

So how might you fill in these blanks today?

In God’s Vineyard,

Week InREVIEW

• Repentance in the Church: As many of you have likely heard across the news, the Southern Baptist Convention has been going through a profound season of prayer, heart-evaluation, and repentance. Decisions were made even so far as to remove one seminary president from leadership. Even though we are not SBC-affiliated, these are certainly our brothers and sisters – even closely comrades-at-arms for the sake of the Gospel. Many responses have been written, but I found Dr. Thom Rainer’s transparent confession What I Must Change to be insightful and convicting, no matter your leadership position or affiliation. Click here: https://thomrainer.com/2018/06/what-i-must-change/
• How Friends, Families, and Churches can help Special Needs Families: Key Ministry is a unique organization that works to equip and encourage churches to minister effectively to families with specials needs children and adults. My wife, Stephanie, attended a conference with another one of our church members, in which Key Ministry was an integral part. They write: “A high percentage (some people report as high as 90%) of families with children with special needs don’t attend church. Our church considers them an unreached people group. We are active and intentional about reaching them with the love of Christ, and we believe every church should be as well.” Read more here: http://www.keyministry.org/specialneedsparenting/2016/3/28/how-friends-families-and-churches-can-help-special-needs-families
• Church Members Preparing for the Sermon: Everyone should assume that pastors are preparing to preach through prayer and intensive study, but how should church members prepare for the sermon? Here’s a helpful article that offers Seven Ways Church Members should Prepare for a Sermon. Click here: https://thomrainer.com/2016/04/seven-ways-church-members-should-prepare-for-a-sermon/

Mayfair on Mission

Posted by Michael Breznau on 4:35 pm in Church & Praxis, Devotionals, Discipleship, Mission | 2 comments

A few weeks ago I watched an intriguing documentary on the history and methodology of the US Navy SEALs. The birth of what became known as the SEALs during WWII was incredibly fascinating. First known as Amphibious Scouts and Raiders (Special Service Unit No. 1), these men used underwater demolition tactics to clear large portions of the beaches of Normandy, so that our transport ships full of soldiers could safely land. These little NCDUs (Naval Combat Demolition Units) completed similar heroic missions at Omaha Beach and Utah Beach to help conquer the German forces.

SEALs on Mission

My pastor-friend, Woody Shoemaker, is a heavily medaled Navy SEAL from the Vietnam War era. Years back, I asked him a little about his experiences in SEAL training and war. He has lots of interesting stories to tell. But one statement stood out to me, he said, “If you want to know if someone is a real Navy SEAL (because lots of people claim the title), you must ask them this: What was the number of your team in BUD/S training? If they won’t say, then they aren’t a SEAL.”

Mission assignments come to specific teams, so knowing which team you’re on is absolutely essential. In order for any SEAL team to be successful they need to focus on at least two things: (1). What is the mission? and (2) How we will complete the mission? No SEAL team would ever complete their goal without unifying around these objectives.

God on Mission

Our Commander was and is always on mission. God is a sending, missional God. God the Father sent His Son, and the Father and the Son sent the Spirit to empower God’s people to be sent out on mission to the ends of the earth to the praise of His grace.

God’s mission isn’t only a New Testament imperative; it has been God’s goal all along. Hear these words from the prophet Isaiah:

Church on Mission

All those redeemed and adopted into God’s family are on His Team, the Church. We, as His people are, therefore, called to live on mission to display and declare the glories of His love and power in the gospel of Christ… to all nations!

We have our mission assignment. The trouble is churches often get hung up on how they’re going to accomplish the mission. We, as a local expression of the global Church, the team of Mayfair Bible Church per se, need to prayerfully, thoughtfully, and creatively determine how we will move forward on God’s mission. No surprise here, really. Every local church needs to continually process and evaluate mission effectiveness.

God is building is Church and expanding His kingdom across the earth. We’re seeing God on the move through Team-Mayfair in radical, exciting ways.

Sunday’s Action Steps
So because we all are deeply serious and passionate about living on God’s mission together (this absolutely thrills my soul), we’re going to be involving everyone this Sunday morning in a survey and mission brainstorming project. We will also be announcing details about mission consulting help we’ll be receiving from Dr. Howard Bixby of ChristWay Ministries (retired president of Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit PA), as well as a brief update on The Thrive Center building. What’s more, Elevate Student Ministries will be leading us in worship!

Pray in Faith. Walk in hope. Live on Mission… guided by His Love. 

In Christ Alone,

     

Our Journey with Autism

Posted by Stephanie Breznau on 10:42 am in Devotionals, Marriage & Family, Pain and Suffering | 0 comments

A crisp, clean breeze whispered through the trees. A recent springtime snowfall had dampened the ground. But signs of new life were courageously emerging across the woodlands. Our family loves visiting the park together. Our children enjoy the trails, swings, slides, and freedom to run around like hyperactive kittens.

As we journeyed down a paved path, our six-year-old daughter Everlynn began happily skipping along.

“Hudson,” she chirped. “Do you want to skip with me?”

“Uh, ok, Everlynn,” he replied with a bit of distraction in his voice.

Hudson gave skipping a scout’s try but quickly resorted to a wobbly side-gallop. As Michael and I watched our nine-year-old son struggle to perform a basic motor skill, the evidence began to sink in yet again.

Hudson is unique. He isn’t like other average nine year olds. In some ways he surpasses the norm, but in other ways he clearly carves his own difficult trail. His awkward half-skip motions turned to frustration as his little sister sped right by him. This scenario is becoming quite familiar in other areas of life like tying shoes, riding a bike, crafting art, etc.

Many people tell me we are wrong for labeling Hudson with a diagnosis of ASD/ADHD, setting up an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and joining support groups. We have also heard that we are crippling his future or glossing over the evidence of our lack of parenting skills.

Michael and I often wonder if Hudson’s unique struggles were caused by him contracting Pertussis at just three weeks old. Our beautiful son spent 11 days at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and went code blue five times (read about it HERE). He pulled through with tremendous tenacity and has been incredibly healthy ever since.

But we wonder, as only parents can do…

Crossing the Rubicon

Until we put Hudson into public school in 2015, I felt like a complete failure as a mom. I tried every parenting method recommended to me. No matter what I did it never worked. The shame accompanying comments from people about how we were doing a terrible job as Hudson’s parents was intense.

_______________________

What is autism spectrum disorder? Autism is an “all-encompassing, neurological, and developmental condition” that affects about 1-3% of any given population.[1]

What does all-encompassing, neurological, and developmental mean? All-encompassing means that autism affects pretty much every part of my son Hudson – his personality, his experiences, how he thinks, how he moves, and how he communicates. Neurological means that Hudson’s brain functions differently than other neurotypical or non-autistic people. He also processes sensory inputs such as sounds, visuals, touch, taste, and smell differently than other neurotypical or non-autistic people. Developmental means that ASD is often detected in early childhood, continues in the development process and, in varying degrees, affects the individual throughout his or her lifespan.[2] Autism is not something you can catch like a flu or cold. Autism is not a disease that you can contract or transmit to others.

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Michael and I believe the earth is beautiful yet broken. We know deep within ourselves that everything is not the way it should be. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Romans 8:21). Erosion, war, disease, violence, abuse, storms, famine, and suffering of all sorts fills us with a longing for Eden restored. And one day we know God will make “all the sad things come untrue,” as Sally Lloyd-Jones so eloquently phrased it.

Yet on the other hand, we also believe God is sovereign over our Hudson and that He is working out a beautiful plan to mold us into people of love, grace, and hope. God formed Hudson in the womb and designed him as a good and wonderful gift to us (see Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15). Hudson is a super kid, yet with a different way of processing the world around him. God loves him and so do we. 

Several years ago, we realized denying Hudson the help he so desperately needed was far more crippling to him than finally letting go of our pride. Once we accepted help and the “label” of autism (plus his other challenges of ADHD and OCD), a whole new life began. I cannot begin to share how much his teachers have invested in us. They have loved him very much and accepted him just the way he is. We couldn’t do this without them or our amazing church, which supports and encourages us.

Our son is more than a label. He isn’t “less than”. He is Hudson William who is strong in spirit and stronger than many adults I know. He has many daily struggles that seem to be set on persistent replay. However, we see the battles he fights and wins too. You can read about one of those here: New Paint.

Win Some, Lose Some

People who don’t live with him only see glimpses and it can seem like we are just being dramatic, however, we know our son more than anyone else.

We have experienced some pretty amazing wins and many losses. The wins outweigh the losses. The wins include Hudson becoming a follower of Jesus, learning to read, realizing he is very smart, and meeting some amazing teachers and friends.

We have experienced worry over uncertainties about Hudson’s future, frustration over not knowing how to help him, loneliness in feeling we’re the only ones going through this, struggling with judgment over his various behaviors, and anxiety in trying to find Hudson accommodations to improve his school experience.

We have put vacations on hold, avoided going out on day trips, and ended up staying home a lot. We are hoping this continues to change for our family.

We aren’t putting him into a box by admitting he is different. We are just changing our perception of how he experiences life. Autism has not only changed the direction of our lives as his parents, but it has opened a whole new world for us in the direction of compassion and hopes for special needs inclusion in the Church.

We hope and pray every person who meets him will be able to do the same thing and accept him for who he is. I believe he was created in the image of God. Hudson is a very loved and important part of the body of Christ.

Autism awareness isn’t silly or unneeded. It’s vital and necessary. Just because we know something of autism does not mean we cannot learn more about it or from the people who live with it. We try to learn from others on a regular basis on this journey too!

What is God teaching me through this journey?

I’m learning deeper reliance on God for wisdom, strength, and patience. I’m discovering how to more intentionally care for myself, so that I’m healthy enough to be the best Mama I can be for Hudson and my other two wonderful children. You can’t serve and love with an empty cup.

Knowledge is power. Different isn’t bad, it’s just different. In fact, different is good too!

Love, learn, accept, and listen. You have no idea how it will knock your socks off!

Blessings, 
Stephanie

Come to the Table

Posted by Michael Breznau on 10:37 pm in Devotionals, Sermons, Worship | 0 comments

Standing at the Table of Communion tonight…  I recall that long ago, in the Garden of Eden, our forebears, Adam and Eve, lived and walked in perfect communion with God. They enjoyed beautiful fellowship with their Holy Creator in His perfect oasis.

But we walked away. Adam and Eve turned their backs on God and rebelled against His guidance for life. They disbelieved God and instead believed Satan, personified as that “serpent of old,” who schemed to bring chaos to God’s created order (Revelation 12:9).

We proclaimed we wanted to do life our way, not God’s way. We rejected God’s truth and called Him a liar.

Our sin cut us off from God, but it was our own doing, our own rebellion, and now the shame of sin taunts and haunts all who remain separate from the God of all love and grace. The shame and guilt of pride, envy, lust, anger, hate, profanity, and violence now seems to control. Nothing we can do or say or work toward can take away the shame of our sin and restore the relationship. Separate. Lost.

Shocking Grace

But God the Father stepped in, by His grace, with His rescue plan through Christ the Son.

God came to us. (John 1:14)

Fast forward to the Last Supper where God the Son was again communing with mankind at the Passover meal on the eve of His crucifixion.

Jesus the Christ, God-Incarnate, knew what was in the heart of every man (see John 2:24-25). He knew full well that Judas would betray Him for a mere 30 pieces of silver, the recompense price for a dead slave. And yet at the Last Supper, Jesus shows a shocking picture of grace – underserved, unearned kindness toward Judas.

Let’s take a look at the scene in John 13:21-30:

When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”  The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter *gestured to him, and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”

He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”  Jesus then *answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him.  For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.

Most of you are familiar with Da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper. Beautiful as it is, the seating arrangement and table setup do not at all resemble the original setting:

Instead, in first-century culture the table would have been close to the ground with the guests laying next to it with their feet away from the table, leaning on their left arm and eating with their right hand.

Further biblical evidence shows that Jesus was seated in the place of the host, with John at his right (leaning back to talk with Jesus, cf. John 13:22, 24), Peter in the lowest seat of honor (John 13:23), and Judas in the highest seat of honor (Jn. 13:26).

How so? As the host, Jesus would have dipped the morsel of bread or meat into a sauce and, as a sign of honor and love, served it to the person seated directly to his left (see v. 26-27).

And this turns out to be Judas. Shocking.

Peter, seated across the table (v. 24), saw something going on and quickly grappled for information. But no one picked up on what only Jesus and Judas knew. (v. 28-29)

Even to the betrayer, Judas, filled with inexcusable greed, malicious intent, and secretive scheming… Jesus extends grace.

We may find it all-too-easy to say, “I’m better than Judas. No way I’d ever succumb to that kind of greed and unbelief!”

You and I might retort, “I’d never respond like Peter in the face of fear and deny Jesus three times.”

Yet all the disciples responded in kind:

“Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.’ All the disciples said the same thing too.” (Matthew 26:33-35)

I’m that Betrayer

And deep in my heart I know I’m one who has chosen greed or giving, fear over faith, pride over humility, complacency over co-mission, lust over love, the path of death instead of the way of life… … all far too many times than I dare count.

I am that betrayer, Judas.

In the face of uncertainty, confusion, and fear, I am that denier, Peter.

Yet Jesus offers grace at the Table.

Judas rejected Jesus. Peter, John, James, and the rest of the rag-tag crew received grace upon grace in Jesus.

Q: What about you?

John the apostle would later write:

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. . . . For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:11-12, 16)

So how about you? Jesus is inviting you to come to His Table, to come join the sinners who have been redeemed. …Take your place beside the Savior.

Sit down and be set free. Come to the Table.

We who were separate – distant – carrying the weight of our guilt and shame because of our own sinful rebellion against the holy and loving God, are called to come to the Table. We are invited into the Family, to have a seat by the Savior-Rescuer-Friend.

And His Table is a living metaphor, a symbol of what Christ accomplished to bring us home and into His family:

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18a)

See His Love

Christ – the eternal God-man – carrying the crushing weight of a crossbeam all the way to Golgotha’s hill for you and for me.

As the cat-of-nine-tails whip lacerated his back

As the crown of jagged thorns cut into his skull

As the nails smashed into his hands and feet

As the spear pierced his stomach and intestines

As the weight of His body suffocated his lungs

…He breathed his last breath and endured it all out of love for you and me.

He is inviting you tonight to receive the symbol of bread for His body and the cup for His blood.

By receiving communion you are saying, “I believe Jesus Christ died for me. I have placed total trust in His death as the Way to Life forever in God’s family and forgiveness of all my sin – past, present and future. I know I cannot save myself through good behavior of any measure, but only through receiving the free gift salvation in Christ (see Romans 6:23) can I be rescued and redeemed.”

If you have not taken the step to receive the gift of rescue from sin through personal faith in Jesus Christ, we ask that you refrain from coming to the table. Our communion at Christ’s Table is for all who have believed and received His grace (no matter your church or background).

But instead of refraining from receiving communion, why don’t you believe and receive Christ right now? Believe in Him tonight. Receive life everlasting with God.

Come to the Table. Be Welcomed into God’s family.

Forever.

Here’s Sidewalk Prophets’ poignant anthem calling you to come to the table:

Michael Breznau | Good Friday 2018 | delivered at Mayfair Bible Church of Michigan