One of the most common struggles people have is worry. So many play the “what if” game? What if I don’t have enough money for retirement? What If I never meet the right person to marry? What if my spouse leaves me? What if I am messing up my kids? What if my kids get hooked on drugs? The list goes on and on. So often worry feels like weeds in the garden, you pull one out and another pops up. It feels like worry and anxiety has metastasized in our culture. In contrast, the Scripture gives Christians some keys on how to deal with worry. The following three principles help me, hopefully they will help you.
One, obey God’s commands. I am specifically thinking of the fact that in the sermon on the mount Jesus commands us over and over again not to worry (Matthew 6:25,31, 34). This repeated command challenges the idea that worry is no big deal. Clearly it is. To worry is to commit significant disobedience to God. It is to tell Him that He is not trustworthy. It indicates that we believe He is not sovereign or He is not good. It implies that we know better how to run the world. This command from Christ challenges us to set aside worry and embrace trust.
Two, trust the Fatherhood of God. I realize for those who had terrible fathers this may be a difficult thing to imagine. But hopefully you have encountered and engaged with some good examples at some point in your life. Fathers provide for us. They protect us. They believe in us and bless us. Obviously any human father will have flaws but God the perfect Father does not. I find this image of God profoundly comforting and goes a long way in deflating my worry. As a child I never once thought about the mortgage payment or whether we would have food. My father and mother took care of that. When we become Christians, we join God’s family. We become one of his children. He will take care of us.
Three, trust the promises of God. Once again, in the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us a beautiful promise. He says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Therefore, as we strive to live for God He will take care of our necessities. He is our great provider (Jehovah Jirah). One classic example in the Hebrew Scriptures tells how God fed the Israelites manna every day. This was tens of thousands of meals every day except the Sabbath. In the New Testament Jesus miraculously feeds the 5,000 and the 4,000. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus teaches us to ask for our daily bread. God does not promise us an extravagant 401 K or yachts or mansions in this life but he will provide our needs as we answer our calling in his kingdom.
Once sin entered the world it shattered the shalom (peace) that God intended for us. But Jesus, who conquered death itself (our greatest fear), appeared to his disciples after His resurrection and greeted them three times with “peace be with you” (John 20:19, 2, 26). In a culture wracked by worry Jesus is the prince of peace who offers us wholeness. Isn’t it time to set aside worry and embrace peace?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Today millions will gather in churches across the country for Easter. Some will go for Easter Egg hunts or other special events. Hopefully most will go to remember the premier miracle of Jesus. Yes, He opened the eyes of the blind, gave the lame the ability to walk and fed thousands miraculously but the greatest sign of the ministry of Jesus is the Resurrection. No one else has ever predicted their own death and resurrection and then actually walked out of their own grave. What are some lessons for us from the Resurrection?
One, death has been defeated. I know it doesn’t feel like it at times. Maybe you’ve recently lost a parent, sibling or friend to death. Death is still powerful and pervasive but because of the Resurrection death does not have the last word. When a person dies physically but they are “in Christ” that is not the end of the story. They will join God in a place of pleasure, joy and beauty. They will be with God instantly and at the end of time will spend forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-5). Before Jesus, when a person died there was fear, loss, grief and doubt; but now it is like he posted a sign that says Joy is ahead. Eternity is not wishful thinking, or a pipe dream but a confident expectation. Of course, we still grieve but it’s different; it’s grief tempered and seasoned with hope. Because of the Resurrection, we can have a robust, eternal hope.
Two, God keeps His promises. There are hundreds of promises from God in the Scripture. Honestly, some of them are hard to believe. But the Resurrection shows us that God is trustworthy. He will keep even the most difficult promises. One of the sadder moments in the lives of many is when a parent, spouse or friend breaks a promise. Because of the Resurrection, we know that a time is coming when broken promises will only be a distant memory. The Resurrection is at the heart of God’s promise-keeping resume.
Three, the Resurrection gives us hope for the here and now. Maybe there is something dead or dying in your life—your marriage, your finances, your career. The Resurrection enables us to persevere when the situation looks impossible. In any season, no matter how difficult, we can look to the cross and Jesus’ Resurrection and see our path forward. We can see the tragedy clearly but pivot to the Resurrection. We can remind ourselves “if God can do that, what can he do in my life?” It may look like our story is over or at least part of it is dead, and yet God may write a glorious new chapter entitled “New Life.” This Easter, may the Resurrection resuscitate our hope. May it call us into the abundant life that Jesus desires for us. One where despite our circumstances we thrive, flourish and offer glory to God.
The women going to the tomb to care for the dead body of Jesus worried about the large stone they knew would be blocking their way. What is the large stone in your life that is blocking your way to wholeness? Isn’t it time to invite God to roll away the stone in your life?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Across the country millions will celebrate Good Friday, the somber reminder of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. What are the messages of this sobering day?
One, the first message of Good Friday is the seriousness of sin. Sin is brutally deadly. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. There can be many faces of this death. If you steal from your company, the wages of that sin could be the death of your career. If you cheat on your spouse, the cost could be the death of your marriage. If you are caught in a public lie, the wages could be the death of your reputation. But the ultimate price for sin is spiritual death which is all about separation from the holy God who created us, in a word hell. Christians talk a lot about the “good news” but before we get to the good news, we have to acknowledge the bad news of the Bible. Each of us is a sinner. Adam and Eve began the rebellion against God but each of us have joined it. The late theologian R.C. Sproul said we all have committed “cosmic treason.” Only the ugly, painful death of Christ on the cross could pay the price for the sins of the world. We see him feeling the full weight of the wrath of God the Father against that sin when he cried out from the cross, “My God my God why have you forsaken me?” Good Friday begins with bad news. Thankfully it does not end there.
Two, the second message of Good Friday is that God loves us profoundly; despite our rebellion. Despite our ingratitude towards Him, God still loves us deeply and passionately. Like a parent with a way ward child, he scans the horizon hoping we will return to him. He knew that there was no way that we could build a bridge back to Him, so He did it for us through the cross of Christ. Jesus became the substitute for us. He voluntarily took our punishment, the wrath of God against sin. This sacrifice was made of love. We are told this in one of the most famous passages of the Scripture; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Paul sums it up this way “God demonstrates his own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). I have never ever had someone die for me personally, but Jesus did.
Third, the last message of Good Friday is that the cross is not the end of the story. Good Friday did not feel good at the time. Jesus was dying in agony. Peter was hiding in shame after denying he even knew Jesus. Judas had taken his own life because of the depression and regret that clouded his vision. He saw no way forward. Most of the apostles had fled for fear that they were going to be next. Friday was a day of confusion and panic, but Resurrection Sunday would be a day of clarity and conviction. On Friday Jesus had made predictions and promises but on Resurrection Sunday the world was forever changed. And now on Sunday the rest of the story….

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

In Fairbanks many of us enjoy the Golden Days Parade put on by the local Chamber of Commerce. It’s the largest parade in Alaska with about 100 floats and celebrates Fairbanks gold rush history. Various organizations and local politicians put together floats. Thousands line up the streets to cheer them on.
The parade makes me think of another celebration that happened two thousand years ago in Jerusalem. Throughout his ministry Jesus was always amazing the crowds but then trying to keep the crowds from getting out of control. So often they wanted to crown him the king of the Jews to fight for independence against the Romans. Therefore, Jesus would, quietly do miracles, even telling some people not to tell anybody he had healed them. But everything changed at what we call “the Triumphal Entry.” Jesus was close to the reason he came, to die for our sins on the cross. When he entered Jerusalem, he entered in a way that reminded the crowds of an ancient prophecy. He entered in a way that indicated clearly that he was claiming to be the messiah. He came in on a donkey. The crowd went wild and gathered palm leaves to wave before him. They laid their cloaks on the path in front of him. He had recently raised Lazarus from the dead and so those who had seen or heard of that miracle were incredibly excited to welcome him.
There are several takeaways from this story. One, God keeps his promises. God had promised a Messiah all the way back in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). Someone was coming who would crush the head of Satan. Repeatedly over thousands of years God had promised this mysterious Messiah. This Messiah would be born of a virgin of the line of King David. He was to be born in Bethlehem. He would spend some time in Egypt. More details were filled in over the centuries until the full picture emerged and Jesus fit it perfectly. God gives us hundreds of promises in the Bible. It is vital that we go beyond believing in God to actually believe God. We put our trust in His promises. We trust him for provision and salvation to name a few. God keeps his word.
Second, this story reminds us that our expectations of God’s promises must be wisely guided by Scripture. The crowd that greeted Jesus and cried out “Hosanna” which means “save us” were both right and wrong. They were right that Jesus was the Messiah. They were right that he was to be their savior. They were wrong about what kind of Savior. They had ignored the prophecies about a suffering servant Messiah (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22) and imagined what they wanted, a political deliverer in the here and now. Throughout his ministry Jesus was clear that he was establishing a different kind of kingdom, one that was spiritual in nature not political. A kingdom based on his selfless sacrifice on the cross not based on raw political or military power.
I am glad that the Jews welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem enthusiastically so long ago. But what has the most impact on my life and yours is whether we have welcomed him into our hearts. Have we cried out “save us” to him? Are we willing to declare that Jesus is Lord! The answer to these questions has eternal consequences. I hope you
will welcome Him today.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

The world of the sisters Mary and Martha came crashing down. Their beloved brother Lazarus was deathly sick. They had sent word to Jesus, the miracle working Messiah, their good friend, but for some reason he did not come. Lazarus died. Jesus was absent. The combination of negative emotions was overwhelming—shock, disappointment and even anger with Jesus, sadness, and crushing grief. Most of you know the ending. Four days after the death of Lazarus, Jesus finally came. He weeps and then leans in. He cried out, “Lazarus come forth!” To the shock of everyone there, Lazarus emerges from his grave! Jesus conquered death! Did you hear me? DEATH!
This incident in the life of Jesus gives us so much to consider. Let me simply scratch the surface with three takeaways. First, Jesus is with us. Jesus comes to the home of his friends. He lets them vent their feelings to Him. He absorbs their frustration, even anger as they remind him that this would not have happened if he had only been there. He then goes to the grave. Then comes the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” He saw their pain and he felt it. Their disappointment in him mattered to him. He wept for them. But he also wept out of his own pain. Lazarus was his friend. Despite knowing the glorious ending of this incident, he embraced the pain of that moment. Here he is toward the end of a long journey that began in eternity where He, God the Son, took on human flesh and lived life on our terms. He was born into poverty among the Jews, an oppressed people group. He fully experienced life on our terms. He is with us...
Second, He is for us. He does eventually show up. He does lean in. He does intervene. He is like a light bursting into a dark room. His power is revealed. He calls out to Lazarus, and the dead man, responds and exits his tomb. Death is defeated. Grief is shattered. It’s like Jesus steps into the path of death and proclaims, “not today.” This concept is important to remember because for the sisters, for literally days it did not seem like Jesus was for them. All of us have our moments, even seasons when it does not feel like God is for us. When we struggle to believe that God is for us, look to the cross. Jesus willingly volunteered to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and made part of his family. There is no greater example of love than that. Third, Jesus is Lord. Many in our culture respect Jesus. Maybe they see him as a philosopher, moral teacher, even life coach. In contrast, at the heart of the commitment to be a Christian is the acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord. He is our master, our leader even our owner. He is the greatest and highest authority. Someday everyone will bow before him. Some people cringe at that kind of claim, but it is unavoidable. The one who can call a dead man back from the grave after four days, later predict his own death and resurrection and walk out of his own grave gets the right to call the shots.
While there are certainly other lessons from this story, the fact that he stands with us in compassion, stands in commitment to us and leads us in preparation for His eternal kingdom should grab our hearts. Imagine those sisters mourning their dead brother and then someone says, “Jesus has arrived” and a new chapter begins. What is hopeless and even dead in your life? Isn’t it time to invite Jesus into that part of your story?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

In John 6 there is a remarkable story that is told about Jesus feeding a crowd of thousands. He takes a kid’s lunch and turns it into a miraculous buffet. Specifically feeding 5,000 men, and who knows how many women and children? This is a stunning miracle that gives us several thoughts to grab hold of.
One, for the Jewish crowd this miracle would have drawn their thoughts back to manna in the wilderness that God provided to Israel after delivering them from hundreds of years of slavery. If you have hosted a big family gathering, you know the challenges of feeding a large group of people. Imagine feeding thousands and yet God does it in a wilderness day after day and year after year, and Jesus does it here. The message is unmistakable; God is our provider. Fairbanks is a tough place to live--with high energy costs, large heating fuel prices, exorbitant food and housing costs. It can be distressing. We need to be reminded that God is our ultimate provider.
Two, God often starts with what is in our hand. In this story he starts with the lunch of a kid--5 small barley loves and 2 small fish. This seems pathetic and inadequate, but Jesus multiplies it. What do you have? Like many of you I remember our early marriage with four small children and completely broke years. I had plasma, I gave that for grocery money. I had energy, I worked multiple jobs at a time. God gave us money out of nowhere many times. Maybe you have a knack for numbers, you are good with your hands, you can lead people, what is in your hand that God can use? God is the provider, but his primary way is partnership with us. A kid’s sack lunch doesn’t look like much but even the littlest thing in the hands of Jesus is powerful.
Third, God offers us gracious abundance. I want to be careful here; I strongly disagree with the “prosperity gospel” that promises God will always heal you or make you financially rich; I think that message is a lie. But I do think God loves us and often offers an abundance out of that love for us. In this story from John, he “distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted” (John 6:11). In addition, after everyone was finished, the disciples collected twelve baskets full of leftovers (John 6:13). This is a picture of abundance. The heart of the good news of the Bible is that through the cross and resurrection we are offered forgiveness of our sins. This is the core. However, God offers more: the Scriptures-- God’s truth in black and white, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption into God’s family, answers to prayer, you become a new creation in Christ, just to name a few of His many blessings.
Fourth, and most importantly this passage reveals who Jesus is. Remember the purpose of John’s book is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). For that original crowd the miracle of feeding the 5,000 reminded them of an Old Testament promise (Deut. 18:15-19) and they concluded, “Surely this is the Prophet that is to come into the world” (John 6:14). The crowd realized that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah! God had kept his word. This miraculous meal reveals great spiritual truths and points us to Jesus. This is another of John’s signs, a miracle story that shouts Jesus is the Son of God, believe in Him. So, the question is, do you?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

In John 5 there is a paralyzed man who has gone to a place that has a reputation for healing. But he has never been healed. As a matter of fact, he has experienced his paralysis for thirty-eight years—clearly a chronic condition. Jesus, the great healer, goes to him and asks a startling question “Do you want to get well?” Part of me thinks well of course he does, he’s been disabled for 38 years - of course he wants to get well. However, after over thirty years of ministry experience, I no longer believe that desire is present in every person. Sometimes a trauma, injury, hurt, betrayal becomes such a part of a person’s identity that they do not want to be well. They might even desperately cling to their trauma.
One example, our country is filled with millions who struggle with various addictions. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, food, porn or even toxic relationships. Each of these things offers some kind of pay-off, some benefit that the person wants whether it’s the high or the pleasure of looking at naked bodies. And sometimes there are individuals who do not want to give up that pay-off despite the high price. I have talked with battered women who insist the boyfriend who beats them really loves them despite all the evidence. I have heard the alcoholic talk about how they are shy and reserved without alcohol but the life of the party with some liquid courage. I have listened to those for whom their victimhood garners attention. I have heard the cutter when they cry “I just want to feel something, even if it is pain.” Jesus is not heartless to ask this man “do you want to get well?” but wise. He does not want to waste a miracle on someone who would rather stay as he is. And while most of us have never performed a miracle, we do not want to invest time, effort and energy into a person who has no desire to change, grow and pursue health.
Jesus discerns that this man will take a step towards health if given the chance. Therefore, he boldly tells him, “Pick up your mat and walk.” Shockingly the man’s legs which have not been able to carry him for thirty eight years strengthened and he jumped up in obedience. This incident is a stunning story of the power of God, Jesus showing a clear sign that he was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and Son of God. But it is also a story about the power of faith and human cooperation. That man could have stayed seated and given multiple reasons why picking up his mat and walking was not an option, but he listened, obeyed and reaped the reward.
For me there is some real mystery here about our part and God’s part of healing, but at the very least we can say we must cooperate with God’s power to see it displayed in our lives. I love to listen to the author Nick Vujicic, a man born with no arms and no legs. He said for years he prayed for God to dramatically heal his condition. Apparently, God consistently said no. Yet Nick said just in case he bought a new pair of tennis shoes he keeps in his closet, hoping God decides to dramatically answer his prayers for wholeness, I love that. Where does God want me to grow in health? What about you? Why do we hesitate? My prayer today is “Lord, give us the faith of a paralyzed man” who when Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk, he did not hesitate! I am unsure of the next step you should take, but I think you know. Isn’t it time for you to rise up and be all God has called you to be?
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

In John chapters 3 and 4 Jesus interacts with two very different people. I had always thought of them individually but author Timothy Keller proposed in a book that we should view these two interactions together. First, he has a powerful conversation with Nicodemus, the ultimate insider. This man is a pillar of his community. He is Jewish, part of the chosen people and probably looked down on us Gentiles (non- Jews). He was a Pharisee, which meant he was deeply religious, fully committed to following the law of God. He was successful and accepted, even part of the Jewish ruling council, considered Israel’s teacher. In essence, he was the poster boy for morality. He was also open minded and humble. He came and sought out Jesus, renegade rabbi from backwater Nazareth. The miracles and profound teaching of Jesus had peaked the curiosity of Nicodemus. But there was real social risk to meeting with Jesus so he does it at night.
In contrast, Jesus then goes out of his way to meet with a woman in Samaria; she is the ultimate outsider. She is a Samaritan. The Samaritans were the result of Jews intermarrying with pagans. They also tended to incorporate pagan practices in with Judaism. They were perceived as having abandoned Israel and God, basically traitors and heretics. In addition, this woman was female in a patriarchal culture so she had secondary status because of her gender. And finally she was considered wildly immoral. Over the years she had five husbands and is living with a man when Jesus meets her. Even in our “anything goes culture” a string of five husbands is unusual. And in a culture where women were not typically allowed to divorce this woman also was carrying deep rejection from the men that she had once loved and married. Possibly she faced rejection from the other women in her community as well. Drawing water tended to a be a social event done in the morning with other women. Here this woman comes out in the heat of the day alone. Most likely she is an outcast in her own village.
Now the central character in both these encounters is Jesus. Jesus welcomes the insider Nicodemus and seeks out the outcast woman. He is upfront and direct with Nicodemus, making it clear that he must be born again (John 3:3,7). He strongly indicates to Nicodemus that he is a sinner who needs a new start. The great Jewish teacher must have been stunned. Jesus is quite the bridgebuilder to the Samaritan woman. In that culture a Jewish man, let alone a rabbi, would not speak to a Samaritan woman yet Jesus does. He points out her deep thirst for relationship that she keeps trying to fill with men. He shares that he offers her living water, or ultimate spiritual satisfaction. And in a remarkedly candid way lets her know he is the long awaited Messiah. She is honored and stunned by his self revelation and immediately goes and shares who he is with her village. Bringing back a crowd to meet Jesus.
Whether you feel put together or profoundly broken Jesus offers himself to you. Whether you are millionaire or a complete mess Jesus will meet with you. Whether you are successful or suffering he wants to be your savior. Whether a member of the Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang or the Rotary club serving the community Jesus wants a relationship with you. Jesus Christ rises above our categories and calls everyone to repentance. Right after the conversation with Nicodemus the apostle John writes “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).  

Jesus is for everyone!

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Our world is so dark spiritually. Even a short time spent looking at the news and social media is a quagmire of human brokenness, corruption, and depravity. Depression is rampant. We all need some hope. Fortunately, the Scripture says that God is a God of hope. The Apostle Paul writes “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Don’t we all want to “overflow with hope?” What are some ways that God can give us hope? Let’s use the acrostic H.O.P.E. to remind ourselves of just a few ways that God offers us hope.
H. IS FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. The third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. We are not alone. We are filled with power. We now contain the very source of joy and peace within us. There is some mystery here, but the Holy Spirit works from the inside out to transform our lives making us people of hope. Like a sailboat we are not the power source but we partner with the power source; we “trim the sails” cooperating with the Holy Spirit to move forward in our lives.
O. IS FOR OTHERS. God does not just save us individually but puts us in a family of believers. While flawed, the church is a remarkable family that protects, encourages, and challenges us in ways that enable us to grow and thrive as God intended. I see this blessing in our church when a group from Journey helps one of the others move. Or after having a baby some individuals from the church bring a few meals just to be helpful and encouraging. I see men meeting regularly challenging each other to live lives of mental purity. Life in a faith family provides partners for living a life of holiness. When we fall down there is someone to help us get up again.
P. IS FOR PRAYER. The God of hope fills you with all joy and peace as you trust in him . .. (Romans 15:13). One of the most basic ways that I trust in God is to bring almost everything to Him in prayer. Our church offers a daily prayer meeting at 7 a.m. each morning. This is a regular part of my daily routine. In it we bring God our victories and our heartbreaks. We pray for those facing cancer and those who have lost loved ones. We bring our troubles to the Lord and to each other. We have seen profound miracles and moments where God is silent but we choose to trust Him in everything. We know He is for us (Romans 8:31). We know He works all things together for our good (Romans 8:38). Prayer to God is a beautiful expression of trust in God and brings
us hope.
E. IS FOR ETERNITY. I have personally officiated at many funerals over thirty years of ministry. Christian funerals are moving and beautifully marinated in hope. We believe that God, not death gets the last word. My father’s final season was marred by Alzheimer’s disease but today in heaven his mind is clear. I have a back injury that hurts every day, I long for the new resurrection body that believers are promised that is pain free. Many of us have Christian grandparents, parents or friends that have preceded us into death that we desire to see again; someday we will! That desire is not just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on the promises of God. Life is heavy. But the Christian hope is powerful and transformative. When Jesus walked out of his own grave He became the poster boy for hope. The resurrection reveals that death is a defeated enemy. For the Christian, death is not the end but a new beginning. Like a baby in the womb, leaving a place of darkness and entering a new reality of light, color and endless possibilities.

I for one am grateful we serve a God of hope.

Pastor Derek Dickinson

There are many views of Jesus. Some view him as a prophet, life coach, moral philosopher, profound teacher and Jewish Messiah but Christians are clear that while his identity includes these things He is more; He the Son of God, fully divine. John the apostle opens his biography of Jesus with the following. John 1:1& 14 states: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Word refers to Jesus. Notice John says, “The Word was God.”
The apostle Paul says of the divinity of Jesus: “The Son is the image of the God, . . .” 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  . . . 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Colossians 1:15a,16, 19). This fact is stunning because in the beginning Paul, who previously was Saul, actively opposed the church until he met the Risen Christ.
But most importantly Jesus Himself claims divinity. In one of the most dramatic moments in the gospels in John 8 the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus about his identity and he said, “before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58). He claimed to have known Abraham who had died many centuries before. In addition, he called himself “I Am” which is how God the Father referred to himself when Moses asked God who he should tell the Jews sent him back in Exodus 3. This was a clear deity title which pointed to his eternal nature. In the immediate context the Jewish leaders picked up stones to kill Jesus for blasphemy, for claiming to be God.
One more example is when Jesus had a lame man brought to him. The first thing he did was forgive the man’s sins. This is an exclusive divine prerogative. The Jews reacted and Jesus said, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” (Matthew 9:5,6). He healed the man to prove that He had the authority to forgive the man’s sins. In essence, to show He could do what only God can do.
Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, the fully divine Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who is currently sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. Someday He will return and the splendor of His glory will be revealed! Let’s appreciate the real Jesus in the fullness of His identity.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Jesus once said the second greatest commandment was “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). What fascinates me is where Jesus looks for evidence of one who loves his neighbor. Specifically our neighbor is the one who is struggling. In the parable of the sheep and the goats Jesus commends and gathers to himself those who feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, invited in the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and the prisoner (Matthew 25:31-45). Notice this focus on the basics: food, water, clothing, and companionship. In the famous “Good Samaritan parable” Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is the one robbed, hurting and left for dead on the side of the road (Luke 10:29-37); in essence our neighbor is the person in need. Loving people through generous compassion is one of the greatest evidences of a changed heart. It is one of the simplest ways we can look like Jesus in character.
Most churches have ministries that reflect some or all of these needs. If you are part of a church, I encourage you to seek out ways to volunteer in these areas. Another great way to help is to come alongside one of our excellent community non-profits - the Fairbanks Community Food Bank. It was founded in 1982 when representatives from five Fairbanks churches got together to feed the hungry. Those churches started something simple, yet remarkable. The Food Bank gathers food freely given and gives it away free to all who need it. I am sure that the Harvard Business School would say this is a foolish business model but through God’s grace it has worked for decades. It is truly a community food bank; anyone can donate or help with their great work and anyone can come receive the food they need. Today it has multiple buildings with high quality storage (the walk-in freezers are incredible). Trucks go around town to stores and businesses who are willing to pick up food that is near its expiration date. Organizations like the State Troopers and many businesses have food drives that collect large quantities of food that they bring to the Food Bank to be shared. The Food Bank has distribution sites all around town (mostly churches). For example, this year my church (Journey) distributed 269,100 pounds of food from the Food Bank! The Food Bank itself distributed about 3 million pounds of food in this community with a little bit of it going to northern Alaskan villages! There is a “food is medicine program” where those with a doctor’s prescription can receive additional fresh produce to eat in a more intentional way that promotes better health. There is even a food biodigester now at the Food Bank for food that is no longer edible that turns it into compost and keeps the waste out of land fill that is ever nearing capacity. I only recently learned this keeping food waste out of the land fill was written into the original mission of the organization.
I am always amazed at what can grow from a small seed. In this case, the seed was the simple idea that we can best love a hungry neighbor by offering them free food.  From that has grown a remarkable organization that is a true blessing to this community. Thank you to every one of you who has given food or monetary donations or your precious time to love your neighbors well.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Years ago I heard author John Maxwell say, “everything rises or falls on leadership.” That sentiment resonated with me. It does not matter whether it is a business, university, church or country; if the leader is healthy, wise and growing, the entity does better. If the leader is toxic or stagnant, the entity will struggle or fail. Healthy leaders have many traits such as wisdom and perseverance. But one stands out to me - a commitment to grow. The excellent leader is humble enough to realize that he or she does not know it all. They seek opportunities to learn and stretch. King Solomon writes “. . . the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). Great leaders seek to listen to other wise leaders on how best to handle conflict, retain employees, share vision and finish well to name a few required leadership skills. Growing organizations are led by growing leaders.
Fortunately, there is an exciting opportunity for local leaders and individuals who feel called to leadership to grow this month in Fairbanks. Journey Christian Church is once again providing its annual leadership conference called Elevate: Lift Your Leadership to the Next Level on Saturday, January 31, from 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Typically, about a hundred people gather to listen and learn from some great Alaskan leaders.
This year features business leaders such as:
David Durham--President of Mt. McKinley Bank (interview)
Monique Love--Operations Director for Alaska Auto Rental
Travis Million--CEO of Golden Valley Electric Association
Marilyn Romano--Regional Vice President of Alaska Airlines
It also features an entrepreneurs’ panel with:
Tom Bartels--Owner of North Pole Coffee Company
John Huff--Owner of 8 Star Event Center
Chuck Lincoln--Founder of Advanced Printing
You will hear from expert non-profit organizational leaders such as:
Anne Weaver--CEO of the Fairbanks Community Food Bank
Dr. Mark Zweifel--Pastor of True North Church.
The event is a free gift from Journey Church to the community. None of the speakers will be paid, they will share their leadership wisdom as a gift to the community. If you RSVP, you will receive a free catered lunch created by Alaska Lizzie (Master Chef Finalist). If you wish to RSVP, please text 907-460-9290 or email jccoffice2020@gmail.com but do so by noon on January 28. The event is free yet there is an opportunity to give to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, but no gift is required. You can attend without an RSVP, however, you will not get lunch. I hope you will consider taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity to learn and grow as a leader. As we enhance our leadership, we help our entire community reach its full potential. Hope to see you on January 31.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

HEALTHY LIVING
At the beginning of the year many spend some time thinking about their health. In my experience, churches rarely talk about our physical bodies. In contrast, the Bible does talk about the body. Starting in the creation account the human body along with the rest of creation receives God’s stamp of approval “it is good” (Genesis 1:31). In the psalms King David writes, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful . . . (Psalms 139:13-14). I don’t know about you but as a middle-aged man who is seriously overweight and struggles with daily, chronic back pain from an injury a few years ago my body does not feel wonderful. And yet when I look at the design of the human body I am in awe.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul says more about the Christian’s body. He states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies (1 Corinthians 16:19-20). Despite many of us neglecting our bodies, Christians are called to treat them well, to steward them as precious gifts from God. How can we do this? I view health as a three-legged stool.
First, honor God with the food we eat. Most experts agree the standard American diet, lots of fast food, processed food and sugar is horrible for us. In his book The Daniel Plan, author Rick Warren says that in “In 1800, the average person consumed 5 pounds of sugar per year, now we average 152 pounds a year.” (107), Unfortunately, I love that unhealthy food and you probably do too. God’s original diet for us is “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be your food” (Genesis 1:29). All the research I have read says that least a mostly plant diet is what is best for us. Now as a dedicated carnivore myself I will not be giving up meat totally but focusing more on vegetables and making  meat a treat rather than a staple at every meal. That simple change could make a real difference. None of us would put unleaded gasoline in our diesel truck and think it would be beneficial. Let’s put good natural food into our bodies.
Second, honor God with the exercise we choose. The apostle Paul says that “physical training is of some value” (1 Timothy 4:8). When I asked a medical doctor about the keys to health the first statement out of her mouth was “people need to exercise more.” Find something you like to do; cross-country skiing, walking, running or  swimming and start moving.

Third, honor God with rest. Moses tells us in Exodus 20:8, 9a “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work . . .” Find a way to unplug and actually get some rest one day a week. Just as our cell phones need to be recharged regularly we need to recharge as well. Take advantage of this God given pause button every week. We also need to prioritize our sleep at night. Sleep is like an overnight cleaning crew for our brains and bodies. Regular, restorative rest is a powerful part of a healthy lifestyle. As I begin the new year I am hoping to do better in the area of my health; my hope isthat your 2026 is your healthiest year yet.

Pastor Derek Dickinson

In John 15:1,2 Jesus gives us a powerful picture about life with Him. He says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” This is one of the famous “I am” statements in the gospel of John where Jesus is basically making a deity claim. The “I am” part would remind the Jewish reader of when Moses talked to God in the burning bush and asked God who he should say had sent him to free the Jewish people. God responded “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Here Jesus puts Himself in the God spot and points to Himself as the source of spiritual life as “the true vine.” The point is, without Jesus, because of our sinful rebellion and brokenness, we are spiritually dead. Only in Christ can we find life.

Notice that God the Father is the gardener and that he cuts off every branch that “bears no fruit.” An example would be the false apostle Judas, who betrayed Jesus to the Romans. It seemed like he was connected to Jesus but when it came down to it, he was not. While we do not know all his internal motives, maybe he was committed to a cause—such as where he envisioned Jesus as a political, military Messiah that would lead the Jews to overthrow Roman oppression. When it became clear that was not the mission of Jesus, he grabbed what money he could and got out. And yet Jesus is so compelling that Judas could not live with his betrayal. Afterward, he was overwhelmed with guilt and took his own life. If you have spent any time in the Christian faith or even watched the news you have seen fake preachers, priests and Christian leaders. Men and women who are power hungry or sexual predators who use the cloak of religion to cover their evil intent. On the day of judgment these individuals will hear from Jesus “I never knew you.” This is a dire warning to those who would use a “professed commitment” to Jesus to do evil.

While the true Christian does not get such a warning, they do get a sobering reminder that even though they have a real connection with Jesus they will occasionally be pruned. God the vinedresser will cut away the dead and unproductive parts of us. I suspect if we could talk to a branch while it gets pruned it would be upset, maybe even angry. I for one do not love the pruning of the Lord. Yet I find consistently I grow best in the seasons of difficulty in my life. The point of pruning is so the branch can bear more and better fruit. Through the trials of life, guided by God’s hand, we develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). Remember, no vine eats its own fruit, the fruit is for others. In nature usually a seed is located within the fruit of a vine. Spiritually as I learn and practice patience that seed of patience can be planted in my children and others around me. In this way we bear much fruit.

Circling back to the importance of connection, a good Fairbanks example is the extension cord with the glowing plug. That glowing plug reveals that the cord is connected to the power source. As we stay connected to Christ, we can be a light in a dark world. We can bring forth the fruit of a transformed character and priorities blessing those around us. Stay connected to Christ.

Pastor Derek Dickinson

A NEW YEAR IS COMING!

Christmas is over, a new year is almost here. Many take some time as the year ends to evaluate where they are and where they want to be a year from now. Some call this process making new year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, most of us struggle with the follow through. We start the new Bible reading plan, we join a gym. We try a new hobby but by the end of January many of these good intentions lie in ruins. I have certainly had moments of failure in trying to change. But as a minister for over three decades, I have watched those who have succeeded. There seems to be some commonalities among those who change and grow.

First, a definite choice is made. A clear, actionable goal is embraced and written down. A decision is made, and a new direction is taken. Famous American General Dwight Eisenhower who was a four-pack-a-day smoker quit cold turkey. When asked how, he said, “I simply gave myself an order” (The Road To Character, David Brooks, 61). Jesus makes clear the importance of a decision. In John 5 surprisingly he asked a disabled person of 38 years “Do you want to get well?” As a pastor sometimes parents will bring me a teen or a young adult who they would like to see change in some way. When I talk to the young person, sometimes they have no desire to change. I have learned to step away because any help I can offer will not make a difference until the person decides to grow. Wives cannot change their husbands, parents cannot change their adult children, each person must own their own life. God gives us agency, dignity and choice. What decision do you need to make at the end of 2025 that will significantly enhance your life in the next year?

Second, as Christians we must invite the Holy Spirit into the process. He is the power source for the believer. Many of us do not identify with the Dwight Eisenhower
example given earlier. The Spirit is like the wind that powers the sailboat, we merely trim the sails. The Apostle Paul writes, “and we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christians go beyond “self help” and move into “God help.” This assistance from the Holy Spirit gives us hope to change even the most entrenched and destructive of our weaknesses.

Third, most who succeed in making significant changes invite allies into their battle. They hire a life coach. They process with a therapist. They work with a trainer. They make sure their spouse is on board. They invite friends to pray for them. When we become Christians, we are given a new family in a local church. If we will invest in those relationships, those individuals can help us flourish and thrive.

Fourth, those who succeed long term practice gracious persistence. Most “quit smoking” multiple times before it sticks. Taming our tongues can be a lifelong process. We are gracious with ourselves when we mess up or return to old patterns, but we resolutely get back up and try again. For the Christian, when we fail, we remind ourselves that we are God’s beloved. He paid the ultimate price so that we could be forgiven and set free of our sin. He will not abandon us; He will complete the good work
He is doing in our lives. This is His promise; our job is to persevere in the right direction.

In a few days we start 2026. What are you going to change? Look forward to the 2.0 version of you that will soon emerge! Isn’t it time for you to flourish?

Pastor Derek Dickinson

In Luke 2 an angel shares with the shepherds about Jesus, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born, He is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10,11).

Jesus carries many names and titles but the three mentioned by the angel reveal the heart of His mission. First is Savior. Jesus saves us from our sins. This Savior title means that he paid the price that we owed to the holiness and justice of God for our transgressions. Left on our own as rebels against God’s authority we would be eternally expelled by God from His holy presence when we die. Our eternity is described as fiery, dark, painful, isolated and devoid of all that is good. In contrast, through the sacrifice of Jesus we can be forgiven and look forward to an eternity of astounding joy. The debt we could not pay is paid in full by Jesus when he died on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). In addition, in life through Christ we have the power to live differently. We can experience wholeness, flourish and become the people God intended for us to be. This sanctifying work is not instant but progressive so through the years we grow and mature (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The second name is Messiah. This means anointed one. This title reminds us to look all the way back to the first Messianic prophecy in Genesis 3:15. In this prophecy, right after the fall of mankind, we are told by God that someone is coming to help. Someone will crush the head of Satan our archenemy. This person is prophesied about at various times and by many Jewish prophets. We are told to look for one born of a virgin, born in Bethlehem, a descendent of King David, and a healer to name a few. This title gives us hope because it reveals that God is a promise keeper. Through all the darkness of human history God was working to bring Jesus into the picture. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of God; He is exhibit A in the pile of evidence for the faithfulness of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).

The third title is Lord. This title points to the unique nature of Jesus Christ. He is one person who is made up of two natures, fully human and fully divine. He is the God-man (Colossians 1:19, Hebrews 2:17). This identity is unique in all human history. Jesus is more than a great teacher, prophet, or life coach He is God. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his dead friend Lazarus and called him out of his grave. Stunning. In addition, he predicted his own death and resurrection. He then died and walked out of His own grave! Millions in our world have bowed their knee to the authority of Jesus. Christians long for His promised return when He will reign over all!

Savior, Messiah, and Lord. These titles reveal the heart of who Jesus is. This Christmas do not leave Jesus as a baby in a manager, understand and embrace His full identity. Make Christmas more than simply a holiday, make it the start of a beautiful relationship with Jesus. I invite you to follow Him.

Pastor Derek Dickinson

The negativity of our culture can be overwhelming at times, but Christians are called to be light. Light is about sharing the truth. Let’s focus on the light of truth we are to share.

Christianity teaches that we are the special, intentional creation of the one true loving God. We are made by Him in His image (Genesis 1:27). Whatever our race, educational or economic level, we are all profoundly valuable. Unfortunately, the world teaches us that we are the result of random chance over millions of years; we are simply accidents that somehow experience consciousness.

Many Christians back up the Scriptural teaching about the value of each person by helping the poor, fostering children and adopting the unwanted. Our congregation as well as other local churches distribute food every week to those in need. This year we reached over a million pounds given away since we began our food pantry. Approximately twenty volunteers give hours of their time every week to pull this off. My nephews and niece were adopted by my sister and her husband years ago from a Russian orphanage. I truly enjoy watching them thrive. I spent years working as a crisis counselor on the CARELINE preventing people who could not see their own value from taking their life by suicide. None of us can do everything, but we can each do something to value people.

Not only does Scripture teach that we are valuable but that we are loved. In evolutionary thinking we just exist by some fluke. In Christian theology we were made to be loved by God. Even after we sinned and rebelled against Him, God still loves us. In Romans 5:8 it states, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This means despite making ourselves enemies of God, He chose to love us anyway. He chose to pay the highest price so that we could be forgiven and set free. The great summary statement of this love is found in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” This means God not only delights in us but offers us a beautiful destiny in the new heavens and new earth.

Christian theology teaches that we each have a unique calling through which we bring glory to God. Specifically, the apostle Paul writes, “we are God’s handiwork (or masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). As King Solomon learned in his great experiment we call the book of Ecclesiastes: wealth, riches, and fame are meaningless but turning to God makes life worth living (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14). Atheists teach us that this life has no meaning, or we need to somehow create a meaning. In contrast, the Bible teaches us that our lives are packed with purpose.

Christianity offers value, love, purpose and a breathtaking destiny in a world that often offers meaningless despair. We offer good news in a world desperate for it. Let’s answer the call to be a good news people in a bad news world.

Pastor Derek Dickinson

Journey Christian Church

     It has been said that we live in an “Eeyore culture.”  Sadness and depression permeate America today.  It’s not surprising when most are feeding on a steady diet of news and media focused on scandal, division, and disaster.  In contrast, Christians are to be marked by joy.  Joy is even listed as one of the defining virtues of a Christian (Galatians 5:22,23). The Scripture says, “Blessed (Happy) is the people whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 144:15).   Most Christians I know still have some joy struggles.  How can we grow in our joy?
 
      First, look back.  In Scripture, God’s people are often told to remember.  For example, the Jews were taught to celebrate Passover to look back on the great deliverance of their nation from slavery in Egypt.  As Christians in our own personal history, we can look back to our decision to follow Jesus and receiving His forgiveness of our sins.  For most of us, our pile of rebellious acts against God is high.  Lies, lust, coveting, pride, and sloth to name a few.  All of that is swept away through the blood of Jesus Christ.  We are forgiven!  There is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1). What a profound gift and a powerful reason for joy.

     Second, look around.  Appreciate the many good gifts from God in your life right now.  Maybe you have good health, not everyone gets that gift.  Maybe you have children or grandchildren, once again what a privilege that is.  Notice the simple blessings.  A few days ago, our baby grandson Scout learned to clap.  His spontaneous eruptions into applause are adorable and make all of us in the family laugh.   Last Sunday I baptized two people attending the church my wife and I started twenty-one years ago.  God is changing lives, and we get to be a small part of it.  I look around in a multi-million dollar building that was paid off this year because of a miracle anonymous gift of $1.7 million to the church.  I often get to sit down to share a meal with our grown children (and one teen still in the home).  I see their love of the Lord, their spouses and now their kids.  How can I not smile? Those reading this are mostly Americans.  Which means that we have the word of God in our language, we can follow God openly, without fear of active persecution, which is a real threat for many believers around the world.  Looking around with eyes of gratitude will supercharge the joy in our lives.
 
       Third, look forward.  Christians look forward to the new Heavens and new Earth.  This is a breathtaking promise that our eternity will include forever access to God in heaven.  It will be a place of beautiful reunion with Christians who have died before us.  And they will be whole, their trauma, sin, and insecurities will all be gone.  In addition, we will be rewarded for the positive impact we had on the Kingdom while on earth.  God sees all those little secret acts of integrity, love and generosity and rewards us for them.  And finally, we will receive resurrection bodies.  I joke that I am a “trophy husband” for my wife, of course I’m overweight and balding so I’m probably more like a participation trophy!  But seriously our bodies, with their quirks and flaws, will be perfected.  Many live in chronic pain, that will be gone!  Joni Eareckson Tada, who has spent over 50 years in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic since she broke her neck as a teenager and has battled cancer as well says that she hopes to pole vault over the pearly gates of heaven in her new resurrection body!

      As we look back, around and forward we can be people of great joy.  We follow a joy-filled Jesus (John 15:11), how can we not smile?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

       Author Max Lucado once said, “We are what we think” (Tame Your Thoughts, 4). Our thoughts are powerful. The great escape artist Houdini was famous for showing up in a town to put on a show of amazing escapes.  He would get positive media attention by having the local sheriff lock him in a jail cell and then escape in front of reporters.  However, one sheriff only pretended to lock the cell door but actually left it unlocked.  Houdini was fooled and kept locking himself in when originally, he could have just walked out through the unlocked door (Winning The War In Your Mind, Craig Groeshel, 18).  Houdini, like so many others, was kept imprisoned by a lie.    
      Stinking thinking can show up in so many ways, most often we believe some kind of lie.  Sometimes that falsehood burrows into our minds early in life and even becomes a powerful stronghold that affects our whole perspective unless it is identified and removed.  Think of a little girl whose father cheats on her mother and abandons the family.  The lie that “all men cheat” could embed itself in her tender, young heart.  That lie, that stronghold, will affect every dating relationship she has. And if somehow she does get married she and her husband are in for a difficult relationship. 
      I have read that we typically have 30,000 thoughts a day (Every Thought Captive, Kyle Idleman, 15).  Each of those thoughts has the power to send us in a direction.  The Apostle Paul tells us to handle our thoughts in the following way:  “do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2 a). 
      Our culture is powerful, and it shapes our thinking even at an early age.  One example is that our culture tends to be anti-authority.  I see it already in our adorable 2-year-old granddaughter Rena.  Recently her mother told her “no.”  Rena replied, “Momma, you do not need to manage me, I’m a big girl.”  Funny comment, bad philosophy. 
      We are not to conform to the world.  We must be diligent students of the Word of God so that we can challenge the cultural messages that bombard us daily. We are to renew our minds.  Scripture is the trustworthy grid through which we must assess life. Only God’s truth sends our lives in the correct trajectory.  We are told to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 b).  When we find secular lies in our thinking, we must uproot them and plant the seeds of God’s truth.  We must replace the troubled thinking of the world with the trustworthy truth of Scripture.  We do this by studying, memorizing and listening to God’s word.  As we marinate our mind in Scripture, we take advantage of what  scientists call neuroplasticity and create new pathways in our brain, training ourselves to think Biblically.
      Think carefully and think Biblically because who you are five years from now will strongly reflect the thoughts and direction you put in effect today. Drop stinking thinking and exchange it for God’s transformative truth!            
 
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Paul once wrote “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). We are to exhibit a Spirit led character. Our lives are to be marked by the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23): love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How do we as Christians practically “live by the Spirit” and how are we “led by the Spirit” (Romans 8:14)? We are not stumbling alone in the dark.  
     First and foremost, the Bible written by men, but inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit, gives us the principles we need to live a holy and impactful life. The Bible is the infallible, inerrant Word of God - trustworthy in all it teaches. God’s will in black and white. Paul writes of the Scripture “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). We must marinate our mind in the Word of God so that we make good choices and continue to grow into Spiritual maturity.  
      Second, is prayer. Prayer is a declaration of our dependence on God. We need wisdom, we need direction. James writes, “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). For example, if you are single and making a decision about whether to marry the person you are dating, you want to check Scripture. Is this person a Christian? Does this person model the fruit of the Holy Spirit? Once you check that the decision to marry this person is Biblically allowed it makes sense to pray for wisdom on whether this person is not just an allowable decision, but a wise decision. You might pray “Lord help me to see the real person here, not just the outward-facing version.” The next day the Spirit arranges for you to watch the person get angry and you see how they handle that strong, dangerous emotion. Or God arranges for you to see how they act when a lie would have been much easier than the truth. Clearly the Scripture did not contain a passage that told me to specifically marry Dellie Bourne decades ago, that specific decision was made as I sought wisdom through prayer. The Scripture makes clear we all have a calling and works we are expected to do but it does not tell us which of two job options to take. Scripture gives us amazing general direction and guidance, and prayer helps narrow that leading to the specific questions that are in front of us.
     Third, mature believers can be used by the Holy Spirit to lead us as well. In an Old Testament example, Queen Esther probably would have had access to the Scripture “Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those staggering towards slaughter” (Proverbs 24:22). But it was the more mature Mordecai, her surrogate father, who prodded her to intervene with her husband the Persian King to save the Jewish nation from a genocide planned by evil Haman (Esther 4:8). Often the Spirit uses the mature believer to help us make a good decision. One of the many things I miss about my dad since his passing is that I lost such a profound and mature person to run decisions past. My decisions were always improved after talking with my Christian father.
      Once again, Scripture is our greatest tool in the toolbox when it comes to wise decision-making, but in addition, the Holy Spirit uses prayer and mature believers to help us become more Christlike. Walk with the Holy Spirit through His empowerment and leading, and you will reach your full potential. You can flourish and thrive because of His partnership. Invite Him to help you. Join with Him in a day-by-day beautiful dependency.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church
 

     We live in an angry, hostile culture.  Recently I was teaching about Joseph of Genesis in a local halfway house.  I was talking about how Joseph forgave his brothers even though they sold him into slavery.  This forgiveness goes against our natural inclinations.  To forgive is to “give mercy instead of judgment, to give kindness instead of retaliation, to give pardon instead of punishment” (Unconditional?, Brian Zahnd, 165).  When I told the story I was trying to connect with the female residents of the halfway house.  I said, “Imagine you catch your husband cheating.  I am not saying you should stay with him but out of obedience to Christ and for your own mental health you should forgive him.”  One lady piped up “I caught my husband cheating on me and I shot him.”  Wow.  Our social media, our movies, our overall culture tends to be angry and seek retribution from those who hurt us.  When someone chooses to forgive, it is startling.  On September 21, eleven days after her life forever changed, Ericka Kirk, speaking at the funeral of her late husband, said that she was forgiving the man who assassinated him.  What!?

     How could she do this?  How can we do this?  How can we forgive those who have deeply wounded us?
 
     First, draw inspiration and power from Jesus.  Jesus cried out as he died on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  Jesus modeled forgiveness even in the most extreme situation.  When we become Christians, we receive the Holy Spirit (or the Spirit of Christ).  We rely on the Spirit to give us the power to forgive.  Forgiveness usually takes more than merely our willpower.  The Holy Spirit is like the battery in a flashlight; He is our power source that allows us to “shine our light.”

      Second, remember the prod from Jesus “if you do not forgive others your sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15).  Forgiveness is hard.  Sometimes I need this nudge from Jesus that my relationship with Him is based on grace (unmerited, undeserved favor) and my relationships with others must be marked by grace as well.  Jesus shares a parable about a man who is forgiven a great debt by a king.  He then goes out and throws a man who owes him a small debt into debtor’s prison.  The king is angry and revokes the removal of the debt (Matthew 18:21-35).  Honestly, I do not like this parable, but it does prods me to be a channel of God’s grace and forgiveness to others.  Often, I forgive because I am forgiven.        
 
      Third, pray.  When we make the decision to pray for those who have wounded us it blesses them and us.  As I pray for the person that wronged me, I find that my heart begins to change.  As I pray for the person regularly, I begin to root for them.  Eventually my attitude towards them changes in a surprisingly positive way.

      Fourth, practice patience with yourself.  Forgiveness is challenging.  Revenge would be sweet, for a moment.  When we choose to forgive someone, essentially, we choose a direction.  A direction for our thinking and future actions.  If the betrayal is a deep wound there will be triggers and moments where the pain rises up again.  I imagine every Father’s Day can be a trigger for the daughter who was sexually molested by her dad.  And she must decide to forgive again.  Forgiveness is not a feeling or emotion but a thoughtful, difficult choice. It is a pathway to peace.
Who have you not forgiven?  Isn’t it time.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

       In our American culture Jesus Christ is generally respected, even beloved.  Unfortunately, it’s usually some silly putty form of Jesus.  A Jesus that we try to squish into the image we want.  Silly Putty Jesus is always kind, tolerates every lifestyle no matter how sinful, and always votes the way we would. In contrast, the Biblical Jesus towers above us making claims that are shocking.  In our culture if people listened to what He said and claimed He would most likely be “cancelled.”  Let me give you a few examples:

     One, the real Jesus claimed to be God.  In our culture Jesus as spiritual guru or life coach is celebrated but being God, that’s outrageous.  Even Jesus own family had trouble with his teachings at first; the Scripture says in Mark 3:21 “when his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.”  The religious leaders picked up stones to kill him when he said of himself “Before Abraham was, I am,” a deity claim which infuriated them.   Yet we Christians see Jesus as He is; He is the second person of the holy Trinity, God the Son.  We see Him as eternal and all powerful. We believe He will return some day to openly reign and rule over everything and everyone.

     Two, the real Jesus was a blunt truth teller.  In our culture where confronting anyone is often considered hate; Jesus shows us that very direct truth telling can be necessary.  He told the pillar of the community Nicodemus that he “must be born again” (John 3:7).  He confronted the evil of the corrupt religious leaders telling them they were vipers and sons of Satan (Matthew 12:34).  In a culture that dying on a cross was a horrifying possibility under the Romans, Jesus told his followers that to follow him meant they were to “take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24).  We who are Christians would be wise to stick with being ambassadors for Jesus, not his editors.  He says hard things, share those too.      
 
     Three, the real Jesus claimed to be the only way to God, the only way to heaven.  In John 14:6 He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” And the church believed Him. Even when the Jewish leaders told them to stop preaching in the name of Jesus the apostles responded with “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  The implications are staggering.  All who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior are lost.  That means - Hindus are lost.  Muslims are lost.  Agnostics are lost.  This idea offends.  Yet I must ask is it loving to never challenge someone who you believe is on the “wide path to destruction” (Matthew 7:13)?  Most people have read the famous John 3:16 in Scripture but I encourage you to keep reading.  It says in John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” How we respond to Jesus has eternal consequences.    

     In a word, all of this can be summed up in the title Lord.  Jesus is not our personal assistant or a genie who gives wishes but Lord.  He demands to be the CEO or owner of our lives.  He will not take second place.  He says even our love for our families must be behind our allegiance to Him.  Read through the gospels, when Jesus saw that He had a large crowd He usually intensified His call to be His disciple.  He often held up a light to what many want to hide in the fine print.
 
     So, the critical question is:  Is Jesus Lord of your life?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

    This week I attended the General Membership Luncheon put on by the Chamber of Commerce, it included a dessert auction for the United Way of the Tanana Valley Annual Giving Campaign.  It’s a fun event that happens each year.  People donate remarkably, delicious desserts and the crowd bids on them.  Some cakes went for over $1,000!  I’m told $11,025 was raised for the campaign.  That money goes to the United Way and their partner agencies (i.e. American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The Literacy Council, and Big Brothers Big Sisters to name a few). It is a remarkable display of the generosity of this community. 
      Generosity is a beautiful, open-handed way to live.  Those of us who are Christians are called to it.  God’s generosity is on display at the heart of the gospel.  In John 3:16 the apostle states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  The cross of Christ is the ultimate act of generosity, Jesus gave his life for our sins.  Fundamentally God is a giver.  He has given us life, gender, marriage, purpose and the gospel---salvation itself.  Our character should look like His.  We are to be as generous as possible.  Some of our generosity is innate (watch children), but it still has to be learned and developed (watch children four minutes later after an act of generosity).   This makes perfect sense because we are made in God’s image, the positive side and yet we are born broken and sinful because of the sin of Adam and Eve.  Selflessness AND selfishness are part of our packaging. 
      We must intentionally grow in generosity.  In the Christian context most of us begin with the practice of tithing.  Tithing is simply acknowledging that everything comes from God and is owned by God, we are merely stewards entrusted to use our resources for God’s glory.  We do this by giving the first 10% of our income to God’s kingdom (usually our local church).  Tithing is like the training wheels of generosity.  It teaches us consistency and faithfulness.  Then we are called to move forward and give away more to churches, charities, non-profits and hurting individuals. 
      Of course, generosity is more than money, it is a willingness to share our time and talents as well.  At Journey Church where I serve, we have about 20 volunteers that work at  our large food pantry ministry EVERY Thursday night at 6 p.m.  These dedicated volunteers set up a mini grocery store in our lobby and then the crowd of people move through the line and pick out what they need to feed their families.  This food pantry ministry happens because of our generous volunteers and our generous community.  Like other churches and organizations around town, most of the food we give away comes from our local Fairbanks Community Food Bank.  As a matter of fact, this year Journey passed the MILLION POUND MARK for food given away since this ministry started years ago. 
       I serve on the board of Fairbanks Community Food Bank and I am always amazed that our simple, yet crazy business strategy has worked for decades—we receive free food and give it away free to those who need it.  I doubt that Harvard’s business school would approve of that plan, but it works and will continue to do so because of the generosity of this community. 
      Generosity really is the best way to live.  Wherever you are on your generosity journey I encourage you to take the next step.  Whether that be to start tithing to your church, volunteering some time to a charity or non-profit or even taking a child into your home as a foster parent.   There are many faces of generosity, but it’s all driven by a heart to help and make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors and community.  Please take that next step.
Pastor Derek Dickinson          
Journey Christian Church
           

A fascinating little book in the Bible is from the prophet Habakkuk. He lived at a time of great wickedness in the Jewish southern kingdom of Judah. He looked around and saw all the injustice and oppression that was occurring among his beloved people. He cried out to God to do something. I am not sure what answer Habakkuk expected, but I do know that God’s answer was a surprise. God told the prophet that he was sending the Babylonians to come conquer and punish Judah. This response shocked the prophet. He complains again, how can this be the answer? The Babylonians were worse than the Jews. God responds to this complaint as well saying that eventually He would bring down Babylon.

In the book, God goes on to share some woes against all of mankind. He sees our practices that create economic injustice, the oppression of people, even slavery, He sees the abuse of alcohol and idolatry that corrupts everything. Let’s be honest, whether looking at the ancient Jewish nation or modern nations today, all eventually become like Babylon. Since sin entered the world mankind has become profoundly broken and rebellious. There is no hope in looking to ourselves or any government we create (although some are clearly better than others). The most famous verse in this short book is Habakkuk 2:4 b “the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” This book mentions the wickedness of Judah, Egypt and Babylon; hope is not found in mankind but in God. This hope is not always easy or even particularly evident in moments of great tragedy. It is a defiant, tenacious hope in
God, in His goodness and faithfulness.

I think the cross of Jesus gives us the primary reason for this kind of hope. God saw man’s sinfulness and found a way to pay for it that put the price on Himself. His love for us was so great that he found a way to redeem us. Habakkuk grabbed hold of this kind of tenacious hope. He exhibits it in the closing prayer of his book. He says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

There will always be some mystery surrounding the sovereignty of God and the presence of evil in the world, but there is nowhere else to turn. God is our only hope. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). We may not see it now but eventually accounts will be settled. Someday God’s final verdict on evil will be exercised.  In essence, we live by faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness. Like Habakkuk we celebrate Him despite our circumstances.

Hope is defined as “confident expectation.” For the Christian, hope is not a confident expectation in some pipe dream but in the person of Jesus Christ. In Him, we see perfection and holiness. In Him, we see the justice of God satisfied on the cross. In Him, we see grace (unmerited favor) offered to all who will accept it. Despite what we face in this life, because of Jesus we can be “joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18). As we live by faith, we can fully experience hope. And in a dark world hope makes all the difference.


Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

      This week I have been studying the short book of Haggai.  This little-known prophet Haggai was called to prod the Jewish people who had returned from exile in Babylon to restart their project to rebuild the temple of God.  They were commanded to rebuild a physical temple, the central worship center for Israel. Most of us are called to rebuild something in our lives.  Is there an area of your life that lies in ruins?  It might be our marriages, relationships with grown children, finances, reputation, careers, or health.  I think there are some rebuilding principles that we can grab hold of in this rarely read book.
      First, prioritize God.  Haggai rebukes the people because the temple was in ruins, and they were living in “paneled houses.”  In short they were living selfishly rather than for the Lord.  In contrast, the Westminster Catechism says, “the chief end of Man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Selfishness is what led to the nation’s defeat and exile for 70 years in the first place.  Honestly what has selfishness cost you?   What has it ruined in your life?  The point of our lives is not collecting more stuff or getting likes on social media but pointing people to our Creator and Redeemer.  As we serve God and others, we begin to rebuild those areas that our selfishness has damaged.  Haggai shared that God said, “I am with you” (Haggai 1:13). As we prioritize our relationship with God and experience His presence we can move into a life where we flourish.
     Second, rebuild with others.  In the book of Haggai the prophet partnered with Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the High Priest.  Rarely can we successfully rebuild alone.  The recovery movement is built on the idea that healing happens in circles.  Circles of people talking and walking together towards a rebuilt, restored life.  If you are trying to rebuild an area of your life, who could pray for you, encourage you and walk beside you?  Answer this question and you are beginning to turn ruins into restoration.
      Third, we must persevere.  In chapter two of Haggai the people who began rebuilding become discouraged.  The senior citizens remembered the glory of the temple built by Solomon and their temple did not look as impressive as Soloman’s.  Sometimes people say sobriety can feel anti- climactic, even boring when chaos has been your norm for decades.  For the long-time convict who is finally free, finding a place to live and a good job when you have a felony on your record is a challenge.  Make no mistake, rebuilding a life or part of a life is hard work.  Rebuilding trust with a spouse you wounded takes time.  Adult children may not forgive your past mistakes quickly even when you are moving forward now.  Perseverance is required.  Famous missionary Elisabeth Elliot was once asked how she moved forward when the tribal people her husband tried to share the gospel with murdered him.  She said, “I did the next right thing.”  That might be comforting her child, or doing the laundry, or making dinner.  Do the next right thing whether it is big or small.  Lay the next stone of simple obedience.  Remarkably she eventually saw her husband’s murderers come to Christ and a village and tribe was transformed.  
      The ruins in your life might feel overwhelming.  Move forward anyway.  It’s time to rebuild!
Pastor Derek Dickinson