I think most of us hate conflict. Whether it is at work, with a neighbor or even in our own marriages and families. We all prefer peace. And yet so often it is elusive. Currently we are in an election season which feels like the opposite of peace. The Apostle Paul gives us some advice about peace; he says . . . Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1Thessalonians 5:13b). I think Paul is giving us a few keys to living in peace.
     Paul surprises me by starting with a call to warn the idle and disruptive. There are some people who are prone to conflict. Over the years I have met many disruptive people. You have to be very clear with this kind of person. Paul advocates a very direct approach both here and in Titus 3:10 where he says, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” In thirty years of ministry, I have only had to do this a couple times; sometimes they repent, sometimes they are expelled. Honestly in the cases I have dealt with, the very fact of being confronted by church leadership has prompted some to take a hard look at their behavior and make a U-turn in how they treat people. Either way if the disruptive, divisive person repents or leaves, the overall peace of the group improves.
     Next Paul says to “encourage the disheartened.” Author John Maxwell once said, “encouragement is oxygen for the soul.” The discouraged or disheartened can become very negative if they cannot change their focus. Genuine encouragement can make a big difference for people. It helps them remove the lens of negativity that can overtake their thinking. Something as simple as a heartfelt thank you can help lift the discouraged out of their pessimism. We see this in sports all the time. A great crowd of fans full of energy is like having an extra player on the field. An environment of encouragement helps any team perform better.
     Paul then goes on to say, “help the weak, be patient with everyone.” This instruction is critical. Someone may be the weak link on the team at work but if we show them patience and help them progress, they may significantly improve. My wife and I fostered children for several years. One thing we learned is that we could not assume that a child had any training at all. There were basic life skills that were often missing. They just needed someone to patiently catch them up. Just recently we watched one of our first foster children become an adult. He is a remarkable young man, in part because various adults came alongside him and helped him. In his case we have enjoyed watching people who came alongside when he was a small child and stay connected over the years offering help where they can. One of the practices that helps me be patient with everyone is to learn to truly listen to people. The one who is frustrating me usually has a story that helps explain their behavior. I once had a mentor tell me, “when you don’t like someone, you probably don’t know them well enough.” I have found that to be true. So many have heartbreaking stories. When you actually hear the story of a “difficult person” in your life it usually softens you and helps you to be more patient. And I am embarrassed to admit that I was an adult and leader before I realized that for some people and personalities, I am the “difficult person.” Embrace humility to see our contribution to conflicts that exist. It has been said “when humility enters the room everyone wins.”
     Our relationships will probably always have moments of frustration, but we who are Christians need to work to be peacemakers; for Jesus says, “blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Isn’t it time to honestly ask ourselves, “Are we peacemakers?”

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

     Last week, some of my good friends lost their eight-year-old grandson. He drowned in the family pool. My heart aches for their excruciating loss. I cannot comprehend the pain they are walking with. And yet as I interact with them, I can hear their Christian hope as they face this tragedy. As I studied for my sermon this week I was struck by the following Scripture.
     The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” When a person with a consistent secular worldview loses someone, they believe that they are gone, never to be seen or enjoyed again. This hopeless worldview offers nothing during times of grief. In contrast, Christianity offers hope in the face of death. Hope simply means confident expectation.
     As a minister for over three decades, I have watched the stark contrast between these views. When Christians face tragic loss, we grieve with hope. Two reasons we have hope are mentioned in this text. One, “we believe that Jesus died and rose again.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). No one else in the history of the world, except Jesus, has predicted his own death, died and days later walked out of his own grave.
Since he publicly demonstrated that he has defeated death, we can believe what he says about the next life. We can have confidence when he says “I go to prepare a place for you. . .” that he will do it (John 14:2). We can believe with certainty that we will see our Christian loved one again. That we will live in a place where “he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4). Our existence in this world can be heavy and often heartbreaking. I am delighted that as a Christian I have hope in a new heaven and a new earth. Peter tells us, “we are to look forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13).
     The second reason we have hope is in the first passage I quoted, “we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1Thessalonians 4:14). Followers of Jesus who have died will return in victory with him. In a world where it often feels like evil is winning, we know that Jesus will return and make everything right. No matter where your politics lie, political leaders disappoint. We believe Jesus will rule in the perfect combination of wisdom and compassion. The eternal reign of Christ will be perfect. In addition, we will be perfected and glorified. Imagine your loved one with all flaws removed. Imagine yourself as God dreamed you could be. You are still you, but better. I am still me but with all the rough edges sanded off (Philippians 1:6).
     Our lives are often marked by grief and loss but through Christ we can live with hope. Through Christ we have confidence that we will see our deceased loved one again. Through Christ we have a confident expectation that the hereafter will far surpass the here and now. This broken existence will be transformed into a life of wholeness and beauty in the presence of Jesus.
     Grief is still hard, but hope helps!

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

    When we think of quiet, different images come to mind. For the young parent it’s when the children are down for a nap. For me it is when I get a day off to slow down and reflect. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.”
    Personally, in a culture documented by millions of selfies, I love this countercultural advice. In a culture that constantly cries, “look at me,” Christians strive to be servants. I think the quiet life is modeled by my daughter with her three kids age three and under. Her life is not always literally quiet, but she is not living life on a stage. She is not living for Facebook likes. She gets up each day and loves her husband well and takes care of her three energetic children. He is a contractor, and she works behind the scenes to keep the books. Or I think of my wife. She is a licensed professional counselor with a private practice. Four days a week, 8 hours a day she walks with people through the darkest moments in their lives. She helps them find healing and wholeness. For the sake of privacy, she cannot even tell anyone who she helps. But year after year she serves people. In addition, I think of a man in our church who recently passed away; he served the church quietly behind the scenes. Each week he mopped the upstairs and took out the trash. I do not ever remember him being up on the platform, he was happy to help behind the scenes. This is the heart and spirit that the Apostle Paul is talking about. A quiet life is a high impact life.
    What about the Apostle saying we should “mind your own business.” In a culture known for toxic comment sections, Christians can bite their tongues. Do we really have to have an opinion on everything? I think most of the time we are called to bypass those bombastic posts on social media. When we see something particularly fiery, we can choose to ignore and starve it of the oxygen of more exposure. There is almost never a need to throw verbal gasoline on it. I think the Apostle Paul would approve of this attempt to mind our own business.
    While I don’t think Paul telling us to “work with our hands” means all of us have to be
tradesmen, it is my understanding that was the dominant type of work in that time and culture. If AI takes as many jobs as some predict maybe the trades are not just a good option but the best option to find meaningful employment. It is not stated in the text, but I think Paul is implying be a good worker, be responsible, have your projects marked by excellence. Wouldn’t it bring glory to God if every Christian owned company and every Christian worker was known for excellence and quality work?
    Next time you serve, put the camera phone away. The Lord sees you and that is who we strive to please anyway. Honestly, isn’t it enough to know we loved someone well and served God’s kingdom faithfully?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

 Unfortunately, as a minister I deal with death often. Death is something most people try not to think about. It is the ominous event that awaits all of humanity. However, for the Christian it has a very different connotation. In contrast to most of the world, as a Christian I look forward to the new heavens and the new earth. Christians view death not as something to fear but as a transition, even a graduation. Imagine talking to a baby in the womb, trying to explain what birth and the new life outside the womb will be like. Yes, physical birth is traumatic, but it is simply a transition. If that baby could understand they might even be excited about birth. If they could truly glimpse what a pleasure it will be to run, sing and dance they would break out in smiles. If she could comprehend seeing the face of her mother and father who have been talking to her for months, she would long to go. What if they could imagine the pleasure of a good meal and even chocolate!
   For the Christian, death is simply that transition from this finite life to the fullness of eternal life with God. There are too many pleasures to unpack here but a few include: the results of sin are missing, new bodies, Christian loved ones who have gone before us and the full presence of God.
  One, in eternity the results of sin are missing. Our lives here are marked by the consequences of sin; aging bodies, lying tongues, lustful thoughts and selfish actions scar all of us. Sin taints all of our relationships. Even the best marriage has a bit of selfishness in it. Every town has crime. Occasionally at Journey Church someone comes in and steals all of our toilet paper. Stealing toilet paper from a church, really! Some teens rebel and show stunning ingratitude towards their parents. Some children desperately need some discipline. This world is broken by sin. But the new heavens and the new earth will be different. Everyone will be completely honest and authentic. Everyone will act out of love and selflessness rather than pride and selfishness. There will be no crime. No divorce. No bitterness. No racism. No battered wives or girlfriends. All will be treated in line with their real value as sons and daughters of God.
  Second, in eternity we will receive new bodies. I chuckled the other day when our three year old granddaughter scratched her arm and she said, “I can’t wait to get a new body someday.”—she’s been listening. I injured my back several years ago and every day is marked by pain; I look forward to a new body. Joni Eareckson Tada, who has spent over 50 years in a wheel chair because of a diving accident, says she looks forward to pole vaulting over the pearly gates!
  Third, in eternity there is reunion with Christians who have died. I will get to see my grandparents again. I will get to sit and chat with my dad and hear his laugh. We will meet some grandchildren that we lost in the womb whom we never had the chance to
meet. There will be extended hugs and endless laughter. Reunion will be another part of the joy of heaven.
  Finally, because of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, eternity will allow us to approach our Holy Creator. We can know him fully. We experience glimpses of that in the here and now but it is at a whole new level in the hereafter. To have full access to God. To savor his beauty. To enjoy the warmth of his love completely. These ideas make our imaginations soar.
  I generally like my life. I am blessed in many ways but I long for the captivating beauty, unhindered fullness of relationships and the eternal flourishing that awaits us. For the Christian, this is not wishful thinking but a robust, tangible certainty.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

A question I like to ask Christians is “How has Jesus been good news in your life?” Honestly some of the answers bring tears to my eyes. Usually, the first answer is that he paid for my sins. He made it so that I, a sinner, can be in a relationship with our Holy Creator. In Ephesians 1:7 the Apostle Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, that he lavished on us. . . .” Pull up in your mind the worst thing you have ever done, Christ died for that! If you are in Christ, you are forgiven. The eternal consequence for that act is taken care of. Now there are often still some earthly consequences, but the eternal ones are removed. And a fully open and intimate relationship with God is available.
Notice in this Ephesians passage that it mentions the riches of God’s grace (unmerited favor) that he lavished on us. Grace is shocking. Unmerited favor is stunning. I once had a seminary professor describe it this way. If I broke into your car and stole it, justice is that I would be punished, forced to make restitution or even jail time because it’s considered a felony. Mercy is if I am forgiven for the charge and do not go to jail. Grace is if I am forgiven, charges are dropped and then the owner takes the thief out to an expensive restaurant for a steak dinner. Or another image of grace (unmerited favor) is that as a juvenile I commit a crime. I was arrested and thrown into a juvenile detention center. The president (picture a president you admire wherever you fall politically) calls up with a pardon. I am then let out and completely free. But there is more, then he invites me to the white house and adopts me into his family. From the jail house to the white house is a picture of the stunning grace we are offered in Jesus. God forgives our rebellion and sin and invites us to become part of his family. Remarkable!
God’s grace has many facets, but it all comes back to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul says it is lavished on us. Lavish means rich, elaborate, luxurious. Grace is when I once sat with a young woman who told me she was the product of rape but in Christ she feels valuable and loved. Grace is when a husband and wife learn to extend the grace of Christ to each other and repair their shattered marriage. Grace is when a man or woman who feels overcome with anxiety in Christ finds peace. Grace is when a young person who feels lost and finds themselves living without purpose comes to understand that he is a special creation of God, designed for a specific calling in life (Ephesians 2:10). Grace is when God honors one of our prayers with a remarkable answer. God lavishes grace on us. I still can’t get over the fact that rebels like you and me are treated as precious, beloved sons and daughters. Now that is GOOD NEWS!

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

The Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The immediate context proceeding this Scripture is the notion that we are no longer to live for ourselves, rather we are called to live for Jesus. Immediately following this text is a call to a ministry of reconciliation. This Scripture gives me great hope in the Christian life. We can live differently. We can change and be transformed. Our past traumas and failures do not define us. They do not get to control us and shackle our growth or determine our future outcomes. We can be instruments of peace as individuals and within our communities.
However, if I am brutally honest, I also find this Scripture convicting, even somewhat disappointing. I certainly do not always feel like I am a new creation in Christ. I have bad habits that have marked my life for years. My marriage is not what I imagined when I said “I do” several decades ago. I have been in the ministry for over three decades. While I have met many Christians who are some of the best people on this planet, I have also encountered some “Christians” who are prideful, selfish, angry and unforgiving. Sometimes I tell myself maybe they are not actually Christians, which could be possible. Or perhaps they, like myself, are still a serious work in progress.
Most of us appreciate the vulnerable honesty of the Scripture. Our greatest faith heroes certainly had deep flaws. Abraham, the father of our faith, was a coward when he should have defended his wife. Two different times he allowed her to be taken into a ruler’s harem without hesitation or protest. Moses had a temper that cost him entry into the promised land, which was the entire goal of his ministry. Samson was controlled by his libido and desires of the flesh more than the promptings of God. The list goes on and on. Some may object as those are Old Testament people that did not have the New Testament gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Agreed, but the apostle Paul cried out “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (Romans 7:15). And flawed Paul had to confront cowardly Peter who had brought the gospel to the Gentiles but then treated them like second class Christians when “real Jewish Christians” showed up (Galatians 2). Even apostles live beneath the truth that they know and teach. As long as we live, there is a gap between what we know we should do and what we actually do. Each of us is trying to make that gap as small as possible.
The doctrine of the new creation may be the most untapped and unrealized truth in the New Testament. May the Lord help us move from experiencing the gift of being a new creation simply positionally, in the eyes of God, and physically embrace and apply being a new creation practically in the reality of our daily lives. We can live better. We can live holy lives. As we apprentice under Jesus Christ, we must preach the gospel to ourselves regularly. We are sinners who are saved by the grace of God as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Without Christ, we are worse than we think we are, but because of God’s loving nature, we are more deeply loved than we can comprehend. Out of that undeserved love flows a godly life.
I often go back to the image in John 15 of Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. It maintains that without him, we can do nothing. In connection with Him, bad habits can be defeated. In connection with Him, our selfishness can be conquered. We can live winsome lives that show God’s love. We can model the fruit of the Holy Spirit which includes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). Christians, continue to grab hold of the promise of the new creation. Do not leave it untapped and unrealized but may it actually mark us. Isn’t it time we began truly living out the new creation?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

I recently returned from a family reunion in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I had the privilege of seeing Independence Hall where the founders signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. There was an astounding amount of history in that room. Nearby I then went to see the famous Liberty Bell. On it is inscribed a Bible verse: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all inhabitants thereof.” I appreciate that liberty is one of our nation’s core values. I also appreciate that the articulation of that core value comes from the Bible.
Our founders wisely acknowledged many key freedoms that God intended for us. I particularly appreciate two—the freedom of religion, and the freedom of speech. The founders were mostly Christians but from various denominations and some came from countries with a state church. In that system everyone was automatically part of a particular denomination despite their personal convictions. One example, the puritan pilgrims were different from the church of England and did not want to be forced to toe that denominational line. My understanding is that attendance at the local Church of England parish was actually required by law. They came here for a fresh start. And fortunately they got one.
Freedom of speech is another liberty that I am grateful for. We can speak our minds and battle in the court of public opinion for what we believe to be true. Sadly, in recent years cancel culture has tried to silence those with unpopular opinions. It would be good to be reminded in history that the majority is often wrong. One example, when I read the four gospels it looks like many followed Jesus but possibly the majority considered him a false prophet and false Messiah and cried out for his execution. Later when the apostles preached about the resurrection of Jesus the Sanhedrin (Israel’s high court) flogged them and told them to stop preaching in Jesus name. This silencing of free speech happens around the world in various countries. Many are martyred for spreading the message of Jesus even today. I am so grateful that whether people agree with me or not, most Americans would defend my right to say what I believe is true. This freedom is an incredible blessing for each of us whatever your world view or philosophy
It may sound odd but another part of the Liberty Bell that I appreciate is the crack. As we celebrate America’s 250 th birthday this weekend it is good to be reminded that we do not believe America is a “perfect union” but simply seeks to form a “more perfect union” (U.S Constitution). We are growing and maturing. Compared to many European and Asian countries we are a new kid on the block. Our original freedom ignored African slaves. It took a bloody civil war to correct. Women did not get to vote till 1920. My own grandmother was actually a child when that happened, that’s not that long ago! The way Native Americans were treated was painful. Yet America always passes the “gate test” with flying colors, when we open our doors people from around the world excitedly come! Significant progress has been made over time. The American experiment was given birth out of a primarily Judeo-Christian world view that taught our rights and freedoms came from our Creator not a human king or government. I am grateful for so much about America. The beautiful diversity and ingenuity of its people, the stunning views of its natural glory and the richness of its resources to name a few. As America embarks on another 250 years I pray that God guides and blesses us as we seek to walk in humility and generosity. Happy Birthday America! May God bless us.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Back when I lived in Indianapolis, Indiana I once had an important meeting to attend in Markle, Indiana. Markle was quite a distance, and I did not know the way, so I told my phone to give me directions to Markle. After driving for quite a while I realized that I did not seem to be where I thought I should be. Unfortunately, I had made a mistake and not told the phone I wanted Markle, Indiana instead I think it was taking me to Markleville, Illinois. I had made a mistake and was going in the wrong direction. Therefore, I turned around and headed back to Indianapolis. I had wasted too much time to make the important meeting. You may not have done something that was quite that dumb but all of us have gone in the wrong direction at times in our lives. The solution to going in the wrong direction is repentance. I realize this is an old Bible word that you may not have used recently but the concept is important. When you are going in the wrong direction you have to turn around. Just as it would have been incredibly foolish of me to drive all the way to the wrong town it is foolish of us to continue heading in the wrong direction once we have the critical aha moment where we realize our mistake.
In the book of Acts the Apostle Peter says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord . . . ( Acts 3:19). Repent means to change our mind and actions, ultimately to turn from sin and turn towards God. In a sense, to make a spiritual U turn. We all need to assess which way we are headed in each area of our lives. Which way am I going in my relationships? Are we walking in pride or humility? Are we selfish or practicing servanthood? Are we being deceptive or authentic? Examine how we handle our money and other resources. Are we people marked by generosity or greed? Do we seek to bless others with our resources or simply fulfill our own desires? God our Creator made us and knows what is best for us. His word (the Bible) shares with us how to live in a way where we flourish and thrive.
Therefore, when we repent, we turn from sin to the full, abundant life that God intended for us (John 10:10). Notice in the passage I quoted from the apostle Peter, it says that out of repentance comes times of refreshing. When we men treat women as objects of our lust they lose and so do we. But when we repent and treat women as made in the image of God and immensely valuable and commit loyally to one precious female, we build a marriage that can be fulfilling and satisfying. When we tell the truth consistently as the Bible commands, we become known for integrity and are trusted by all who know us. As we walk in the truth that when we repent our “sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). How refreshing is it to be forgiven? Our lies, lust, selfishness, greed, gossip, laziness, gluttony can all be wiped out by Christ. What a relief! That is good news!
Today where are you headed? Towards pride or humility? Towards selfishness or servanthood? Isn’t it time to repent and experience the promised refreshing?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

With today being Father’s Day, I thought I would share some of the lessons I learned from my father. Dean Dickinson passed away about four years ago. I think about him often. I learned so many things from him. Some of those life lessons include:
First, following Jesus Christ is what is most important. He was a Christian who took his faith seriously. Even his career choice reflected his faith. He was a minister on the staff of multiple churches over his long career. He had a strong desire to help people know Christ and he did what he could to share the good news with people.
Second, he believed in always learning. He had an undergraduate and masters degree but he never stopped reading and learning. He would share items that he uncovered in his reading that he thought I would be interested in. He was an avid student of the Bible his entire life. Even if he had read a passage many times he still  approached it with a posture of expectation that God would teach him something new.
Third, he believed in the power of encouragement. If he read about someone he knew he always cut the article out of the newspaper and sent it to that individual with a personal note of congratulations and affirmation. He also came alongside people in their time of loss. When someone at the church he served lost a loved one, he would try to capture the information about that loved one and then check in on them later. He wanted to see how they were doing. He made a point to send anniversary letters to the person he knew to mark the loss of that loved one year after year. Over the years I have had so many people tell me how when it felt like everyone else had forgotten about their loved one Dad would send a letter or make a phone call checking in on them in their journey of grief. He had a true compassion for people and always tried to encourage them.
Fourth, he taught me to expect challenges, especially as a leader. He was a leader in a large church, therefore, he received his share of criticism over the years. He always handled it with grace. I will never forget after one of my first sermons as a senior minister at a church in Indianapolis a man came and chewed me out about what I’d said. I called my dad who I expected to give me a sympathetic ear. He was sympathetic but his main response was “welcome to the ministry.” That was his way of saying criticism is just part of the price you pay when you lead people.
Finally, he taught me the importance of family. He was a busy man who worked long hours. Yet if I wanted to talk to him he put what he was working on aside and gave me his full attention. He genuinely saw me and encouraged me. He even challenged me. My family was not wealthy; sometimes I was not able to do activities that my peers could because there was not enough money. As a teen, occasionally I complained about this. As an adult when I told dad I was going into the ministry he told me “settle the money issue first.” He wanted me to understand that we were rich in the most important things like faith and relationships. If I did not learn contentment then I would struggle.
Dad taught me too many things to remember, let alone mention here, but he was a true source of love and wisdom in my life and I will never forget him. I realize that not everyone has the privilege of having a great father like I did, but if you have a serious father wound I encourage you to go to God, who is a father to the fatherless. He can love and guide you.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

Many people view the Christian faith through the lens of an emotional experience. They make a decision to follow Jesus at a powerful worship service or at the end of a week of Christian camp. This is common and certainly our emotions play a part in our spiritual lives. But what happens when we are weary? How do we move forward in our faith when the feelings fade? Personally, I have experienced multiple seasons of dryness in my spiritual life. As a minister I am expected to still teach, preach and lead through those times. Here are a few things that help me.
One, remember that Christianity is a world view, articulated by the written word of God, the collection of books we call the Bible. Whether I feel close to God or feel anything at all does not affect the truth of the Scripture. The Scripture is true regardless of how we feel about it. I do not have to feel emotional about gravity, that force is simply something that exists and is true. The Christian world view is reality articulated. Truth revealed.
Second, build margin in our lives. When we are rushed and running on empty the weariness goes up. The little moments that make the Christian life meaningful so often come out of a life with appropriate margins. In the famous parable of the good Samaritan two religious Jews refuse to stop and help a man who was robbed, beaten and left for dead. Jesus does not explain why the men do not stop and help and yet it is easy to imagine that at least one reason is because they were too busy. There was not time to stop and lean in with love.
Third, when facing spiritual weariness, elevate the value of faithfulness. In the well known list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, I feel like love, joy and peace hog the spotlight. But the older I get and the more dry seasons I weather, I have come to intensely value faithfulness. Keep showing up at the prayer meeting. Read Scripture on the days you are inspired and the days you are bored. Love that difficult person at your workplace in one more simple, creative way. I think it is interesting that one of the promises of Scripture is that if we are consistent in life, at the judgment we will hear from God “well done good and faithful servant.” Not loving servant, not peaceful servant but faithful servant. Years ago I read a quote from John Maxwell who said, “at your death people will sum up your life in one sentence, write it now.” I have thought about that quote a lot. My sentence changes, but somewhere in it is the word faithful. I want to be a consistent, faithful apprentice of Jesus Christ. Whatever talent I possess, or position I hold is far less important than whether or not I am faithful.
Fourth, is to worship. In a narcistic culture it is important to get our eyes off of ourselves and on God. Focusing exclusively on ourselves means that our view is dominated by flaws and brokenness with only dashes of delightful beauty. But if we lift our eyes in worship we can be captivated by the glory of God all over again. When I look at creation, I shake my head at the complex engineering that points to the brilliance of God. When we pause to savor a sunset or a rainbow we worship the great artist who paints the vibrant colors of fall. Most of us become weary when we try to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Worship reminds us that God is sovereign, not us. Worship lifts our eyes and lightens our hearts. It turns our focus from the crushing moments of life to the celebration of the life Giver, God Himself. Jesus invites the “weary and heavy laden” into his rest. Sounds pretty good to me.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

One of the most famous songs in Rock and Roll history is “I can’t get no satisfaction” by the Rollings Stones. It is an anthem of frustration. It voices the cry of so many people who try to find satisfaction in material possessions, sex or any means besides God. We see this fruitless search for satisfaction in most people. We see warnings in the ten commandments about having no other gods and no coveting (Exodus 20:3, 17). Both clarifying that satisfaction will not be found in false gods, or other people’s stuff or even their relationships. In contrast to the dead ends most try, theologian Augustine once said, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”
Two people from the Scriptures show us both the dead ends so many pursue and the answer Augustine shared. In the Hebrew Scriptures we see King Solomon pursue satisfaction and contentment by pursuing wealth, wisdom and women. In the spirit of Solomon today many spend money they cannot afford to spend on lottery tickets or gambling in some form hoping that they will win the “big prize” and find satisfaction. For fifty seasons people have gone on Survivor leaving their families for weeks pursuing the coveted million-dollar prize. Often, they will lie and break alliances to achieve victory. Mr. Beast often produces experiments to see what people will do to win large amounts of money. These experiments are often interesting and entertaining and yet disconcerting. What will you do for the promise of MORE? What will I do?
In the New Testament we meet Saul, a Jewish religious leader. His attempt at satisfaction is radically different from Solomon’s but still a dead end. He attempts to find satisfaction through self-righteous holiness. He was a Jew of Jews. He was respected by his peers. He was a moral pillar in the eyes of the people. He received regular “atta boys” from his community. He studied under a renowned rabbi. His parents were probably very proud.
Yet both men, Solomon and Saul, described their attempts to find satisfaction as meaningless (Solomon) or rubbish (Saul). Whether Solomon’s pursuit of sexual pleasure or Saul’s pursuit of pride, both found them to be dead ends. However, God did not leave them there among the ruins of their own making, Solomon a miserable millionaire or Saul an angry, violent religious zealot. God accepted Solomon’s late life repentance. Solomon found the secret of life was to “fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)” In a phrase satisfaction was found in a relationship with God. Revere Him and obey and serve him. In another dramatic scene of repentance Saul meets the risen Christ on the road to persecute Christians. Proud Saul became Paul (which means little). Pride collapsed and humility grew. Self-righteousness melted before grace which is simply unmerited favor. Coming to genuinely know God is the key to satisfaction for Solomon and Saul and everyone of us.
In Christ, we find forgiveness of sins, meaning, purpose and new life. And yes contentment. We can embrace the word enough when it comes to possessions. We can step away from the relentless pursuit of satisfaction and simply rest in our relationship with God.
 It is my hope that some day each of us can say. “Yes, I am content.”

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

In our culture it is interesting to note who is held up as a strong person. It could be the elite athlete, the bold politician, the person following their dream despite all obstacles. Culture tends to promote a radically individualistic, independent form of strength. In contrast, the Bible promotes a dependent strength. King David writes that “the Lord is my strength and my shield. . .” (Psalm 28:7a). The prophet Isaiah writes “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength . . .” (Isaiah 40:31a). And the apostle Paul says, “be strong in the Lord. . .” (Ephesians 6:10a) and in another place he writes “my power is made perfect in weakness. . .” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
What we see consistently in Scripture is that a divine partnership leads to strength. We see David clinging to the promise that he will be king someday (that he received from Samuel the prophet) as he goes out to fight the terrifying giant Goliath. David went with some skill with a sling, but his confidence came from the promises of God and the fact that he was fighting to honor God in the face of the giant’s blasphemy against Yahweh.
In the book of Daniel, we see that the source of Daniel’s convictional strength was his daily prayer practice. Out of that strong connection with God Daniel was able to stand against a king who said no one could pray to anyone but himself. Daniel would not be bullied into forsaking God and had the strength to face even a lion’s den over his convictions.
In the New Testament we see the ultimate dependent strength in Jesus Christ. Both fully divine and fully man Jesus found strength in his relationship with the Father. We see this most clearly in the garden of Gethsemane. He is agonizing over what is coming, the cross and the wrath of God for the sins of the world. Yet he prays what the theologians calls the “perfect prayer” as he says, “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He leans fully on the Father in his darkest moments leading up to the cross.
Also, in the New Testament we see the incredible partnership of God and man in the giving of the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter two the Holy Spirit is given to the church. When a person becomes a Christian, they receive the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit. He dwells within the believer and empowers the believer to grow in their character. Through the partnership with the Holy Spirit over the years, we look more like Jesus in how we think and act. This partnership is what, I think, it means to be strong in the Lord.
If you would like to explore the subject of strength a bit more, I invite you to come to Journey Christian Church TODAY, Sunday May 17 at 9:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. My oldest son Joe is speaking. He is a strong person no matter how you define it. He is a powerlifting world champion who has set two world records, but more importantly he loves the Lord and is constantly investing in his family and the youth ministry at his church. I encourage you, no matter what you face to be strong in the Lord.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

As Mother’s Day approaches I thought I would share a few traits I have learned from three remarkable mothers in my life--my mom, my wife (mother of our five children) and my grown daughter, mother of three. It's my hope to "honor moms" as God commands (Exodus 20:12).
First, all these women believe Jesus is most important. All three live lives surrendered to Him. My mom made sure to read us the Bible, take us to church and live consistently. My wife and daughter did the same with their children. Success in life was defined as someday hearing Jesus say "well done, good and faithful servant." My wife, who works outside the home, has sacrificed significantly over the years to start Journey Church, an organization committed to "connecting people to Jesus Christ and each other." When our children come down in the morning they almost always find my wife finishing up her morning devotions. My own commitment to Christ has been shaped and enhanced because of theirs.
Second, all three are curious people. I kid my mom about her habit of asking "20 questions" every time I talk to her. She wants to know what I'm thinking and doing and how my family is growing. She never wants to miss anything. While growing up If I asked mom about something she did not know she would research it and circle back (the days before Google). My wife is intensely curious as well, but particularly intrigued about people's feelings and thinking. I've watched her so many times gently explore the emotions of our children. She will often unpack something that even they did not realize was there. She even instituted a tradition in our home of having an "exit interview" with each of our children when they leave for college. We write up questions to help understand what it's like to grow up in our home. The hope is we will improve as parents as the years go by (apologies to Joe, our oldest). My wife always has at least one audio book or some seminar going, continuing to grow her mind. My love of reading comes mostly from my mom and my desire to have a better understanding of people has grown because of my wife. My daughter will read books and intentionally engage me with what I think about some of the principles. In addition, I watch her try to understand her children fully. All three have made me a more curious person.
Third, all three practice the art of hospitality. My mom loves to cook for a big group of people. Some of my best memories are mealtimes with extended family or friends. My mouth starts to water just thinking about those moments. Her strawberry cakes are amazing! My wife does not love cooking (although she's good at it) but she loves people. There is no way I could tell you how many groups of people she has hosted in our home over the years. In the early days of starting Journey Church, she hosted so many groups in our home and in her office. In addition, my wife practices what I call radical hospitality. Her heart for children is remarkable. As foster parents we have taken in kids directly from meth homes and other challenging situations. Another adventure was having two international students for several months during the covid shutdowns. This was a unique and rich experience that I would never have initiated on my own. Our daughter makes space for other moms and their kids in her busy schedule with “mommy meet ups.” I am a strong introvert so I both admire and have been stretched by their commitment to hospitality.
Fourth, I appreciate that all three are always looking at the long-term effects of life choices. For my wife, it’s not about one sugary treat but about whether this child will live a healthy lifestyle. It’s not about one video game; it’s about whether we are allowing the development of an unhealthy attachment to screens. My mom was very strict on what we could watch on TV, she was training us in making wise entertainment choices. I still kid her about being banned from watching Dukes of Hazard when most of my friends could. Our daughter rarely lets her kids watch screens; she wants their brains to be protected from starting that common addiction. All look to the future to help kids and grandkids become all they can be.
Thanks to all the moms out there doing their best to train the next generation. We appreciate you!

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

All of us face loss at one time or another. We might lose a job, a marriage or even a child to death. Grief is the process or journey through which we heal and find wholeness again. The poster boy for grief in the Scripture is the man named Job. In a brief period of time he lost his children to death, wealth, health and the respect of his community. Most believed he must have done something terrible to have so many horrible things happen to him.
Despite his intense suffering Job clung to God. I think this is the most important key to surviving and even thriving in grief. Grieve fully engaged with God. Job prays often. He complains, questions and even rages at times; but he never breaks the connection with God. Once when he was talking to his friends he says of God “though he slay me, yet will I hope in him . . . “ (Job 13:15). Notice that tenacious clinging to God. Too many, in the midst of grief, walk away from God, this is a serious mistake. Grief is when we need him the most.
When grieving, allow others to walk beside you. Job had several friends come to visit him. They came and expressed their grief through actions such as a weeping, and tearing their robes. They sat in silence with him for seven days. Now I realize this is an expression of grief for that particular culture. However, I have to ask myself how many seven day friends do I have? How many seven day friends do you have? How many people in my life would I go sit with for seven days? Whether someone reaches the status of a “seven day friend” or not I encourage you to invite and allow others to step into your pain. Isolation magnifies the pain of loss, friendship seasons it with their compassion. One of the most painful statements in the Bible is when God looked at Adam in the garden and said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Now honestly, once his friends started talking they were not as helpful. They had a strong tendency to blame Job for the trauma he was experiencing.
The most common stages or components of grief are shock (denial), anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Denial hits you when you set the table for two when your spouse has been gone for weeks. Anger can be directed at the one who is gone, God or even at yourself. Maybe you feel like you could have headed off the loss in some way. Honestly bargaining seems pointless. Depression can seem like it will never end, yet there is a time to sit in it and feel the full weight of your loss. Finally, acceptance starts to break through. The sweet, even funny memories begin to dominate. Understand not everyone faces all these “stages” and sometimes a stage can pop up more than once. As you walk through and unpack these stages, I encourage you, do not do it alone. Invite God and deep friends into the mix. The process is still painful but the gift of God’s presence and that of others are profound. Loss is inevitable, but wholeness is available.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church

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