The Periodically

As my turn rolls around to post on the church blog, I thought I would share some of the emotions and thoughts that can easily come to mind when enduring hardship. Most of what has been/will be written comes from my own processing as I consider my diagnosis of an inherited retinal disease. My guess is that many of you can relate to these thoughts in the midst of struggle. 1) This is not fair! God showed his grace to my family as we started reading 1 Peter together the morning before my diagnosis. The context of 1 Peter is dealing with those suffering from persecution, but the applications of suffering, I believe, can extend to other types of suffering beyond persecution.  1 Peter 4:12-13 says: [12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (ES...

At BCC we believe that God has called parents to be the primary people involved in the discipling, training, and raising up of their children.* As such, the goal of all the ministries we do with kids from infants to collegians is to partner with parents to help them in that process. Within our church and the many kid ministries we offer, however, I think at times it can be difficult for parents to see how best to take advantage of and use the church for the support it wants to offer. In light of that, here are 6 suggestions for ways you as a parent can maximize our church for the spiritual benefit of your family. 1. Encourage note taking during the sermon – This can begin even before a child is able to write well and can start with having them draw a few pictures from things discussed. Later a child can copy notes from their parents during the sermon to learn how to do so. For older kids this is an excellent practice for them to learn as it will benefit other areas of t...

Recently, I sent the following email to care group's outreach coordinators to send on to their care groups. Hope it encourages you this Christmas. Pastor Ben -------- Christmas can sometimes be a "same old, same old" time of getting together with the same folks to talk about the same, surfacey things. Are you willing and prepared to initiate spiritual conversations? Whether your family has a strong Christian presence or most of your family are not believers, talking about spiritual things is normal (not a scary, rare thing) for those that follow Christ. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching". Below are a few resources you can open to equip you with questions you can ask your family and friends this season. Enjoy talking about the Lord during the celebration of His birth! Resources: 1) How to Talk about Christmas: 5 easy questions to start a ...

The world: You are great. Believe in yourself. You can do everything you put your mind to. The Gospel: God is great. Believe in Him. He can and has done everything.  The world: You are not in need. You are awesome. The Gospel: You have more of a need than you realize. God is awesome. The World: Save yourself from sorrow. Build your kingdom here on earth. The Gospel: Jesus saves you from your deepest sorrow—your sin. Build his kingdom here on earth. The world: Life is about you. Make your best choices.  The Gospel: Life is about living for a greater purpose. Make the best choice—Jesus.  --Pastor Ben

Recently I have started reading through 1 Corinthians and found one passage jumped out at me as far as thinking about my identity. When I was in college I came in contact with a guy that was seemingly better than me at everything, and I mean everything. He was better at sports, speaking, reading, interacting with people,… you name it he did it and better than me. I felt I needed be validated, to find something I could be known for or best at. I found myself trying to even find just one area of my life in which I could be better than him to support my existence. I never did. However, by God’s grace I did find something else out. My purpose in life is not to be the best or most well known person at something. My personhood, identity, and reason for existence are not wrapped up in my accomplishments. They will fail me. There will always be someone better than me. I am not on this planet to accomplish or be known for some grand thing. Rather, I am here for another and His exaltation. I...

At BCC we firmly parents are the primary people God has placed in the life of kids raise them in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4).   With that in mind, our goal as a Youth Ministry is to come alongside parents and help them in whatever way we can to accomplish that high calling God gives them. One of the hardest parts of parenting is assessing where your child is at spiritually. Living with them day in and day out we often times have a general “feeling” of where they’re at, be even that can be skewed based on the day and thinking about how to help progress them in their Christian walk can seem very daunting. This year I’m very excited as we introduce a new tool to hopefully help our parents in that process. Like all tools, it is not perfect, but I think if you give it a try you may find it to be useful in the shepherding of your kids. It is a Discipleship Assessment Chart. The chart consists of 4 columns the 3 in color (green, red, & blue) deal w...

Is there any heart discouraged as it journeys on its way? Does there seem to be more darkness than there is of sunny day? Oh, it’s hard to learn the lesson, as we pass beneath the rod, That the sunshine and the shadow serve alike the will of God; But there comes a word of promise like the promise in the bow — That however deep the waters, they shall never overflow. When the flesh is worn and weary, and the spirit is depressed, And temptations sweep upon it, like a storm on ocean’s breast, There’s a haven ever open for the tempest-driven bird; There’s a shelter for the tempted in the promise of the Word; For the standard of the Spirit shall be raised against the foe, And however deep the waters, they shall never overflow. When a sorrow comes upon you that no other soul can share, And the burden seems too heavy for the human heart to bear, There is One whose grace can comfort if you’ll give Him an abode; There’s a Burden-Bear...