Celebration Center

Whether we are religious or not, we’ve all been in, are in, or are only one decision away from a mess. Often times we can be critical of the messes we see in others, yet dismiss the mess that is in us. But behind every mess, there is a story. Your story and your mess have a powerful connection to your relationship with God.

On Easter, we don't celebrate a collection of teachings. We don't celebrate an idea. We celebrate an event . . . an event in history that changed history. Men and women who were present, met Jesus on the other side of the grave, and it changed everything for them. In a culture that threatened to punish and isolate them, they held on to what they knew was true. He is Risen… He is Risen indeed.

Often times when things don’t work out according to plan, we become frustrated with God. When we play the comparison game, and see others seemingly blessed more than us, we can become frustrated with God. Sometimes when things haven’t worked out for a long time, we even turn away from God. If we believe God is personally invested in our lives, then it is possible in the toughest times to turn towards God. That first Easter, the other men on their crosses faced a decision. As a result, one missed Easter.

Understanding and listening to your longings is essential to finding our way back to God. God knows who you really are, and I want to challenge you to believe that God wants to be found even more than you want to find him.

In the days and weeks leading up to Easter, several people find their way into the story. They are close to what is happening, but because they are focused on the wrong things, they miss what God is doing in the world. More importantly they miss who Jesus really is. Join us this week as we meet Caiaphas, and realize that with the right position but wrong vantage point, we miss Jesus.

Sometimes the winter seems long. The dormant season seems never-ending. Moses was a leader with great promise in a place with great need. But after a moment of failure and disappointment, Moses found himself in a long “winter” season where he believed his call had gone dormant. But God still believed in him. Sometimes we need a reminder that God still believes in us. But be careful, because that reminder may just launch us out of our “Winter” and into a “Spring” of new life and a new normal!

Live United - Disconnected body parts are gross. Paul tells us that the Church is one body, made of many parts. There is a beautiful symmetry when we work together and partner. The body needs all of its parts to be at maximum efficiency – and those parts have purpose and accomplish more when connected to one another. Here at Celebration Center we recognize that we do the most good, and fulfill the mission of the Church when we “Live United”.

How and why do we do this thing we do? How do we work out loving like Jesus? Join us as we explore what it looks like to live out and put into action being the church in our neighborhoods, families and homes.

There is a direct connection from our treasure to our heart. So it is very important that we treasure the right things! The things we treasure live in our heart – so we have to choose what we will let in! Here Jesus teaches us to never be mastered by things that don’t last.

Do not deny me. What an incredible statement of Jesus. Our faith on display in the earth matters. Jesus calls us to be his ambassadors here on earth. There will be folks that don’t appreciate us standing up for Jesus, and he warns us not to fear them… I wonder how often in our day to day lives we accidentally deny Jesus… lets explore.

When we judge others, we assume the high ground. Jesus challenges us, that if we are going to be honest judges, we have to begin by first evaluating our own hearts, and lives. Then from a place of wholeness, we can encourage life in others. Often we assume the high ground and stand in judgment, when, from God's vantage point we should be lifting others up!

When something is important, we tend to worry about it. Jesus teaches us that the more important something is, the more opportunity we have to trust God. Besides, what gain do we have when we worry? The more we worry, the less we really understand about God’s love and faithfulness. If we put the first things first, God can and will take care of the rest.

We all carry the weight of the world - pressure that we put on ourselves or that we feel from others. Often times we feel like our actions have somehow disqualified us from what God could otherwise do in our lives. But is that consistent with who God says that we are? Do we dare to activate our dreams again? The reality is God has called us to get moving.

New love is always exciting. When it comes to relationships with people and with the Lord, staying in love is a commitment. This week we explore the nature of loving relationships and dare you to fall back in love!

If you are a parent there is one thing for certain – someone is watching your life! Think of all the things you do the way your parents did them. Whether you have adult kids, young kids, or even no kids, you may have more influence than you know. How do you manage it? The next generation is looking at our faith as their model. I dare you to invest!

Everyone is called to do something! Generally we start with a dream and excitement. However, it is often how we move through conflict that determines if we reach the goals God called us to.

Lights, Stars, Angels, Shepherds, a miraculous birth. Something unusual in all of human history was happening. The God of all creation introduced us to His plan for rescuing the human race. For unto us a child is born… Christ the Lord. An event so world changing that some 2000 years later people from all over the world will celebrate his birth. Let it be. Christmas.

We often refer to Christmas as the “most wonderful” time of the year. It is a time to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and remember just what God has done in the earth. Yet amidst all of the celebration, we often run into complications. We run into problems that seem unsolvable, people that we cannot control, and expectations that we are unable to meet. The first Christmas was wrought with tension. An unexpected baby, a census, wise men bringing gifts and declaring a new king, angel visitations, and a ruthless King that wanted none of it. However, God was still up to something wonderful. Christmas reminds us that He remains up to something wonderful!"

Wait - to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens. Christmas is not wonderful because of what is happening right now…it is wonderful because of what happened! Christmas reminds us that God always promises his presence...however... what do we do when we feel like God has been slow to keep his promise? What does this first Christmas teach us about waiting on God?

Christmas can be a time when we know there should be peace but our own circumstances make peace a difficult personal reality. Join us this week as we explore how to get away from the "normalcy" of life to make room for peace.