Champion Life Magazine 2017 by Champions Centre

INSIDE

WHEN LIFE TAKES A TURN 4 KEYS TO BUDGET SUCCESS WHAT WE BRING AND MORE

CC.CHURCH | 2017

MOVE LIFE FORWARD Church is not just a place to attend. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a community to belong to. Visit cc.church for more information, and connect with us anywhere, anytime on social media. Follow us on Twitter/FB/IG/Snapchat @KevinGerald @SheilaGerald @ChampionsCentre

COUNT YOURSELF IN Jodi Cameron

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In a world where it is so common to count yourself out, why not choose to count yourself in?

WHEN LIFE TAKES A TURN Jennie Lusko

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IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURES 03

WELCOME

From Pastors Kevin & Sheila 04

5 WAYS TO MAKE SERVING A LIFESTYLE The Action of Serving 06

HEARING GOD

The Story of Sade Balogun from our Bellevue Campus 12

Our relationships in the house of God are important when life hits us and takes us where we never wanted to be.

PICTURE PERFECT

BRINGING SCRIPTURE TO LIFE

4 KEYS TO BUDGET SUCCESS Chris Brown

What We Can Assume from the Outside 15

Reading your Bible in a new way 24

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10 SCRIPTURES TO FIGHT DEPRESSION

Financial success doesn’t necessarily equal a high income, a big house, or lots of stuff. It just means that whatever your income, wherever you live, whatever you own, you manage it well and for the Lord.

BE A VOICE

Sheila Gerald

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The reality is that slavery exists right now and not just in some far off land—but in our own backyards.

WHAT WE BRING Kevin Gerald

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To build the strongest relationships, we have to choose to magnify the faith inside of us.

Count Yourself In on page 08.

A Light to Help in the Darkness

CONSIDER EVERYONE

Creating Environments for Everyone 32

AN INVITE’S IMPACT

4 Keys to Budget Success on page 20.

The Story of Sean Lizama from our Tacoma Campus 38

MOVING LIFE FORWARD

3 Articles to Strengthen your Life 44

CAPTURING MOMENTS INTENTIONALLY Documenting our Days 46

STOKING THE FIRES OF YOUR MARRIAGE A Better Marriage, Today 48

LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW Giving Opportunities to the Younger Generations

What We Bring on page 34.

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHERS

Kevin Gerald and Sheila Gerald

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jodi Cameron

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER Paula Norris

MARKETING DIRECTOR Jen Mueller

OXYGEN MAY 11/12

ART DIRECTOR

Heather Stajgr, Passio Creative

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Paula Norris Leslie Powell Betsey Anderson Susan Wilson Judi Shackett Skyler Norris Chloé Morgan Sharayah Morgan

CONTRIBUTING GRAPHIC DESIGN Adrian Sims Mickey Elliott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kevin Gerald Sheila Gerald Jodi Cameron Ryan Cameron Chris Brown Jennie Lusko Catalina Mahon Robin McCoy Corianne Burton Jonathan Yadon Sue Zimmerman Paula Norris Crystal Fio Sade Balogun Chloé Morgan Kiana Quidachay Rebekah Mandt Skyler Norris Larry Ward

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY

TEAM CHURCH CONFERENCE AUGUST 7–9

Adrian Sims Scotty Augkhopinee Andy Mueller Michael Simmons

PRODUCER

Champion Life Magazine is a part of Champions Centre in Tacoma | Bellevue, WA, a non-profit organization.

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QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / IDEAS

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Champion Life Editorial 1819 E. 72nd St. Tacoma, WA 98404 Produced by Champions Centre Publishing © 2017. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without expressed written permission is prohibited and a violation of applicable laws. 2017 copyright Printed by Capital City Press.

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | 2017

WELCOME

HERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO FEEL COMPLETELY ALONE. NOT ONLY DO THEY FEEL ALONE, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT’S JUST THE WAY THEIR LIFE IS GOING TO GO. THEY HAVE GIVEN UP ON MOVING FORWARD. THEY’VE GIVING UP ON CARING. But, we are here to remind you that where you are now is not where you’ll end up if you just take steps to get into community. At Champions Centre, we believe that life is not meant to be done alone. We know that we are better together, so whatever you may be going through, you have a community to belong to here. In this issue of Champion Life Magazine, you’ll find articles and stories from real people dealing with real issues, and as you flip the pages, you’ll find stories similar to what you may be going through right now. Let this issue remind you that you are not alone. God is with you and looking out for you. Sheila and I started our ministry in the Pacific Northwest over 30 years ago, and we may not have known you then. But, we have been praying for you before you even showed up. Our hope is that as you read this magazine, it can bring you hope, direction, and a sense of belonging.

VOLUNTEER | CC.CHURCH

5 WAYS

TO MAKE SERVING A LIFESTYLE

Writing Team

5 WAYS TO MAKE SERVING A LIFESTYLE

We live in a fast-paced, me-first culture where we fight against carving out time to serve. However, we believe that Jesus leads us not to think of serving as just another out-of-the-ordinary opportunity, but instead, he invites us to bring a serving mindset into our relationships, our workplaces, our neighborhoods—into our everyday lives.

SO HOW DO WE TRANSITION INTO A SERVING MINDSET? As Christ followers, let’s not look at serving as a task to do but instead as a way to live.

DEVELOP A HABIT OF LOOKING UP.

LET YOUR PAIN BE YOUR PASSION.

PRAY TO SEE OPPORTUNITY.

Colossians 3:1–2 (MSG) says, “Don’t shuffle along, head down, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ— that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” When we are looking down, we have a limited scope and perspective on our life. We only see what is right in front of us. When we develop a habit of looking up, it heightens our awareness of God in our everyday life. Looking up also helps align our heart with the Lord’s, which is key in sustaining a serving mindset.

Recently, a guest speaker and friend of our church, Charlotte Gambill, shared a story with our church family of how she chooses to be the grocery store hero: when the lines are long and everyone is complaining, she chooses to do something about it. She turns her grocery cart around and finds the nearest, unsuspecting employee and states, “I know what you can do: follow me. You can open another register!” And all the surrounding grocery shoppers cheer! Now this is a somewhat silly example, but it demonstrates the moment we all have where we can decide to join in on complaining about a situation or we can choose to do something about it.

Every morning ask God to open your eyes to how you can better serve him and others.

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PURPOSE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WHEN YOU SEE OPPORTUNITY.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS BEING SERVANT-HEARTED.

Don’t discount the small; something that may seem insignificant to you could be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Begin to recognize the way you talk to yourself about yourself. Say, “Others will feel the love of God through my actions today.” “The world will be a better place today because I am serving Christ by serving others.” “God has given me a purpose, and I chose to walk in it today.”

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CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

MOVING LIFE FORWARD

HEARING GOD Sade Balogun

As I reflect on how I came to know God, I would say it started with a whisper.

HEARING GOD

spent my entire elementary and middle school years in church. I went to a Catholic school, so reading the Bible was a core part of my curriculum and serving in the church was my practicum: I sang in choir, acted as an altar server, and occasionally led the congregation in prayers. It was such an exciting and formative time in my life; but as I look back on it, I would characterize this season as “informational.” I gathered a lot of information about the scriptures and the church and its rituals during this time. However, to be familiar with the structure of God’s church, but not actually have context for who God is, is risky. Structure without context can feel confining, and who wants to be confined?

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At age 13, I started high school, and the church structure I had been a part of for so long was gone. I had no context for who I was outside of that environment. Naturally, I set out to answer that question. I’d call this season of my life “gaining perspective.” While gaining perspective can seem like this wonderfully enlightening experience, it is actually quite challenging, because you have to go through some things to learn some things . . . Like hang out with the wrong people to discover who your true friends are, date the wrong person to better understand your value, or even stay out an hour too long to learn that nothing good happens after midnight. It was in the midst of this season that I experienced what I now know was a God whisper. My godsister invited me to a gospel concert at our university; a few songs in, the choir began to sing a song called “God Is a Healer” (which I didn’t know at the time— it had been about 3 years since I’d gone to church). Almost

immediately, tears ran down my face. What’s interesting about God whispers is that they’re not always audible; and so even when your words don’t know how to respond, your heart always will. In that moment, I responded to God’s promise that my heart would be healed from the disappointment, insecurity, and the identity crises I was dealing with. That God whisper foreshadowed the relationship that I would build with Christ, but I wouldn’t fully realize what that meant for a few more years. It’s important to remember that God is always calling after our hearts, but we decide whether to answer the call. In the spring of 2012, I said yes to a friend’s persistent invitation to church—and that September, I decided to get baptized.

Having a church family that pushes your faith to new heights is invaluable: challenging status quo Christianity and encouraging me to move life forward, not just for my benefit, but also for the generations to come.” ___

Earlier I spoke about the importance of context—context for who God is—is critical in developing a meaningful relationship with him and his church. These past few years, I’ve been developing context for how important the church is to God (Ephesians 5:25–27), the uniqueness of my relationship with Christ (Psalm 139:14), the magnitude of his love for me (John 3:16), and intentionality of his plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). In this new season of life, I feel fortunate, because as my relationship with God continues to evolve, Champions Centre has played a big role. Having a church family that pushes your faith to new heights is invaluable: challenging status quo Christianity and encouraging me to move life forward, not just for my benefit, but also for the generations to come.

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

FEATURE

in 08

COUNT YOURSELF IN | JODI CAMERON

COUNT YOURSELF IN Jodi Cameron

PICTURE A CLASSIC HIGH SCHOOL LUNCHROOM SCENE WITH SEGMENTED TABLES, ALL FILLED WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF PEOPLE. THE ATHLETES IN ONE CORNER, THE SENIORS IN ANOTHER. THE “GEEKS” (WHO WILL GO ON TO KILL IT IN THE MARKETPLACE, BY THE WAY) AND THE GOTH GROUP. EVERYONE HAS A PLACE AT THEIR INDIVIDUAL TABLES—EVEN THE OUTCASTS FIND EACH OTHER.

remember actively avoiding the lunchroom my senior year for this very reason. I didn’t always feel like I fit. I didn’t feel like I fit at the athletes table or the smart ones’ table or the in-crowd or the outcasts. Looking back, I think I subconsciously counted myself out. It’s easy to count ourselves out. Life comes in, and distractions fill our world. We can get caught up in the routine and the mundane; we excuse ourselves from the opportunities right in front of our faces. We hear people talk about purpose and making a difference and, if we’re not careful, we count ourselves out in our minds leaving it for someone else to do. In a world where it is so common to count yourself out, why not choose to count yourself in? What if there really is something more than the getting up, going to work/school, eating dinner, and going to bed kind of life? What if there is something bigger out there for you to be part of? For you to actively

participate in? Instead of waiting for someone else to make a difference, why not you? Why not your family? Why not in your day to day living? Why not in your lifetime? I really believe that every single person has a difference-making assignment to accomplish. The creator of the universe, God, sent his only Son Jesus Christ to the planet over 2000 years ago to die a gruesome death so that each person could find grace and hope and salvation in his name. So that people could reconcile any issues or barriers through him and look beyond themselves to help others move their lives forward. There are three things I want us to look at that can help us count ourselves in:

1. Everyone has a past.

Instead of counting yourself out because of what you’ve done in your past, know that your past doesn’t disqualify you from your future.

Over the course of my 34 years of life, I have gotten over 200 stitches on my body, and each set of stitches has left their own series of scars all over my body. Some of those scars ironically bring back good memories, like times when I’m reminded of my basketball days and competing. Some of my scars bring back terrible memories—like battling melanoma, or getting a late start to my sophomore year basketball season because of two screws placed in my broken finger. I can allow those scars to dictate my life and bring me down, or I can leverage what I learned from each experience and move forward. It’s the same in our lives; different circumstances or people or events leave marks on our lives—the good, bad, and ugly variety. We cannot allow the presence of our past to determine the possibilities of our future. It’s good to learn from our past; however, realizing that we don’t have to live it over and over again.

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

FEATURE

2. Everyone has a now.

If you have breath in your lungs, you have the opportunity to make an impact today, to choose differently, to make a difference in this moment. Sometimes, we get paralyzed by the amount of choices we have—especially in America, we are overwhelmed with variety. When I go to the grocery store, I stand in the lotion aisle for way too long, because there are always new lotions that are entering the market, and I end up asking myself if I am currently using the best one . . . there are over 20 different kinds to choose from! In our lives, instead of getting a case of paralysis by analysis, sometimes we just have to move now. Do something. And if it doesn’t work, we try something else. Once we decide to

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mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven,” (Ephesians 1:19–20). God’s power is there for you and I. He can change us if we will allow him to. God’s process for putting the pieces back together of a damaged self-esteem (or any issue, really . . . ) is not instantaneous or easy. He wants to work in us and through us. When we begin to discover who we are today, it can help us discover where we are capable of going tomorrow. Which brings us to number three.

3. Everyone has a future.

Once we say goodbye to the shackles of the past and make the most of the present, it’s also important to be aware that we have a future. Take a moment and consider your ideal future. What would it look like? Of course, none of us know how many days or years we have ahead of us, but that shouldn’t keep us from dreaming and planning and expecting greater things for our tomorrows. We don’t have to let our fears or failures keep us from our future. Discovering our identity in Christ can help us move forward into our future and not get caught up in yesterday. Count yourself into a better future, because God already sees you through a different lens than you see yourself. When you walk through the open door of salvation and say yes to Jesus, God welcomes you and me into his family. If you’ve been wondering what your future can really look like and you’re in the family of God, start with finding out who you are in Christ. Here’s a quick “Top Five” to discovering your identity in Christ:

When we begin to discover who we are today, it can help us discover where we are capable of going tomorrow. ___ be defined by what God can do in us and through us today instead of our mistakes of yesterday, we can move our lives forward and help others do the same. The cool thing about God is that he doesn’t experience power shortages or failures. In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes, “I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. It is that same

5. I am Created. In Ephesians, it says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (emphasis added). God created you the way you are on purpose; he knows he can use you to make a difference in someone else’s life. 4. I am Chosen. In the book of 1 Thessalonians, it reads, “We know that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own.” On the playground of life, it makes us feel good when we get “chosen” to be on a team. Well, you don’t have to wait to get chosen. God has already chosen you to be on his team! Your skill set, your strengths, your story—it matters to God, and he’s excited to have you on his team. 3. I am Saved. I love what is says in 2 Timothy where Paul writes that we are saved and called “not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” Each person has the opportunity to say yes to the free gift of salvation. We don’t have to get good before we get God. We say yes to him, and we set out on a course to get good through what God is doing in our hearts and lives. 2. I am Forgiven. God is so good. Unlike you and I in our humanity, God is really good at forgetting what is better left forgotten. We tend to remember what we should forget, and forget what we should remember. But in the book of Isaiah, God is speaking through the prophet and says, “I—yes, I alone—w ill blot out your sins for my ow n s ak e

COUNT YOURSELF IN | JODI CAMERON

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God sees you in a new light and is ready for you to move forward in godly confidence toward your best life today and your best future tomorrow.” ___ an d will never think of them again.” Let’s let forgiveness and faith drive us instead of fears and failures. 1. I am Loved. On top of all these things, God loves you and me. He loves you. It’s

confirmed all throughout the Bible, but in the book of Jeremiah, God declares his love loud and clear, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” God. Loves. You. Period.

Whatever your scars of life are or whatever may be holding you back from counting yourself into the true potential God has for you, it’s time to experience God’s grace to the fullest. God sees you in a new light and is ready for you to move forward in godly confidence toward your best life today and your best future tomorrow.

Author Bio: Jodi Cameron is a wife and a mom of

two amazing boys. She is on the Executive Team at Champions Centre and Bellevue Campus Pastor along with her husband Ryan. Her passion is to empower and unite people to come together and move life forward.

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

MOVE LIFE FORWARD

PICTURE PERFECT Skyler Norris

The Pattons look like the perfect family. On any given Sunday, you might see Robert as you walk into the doors of the auditorium as he skillfully greets and seats you. Walk over to the threeyear-old classroom, and you would see his wife, Marci, with her infectious smile serving the youngest of Champions.

PICTURE PERF

fter service, you see them pick up their adorable children and witness the three kids put their hands in the middle like a team huddle and together chant, “Patton Power!” I am not kidding, they actually do that. If you walked into Champions Centre with a laundry list of issues that day and saw the Pattons, you might think to yourself, “they can’t relate to me and what I am going through.” If you were struggling financially and trying to find a career you might look at Marci, a thriving real estate agent, and Robert, a top sales representative for Bank of America, and think that they just have something that you don’t. But if you could walk back two years prior, you would not see Marci wearing her infectious smile. In fact, two years ago Marci was gripped by so much anxiety she could not even be in a moving vehicle. If you walked into their house two years ago, you would see divorce papers ready to be filed. So how in just two years does a family on the brink of collapse with divorce a near certainty, make it to where they are now? How does a woman so crippled by anxiety end up serving in a busy classroom full of three-year-olds with too much energy? The answer is: Jesus and Community.

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Marci was told about Jesus by her dad after he became a Christian when she was 16. However, everything changed when Robert and Marci went from knowing about Jesus, to actually knowing Jesus through a personal relationship with him. The change started for Marci first. After being invited to attend Celebrate Recovery at Champions Centre, Marci began to attend weekend services. Then she started serving and joined a Life Group. All the while, Robert waited and watched for an entire year. He had heard Marci say she was changing before, but now he was actually seeing it. The truth is that Marci was moving her life forward, and Robert became inspired to do the same. Marci had already been turning the page in her life, closing out the previous chapter of addiction, shame, and anxiety. However, once Robert started coming to church consistently, serving, and participating in Life Groups, they together closed the chapter on divorce and began to seriously work on their marriage. In one particular Life Group for couples, Robert and Marci gained a whole new perspective on what marriage was all about. Being around other married couples that were trying to put God at the center of their relationship helped them to see each other as children of God, not someone that was just placed here to make them happy. They each realized that their personal responsibility in marriage is to be as Christ-like as possible.

You can’t always judge a book by its cover, and you can never know the last chapter just by reading the first.” ___

In 2014, Marci found herself right back in a similar situation, sober after another stint in alcohol addiction. Time and time again, Marci would get sober for a season, only to find herself right back in the middle of her addiction a season later. The source of her addiction was the shame and painful memories of the past, and the anxiety brought on by thoughts about the future. Every time, Marci would find out that sobriety alone could not change any of those things. Being sober did not help her cope with the past or relieve her from the shame and guilt she felt. Being sober did not even relieve the anxiety of the future, and being sober was not saving their marriage. But in 2014, Marci found someone that could help with all of it—Jesus.

Today the Patton family is moving life forward to the next chapter. The previous chapters may have been dark, but with three beautiful children, thriving careers, Jesus, and a community to belong to, the future is bright for Robert and Marci. So the next time that you see what looks like the perfect family, or the next time you see a family in the middle of a struggle remember this: you can’t always judge a book by its cover, and you can never know the last chapter just by reading the first. Author Bio: Skyler Norris is the project manager over Champion Life Groups and Care Ministries at Champions Centre.

Growing up, both Robert and Marci knew about Jesus. Robert would even attend a church occasionally, and

THRIVE RELATIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY IN COMMUNITY Move life forward together with Champion Life Groups. Each week neighbors, coworkers, and friends gather to connect personally and grow together spiritually. You can find a group or start a group at cc.church/clg

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | BRINGING SCRIPTURE TO LIVE

BRINGING SCRIPTURE TO LIFE Writing Team

ometimes it can be difficult to make the Bible come to life in our minds. Some verses can feel so far out of reach to us that often it prevents us from picking up the Bible in the first place. Here’s an example of going deeper with a scripture to get the full meaning: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”–1 Corinthians 12:27

Look up words.

Even if we think we know what a word means, we’ll look it up, because we’ll gain a deeper knowledge of what is being said. Some great resources for uncovering the deeper meaning of words are using a regular dictionary as well as looking at the Greek or Hebrew origins on a Bible resource website like blueletterbible.org. The word “body” here in 1 Corinthians is referring to the New Testament Church: a community of believers. It’s a reminder that we are connected as believers. We are all a part of the same church.

Consider the context.

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1 Corinthians, it was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, who used to be a Jew who persecuted Christians but is now trying to build the church.

Remember God is speaking something.

This truth is something that can stand the test of time. It will be as applicable to us today as it was to Paul then. In this case, Paul was the least likely person anybody during that time would have expected to be a part of the body of the church. This verse is a reminder that no matter what you have done or said or thought, you still belong in the body.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”–1 Corinthians 12:27 ___

Don’t feel like you have to have all the answers. We can’t expect to be expert historians every time we read the Bible, but luckily for us, many people have already done some serious leg work to help us understand. There are tons of Bible commentaries to find on biblegateway.com, and most Bibles have commentaries, maps, and word studies to help as well. Something to remember is to consider the time when the scripture was written, and it’s purpose. For

That’s a biblical example of community, but we can go even further. Let’s read together the verse just before this one. Paul writes, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it,” (12:26). Being a part of the Church (God’s people) means that you have a community to go through life with that will walk through the good and the bad times, that you can feel connected to just as your hand is connected to your arm. Now, it’s your turn to dig a little deeper in scripture and discover more and more about the God we worship.

Resources:

www.biblegateway.com www.bible.com or the YouVersion App www.blueletterbible.org 15

CHAMPION LIFE MAGAZINE | CC.CHURCH

FEATURE

WHEN LIFE TAKES A TURN Jennie Lusko

WE LOVE TO BELONG. AS A YOUNG GIRL WHO GREW UP IN CHURCH, I KNEW ALL THE SONGS, WAS LOVED BY PEOPLE, AND LEARNED THAT GRAHAM CRACKERS DIPPED IN APPLE JUICE WAS JUST THE BEST. BUT I HAVE NEVER FELT SUCH A SENSE OF BELONGING WITH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GROUP OF PEOPLE AS I HAVE IN OUR CHURCH RIGHT NOW. 16

WHEN LIFE TAKES A TURN | JENNIE LUSKO

y husband Levi and I are thankful that we learned God’s love at an early age, and that we learned the importance of being surrounded by God’s people as both sets of parents brought us to church and set the example of loving God’s House. Although we learned this early on in life, we have never experienced the beauty of the body of Christ in the ways we have in the past few years. On December 20, 2012, the bottom dropped out in our lives when our fiveyear-old daughter, Lenya Avery, died suddenly from a severe asthma attack. Sorrow struck our home without giving us any notice, and we found ourselves in a place of pain that we had never asked to be in.

Being there that night—surrounded by many who loved God and loved us— was the best place to be. We were able to lift our hands in worship, even if the words weren’t able to come out of our mouths because of the weeping. We were in the safest place. The Church that we’re a part of worldwide stepped in and held us up; while our local church, that we had pioneered five years earlier, surrounded us with such overwhelming love and support.

up God’s house, then when disaster strikes, you’re already strategically planted with your roots down deep, entwining with other’s roots like the Redwood, to support you and hold you and be there for you and with you. I love how Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. And let us not give up meeting together. Some are

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Even though we were confident that Lenya had gone home for Christmas to be with Jesus in Heaven, our lives would now never be the same as we were launched into the weird waters of confusion that is grief. [Weird is one of the only ways I have been able to describe grief. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. It’s unnatural, and not the way God intended for life to be for us. So, it just feels wrong and horrible and confusing and . . . weird.]

Gathering in God’s House with God’s people was so special. But equally incredible was how in the moments after Lenya’s death, we had people in our lives who were there with us at the hospital, at our home, in those days bringing food, helping with our daughters, just there with us. My husband teaches our church that we need to have the people in our lives before the trial hits so that they are meeting us at the hospital or at our home. We’re not showing up to church hoping someone notices that our eyes are red and that we’re hurting.

Lenya went to Heaven on a Thursday, and the next time we would be with our church family would be at the start of our Christmas Eve worship experiences three days later. My husband would bravely get up to preach because he knew he had to. He knew Lenya wouldn’t have had it any other way because she loved reminding us to invite people to church. In the purse she was carrying around in those weeks, she had invitations to our Christmas worship experiences and her little Bible. What a sweetheart, and I miss her so much.

I love how my husband teaches that we must train for the trial we’re not yet in. Difficult days no matter what form they take—death, divorce, disappointment—have either hit us already, or they’re coming for us, and we need to be ready. Being rooted and planted in the church, besides our own personal dependence on Jesus Christ, is the best way to train and be prepared for the grief that will hit us. When you’re already in the rhythm of showing up to church, belonging in community, giving to the Kingdom, serving and using your gifts to build

Even though we were confident that Lenya had gone home for Christmas to be with Jesus in Heaven, our lives would now never be the same as we were launched into the weird waters of confusion that is grief.” ___ in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us encourage one another with words of hope. Let us do this even more as you see Christ’s return approaching.” We need each other. We need to be the loving, welcoming church on the weekends, and we need the loving, strengthening groups during the week in Life Groups. Our relationships in the house of God are important when life hits us and takes us where we never wanted to be. Before Lenya went to Heaven, we were planted in the house of the Lord. We believe what Psalm 27 says, “One thing I desire and that will I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the 17

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FEATURE

days of my life.” After Lenya went to Heaven, we continued to be planted in the house, because there is no other place we would rather be, and not just because we lead our church, but because we are Christians. Jesus told his disciples in John 13:35 that “by

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than we could ever do on our own. Getting to see lives changed, eternal destinations rerouted, and people seeing the purpose God created them for is incredible. There’s nothing quite like it. There’s no other place where this sense of belonging is so powerful. The local church is the hope of the world. As Jesus changes us, we in turn change our homes, our communities, our cities, our countries, our world.

We believe what Psalm 27 says, “One thing I desire and that will I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” ___ this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When God’s people love each other like we’re meant to, it’s a beautiful display to the world of his love. There is nothing quite like the Body of Christ when we are loving God, loving people, and reaching the world with his love.

In the days that followed our worst day, we were reminded how short life is, how Heaven is nearing quickly, and how we have a specific job to do: to see those stranded in sin find life and liberty in Christ. We knew our lives, our church, our ministry were now being taken to the next level and the incredible people who make up our Fresh Life community were backing us up and were ready to give all—blood, sweat and tears—to see God move in us and through us like never before.

When the church comes together, loves each other, loves the people they are trying to reach, working with all their heart together to reach the world with the love of Christ, their microphone gets louder. My husband says, “When there are a lot of people talking and saying their own thing, it’s just noise, but when they all say the same thing, it just gets really really loud.”

We love that while Lenya was on this earth with us, she knew what it meant to belong in church. She knew the Bible, she knew the stories, she had been a part of God’s hand moving in our lives and our church, and she knew what it meant to give her tithe. Days before she left this world, she had brought her “Jesus money” to church, and we love to think about how she sent treasure to Heaven that was there waiting for her when she arrived.

You see, it’s not just growing in the Word together or having amazing accountability in Life Groups, or opportunities to use gifts and talents God has given us, but as we move together and give toward eternity, we are able to do so much more together

We can only imagine the transition from earth to Heaven for her, how beautiful it must have been for her. We say that our worst day was her best day as she got to see Jesus face to face, because we know that Heaven is perfect and beautiful, but the best part is her

being with Jesus. While it was Lenya’s best day, it’s still hard to reconcile that sometimes in my mind. But that’s when I just tell God it hurts on one hand, and remember that on the other hand she’s with Jesus. We hurt with hope, and while it still hurts, we trust God, keep moving, and keep living until that day we get to see Jesus face to face. We can say that Lenya dwelt in the house of the Lord all the days of her life, and now she is dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. It seems like the day we will see Jesus and Lenya is so far away, but we know that in reality it will come so quickly, and we want to be found faithful with what God has given us, to tell as many people as we can about the goodness of God in Christ our Savior. The way we see it—“one life will soon be past, and only what’s done for Christ will last.” We run with horses in this house, we risk the ocean, because it’s all about Jesus. Time is short, and we know that we are a part of Jesus building his church. We are also raising up a generation to love God, his people, his house, and the world he created. More than just teaching them the songs and that goldfish crackers are better dipped in water, we are raising up a generation to know what it’s like to believe and to belong and to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and it’s beautiful.

Author Bio: Jennie Lusko and her husband, Levi, are Lead Pastors of Fresh Life Church. She and Levi have four daughters, Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in Heaven.

WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS WEEKEND? You can join us around the city at our Tacoma or Bellevue campus this weekend, or catch us online wherever you are. Learn more at cc.church/locations

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FEATURE

4 KEYS

TO BUDGET SUCCESS Chris Brown

BUDGETING. IT’S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE KNOW WE SHOULD DO—BUT A LOT OF US DON’T. EVEN JUST READING THE WORD MIGHT MAKE YOU CRINGE.

4 KEYS TO BUDGET SUCCESS | CHRIS BROWN

ut folks, it’s time to get real. Every one of us needs a budget! But I also completely understand if you’re scared or unsure of where to start. Trust me, you’re not alone.

thing as budgeting. That just means you’re watching your money go where it wants to go and recording it, not telling it where to go.

If you’ve never budgeted, actually creating one can seem overwhelming. After all, it takes discipline—and that’s not something that comes naturally to most of us. In fact, Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) might just describe how you feel: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

You have to start the month knowing how much you’re bringing in and how much is going out.

Did you catch that last part? While discipline can be painful, there’s also value in it. That’s good news! And I have more good news for you: Budgeting is actually really easy! It does take a little time to work the kinks out of your budgeting process. Until then, you might have to make adjustments or move money around mid-month when you realize you’ve over- or under-budgeted in certain categories. But once you’re a budgeting pro, your life seriously changes! Even if you know how to budget, the idea of sticking to one might make you think all the fun’s been sucked out of life. Here’s the truth, though: Budgeting can actually be kind of fun! The way I see it, a budget’s not a list of rules telling me what I can’t do with money. It’s more like permission to spend because I’ve planned for it ahead of time. So what do you need to know to start budgeting right now? Here are four keys to success:

1. Make a zero-based budget before the month begins. This is so important! If you don’t create a budget before the start of the month, all you’re doing is tracking your spending—and that’s not the same

See the difference?

Luke 14:28 (NKJV) tells us so: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” But the next step is just as important: Your income minus your outgo should equal zero. Folks, that’s called a zero-based budget.

Only after you’ve tackled giving and saving can you address spending. Start with the four basics for survival: food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Then begin allocating money into all the other categories where you spend each month. Not sure where? Look at your bank statements to get an idea of where your money is going. Remember,

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Keep in mind that budgeting doesn’t mean doing all the hard work once and copying and pasting each month after that. Your expenses will change all the time, so you’ll have to create a brandnew budget each month.” ___

Every dollar has to have a planned destination! At the end of the budget, all your income should be given, saved or spent—on paper, on purpose. Even if you want to have “fun money,” plan for it, whether it’s $20 or $200 a month. That way, you can still scratch that itch of (planned) spontaneity whenever it strikes.

2. Give, save and spend—in that order.

The order in which you budget your money really is important. The Bible calls us to always give to God first: “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase” (Proverbs 3:9 NKJV). Once you know your total income for the month, calculate 10% and set that aside for your tithe to your local church. Then you need to address savings— also known as paying yourself. If you don’t give and save first, those two things will never happen. You’ll spend everything and wonder why you have no money left for anything else.

you can always adjust categories later if you need to. Keep in mind that budgeting doesn’t mean doing all the hard work once and copying and pasting each month after that. Your expenses will change all the time, so you’ll have to create a brandnew budget each month. For example, your electric bill will probably be a lot higher in summer and winter than in spring and fall when outside temperatures aren’t as extreme. And you budget for things like annual physicals, back-to-school supplies, and membership fees just once a year. And that doesn’t even include birthdays and Christmas. So each month’s budget is unique! That’s true whether you’ve budgeted for 10 months or 10 years. The need to 21

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FEATURE sit down and create a fresh budget each month never goes away.

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has nearly tripled in size over the past 50 years, and 25% of people with twocar garages don’t have room to park their cars in them. So what do they do? Well, 10% of Americans rent offsite storage. They’ve even made reality shows based on auctioning off those abandoned storage units packed to the brim with all this stuff. That’s crazy!

Financial success doesn’t necessarily equal a high income, a big house, or lots of stuff! It just means that whatever your income, wherever you live, whatever you own, you manage it well and for the Lord.” ___ 3. Financial success doesn’t mean a big house or lots of stuff.

Housing costs are a big stumbling block for a lot of people when they’re trying to get their budget on track. Your mortgage or rent should not exceed 25% of your monthly income (add utilities to that, and you’re approaching 30%). If it does, you have too much house! And that means you need to do something about it before you find yourself drowning in rent or mortgage payments. No one wants to find an eviction or foreclosure notice in the mail! If your housing costs exceed 25% because you live in an area with a high cost of living, you might consider the possibility of relocating. You may love where you live, but folks, there are lots of other really great communities that also happen to be affordable! No way, you say. Moving is out of the question. If that’s the case, think about downsizing—your house and your stuff. Over the last several decades, Americans have accumulated so much stuff that they’ve had to find places to store it all. The average size of the American home 22

Our culture has a contentment problem. People find their identity—and their financial success—in the size of their house and how much stuff they have. So they think bigger and more are better. But when you can’t afford the big house or all the stuff, they kill your budget. And they also call into question a bigger problem: Where’s your heart? Is your heart filled by the Spirit or are you constantly trying to fill a void with material possessions? Luke 12:15 (ESV) reminds us to, “be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Instead, a life of great gain is one of godliness and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6–7). Financial success doesn’t necessarily equal a high income, a big house, or lots of stuff! It just means that whatever your income, wherever you live, whatever you own, you manage it well and for the Lord. You find contentment with what he’s blessed you with. And that’s a good reminder for us all.

4. Mind your percentages.

I recommend putting specific percentages of your income into budget categories. That makes it easier to see where you’re overspending. I’ve listed one possibility below: 10% Tithe

10% Debt (if any) 10% Savings 25% Housing 10% Transportation 10% Food 5% Clothing 5% Insurance 5% Personal Care 5% Recreation 5% Miscellaneous Now these are just recommendations, and they might not be realistic for your specific circumstances. For example, a family of eight would have a higher food budget than a family of two. So use my suggested percentages as a starting point and adjust them to fit your unique situation. Just keep in mind that if your costs in areas like food or transportation are much higher than what’s recommended, you’ll have to scale back in other categories to account for that. Remember, if you find that your budget isn’t perfect the first month or two, that’s okay! It takes most people about three months to get it right. Once you do, though, I promise your budget will be the key to stewarding your money in a way that honors God!

___ Author Bio: Chris Brown is a nationally syndicated radio talk show host, pastor and dynamic speaker carrying the message of stewardship and intentional living nationwide. Available on radio stations across the country, Chris Brown’s True Stewardship provides biblical solutions and sound advice for questions on life and money. You can follow Chris online at www.stewardship.com, on Twitter at @ChrisBrownOnAir, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChrisBrownOnAir.

GENEROSITY DRIVES US “We are blessed to be a blessing,” (Genesis 12:2, NIV). When we give, we create a legacy for future generations. cc.church/giving

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DEPRESSION

SCRIPTURES TO FIGHT DEPRESSION Writing Team

Emptiness. Numbness. Isolation. According to the World Health Organization, over 350 million people worldwide have reported experiencing a depressive state. This number is based on the number of people who have actually sought help, but depression is often a silent struggle. It’s found late at night under covers. It’s found in bathroom stalls. It’s found in lonely car rides.

10 SCRIPTURES FOR DEPRESSION

ven in our darkest moments, we have some promises that we can stand on when it feels like we should give up on life. Write these verses out on notecards, and put them in your hideaway places to remind you that there is hope. There is a light to help you in the darkness.

God never loses sight of you. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Deuteronomy 32:10 (NIV) In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye.

You can put your trust and hope in him. Psalm 116:3–9 (NIV) The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!” The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 1 John 5:14 (NIV) This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

He has plans for you. Psalm 51:11–12 (NIV) Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. John 16:33 (ESV) I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Romans 8:38–39 (ESV) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

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SONSHINE ROOM

CONSIDER EVERYONE Writing Team

Can you imagine having to alternate attending different church services than your spouse for ten years, because the church couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer a safe place for your child to be? What about being a child in a class with music and activities that over stimulate you, causing you anxiety and excessive stress? How would you feel if someone asked you to leave their church and not return because they could not accommodate your child?

CONSIDER EVERYONE

hese are all experiences that families with special needs children deal with. At Champions Centre, the Sonshine Room at the Tacoma Campus provides a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for students with special needs. There is something magical about this room. On Sunday mornings at 11:30, this room is filled with shrieks of joy, songs of praise, and an uncontrollable and contagious laughter. The students who attend this ministry have found a safe, welcoming environment where they can be themselves. As soon as the door opens, the students run in, take off their jackets, and go straight for their favorite area of the room. Some will head straight to the worship area, where they immediately start dancing, praising, and singing. The little engineers can be found at the table using Legos to create train stations and airplanes and blocks to build tall towers, and sometimes if you’re lucky, you’ll hear one of our students rapping about Jesus and playing drums on the table with blocks. There are also students who love bouncing on the exercise balls and hiding in the tube tunnels. Even our little artists love to create coloring masterpieces for their parents. While this ministry is a fun and safe environment for students with special needs to be themselves, it also creates an opportunity for parents and guardians to attend service without worry. It eliminates the burden of not being able to attend service with family members and also creates the opportunity to allow time to feel connected and to serve with their God-given talents. But parents and students are not the only ones to benefit from the Sonshine Room. Team Members say serving in this room is more rewarding for them and describe their experience as life-changing. Hearing the stories of these children is inspiring. Some of them began attending with limited communication and verbal skills, but over time have become much more vocal with reports of improving in their local schools.

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In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ___

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Students with special needs are among these children, and as we watch the impact that these Team Members have on our students, our prayer is that more and more children will experience God at their own level.

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FEATURE

BE A VOICE Sheila Gerald

WE LIVE IN A TIME WHEN FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM SEEMS LIKE HISTORY’S NEWS. OUR CHILDREN LEARN ABOUT SLAVERY IN THEIR SCHOOLS AS IF IT’S JUST IN THE PAST, AND WE IDOLIZE HEROES LIKE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., ROSA PARKS, AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT WAS RIGHT.

BE A VOICE | SHIELA GERALD

he reality is that slavery exists right now and not just in some far off land—but in our own backyards. In 2016, there were over 300,000 people trafficked in just the United States alone with 50 percent being under the age of 18.

Last Spring, there were charges filed against a group of local businessmen, including a former director from Microsoft and a former Amazon director for promoting prostitution in the city of Bellevue. Busts like these are happening all the time. Just scrolling through social media for a few minutes I see headlines that read:

“Seattle Police Department sting nets more than 200 arrests.”

“A nationwide human trafficking sting resulted in the rescue of 19 children...”

“28 men busted in human trafficking sting.”

“Online Human Trafficking Sting in Nashville, Tennessee, nets 41 people.”

“Massive human trafficking sting in Texas leads to 61 arrests.”

“12 women forced into prostitution freed near Seattle.”

Headlines like these give me hope. It is evident that our voices are being heard and that change is happening. I am so thankful that we are not alone in this fight for freedom. In Isaiah 58:11–12 (MSG), God reminds us of this when he says: “I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” We serve a God who hears our prayers and shows us the way to go. We serve a God who brings restoration and strength even to the emptiest of places. 29

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When my husband, Kevin, and I officially launched Champions Foundation in 2007, it was our hope that we would be able to establish strong partnerships with organizations working to bring purpose and to make a difference for a better tomorrow. We have a strong desire to see human trafficking abolished, so we intentionally partner with organizations that are fighting to end modern-day slavery. Through these partnerships, we have opportunities to make a significant impact, not only in the Northwest with local partners, but also throughout our nation and world with global partnerships. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you can do:

RESOURCE

FEATURE

1. BE A VOICE.

Share about this issue on social media and in your everyday conversations to raise awareness not only about the problems but also the solutions.

2. GIVE YOUR TIME.

There are many ways that you can get involved in the fight against human trafficking. If you want more information, visit championsfoundation.com.

3. CONTRIBUTE RESOURCES.

This could be anything from donating clothes, shoes, and other items to give to rescued victims or by donating financially to the cause.

CHAMPIONS FOUNDATION CHAMPIONS FOUNDATION has a team who works in collaboration with local coalitions and networks to end exploitation in our neighborhoods. By raising the level of awareness about human trafficking, we have created an AntiTrafficking Resource Guide, offering direction to resources that provide hope and restoration while creating a venue of prevention for this and future generations. Some of our local and international anti-human trafficking partners include: R.E.S.T. provides direct services to hundreds of people exploited by the human trade industry in Seattle and the greater King County area. Through their holistic continuum of care (prevention, intervention, and aftercare), they serve those who are at-risk, actively in, and those taking steps towards exiting a life of sexual exploitation. A21 exists to abolish injustice in the 21st century through a comprehensive system achieving preventative measures to help potential victims evade trafficking, victim protection through their shelters and aftercare program, prosecution of violators, and strategic partnerships. TRAFFICKING HOPE brings awareness and education to local communities on the issues of domestic sex trafficking in addition to providing services to trafficked victims.

Author Bio: Sheila Gerald pastors Champions Centre with her husband, Kevin. She believes in igniting purpose in others and is the Executive Director of Champions Foundation.

For more about our partners and to download our Anti-Trafficking Resource Guide, visit championsfoundation.com.

CHAMPIONS FOUNDATION Join us to further a cause in our communities. Together, we can make a difference. championsfoundation.com @championsfoundation

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AN INVITE’S IMPACT

An Invite’s Impact Writing Team

n July of 2014, Sean Lizama received the most important invitation of his life, yet he had no idea of the plans that God had in store for him when he casually accepted the invitation to Champions Centre from a family friend. The events leading up to this invite were like domino pieces that had fallen unknowingly into place, to pave the way for God to position Sean to be ready to finally receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Sean was born into a loving and caring family who believes in God. His choices, however, led him into a world of gang related violence, crime, thievery, multiple addictions, womanizing, and overall a world of emotional conflict and pain. Prior to meeting Jesus, Sean had descended to his lowest point of living. He had lost everything—his long-term relationship, his apartment, two full time jobs, and eventually his close friends. The final domino to fall that pushed Sean into his downward spiral was when he received the news that his father was diagnosed with lung cancer and was given a short amount of time to live. Turning to God was not a thought that came to his mind. He describes it as a “me against the world” mentality, which kept him from asking for help from anyone. What Sean didn’t realize at the time was that nothing can stop a movement of God once it’s set in motion. God had been pursuing him more than ever despite all his poor choices. Being estranged from his family and most of his close friends, the last thing Sean expected was grace and love from an all loving, heavenly Father. But this is exactly what Sean felt as he attended his first service at Champions Centre, where we heard a guest pastor from Yakima, Washington speak—a guest pastor known for speaking about his past poor choices. As Sean listened to Pastor Micahn share about his testimony and lifestyle that he led before coming to Christ, he felt God speak to him for the first time. God

told him that with everything he had done it was okay for him to be there. That day, Sean made the decision to dedicate his life to Christ. Then he came back the following weekend and heard Pastor Kevin preach for the first time. He knew that Champion Centre was where he belonged, and this was the community that God had intended for him to belong to. And almost immediately, Sean began to make choices to plant himself in the Champions Centre community and pursue Jesus. Soon after, Sean began to volunteer with Champions Foundation at many different community outreach events. Shortly after that, he started his recovery with our Celebrate Recovery program and attended a Life Group to meet new friends that were pursuing the same thing as he was: a new life with God at the center of it. Today, Sean’s life has taken a complete 180. He is heavily involved with serving God and his people through Champions Foundation. Being one year sober from drugs and two years sober from violent behavior inspires him to continue to work on his recovery from past hurts and habits through Celebrate Recovery. He still continues to attend his Life Group and sees the people he has met here as his family. Sean is currently raising awareness and support for lung cancer research in loving memory of his father, Philip Lizama. He wants to be able to give back to the community in honor of the new life God has given him. Every experience from his past has led him to where he is now, but he doesn’t want to stop there. Now, Sean believes in the power and love that comes with the invitation to church. Although he still struggles to make the right decisions all the time, the invite that led him to church changed his life forever. You never know what your invite could do to help someone. Your invite could create a chain reaction of events that leads to a person meeting Jesus for the first time or again and catapulting them into the best life that God has planned.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY Helping people overcome lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hurts, habits, & hangups. cc.church/cr

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FEATURE

WHAT WE BRING Kevin Gerald

WHATEVER IS IN YOU IS WHAT YOU BRING INTO A RELATIONSHIP.

WHAT WE BRING | KEVIN GERALD

ll night long offices and schools are empty. There’s no fear there, no distrust present, and drama doesn’t exist. Then the building starts to fill up with people in the morning, and that’s when the conversations and confrontations— both good and bad—manifest. The “he said” and “she said” battles begin. The drama queen shows up followed by the insecure person and then the overconfident. That’s when issues fill the building . . . when humans walk in. Because whatever is in us is what we bring to our relationships. The Bible talks a lot about relationships. One place in particular, it reads, “You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor,” (James 3:17).

We respond to the chatter in our heads by withdrawing, blaming, throwing tantrums, pouting, being rude or clingy or sarcastic or indifferent. The external issue is rarely the source of the problem, the voice inside our head is often the actual problem.

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This fear looks something like what happens when someone invites you to dinner and the chatter begins: I wonder what they want from me? What are they going to try to sell me? They don’t appreciate me. They take advantage of me. If you’re not careful, this type of fear can keep people and opportunities away because you constantly struggle with the fear of being manipulated. B) Rejection Rejection doesn’t feel good to anyone, but it is a massive core fear for some people, especially highly social people. This type of person can end up basing a lot of their self-esteem on the approval of others if they are not aware of this core fear.

The strength of a relationship is only as strong as the people who are in it.” ___

You and I are called to do the hard word of getting along with each other. You’ve probably heard it said, “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Well, relationships are the same way. The strength of a relationship is only as strong as the people who are in it. We want to be a strong link in the chain of our relationships. It doesn’t always come easy, and most of the time we have to work at it. Here are a few things we can do to be the strong link and forge unbreakable relationships in our lives:

1. Be Aware Of and Manage Your Fear

with some kind of core fear: a fear that often takes place in our subconscious and can influence our decisions. That core fear is often a voice that is inside your head—when we act on that voice, we experience its negative effect on our relationships.

The truth is that everyone wrestles

Remember, whatever is in you is what you bring into the relationship. Take a look at the four basic core fears that stem from personality types. Chances are that you will recognize one of these as your default fear type: A) Being Taken Advantage Of No one likes to be taken advantage of; however, this one is a primary fear for some people. It is so important to them that often it’s a deal breaker in relationships. If they don’t feel appreciated or if there is a lack of added value exchanged in a relationship, they will usually move on to another relationship.

This shows up for some people in social disapproval when the chatter in their head is self-conscious: What are they thinking of me? Should I say something or will it sound goofy? I don’t think they like me, or they don’t notice me. This fear is central to personality types that place a high value on social environments and their outcomes. C) Criticism When it comes to their work or performance, some people find their greatest fear is not measuring up. These types of people do great with detail work, but for some, it is purely out of a fear of not performing well. This fear’s voice inside your head may sound like: I’ll never be good enough. If it’s not perfect, it’s not done. Will

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FEATURE

they notice the extra effort I put into this? Why do I even bother?

and move our lives forward through faith and confidence.

D) Loss of Security This fear can show up especially in terms of financial or emotional stability, and the chatter in their head can literally hurt relationships. When this fear takes the driver’s seat in

2) Clarify the Facts

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A person cannot be led by both fear and faith at the same time. Fear and faith don’t mix.” ___

You and I enter into a major danger zone when we entertain negative assumptions as if they are reality. However, if those assumptions are inaccurate then an otherwise healthy relationship is actually derailed. When people start reading between the lines and come up with their own conclusions, it can create unnecessary tension or awkwardness.

someone’s life, relationships that are actually good are weakened because of negative assumptions as well as often unspoken and unmet expectations. Imagine a company has layoffs on the horizon. Someone with this as their primary fear type will go to his boss often, creating awkward or tension filled conversations while trying to grab for some sort of security, but they are creating a “needy/nagging” position that could potentially backfire and cause their boss to react negatively.

Think about it like this, if we filter everything that comes into our lives through a “drama filter,” then it can blur the lines of each situation and turn it into something that our imagination pieces back together incorrectly. The filters we use are generally made up from the experiences we’ve been through. A perfectly normal situation can get skewed because of the filter inside of us that we use. Whatever is in us is what we bring to the relationship. Sometimes, it is a matter of making the choice to change how you respond to events and comments and people. Sometimes, it’s praying and relying on God to do a supernatural shift on the inside of you. And, most of the time it’s both—it’s praying and going to God consistently to help us change while, at the same time, actively choosing to respond differently.

When we identify our core fear we can be more aware of it and begin to manage it properly. Our fears can be barriers to the purpose and Godassigned relationships in our future. Or, we can choose to manage them

For example, a husband says, “Is that a new jacket?” He could be thinking, I like that jacket. But, the wife can then take it as: he noticed and likes my new jacket, or create a negative assumption and think that she is in trouble for

spending money on a new jacket. It’s important to clarify the positive facts as well as the negative. If we’re going to assume things about people, why not assume the best? When we clarify the facts instead of live by negative assumptions it makes our relationships with friends, co-workers, and family members stronger.

3) Amplify Your Faith

In the same way that the voice of fear causes a flow of negative things in us that in turn have a negative effect on our relationships, the voice of faith will cause a flow of positive things in our relationships. A person cannot be led by both fear and faith at the same time. Fear and faith don’t mix. They are like oil and water. So, your life (and the relationships you’re building) are led by fear OR faith. We can’t create unbreakable relationships if we lack confidence and are led by fear. You and I can’t be a strong link if we don’t trust people or if we’re afraid of commitment. Fear locks people down in relationships while faith frees people up. We want to be free to live, free to love, free to expect good things, and free to believe the best about people. Amplifying your faith brings that kind of freedom. To build the strongest relationships, we have to choose to magnify the faith inside of us. The bigger our faith gets; the more our fears have to diminish. They can’t coexist, which is why we have to raise our faith! The Apostle Paul writes to the next generation of leaders and says, “God

has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). In relationships, fear is often underestimated. We have tension-filled conversations, or sometimes relationships just fizzle because we haven’t appropriately dealt with our fears. God didn’t give you and I a spirit of fear when it comes to relationships. He designed us to build powerful and strong relationships, to love freely, to use wisdom, and to practice self-discipline.

MEMORIZE

WHAT WE BRING | KEVIN GERALD

Isaiah 41:10,13 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

When we build up the good stuff inside each of us, we’re going to bring it with us into our relationships.

___ Author Bio: Known for a ministry that imparts practical, Biblical principles, Kevin Gerald is the Lead Pastor of Champions Centre, one of the largest congregations in the Pacific Northwest. In leadership and life, Pastor Kevin purposes to locate and communicate wisdom, and those who know him value him for his relevant, practical approach to ministry.

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MOVE LIFE FORWARD

MOVE LIFE FORWARD WHEN WE SAY THOSE THREE WORDS, IT CAN FEEL LIKE LOOKING AT A MAP WITHOUT A DESTINATION, BUT THE FOLLOWING THREE GUEST ARTICLES WILL HELP YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE.

MOVE LIFE FORWQRD

GOD’S HEALTH STANDARD Ryan Cameron

e live in a culture today that places a high value on appearance, and oftentimes, it’s easy to question whether as Christians we should care about physical appearance. We read verses like Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” A verse like this one is a powerful reminder not to live by the standards of this world by comparing, lusting after, or shaming.

Discussing appearance in a biblical sense, we are encouraging health by God’s standard, no one else’s. Let’s take a look at the verse that Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies,” (NIV). He is not saying look nice for people to admire you. He is saying your body is holy.

as you read this is the idea that God created our bodies to stretch physically. He gave our muscles incredible power to grow strong, but in order to become strong, our muscles have to endure pain. A close friend of mine is a physical trainer, so he spends his time encouraging people to get healthy. He sees how hard it can be, but he also sees what happens when someone sticks with the program. When they endure the pain and discipline themselves, the rewards are always worth the process. The road to health may not be easy, but it’s going to be worth

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Paul is reminding us that our bodies are where the Holy Spirit dwells, working in us and through us, so if we limit our bodies with unhealthy eating habits or decreased exercise, we limit how the Holy Spirit can function in us. To work at our highest and our best, we have to be disciplined in our physical health.

The road to health may not be easy, but it’s going to be worth it. Think about the impact you can have if the Holy Spirit can work not only in you, but also through you without limitations.” ___

I made it a goal of mine to take my spiritual life to a whole new level by taking my physical body to a whole new level, feeding it the right things and exercising several times a week. And as we read in 1 Corinthians, the Bible encourages us to do this. What I want to challenge you on

it. Think about the impact you can have if the Holy Spirit can work not only in you, but also through you without limitations. Author Bio: Ryan Cameron is Champions Centre Bellevue Campus Pastor along with his wife, Jodi, and he serves on the Executive Team.

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MOVE LIFE FORWARD

LET GOD LOVE YOU Robin McCoy

ove drives our emotions. Its expression, or the lack thereof, is what either moves us forward or keeps us in a state of despair and longing. When love is expressed, it can move us from depression to joy, from anger to forgiveness, from negative to positive. It’s when love isn’t expressed that we fall, and yet in the fullness of love expressed, we rise.

We live in a time where people’s emotions have been dulled and suppressed by overexposure to comparison and surface level connection where we can disconnect through the click of a button. Looking no further than social media, we can easily witness the result of unexpressed love as people are left craving to feel again. Years ago as I walked through the doors of a church, I was feeling this weight of wanting to feel something, and it was the expression of love in people wrapped in worship, eyes closed in abandon, praising God, that won me to Jesus. Had I not experienced the emotion felt in that moment, I would have left that little church just as empty as I came. That love being expressed changed my life as I witnessed people fully surrendering and letting God love them. It helped me to realize that I am loved.

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Give. Generosity is an outward expression of love that changes the lives of others that we may never know. When we give, we make room for God to step in and fill the emptiness inside us. Daily devotion. We cannot express love or receive it unless we know what it looks like. We have to allow God to love us by spending time in his word, in prayer, and in worship. Remember, it was this one thing that allowed me to experience the love of Christ exhibited in others that saved me.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”–Psalm 14:8 (NLT) ___

Practically, how do we bring the love of Christ into our expressions and our actions? Here’s a few things I have learned: Get connected to Godly relationships. Yes, step out of your comfort zone and let others get to know you. Serve others. When we shift our thoughts off of ourselves 40

and our problems, God has a way of filling us with hope and happiness.

Watch, listen, and read what is wholesome, uplifting, and lifegiving. I am cautious about what I allow into my mind and spirit. The equation is simple: garbage in equals garbage out, and life in equals life out.

I am a living, breathing example of a life changed by love expressed in God’s people. What was dead inside me, what was angry and filled with hate for myself and others, what was sad and lonely, unloved, and abandoned became a life of joy, happiness, abundance, peace, and emotional well being. Because of Jesus’ love expressed in others, my life and the legacy of my family is moving forward. Won’t you make the choice to let God love you today and bring to life the expression of his love in you? Author Bio: Robin McCoy is the Executive Connections Director. She serves

with her husband, her children, and her grandchildren at Champions Centre.

MOVE LIFE FORWQRD

NAVIGATING TRANSITION Catalina Mahon

’ve always been an advocate of change. Most of the time, I am an instigator of change, but this chapter in my life was different. The time came in our family’s life where our family dynamic would drastically change. Our kids would leave home and my husband and I would become empty nesters.

Gone would be the days of getting up before anyone else was awake and going to their bedroom door and praying over them and the day . . . then getting kiddos up, dressed, fed, carpooled to school, making sure homework got done, sports games, laundry, school shopping, making sure they took a bath/ shower, bagging lunches, cleaning up rooms, appointments, conferences, sleepovers, brushing and flossing, rehearsals, praying that they were safe and sound constantly when they weren’t home. The list goes on and on. All those things that made me feel like there was too much to do, never enough time, and all at the same time, made me the mom I never knew I always wanted to be for my kids.

I love creating moments. When I watch little kiddos, I want their time with me to be memorable, make the time special. I want to create something that they can think back on and it makes them smile, brings them joy, and this transition in our lives was no different.

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. . . instead of making it about family pictures, I wanted to make it about our family, to take the opportunity to speak into our kids’ lives, pray over them, for them to pray over each other, and for them to pray over us.” ___

I knew that this day would someday come, when my kids would leave home. I thought I was prepared. I wasn’t. I wasn’t ready for all the feelings that were to come after our kids transitioned out of the house. Transition. Season. Chapter. Whatever you want to call it. It was happening, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I started thinking about something I could do that would be memorable.

Originally, it was just going to be another family photoshoot. Before our kids were leaving, I knew I wanted one more family photo session with them, but I wanted it to be different. So I thought about the location. And instead of making it about family pictures, I wanted to make it about our family, to take the opportunity to speak into our kids’ lives, pray over them, for them to pray over each other, and for them to pray over us. We spoke to the season of transition in all our lives and how our relationship with God and each other, now more than ever before, would be so much more important and of course 41

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MOVE LIFE FORWARD

staying plugged into the local church and keeping God first. I wanted them to have this big God pictured in their minds when they got homesick, felt sad, or felt like giving up. In those moments, I wanted them to come back to our time together on top of this ridge, with this gorgeous view, knowing that God made all this possible and that he wants so much for them. It was powerful. It was moving. It was perfect. Then the morning came when we would take our son to college. I got up before everyone else, and I walked to their rooms as they were sleeping, and I prayed. Only this morning was different. I sat there looking at my son sleeping, and I prayed over him and the day. But I also prayed that God would give me strength to let him go. I realized that our relationship would change. And if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m being honest, that scared me a little. Moving life forward relationally can sometimes be scary. It is so easy to look back and reflect on things from the past and dwell on what you could have or what you should have done differently in the relationship, but I came to the conclusion that the past and all the choices I made led our family to where and who we are now. We made the choice as a couple to fight for our marriage. We made the choice to get planted in the local church. We made the choice to replace negative relationships with healthy relationships. We made the choice to make church a priority in our family.

I feel that I am being stretched more than anything. This season of transition has been one of the most challenging seasons in my life. To move forward without our children under our roof, under our care, and protection is HARD! Reaching beyond every major comfort zone can stretch you like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never been stretched before and not just emotionally, but physically, relationally, and spiritually. How do you move life forward at this kind of life stage? For me personally, this season has meant that I depend on my relationship with God. To celebrate the life I get to have with my family, to keep pressing on and take each day as it comes, and let God help me navigate through it all. I get to praise God for the time I got to spend raising my children so that they can make a difference in the world. I get to thank God for getting to go through this journey with my best friend, my husband. I get to trust that God will cover and protect my children no matter where they are. I get to let God help me bridge the gap on the person I am, to the person he made me to be. I get to continue to give God and my family the very best of me. I get to embrace the season I am in and get fired up about the work God is doing in me, because there is so much life to live beyond this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that alone makes this journey so worth it.

We made the choice to serve the church together as a family. And because of those choices: My husband and I have been married for over 20 years. Our family has positive, strong relationships. My children grew up in a healthy church community. Our relationship with our children is strong, honest, and unconditional. Our children have a strong relationship with God. With our son off to college and our daughter moving out of state, it has been overwhelmingly difficult to breathe at times. 42

Author Bio:

Catalina Mahon is the Television and Media Productions Director at Champions Centre. She has been a part of the church for over 15 years along with her husband and two children.

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CAPTURING MOMENTS

CAPTURING MOMENTS INTENTIONALLY Corianne Burton

I’M A MOM, GROWING UP IN THE ERA OF SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU KNOW THE RULES: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. WRITE IT ALL DOWN. IT CAN SEEM DAUNTING AT TIMES, UNTIL YOU SIT DOWN AND THUMB THROUGH A PHOTO BOOK OF YOUR CHILD’S FIRST YEAR OF LIFE, AND YOU FIND YOURSELF RELIVING SPECIAL DAYS AND TIMES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE FADE AWAY WITH TIME.

CAPTURING MOMENTS INTENTIONALLY | CORIANNE BURTON

I have just a few rules I live by when it comes to documenting our days and capturing moments I want to remember, and I wanted to share them with you.

Don’t hesitate.

Snap the photo, and take several when you do. You can go back and delete the versions that you don’t like, and print or upload the one you think reflects your moment the best. With two young boys, I have to capture moments in rapid-fire succession in order to hopefully get ONE clear image.

Get outside.

I’m no photographer, but I love taking photos of my boys in their element, and I always love the photos we take outside the best. Playing at the park, collecting rocks in the driveway, jumping on the trampoline. When I have to, indoors or at night, I’ll use a flash, but I think the best photos are the ones where you don’t have any artificial lighting.

There’s truly no pressure.

A perfectly curated and staged Instagram feed might not be your reality (It’s certainly not mine.), but remember that messy is beautiful. Get that crazy smile, or the unruly bedhead, or the silly faces on camera, because those are the little details you’ll miss. Those are the ones that will bring you the greatest joy.

Candids & Captions are key.

I love the shots I get when my kids are engaging with each other, or concentrating on their food, or watching a show they love on TV with a fascinated halfsmile on their face. I love remembering those unique characteristics. And when I post a photo to social media or upload it to be printed, I love writing out detailed captions that help me to not only recall the moment visually, but also the details of things outside the frame. What were we doing that day? How were we feeling? Had it been a long day full of struggles, or was it a great day with immeasurable joy?

Get in the photo.

It doesn’t matter what you think you look like, just jump in the photo for you and for them. Your family will love looking back and seeing your face. I try to get in the photo often. I love that my kids will have them forever. I take a lot of photos, but I read once that you only regret the photos you don’t take. I took that to heart, and I’m so grateful I did. Author Bio: Corianne Burton serves at Champions Centre along with her husband, Paul, and their two boys, Porter and Simon.

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STOKING THE FIRES

STOKING THE FIRES IN YOUR MARRIAGE Larry and Katie Ward

JUST AS OXYGEN, FUEL, AND HEAT ARE THE THREE ELEMENTS TO STARTING FIRES, PASSION, ROMANCE AND COMMITMENT ARE THE THREE ELEMENTS TO A LONG AND LASTING MARRIAGE. BUT, MANY COUPLES SUFFER BECAUSE NO ONE STOKES THE FIRES WITHIN THEIR MARRIAGE. THE FOLLOWING ARE THREE KEYS TO KEEP THE FIRE GOING.

STOKING THE FIRES IN YOUR MARRIAGE | LARRY AND KATIE WARD

Keep it oxygenated.

Commitment is the oxygen of the marriage and is needed in order to keep the fires of marriage burning. In a fire, oxygen is used to support the chemical reaction that takes place when something burns. In that same way, a marriage struggles if commitment cannot flow properly by way of love, communication, and a strong desire for each other. Many couples smother the fires in their marriage through “intense fellowship,” contentment, and by over extending themselves to others more than they do for each other. This restricts the chemical reaction that is needed to keep the fires burning in their marriage.

Continually add fuel.

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Romance is the fuel of a marriage, and it can easily die out by losing interest in each other, denying intimacy, or simply giving up on each other. Many couples neglect to add romance in their marriage. Couples stop dating. They ignore each other, or they simply give up because marriage is hard work. By adding romance to your marriage, each of you are ensuring that there is sufficient fuel to keep the fires burning. Ask not what your spouse can do for you, but what can you do for your spouse. By doing this, the two of you will have a never-ending supply of fuel in your marriage.

Passion within a marriage is a great source of heat and can create continual heat that causes a warm and happy marriage.” ___

Create the heat.

Without sufficient heat, a fire cannot be created or continued. Passion within a marriage is a great source of heat and can create continual heat that causes a warm and happy marriage. This can be accomplished through soft touches throughout the day, reminders of why the two of you fell in love, and acts of service toward each other. Creating heat in a marriage is fun, not to mention the heat that is created behind closed doors. In the end, stoking the fires in your marriage can produce a healthy, life-giving, and long marriage for years to come.

Author Bio: Larry and Katie Ward serve as volunteers on our Pre-Marriage Team at Champions Centre and have been married for over 20 years.

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LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW

LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW Sue Zimmerman

I’M A CHURCH GIRL. YOU KNOW, THE ONE WHO GREW UP GOING TO CHURCH SERVICES, CHOIR REHEARSALS, AND YOUTH GROUP 3–4 TIMES A WEEK. AND IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH, I’D BEG MY MOM TO LET ME GO TO THE TV STUDIO IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA AFTER CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT TO WATCH HER SING ON THE CHURCH’S BROADCAST SHOW, BECAUSE I JUST COULDN’T GET ENOUGH. 48

LOOK IN THE REAR VIEW | SUE ZIMMERMAN

I loved God. I loved the feel of purpose and community that church created. I loved the worship that was deposited in me. This was the place that the musical gifting inside me was birthed, cared for, and developed. I got my first opportunity to play the piano for a Sunday service when I was thirteen. I don’t remember a lot, but what I do remember is how it made me feel. I knew this was what I wanted to be a part of for the rest of my life. On that day, it was just me on a grand piano and an older man playing a big, old pipe organ. But it didn’t matter—I loved how it sounded when people sang and worshipped to what we were playing.

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risks on the young and inexperienced, even when it was messy, even when there were miscues or goof ups or even when that inexperience got the best of us. It was time to coach. So now, today, as I get to watch such a gifted, high capacity team of “youngers” lead worship for thousands of hungry people every weekend, I’m in awe of what God can do if we invest in and give opportunity to those coming behind us. It’s really a beautiful thing to see unfold.

I’m in awe of what God can do if we invest in and give opportunity to those coming behind us.” ___

Fast forward over the next four decades of church, and we’ve watched pianos become keyboards, acoustic guitars become electric guitars, and drums . . . well, they’re still drums. But my love affair with worship has never wavered. I served in platform worship ministry passionately for over 30 years, and in all that time, one thing never left me. It was a deep appreciation that someone older looked up from where they were, saw a glimpse of something in me at thirteen-years-old and simply gave me an opportunity.

To the “youngers,” I would remind you that we are here for you. On the days that you feel constrained, frustrated, or want more than you currently have, recognize the cost of the highway that was paved for you. Then, when the time comes, take the baton, run your race well, but keep an eye in the rear view mirror for who’s coming up behind you and know when to let them pass.

A few years ago, I decided it was time for me to leave the platform and start creating opportunities for the “youngers” around me. You might be thinking I’m going to tell you about how that was the hardest decision I ever made, but it actually wasn’t. I was stirred up at the new things ahead to take on and lead. I was excited to provide opportunities to the young worshippers and change the trajectory of our worship team. These were the really visible type of opportunities that everyone notices if it doesn’t go well. It didn’t come without controversy or criticism at times, but that’s usually part of the territory when you’re trying to create lasting change. It was time to take

Author Bio: Sue Zimmerman is the Executive Creative Director at Champions Centre. She, along with her husband, two daughters, and their husbands, serve together on the weekends. Now, her granddaughter, Brinley, is growing up in church. 49