Sermon Series eBook (Thriving in Your New Normal)

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Introduction

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Chapter 1: FREEDOM

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Chapter 2: FINANCE

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Chapter 3: FRIENDSHIP

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Chapter 4: FAMILY

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Chapter 5: FAITH

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.�

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

I N T R O D U C T I O N

I’ve always been a person that thrives on

When you started your first job, I’ll bet

a personal schedule. It’s not a rigid

things in your schedule changed quite

schedule, but it helps me stay on track to

significantly for you. You no longer had

take care of all that I need and want to

the time you used to, and certain things

get done every day. When I was learning

took on less of a priority in your life. It’s

to play the guitar, I carved out at least an

not that you lost interest, it’s just that

hour each day to practice. It seemed easy

things changed. Marriage does much the

because I made the time for it. Right now,

same thing to a person’s rhythms. I

it would seem impossible to have that

invest more money into purchasing

time. But in reality, the time is still there,

pillows for my couch and bed than I ever

it has just been filled with new priorities.

could have imagined necessary, and it

Life has a way of shifting our schedules.

seems that video games became a thing of my youth.

Significant events in our lives change the way we live.

Significant events in our lives change the

It has changed how we work, how we

way we live. Getting a job, starting a

interact, our freedoms, and our

relationship, getting married, buying a

priorities. Some have lost jobs, others

house, having children, even getting a

lost loved ones. Each of us has changed,

pet changes how we spend our time and

and probably not just for this season of

money. We settle into a routine of how

quarantine.

we spend our days and invest our dollars for that season of time—until the next

It is generally agreed, that in 21 days, a

significant change comes our way.

new habit can be formed. In countries where the most stringent of lockdowns

When you began 2020, you might have

took place, it was over 60 days of being

made some resolutions or implemented a

self-isolated at home for the majority of

few changes into your life rhythm, but

people. We learned to work from home,

nothing could have prepared you for what

shop from home, socialize without going

was to come with COVID-19. All over the

out, manage finances differently, and

world, lives were impacted by this illness

we even started to attend church online.

in ways we never saw coming.

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No doubt that some of these practices

Some things have been reset. Travel and

went back to normal after the lockdown

financial freedom had been progressing

was lifted, but not everything did. For

forward, pushing the boundaries of

some, the change was subtle enough

what was “normal” in our lives, but all

that you didn’t notice it. But the

of a sudden things have reset back to a

importance that something in your life

place where they haven’t been in a long

had when 2020 started, will be either

time. Will we travel the world the same

greater or lesser now because of how

way we did at the start of 2020, or will

2020 life impacted your way of thinking

we be more hesitant? Will we end up

and being.

with more of life online because we are used to it now, or less of it because we

Reset-Reflect-Respond is going to help

crave human interaction? As the future

you thrive in your new normal. We’re

is still unknown, we won’t know if

going to look at five key areas of our life

things will progress in the same way,

that have been impacted by the fact that

back towards what was “normal.” They

the world around us has changed. Just

might stay where they are or take a

like any other major life event changes

different pathway forward. Either way,

how we function, the COVID-19

things have been reset.

pandemic has done the same thing.

Whenever things reset in your life, you must pause from what's going on around you and reflect.

Whenever things reset in your life, you

If in the process of reflecting, you see

must pause from what’s going on around

some changes you’d like to make, the

you and reflect. The reset may do you

most important thing you can do is

some good. Maybe there were ways that

respond. You have to set new patterns

you were functioning that didn’t line up

for yourself to line up with what you

with what you truly value. Maybe some

have decided to change. It might mean a

things that became “normal” shouldn’t

different pace of life. It might mean you

become part of the new you. This reset is

have to spend more time with some

permission for you to reflect and decide

people, and less with others. You might

which parts of your life will be spent

have to intentionally put yourself on

very differently, and that’s okay.

another 21-day journey to build habits in

Remember that it’s very normal to

your life to line up with the “new

significantly change how you will invest

you.” Life change never happens by

your time, energy, or money after a

accident. Only a disciplined response to

major experience in your life. It’s part of

building new routines can get you to

the normal course of growth in your life.

where you want to go.

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That’s what this eBook is all about. We will be examining five key areas of our lives that have gone through a major reset within a very short timeframe:

freedom

In Canada, we never imagined a day when we would be fined for meeting another family at a local park for a children’s playdate, or arrested for grocery shopping after only quarantining for seven days. But those were realities that just played out. Do the freedoms we have always taken for granted now change, or can we go back to the way it was before?

finance

When businesses closed down and jobs were lost, the government injected cash into society. What does this mean for our financial outlook going forward? Some people are still struggling to get by, while others worked more hours than they thought possible. Has the financial landscape of Canada changed, and if so, what does that mean for a follower of Jesus?

friendship

While we were all socially distanced, we were not socially isolated. We used FaceTime, drive-bys, care packages, and other creative ways to let each other know we were there. Has the importance of a network of friends changed in just two months?

family

Our families probably spent more time together in two months than we did in the previous 12 months. What did we learn about family time, and what can we take forward from it?

faith

We’ve just spent the last two months meeting as a church only through the use of online services. God has not fundamentally changed, but has the way we connect to the church changed?

All of these resets have taken place in such a short timeframe that it’s almost mindboggling. We’d like to invite you to join PORTICO Community Church as we go on a journey of reflecting and responding to these important areas of our lives.

Read this eBook, join our Sunday services, and make sure you get into a growth group with your friends, either in person or online, to discuss how you are reflecting and responding to all these resets in our lives.

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"Christ has set us free to live a free life..."

Galations 5:1a MSG

C H A P T E R

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F R E E D O M

It’s official, they’re calling it a GLOBAL

In Canada, I never imagined a day where

PANDEMIC and with it has come changes

stores would be forced to close, and

that I don’t believe any of us saw coming.

parks, where I used to take my kids to

Every country around the world affected

play, would be covered in caution tape as

by COVID-19 has implemented new rules

if part of a crime scene. I didn’t see it

on how we are to conduct our everyday

coming where there would be no such

lives, internally and globally. Changes

thing as live sporting events or sports in

continue as the world tries to prevent the

general. I miss going to the movies with

spread of this progressive virus from

friends, sitting down for a meal in a

effecting one more life. These changes

restaurant, or going for a walk in the

that we call the “new normal” have

park with my family. Nowadays, you can

forced us to change our rhythms. It has

be fined for meeting with people, even

changed how we exercise our faith every

family, and you can be arrested for

week, how we connect with family and

shopping after traveling across the

friends, and for many it has changed how

border. Even though we are all still free

we view our finances. There have been so

in Canada, freedom looks a lot different

many changes in such a short time that

today. And for many of us, we are

even our definition of “freedom” has

wanting to go back to the “old normal”

changed.

way of life with the freedoms we used to indulge in and for many, myself included, take for granted.

There have been so many changes in such a short time that even our definition of "freedom" has changed.

In speaking of freedom, I am reminded of incredible moments in history that inspired a generation and a nation, to dream and passionately pursue freedom to its utmost possibility. Moments like Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, during the March on Washington in 1963, still gives me goosebumps to this day. Or what about David Hasselhoff singing “Looking for Freedom” after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, where he wore that leather jacket that puts any bedazzled outfit to shame? I’m reminded of that moment in the movie “Braveheart” where William Wallace, a man trying to free the Scots from England’s reign,passionately yells out “freedom” before his tragic death. I don’t know if that’s historically accurate but you get the point.

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All these moments in history were of people dreaming or experiencing a higher level of freedom amid crisis—a desire that has never been more real for the majority of us who have never experienced a global shift, or in this case, a global pandemic of this magnitude. Many of us are waiting anxiously as the world heads toward uncharted territories or a kind of a no-man’s-land that our great grandparents used to tell us about as children.

I can only imagine after all of this is over what the world will look like. Will things be different or will they go back to how it used to be?

I can only imagine after all of this is over

Looking back to my young adult years, I

what the world will look like. Will things

see now that I was probably the freest

be different or will they go back to how it

I’ve ever been, no curfew, no major

used to be? Will we continue saying hello

deadlines that could get you fired. No

to every random stranger on the street

kids depending on you for a snack or

due to being starved for human

waking you up multiple times a night. As

connection or will we put our heads back

an adult I have freedom, but even so I

down and go back to a pace of life that

have responsibilities to family, work,

has proven to be unsustainable and

government, others, and most

detrimental to the health of the family

importantly to God. Freedom seems to be

nucleus? Will individual rights and

constantly changing and is different for

freedoms continue to be restricted,

everyone depending on location,

restructured, or at the very least

vocation, and age.

restrained? Simply put—I don’t know!

Maybe that’s why Jesus was constantly We’ve never been here before to my best

reminding his followers to stay focused

recollection as a history enthusiast. What

on the BIG PICTURE or a deeper meaning

I do know is that freedom throughout

of freedom. He focused less on the

history is like a revolving door of

physical, although we can experience

constant change similar to that of the

that, and more on the spiritual. It was a

different stages of life. When I was a

kind of freedom in which we could now

child, I had very little freedom for fear

attain or experience despite constant

that I may do something that I shouldn’t

past failures, only because “God so loved

do and rightly so. When I was a teenager,

the world that He sent his only begotten

freedom was more apparent even though

Son” Jesus to set the captives free from

when it comes to rules imposed on me, I

death and sin through His death and

naively thought rules need not apply.

resurrection.

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It was not necessarily a desired understanding of freedom at that moment, but one that was quite literally “out of this world,” and when encapsulated in the hearts of its believers, no physical force, power, or presence could take away. Look at the early church in the book of Acts. Even though they experienced a lack of freedom in the form of persecution to the point of death, the freedom that Jesus offered to his followers quite literally changed their lives and was wrapped in pockets of mystery yet overflowing in love, grace, and truth. This kind of freedom that Jesus gives has drastically changed the trajectory of so many lives since its revelation, and still to this day, is far greater than any idea, notion, invention, or philosophy.

What hasn't changed is the freedom that we can find in Christ for those who believe in Him. My point is that society’s definition of

Even though we may experience a new

freedom changes all the time. With the

set of freedoms in our nation over the

global impact that COVID-19 has had on

next number of days, weeks, or years, I’d

various nations and economies, it may

like to see this moment in history as a

change again in our lifetime or our

reminder of the freedom that we have in

children’s lifetime—we just don’t know.

Christ. A freedom that is unshakable,

What hasn’t changed is the freedom that

steadfast, and never changing yet

we can find in Christ for those who

changing lives wherever it’s received.

believe in Him.

Thank God that “whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.”

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"Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full..."

Luke 6:38 NLT

C H A P T E R

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F I N A N C E

It’s highly probable that nothing has changed as much during the past year, and particularly these past few months, than our financial situation. Who would have thought in January 2020, it would be much more profitable to invest in toilet paper than it was to invest in oil? Some people have lost jobs or had their job significantly changed with reduced income, while others have never worked as much in their lives, but their investments sure look a lot smaller than when the year began. Regardless of who you are or where you live in the world, your financial situation has been significantly impacted by the global pandemic. Our budgets and spending patterns aren’t really returning to the exact same place they were last year, so this is a great opportunity to evaluate what is important and has priority when it comes to our finances.

In a perfect world, our wealth will always be increasing, but 2020 is proving to be a great reminder that this is simply not the case.

In the parables of the Kingdom of God, Jesus spoke more about finance than any other topic. He often spoke of the priority finances should have in our lives and the dangers we could face if we place too much value on our financial position in life. He spoke of being wise with our finances and making sure we are honorable in all our dealings.

Finances were even considered the reason that Judas, one of his closest friends, sold him out to the religious leaders of Jerusalem. Judas could not reconcile how Jesus would allow, what seemed like the squandering of money, on an act of worship when there were so many other things that the money could be allocated to.

Many of us are having similar conversations in our homes these days. If we have lost jobs, we are trying to remind each other that money isn’t everything. If we have lost investments, we can have discussions about storing up treasures in heaven. We are discussing the most important ways to use our money and trying to decide if there are ways which we are spending that are wasteful, or at the very least non-essential.

These are all valuable conversations to have and are all underscored by the core value Jesus taught in most of His parables about money—the principle of stewardship. At any given time in our lives, we have a certain amount of wealth or influence over the wealth that is at our disposal. In a perfect world, our wealth will always be increasing, but 2020 is proving to be a great reminder that this is simply not the case. here will be seasons when we have more wealth and seasons that we will have less. The principle of stewardship simply asks—how are you using the finances that are at your disposal? [Mark 12:41-44]

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Stewardship assumes that I, as an individual, am not the creator or owner of my financial situation, I am merely the one who manages it. It doesn’t mean that I will not use it for my purposes, but that it’s not solely for my purposes. As a follower of Jesus, I have a responsibility to care for the needs of my family and to use wisdom in how to care for my own needs as well. [1 Timothy 5:8; 5:18] However, the greater focus of my stewardship should be on caring for the needs of others in the world. It’s vitally important to remember what the Bible teaches us: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” [James 2:15-17]

One of the greatest lessons of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic is that we are much more connected than we ever realized.

One of the greatest lessons of 2020 and

the number of billionaires worldwide had

the COVID-19 pandemic is that we are

doubled. The rest of the article went on

much more connected than we ever

to describe how there is enough wealth

realized. We called it a global society, but

in the world to meet the basic needs of

few people assumed that when reports

almost everyone, but it is so unevenly

broke in late 2019 of an illness in Asia

distributed that we see increasing

requiring hospitalization, that it would

amounts of poverty next to the increasing

first lead to a shutdown of a market in

number of billionaires. Predictions

one province, then a whole country, and

coming off the back end of this crisis

then would quickly lead to the majority

project a similar trend, where the gap

of countries across the world putting

between those who have and those who

their citizens into mass lockdowns or

do not will only increase. Predictions

imposing social restrictions. Because of

coming off the back end of this crisis

how connected we are, we need to

project a similar trend, where the gap

remember that we are responsible for

between those who have and those who

each other. My actions can significantly

do not will only increase.

impact the lives of people on the other side of the world.

As a person of faith, what should this mean for you and me? You are probably

In 2019, “The Guardian” reported that the

neither a billionaire nor in extreme

world’s 26 richest people own more

poverty, yet the financial decisions you

wealth than 50% of the world’s poorest

make will impact both groups of people.

population combined. Since the last financial crisis the world faced in 2010,

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The world’s economy has become increasingly self-focused, spending more and more expendable dollars on personal pleasures, while the needs of the poor grow.

The money we spend on new phones, personal travel, home upgrades, and other items designed to make one’s life easier or more comfortable, made a profit for the richest and took dollars away from those who needed it most.

Here’s the chance to reset your habits. This is the perfect season to do an audit of your new income and measure against anything in your life that you would call a need. You need to pay your rent, buy groceries, have a computer for your kids to do school work, and have some extra for family fun. Every member of your family does not need a new device every year, nor do you need to upgrade your car every two years—especially when compared to the need we hear about for more food banks, health care programs, and other social concerns in society. If one of the lessons of 2020 was that we shifted chunks of spending away from the wants of ourselves into the needs of others, that could be an incredible silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic.

If one of the lessons of 2020 was that we shifted chunks of spending away from the wants of ourselves into the needs of others, that could be an incredible silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic.

In one of Jesus’ famous teachings on money, a rich young governor comes to Jesus and asks how he can inherit eternal life. He was a good person and followed all the religious rules. He figured this was enough to qualify him for heaven. Jesus makes this famous statement: “‘There is still one thing you haven’t done,’ he told him. ‘Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” [Mark 10:21] The man left Jesus disheartened because the desire to hold onto wealth is a very strong desire that lives in each of our hearts. What if you were to ask Jesus the same question in 2020—Lord, I have obeyed all that you have asked me to do, is there anything else that I need to do before I inherit the kingdom of heaven?

Would he start the conversation the same way he did with this man 2000 years ago and ask if you would be willing to steward your dollars towards the needs of the people who needed them most, rather than holding onto wealth for yourself?

As you reflect on the lessons of 2020, take some time to evaluate your mindset for personal finance. Are you an owner or a steward? Do you focus on needs, or both needs and wants? Will the life you lead going forward be focused on spending for your kingdom or for His Kingdom? These are great questions to discuss with those who you love as you make decisions on how you will respond to the lessons of COVID-19.

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The world’s economy has become increasingly self-focused, spending more and more expendable dollars on personal pleasures, while the needs of the poor grow The money we spend on new phones, personal travel, home upgrades, and other items designed to make one’s life easier or more comfortable, made a profit for the richest and took dollars away from those who needed it most.

Here’s the chance to reset your habits. This is the perfect season to do an audit of your new income and measure against anything in your life that you would call a need.

You need to pay your rent, buy groceries, have a computer for your kids to do school work, and have some extra for family fun. Every member of your family does not need a new device every year, nor do you need to upgrade your car every two years—especially when compared to the need we hear about for more food banks, health care programs, and other social concerns in society. If one of the lessons of 2020 was that we shifted chunks of spending away from the wants of ourselves into the needs of others, that could be an incredible silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's a chance to reset your habits. This is the perfect season to do an audit of your new income and measure against anything in your life that you would call a need.

In one of Jesus’ famous teachings on

The man left Jesus disheartened because

money, a rich young governor comes to

the desire to hold onto wealth is a very

Jesus and asks how he can inherit eternal

strong desire that lives in each of our

life. He was a good person and followed

hearts. What if you were to ask Jesus the

all the religious rules. He figured this

same question in 2020—Lord, I have

was enough to qualify him for heaven.

obeyed all that you have asked me to do,

Jesus makes this famous statement:

is there anything else that I need to do

“‘There is still one thing you haven’t

before I inherit the kingdom of heaven?

done,’ he told him. ‘Go and sell all your

Would he start the conversation the same

possessions and give the money to the

way he did with this man 2000 years ago

poor, and you will have treasure in

and ask if you would be willing to

heaven. Then come, follow me.’” [Mark

steward your dollars towards the needs

10:21]

of the people who needed them most, rather than holding onto wealth for yourself?

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As you reflect on the lessons of 2020, take some time to evaluate your mindset for personal finance. Are you an owner or a steward? Do you focus on needs, or both needs and wants? Will the life you lead going forward be focused on spending for your kingdom or for His Kingdom? These are great questions to discuss with those who you love as you make decisions on how you will respond to the lessons of COVID-19.

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"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

Proverbs 17:17 NLT

C H A P T E R

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F R I E N D S H I P

When it comes to relationships, I think

Then COVID-19 happened. In the blink of

most of us would believe that we have a

an eye, we went from stability to chaos.

pretty good handle on how we manage

Our carefully balanced Jenga blocks, that

them, like those in our homes, our

we call relationships, were lying on the

schools, our workplaces, our church, and

floor in a jumbled mess. As we picked up

our social circles. We try our best to

the pieces and tried to rearrange them,

manage the expectations of these

the world around us changed, and we

relationships so that everyone feels

could no longer balance them the way we

valued. Sure, there are times when we

once did. All of sudden, physical

have to adjust and prioritize some

distancing meant we couldn’t spend time

relationships over others. Sometimes the

with our friends. When it came to our

needs at home take precedence over our

jobs, we had to figure out a way to

obligations at work and we have to take

accomplish the same amount of work in

time off to care for loved ones.

the same amount of time without the

Sometimes procrastinating on that school

resources of an office or the proximity of

project means skipping out on friends to

coworkers. Or worse, we were laid off

pull an all-nighter or two to get the job

and now we have to find a way to pay the

done. Sometimes the big deadline at work

bills while still having food on the table

means time away from home and missing

and providing a roof over our heads. With

out on quality time with our families. But

children at home, we’re trying to meet

over time, we would like to think we can

our work deadlines while teaching and

prioritize each friendship thoughtfully

helping our kids with their school work.

and carefully.

In the blink of an eye, we went from stability to chaos. Our carefully balanced Jenga blocks, that we call relationships, were lying on the floor in a jumbled mess.

As more and more people get sick, we stress and worry about how to care for loved ones who fall ill and can’t imagine the prospect of having to leave them alone in a hospital because it’s no longer safe to be around them.

Whatever our specific circumstances, friendships have taken on a whole new meaning in this new season of isolation and uncertainty. The first days or weeks of isolation were probably the hardest as we tried to maintain different relationships in new ways.

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My family can attest to the fact that I probably wasn’t a fun person to be around that first couple of weeks of isolation. In an instant, I was trying to be fully present, keep up my work responsibilities at home, and had no outlets to socialize. Between work and caring for our children, the day flew by and I was drained of energy. As an extrovert, it was awful. I needed quality time with my friends to recharge, but it felt like there was none to be had. After some time, even my wife, an introvert, was going stir-crazy. What I discovered was that my balance between relationships was askew. Or rather, I knew my relationships were out of sorts but I didn’t know how to balance them again.

Healthy relationships are what we ought to strive for, no matter what the consequences.

Humans are social beings. No matter how

As we try to find our way during these

much or how little you may think you

uncertain times, some of us will face the

need, you need proximity to others; we

temptation to eliminate certain

all need one another. Depending on how

relationships to find balance again. If our

you view your family, friends, and

family and work responsibilities are

coworkers, you might consider some

taking more of our time, then we feel we

relationships to be sincere while others

have to sacrifice other friendships. It’s

are “necessary evils.” Take strategy board

not that we want to, but there just

games, for example, my all-time

doesn’t seem to be any other way. I’m

favourite—Settlers of Catan. Each player

reminded of the story of a church

is trying to win by buying and building

member who decided to stop attending

items on the board that earn them points.

services and was visited by the pastor in

To buy and build, you need resources

the hopes of persuading him to

that you collect along the way. But no

reconsider. Try as he might, the pastor

matter what strategy you employ in the

just couldn’t convince the man to change

game, you have to trade resources with

his mind—the member saw neither the

other players to succeed. Yes, trading

value of a relationship with God nor the

with other players helps them in their

importance of fellowship with other

quests to win, but you do it because it

believers. As the pastor and the member

helps your pursuit of victory. Hopefully

sat in silence, there happened to be a fire

the most meaningful relationships in

burning in the hearth. After staring into

your life are ones that don’t require

the fire for some time, the pastor came

board game tactics. However, even if

upon an opportunity to illustrate his

some spheres of your life are borne out

point of view. Without saying a word, the

of necessity, it’s still your job to strike

pastor got up from his seat, walked over

the right balance to maintain those

to the fireplace, and, using a pair of

relationships. Healthy relationships are

tongs, removed a burning ember from the

what we all ought to strive for, no matter

hearth and placed it beside the set of

what the circumstances.

burning logs.

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For a minute or two, the ember

“And let us not neglect our meeting

continued to burn just like the logs in

together, as some people do, but

the fire, but eventually the ember began

encourage one another, especially now

to dwindle until all that remained was a

that the day of his return is drawing

smoking piece of coal. At that moment,

near.” [Hebrews 10:25 NLT]

the church member understood the message the pastor had been trying to

It’s interesting to note that the context

communicate all along: Without God and

of this passage was written in light of

the community of faith, your life will

Jesus’ imminent return. I know for some

burn out.

of us it may feel like the end of the world right now with all that’s going on,

Back in the days of the first-century

but regardless of how you feel, it’s still

church, some thought that relationships

important to be present in each other’s

within the spiritual community weren’t

lives so that we can encourage one

a priority. After all, what could be as

another. It helps put my mind at ease

important as a relationship with God? If

knowing that despite all the uncertainty

I have that, what else do I need? But the

around me, I don’t have to do it alone.

writer of Hebrews reminds us that neglecting the fellowship of believers

With all that has happened in recent

robs us of, among other things, the

days, and as we struggle to maintain

opportunity to encourage one another.

relationships of all kinds, how do we find a healthy balance once again?

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that neglecting the fellowship of believers robs us of, among other things, the opportunity to encourage one another.

I am reminded of Jesus’ timeless words: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” [Matthew 6:33] Make sure that the relationship you value above all others is your personal relationship with God and spend quality time with Him. By prioritizing your relationship with God, you will be able to better manage the other important relationships in your life and bring the best of who you are into your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

As you spend more time at home, don’t focus on the extra work, instead, appreciate the gift of time you’ve been given with others. If the way you work has changed, don’t focus on the challenges with technology and distance, rather look for creatives ways to build and maintain healthy working relationships. If you can no longer meet in person with friends, make it a priority to connect with them with a phone call, video chat, or on social media. What has changed is the way we relate. What has never changed is the importance of these relationships in your life!

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"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, 'Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?'"

1 Chronicles 17:16 NLT

C H A P T E R

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F A M I L Y

One of the memories that will stick with

A positive thing that this crisis has done

me more than anything in this season

to our society was to force families to

will be the images of families out walking

spend countless hours together. For

the trails together. Families that have

better or for worse, we have left a mark

probably not walked together in years

on each other by the way we treated one

now practice the daily ritual of heading

another, the kinds of lifestyles parents

out for hours at a time, walking and

modeled for their children, and the

talking. I’m sure as you have been out,

memories we will carry with us for the

you have seen the same thing. Even

rest of our lives. The question, of course,

people who are not loving the whole

is how many of these memories and

“walk experience” are at least spending

habits were “better” and how many of

this time together that they would

them were “worse”?

normally not have.

A positive thing that this crisis has done to our society was to force families to spend countless hours together.

Perhaps what we should reflect on is

But if you were to be honest, there were

whether any of these habits we picked up

some very good times as well.

over the last number of weeks should become part of our regular day to day

If there were genuinely good times being

experience, even when we are no longer

isolated together, then why would we

doing them, because they are our only

trade back to a life where a family was

option? If you were in a home that

less connected? Some of what home

worked hard to make sure that you

isolation taught us is that we have

cooked and ate meals together, read the

probably drifted too far as a society from

Bible together, exercised together, and

leaning on each other for support.

made it through this COVID-19 crisis by

Teenagers who regularly used to choose

leaning on each other for as much

to disclose everything to their friends

support as you possibly could, then you

started to have these conversations with

probably grew closer as a family. You

their parents. Families who rarely spoke

learned new things about each other and

of world issues, not because they didn’t

earned how to function better as a family

have the desire, but because they didn’t

unit. Sure, things were not perfect and

have the time, watched the news together

there were days you spent separated on

every day and discussed what it meant

different levels of the house because you

for them and their safety.

just needed some space from everyone.

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Some parents were home to see their child’s first steps, which they would have missed if they had been at the office. Will we want to invest as much time at work at the cost of removing ourselves from these experiences with our families?

We can’t stop working or going to school and live the rest of our lives huddled in homes together, but we might be re-evaluating the importance of shared experiences as a family. Years from now, we will look back at the memories we created during this time, probably shudder a bit to think of how it all felt in real-time, but think fondly of how we got to do it together. Hopefully, there are some traditions that you intend to carry forward coming out of this season that keep a priority on connectedness as a family.

Maybe you will be able to work from home so you can be present in the mornings and be home earlier in the afternoon. You can model a good work ethic to your kids. Maybe you will institute family games night, and regardless of where anyone else could go that evening, it is set aside to continue the shared experience you began during this season.

Years from now, we will look back at the memories we created during this time, probably shudder a bit to think of how it all felt in real-time, but think fondly of how we got to do it together.

Families were designed to be the

family, we have abdicated too much

dominant, and sometimes the only place,

responsibility that the family unit should

where we learned how to live our lives.

have in teaching these foundational

Faith practices and teaching are best

principles to each other. Hopefully going

learned when it is modeled and delivered

forward into our new realities, we will

by parents, not by youth or children’s

hang onto some of these roles that we

pastors. The way to be a good husband or

passed off in the past.

wife should be modeled by parents and passed down to children. It shouldn’t be

For some people, you were not in a home

something they need to learn in a class or

that functioned well with each other.

pick up from movies. Work ethic,

There were elements of home life that

kindness, compassion, love; all of

made things unsafe or caused anxiety for

these attributes should be learned at

you. Being in home isolation was not a

home, and then practiced in the world.

thing that benefited you. In fact, the

We have so separated our families that

memories you carry forward will not be

many of these lessons are now being

lessons that you build from, but will be

learned from church leaders, coaches,

scars that will remind you of the

after-school mentors, friends, or media.

brokenness going on in your

And while it indeed takes a village to

relationships.

have enough proper influence into the

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If this is more of your story from the

The greatest stories of the Bible are

COVID-19 crisis, then this season is an

about men and women who recognized

opportunity for you, or potentially you

that how they had been living was not

and your family, to seek help like you

good enough and they allowed the Spirit

never have before. This is not the season

of God to change their hearts and change

to decide you can have space and

their habits. Moses, Sarah, Peter, David,

freedom from each other so you can

and Paul all had times in their lives when

ignore what you all just experienced.

they had to face some bad choices that

This is a season to decide that things

they had made, answer for their

should and can be better if you are

mistakes, and resolve to live differently.

willing to face some of the difficult

It was the process of facing the hard

things you just experienced.

issues that made them into the heroes of the Bible that they are.

The greatest stories of the Bible are about men and women who recognized that how they had been living was not good enough and they allowed the Spirit of God to change their hearts and change their habits.

Your story is not finished yet, and if this season highlighted that there is work to be done in your family, then don’t let it remain unfinished. You can write new chapters beyond this season that play out very differently if you are willing to get the support you need. Your reset is going to be about brand-new habits and ways of treating each other that you had not practiced before. It will be hard work, but you are up for it and together you can learn to chart a new course.

Whatever your story is, your family learned new things about each other. In this season of reflecting and resolving to live differently, make sure that you take the good you learned in the crisis and carry it forward to the future. Use the struggles you experienced to help you reset some things that had gotten out of hand. What we learned is that in crisis, families truly need each other. Learn to become a new and improved version of yourselves—better than you could ever have imagined possible before all of this!

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"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

C H A P T E R

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F A I T H

I was having a conversation with a former professor of mine, and we were discussing the difficulty many church members feel with singing along to some of the modern music. We discussed the keys they were written in, the verbosity some writers seem to like putting into their lyrics, and the general lack of ability for the average person to join in and sing because of it. For the most part we agreed that at times, worship music is performed from a stage in churches rather than sung by the congregation.

All through the generations, music has been an important part of the liturgy of church worship.

His issue was that people used to learn

The style will always change and we will

their theology by singing hymns they

have more or less comfort with a style

knew off by heart…“Whatever my lot,

based on what is familiar to us. Take a

Thou hast taught me to say, it is well with

moment and consider your favourite way

my soul.” As he quoted me more lyrics,

to worship. Is it a certain style of music

there were many that I did not recognize.

or is it in a certain place? It probably

Given that I came to faith later in life,

holds sentimental value to you for any

many of the traditional hymns that we no

number of reasons. It’s great that each of

longer sing in our churches are not

us can have memories that evoke

familiar to me. However, I was able to

powerful emotions and connections

quote several lyrics that were not

with a worship style. But Jesus is our

recognizable to him, but had been

unchanging Saviour, not tied to any

impactful for my faith… “I will praise you

particular style of worship or point of

on the mountain, I will praise you when

time in history.

the mountain’s in my way. You’re the summit where my feet are, so I will

The book of Hebrews was written to the

praise you in the valley just the same.”

Jewish Christians, who were beginning to question whether they could continue in

The point being that all through the

their Christian faith. They wondered if it

generations, music has been an

would be better to move back to their

important part of the liturgy of church

roots of Judaism, and worship God as

worship. However, the style has shifted

they always had. It’s in this context that

from songs in homes to chants in

the author of the book writes these

cathedrals, to choirs with pipe organs

words, “Jesus Christ is the same

large enough to fill a stadium, to choral

yesterday, today, and forever.” [Hebrews

hymns, to a four-piece rock band, and

13:8]

now even times with singers on stage with backing tracks.

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The God that the Jews had worshiped through the generations, was the same God they were worshiping today. It began with Abraham nearly sacrificing the life of his only son on a mountain top as his act of worship. Moses received the 613 commandments of the Torah, which became the basis of how to honour God. David played his harp for the king and penned 73 of the Psalms which are now found in the Bible. God sent his son Jesus to fulfill the law, ushering in a new age of the church where animal sacrifices were no longer necessary or asked for. Instead, a confession of faith in Jesus as God’s son and his death and resurrection became the ultimate act of worship. The new believers sang songs about their love and devotion to Jesus and their need for him in their lives.

God sent his Son Jesus to fulfill the law, ushering in a new age of the church where animal sacrificies were no longer necessary.

This change was hard for the Jews who

Some of you have learned in this season

had been used to worshipping one way,

that you hate online church, and this

and now were faced with the challenge of

reset has reminded you of how much you

worshipping a new way. So, they were

crave regular, personal connection with

reminded, this new way to worship God

other believers. The first Sunday back

doesn’t mean God has changed, it was

will be like a Disney parade and a

just new to them. In the past season,

Superbowl mixed together! Others of you

church and worship have been very

have learned that you can have an

different for us. We have watched on a

enriching church experience with your

screen as different people have led us.

friends and family from your living room.

Some have found it very hard to connect

You still crave human interaction, but

when they can’t be present. Others have

because of technology, you can achieve

loved the ability to hear three messages

that without being physically present.

in one morning without ever needing to leave their living room. They participated

The fact that we cannot attend church in

in corporate worship with thousands who

person on Sundays has made it so that

live-streamed the service, they discussed

you now can attend multiple churches

the message in chat rooms, and it didn’t

each weekend. The availability of online

require the hour-long prep time of

church services and online devotionals

getting dressed up, dusting snow off the

has provided the opportunity to invite

car, and driving to church only to arrive

your friends to a church experience with

late. It was critical to stay home because

ease. All over the world people are

it was protecting everyone’s health.

coming to faith because they are attending online church.

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If this is a way for the gospel spreads quickly, then online church is something we will need to keep a focus on even after the virus gets under control. This is not to suggest that churches will not go back to meeting together in person, but daily or weekly online connections might become an important way for us to reach people.

All over the world people are coming to faith because they are attending online church.

Although the message of Jesus never

It is incumbent on those of us who know

changes, the method reaching people

the truth to find the best way to share

with the good news always changes.

the truth. It is not the responsibility of

When Paul was writing to the early

those who do not know Jesus to figure

church, he stated it this way:

out a way to fit into the way that we Christians prefer to worship. When it is

“Even though I am a free man with no

stated plainly like that, it seems obvious

master, I have become a slave to all

that we will need to adjust what we do to

people to bring many to Christ. When I

get the gospel into the places that it

was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to

needs to be. This will require the Church

bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with

to rethink how we spend our resources,

those who follow the Jewish law, I too

and the kinds of things we place

lived under that law. Even though I am

importance on if we hope to reach a

not subject to the law, I did this so I

society of people who have adjusted to a

could bring to Christ those who are

world that can exist online for months at

under the law. When I am with the

a time, only going out for food and

Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish

occasional sunlight. In this season,

law, I too live apart from that law so I can

Christians need to be open to tapping

bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore

into new creative ways to reach people in

the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

a world that has shifted its priorities

When I am with those who are weak, I

from the corporate gathering to some

share their weakness, for I want to bring

degree.

the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing

God has not changed. Neither has faith in

everything I can to save some. I do

Christ. Where we meet and how we meet

everything to spread the Good News and

is up for discussion.

share in its blessings.” [1 Corinthians 9:19-23]

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