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Christmas Recap
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Sacred Solitude
CONTENTS (click a story to skip)
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Confirmation
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Love & Respect
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WC Trains
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Mental Health
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Lent
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Kairos
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I am the Wretch
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@1871MAG
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Christian Corner
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EKELLER@WHITESCHAPELUMC.COM
Upcoming Events
Note from the Editor
Welcome to the next issue of White’s Chapel’s digital magazine. You may have
noticed a new name for this issue and we are very excited to share the beautiful story behind 1871. We listened to our readers, the church and our hearts and decided that Rhema was not the word for this method of communication. We feel God calling us back to our roots – the roots of our faith, the roots of community and the deep, beautiful roots that have created all of our stories.
In 1871, as some of you may know, 12 families and many individuals decided
to head west from Georgia to seek something more for themselves. The group loaded their things and their families into 40 different buggies, wagons, and ox carts – pulled by mules, oxen and horses. After just over three months, the leader S.B. Austin and his caravan decided to settle in what was then known as the Great Prairie of Texas. Austin organized a church, which began to meet in his home before they moved into the church building on his property, Oak Hill Methodist Church South.
Since 1871, traveling preachers filled the pulpit and we were honored to be
the first Methodist church in this area – drawing attendees from 20 miles around. Parson White, a frequent preacher, began to preach more and more and the church then became known as what we know it as today, “White’s Chapel.”
Celebrating 147 years of ministry this year, we recognize the many blessings
we’ve encountered and adventures we’ve had, but we feel drawn to get back to the basics of that simpler time. We want to tell the stories that are living proof of the power of the Holy Spirit, the ways that grace and love are being experienced in our community and continue to remain rooted in our worship to God.
Through the stories to come, we pray you are encouraged, challenged,
reminded of God’s love for you, and experience a deeply rooted faith as we venture into this year.
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By Cassidy Williams
Christmas Recap Time to take a look at what we’ve been doing over the holiday season!
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CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL The church kicked off the advent season with a big, wonderful WC Kids event, the Christmas Festival. Families and members of the community were able to enjoy a fun community atmosphere on the church campus, Nov. 29. Six different food trucks, 12 inflatable bounce houses and obstacles, a climbing rock wall, 19 different games and many other family-fun activities were all available for people to enjoy. Younger kids enjoyed the pony and train rides, while the older kids enjoyed the snow hill and camel rides. Community members were also able to enjoy three live nativity scenes throughout the evening, each capturing the meaning and importance of the season. An amazing display of fireworks, set to Christmas music, closed out the wonderful evening. More than 4,500 children and families attended the successful event.
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CHRISTMAS WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
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About 6,517 people attended this year’s Christmas Worship Experience, “Here With Us” on Dec. 9 - 10. The musical event focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as celebrating the joy and traditions of Christmas season. It highlighted the church and children choirs, and the talented orchestra. The music department, as well as many volunteers, had rehearsed, planned and prepared the event since the beginning of fall. Participants that were involved in creating and executing the worship experience ranged from high school teens to adults.
More than 100 choir members, over 40 orchestra members, and additional volunteers were also involved in the process. The three movements of the service consisted of a corporate Christmas, a cozy Christmas, and most importantly, a Christ-centered Christmas. Each movement evoked joy and excitement as the program progressed. The light of Christ’s birth was the heart behind the weekend’s services.
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CHRISTMAS & CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Christmas is such an amazing time of celebration and remembrance. People from all over the community came to gather with others from the community, the congregation and around the city, to celebrate the birth of Christ in the church’s Christmas services. This year, members of the church were able to honor the Lord with candlelit worship and an inspiring message by Drs. John and Todd. Both contemporary and traditional services were available throughout
the nine services on Sunday. Each type of service had unique musical experiences as well. The feeling of watching the light of Christ travel from just one candle to the whole sanctuary was overwhelming, paired with beautiful hymns being sung. There were about 16,254 attendees over the course of the weekend Christmas services. What a wonderful gathering to celebrate the birth of Christ and the beautiful season!
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The church hosts many different events throughout the month to honor God, as well as celebrate the season. Christmas concerts by Carroll High School and Grapevine High School had great attendance by local community members. White’s Chapel Christmas festivities, such as the Home For the Holidays event, saw high attendance numbers as well. About 310 people enjoyed the musical event. The Christmas performance by the Fort
Worth Symphony Orchestra also had about 2,000 attendees. Christmas Carols, Cookies and Cocoa, offered for the very first time this season, also had a great attendance of family members. It seems to have become a favorite and hopefully will be a continued tradition! There were about 287 people that joined in fellowship and song. In addition to the musical festivities held at the church, there was also a Service of Remembrance held to honor those missed during the holiday season. There were 327 people in attendance that lit candles, worshipped and offered prayers of honor to those no longer with us on this side of heaven.
OTHER SEASONAL EVENTS
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SACRED SOLITUDE
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By Kat Ormsby
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here was a time not so very long ago when solitude and silence were available to people by normal conditions of everyday life. This is not the case anymore. We live in a busy world and it’s easy to get lost in the busy. In times of solitude, we become enveloped in God’s presence. There are eight Sacred Spaces on our campus that are specifically dedicated to taking time out of this hectic and busy world, and for a moment, basking in the quiet peaceful presence of God. The Prayer Labyrinth, Rider Pond and Amphitheater, Sanctuary Garden, Ponder Prayer Chapel, Memorial Garden, Columbarium, Memorial Fountain, and Stations of Light are all spiritual places on campus dedicated to prayer and reflection. Each space is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Blessing of the Animals was recently held next to Rider Pond. Rider Pond is located to the south of the sanctuary and adjacent to Founder’s Chapel. It has become a habitat for many creatures; it is a home to catfish, bass, turtles, ducks, and on occasion, geese. People will come to fish with their families or sit and read scripture. “There is something very special about being in prayer amongst nature,” said Roberson. All of God’s creation is welcome. The Sanctuary Garden is created as a symbol of the love that God has for all of creation and is open to all who desire to meet in this space. The greenery has been chosen so that there will be something in bloom from early spring to late fall. There is a path to walk, as well as benches and rocking chairs for quiet reflection. This garden is located directly behind the Center for Spiritual care.
The Ponder Prayer Chapel is a both heated and “White’s Chapel is a prominent place in air-conditioned chapel open to the public at all Southlake. People can see the steeple from hours, located directly in front of the sanctuary. almost every point in the city. We wanted people There is a breathtaking hand painted mural with to be able to come and be in communion with images of angels dancing God at all times - not just at times in heaven when looking up, of worship,” explained Rev. Kyle “White’s Chapel is a dedicated to many angels Roberson. we have known in this life. prominent place in Materials are available to Southlake. People can see The Prayer Labyrinth is a personal guide you in prayer, as well as pilgrimage available that takes you the steeple from almost a prayer journal open to the through both quiet reflection and every point in the city. public. Pastors routinely pray prayer. There are rocks to pick up We wanted people to be over the prayers left in the as symbols of burdens you may be able to come and be in journal. carrying within you. Walking into the communion with God at all labyrinth creates a time for shedding times - not just at times of The Memorial Garden, and those things that keep you from worship,” Columbarium are open all communion with God. As you reach year: 24 hours a day, every the center of this maze, you have day. Inurnment in the White’s the opportunity to experience clarity Chapel Columbarium and and illumination. The center of the labyrinth is seen Memorial Garden provides members of White’s as a point of unity with God, the symbolic dwelling Chapel and their families the opportunity to place of God. As you begin the path outward, choose the shadow of the church as their final we encourage you to bring back to the world a resting place. The church is a source of peace renewed vision and refreshed spirit. and support throughout all stages of our lives. The Memorial Garden and Columbarium Garden “As someone that has difficulty sitting still, make a beautiful, spiritually powerful memorial I enjoy being able to walk while discerning that serves as a wonderful location for friends and something or handing something difficult over to family to gather in remembrance and reflection God. There are twists and turns which are similar long into the future. to our journeys in life. I use the labyrinth quite a bit,” said Roberson. The prayer labyrinth is located “Jeff and I were married for 33 years. Him to the right as you enter the parking lot from being in the Columbarium is incredibly special Southlake Boulevard. to me. Even though it’s close to 1709, it still feels peaceful and secluded. I feel the walls wrap
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around me with God’s presence,” reflected Linda Spence. The astonishing Memorial Fountain right outside of the sanctuary is sure to take your breath away. It was dedicated on June 26, 2011 in memory of the beautiful Tayler Michelle Reynolds. Coins collected from the fountain are donated to Tayler’s Water Wells for Africa, which is dedicated to drilling and maintaining safe water sources in the rural communities of Malawi in Central Africa. “The fountain has been a real source of hope for a lot of people. We have done prayer vigils at least twice this year around the fountain. We have had people come by and take pictures of it as a source of inspiration for creative art or painting. The image of Jesus is comforting, powerful, and promising for people,” explained Roberson. The Stations of Light is a spiritual journey one can take with Christ that walks through 14 of the most inspiring events of His post-resurrection life on Earth. All of the Stations of Light are based on scripturally recorded incidents contained in the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The Stations of Light are located on the Southeastern corner of campus adjacent to the large east parking lot. Escape the busy noise and come sit amongst Christ’s peace in any one of these sacred spaces on campus. They are open to you and created for you. You are always welcome here.
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Journeying through CONFIRMATION: 7th through 12th grade style
By Emily Keller
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child’s education and growth between the ages of seventh and 12th grade creates life-long, integrated pillars he or she will hold onto and return to for years and years to come. Something we have such a heart for at this church is to help foster and strengthen faith and knowledge in these young minds. Through our WC Students ministry, students from seventh to their senior year in high school are invited to participate in the Confirmation process where they will adventure through, wrestle with and come to a place of being responsible for their own faith in Jesus Christ. In the United Methodist Church, baptism and confirmation are so tightly tied together and are considered two parts to the same promise. With this in mind, the confirmands are first expected to complete a heart search on their expectation for this journey. Stacy Rowley, a junior, has excitedly offered to welcome you into her confirmation journey this year through sharing her thoughts and many prayers for this experience. Through this, we hope that her story can help inspire you and your faith to grow immensely. “I love that it’s called confirmation. To me, that’s like confirming your faith in God and that you want to shout his love from the mountain tops,” she exclaimed. “Through confirmation, I have an expectant heart to develop a more meaningful understanding of God. I want to know more and more about my Father and continue to make my relationship deeper and stronger.” What students believe about God is more than just a church issue – it has implications for every
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START Confirmation Begins
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single part of their lives. Each student walking through this will soon be facing the opportunity to make very big decisions for their lives- how will they deal with that freedom? How will they decide to move forward in major crossroads in their life to come? “The core of confirmation is deciding that this life is not about us as individuals. In confirmation, students agree to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church through prayer, presence, gifts, service and witness – simply to meet the needs of others,” said Rev. Sam Robbins, Student Minister. Another facet of journeying through confirmation is exploring prayer. For John Wesley, prayer was “primarily a means of strengthening our relationship with God and one another. The fallen state of humanity was primarily experienced as a break in our relationship with God.” He explains in one of his many letters, “prayer is the grand means of drawing near to God.” For Stacy, prayer is something that comes to her naturally in the car. While driving to and fro her many activities, she says, “I like to talk to God – tell him about my day, my joys and my struggles. Share with him those in my life who are struggling and are on my heart.” She has seen how essential prayer is to her daily life already through the confirmation process and continues to remind herself to praise God through the trials, and to simply to remember to thank God. One early morning Stacy was walking to cross country practice and noticed her surrounding shadows – one in front of her, one beside her and one behind and it made her think of God and how he has already walked tomorrow, ready to lead us all through today.
Complete Reading & Writing Assignments
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Community (Attendance)
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The students also study one of the concepts that many assume they already understand – grace is something that is one of the most radical aspects of our faith. Grace is the unmerited favor of God – even John Wesley admitted to struggling to understand and accept God’s grace. He feared not measuring up, or not becoming who God wanted him to be. Through his studies, he came to see that being loved and accepted by God has nothing to do with our efforts and everything to do with God’s grace. Grace is the foundation of the United Methodist Church and confirmands will learn understanding of prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace, and they can apply those truths to their faith walk. “I love how Wesley split up grace into how God gave us this gift before he knew us, constantly showing us this grace day to day, and sets us apart because we have him in our hearts! I’ve seen how God continually shows me all of these different types of grace throughout my day,” explained Stacy. Worship as part of the faith is something that’s been integral and essential since the days of the early Church. And the need for Christians to gather as a means of stepping into the presence of God has been a central doctrine of the United Methodist Church since the very beginning. Wesley said, “We can’t stop with worship. We meet God in worship and we are then strengthened for the work He has for us in the world.” Instilling this heart of worship into the students helps foster a heart for service and blessing others: a core element of walking out our faith. And when we step out in obedience each time, we are reminded of our deep need for God – continuing to deepen our relationship and empowering us to share our honest faith with others.
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5 Service
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Accountability Meetings
Through worship, Stacy and other students have been able to personally experience the very real presence of God. Crave and Intersection, middle school and high school worship experiences each week, are an opportunity for students to find time to meet with Jesus through praise and a message. In addition to the reading and writing aspects to confirmation that delve into facets of our faith, students also have requirements to fulfill to experience the church outside of the WC Students ministry, and the people of those ministries that can pour into their young faith. “Each confirmand is also required to attend at least one of WC Students’ weekly events each week, as well as check out each different type of service we offer,” explained Robbins. “We want them to take ownership of their faith but also give them the resources to take steps into joining the congregation, as well as being fed by the church’s leaders.” Another step in confirmation is to participate in two service opportunities with FaithWorks such as a Super Saturday of Service, Agape Meal or one of our many other service programs. This is a very important chance for students to experience an act of serving in missions right in their backyard – in the community they’ve grown up in. Next month, nearing the completion of their confirmation journey, students will turn a final project in to the students’ ministry. “This is a very open project – students can do and research and adventure through any part they believe they wished there was more to in confirmation,” said Robbins. “I know one student is doing a painting, another is writing a play script; it’s amazing to see their curiosity flourish in regards to their faith and to see that expressed in their own ways.”
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Worship Service Attendance & Assignments
Learning A Thought on Godly Relationships By Cassidy Williams
It is so easy to get caught up in our own desires, even Godly ones, but the Bible clearly veryone has a certain level of expectation states that God wants our heart. Even I find in his or her personal relationships. Married myself wanting God to fulfill His promises to me couples expect the other spouse to in my own timing, perhaps even focusing on recognize their preferences and feelings, while that rather than God’s will. Now, I understand single individuals have expectations about their that everything is not supposed to be handed future relationships. At times, we can confuse to us whenever we desire something. He what we want from someone with what wants us to find joy in Him first, before seeking they’re capable of giving us. Our significant whatever we want for ourselves. This includes other cannot be our only source of happiness relationships, resolutions to a problem, and because they can, and will often, let us down. even our aspirations. For those Being dependent on God for already in a committed relationship, joy and the understanding of “Delight yourself in this is still an encouraging word. human relationships, however, the Lord, and he will When God is the center of a union, will allow people to seek His will it’s a lot easier to give the other give you the desires of in every situation - the good, the person grace or to try to understand bad, and sometimes, the ugly. your heart.” their perspective. Relationships are complicated and have many different As a young single, Christian Psalm 37:4 unique layers. God, amazingly, woman, I believe it can be created men and women differently difficult to find exactly what in order to balance each other out situations to pour time and and something that is that perfect, in creation, energy into. People are not perfect, so how takes time to understand. do you deem someone “worthy” or “unworthy”
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of your time? Reading this right now, you might be thinking of some of your own imperfections. If you’re like me, it’s even easier to think of another’s. In today’s society, people are constantly searching, looking for instant gratification in their job, their family life and in their relationships. Most people have heard the idea that the Lord wants to give us the desires of our heart but many people, like myself, often forget the first part of that referenced scripture, Psalm 37:4. It states, “delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
According to the American Psychological Association, “about 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce.” I am sure you have already heard this statistic but just think about it. About half of marriages fail. Half. Why is that? What God has intended to be a blessed union between two people, is now threatened by many different things of the world. Maybe better understanding how God initially created relationships would help us better understand our current situations.
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“love best motivates a woman and respect most powerfully motivates a man.” God created men and women differently. Understanding how He created each of us may give us better insight into relationships, overall. Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerich, president and vice president of Love and Respect Ministries, believe that, “love best motivates a woman and respect most powerfully motivates a man.” The Eggerichs believe this is the basic idea for understanding how differently men and women were created. This married duo travels around the country speaking to people and providing resources to the married, divorced, separated, dating and single. The basis of their ministry focuses on each gender’s needs and gives them specific tools to manage different
situations in the best way. “Research reveals that during marital conflict a husband most often reacts unlovingly when feeling disrespected, and a wife reacts disrespectfully when feeling unloved,” according to Love and Respect Ministries when reporting their own research findings. “We asked 7,000 people the question, ‘When you are in a conflict with your spouse or significant other, do you feel unloved or disrespected?’ 83 percent of the men said ‘disrespected’ and 72 percent of the women said ‘unloved.’” This research is interesting because it shows us how to interact with the other sex in the best way they will receive. Eggerich further outlines the different relationship dynamics in several of his books, including the bestseller Love & Respect, which has sold over 1.6 million copies. His background in counseling and biblical research gives him great insight into the personal aspects of godly relationships. White’s Chapel is hosting an event to help those that are wanting to learn more about the aspects of a relationship based on principles from Love and Respect Ministries. On Feb. 16, 6:30- 9:30 p.m., Dr. Eggerich will conduct a seminar that further explains his theory on relationships. He will speak on topics explained in his book and focus on the key ideas of balanced communication.
(Above: Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerich)
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Rev. Joy Roberson, associate pastor of women’s ministries, wants both married and single adults to be encouraged to attend the event. She believes it can help not only spousal relationships, but it can also benefit any relationship between men and women. The church has offered classes based on studying his book, Love and Respect, for about five years. In the past, the topic has been very successful and has seen a great response from
both married and single individuals. “It’s a great opportunity for individuals to come listen and think about how his principles and stories apply to their own relationships,” Roberson said. “I don’t want to extend the reach too far, but I really think these ideas can be used in people’s family systems, their workplace, and many other different communicational relationships.” One couple from the church, Gary and Karen Smith, is looking forward to the event. The Smiths have been married for about 33 years and have attended the Love and Respect class & video series multiple times. Mrs. Smith is passionate about marriage and believes that classes like this can help individuals better understand the dynamics of a healthy marriage in an ever-changing world. Marilyn Hughes, another member of the church that has participated in these studies, also stresses the importance of the information provided through Love and Respect ministries. She believes she would have benefited from these ideas if she would have known and studied them before marriage. She also strongly encourages singles and young adults to attend. Caitlin Coleman, a single young adult, is looking forward to the seminar because of the knowledge she has already gained from the organization.
that previously studied his work, Jim and Jenny McNew. “His teaching deepened our understanding of God’s intent for marriage, helped us to better understand and appreciate each other’s natural tendencies and reactions, and reinforced our already strong marriage. We highly recommend Dr. Eggerich’s valuable advice to anyone – whether already married, engaged, in a relationship, or single, or planning to marry at any point in the future.” Many different people, including singles and couples, are looking forward to this event. Perhaps a better understanding of how God created men and women will give us a better insight into our own relationships. Relationships may not be easy but that’s what makes them so unique and meaningful.
Robert and Tonia Coleman have facilitated the Marriage Enrichment class at White’s Chapel for the last eight years. The couple has seen great success and growth within their class. Of all the studies they have done, they believe Love & Respect was their most popular book study. “People may think that Dr. Eggerich’s messages are intended only for those who may currently be struggling in their marriages, but that’s definitely not the case,” said a couple
Want to learn more about Dr. Eggerich’s upcoming visit to White’s Chapel? click here 16 16
By: Kat Ormsby 17
“I love this time of year and the fact that these trains bring families together”
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rains running around the Christmas tree bring back memories of simpler times. Christmas trains are comforting to the soul and bring about a sort of nostalgia of the good old days. This is a popular family tradition that dates back to the early 1900s. Often given to kids as gifts, toy trains would serve as a Christmas decoration tradition for years to come. Rev. Steve Lallier remembers playing with his trains when he was just a small child growing up in Kansas. “I have wonderful memories as a kid of playing with train layouts. I can even remember the distinct smell of the pieces and the track,” said Lallier. Traditions that are passed from generation to generation instill both belonging and joy in our hearts. White’s Chapel treasures traditions; traditions are embedded into our culture, especially throughout Christmastime. Whether it’s attending the annual Christmas festival, enjoying the music of the Christmas Worship Experience, listening to the handbells at the Sounds of the Season concert, attending candlelight services, or drinking hot cocoa from Wesley Café, there are Christmas traditions everywhere you look. We embraced the tradition of the Christmas trains again this season, and it added quite the cheer on campus.
The train tradition began with inspiration from Rev. Wendi Bernau. “Wendi has such an in-depth creativity about her. She culminated the idea for the art gallery in the sanctuary, and as far as the Christmas trains go, she truly got them up and going and made them happen,” said Lallier. In 2015, Bernau connected with a railroad club in Grapevine and rented a train layout table from them. The massive layout was first sprawled out in the area right in front of Wesley Café, just like it remains today. Volunteers help engineer the train during weekdays and kids, families, and community groups flock to the joyous train village. The following year, it was clear this was a tradition to stay and the decision to create our very own train layout was made. With the help of train enthusiast, Hal Bryan, a 20-table layout was put together over the summer of 2016. Bryan gathered a team to do both the construction and electrical wiring, while Bernau and a select team worked together on the scenery and outside details. There were nearly 50 volunteers that put in hundreds of hours to create the layout we all get to enjoy today.
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The layout includes several elaborate towns and massive handmade mountains that tower in height. There are ice skaters, Christmas carolers, a nativity scene and even Wesley the bulldog makes a debut. Most of the trains that are used are donated from members of the church. Some of the train cars date back to the 1930s! As of this year, Lallier has taken the charge on the Christmas trains and he is enjoying this new role! “I love this time of year and the fact that these trains bring families together to come see them makes me happy,” said Lallier. The trains will continue to run until this Sunday, January 14, 2018. “People that aren’t necessarily members of the church come to White’s Chapel because they have heard about the trains. It’s a family-oriented event where children, parents, and grandparents all in one place can have fun together,” smiled Bryan. Cori Harris has been bringing her godfather, Whitney, to see the trains for years. “Trains have been a part of my story with my godfather since I can remember.
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We used to travel to North Park in Dallas to see the trains. The last couple of years, due to his wife’s Alzheimer’s, Whitney couldn’t leave his wife long enough to go to Dallas. The White’s Chapel Christmas trains have allowed us to carry on our tradition. When life put up roadblocks, God worked a miracle through the trains,” said Harris.
Christmastime brings families together, and we are finding that the beloved tradition of Christmas trains is doing that too.
struggled with depression, but believes faith and accountability are the only ways to get through it. After having miscarried multiple times and having gone through a difficult divorce, Christensen struggled to overcome the sadness she felt over a long period of time. She didn’t understand why she was going through multiple painful experiences.
By: Cassidy Williams
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he crippling stress, thoughts, or anxiety that prevents people from perusing God’s promises is, at times, hard to see past. The Bible gives us truth to overcome destructive thoughts, but that doesn’t mean that individuals don’t still struggle with the emotional and physical implications of mental health. There is a reason God reminds us throughout scripture to take our thoughts captive. He knew that without Him in mind, in our every thought and through every action, we would not overcome our stress or fears on our own. Romans 12:2 urges us not to fall into despair but rather renew our minds by saying, “do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, mental health is defined as, “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” This means mental health affects almost every aspect of our decision-making process and how we relate to others. Mental health problems could affect how one thinks, feels or behaves. Studies have shown that an individual’s mental health could be influenced by biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, or previous family history of mental health problems. Tracy Christensen, White’s Chapel’s Adult Discipleship Director and strong believer in Christ, has
She had faith and loved the Lord, but why was she facing so much hurt? She believes she got through the hardest times in her life through encouragement from Godly friendships, as well as her own belief. They encouraged her to feel the pain and heal in God’s timing. “The fall season is usually the time it hits,” Chris-
Mental Health includes our emotional psychological and social well being. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. tensen said. “I have a lot of the same symptoms - I don’t want to get out of bed, I’m just sad and don’t know how to shake the sadness, I just like to be by myself a lot. I know the triggers and I try to manage it, but at times it’s still difficult… I still have highs and lows but God has truly helped me. My faith is the main thing that kept me going and kept me strong. I knew God had a purpose for my life.” Many people that battle with anxiety, depression or other mental health issues are masters at hiding their emotions in order to complete daily tasks, work or just live their lives. “Most people that meet me, believe I am an extrovert,” Christensen said. “I have great joy and
According to Mental Health America, “56 percent of American adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment.”
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from my perspective, I don’t think they can be separated, although society has tried to separate it.” Klutchkowski believes that many different therapy techniques can help individuals through mental health issues. He uses cognitive therapy, psychoanalytical therapy, behavior therapy and many other methods specifically used to help those on an individual basis. “When it comes to mental health, it’s not an either or - faith is good and it’s helpful but if you still have an illness, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have enough faith,” Klutchkowski said. The counselors at the church separate themselves as Christians who are counselors; however, they are careful not to call themselves ‘Christian counselors’ because that may imply that they push Christian ideas on their patients or have a certain bias.
I feel very blessed to be at White’s Chapel and and I feel very blessed to be at White’s Chapel and thankful I have had great friends and pastors to help support me… I just know I’m not on my own. Even in my deepest, darkest valleys, God is with me.”
“Most people that come in are not asking for prayer, even though I’m perfectly fine praying with them, but they have pastors for that,” Klutchkowski said. “They want to look at a more objective view of their problem and understand some therapy techniques to apply to their situations, so they come in to find that.”
Klutchkowski identifies ‘good mental health’ as Some Christians believe that scripture and taking care of the physical aspect of yourself prayer is the only thing people need in order and body, your thoughts, as well as your faith. to overcome mental health issues He believes mental health is physical, such as anxiety or depression. Others, mental and emotional. “My faith is the such as Christensen, believe people main thing that that struggle with mental health issues Many people in the world face may need professional advice on kept me going and psychological problems and may medications or therapy techniques to struggle with finding ‘good mental kept me strong. regulate the physical aspects of their health.’ According to Mental Health I knew God had mental health issues. America, “One in five adults have a a purpose for mental health condition - that’s over 40 Dr. Franz Klutchkowski, WC counseling million Americans.” The organization my life” center director, has considered the idea also states that youth mental health is of faith and mental health throughout the worsening. course of his career. Even though Klutchkowski has retired, he continues to serve the community There has been an increase of youth with severe in his position at WC, while teaching psychology depression and 76 percent of them are left to local students. He believes mental health and without treatment. faith are interconnected and continues to help Director of WC Student Ministry, Floyd Joseph, those that struggle with finding a balance. believes younger generations are stressed about “I’ve mulled this over for about 40 years, in terms their future and their busy schedules could of the relationship between mental illness, mental contribute to mental health issues. health and spirituality,” Klutchkowski said. “So
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“We definitely have students that are dealing with stress and the pressures of the future really affect them,” Joseph said. “I think there’s a lot of mental anxiety that comes with that.” Some students have come for prayer because they are struggling with society’s expectations of them. Joseph believes some students think they have to make God happy by getting into a great college or performing well in school, but WC Students teaches them that God’s love is unconditional. Joseph encourages his team to pray with these individuals and when they’re ready, get help, either from a parent or medical professional. His goal is to see students empowered through God’s truth and to ultimately feel better. “We continue to be available to listen to their heart and concerns,” Joseph said. “Sometimes they want advice or sometimes they just want someone to listen and you know what? That’s ok.” Another individual in the community, who requested anonymity due to personal experience with mental health, described depression as “different than just being sad. It’s like your total view on life and how you see things is twisted and you’re just down.”
when I really start to feel the most anxious, it’s because I am getting ahead of God.”
Keller has seen how mental health affects different aspects of people’s lives. She believes self-care, self-love and seeing a counselor could be the key to taking control of an individual’s mental health. She believes 1 out of 5 having someone to hold an individual teens, 13-18, accountable is the first step toward healing and living in God’s promises in their life. live with She feels the most at peace when she a mental spends time in God’s presence and when encouraging people surround her. health
“I originally felt it when I was 13 years old; I still remember,” the individual said. “I was so depressed and I had never felt that before. You can’t explain it really you just don’t feel normal in your mind. It’s like a chemical problem in your brain and sometimes, it lifts but it’s really hard to condition feel normal when dealing with it. Isolation “I think everyone struggles with something makes it worse, but being around people and when people get curious about and a church community makes it better. When whatever they’re struggling with, they start to see I am around other people, I experience God’s the root of the issue,” Keller said. “That’s when I goodness because we all have the same focus.” think they can allow God to come in and restore Many people can struggle with mental health and sometimes finding a way to manage it can be difficult. Emily Keller, White’s Chapel’s editorial director, has found a great and practical way to manage her own personal stress and anxiety by taking her thoughts captive. “I think mental health is a daily choice,” Keller said. “I have to think, am I going to struggle with this today or am I going to let God handle it? And some days it can be a lot harder than others. But
those things.” There may be no ‘right’ answer when it comes to discussing how to manage mental health. Individuals are unique and handle stress in their own way, making it a difficult topic to discuss. However, Christians can find encouragement and joy through the truth of God’s promises for their lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the White’s Chapel Counseling Center at (817) 552-2129. For immediate assistance, please call the 24-hour hotline from Sovereign Health Group at (866) 567-8352.
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Lent: A “Super Christian Holiday?” By Trevor Kennedy
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oes God care if I give up chocolate?” After hearing that question several years in a row, I came to the realization too many of us have this idea that Lent is a Christian season of denying ourselves some of life’s pleasures, thinking that this will help us focus more on God. When I was younger, I must confess, Lent was a sick, twisted game where I counted how many times I encountered the temptation to drink Dr. Pepper and then kept track of how many times I “denied my worldly pleasure for Christ’s sake” as if Jesus cares how many times I suffered through a cup of water over the wonderful blend of 23 flavors fondly known as Dr. Pepper. Maybe the competitive nature in me came out, but my friends and I thought the better Christian you were, the longer you could last during Lent. Inevitably, I would always last a little longer than a week, pride as fuel of this abstinence.
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But, does cutting out sweets really help you “win” at Lent? Is this really what God is calling us to do? Maybe, but I think the big problem of Lent is that all too often Christians, you and I, get hung up on the idea of the religious action, suffering for God, than connecting with the gift of the season. LENT We must remember that Lent is a 46-day season (more on that later) in the Christian calendar, just as much a part of the calendar as Christmas and Easter. Whereas, Christmas celebrates the incarnation of God in Jesus, that God became human to offer us salvation, and Easter is the celebration of Christ’s victory over death, that nothing can separate us from God, not even death: Lent is a reminder of the life of Christ. We must attend to the whole life of Jesus, not just his birth and resurrection. It is through
Jesus’ whole life that we see God at work, seeking to invite us in to a new life. During Lent, we remember the 40-day period Jesus spent in the desert and was tempted by Satan. (Matthew 4:1-11) Yet, whereas Adam and Eve, and all too often we, give into temptation, Jesus is victorious, even in self-denial. This theme of Christ’s victory over temptation continues throughout Lent as we lead into Holy Week, specifically Good Friday when we remember Jesus’ suffering and death to save us. To see the joy and light of Easter Sunday, we cannot skip the cross and death of Good Friday. The day is much brighter when you have been through the darkness of suffering. In Lent, we are attentive to the parts of Christ’s life, self-control, patience, and faithfulness in the face of temptation and suffering, in hopes that our lives begin to reflect that of our Savior’s. Yet, Lent is not New Year’s Resolution 2.0. It’s not simply another opportunity to restart that diet we gave up on a week into 2018. Like I said previously, Lent is not about us. Lent is about Christ. Many of us will pick up a new habit or discipline during this season, maybe a new devotional book or specific prayer time. Others will intentionally give up something. But, this year, what if Lent was more than selfimprovement or self-denial? What if Lent was a season that we daily reminded ourselves of the love of Christ, the type of love that is sacrificial, the type of love we are called to? So, what about those pesky Sundays that makes it 46 days, rather than 40, from Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins, to Easter Sunday? All too often we overlook them, but Sundays, even during Lent, have been treated as feast days throughout Church history. On Sundays, you are meant to celebrate with thanksgiving. This doesn’t stop in Lent! In fact, the Sundays of Lent, we are meant to re-embrace with thankfulness whatever we are fasting from as if each Sunday is a “little Easter.” We are to approach each Sunday with joy! It is hard to fast and suffer with long faces if we are feasting, if we are celebrating God’s grace and presence in our lives.
ASH WEDNESDAY So, when does Lent officially begin? This year it is February 14, but the “kickoff” is called Ash Wednesday. For nearly 1,500 years, Christians have observed Ash Wednesday with the mark of ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads, a biblical sign of repentance. The message is rich in symbolism: even in the midst of recognizing humanity’s rebellion and sin, recognizing that all too often we don’t act in a loving manner, all too often life is about us rather than others and God, the Christian hope is in the Resurrection of Christ, celebrated on Easter. The mood during Ash Wednesday services is solemn and penitent. Often, the church is dark and bare. The focus is recognizing our sin and brokenness and turning from it. It is recognition of our need for redemption. If you attend an Ash Wednesday service and receive ashes, the pastor, continuing in the ancient tradition, will say, “Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Essentially, it is a call to remember our mortality. In a beautiful way, the imposition of ashes on the forehead is a moment of profound unity in which we recognize that God’s grace is for everyone, that we all are broken and need God’s grace. MAUNDY THURSDAY Imagine: you get through the first four weeks of Lent, trying to experience God in a new way, and then you hear the pastor talk about “Holy Week” and this weird thing called Maundy Thursday. Maundy? Did they make that word up? Or, is this one of those “crazy Christian words” that no one truly understands? Maundy Thursday is actually the first day of what has historically been called The “Easter Tridiuum,” or three days of remembering the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum” meaning commandment. On Maundy Thursday, the Church retells two stories. The first is John 13:1-20, when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. In this act, Jesus gives the disciples the commandment to “love and serve one another as I have loved you.” It is also the same day that Christ celebrated The Last Supper, taking the Jewish tradition of Passover and reinterpreting it, giving us the sacrament of Holy Communion.
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Jesus commanded those gathered to “do this in remembrance of me.” GOOD FRIDAY Either very late on Maundy Thursday or the wee hours of Friday, following the Last Supper in the Upper Room, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It is here where he is arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin, or the equivalent of the Jewish Supreme Court, where he was found guilty. From there he is taken to Pilate, the Roman overseer of Judea, where he eventually was condemned to death on a cross. Most of us have some basic knowledge of this scriptural account. But, why is it called Good Friday? What is exactly good about this account? Some historians believe this is an English corruption of the original term “God’s Friday.” But, ultimately, if the scripture, particularly the Gospel of John is to be believed, this day was good because God was drawing the world into God’s self through Christ. Or rather, it was good because through Christ’s death on a cross, God offers salvation to all people. God wasn’t taking some random events and making the best of a bad situation, but this was the working out of God’s intention for the world. The crucifixion is the pinnacle of God’s reconciling actions toward us. The Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, tell a powerful, integrated story of the cross; it is the story of God’s act to bring you and I back into right relationship with God. Often, we miss the point thinking it was only about punching our card to get into heaven. We craft stories behind the text, thinking maybe that there was some deal between the God and Jesus to get us there. More than anything, it is a narrative of the entire account of God’s reconciling actions and our identity because of these actions. The worship service reflects this sorrowful experience of those who would have witnessed this horrific death. Imagine, the disciples are numb in both pain and shame. Mary, Jesus’ mother, is filled with grief. The crowd is jeering. Roman soldiers are casting dice for Jesus’ clothes. For those who had spent time with Jesus for the last three years, their world is falling down. Often, the sanctuary, or worship space,
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will be dark or draped in black. Some churches have a “Tenebrae” service, where lights slowly diminish through the extinguishing of candles, symbolizing the events of the week, ending with the death and burial of Christ. The increasing darkness symbolizes the darkness of the world and hopelessness experienced in Christ’s death. In a Tenebrae service, worshippers leave in silence, pondering the impact of Christ’s death and awaiting the coming resurrection. The reality of our world and what Good Friday seeks to remind us is none of us are ever far from painful events, which we don’t understand. Yet, as we said before, God was still at work. God is still at work in our lives. God is still redeeming and reconciling us to him. EASTER SUNDAY Lent ends with Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Ultimately, it is a celebration that even death doesn’t have the last say, that nothing can separate us from God’s love. We celebrate the new life we experience in Jesus, a life defined by God’s acts of grace in our lives, not our own actions, a life intended to share God’s love and joy with the world around us. How will you share this with others? Who will you invite to experience this unfathomable love? All too often, Lent becomes about us, a selfimprovement season, a new opportunity to live into our New Year’s Resolution, but what if it actually isn’t about us? What if there is something more going on? What if it is a season of experiencing God’s grace through Christ in a new way? What if it is a season of taking a leap of faith and trusting that God is working for our good? What if we didn’t try to “win” at Lent, but were simply present to how God might be at work?
PRAYER FOR GOOD FRIDAY God, You work in ways that confound and confuse us. Your way of Love led to people shouting that you, Jesus, be killed even though they blessed you days before. Your way of Love led to the cross where you willingly gave up your life. You disrupt our expectations, especially of power. We pause to feel the disruption or give You permission to disrupt us. (Silence for 20 seconds.) Will we still trust You even when our expectations of You and how our life is supposed to go get disrupted? Do we trust You enough to willingly give up what we hold onto so tightly and place all, even our own lives into Your hands? And when we are left with only confusion and pain, questions and no answers, when we cannot feel Your presence, we ask that Your trustworthy hands hold us. Amen.
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KAIROS: prison ministry By Emily Keller
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erving those outside our typical reach or outside of our tight-knit community can be a daunting idea. Dr. Judy Hunt still remembers the distinct burden she felt to get involved with Kairos, a Christian faithbased ministry that addresses and cares for the needs of those who are incarcerated and their families.
found herself drawn to a poster of Jesus Christ that was signed by several men who were incarcerated. It read, “We’re praying for you.”
The Lord ignited that passion for others in her heart during a trip with the Upper Room’s Walk to Emmaus in February 1998. There, she
Through that trip, she became connected with people currently involved with Kairos, a prison ministry, and they informed her of
“How odd was it to see that those men, those placed in prison, were praying for me? It is something we seem to not realize is even a possibility,” explained Hunt.
an upcoming trip in May. The Kairos ministry has been an integral part of the prison Hunt is involved with in Palestine, Texas for nearly 40 years. “The mission of the Kairos prison ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families to become loving and productive citizens of their communities,” according to their website. But for Hunt, the mission goes beyond that. Each weekend she sets aside for this ministry not only impacts those they visit and partner with in prayer, but also the organization reminds her of God’s grace and action. And that we have the choice to actively pursue the best life we can live for God. “To me, Kairos truly means God’s special time. Once we realize that we could be the ones on the other side of those bars, we can develop a nonjudgmental and heartfelt outlook for this ministry,” explained Hunt. The definition of Kairos, God’s special and designed time, differs heavily from the definition of chronos – chronological time, a time that can be explained and viewed linearly. When we choose to live our lives in alignment with the meaning behind kairos, God’s appointed time, we will not only see the blessings around us, but also see the needs and the callings to quench those needs He places before us. Matthew 25:36 explains, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” This verse continues to encourage Hunt and other volunteers to continue in this ministry. Jesus pushes on further to remind us that, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Our call to serve can be expressed in many different settings through this particular ministry: be a team member and minister to the incarcerated; be a prayer partner; provide outside support such as baking cookies, preparing meals and even providing placemats.
Our church’s preschool currently helps provide handmade placemats for the prison we work alongside. Often, the placements include the child’s handprints and age, opening up an opportunity to soften the inmate’s heart due to a personal relation, such as having their own child. Each weekend at Kairos is planned out and intentional, with the volunteer team meeting together and bonding for four Saturdays prior to the weekend in the prison. About 55 team members will go for the weekend, with 12 to 15 staying outside the prison to cook, pray and create the environment of agape. With this program, male volunteers will go into all men prisons, while only females will go into all women prisons. The incarcerated individuals that interact with volunteers are chosen through an interview process to experience the Kairos weekend. Typically, someone who is a leader of a gang or is heavily influential in some way to the prison is invited. There are 42 total incarcerated men or women, which creates seven table families. Each table is comprised of six prisoners of varying races, one clergy person and two lay people. Prayer partners that are outside, cooking and preparing for them, also support these families. “The purpose of the table families are to create the bond between the members of each group; after that weekend together, the men can bond and go back to their wing and interact and encourage each other,” said Hunt. The weekend is full of a series of different talks – they don’t bring Bibles in, but Scripture is instead used and applied through the chats. The goal is to create a safe space where the participants know they are heard and loved. “Our biggest motto is ‘listen, listen, love, love.’” We want them to know first and foremost that they are loved, and they do have choices – they can choose how to respond to what’s happened to them and break the cycle of behavior. One of the ways we empower the inmates
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in Kairos is through providing “Forgiveness Cookies.” It’s very common to go through nearly 6,000 cookies each weekend as they put out things like fresh fruit and cookies for each session. But on Friday nights, the attendees are given an extra bag of cookies to take back with them. “The mission behind the bag of forgiveness cookies is to charge the inmates to give them to either someone they want to extend forgiveness to, or to someone they want to receive forgiveness from. They can give them to the guards, to other inmates, even members of other gangs,” shared Hunt. What a powerful movement this is – all through homebaked cookies!
were so impacted that once out, they were determined to become a part of this movement and join a team to go back into the prison to minster to others. “There are some that may never come out of prison, but it gives them a reason to be – a reason to have hope. The joy they have on their faces is incredible. And for those that do come out and have gone through Kairos, the recidivism rate is drastically reduced – they’ve been blessed by something to hold onto,” encouraged Hunt.
At the conclusion of the weekend, Sunday afternoon, each participant has the opportunity to come to the microphone and share the spiritual condition they arrived in, what they’ve found through this weekend and what they are taking with them. “To hear these things, from the perspective of men that might’ve never been told they are loved, is something that is so impactful for everyone there,” shared Hunt. “It’s so amazing to realize that just by showing up and simply listening, we can make a difference. We don’t have to teach our theology or tell them what’s wrong, we are there to listen to their hearts and to love them the way Christ loves each one of us, and give them a personal experience of how Christ loves them too.” Another important aspect of the prison ministry, and one Hunt has a heavy burden for, is the journey after incarceration. Most who are incarcerated aren’t incarcerated just once. The biggest needs for someone entering back into society are a place to live, a meaningful job and a place to worship. A lot of them don’t have a support system, “a majority of them have mothers, fathers, grandparents that have also been imprisoned - if they don’t have a positive place to go back to, they’re back in the same old crowd.” But Hunt has seen and been inspired by the change through the Palestine prison she and her Kairos team work with. Some ex-cons that experienced this ministry while incarcerated
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(above: Judy Hunt) Kairos is a volunteer opportunity for any adult interested – all you really need is to be willing to serve, be willing to listen, and be willing to love others. There are a few technical requirements that are explained through a short training. But, the Saturdays spent with your team truly prepare you and your heart for the weekend of ministry. “As I’ve heard many people and even our pastors say, it’s like when you go to serve on a mission trip – the experience truly changes us more than those we are there to help.”
“I am the Wretch”
By Debbie McKellar
A
s a child, I remember the word grace as a very early part of my vocabulary. As a matter of a fact, I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t a word I knew and used. As a preacher’s kid, you hear a lot of spiritual buzzwords. I don’t say that to be sacrilegious, I just mean that there were in my house and life a lot of words that had religious connotation. Even with an exceptional amount of exposure to them, many, including grace, were and are of such a high conceptual nature that it is a bit hard to truly understand what they mean, especially as a kid. Obviously one of my context clues came from the classic hymn, Amazing Grace… “How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind but now I see…” Like others, this hymn was sung so often the words became tattooed in my mind and I sung them heartily; often not really understanding their meaning. Most of my exposure to grace came from hymns, so committed to memory; they were really just words in my vocabulary bank. But other songs were introduced in those early childhood Sunday
school rooms as well. I still remember one that included several verses, including, “Please don’t smoke, please don’t smoke, smoking was made for the billy goat; Please don’t cuss, please don’t cuss, cussing was made for the devil not us…” Additional verses gave us reason not to dance, not to drink, --- one gets the idea! So in my childhood mind, I not only learned (through music!) that grace was amazing, but that those who committed ‘sin’ were of the devil. Without understanding or even realizing it, my ‘spiritual’ food became a serving of grace with a side of judgment. Let’s not forget a healthy portion of self-righteousness for dessert. I’m not really sure if it was my home environment, my spiritual environment, or my regional/cultural environment (I was, after all, raised in the Bible Belt) that taught me those important early lessons. I only know that as I grew up, I somehow got the idea that as a Christian, I was not to be friends with people who smoked and cussed, danced and drank, because they were not ‘good people’ and God didn’t love people who did those things. The older I became, the more difficult this became, because I did become friends with people who said words that, perhaps they shouldn’t say, and also who (horrors!) danced. In
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college, I also met people who smoked and drank. Interestingly enough, in conversing with them, I found that they believed in God, were Christians, and were in reality, not bad people. I found myself, as many do, starting to reassess my lessons about God. I started to think about that word grace. Grace, of course, has several meanings, but in Christian theology, the textbook definition is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. Free and unmerited. Something undeserved that costs nothing. When John and I first moved to Southlake in 1992, it was a tiny, rural town. Many of the residents, proud of the community, said that Southlake was one of the best-kept secrets in the DFW area, and certainly in Texas. A lot of people, for the sake of maintaining that smalltown community feel, hoped it would stay small and rural. As more people moved in, the newbies seemed to quickly pick up on that ‘best kept secret’ idea and also hoped that it would stay that way --- now that they lived here, now that they were “in.” Sometimes I wonder if grace is the same way to our Christian community: the best kept secret to be kept, now that we are in. We want God’s grace personally, but we are hesitant to extend it to others. We want to keep it to ourselves. We want to keep it a secret, to not extend this idea that grace is free, unmerited, and especially undeserved. We have, after all, received God’s grace and salvation. We are blessed. But to give that grace to others?
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In reflection, and having been a parent, I know it is right and good and understandable to give our children guidelines on what is good and what is wrong. But I wonder sometimes how many of those guidelines we ourselves have not only brought with us into adulthood, but taught them to do as well? How much of our spiritual food continues to be grace, a side of judgment, finishing off with self-righteousness? I have to admit something here. My selfrighteousness in getting upset that other people are judgmental is as much a sin as those traditional sins of cussing and dancing and drinking and smoking. My anger at what other people do or say or think is as despicable to God as whatever wrongs anyone else may do. I am the wretch. I am that wretch that God saved with His grace. It is free and unmerited. I find that I must continually remind myself of this. We currently live in a society that has reached frenzy when it comes to the judgment of people who are different from us: those who act or say or live or think differently. Our self-righteousness in knowing what is definitively right and what is definitively wrong and not associating with those people who are not in agreement with us has crept into our personal lives, our homes, our communities, our churches, and our world. The Internet, social media or 24-hour cable news does not help it. It has created an atmosphere of animosity, intolerance, and hatred. It has engulfed us and led us to draw a line between them and us. I am the wretch. I know that personally. Because I am human, I always will be. But I also know that as a Christian, my goal has to continually be to not accept that condition as okay. If the Christian faith is to be sustained it is crucial.
Jokes, Jams, & Java Who was the fastest guy in the Bible?
How do you make Holy Water?
Adam - he was first in the human race.
You get regular water and boil the devil out of it.
What’s the best way to study the Bible?
What's a missionary's favorite type of car? A convertible.
You Luke into it.
Who is the greatest babysitter in the Bible?
What's a dentist's favorite hymn?
Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
Where was Solomon's Temple located?
When was medicine first mentioned in the Bible?
David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.
Crown him with many crowns.
Because Noah was standing on the deck.
On the side of his head.
When God gave Moses two tablets.
King of my Heart
Hills and Valleys
Bethel Music
Tauren Wells
Broken Things
O’Lord
Matthew West
Lauren Daigle
Bleed the Same
O Come to the Altar
Mandisa
Elevation Worship
Air I breathe
I Just Need You
Mat Kearney
TobyMac
So Will I (100 Billion X)
Counting Every Blessing
Hillsong United
Java house
jams
Rend Collective
Buon Giorno Coffee
All About Cha
GEORGE | Coffee + Provisions
The Brew Junkie Coffee House
1901 W Southlake Blvd Southlake, TX 76092
462 Houston Street Coppell, TX 75019
250 Randol Mill Ave #140 Southlake, TX 76092
304 N Oak Street Roanoke, TX 76262
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Community Events Spring 2018 (click on an event to go to their website)
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Jan. 12 - Feb. 3 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
Jan. 12 Feb. 3 Feb. 2 & 3 Fort Worth Stock Show Daddy and RodeoDaughter
Sweetheart Ball (4 to 7 year olds) Keller ISD Rock Gym
Feb. 3 Sweetheart Dance at The Marq 5:30 - 7 p.m. & 7:30 - 9p.m.
Mar. 24 Easter in the Park Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt 9 a.m. - Noon North Park 200 E. Dove Road
Mar. 30 Family Campout Bob Jones Park
Apr. 27 - 29 Southlake Art in the Square
Apr. 27 - 29 Keller-fest
May 12 1860s Baseball Game at Nash Farm
Friday 5 p.m. to Saturday 9 a.m.
May 18-20 Grapevine Main Street Fest
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Keep an eye out for our next issue! coming May 18, 2018