Sun, 27 May 2012 23:07:53 -0800WeeblyThu, 22 Mar 2012 07:40:58 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2012/03/who-should-a-christian-vote-for.htmlFor a Christian, this political season resurrects some familiar questions: Who should I vote for? I feel strongly that it is my duty as a citizen to engage in the political process, and it is such an important part of our social life that certainly I need to seek God in how I vote. How do I act with wisdom and honor?

Some stand and say we should vote on the basis of “morality.” However, “morality” is a blanket that can cover many, many issues: racism, materialism, greed, injustice, poverty and (the sin that Jesus spoke about more often than others) pride. I think there is an inherited problem when Christians name sin from one side of the political isle, not only does it distort the gospel, but it sends a powerful message of exclusion to those who need Jesus.

One thing that saddens my heart during a political season is the demonization of those who disagree, instead of a healthy, cognitive discussion of pertinent issues. Historian Mark Noll observes that evangelicals often fail to add value in politics because they boil politics down to simplistic arguments of good vs. evil, or right vs. wrong. Truth is, political and economic issues are very complex, full of nuances that affect different aspects of our society in different ways.

Some time ago, I ran across an article from John Ortberg that may help us put politics in the proper framework as a Christ follower. Imagine that we elected all the right people to all the right offices, everyone from the President on down-- governors, senate, congress, mayors, city council, even the dog catcher.

Now, let’s imagine that all these ideal office holders instituted all the right policies. And let’s imagine that we got all the issues right, everything from statewide legislation to local levies. Zoning codes to crime bills. Everything is just exactly the way you know it ought to be. Everything politically is in place.

If that “perfect” political experience existed, ask yourself this question: would it compel more people to know Jesus Christ as Lord?

Would all parents act with love toward their children?

Would all marriages be models of love within the home?

Would greed and pride and hate be legislated out of existence?

Would we be able to master our human nature when it comes to addictions, or anger, or lust?

Would you be the man or woman God wants you to be?

You get the point. No human system, including politics, has the ability to change the human heart. And while politics is very important, it must be put into perspective.

That is why it is so important that the church doesn’t become just another political interest group. No, we have much higher calling than that.

Yes, as Christians, we out to be involved in the political process. Recently, while shopping in a Christian bookstore, I ran across a great piece of advice for the believer in the midst of this political season: Pray, vote, pray.  First, pray for wisdom before you cast your ballot. Study the issues. Ask questions about character and competence. You are about to hire government servants for at least the next couple of years, exercise that right seriously. Second, vote. Be responsible and involved. Third, pray for those who are elected that they will lead with integrity, and do what is best for the country.

But ultimately, we need to be reminded as Christ followers that we are not citizens of this world, we are citizens of heaven. Our ultimate impact needs to be eternal rather than temporal. We are the body of Christ--called to be involved in the redemptive process of changing hearts by demonstrating His love in big ways and small ways, everyday. 

]]>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:03:18 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/12/god-and-calm-assurance.htmlEveryone likes a miracle. We read about them in the Bible. We share compelling stories of the miraculous ways God has moved in believers lives. We pray for a miracle. I talked with a woman the other day who said she needed $7000 by tomorrow. She went on to say, "I need a miracle." I agreed.

I believe God is in the miracle business. I praise Him, along with others, when He intervenes and does something that blows our minds. We all know He is capable, and faith can move mountains.

But let me share with you as aspect of God's character that I should be praising much more often, particularly because I see it more often. That is God's calm assurance of his presence. 

The Bible says that God is our refuge and strength, an "ever present help in the time of trouble." (Psalm 46:1) God is always present, and always working in our lives. It may not be mind blowing, but little nudges that assure us, "I'm here, and I got this."

The other day, I was convicted that I needed to talk with someone very near and dear to me. This person wasn't involved in destructive behavior by any means. But I  felt God's leading to speak to them about something in their life that was obviously unnoticed. After that thought, I committed myself to doing just that the next time we spoke. 

When we finally touched base, before I could broach the subject, this person said, "You know, God has been gently prodding me to make some changes in my life. I know I need to to that. I am and making progress.' God's here, and he's got this.

I still love the miracles. But I find myself daily praising him for moving and working in gentle ways, constantly showing the calm assurance of His presence.  ]]>Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:05:27 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/10/surrender.htmlSurrender is a word we don’t talk about much. The concept goes counter culture to our world. We would much rather talk about success, conquering, winning, achieving. But surrender is a very necessary aspect of the believer’s life. Surrender means you let God take control. It means you obey what God wants you to do, and you trust Him in the journey. You yield your resources, your time, your talents, and your life to accomplish his will. We resist that initially, because we think that means we are giving up so much, but what we discover is we gain so much.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Finding real life means surrendering yourself completely to Jesus Christ. When we do we will find fulfillment in every area of our life.

We find fulfillment in worship.  Authentic worship comes when we surrender. Paul says in Romans when we become a living sacrifice, which is our daily surrendering to God, we are worshipping. Daily, lifestyle worship is “his good, perfect, pleasing will.” (Romans 12:1,2)

We find fulfillment in service. One paradox of life is this: when you give, you get. And when we begin to focus on serving the needs of others, we find we gain so much in the process.

We find fulfillment in relationships. Meeting the needs of others will build genuine relationships, which are deep and meaningful. When you invest yourself in other people other people, in turn, invest in you. And deep, authentic relationships are cultivated.

Are you willing to begin the journey of surrender? God can do incredible things through a life that is surrendered to him.

]]>Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:16:20 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/09/its-not-about-the-donkey.htmlAs a grace driven church, we know that leaving the comfort of our facilities and going into our community to share Christ’s love and grace is imparative. What does a grace driven church do in the community? We share the good news through good deeds. Just as it takes two wings to lift and airplane off the ground, we realize that coupling good news and good deeds will help us build the kingdom of God in Dayton.

Good deeds, expressed through service and ministry to others, validate good news. The good news explains the purpose of the good deeds.

Good news and good deeds are, after all, a summation of Jesus’ ministry on earth. When the crowds were following Jesus, he “welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God (good news), and he healed those who needed healing” (good deeds) Luke 9:11. When Jesus sent the twelve disciples out, “he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God (good news) and to heal the sick” (good deeds) Luke 9:2.


Riding a donkey, Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The crowds cheered and shouted praises to him. They laid palm branches and cloaks on the ground for the donkey to walk on. For a moment, the donkey perhaps thought the people were cheering and laying down their sacrifices for him. But it wasn’t about him. He was simply carrying the Message.

As we serve our community with good deeds, our ultimate goal is to point people in the direction of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. 

We are just the donkey. It’s all about Jesus. ]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:01:54 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/06/jesus-and-self-esteem.htmlSelf Confidence and self Esteem have to reflect Heaven’s standard not human standards. It cannot be based on our emotions or a self-image.

We have all experienced rejection in various life situations. And, chances are, we have dealt with it in healthy or not so healthy ways. Many experience rejection during childhood through conscious (or unconscious) parental rejection, neglect, abuse, or even parent abandonment. As forgiving as children are, they do not escape the effects of a parent who ignored their needs for love, respect and presence. Children of rejection, as I call them, often struggle well into adulthood, trying to feel good about themselves; doing all kinds of things to avoid being hurt again. They may become obsessed with work, or crave order in their lives, or may exhibit very poor work ethics. It is common for people who fear further rejection to develop depression, addictions, become promiscuous, or to have unreasonable fears of inadequacy and low self worth. This person may run from emotional intimacy for fear of being rejected again or marrying the first person that gives them some attention. The children of rejection try so hard to be accepted they may scare others away with their neediness. Some may be so self centered that they cannot relate to anything that doesn’t directly affect them, resulting in a lack of empathy for others. In each case, they end up feeling worse about themselves. As their self- esteem sinks lower and lower, falling deeper into despair. 
To overcome low self-esteem and to build self confidence, our self-image needs to reflect our dependence on God and how He sees us. In 2 Cor. 10:12,18, Paul wrote, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. . . . For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends”

Paul is telling us to put our confidence in God, not in ourselves or in others opinion. Using this as our starting point, we can have a new perspective about ourselves, altering our emotional state. We can stop believing the lie that was told to us somewhere along life’s path: that we are not good enough. The source of that deception may have more to do with our relationship (or lack thereof) with our parents, or another authority figure to whom we were dependent upon for approval.  Or its source could be the worldly values of how we look, how smart we are, power, popularity, money and other standards, rather than who we really are in God’s eyes. What we value will determine how we feel about ourselves and how long that feeling will last. There is nothing wrong with these world values as long as we use them with God’s guidance to bless others. But when it comes to the real basis of self-esteem, we need to build on the truth of what the Lord said about us. The truth is who we are, real happiness, and inner emotional healing comes from God. This truth is eternal and infinitely better than any other worldly standards.

May you receive God’s truth each and every day. 
                                          -Karen VanDyke



]]>Tue, 24 May 2011 11:06:28 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/05/the-world-didnt-end-last-week.htmlWell, the world didn't end last Saturday as self professed Bible scholar Harold Camping predicted. In my lifetime, I have seen and heard preachers make bold predictions about the end times. Many think they have "broken the code" and can tell you the "secrets hidden in the Bible." Most of the time, there isn't much of a splash, but once in a while it catches the attention of the masses. 

Every generation since Jesus walked the earth has been convinced they are living in the end times. Even Jesus' followers immediately after the ascension where talking about His immanent return, and that was 2000 years ago!  And it's not just the "code breakers" who fuel the fire; Talk to anyone who has been watching the cable news channels or devouring New York Times lately and the conclusion is that with all the stuff happening around the world, and espcially in the middle east, this must be it. The retrun of Jesus can't be too far off, can it?

Truth is, God want's us to be thinking about the return of Jesus. There is a longing in the believers heart to meet Jesus face to face, and see the corruption and evil that is so prevailant in the world cease. A longing for heaven is healthy, but it shouldn't be based upon cooky predictions and taking current events out of context. Our desire to be with Jesus should come from an understanding that what we see now is not all there is, that there is something much, much greater that awaits us. And until that day comes, we will serve Him with all of our hearts and to the best of our abilities.

So, when it comes to predicting the end, put away your holy calculators. Stop trying to discepher Biblical prophecy based upon what you see on Fox News. Being prepared for the end is not so much about knowing the date as it is living for Jesus Christ in the present. ]]>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:59:47 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/03/supreme-sacrifice.htmlWe have all be so moved by the tragedy of the quake and tsunami victims in Japan. The devastation is great, but as we have witnessed, so is the determination of the Japanese people.

I read an article in the New York times that illustrates this. As nuclear reactors are becoming dangerously overheated, residents are being evacuated. At the same time, many reactor workers are actually volunteering to go on duty, even though it means sure death. Their loyalty to their duties and their communities are overriding their personal safety. As one worker put it, "We say goodbye to our families, and we do what is expected of us."

Many will sacrifice on behalf of the victims by giving resources including time, efforts and money. But no sacrifice will match what these workers are giving. They are giving what could be their very lives, so that others can live.

As we prepare for the Easter season, we will be worshiping the One who gave everything for us. His supreme sacrifice means that those who accept Him have the ability to be forgiven and redeemed. Indeed, His life was laid down, so that we may have life. ]]>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:04:06 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2011/01/what-good-is-god.htmlI turned to a news channel this morning to catch the latest developments of the "Tragedy in Tucson." Last Saturday, at a political rally, a gunman opened fire, leaving six dead, and others critically wounded. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, and is in intensive care fighting for her life. Among those whose lives were taken that day, a nine year old girl, born on September 11, 2001. In the newscast, we were reminded that today is the one year anniversary of the devastating earth quake in Haiti. So much suffering to begin 2010, and now this year has already seen it's share also.

During these times, Christians, theologians, agnostics and atheists alike as the same question..."Where is God?" What does tragedy tell us concerning a loving, caring, heavenly Father? Perhaps Phillip Yancy said it best when he wrote in the title of his best-selling book, "Where is God when it hurts?"

We ask those questions to find comfort in our pain. I have asked men and women way smarter than me those questions. I have searched the scriptures. I am yet to find an answer that dispels grief and pain, and puts an end to suffering. I am beginning to think that answer doesn't exist.

As a matter of fact, the Bible promises suffering. Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble." Jesus says suffering is a given. It is going to happen. Don't expect anything else. Believing in a loving, caring God doesn't exempt anyone from suffering. But the Bible does give us something that is to be greatly valued, it gives us a purpose in suffering.

Romans 8 gives us the promise that God can take our pain and grief and redeem it for something that brings healing and hope. If we will open our hearts to Him, God can actually work in the midst of suffering and bring great healing and purpose. In verse 28, it tells us that God will work during suffering to bring about good. Mentally circle that word: good. He has the power to redeem such things and use them for our benefit and His glory.

But the greatest promise of that chapter is found in verses 38 and 39 when it tells us that nothing that can happen to us in suffering that can separate us from God's love. God's love is the foundational truth in this universe, and it is important we don't lose sight of that in the middle of pain.

Jesus did promise that in this world we will have trouble. But read the rest of the verse:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33 (NIV)]]>Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:57:49 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2010/12/lead-and-dont-look-back.htmlIn Numbers 16, Moses in leading Israel in the wilderness, when some 250 men begin to oppose his leadership. They claimed they had as much authority to lead as he did. But there was one problem, they were acting on their own authority, not God's.

Like Moses, every leader has his/her opposition. There will always be those who disagree with the direction the leader is taking, or even challenge the leader's authority to lead. It is a certainty when you take up the mantle of leadership.  When Moses was challenged, he was confident in his authority. You see, his authority didn't come from him, it came from God. 

The implication is two fold. First, the leader must always discern his/her place in God's will. Am I leading on His behalf, or do I have improper motives? Is this what God wants, or what I want? Is this His, or mine? The leader must always self evaluate to make sure his/her heart is pure.

Secondly, when opposition comes, LEAD! Again, opposition is a constant companion to a leader. When it comes, treat those who oppose with grace, but continue on. Remember, God's people need leaders who will be bold and follow God's will, no matter what the opposition.]]>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 07:50:31 -0800http://www.gracedrivenchurch.com/1/post/2010/12/and-all-good-things.htmlNext Wednesday, December 15, 2010 marks the end of our Wednesday evening program known as Family Reunion. While I am so very excited as to the direction we are going with our intentional discipleship process known as GPS (Pursuing God, Connecting with People, Serving the World) and the formation of ID Groups, Family Reunion will be coming to an end. 


Family Reunion started 17 years ago, when several of us wondered how we could make our Wednesday evening Bible study more effective. We started offering a buffet-style meal, as well as choices of adult classes including Bible studies, instructional classes, and seminars. Also, we offered children's ministry and youth ministry classes. Family reunion prospered for many, many years.


But recently, it lost steam. For the last couple of years, attendance has been down, and there has been a sense that the program has run it's course. The meal has become cost prohibitive. And, with a new paradigm shift to ID and LIVE relational groups, the time has come to end it.


I am grateful for Family Reunion's years of effectiveness. I am grateful for the many, many teachers and leaders who have contributed to it's effectiveness over the years. I am grateful for the cooking teams and the cleaning teams who worked hard each and every week  to provide a meal. So many have given so much over the years, and your service has been so effective, and so appreciated.


But now we turn the chapter to a new page. Our intentional discipleship process, including the formation of ID groups that will be meeting different nights during the week are going to allow us to minister to one another in new and innovative ways. And, both our children's and youth ministries will be launching new midweek programs beginning the first of the year. The future is exciting! And I am thankful for what has now become our past.


For more information about our intentional discipleship process, click here.]]>