Extreme. Intense. Beyond average. Beyond normal. Drastic. Crazy.
That's how we describe something or someone that we say is radical. We perceive their attitudes, perspectives or actions as not normal. They are "out there" in some way. Whether we like or dislike, agree or disagree with them, we recognize the extra measure of this person. It’s easy to identify: that’s a radical thought, that’s a radical thing to do, that’s a radical response, that’s a radical person. But what causes them to be radical? Are they simply extremists? Wild and crazy? Abnormal people?

What is at the core of a radical person? What inspires or motivates or causes them to think, feel, respond, and move in ways that we perceive as radical? What about the radical believer? The one who gives all she has to help others. The one who leaves his own comforts to comfort others. The one who’s passion is for something greater than and beyond themselves.

This weekend at Wellspring we will begin a new study that explores the core elements of the radical believer. We examine the radical heart. We contemplate the radical mind. We examine core elements of a radical life: surrendering our lives to the Lord, considering others before ourselves, living a life of worship, choosing to set ourselves apart in holiness. It is a radical life God calls us to.

The results are: thoughts that cut against the grain, actions that others observe as not normal, responses that are not self-centered or self-serving. Radical hearts, minds and lives cannot help but produce radical results. Our thoughts, choices, and actions will change us and change the world around us. Our lives and lifestyles will impact others and release God's transforming blessings. Our compassion and commitment will bring God's love and presence everywhere we go.

So let's go get radical!

Many of you are now quite familiar with our good friend and ministry partner Arnold Muwonge. Through our Uganda Bridge ministry, our extensive involvement with the Kampala Children's Centre, and the Destiny Africa choir we have all come to know and love Pastor Arnold's passion for the Lord and his heart for the children. And, we have been blessed and inspired by his preaching as well.

This coming weekend, we will have the wonderful privilege of experiencing the passionate heart of another Muwonge, Pastor Arnold's beautiful wife Josie. Last September I helped lead a retreat for Pastor Arnold's staff in England. As we explored one another's dreams and God-given gifts, it was very clear that the voice of the Lord stirred inside Josie, waiting for opportunities to be heard.

When I learned that Josie and a few of their children would be joining Pastor Arnold on a trip to the states, I immediately jumped at the chance to invite Josie to be our guest speaker. And, she delightedly accepted! I am confident that the Lord will bring a right-time word for Wellspring through Josie this weekend. I know we will all be blessed, so come expectantly.

I've titled this blog "Courage and Vulnerability", saying To be courageous requires vulnerability and to be vulnerable takes courage. But, what do I know...

Yesterday Pam and I toured the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. All was pretty nice until it got to the point where they described her capture and being dragged off to the camp. I seem to have forgotten that part of her story. THEN, I learned that she died a month before the end of the war and her opportunity for release and freedom. All of a sudden my whole spirit changed. The secret hiding place I was standing in, the story I was intersecting, my perspective, my emotions all changed in an instant. I'm not sure what I became, but I knew I was no longer a tourist.

Courage and Vulnerability. What do I know about that...

When I get home I'm going to read The Diary of Anne Frank. Maybe I can learn something.

We've all heard people say, "I think Jesus was a great man. I like his teachings. I just don't believe that he was God. But that's okay, because what he said was still very good." They may also question the story of the cross and the resurrection. It's too hard to believe that a man was raised from the dead. That sounds too much like Greek mythology. But that's okay, because his teachings are still significant.

We've all heard some version of those comments. Many of us may even have said similar things at times. It sounds good, doesn't it? We believe that Jesus spoke with profound wisdom. We marvel at his faith and his ability to instantly address the root of the matter. His questions confounded his accusers. His expressions of compassion blanketed the humble and provoked the proud at the same time. So it seems like a fair statement that even if someone does not believe that Jesus was God or that he raised from the dead, there is still value in valuing his teachings.

As the apostle Paul begins to conclude his exhortations to the church at Corinth, he makes this bold statement, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Corinthians 15: 17,19.

Really? Does that make sense? There has to be value in the teachings of Jesus, even if he did not raise from the dead, right? This weekend at the Wellspring worship services we will take a look at this passage of scripture. What does it mean? How do we apply it to our lives? Is our faith futile?

Hint: What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That is, what is the good news?

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend...come, let us reason together.

Pastor Wesley

Entitlement. Sounds good to us. After 10 stamps on our coffee card, we're entitled to one free coffee. Who doesn't want a free coffee. A free anything! AND, we've earned it by buying the 10 previous cups. We deserve it. We're entitled to it!

We live in an entitlement culture. Just listen to our media (which reflects our cultural values). We are entitled to everything from clear skin to a pampered, all inclusive vacation at a Sandels resort in the Caribbean. Of course, those entitlements come at a cost, but that's okay because we deserve it. Entitlement has permeated our language and our perspective on everything from politics (entitlement programs), to the workplace, to our relationships. We are simply entitled.

What about our relationship with God? What about the principles of his Kingdom, his reign and rule in our lives? Does this entitlement mindset influence our perspective on our faith? Do we feel entitled to blessings? To healing? To a good and easy life?

God does say that grace is free, that Jesus came to bring us life and life abundant. He does say ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Jesus said he came to set us free. However, Jesus also said the last shall be first, and the one who loves her life will lose it, while the one who hates her life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Grace, mercy, entitlement and freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. This weekend at the Wellspring Worship Services we'll take a look at our entitlement culture and the true freedom that the Lord makes available to us through his son and in his kingdom. Join us as we continue our look at I Corinthians and bring practical instructions for the culture clash in which we live.

Teaser: Who is the object of entitlement? Who is the object of true freedom?

Our weekend worship services have been quite inspiring so far in 2011. We have embraced a new Year Verse, Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." We are humbled that God's master craftsmanship is depicted in the heart and life of us, the believer. We are challenged to step into the plans and purposes he has for us and through us.

We have expanded our vision and vocabulary: BiHOGG (Don't understand? Click here) Do you have yours yet? Keep seeking your heart and God's voice.

We have been reminded of God's faithfulness, that he will honor his promises to us. Even when all we see is mistakes, disappointments, or even failure. God can reset the playing field and call a do-over.

Wonderful. Marvelous. Amazing. But what do we do now? Sit and wait? Demand of God that he fulfill his promises? Start measuring God to see if he lives up to his word? Let's remember the other message we heard this month, that God will be our God, AND he calls us to be his people.

This Sunday we will launch an in-depth look into what it means to be "his people". Using the book of I Corinthians, we will face the real challenges of living out the kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen world around us. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth concerning this very matter. Corinth was a prosperous pagan city, and Paul's letter was clear and pointed instruction to the believers who were called to live holy and wholly different than the world around them. In some cases their Christianity was simply a veneer layered over a worldly life. In other cases they were misinterpreting and misusing their new found freedom and faith in ways that were unhealthy to them and others.

So let's get real. Let's use the practical instruction of Corinthians, apply it to our lives and life's circumstances, and truly be "his people".

Cultures Clash at Corinth: Instruction For Living the Kingdom Life in a Corrupt World. (Click here for a preview of this series.)
Teaching begins this weekend in our worship services. LifeGroups will follow along with additional study that correlates to the weekly sermons. In addition, the pastors will facilitate an open discussion time on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30PM for anyone interested in going deeper or asking questions about that week's sermon. We are providing study guides for anyone and everyone who wants them. Pick them up this weekend in the café or Welcome Center.

Masterpieces. BiHOGGs. Do-overs. These are inspiring, and we are desiring. God promises to be our God. Let's give ourselves to be his people. May his highest and best for us bring forth the highest and best in us. May his testimony continue to resound.

"Everybody, everybody wants to love. Everybody, everybody wants to be loved." Can anyone argue with that? It's a pretty broad statement yet with profound meaning. It also makes for a catchy song. But Carmax uses it as their jingle for their latest commercial. So, as the viewer I'm supposed to understand that using Carmax will fulfill my deepest desire to love and be loved.

Marketeers seem to know what the world wants. Just look at what they are selling: love, hope, joy. I guess the good news is that it's pretty clear what people desire. The question is, where are you looking for love, hope, and joy? Is your deepest love a Subaru? Is your highest joy a Pepsi? Does Tide detergent satisfied your hope?

Or should I ask, where are you finding love, hope, and joy?

Lovetc, Hopetc, & a side of Mcjoy from Wellspring Church on Vimeo.