Home / Articles by: Jeff Nelsen It’s a question I often ponder. Years ago, computer programmers created the acronym, G.I.G.O.—garbage in, garbage out. The Bible says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). My richest times in life are when I feed my mind with things that deepen my love and trust in Jesus. Are you learning this too?
The music we listen to. I love music. Before I met Jesus Christ, I was proud of the fact I knew the lyrics to every top 40 song on the radio. But after meeting Jesus, it dawned on me—in a time of crisis, did I want Elton John’s latest coming to mind, or a song that strengthened me in God? I chose the latter, and increased my exposure to such songs. And this has often helped me. As I write this, I’m enjoying “Revival In Belfast.”
The books we read. Books can be friends. But I have not always chosen wisely. There’ve been seasons when I’ve read sensual or violent material, and tried to rationalize my choices. It robbed me of joy and deadened me spiritually. But I’ve also found books that have deepened my devotion to Christ, challenged me towards spiritual maturity and encouraged godly character. The difference is night and day. Right now, Billy Graham’s autobiography, Just As I Am, is teaching me to pray more earnestly.
The things we watch. My parents enjoy movies and love to laugh. They helped us appreciate the arts, and the great good they can do. But today, taking responsibility isn’t easy. It’s easier than ever to grow careless and undiscerning with the images we put in our minds. As Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” We must make good choices in this area, but I’m still learning. I’m grateful for movies like “Courageous,” and Ken Burns’ documentary on our national parks that inspire.
Meditating on God’s Words. Nothing has cleansed my heart & mind more than God’s words. Jesus said, “You are clean because of the words I spoke to you” (John 15:3). The question is: am I consciously meditating (chewing on, turning over & over in my mind) on what He says in the Bible to us? I try to do this daily. Renewing our minds like this is transforming. Today I’ll be giving you a verse to meditate on this week. Try it.
Let’s love Jesus with all our mind.
Last Sunday, I asked my wife, Patricia, to share how she wrestled with doing whatever Christ was asking of her in regards to our recent mission trip to Ethiopia. Here’s what she shared:
How I Knew I Was Supposed To Go To Ethiopia
By Patricia Nelsen
Though I don’t really like to travel, the idea for me to go to Ethiopia began with Jeff’s decision to represent Cherry Hills and go with Pastor Brian to encourage & partner with Craig & Allison Fowler, our missionaries to the Ethiopian Gumuz people.
In the back of my mind, I wondered if I too was supposed to go, but quickly dismissed the thought since I’m not gifted to teach church leaders or help in the health clinic. Besides, it’s a taxing 3-day trek from Springfield to the remote African village where the Fowlers live and work. Plus—there’s no indoor plumbing or place to plug in my hair dryer! Yes, Jeff & Brian could go, and I’d rough it here at home.
Then one day Brian shared an email from Allison Fowler with details of the trip. She asked, “Is there someone who might come along to help in more of a service type role—food preparation, doing stuff with our kids and other practical things so Craig & I can be free to oversee all the teaching and healthcare?” Brian asked if I’d consider.
My heart immediately leapt in two different directions:
1) Wow, there is something I could do! I’d love to help in that way.
2) Oh boy, what if I’m not up to the grueling travel schedule? What if something happens with our family while both Jeff & I are out of the country? What if my health fails or I get really sick? What if the Fowler kids don’t like me? What if I can’t get a substitute to teach preschool for me? What if …? A barrage of “what ifs” kept coming.
But as I prayed and came to the point of being willing to obey whatever God was asking me to do, another “what if” question came to mind—I believe from the Holy Spirit—“What if you trust ME?” I teach my preschool students God is trustworthy, now I needed to put my words into action (even if there’d be no plumbing)!
Since returning from Ethiopia, I’m moved God used the abilities I have to serve and love on 3 precious missionary kids. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I was able to trust God with my life and all the “what if’s”—even surviving a week with no indoor plumbing or use of a hair dryer. ☺
Recently I heard someone say: “When will I ever have a bigger chance to impact so many with my life, like this?” They were referring to giving to “The Next 5.” God gave our church family 50 acres to accomplish HIS mission here—so more—can learn with us to Love the LORD, Love One Another & Serve The World and move from shallow to mature. Here are answers to questions if you’re considering investing in “The Next 5”…
What is “The Next 5?” An invitation for you & me to financially give something over-and-above what we already give each month to invest in this church campus as a “reaching, building & sending” center while aggressively paying off our mortgage by September 2016—our 10th anniversary on this campus.
Is “The Next 5” a pledge drive? No, it’s not. No one will call or come to your house. It’s voluntary, not a have-to but a get-to! Right now, our leaders, staff and about 150 households are regularly participating. Just as others sacrificed and gave for you & me, we have an opportunity to now impact others. As you pray, would you please ask the LORD if you’re supposed to invest in The Next 5 & do whatever He shows you?
What will it take for us to do this? More than several big gifts from a few, we believe the LORD wants us to do this together—with all who are willing, doing something regularly for the next 5 years. Make no mistake, it will require many participating.
What’s the payoff if we can do this? It’s twofold: 1) we’ll each be more invested in His mission—we’ll grow deeper as a church family, and as individuals; 2) we’ll save $2 million in interest to invest in people both inside and outside our walls as we’re already doing now. It’s a win-win.
How do I get involved and invest? You can indicate “The Next 5” on your offering envelope or on your check. If you give online through your bank, you can designate an amount to “The Next 5.” Or use “The Next 5” envelopes found in the seatbacks of our Worship Center.
What happens after The Next 5? As we continue to grow, our leaders believe we’ll need to build a permanent Worship Center and Children’s Center to make room for others. But we won’t be able to afford this if we don’t first pay off our mortgage. If we build, it will likely mean a financial stewardship campaign of sacrifice like we did 6 years ago.
Thanks for considering how you can make an eternal impact.
It has been exactly 18 months since God first gave us a sentence that has energized our church: “We believe God is calling us as a church to declare war on shallow Christianity, beginning with ourselves.” May I share with you several observations about this sentence?
How we arrived at this. As our 5 pastors met on a 4-day retreat in Princeton, NJ, we wrestled with the question: “What is the problem God has called us to solve?” Upon reflection, we each came back with a similar answer: shallow Christianity is a problem God is calling us to solve!
What is shallow Christianity? Shallow Christianity results whenever we want the benefits, but not the costs of following Jesus. In His parable of the 4 soils, Jesus describes shallow Christians as those who have no root & want no difficulties (Mark 4:5-6,16-17).
But then it got very personal. Notice the last phrase is: “…beginning with ourselves.” Since we put a name to shallow Christianity, the more I’ve detected it in my heart. Shallow Christianity doesn’t just seduce other people—we all struggle with it, don’t we?
Why this means war. Maybe you’ve wondered if “to declare war…” isn’t a bit over the top. But in our humble opinion (after listening to Jesus & observing our culture), you & I will never “drift” into mature Christianity without deep resolve and a fighting spirit.
What we are not saying. We are not proudly boasting that we are fighting shallow Christianity but other churches are not. Shallow Christianity is also being addressed and confronted by other Springfield area churches. We don’t have a corner on this.
What’s the answer to the problem we’re trying to solve? That day in Princeton, it became clear to us: we declare war on shallow Christianity as we learn (and help others learn) to Love the LORD, Love One Another & Serve The World.
I hope today’s message helps us fight shallow Christianity.
Recently, Steve & I talked with you about living Jesus’ great commission in “The Next 5,” so others can Love The LORD, Love One Another & Serve The World. It will mean being intentional in 4 ways. We will need to pray, invest, invite and die to self-centeredness. I pray the ideas below are helpful to you.
4 TRUTHS I REMEMBER WHEN I PRAY…
Apart from Christ we can do nothing. You may say: if I work hard or try harder, I can do all God wants me to do. Truth is, we can’t save or transform anyone. Oh, we can be busy for the LORD, but not fruitful. By “nothing,” Jesus means we can’t produce or accomplish anything of true & lasting spiritual significance without Him—nothing!
Prayer is how we remain in Christ. In John 15:5, Jesus says picture a branch that’s getting its “sap” by being closely connected to a vine. Jesus says, “If you remain in Me, you will bear much fruit, but apart from me You can do nothing.” As we turn to the LORD in prayer, we consciously tap into & get our “sap”—from His life and power in our lives.
He often waits for us to ask before He acts. The LORD doesn’t need us to carry out His plans. Yet, He humbly invites us to join Him. He says, “Call to Me, and I will show you great and mighty things which you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). Translated: “Give Me a chance. Ask Me. Keep asking Me. See what I can do when you invite Me to work.”
He can do far more than we imagine. I often recall the words of Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory!” Again & again, the LORD has shown me that He is far greater & more interested than I realize. But my part is to pray.
Let’s be a praying people, and a praying church.
