COVID-19

Focusing on the Blessings

April 17, 2020 by brooke

Let’s tell it like it is. This COVID-19 season we’re in the midst of is difficult. It’s scary. It’s frustrating. It’s inconvenient. It’s overwhelming. And it’s certainly different from what we’re used to.

A LOT has changed and we’re all still trying to wrap our heads around this new norm that, for many of us, means working from home, home-schooling our kids, social distancing from our loved ones, canceling travel plans, and wondering when all of this will be a thing of the past.

The unknowns of COVID-19 are many!

But, I’ve learned that the more time I spend asking questions, fearing tomorrow, and looking at the 4 walls around me in self-pity and despair the deeper I sink into my rabbit hole of misery and depression.

Rather than basking in the negative of our current circumstances of isolation and change, we can choose to dwell on the good in the midst (Phil. 4:8). After all, this is the day that the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118:24)!

Fixing our eyes on the good in our lives does not nullify the seriousness of this virus nor does it suggest suffering is absent from our lives.

What it does do is it helps us refocus our thoughts. It centers us on God’s promises and ultimately strengthens our hearts, minds, and souls so that we can be the best spouse, parent, or friend we can be.

Have you ever walked a tightrope?

I haven’t and I sure hope I never have to!

But, balance and coordination aside, just imagine there’s been an emergency and your only way to safety is by walking a tightrope from one building to another. Where are your eyes focused?

They’re probably not closed.

They’re probably not focused on the chaos behind you.

And they’re probably not focused on the ground beneath you either.

Most likely your eyes are focused on what’s in front of you — the safe haven on the other side.

It’s the “good” of safety offered on the other side of the rope that give you the hope and strength to focus on reaching the other side.

Focus on the ground beneath you, and your risk of becoming unstable and off-balances increases, as does your risk of falling.

The same is true for our heart. Where our eyes are focused, our heart will follow.

So what are your eyes focused on today? Are you dwelling in the suffering or are you dwelling in the blessing?

Proverbs 17:22, NLT warns us to keep a cheerful heart for “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Just as good medicine offers relief from an illness, so a cheerful heart offers relief from the pain and discomfort we experience in our suffering. Likewise, it strengthens us so we can continue serving God faithfully in whatever role he’s called us (despite the suffering).

Proverbs 15 heeds a similar warning in verses 13 and 15. The Teacher writes, “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”

Dwelling in our suffering and focusing on the negative of our circumstances only weakens us; it crushes our spirit and only brings greater anguish. It becomes more difficult to see the good when we’re stuck focusing on the bad.

On the other hand, choosing to dwell in the blessings and focus on the good not only strengthens our own hearts but it enables us to strengthen others who are struggling with their own hardships as the result of this season.

To see life as a continual feast is to see our current circumstances —the isolation, face masks, homeschooling, working from home, virtual gatherings— as a time to celebrate. And to find reason to celebrate, we must fix our eyes on the blessings amid the chaos and suffering.

So, where have you seen God moving in the midst of your current situation?

For me, this season has given me:

More time to spend with my loved ones, making memories. As a recovering work-a-holic, this time has forced me to reevaluate how I spend my time. I actually “leave” my office on time now! And we’ve spent evenings playing games thru video chat with those I might see once a year if I’m able to travel.
More time to actually be still and reflect. I’m learning what it means to truly be still in the presence of the Lord. I still have progress to be made, but being sheltered-in-place has forced me to slow down and breath allowing me more time with the Lord — praying, listening, and worshiping.
A greater respect and appreciation for our healthcare workers, teachers, grocery store workers, janitors, postal service personnel, and so many other essential workers who’re often discredited and undervalued.
A chance to finish some of the waitlisted and unfinished home projects.

I’m blessed to still be working at all, even if it means having a dog at my feet 24/7 and assisting my teenager with classes throughout my day. Not to mention the weather has been beautiful, I haven’t had to fill my gas tank, I have the time (and the energy) to walk the dogs before the end of the day, and I’m finally finishing the last few classes of my Master’s degree.

Now it’s your turn! I challenge you to go even deeper in seeing the good.

I crafted these 5 simple steps —prepare, pause, pray, pen, and praise— as they’ve helped me stay focused on the blessings despite my suffering and I hope they’ll help you to stay focused all the same.

Prepare – Grab your Bible, a notebook, and a pen or pencil (and maybe some coffee, too).

Pause – Look for opportunities to pause and reflect, distraction free.

Pray – Ask God to open your eyes to the blessings all around you and to focus your eyes on what is good. Lay the pain, worry, discomfort, frustration, whatever you’re feeling, at the foot of the cross.

Pen – Open the notebook and start listing anything and everything good in your life. You might write one word (i.e. time) OR you may choose to elaborate more (i.e. time with my spouse and my kids).

Praise – Now, thank God for those blessings. Go through the list and give thanks to God (i.e. Thank you Lord for the time I’ve been given to spend with my spouse and my kids).

—Brooke

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Be Still & Know

April 2, 2020 by brooke

Written By: Pastor Tanner Church

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10

In a time that is full of uncertainty and fear a verse like this seems both so needed and so difficult.

Being still is not what I want to do at all but how can I do that?

There is so much happening and so much to worry about and to do.

We struggle so much because the pace of modern life is fast. It’s constant movement and we have become accustomed to this way of life. Being still seems like a far off and uncomfortable thing to do.

I have struggled with this and have come to the place in my life as a husband and father and most of all a Jesus follower where I am not ok with this pace.

Jesus has some incredible and refreshing things for us, but they are only found when we go at his pace which is much slower than ours.

I have been on a journey for a few months now trying to figure this exact thing out. And while I haven’t arrived by any means, I have seen the faithfulness of God and he has shown me things that have been so life giving. Some of what I am going to talk about may seem simple or obvious, but I think that it’s the things we think are simple and have overlooked that are what we need to break through in order to experience the fullness of life that Jesus has for us.

So, lets do it.

Prayer

I think for a lot of us prayer can be difficult or strange. I think this has a lot to do with an unhealthy idea of prayer. We think prayer is a mental ascent to God who is in some far away location. I must have my mind free from distraction and focus so that God can hear me. I need to have the right words and have it all in the right order so my prayer will work. Expectations like these can make prayer difficult, or at least a bit of a struggle.

Here is how I think about it and how I think the Bible would pose it.

Our soul is the real us. (This might seem random but go with me.) We are not a body, but a soul made in the image of God. Our soul is the real us, what we feel, our personality, our desires, our emotions, everything we are. Our soul is real and and it is unique to each of us. If you were to do an Xray of my entire body (again I know this is random, just go with me) or to look through my body, you would not see a soul. It cannot be seen but it is more of who I am than my entire body. God occupies all the space around us in the same way our souls occupy our bodies. He cannot be seen but he is as real as our soul. God is not in some far off location but very literally in every space around and in us.

God’s closeness to us is crucial in understanding prayer. We don’t have to mentally struggle to connect with a God who is far off. He is closer than your own skin!

Knowledge of this, for me, makes prayer easier. There is no way God could not hear me. He is in the very breath I breath. I don’t have to strain with energy to connect with him, like someone holding there phone as high as they can on the tips of there toes to get better signal. I can just speak with the knowledge that he is listening.

So, find a spot, maybe a chair, a spot on the floor or in your garage. Wherever that spot is, take a few minutes — like 10 or 15 if you can — and talk. Talk about everything. And remember, He is your Father who cares about everything. Big or small. He wants to hear. Thank Him for things in your life, ask him for things you need, apologize for things you have said or done that you know were wrong. Say it all.

Another form of prayer that I love and I think is so life giving is “breathe prayers.”

An old pastor of mine told me about this and I have no idea where it came from but its wonderful. If you are busy or stressed and don’t have time to find a spot or 10 or 15 minutes, you still have time to breathe.

Take a few breaths and talk with your Father. Breathe out anger, shame, worry, and breathe in His love, His peace, His forgiveness. Within a breath, express yourself to God. If it helps to even say what you are breathing out and in under your breath, do it. And remember above everything else, there is no law about this. There is no condemnation here. Practice makes perfect and he sees your steps and is not expecting perfection. He knows and loves you.

What am I supposed to “know” about God?

Psalm 46 says to “Be still and know God” so how am I supposed to know him? And what am I supposed to know about him?

God is a person. He has emotion and preferences like any other person. Obviously, God is very different than us, but nevertheless, He is not an emotionless, human being. He is a person with characteristics and personality.

Imagine how your best friend or spouse would react if you said that you “knew” them but you really only meant you acknowledge that they were are physically present before you. That would not feel good to anyone. We want to be known. We make ourselves known by showing and sharing our emotions and thoughts with people we are close to and care about. We have characteristics and it feels so good when the people who we love and are close to recognize those characteristics and see us for who we have shown ourselves to be.

One of the most harmful things that can happen to a person is to be seen and known by someones idea of you and not who you really are. So, what are we to “know” about God? That he is a person who wants to be seen and recognized by who He has shown himself to be and not by our idea of him. To recognize that he has shown who he is and how he wants to be known and loved through his word. We need to “know” who God is, how he has presented himself who he has shown himself to be.

One of the best ways to know God and show him love in a way that he loves to receive it, is through worship.

This can for sure look like singing but it is not limited to that. John 4:25 says to worship God in spirit and in truth. This means to worship him with your true self. Who you truly are. Your personhood and your personality pressed into God. Enjoying him and his presence.

We have made worship hard. Something that is difficult and that seems like we have to work for it. It’s not true. We are literally made to worship. It comes as easy to us as anything does. We focus on and rejoice in so many things throughout our day. This is natural and easy for us because it was placed in us by God himself. Simply rejoicing in, focusing on and being in his presence is worship to him. He loves it.

So, throughout your day, when you have a pause or a free moment, just rest and be in his presence as a righteous and loved son or daughter of God. That is worship and that is knowing him and giving him love in a form that he loves because of who he is.

My last encouragement for all of us is this: Christians are notorious for trying really hard to do these things and then we fail.

So, lets not try really hard, but lets train really hard. You don’t try to run a marathon. You train. You make little steps forward every day. We are on a journey and if you mess up or fall short, go again, get back up, train harder. God sees our training and our work and he loves it and it means so much to him in and of itself. He is your Father and he loves you.

So, my thought and challenge for myself and for you, if you are willing, is to acknowledge that God is closer to me than I am probably comfortable with and I can speak to him easily.

There is no strain or pressure, but speaking as one does to a friend.

And, to explore who God has shown himself to be and not whatever my idea of him is (which is informed by parents, pastors, politics, friends, culture, movies, and the list goes on and on).

God has shown himself as his true self in his word. A great place to start is the Gospels. Jesus is said to be the visible image of an invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and everything he did and said is what his Father in heaven does and says.

I truly believe that if we spend time in prayer and communicate to God our thoughts and feelings, it will give us a sense of his closeness and true affection and love for us as well as making us feel known. And if we spend time knowing God for who he is, our relationship will expand and thrive is a way that is special and beautiful.

Some potentially helpful tools and books to read are:
– The album “Forever Amen” by Stephanie Gretzinger
– Psalm 139
– Matthew 6 (The Lords Prayer)
– The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
– The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

Grace Kids @ Home Resources

March 29, 2020 by brooke

Every week we update this page so you and your family can enjoy Grace Kids Worship & Learning Experiences at home! If you have any questions about any of the material, please reach out to Pastor Nichole at nichole@grace20dev.wpengine.com or click the blue button below to contact us on Facebook.

As of July 19th, you’ll be able to find each week’s resources HERE.

Navigate By Week

First Time Guest Form

Grace Kids Facebook Page

Salvation Conversation Guide

Preteen Parent Cue
Preteen Video

Additional Family Resources

Life.Church’s LifeKids Curriculum Videos

List of Free Educational Resources

More Resources to Help Your Families Through This Time

CABIN THRIVE: A REMEDY FOR CABIN FEVER

March 26, 2020 by brooke

Cabin fever is real, y’all!

If you’ve ever spent time cooped up inside for a significant duration of time you’ve probably experienced “cabin fever” — the irritability and restlessness that typically results from isolation.

COVID-19 has changed how we do life.

At least for this given season. And chances are, even once restrictions are lifted and fear subsides, there’ll remain lasting change in its wake.

As we walk through this new season, practicing social distancing, we’re experiencing life in an entirely different light.

Grocery store shelves are left bare. Restaurants are offering curbside pick-up and delivery in hopes of staying afloat. Schools are closing for the remainder of the school year. And during a time no one is traveling, gas prices continue to be reduced.

So, during a time without schools, movie theaters, shopping centers, arcades, parks, and in-person church gatherings, how do we keep from cabin fever-ing? How do we cabin thrive instead?

To thrive means to prosper or to flourish.

Just as a plant must be watered to thrive, we must be watered; we, too, cannot thrive without being nourished. And just as our bodies hunger and thirst, our souls hunger and thirst for spiritual nourishment.

The irritability and restlessness of cabin fever is just that — our soul hungering and thirsting for something more nourishing than that of the temporary sources we’re currently seeking fulfillment from.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
(Psalm 42:1)

Temporary Water Sources:

Streaming
Sleeping
Social Media-ing

These things can be great .. but there are limits. We will not find long term satisfaction through these means and will soon find ourselves thirsty once again. But just as Christ explains to the Samaritan woman in John 4, when we drink from the water of life (Jesus) we will find our thirst is quenched for eternity rather than temporarily.

Long-Term Water Sources:

Sit with God
Serve Others
Social with Safety

Scripture describes God as “the fountain of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13). And from the fountain comes water — a necessity for sustained life.

God is our source and Jesus is our nourishment. To be nourished we must seek it through the source from which it dwells. We must seek the Lord!

“They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem.
    They will be radiant because of the Lord’s good gifts—
the abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil,
    and the healthy flocks and herds.
Their life will be like a watered garden,
    and all their sorrows will be gone.”
(Jeremiah 31:12)

“But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant,
    Israel my chosen one.
The Lord who made you and helps you says:
Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,
    O dear Israel, my chosen one.
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst
    and to irrigate your parched fields.
And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants,
    and my blessing on your children.
They will thrive like watered grass,
    like willows on a riverbank.”
(Isa. 44:1-4)

Read through Proverbs with us as a church. Follow along on Facebook & Instagram.
Find a Bible Study method that works for you. We like the S.O.A.P. method.
Schedule time with God every day. If this is a new concept for you, start with 5 minutes. Often we set such high expectations for ourselves we become disappointed and discouraged when we fail to meet those expectations. So, start small and work more time in every day. You’ll likely realize it becomes more natural to spend time with God. And remember, you don’t have to talk the entire time. God wants to speak to you, so don’t hesitate to sit in silence and just listen!
Worship at home. Whether you choose to listen to the GraceFCLawton Spotify playlist or another favorite. Tune in to your favorite Christian station throughout the day while you’re cleaning house, playing with the kiddos, or even cooking dinner.
Check out the YouVersion Bible App. You can read devotionals with your family & friends.
Take communion. You don’t have to attend in-person church services to partake in the Lord’s Supper. You can take communion at home. Let us know if we can serve you with some communion elements as we’d love to drop some individually wrapped elements off to you so you may partake in communion regardless of where you are.

Check on your neighbors. Some of our neighbors are more vulnerable to the virus and can’t (or shouldn’t) risk exposure. Yet, they still have essential needs. Ask if you can help pick up groceries, pharmacy needs, walk their dog, pray with them (over the phone), or maybe help them set up their streaming so they can watch church online.
Fill out our Serve Form and we’ll let you know if anyone reaches out to us with a specific need.
Keep yourself healthy. One of the easiest ways we can serve others is through the practice of healthy habits — hand washing, cleaning, sanitizing, and social distancing.
Pray for others. Small business owners, parents now homeschooling their kids, prisoners, nursing homes, healthcare workers, churches, the unemployed, the homeless communities, government officials, etc.

Invite your family & friends to join you in the YouVersion Bible App. Experience the Bible in community. Invite your community to complete devotionals together.
Join in on our #EasterAtGraceLawton Scavenger Hunt. This one’s especially fun for families! Drive around town and answer the trivia questions on the painted windows to complete the Trivia Puzzle for a chance to win some great prizes!
Host online watch parties for Sunday service on Facebook. Engage your watch party with the sermon application questions that will be provided with each weeks message notes.
Join the Church Online chat when you tune into services on Sunday. Our online engagement pastors are available to chat and pray with you during our 4 Sunday service times at 8:30a, 10a, 11:45a, & 5:30p.

Our Prayer

Lord, may we use our time wisely, glorifying the name of Jesus in all we do. May this season of isolation be a time we thrive in your presence — continuing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

COVID-19: How We’re Responding

March 20, 2020 by brooke

Navigate through our FAQ’s:

How can I still thrive during COVID-19?
Will we still have church on Sunday?
What time will Online Church services stream live?
How can I sign-up to help someone with a need?
Can someone help me since I’m higher-risk?
How can my kids still do church this Sunday?
How can I worship at home?
What’s happening with Grace Students Ministry (GSM) on Wednesdays?
Do you have any resources to help me talk to my family about COVID-19?

// THRIVE-ing During COVID-19 //

We want to make sure we’re all still thriving as we intentionally sit with God, serve others, and social with safety.

Read Our “Cabin Thrive” Blog Post Here

Sit with God

We’ve putting out a daily devotional that is taking us through the Book of Proverbs together as a Church. Join us as we seek to ensure that we all use this time of social distancing and quarantine well, rather than find ourselves sucked into the blackhole of social media, streaming, and isolation. Check out Facebook everyday for a new video devotional we can do together!

You can also worship at home with our Spotify playlist.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/43wis6AaPSLNPP0aY69QRc?si=GeGPBQTYRneLK694110mLQ

Serve Others

As we shelter-in-place it’s become more difficult to serve others in ways we typically consider. Here are some ways you can continue serving others while shelter-in-place:

Pray for others & let them know you’re praying.
Send an encouraging text or email.
Check in on your loved ones.
Have a creative idea? Share it with others!
Send a letter or card via snail mail (it’s always fun going old school)!

Social with Safety

We may be limited by size restrictions, but wherever 2 or more are gathered there the Lord is among you! We encourage you to gather with others via Facebook, FaceTime, ZOOM, etc. Whatever it might look like, whatever works for you … this time of social distancing and shelter-in-place can still involve community!

// Online Church Services //

Church Services Online
Sunday | 8:30a, 10a, 11:45a, 5:30p

We may not be able to meet in person on Sunday, but that can’t keep the kingdom of God from advancing! Gather the fam, grab your coffee, elliminate distractions, and join us online as we worship together and hear a message that’s been prepared specifically for you!

// Needs & Serving //

Updated 5.17.2020 – As our city moves forward with the lifting of certain social distancing guidelines and restrictions, we are thrilled to all begin implementing some serving opportunities as well as need request forms. We are currently taking requests for communion elements and our prayer team will deliver them directly to your door.

Questions? Please contact us at 580-353-3096 or office@grace20dev.wpengine.com.

Communion Element Request Form

Serve Form

Updated 4.2.2020 – As we honor our mayor’s Shelter-In-Place Directive, we are temporarily ceasing all assistance that forces us to disregard that order. Our staff and volunteers have all sheltered-in-place at their homes. This is extremelly difficult for us as a church however we want to honor our mayor as well as protect ourselves and the community. For emergency needs please contact us at 580-353-3096 or office@grace20dev.wpengine.com and we will do our best to assist you if we’re able or point you in the direction of an organization that can.

If you are one of our higher-risk members we want to help you protect yourself. We all have everyday needs and we want to help make sure your needs are being met without you having to risk your heath. Whether it’s needing someone to pick up groceries, run to the pharmacy, bring you dinner, running by the laundry mat, or simply talking to someone on the phone — we’re here to serve you!*

// Grace Kids Ministry //

A Message From Our Pastor Nichole

During this time of social distancing — more than ever — we know it is vital to not only keep our adult congregation engaged and cared for, but also our kids! Below you will find our Grace Kids worship and learning experiences. They have been altered to fit an at-home, parent-led environment and will be made available each week through our multiple online platforms. It is complete with a parent guide to encourage your family as you spiritually navigate through this time.

If you are doing church this week with a small group, I would encourage you to do this portion together as well if you have the resources to do so. Read through the guide and decide if it’s plausible. Families could even take turns each week teaching and bringing the few common household supplies suggested. If you need to substitute items you can! Please don’t be intimidated by this curriculum, it is simplified and very flexible so you can alter it to fit your home or small group environment!

If there are any questions or needs, we are here for you! While the world grapples with this pandemic, it is a defining moment for the church and we are in this together (even if we have to stay six feet apart)! Please reach out to myself (nichole@grace20dev.wpengine.com) or Ashley (ashley@grace20dev.wpengine.com) and we will get back to you as soon as we can! We love you all and are praying for your families during this unique time!

View Weekly Kids Curriculum

How to Navigate a Kids’ Worship & Learning Experience

Read through the parent guide beforehand
Print it if you have the capabilities (definitely not necessary though!) Choose the curriculum that will be most easily understood by every child so you can prioritize doing this together as a family. (Or, do multiple if your family’s attention span can handle it or you can split them between different days.)
To begin, gather the fam & your Bible, & open with prayer.
Ask God to guide you through this time as a family.
Watch the video link below corresponding with the parent guide you chose in Step 1.
Go over the things in the left column of the parent guide
(i.e. memory verses, key questions, bottom lines)
Do the activities.
(Remember, if you need to substitute items you can!)
Close in prayer using the prayer guide at the end of the parent guide, first taking “prayer requests” from your kids.
Allow them to open up about what’s been on their hearts and minds. Then take turns praying for those things and thank God for each member of your family. Spend some time praying for peace and health in our world. This is a great time to remind the kids that God is good, strong, and loves to heal people!
Tune into Facebook for more talking points throughout the week to keep the conversation going!

Keep Your Kids’ Brains, Bodies, and Spirits Healthily Engaged @ Home

Life.Church’s LifeKids Curriculum Videos

List of Free Educational Resources

More Resources to Help Your Families Through This Time

// Grace Student Ministry //

GSM will continue to meet through out this season! However, things will of course look a little different as we comply with the current restrictions! All student activity will be Small Group based, either in-person or virtually, depending on GSM leadership availability and parental consent. We will be sure to follow all guidelines provided by our community leadership while still doing our best to keep our students involved in community and growth in their walks with Jesus!

Be sure to follow our GSM Instagram and Facebook accounts so that you can stay up-to-date with all things GSM!

**If you are a parent who is not already receiving weekly text updates, but you would like to opt in to receive updates, please email us with your contact information to gracestmin@gmail.com!**

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