Author Archives: Brook Fonceca

Unity: Intentional Mutuality

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Today I got the opportunity to tie some knots for a project I was working on. I love tying knots. A well executed knot is as beautiful as it is useful. A unique aspect to the knots I tied today was that I needed to join two pieces of rope together in order to extend the original rope. It’s finished form looked like two hands joining together.

 

Double Fisherman’s Knot


It reminded me of our church family. I’m so blessed to be a part of what God is doing here with this group of people he has joined me and my family with. It also reminded me of the passages we have been reading in Acts and how the early church not only relied on God, but also one another.

 

“The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

 

Grace and peace,

 Brook

 

It’s Still Easter

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The thoughts in this week’s devotional I owe in large part to the author of one of my favorite blogs, Storied Theology. Thank you, Dr. Kirk.

 

Today, as I was reading Luke 24 as suggested by Pastor Stuart in his Daily Scripture Reading email, I was stopped by verses 30-31.

“After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.”

Now we can infer a lot from this passage of why the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus. But, we do know that after he broke the bread for supper their eyes were opened.

 

Last weekend we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus after his death by crucifixion. Easter is impossible without Good Friday. And, as we see in this passage in Luke, it’s still Easter. Resurrection life and power were not limited to Jesus and the Easter event 2000 years ago. Jesus made himself alive in the hearts of his disciples that evening after they recognized his sacrifice for it symbolized in the breaking of bread.

 

To continue with this thought, it is still Easter today. The resurrection life and power is still available for us as we choose to lay our lives down at the cross. The cross is not only for us and our sin, but also for others that they might come to experience Jesus’ resurrection life and power. The cross for us is also service to others through which Easter can flow, today.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

The Power of Perspective

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“Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that the things that have happened to me have actually advanced the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12) 

 

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to comfort the disciples in Philippi who were concerned for him, understanding that he was writing from prison. When life seems uncertain, it is, at times, hard to see the good of the situation. Jesus said something similar to Paul as he and his disciples were approaching Jerusalem for the Passover that would inaugurate his sacrificial work on the cross. 

 

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

 

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. (Luke 18:31-34)

 

Jesus and Paul had a perspective that acknowledged the hand of God in the midst of difficult times. This acknowledgement allowed them to to see that the things they were experiencing had an effect beyond themselves. For Jesus, he saw the salvation that would come from his sacrifice. For Paul, he saw that Christ would be preached and people reached for the kingdom of God. 

 

What is our perspective to be? Paul summarizes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” As we enter Holy Week and approach our Community Festival and Easter, may our hearts be turned to the concerns of others and may we be available as bridges to the kingdom with word and deed that bring comfort and hope. 

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

The Long Walk with Jesus

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“I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 CEB) 

 

Not many of us think about what a decision we make today will look like in 20 years. And that may be a good thing. Some decisions just don’t warrant it. On the other hand, some do. When I gave my life to Jesus as a 14 year old punk kid, I had no idea what I was signing up for, except that any way was better than the way I was going. Jesus intersected my life and put me on a path that led me to where I am and who I am today.

 

Reading this passage from Philippians reminded me that being a Christian is a lifelong experience. And here, Paul reiterates Jesus’ parting words, “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” (Matthew 28:20)  I concluded last week’s post by saying, “We are not alone.” This week, I want to make the point that our Christian experience is a long walk with Jesus. The scenery will change. The climate will change. Our traveling companions will change. But, Jesus, he will remain. Let’s remain with him. Let’s go where he goes. Let’s be companions with those who come with him. We can find strength in his faithfulness as he continues his good work in us. 

 

I didn’t write this post out of resignation to the prospect of a lifelong commitment, but rather out of the joy of a renewed commitment based on the assurance of Jesus abiding presence in my life. I pray you catch my drift.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

Being a Disciple, Part 4: Learning to Love, Jesus’ Way

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This week I’ve been reflecting on the Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:29-31, Luke 10:27), which are commonly abbreviated to “love God and love others.” I will spare you the back story, but I found myself looking at it in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is what Jesus quotes as the first of the two Greatest Commandments, but in the verses that follow I noticed that this commandment is a living document. It is to be foremost in the hearts and minds of God’s people. In verse 8 it reads, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Orthodox Jewish people have taken this literally by tying leather boxes with small scrolls of scripture in them on their wrists and foreheads. I’m not speaking against that practice, but I see it in a metaphorical way. The way in which we see and interact with the world around us should be bound to the commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This I believe is wrapped up in Jesus second statement, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

 

If our heart is to be disciples of Jesus, then this is the lesson that is always before us. When we are with him, he will teach us to love like this. It is the paradigm of our life. Jesus didn’t promise it would be easy, but he did promise he would be with us as we walk through it. He also gave us one another. We are not alone.

 

I pray you experience God’s grace as he leads you to love, Jesus’ way.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

Being a Disciple, Part 3: The Pathway of Repentance

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I know this is not the first, nor will it be the last time I mention repentance. It is integral in becoming and being a Christian. Likewise, it is essential in entering, abiding in, and advancing the kingdom of God. This week my view of repentance was redirected. Basically, I repented concerning my view of repentance.

 

I was listening to a sermon by Steve Schell, a Foursquare pastor in the Seattle area, and a friend and mentor or mine. In the midst of his talk, he mentioned repentance almost as an aside to the point he was making, but it stopped me in my tracks. He said, “Real repentance isn’t about the past. It’s about the future.” As he continued in his comments, he explained that forgiveness is not at issue with repentance, but a changed heart and mind pointed in Jesus’ direction, following him by the leading of the Spirit. 

 

If being a disciple is being a learner, then repentance is crucial to the learning process. Those who are “always right” seldom learn anything new. If we believe that our sin is atoned for by the cross of Christ and his resurrection, then forgiveness is already ours. We need to align ourselves with that truth and understand that repentance sets our future course in Jesus and his kingdom. With this in mind, I recall a passage we read in Philippians this week.

 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT) 

 

May we be open to the redirecting of the Spirit and eager to learn at the feet of Jesus, so that as disciples of Jesus, we might glorify our Father in heaven.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

Being a Disciple, Part 2: The Call and the Covenant

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About seven years ago, I had an “Aha!” moment. My eyes were opened to the individualism that defines the American experience. I was taking a sociology class and one of the texts placed major countries or regions of the world on a scale of individualism. Not surprising, the United States was on the top of the list as the most individualistic nation in the world. With individualism comes independence. As Americans, we believe it’s all about me.

 

This got me thinking about how the gospel is communicated in the USA. It is a highly individualistic gospel. The gospel is about me, my salvation, and the benefits afforded me by being a Christian. Ever since that time, I’ve been on a pursuit to understand the gospel according to Jesus and the first apostles.

 

From my reading in Mark lately, I’ve seen a pattern. When Jesus preached the gospel he said, “the kingdom of God is here. Repent and believe this good news.” When he called his disciples he simply said, “Follow me.” When he called the apostles, Mark writes that they were to be with him, to preach, and to have authority to throw out demons. What stands out to me with Jesus’ interaction with his followers is that they were to be focused on him, not themselves. This is part of what it means to be a disciple. A disciples life is not his/her own. As I wrote last week, “Disciple means learner. Jesus taught his disciples along the way of life. To be a disciple of Jesus meant to be in relationship with him and be in community with him and the other disciples. The disciple learned from the master, Jesus, and from the other disciples.” If we receive Jesus’ calling to be his disciple, we enter into a covenant with him and the community of disciples he as called. Like the apostles, we are to be with him, live a life of faithful testimony, and to make a difference in the world around us. When we ask, “What’s in it for me?” we begin to question our role as a disciple. This happened to Peter in Mark 10:28-30.

 

Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, ” I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news will receive one hundred times as much now in this life-houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment) -and in the coming age, eternal life.

 

In our following Jesus, may we find complete satisfaction in his care for us and embrace our responsibility to love him by loving one another.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

Being a Disciple: The End of the Bridge and the Beginning of Life

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This week, I would like to get back to square one with all this talk about bridges and such. Eight weeks ago, I sensed that this year would be a year of building bridges for the kingdom of God. With last week’s article, we talked about how Jesus and his cross are the only way into the kingdom. What, then, is the next step for those who have come across the bridge and are stepping off on the other side? Being a disciple. This is a role that never goes away for the Christian, but if it is not identified early on, the reason for being a Christian gets distorted or diffused the longer one is at it. (I believe that there are many “Christians” who are not disciples.) This is also true for those who have forgotten that this is what it means to be a Christian. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus sent the disciples out to make disciples.

 

I am purposefully not using the word “discipleship.” That term carries a lot of baggage that I don’t feel is helpful to this discussion. Disciple means learner. Jesus taught his disciples along the way of life. To be a disciple of Jesus meant to be in relationship with him and be in community with him and the other disciples. The disciple learned from the master, Jesus, and from the other disciples. In essence, this has not changed for over 2000 years. We still have one master, Jesus, and we have a community of disciples. The integral part in all of this is that disciples stay disciples. 

 

Here at VLC I think it is plain to see that Pastor Stuart and the other leaders try to keep the organizational structure pretty flat. Those who are identified as leaders (whether they recognize it or not) are simply disciples with experience and who are willing to encourage other disciples along the way. A leading disciple is always still a learner of the master, Jesus. 

 

My prayer is that we would discover or rediscover our role as disciples of Jesus, and that as we help others across the bridge into the kingdom they too would understand that role for themselves.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

Crossing Over: The Cross as the Only Bridge into the Kingdom

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As we continue in this discussion of building bridges, I must admit my way of visual thinking is kicking in again. Though, what I see and what I believe seem to be at odds, but there is a further truth still. I still don’t believe that using “us and them” language is helpful in reaching people for Jesus, but the fact of the matter is that there are those who are in God’s kingdom and those that are not. In my mind’s eye I see believers and unbelievers mingling in the borderlands of the kingdom. As I wrote two weeks ago, the church is the bridge to the kingdom. The church with its daily interactions with the world can only bring people to the edges of the kingdom. The cross of Jesus is the only bridge into the kingdom of God.

 

You may have seen a picture something like this one when you heard a presentation of the plan of salvation.

Bridge04

The only way for a person to enter into the kingdom of God is to receive the saving work of Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Christ died for our sins in line with the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:2) Paul also wrote to the Ephesians that because of our sin we were rendered as dead to God, but “God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:4) This new life in God’s kingdom is a gift of his grace and received only by faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

 

This is only the beginning. This first step enters a person into the greater story of the gospel and also into the people of God who continue the ministry of Jesus, which is to bring salvation in all its forms to anyone in need. (Luke 4:18-19) May our life in Jesus be a bridge to new life in him through his cross.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook

 

Spanning the Gap: The Power of Making Meaningful Connections

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Last week I wrote on making bridges accessible, but if we leave it at that stage, it is the same as “build it and they will come.” With the multiplicity of options and demands for our time and attention, “build it and they will come” just doesn’t work. If we are to build bridges to the kingdom, then we must count the cost of personal involvement. I think we would be amazed if we could see all the bridges we’ve erected over the ages that are unused, never used, or incomplete. I wrote a few weeks ago that togetherness is the material for building bridges and that being with God gives our bridges their integrity. It’s one thing to bring someone into our community, but if there is not a personal relationship with members of that community, then the next step of community to kingdom will most likely not happen.

 

Here at VLC, we have stripped away a lot of cultural and religious layers with the hope of making Jesus accessible in our gathering and events. We have also built quite a few bridges into the surrounding community. As these bridges are used more frequently and consistently the next step is to introduce people to the King. This point in the process is critical and requires that we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. People generally don’t want religion. They want to experience God. We can give them a list of cultural and religious to do to, or we can usher them to Jesus and let him show them what they need to do. Let’s walk along side our family and friends, loving God by loving them, making Jesus accessible.

 

Grace and peace,

Brook