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REFRESHED | March-April 2015
An Evening of Music and Comedy
with Mark
Lowry
Friday, April 17, 2015
7:30pm | Doors open at 6:45pm
New Hope Church
4225 Gettysburg Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428
with special guests:
The Martins & pianist Stan Whitmire
GENERAL ADMISSION
$17.00 Groups (10+) | $23.00 General ($25 at door)
$29.00 Artist Circle (Reserved - closest to stage | **Children 5 & under free - except in Artist Circle
Order tickets online at www.TrinityCommunications.org
or call 260-484-1029
Tim Hawkins
with special guest:
Jonnie W
E
V
I
L
Friday, August 14, 2015
6:30pm | Doors open at 5:45pm
New Hope Church
4225 Gettysburg Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428
Order tickets online at
www.TrinityCommunications.org
or call 888-780-1116
GENERAL ADMISSION
$20.00 Groups (10+)
$22.00 Advance ($25 Day of)
PREMIUM TICKETS*
$30.00 Groups (10+)
$32.00 Advance ($35 Day of)
*Only 350 premium tickets will be sold
March-April 2015 | REFRESHED
3
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VOLUME 2 | NUMBER 2
PUBLISHERS
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COPY EDITOR
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CONTRIBUTORS Joanne Brokaw, Jim Jackson,
Wendie Pett, Jason Sharp,
Colette and Jonathan Stuart,
Doug Trouten, Yia Vang
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contents
FEATURES
6 From dope to hope
Teen Challenge helps transform former inmate
10 Special deliveries
Baby boxes save thousands of newborns worldwide
6
13 Not so Good Friday
Why was this Friday bad for many?
14 The assurance of Easter
Greg Laurie writes about the promises brought about
by the resurrection
16-24 Christian Education Guide
10
Study confirms the importance of parents,
Christian education in fostering kids’ adult faith
COLUMNS
32
Doug Trouten | plugged in
33
Colette & Jonathan Stuart | marriage matters
34
Wendie Pett | here’s to good health
35
Yia Vang | at the table
36
Jason Sharp | sharp focus
37
Jim Jackson | purposeful parenting
38
Joanne Brokaw | that’s life!
16
The technology of education
Finding intimacy in marriage
The key to success… PRACTICE!
The world’s best coffee
Life is better with Jesus
It’s not always about the kids
32
Do you have a receipt for that?
34
DEPARTMENTS
25
Tunes
26
Outtakes
27
Community news
30
Events calendar
36
5
FROM
DOPE
TO
HOPE
Teen Challenge helps transform former inmate
by HANNAH J. GULLICKSON
T
here was little surprise that Terrence Gibbons would find himself
isolated in a local jail. He had been
there multiple times before. It’s a predictable path for someone who begins
experimenting with pot by the age of 9,
still too young to understand the ramifications of assaulting his still-growing
lungs with tobacco and marijuana. Seven
years later—at the age when his peers
were getting their driver’s licenses—Gibbons was already behind bars for stealing
someone else’s wheels.
“I was sick of going to jail and living a
hopeless dead-end life,” Gibbons said. “I
did not want to live my life the way I was
living anymore.”
He was convinced he couldn’t get any
lower.
“I was in the jail cell and nobody
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would bail me out,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, nobody to call except my
co-workers.”
That’s when he discovered sometimes
you have to get to the lowest point to get
to the highest point.
So down he went to his knees on the
jail cell floor and “asked the Lord to take
my life and transform my life.”
In captivity, he found freedom.
“I had a true interaction with the Lord
in my jail cell and God made it clear that
He was with me and there for me,” Gibbons said.
Perhaps for the same reason there are
“no atheists in fox holes,” jailhouse conversions are often fleeting, but Gibbons
was transformed. While awaiting his
release he immersed himself in prayer
and the Bible, the foundations of his re-
newed life. In his jail cell, he also read
Steve Box’s “Meth Equals Sorcery: Know
the Truth,” which describes the effects of
methamphetamine on drug addicts and
how the author had transformed his life
from drug addiction. Recovering from his
own substance abuse addictions, Gibbons related to Box’s story.
As a child, Gibbons looked up to his
older siblings and their friends, who
“thought it was fun to get (him) drunk on
alcohol.” Eventually, the more he tasted
drugs and hung out with the same kind
of people, the more blurred his boundaries became.
“I started getting involved with the
wrong crowd—and the law—at a very
early age.”
Gibbons’ family, meanwhile, was preoccupied with other matters.
Terrence Gibbons’ life was radically
changed through an encounter with God
while in a jail cell. After graduating from
Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, he
came full circle by joining its staff and
counseling others along the same path
he had traveled. Terrence is now married.
He and Nikki have two children.
“My parents would go out to the bar
most weekend nights, and that is when
I would get drunk or use drugs,” he said.
Although he was raised Catholic and
acknowledged knowing God, Gibbons
said he never really practiced his faith.
Without any restraints, his adolescence
grew worse. He was expelled his senior
year of high school and was ordered to
a workhouse for a year. By the age of 23,
he had been in jail at least five times, admitting that he “had burned every single
bridge possible.”
He never dreamed his messy life could
be redeemed and used to help others find
their own freedom.
“That’s when God made the decision
to send me to Teen Challenge,” Gibbons
said.
Diving in
Three days after he was released from
jail, Gibbons was admitted into Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge’s Long-Term
Adult Program for men. During his stay
at the Portland Avenue campus, he surrounded himself with people in the faith
and continued to read his Bible daily.
“My life was completely, radically changed while I was there, and all
throughout that process I was constantly
being changed by the Lord,” Gibbons
said.
Structured like an academy, the Teen
Challenge program is rigorous. After an
assessment of individual needs, students
complete classes and attend counseling
in both the short-term (7 to 90 days) or
long-term (13 to 15 months) programs.
Off campus, the students attend or lead
events such as church services, fundraisers and the ministry’s choir concerts.
“When I first got there, I just attended the classes and counseling. … You’re
constantly doing workbooks and Scripture and you’re doing church services
four times a week,” Gibbons said.
The residential program used a combination of workbooks, lectures and
community service projects to help underscore his new identity in Christ.
After his year-long program, Gib-
bons attended and graduated Teen Challenge’s Leadership Institute, designed
for graduates of its long-term programs.
The ministry school expounded upon
Gibbons’ earlier instruction, training
him in spiritual and character development, conflict resolution, money management and job searching.
In those years as a student, Gibbons
gained both experience and enthusiasm
for ministry leadership.
“(I) really submitted to the program and
to God and took everything seriously,” he
said, adding that he was taught “how to be
7
“My life was completely,
radically changed…”
a stronger biblical leader in society.”
Gibbons’ first step after Teen Challenge was accepting the position of program manager on the Portland Avenue
campus in Minneapolis. There, he would
do for his clients what had been done for
him, leading them into new lives of freedom and transformation.
The ripple effect
As a program manager, Gibbons supervised about 10 staff members and 60
clients. Many of his clients, like Gibbons,
came from criminal backgrounds, having
been to jail multiple times. All of them
had gone through dark seasons, and Gib-
bons sometimes had to represent them
in court. Even so, Gibbons recognized
God’s work in them.
“Every day was extraordinary,” he
said, laughing. “The main thing was
being (with) the toughest, the hardest
criminals that you could ever imagine
with tattoos all over their bodies… To
see them accept the Lord and to receive
guidance from somebody like me and
to go through the program and change
their lives… I mean, that right there is
pretty amazing.”
As part of their counseling and rehabilitation programs, Gibbons would meet
with his clients one-on-one, helping
Now
on
heard
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8
them through their journeys. He would
pray with them and fill out progress reports to keep tabs on how they were doing in their programs.
Just as he had done as a Teen Challenge student, Gibbons’ clients clients
would go off campus to do their community service projects. Not one of them, he
said, would walk away from Teen Challenge the same person.
Modeling it at home
After serving as program manager for
nine months, Gibbons earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership
from Bethel University in St. Paul. Now,
he is pursuing his M.B.A. at Bethel.
Married for six years, Gibbons and his
wife, Nikki, also a Teen Challenge graduate, have two young children.
“Yeah I’m just living for the Lord…We
love God and are all moving in the right
direction.”
He remains eternally grateful for his
second chance.
“My life has been completely transformed,” he said. “A year goes by so fast. I
don’t even think about the addiction anymore. I’m going on 10 years completely sober. I haven’t had one sip of alcohol or a
taste of drugs since I went into jail on that
day when I turned my life over to God.”
That conversion is made even sweeter
when Gibbons see the ripple effect on
others.
“Society would think they would
never ever make it,” Gibbons said, adding that every aspect of his journey, from
finishing at Teen Challenge to leading
ministry and counseling sessions with
them, would culminate with others seizing their freedom. “It’s a miracle from
God if you ask me.” ■
Hannah J. Gullickson is a senior English
literature and writing major at the University
of Northwestern - St. Paul.
About Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
Purpose
For teens and adults struggling with drug and alcohol
addiction. Our mission is to assist people of all ages 13-70+
in gaining freedom from chemical addictions and other
life-controlling problems by addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Programs
• Restoration Program for Adults (6-plus months)
• Life Renewal Short-Term Residential Adult Program (7
to 90 days)
• Long-Term Adult Program (clients 18 or older, 13-plus
months)
• Outpatient Program for Adults (meets three times a
week for three months)
• Long-Term Teen Program (9-plus months)
• Life Renewal Short-Term Residential Teen Program (7
to 90 days)
• Family Programming (meets monthly)
• Know the Truth (a blog program designed for teens
to share stories of their redemption from substance
abuse), knowthetruthmn.org.
Services
• On-campus residential facilities
• Licensed psychologists
• Registered nurses
• Individual counseling
• Aftercare programs
• Job assistance
• Small groups for families, teens, adults and married
couples
• Collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools (for
long-term teen program)
• Classes for spiritual, career and character development
• Worksheets tailored to individual needs
Campuses
• Minneapolis
- Men’s Center — 1619 Portland Ave S
- Men’s Center — 3201 1st Ave S
- Men’s/Teen Boy’s Center — 3231 1st Ave S
- Women/Teen Girl’s Center —1717/1725 2nd Ave S,
- Women’s Center — 1507 NE Lowry Ave
• Rochester — 1530 Assisi Drive
• Brainerd — 2424 Business 371
• Northland — 2 East 2nd St.
Four levels of restoration
Teen Challenge’s long-term adult and teen programs
guide patients through four levels of restoration in an effort
to develop their spirituality and character:
• Level 1 — Recognition of destructive and habitual
thoughts that lead to substance abuse.
• Level 2 — Focus on healing the wounds of past failures
and broken relationships.
• Level 3 — Character development and spiritual growth
with a discovery process identifying personal strengths
and setting individual goals.”
• Level 4 — Continuing care planning, including
employment, education, housing, finances, relationship
skills, support system evaluation, leadership skills and
relapse prevention.
Minnesota Teen Challenge Leadership Institute
• One- to two-year program
• Aftercare for graduates of MnTC’s long-term program
• On-campus residential facility
• Access to an on-site registered nurse
• Classes train students in following areas:
- Money management
- Maintaining healthy relationships and conflict
resolution
- Personal boundaries
- Character development
- Career development
- Spiritual growth and discipleship
• Assistance in housing, job searching, and
transportation
Program results
Independent research by Wilder Research learned that of
154 former clients who graduated between 2007 and 2009:
• 74 percent of adult program graduates reported no use
in the previous six months
• 58 percent had attended school since graduating
• 77 percent were either working 30+ hours a week or
were a full time student
• 80+ percent rated the overall quality of MnTC as “outstanding” or “very good.”
• When asked to name what helped most, the faithbased aspects of the program were mentioned most
frequently.
Learn more at www.mntc.org.
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Baby boxes save thousands of newborns worldwide
by SOPHIA LEE
J
usarang Community Church is a
timeworn building burrowed deep
within twisting alleys up a hilly
working-class district in Seoul. If not for
the pastel rainbows and meadows painted on its walls, the church would blend
inconspicuously into the residential
neighborhood.
Over the past several years, however,
the church has become famous—and infamous—as home to Korea’s first “Baby
Box.” It’s where desperate women from
all over the country come to drop off
their newborn babies.
South Korea isn’t the only developed
nation with foundlings. The archaic baby
box concept has been spreading through
independent entities in other postmodern nations like Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic and
Canada, many existing in legal limbo.
Even in the United States, babies are still
abandoned unsafely, and in extreme cases tossed down chutes, into toilets, out
windows. Tim Jaccard wept over many such
lifeless tiny bodies while working as a
paramedic for the Nassau County Police
Department in Long Island, New York.
To give these babies proper burials, he
founded the AMT—short for Ambulance
Medical Technicians—Children of Hope
Foundation in 1998. His mission has
since evolved: pushing for state laws
10
allowing parents to give up a newborn
child legally and anonymously to statedesignated “safe haven” locations such
as police stations and hospitals—no
questions asked, no legal repercussions. These “safe-haven” laws provide a
streamlined process for babies to be
safely relinquished. So long as the baby
is unharmed and within a certain age
(which varies by state from 72 hours to
a year), the parent is free to leave immediately. Some parents linger to provide
medical history, but that’s optional. Most
state laws allow parents to recover the
child within a specified period of time. In Minnesota, a mom, or someone
acting on her explicit behalf, may leave
the baby with an employee at any licensed hospital or urgent care center in
Minnesota as long as the child is no more
than 7 days old and is unharmed. The law
also allows the mom to call 911 to hand
the infant over to ambulance personnel.
Originally enacted in 2000 to allow
just a three-day window at hospitals
only, the law was expanded in 2012 to
give moms more options after an infant
was found floating in a Minnesota river.
Under state law, hospital officials are
not allowed to call police or ask the identify of the mother or the person leaving the newborn. Hospital staff may ask
about medical history of the child and
mother, but the mom is under no obliga-
tion to provide such information.
Under most safe-haven laws, a baby
receives medical care, under full Medicaid coverage, within 24 hours. The
state’s child welfare system then takes
custody of the infant. It verifies that the
baby is eligible for adoption by searching for matches in kidnapping cases and,
in some instances, allowing fathers to
claim custody. On average, the process
between relinquishment to permanent
placement into foster care or adoption
takes six months. Texas enacted the first U.S. safe-haven law in 1999. Today, all 50 states and
the District of Columbia have versions
of the law. In the past 15 years, about
2,900 babies have been relinquished to
safe-haven locations. Though no official record of abandoned babies exists,
Jaccard’s organization documented 720
cases of illegal abandonments nationwide from 2003 to 2014—a “dramatic decrease” from previous years, he said. Cultural fears
Back in Korea, the Jusarang Community Church’s Baby Box survives by slipping through a legal crack: Seoul has no
outright ban against the operation, nor
does it provide any financial support. Jusarang pastor Lee Jong-rak created
the Baby Box in late 2009 after rescuing
his third abandoned baby. The mother
Korean pastor Lee Jong-rak created the Baby Box by
building a hatch into the wall of his church that opens a
tiny incubated, blanket-lined box. A bell rings inside the
church whenever someone opens and closes the door.
PHOTO BY DAVID KIM, COURTESY OF ‘THE DROP BOX’
had tucked her baby into a cardboard
seafood box and left it by the church gate
on a cold autumn night. By the time Lee
picked up the baby, the body was stonecold and reeking of fish. From the corner of his eye, he spotted a cat slinking
around. A chill ran down his spine. He
thought, “What if the cat had attacked
the baby? What if the baby had frozen to
death? We need to build a safe place.” So Lee built into the wall of his
church a hatch that opens a tiny incubated, blanket-lined box. He rigged it so
that a bell rings inside the church whenever someone opens and closes the door.
Then he waited.
In March 2010, the Baby Box bell rang
for the first time. Though he knew what
to expect, Lee was still shaken to discover a pink-faced boy wrapped in a mangy
towel. Staff members burst into tears as
he carried the child into the church. They
named the boy Moses. In South Korea, babies like Moses create a tangle of social and political issues
for policymakers. Baby dumping is punishable by law, but many mothers risk it
because unwed and single mothers face
a lifetime of shame and rejection, and
only receive meager government support (about $48 per month). More many
moms, the Baby Box seems like the only
way to escape a lifetime of discrimination and poverty.
A change in policy
In August 2012, though, the South
Korean government revised the Special
Adoption Law to ban the adoption of unregistered babies. The move was an attempt to make international adoptions
more transparent and reduce the possibility of fraud. The changes require birth
mothers to keep their newborns for at
least seven days before placing them for
adoption. It also mandates they register
their babies in their documents until
they are adopted. March-April 2015 | REFRESHED
11
PHOTO BY DAVID KIM, COURTESY OF ‘THE DROP BOX’
Learn more about Minnesota’s Safe Haven
Law at www.safehaven.tv/states/minnesota.
Pastor Lee Jong-rak’s Jusarang Community Church provides care for the babies they have rescued until homes
are found for them.
Mothers who fear family and social
repercussions do not want to risk keeping their babies for seven days—nor are
the children ever likely to be adopted.
That’s one key difference between South
Korea and America: Nearly every baby
relinquished through the American safehaven laws gets adopted, including those
with significant disabilities, whereas
most of Korea’s Baby Box infants end up
in children’s homes.
Domestic adoption is culturally unpopular in Korea. For babies with disabilities, the possibility of domestic adoption is even bleaker. Previously, when
people did adopt, they almost always
lied about the baby’s origins, registering
the child as biological. The new adoption
policy also outlaws that, prompting domestic adoption to drop 39 percent between 2012 and 2013.
Wave of abandonments
Almost immediately after the law
went into effect, Lee and his staff saw
an increase in baby abandonments. They
had been accustomed to hearing the bell
ring each month, but when the bell began
ringing up to 25 times monthly, sometimes several times a day, Lee and his
staff became overwhelmed, anxious and
angry. Their small-scale, family-owned
12
operation can barely keep up with the
number of babies who require 24/7 care.
The numbers tell the story: In 2010,
Jusarang Baby Box received four babies.
The number increased to 37 in 2011, then
79 in 2012 as the operation drew nationwide media attention. But after the government’s policy revision in late 2012,
the number of Baby Box babies swelled
to 252 in 2013. Almost half the mothers
left letters specifically blaming the new
law as the main reason they turned to
the Baby Box. According to government
data, the number of abandoned infants
more than doubled nationwide from
2012 to 2013.
The Baby Box is not the end of the Jusarang story.
The church provides outreach for
birth parents, albeit informally. After depositing her baby, a mother sometimes
loiters long enough for Lee to invite her
in, offer comfort, and explain the gospel.
Lee encourages the mother to come back
for her baby, and 120 birth mothers have
reclaimed their babies. Jusarang currently sends material support to 18 such
mothers. Touched by Lee’s work, many
volunteers have also professed Christ.
Other repercussions
Baby boxes and safe-haven laws have
their critics who contend that anonymous relinquishments only encourage
parents to discard their newborns without consequence. United Nations officials say safe-haven laws violate a child’s
right to know his identity.
Critics also point out that safe-haven
laws or baby boxes don’t solve all the underlying, everyday brokenness—poverty,
substance abuse, domestic abuse, irresponsible sex, mental illness, and lack
of support services—that can spiral into
the bizarre act of baby dumping.
As the debate continues, Lee battles
to keep the Baby Box open.
“I cannot stop this work,” he said.
“God gave me this work to do. So I just
need to stand right before Him, and He
will provide all the things I need.”
His ministry has inspired several pastors in other cities to start their own Baby
Box, but at least one church in Busan has
caved in to fierce opposition from the
neighborhood and city authorities.
Lee, however, refuses to buckle, getting by each month through the help of
private donations and volunteers.
“Why should I sit behind a desk,
squabbling about consequences, when
human lives are drowning?”
Then he shook his head and sighed.
“What a strange period we live in,
where trying to save and protect lives is
getting more difficult,” he said.
A documentary, “The Drop Box,”
made in partnership with Focus on the
Family and Kindred Image, tells Lee’s
story. The film explores the physical,
emotional and financial toll associated
with providing refuge to orphans that
would otherwise be abandoned on the
streets.
Learn more at www.thedropboxfilm.
com. ■
Sophia Lee writes for World News
Service.
Not so
Good Friday
by TIM WALKER
G
ood Friday. Actually most Fridays are good.
But this one, well, it’s really not so good.
It was probably the worst Friday for a lot of people
present.
In the past, I’ve seen Good Friday as simply the day
Jesus died. Almost with the same sentiment as
Lincoln’s birthday.
That doesn’t mean I’ve taken for granted the
significance of the day. I attempt to live out a faith
that is very much affected by the crucifixion and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But the actual day of remembrance hasn’t always been
remembered.
As I get older, especially this year, the emotional weight
of the day is heavier.
Not because of the brutal death, although it was horrific.
Or the betrayals or denials.
But because of the people.
You see, Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew
how bad it was going to be. And He knew that the
cross wasn’t the end.
But the people who followed Him . . . Well, it sure felt
like the end to them.
And I think to appreciate how they felt, you’ve had to
hope in something that seemed to end. Something
that didn’t turn out the way you dreamed it would.
Something that left you disillusioned. Maybe even a
little bitter. And incredibly sad.
A pregnancy that ended because of the absence of a
heartbeat.
A thriving career that abruptly stopped because of the
decisions of others.
Health that has faded, and so has your ability to engage
in the things you love the most.
Anything that once held great promise and fueled hope,
but now has left you confused, discouraged and even
a little abandoned.
It was a good Friday in the big picture, but the heartache
of that day went so much deeper than seeing a friend
executed.
It was also about hopes and dreams being nailed to a
cross.
The hope for freedom for people who falsely believed
Jesus would bring a new earthly kingdom.
The hope for a different life for the disciples who gave
up everything to follow Jesus.
The hope to live in a new world where men and women,
sick and healthy, poor and rich could all be united for
one reason.
God had been silent for 400 years before Jesus.
Jesus came, lived, spoke, loved.
Now God seemed silent again.
And the silence was even more deafening this time.
Because they knew God could speak.
I’m not sure how to honor Good Friday.
I know personally, there’s always been a heaviness,
sadness I feel on this day. Almost the same way I
remember my mom’s death every may, a lingering
grief that I can’t always explain until I remember “oh
yeah. It’s today.”
And now, as I get older and have experienced various
things in my life, I have a different perspective on
the day.
I can see how death was so pervasive the day—the
physical death of Jesus.
The death of hope.
The death of perceived identity.
The death of so many things.
And while it felt so intense, so devastating.
It was only temporary—even if it felt like the end.
Tim Walker is a husband/father/writer who
is navigating faith, marriage, parenthood and
mid-life. Follow his blog at www.timswords.
com.
13
The assurance of
by GREG LAURIE
I
f you have ever lost someone you love
unexpectedly, then you have an idea
of how the disciples felt when Jesus
was crucified. Without warning, someone they had just spoken with, someone
they were so close to, was gone. It was
traumatizing. It was earthshaking. It was
life-altering. There was a deep ache and
sorrow like they had never known before.
The disciples were living the Easter
story in real time. We know how the story
ends. We have seen the big picture. But
they couldn’t turn to the end of the Gospels and read about the resurrection of
Jesus. And they had a different thought
in mind. They thought Jesus had come to
establish His kingdom on earth and that
He was going to be their king. But then
he was suddenly betrayed by one of their
own, Judas Iscariot, and arrested. Simon
Peter, their leader, denied three times
that he knew Jesus. Everything was go-
14
ing wrong – or so it seemed.
But it was all meant to be. Peter, who
later preached on these events, said,
“This Jesus, following the deliberate
and well-thought-out plan of God, was
betrayed by men who took the law into
their own hands” (Acts 2:23 MSG). The
crucifixion of Jesus was part of God’s
“deliberate and well-thought-out plan.”
The cross was the goal of Jesus from
the very beginning. The reason for the
incarnation was for the purpose of our
atonement. He was born to die so that
we might live. So when Jesus fulfilled
his purpose, he summed it up in a word:
“finished.” And then he died.
Normally, when men were crucified,
they died when the Romans wanted
them to die. Crucifixion was not a quick
form of execution. It was meant to prolong pain, designed to bring misery
and to use the person as an example. It
served as a warning not to rebel against
Rome. Death was hastened by crushing
the kneecaps so a man could no longer
support himself on the base of the cross
and get air into his lungs. Death by crucifixion was essentially death by suffocation. But when the soldiers came to Jesus, they didn’t crush his bones, because
he was gone. He came and left at will. As
he said, “No one can take my life from
me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have
the authority to lay it down when I want
to and also to take it up again” (John
10:18 NLT).
The disciples took Jesus and laid him in
the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea,
and they never expected to see him again.
Something went horribly wrong, and they
were devastated. The story was over. That
is until early Sunday morning.
Man had done his worst, but God was
not done. God will always have the last
word. Jesus had now risen. He had talked
about this all the time, but maybe the
Death died when Christ
rose. This is the great
promise of the resurrection.
disciples thought he was speaking metaphorically or that he didn’t mean exactly
what he said. But he meant what he said
and he said what he meant. He had laid
it out for them, essentially saying, “Guys,
check this out. I am going to be betrayed.
I am going to be crucified. I am going to
rise again three days later.” He repeated
it and repeated it. But somehow they
missed the point. Regardless, Jesus was
alive, and he made multiple appearances
in his resurrected body.
He appeared to Mary as she wept
alone by the tomb, asking her who she
was looking for. At first she thought it
was the gardener she was speaking to.
But it suddenly it dawned on her that
he was not the gardener. This was Jesus,
alive from the dead. Later he appeared to
Peter, and he also appeared to the disciples twice as they were gathered behind
locked doors in the Upper Room. Then he
appeared to two disciples on the road to
Emmaus. He appeared to the disciples by
the Sea of Galilee, and he even appeared
to 500 people at once. Jesus had risen,
and it forever changed their lives.
Some people make their mark on
history, but Jesus divided human time
through his death and resurrection from
the dead. But what does it mean today?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures me that I am accepted by God. Because the Bible says, “He was delivered
over to death for our sins and was raised
to life for our justification” (Romans
4:25 NIV). Because of the resurrection
of Jesus, I am justified before God. Jesus
removed sin and the penalty that goes
along with it.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ also
assures me that he is now interceding in
heaven for me. Romans 8:34 says, “Who
is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who
died – more than that, who was raised to
life – is at the right hand of God and is
also interceding for us” (NIV). With the
PASSION WEEK READINGS
Journey to the Cross
death and resurrection of Jesus and his
payment on my behalf, as well as his intercession for me, I know that he has me
covered. I know that he is with me and
praying for me and pulling for me.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures me that I have all the power I need
to live the Christian life. Sometimes
people say, “Well, I have tried Christianity, and it didn’t work for me.” Nonsense.
Christianity is not a product that works
for some, but not for others. Christianity,
boiled down, is Christ himself. And Christ
can change any life. He can change any
person who genuinely comes to him on
his terms. The problem is we don’t really
commit ourselves to Christ as we ought
to. We become CEO Christians – Christmas and Easter only. But when you have
really committed yourself to him, you
can be assured that you have the power
to live this life.
Lastly, the resurrection of Jesus assures me that I will live forever in
heaven. The Bible says, “But Christ
has indeed been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen
asleep. For since death came through a
man, the resurrection of the dead comes
also through a man. For as in Adam all
die, so in Christ all will be made alive”
(1 Corinthians 15:20–22 NIV). All who
are related to Christ are given a new life.
Death comes. Life ceases. But because Jesus died, I will never die eternally. I will
live forever in the presence of God, because of what Jesus did.
Death died when Christ rose. This is
the great promise of the resurrection. ■
This Easter follow the footsteps of Jesus
in the week leading up to His death and
resurrection and let His words penetrate
your heart and mind.
Vist www.refreshedtwincities.com/thejourney-to-the-cross for daily readings
that will lead you through a chronology
of the daily steps Jesus took on the road
to the cross starting on Palm Sunday. The
death and resurrection of Jesus is the very
heart of Christianity and we would invite
you to take some time to reflect on His
journey to the cross while deepening your
understanding of the events that led to
Resurrection Sunday.
Refreshed is also digital
View Refreshed magazine
online or download a digital
version of the magazine for
convenient viewing on your
favorite digital device.
refreshedtwincities.com
Pastor and evangelist
Greg Laurie is the
founder of Harvest
America, an annual
live-streamed worldwide
event. Learn more at
harvestamerica.com.
15
Study confirms the importance of parents,
Christian education in fostering kids’ adult faith
ith
by DANIEL JAMES DEVINE
F
or millennials who grew up attending church, having a
strong Christian faith and practice today is linked to the
quality of their relationship with their parents.
That’s a conclusion from a new online survey of young adults
between the ages of 18 and 38 who attended church as children
or teenagers. The survey also found that frequent church attendance and homeschooling were linked to stronger Christian beliefs and behaviors as adults, including believing Jesus is divine
and avoiding co-habitation.
Young adults who said their fathers explained “biblical
principles” to them on a daily or weekly basis growing up were
significantly more likely to say they lived by typical Christian
behavior as adults by praying, volunteering, reading the Bible,
and attending church frequently and avoiding pornography,
marijuana use, abortion, and co-habitation.
“If you had to ask for a mixture of things that overall are
correlated with strong Christian beliefs and strong Christian orthopraxy, you’d be looking at making sure mom and dad devel-
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oped a relationship
lationship with
their teens…
s… that they’re
regular
participants
al church,
in a local
y pracand they
metice homearbased, parent-led discipleship,”” said
y, the
Brian Ray,
researcherr behind
y and the
the survey
president of the Name Education
tional Home
Research Institute in Salem,
Ore. “I don’t
want to pretend it’s a form just
mula. I’m
tatistisaying, statistire’s a
cally, there’s
pattern.”
The
survey
f t to
t shed
h d light
li ht on a major
j problem
bl
i d by
b
was an effort
recognized
evangelicals in America: Many millennials aren’t staying in
church. Americans aged 30 and under are less likely to value
church attendance than previous generations, and 59 percent
of millennials who grew up in church have dropped out at some
point, according to Barna Group. (Other research has concluded
many millennials have simply switched churches, and that only
18 percent drop out permanently.)
The new survey results are preliminary and have not yet
been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Ray presented the
results at the Gen2 Conference, a Christian leadership summit
in Petersburg, Ky., in late January.
Advertised on Facebook, websites, blogs, a large Evangelical
church, and a secular university, the survey gathered responses
from 9,396 participants between 2013 and 2014. Only adults
under the age of 39 who attended church growing up were allowed to participate. While this method of recruiting study
participants is considered “nonrandom” and may be less accurate than making random phone calls, for example, researchers
sometimes use the method to understand trends in smaller segments of a large population.
Most churched millennials who participated in the survey identified the faith of their childhood as Protestant or Catholic, al-
Learn more at Information Night | April 20, 6 p.m.
Continued on page 24
16
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THE WORLD.
WE’LL PREPARE
YOU TO LEAD
THE WAY.
Earn a Doctoral or Master’s degree
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17
Berean Education Center (Preschool)
309 East County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55306
(952) 223-1814
www.bereaneducationcenter.com
Grades PK-12
■ Providing academic excellence in an atmosphere of safety and love
■ Equipping and preparingÊÃV>}iÊV`ÀiÊvÀÊÌiÊ
purposes God has for them
ÓÓä£Ê7iÃÌÊ£änÌÊ-ÌÀiiÌ]Ê}ÌÊUÊxÓnn{Î£n£
Our Preschool Bible-based programs are dedicated to developing a loving
environment where children can learn and grow through experiences and
excellent instruction. We offer preschool programs, 2-4 days a week for
3-5 year olds. We also offer a Day Care program for children 33 months
through 5 years old.
www.lifeacademymn.org
Bethel Seminary
Training Students for more than 40 Years
K4 through 12 grade
Small class sizes & family-oriented environment
Traditional classroom education
Quality fine arts education: choir, band, drama, individual
music lessons taught at the school
Athletic programs: soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball
Affordable Christian education
3949 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, MN 55112
(651) 638-6288
www.bethel.edu/seminary
Bethel Seminary offers master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in a variety of fields at its campuses in St. Paul and San Diego as well as through
various online programs. We prepare well-rounded ministry leaders with all
our academic programs equally helping students acquire sound biblical/
theological foundation, leadership strength, and strong personal/spiritual
character.
5NIVERSITY!VE.%&RIDLEYs
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Challenging.
Supportive.
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Serving the Twin Cities
■ Edina K-8 campus
4015 Inglewood Ave. S
Since 1961 Christian parents have partnered with outstanding
teachers to provide excellent, God-honoring education at Calvin
Christian. Explore the Calvin Christian difference for your children.
■ Blaine K-8 campus
8966 Pierce St. NE
■ Calvin Christian High School
755 73rd Ave. NE, Fridley
18
Call today for more information and to schedule a visit!
952-927-5304 | www.calvinchristian.org
Calvin Christian School (K-12)
Edina Campus (grades K-8)
4015 Inglewood Ave. S
Blaine Campus (grades K-8)
8966 Pierce St. NE
High School (grades 9-12)
755 73rd Ave NE, Fridley
(952) 927-5304
www.calvinchristian.org
Since 1961 Christian parents have partnered with outstanding teachers to
provide God-honoring education at Calvin Christian School. Today, Calvin
Christian serves more than 400 students with a comprehensive, proven
curriculum that incorporates a rich, biblical worldview. Our Christ-centered
environment is a great place for students—from kindergartners to high
school seniors—to grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
Concordia Academy (9-12)
2400 North Dale St.
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 484-8429
www.concordiaacademy.com
Concordia Academy is a Christian, college prep high school that honors
God through excellence in academics, arts, and athletics. CA is a Christcentered, loving, inspiring community that encourages each student to
maximize his or her unique, God-given potential. Academic program highlights include over 90 on-campus college credits, an academic resource
program, and the Vision4Life service learning experience.
19
Crown College
8700 College View Drive
St. Bonifacius, MN 55375
(952) 446-4100
www.crown.edu
Crown College is an affordable, accredited private Christian college just
west of Minneapolis, that prepares students—online and on-campus—to
serve and influence the world by placing a high value on being Christ-centered, academically excellent and globally connected. Ranked among the
Best Midwest Regional Colleges, Crown is also a member of the CCCU.
Hand In Hand Christian Montessori (PreK-8)
2129 Fairview Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 784-7988
www.hihcm.org
Teaching truth about God’s Word and God’s World since 1999, Hand In
Hand Christian Montessori offers unique programs for infants through
junior high, including a Private Academy, a Homeschool Supplement Program, Preschool and Family Education programs. We offer an invitational,
constructivist, biblical education that fosters cooperation, community and
commitment to Christ and one another. NAEYC Accredited, 1:10 ratio in
every classroom.
20
King of Grace Lutheran School (PreK-8)
6000 Duluth St.
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(763) 546-3131
www.kingofgraceschool.com
King of Grace is a private, Christian school focused on academic excellence. We achieve this through a challenging curriculum, partnering with
parents for success and anchoring our instruction with God’s Word. Offering PreK - 8th grade, summer programs and numerous extra-curricular
activities for boys and girls. Awarded Best Private School, Best Teacher
and Best Principal by area Sun Post readers.
Liberty Classical Academy (PreK-12)
3878 Highland Avenue
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
(651) 772-2777
Libertyclassicalacademy.org
Launched in 2003, Liberty Classical Academy is an independent collegepreparatory private Christian school in White Bear Lake, Minn., serving
students Preschool – 12th grades. Liberty’s mission is to equip students of
all backgrounds to grow in wisdom, excellence and purpose by offering an
education based on the highest academic standards grounded in a strong
classical tradition from a distinctively Christian worldview.
21
Life Academy (PreK-12)
2201 West 108th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 884-3181
www.lifeacademymn.org
Life Academy is a private, Christian school located on a beautiful, wooded
campus. Our philosophy is to teach students to learn and develop as
intellectuals while they increase in the knowledge and understanding of
their Christian faith. Life Academy uses the most respected curricula on
the market, instructed by some of the most gifted and creative teachers in
Minnesota.
MissionShift Institute
1901 Portland Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(952) 220-1315
www.missionshift.org
Fun, experiential, visionary class that will change your life! “Teaching Christians to Build and Lead Cross-Cultural Ministries.” A college-level intro to
reaching our new immigrants since 1995. One night per week during the
school year. All adults welcome. Can be used for college credit. Internationally recognized, inexpensive, interactive — and Fun!
North Heights Christian Academy (K-8)
2701 North Rice St
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 797-7934
www.nhcaonline.org
North Heights Christian Academy prepares students to stand firm and
live victorious in Christ by building a foundation of faith, truth, knowledge
and wisdom through Christ-centered education. Our program features an
atmosphere which fosters, a curriculum which reflects, and faculty who
embrace the living Word of God as the only infallible and authoritative
guide for belief and conduct.
Southwest Christian High School (9-12)
1981 Bavaria Road
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 556-0040
www.swchs.org
Southwest Christian is a grade 9-12, independent, interdenominational,
college-prep high school. Utilizing a discipleship model of education,
SWCHS helps students to think and act biblically in their worldview. Southwest offers AP and college-in-the school courses, superb music and fine
arts, leadership opportunities, senior mission trip, discipleship groups, 20
varsity sports, a vibrant student life and more.
Trinity School at River Ridge (7-12)
601 River Ridge Parkway
Eagan, MN 55121
(651) 789-2890 x220
www.tsrr.org
Since 1987, Trinity School (grades 7-12) has been educating students
to be of use to God in the wise care and governance of his creation.
Featuring a classical curriculum in the Christian tradition, Trinity School is a
community of learners characterized by the rigorous exploration of reality,
the free and disciplined exchange of ideas, and active participation in the
fine arts.
22
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
3003 Snelling Avenue N.
Saint Paul, MN 55113
(651) 631-5100
www.unwsp.edu
University of Northwestern – St. Paul is a Christian liberal arts university
in suburban St. Paul, Minn. Providing an invaluable integration of faith and
education, Northwestern offers 70+ areas of undergraduate study, six
master’s degrees, PSEO and early college programs. Online options are
available in all venues. Northwestern Media, a ministry of UNW, operates
15 Christian radio stations throughout the Midwest.
Woodcrest Baptist Academy (K-12)
6875 University Ave. NE
Fridley, MN 55432
(763) 571-6410
www.woodcrestbaptistacademy.org
For more than 40 years, Woodcrest Baptist Academy has been providing a
well-rounded Christian education to students in the Northern suburbs. The
teaching staff is comprised of Godly teachers, many of whom have 20-30
years of experience in Christian Education. Woodcrest offers a traditional
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23
The more years a person spent in public
school, the more likely he or she was later in
life to lack Christian faith and behavior…
Continued from page 16
though 6 percent said they grew up as Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or something
else. As adults, more than 8 percent now
identify themselves as atheist or agnostic.
A large number of former homeschool
students answered the survey. About 43
percent of respondents said they had been
home educated for seven years or more.
Others had used public, Christian, secular
private schools, or some combination of
those. Ray used the results to compare differences based on educational background.
For example, the more years a person
spent in public school, the more likely he
or she was later in life to lack Christian
faith and behavior, to lack life satisfaction,
and to disagree with parent’s beliefs.
“And these are people who were
churched while growing up,” Ray said.
Compared with those who mainly at-
tended public school, Christian school
students were 27 percent more likely to
have strong Christian beliefs as adults.
Homeschooled students were nearly
three times more likely than public
school students to have strong Christian
beliefs. (For the purpose of the survey,
Christian beliefs included agreeing the
Bible is inspired, Jesus is divine, Jesus
rose from the dead, moral absolutes exist, and God created biological life.)
The survey revealed differing attitudes
and behaviors regarding Christian sexual
ethics. Among homeschoolers, 16 percent
said they supported same-sex marriage,
while 29 percent of those who attended
Christian school and 33 percent of those
who attended public school said they supported such marriages. Perhaps surprisingly, those who had attended secular private school were the most likely to support
same-sex marriage; 46 percent did so.
Churched millennials who attended
public school were the most likely to
have cohabited with a sexual partner
later in life (34 percent). Of others, 28
percent of private school students, 22
percent of Christian school students,
and 9 percent of homeschool students
said they had engaged in co-habitation.
The online questionnaire also gathered information about an issue for
which little data is available: Sexual
abuse among homeschoolers. The survey
asked, “Were you ever sexually abused
before age 18?” Respondents who had
spent the majority of their school years
in a public school or Christian school
were more than twice as likely to answer
“yes” than those who had been homeschooled seven years or more. ■
Daniel James Devine writes for World
News Service.
Resurrection Power Church International
(Miracle Center)
Passover Healing & Deliverance Crusade
SPEAKERS
Rev. Eddy N. Udeh
Including other
great ministers of God
MUSIC
Resurrection Power Church
International Praise
& Worship Team
Guest Performance
The Fire Keepers Band
Guest Artist:
Life Voices
WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 5, 10:00 am
WHERE: 5LFKÀHOG(GXFDWLRQ&HQWHUDXGLWRULXP
(OOLRW$YH65LFKÀHOG
For more information, please call (952) 881-2405
www.resurrectionpowerchurch.org
24
Featuring
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2SSUHVVLRQ
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)LQDQFLDO%UHDNWKURXJK
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Testimonies from previous
programs: most of the people
who attended the last program
were visited by God and they
were mightily blessed. The
Lord also visited most of the
women who were in need of
the fruit of the womb and now
they are mothers.
Sponsored by
Crouch service draws
600,000 online
Beloved Gospel artist Andraé Crouch,
who died Jan. 8 from complications of
a heart attack, was honored Jan. 21 in
a lively memorial service that attracted more than
4,000 guests to
West Angeles
Church of God
in Christ. An additional 600,000
people watched
the
services,
which were live
streamed
on
both the church and BET websites.
Four hours in length, the service was
part concert, part church service with
performances by Stevie Wonder, CeCe
Winans, BeBe Winans, Shirley Caesar,
Ledisi, Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton,
Tommy Sims, Jonathan Butler, Donnie
McClurkin and the original members of
Andraé Crouch and the Disciples.
Crouch, who served as co-pastor of
New Christ Memorial with his twin sister, Sandra, was also honored during the
Super Bowl Gospel Celebration and the
recent Grammy and MovieGuide awards.
nization he co-founded.
The group has undergone numerous
changes since taking a hiatus in 2007
after Stuart was dealing with health issues. The reconstituted group came out
of retirement in 2012 to raise awareness
and money for the Hands & Feet Project.
The new band features former Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee, along
with Dave Stovall, formerly of Wavorly;
guitarist Brandon Bagby, whose touring
credits include Plumb and Seventh Day
Slumber; and drummer Jack Campbell.
Gokey is a busy dad
BMG recording artist Danny Gokey
has shown he can deliver much more
than hit music after he and his wife Leyicet welcomed their second child, Victoria Isabella, in late November.
As the household, including big
brother Daniel Emanuel, is adjusting to
the new addition, Gokey is preparing
tunes
to hit the road
with the Burn
Bright tour with
Natalie Grant,
followed by The
Bible Tour with
Steven
Curtis
Chapman,
Brandon Heath
and Francesca Battistelli.
The tour comes as fans embrace his
latest single release “More Than You
Think I Am” to radio, marking the second single from his No. 1 album Hope in
Front of Me.
“This song is very personal to me,”
Gokey said. “ It reflects a time in my life
where I encountered personal loss and
heartbreak. I had a broken soul and didn’t
know what to do with it. … I ran to God asking Him to reveal Himself to me. He began
to knock down barriers I had put up and
began revealing who He really is.”
Music for the Master presents…
Audio A mixes it up
Audio Adrenaline, on the verge of yet
another transition, has released its new
single “Love Was Stronger,” in advance
of the May 5 release of the group’s Fair
Trade Services sophomore album, Sound
of the Saints.
“Watching the guys practice for this
upcoming tour and record has been such
a joy,” said Audio Adrenaline founding
member Mark Stuart. “Hearing the old
classics with the new Audio A message
makes me proud to be part of a legacy
that continues to focus on the glory of
Christ and the absolute joy of becoming
His hands and feet.”
The band, which is heading out on
tour with the Newsboys’ “We Believe
God’s Not Dead” 2015 Spring Tour, is
doing so with some fresh faces as group
co-founder and bassist Will McGinniss
shifts from touring to an increased role
with the Hands & Feet Project, an orga-
ers
h
t
o
r
B
h
t
o
o
B
The
Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m.
Get your raffle
tickets! This one-of-akind Fender guitar,
signed by every
member of Jubilee,
will be given away
to the winner at the
Booth Brothers’ concert! For raffle info,
visit our website or
call 612-281-2849.
Cedar Valley Church
8600 Bloomington Ave. S., Bloomington
(now with reserved seating!)
For tickets, call 651-638-6333
or visit www.musicforthemaster.com
Artist’s Circle: $30 | Reserved Seating: $25
At-the-door: $30 | Groups of 10+: $20
Bring a can of food
to donate to Manna
Pantry, a local food
shelf in the Twin
Cities.
25
outtakes
Sean Astin (‘The Goonies,’ ‘The
Lord of the Rings’, ‘Rudy’) is one
of several major Hollywood
actors in ‘Do You Believe?’
‘God’s Not Dead’ makers
release ‘Do You Believe?’
by MICHAEL FOUST
What’s the best evangelistic movie
ever? By that, I mean the best film that has,
at its core, the Gospel—and one that makes
the message of Christ the film’s theme.
I have a new nomination, and it comes
out in theaters March 20.
The film is called “Do You Believe?” and
it follows the lives of a dozen people as they
face their own unique challenges in life and
must decide what they believe about God—
and then what they’re going to do about it.
Written by the same team that wrote
the 2014 surprise hit “God’s Not Dead,” it is
also released by the same studio, Pure Flix.
“Do You Believe?” is a dramatically different type of movie than “God’s Not Dead”—
different theme, different direction—but
many moviegoers will walk away saying it’s
a better movie. I know I did—so much so
that I watched it twice.
“The massive success of ‘God’s Not
Dead’ proved that audiences want to rally
together with their friends and family to see
movies that will edify them on compelling
issues,” said producer David A.R. White of
Pure Flix. “With ‘Do You Believe?’ we wanted
to create a film whose message will encourage, but at the same time convict, audiences
concerning one of the most critical faith
questions they will ever be asked.”
It has a cast with several well-known actors and actresses, including Golden Globe
winner Cybill Shepherd (“Moonlighting”)
and Screen Actors Guild winner Sean Astin
(“The Lord of The Rings,” “Rudy”), along
with former pro football player Brian Bosworth and Lee Majors (“The Six Million
Dollar Man,” “The Fall Guy”).
It’s fast-paced and well-produced,
boasts solid acting and has an amazing musical score. The first third and final third of
the movie are particularly impressive, with
an ending that has enough surprises that
you won’t be making any bathroom runs.
It’s a movie made for non-Christians
and Christians alike. It forces non-Christians to ask “Do I believe?” but also urges
Christians to consider: You believe, but
what will you now do?
Like “God’s Not Dead,” it has a few of
those “that-would-never-happen-in-reallife” moments, but it is, after all, a movie.
“Do You Believe?” succeeds in part because we all can relate to at least some aspect of it. It follows a young couple struggling with infertility, an elderly couple
coping with the loss of a child, a woman
and her daughter who are homeless, a gang
member who feels convicted about his actions, a soldier suffering from PTSD, a teen
mom who has been abandoned, a middleaged man who is battling cancer, a young
woman contemplating suicide, and a married physician and attorney who are both
arrogant workaholics.
Their lives intersect and they must all
deal with the same question that a street
preacher presents at the beginning: Do you
believe?
The majority of critics, no doubt, will
trash it, partially because it is more overtly
evangelistic than any successful faithbased theatrical movie in recent history.
But I’m guessing moviegoers will like it.
This is a movie the church should get
behind. It’s inspiring, convicting and simply amazing. Circle March 20 on your calendar … and go see it.
Learn more at DoYouBelieve.com. Michael
Foust is an editor and writer who reviews
films and blogs about parenting at MichaelFoust.com.
26
community news
Fighting human trafficking
MOUNDS VIEW — Bethlehem Baptist
Church and WAR International (Women at Risk) will host the seminar AntiTrafficking 101 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
March 21 at Bethlehem’s North campus.
The seminar will explore local implications and how citizens can help combat the epidemic. Featured experts include officials with Homeland Security,
police officers, human trafficking survivors, and the president of WAR.
The $30 registration fee includes
lunch and materials.
The church is located at 5151 Program Ave.
Learn more at www.warinternational.
org or call (616) 855-0796.
See the ad on page 31 of this issue of Refreshed for information on how to order.
For more information, call (763) 4733730 or (763) 231-2983.
The Minnesota Prayer Breakfast will
hold its 55th annual event from 7 to 8:30
a.m. May 14 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Workshops offered
following the breakfast will run from 9 to
10:15 a.m.
Christian leaders from across the
state are expected to attend this morning of prayer and fellowship.
The cost is $300 for a table of 10.
Learn more at www.minnesotaprayer.
org.
Benefit breakfast for
More Than Music
MINNEAPOLIS — More Than Music
will present its Hope for the Hurting
Breakfast Benefit on May 9.
The ministry sponsors free concerts in
correctional facilities, juvenile detention
centers, and chemical dependency centers.
More Than Music also hosts large-scale
benefit concerts for partner nonprofits,
raising thousands to further their work.
Over the past five years, More Than
Music has produced more than 75 free
concerts, raising in excess of $110,000
for a variety of worthy causes.
Learn more at www.morethanmusicinc.com or call (651) 226-8268.
Prayer breakfasts scheduled
MINNEAPOLIS — To commemorate the
64th annual National Day of Prayer on the
first Thursday of May, two prayer breakfasts are scheduled for the Twin Cities.
The West Metro National Day of
Prayer Breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 7, at the Medina Entertainment Center. This 18th annual event will
feature former U of M and NFL football
player Ben Utecht whose inspiring story
was told in a Refreshed magazine cover
feature in August 2014. Utecht will also
sing. Worship will be led by Tonia Hughes
and Pastor Carol Skjegstad of Calvary
Lutheran Church will be the emcee.
Tickets are $20 ($25 after April 20).
27
community news
C.S. Lewis play gets 2-day run
MINNEAPOLIS — The Fellowship for
the Performing Arts presents C.S. Lewis’
“The Great Divorce” for two shows only
on April 24 and 25 at the Pantages Theatre.
The production is traveling to several
locations across the country, including
Salt Lake City, Seattle, Chicago, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids.
“‘Showcased in an imaginative stage
design that transforms the world of the
play from bleak and dark to lush and
beautiful, ‘The Great Divorce’ takes audiences on a fabulous bus ride from a
suburb in Hell to a celestial new world
on the outskirts of Heaven,” the troupe’s
website says.
Based in New York, the Fellowship
for the Performing Arts is known for its
traveling production of C.S. Lewis’ “The
Screwtape Letters.”
Ticket prices range from $29 to $89.
Chancellors Quartet
The theater is located at 710 Hennepin Road.
Learn more at www.greatdivorceonstage.com.
Student Day at the Capitol
ST. PAUL — Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life is hosting its Student Day
at the Capitol beginning at 8:30 a.m.
March 10.
The event is designed to provide students in grades seven to 12 with unique
pro-life experiences by meeting with
state legislators. The event runs through
3 p.m.
The cost is $10 and includes lunch.
The contingent will meet at the Kelly
Inn, 161 St. Anthony Ave.
Learn more at www.mccl.org or call
(612) 825-6831.
Radio station has new name
EAGAN — Long-time Christian radio
station KKMS has changed its name to
AM 980 The Mission. Station executives
said the name change better reflects the
station’s vision.
The format—which features pastors,
Bible teachers, family-focused ministries, and local programming—will remain the same.
“By now identifying ourselves as AM
980 The Mission, our hope is to give our
very loyal listeners a very clear understanding of what we are trying to accomplish as a radio station and for the
body of Christ in the Twin Cities,” said
Nic Anderson, general manager of Salem
Communications Twin Cities.
The station does so, he said, by sharing the gospel, supporting local pastors
and leaders and providing resources to
the Christian community.
“It’s our mission to find new and local
Christian leaders to be the next generation voices in sharing the Good News onair,” he added.
The name change came just a week
before Love Worth Finding Ministries
announced that AM 980 The Mission had
received its Radio Station of the Year for
2014. The award was presented in late
February at the annual National Religious Broadcasters Convention.
Learn more at www.am980themission.com.
Easter Prayer Vigil set
ST. PAUL — Pro-Life Action Ministries
will host a Good Friday Vigil from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. April 3 at St. Paul Health
Center, a local Planned Parenthood clinic.
Fifteen area pastors of various denominations will lead the reading of
Scripture and prayers every half-hour
throughout the day. There will be free
parking off-site and free shuttle service
provided.
According to organizers, the vigil is
the largest in the nation. The Vandalia
Street clinic, they said, is the country’s
third largest abortion provider.
The clinic is located at 671 Vandalia
St.
Learn more at www.plam.org or call
(651) 771-1500.
The Ophoven Family
Saturday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Richfield Middle School Auditorium
7461 Oliver Ave. S., Richfield
Also Sing-Alongs and Live Music from the
Gospel Opry Band
Free admission | Freewill offering
MinnesotaGospelOpry.com
612.361.9912
See website for more concerts
28
Master’s Voice in concert
Sunday, April 26th – 10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Crowne Pointe Church
7121 Bloomington Ave. So. Richfield, MN
Email/Call for free tickets: [email protected], 952-431-1949
Dr. John B. Krans, Pastor – 952-334-0444
community news
Christian Arts Festival
EAGAN — The Trinity School at River
Ridge Christian Arts Festival, themed In
the Beginning: Reflections on Creation,
will be held April 16-18.
The three-day festival will include a
juried Fine Art Exhibition Gallery featuring original artworks from Twin Cities
professional, advanced, and college-level
artists. Included also will be a series of
public events, lectures and workshops
for all ages at no charge.
Greg Wolfe, publisher of Image Journal and author of Beauty Will Save the
World, will serve as keynote speaker and
as a judge for the Festival.
Trinity School is located at 601 River
Ridge Parkway.
Learn more at www.tsrrarts.com.
Assessing missions in China
ARDEN HILLS — Transform Minnesota will hold the seminar “Christianity,
the Church and Missions in China” from
noon to 1:30 p.m. March 10 at North
Heights Lutheran Church.
The session is designed to filter
through all of the stories of great persecution while tempering it with signs of
growth and openness.
The discussion will cover the varied
regions and people groups encompassed
in this vast nation.
Panelists will include Joann Pittman, senior associate with China Source,
which engages the Christian community
with critical knowledge for collaborating
with and serving the Chinese church and
society.
The event is sponsored by TCAMP,
a leadership network for pastors, field
workers, agency leaders, donors and volunteers who have an interest in global
and cross-cultural missions.
The group meets every other month.
The May 14 meeting at Cross of Glory
Church in Hopkins will explore what is
happening in Europe.
Learn more at transformmn.org and
click on the programs link or send an
email to [email protected]
Missions re-imagined
ROSEVILLE — One Hope and Substance
Church will host the Reimagine Mission
Workshop on March 17 at the church.
The workshop, designed for church
leadership, is meant to stimulate participants’ understanding of missions while
presenting practical tools to re-imagine
global and local mission programs. Facilitators aim to provide connecting opportunities with other leaders while helping
to refine and sharpen vision and mission
strategy.
The church is located at 2776 Cleveland Ave N.
For more information, call Substance
Church at (651) 340-5511.
THE PRODUCERS OF THE HIT THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS
PRESENT
with
Larry Randolph
&
Kris Vallotton
April 24-25, 2015
For Women Only
Location: North Heights Church
1700 Hwy 96 W • Arden Hills, MN 55112
Cost: Before April 10, $60/person
After April 10, on-site registration only: $70/person
Details and online registration:
Arise! Women • AriseWomen.org
2 SHOWS ONLY!
“RECOMMENDED!”
WASHINGTON POST
“BEST BET!”
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
A mesmerizing theatrical adaptation of
the C. S. Lewis fantasy classic.
APR 24-25 s Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis
800.982.2787 s CSLewisOnStage.com
29
events calendar
MAR 7 • SATURDAY
12007 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka • (612) 866-8970, (651)
649-4525
Cello & Piano Concert with Hong Wang & Herbert Johnson,
7:30pm. Benson Great hall, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel
Drive, St. Paul. Free • (651) 638-6380, bethel.edu/events/arts/
music/2015/hong-wang-cello-herbert-johnson-piano
MAR 14 • SATURDAY
Singles Prayer Brunch, 10:30am. Perkins. Free admission, meals
extra. By International Healing & Restoration Ministries • (763)
742-7687, mmmgroup.org
MAR 8 • SUNDAY
MAR 17 • TUESDAY
Melange a Trois, 2pm. Professor of piano Stephen Self, hornist
Melissa Morey & violinist Cara Wilson present a program of
Brahms, Ewazen & others. Benson Great Hall, Bethel University,
3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul • (651) 638-6380, bethel.edu/events
Reimagine Mission workshop, One Hope and Substance Church,
2776 Cleveland Ave. N., Roseville • (651) 340-5511
MAR 9 • MONDAY
Supporting Russian-Speaking Women. Whether you are in need of
support, encouragement for yourself or God is using you to reach
into the life of another woman who is hurting. Come and learn
what it means to be victorious in Jesus Christ. 6pm. 4741 Zealand
Ave. N, New Hope. Free • (763) 971-5118
MCCL Student Day at the Capitol, 8:30am. Provide students
in grades 7-12 with unique pro-life experience of the state
government. Kelly Inn, 161 Saint Anthony Ave., St. Paul. $10
includes lunch. By Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life • (612)
825-6831, mccl.org/student-day-at-the-capitol.html
Celebrate Recovery, 6:30pm. Come be supported in your own
recovery, and learn how to support others. Frontier East Side
Equipping Center, 1139 Payne Ave., St. Paul. Free • (651) 2310286, celebraterecovery.com
MAR 18 • WEDNESDAY
“How Do Photographs Form Us?” – Photography & Community
Building (How to Build a Community with a Camera) Workshop.
1-3pm. The Intersection Art Studio, United Theological Seminary
of the Twin Cities. $10 • unitedseminary.edu/event/?eventid=124
Pre-Marital Counseling, 6pm. Workshops: Marriage, Divorce,
Remarriage & Singleness. 515 Farrington St., St. Paul. Free. By Int’l
Healing & Restoration Ministries • (760) 544-7700
“How Do Photographs Form Us?” – Visual Literacy (False Images:
Engaging the Media) Workshop. 1-3pm. The Intersection Art
Studio, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. $10 •
unitedseminary.edu/event/?eventid=124
MARCH 13 • FRIDAY
Mission Possible, Friday 7-9pm, Worship Time/Preaching &
Saturday 12noon-3pm, Teaching/Service/Community Outreach).
Amazing Grace Assembly of God, 1237 Earl St., St. Paul • (651)
408-5124, (704) 493-4171
MAR 28 • SATURDAY
Love Ran Red Tour with Chris Tomlin. Target Center, Mpls • (678)
366-9192, sixstepsrecords.com, targetcenter.com
MAR 31 • TUESDAY
Bethel Women’s Choral Concert, 7:30pm. Benson Great Hall,
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul. Free • (651)
638-6380, bethel.edu/events/arts/music/2015/bethel-womenschorale-home-concert
MAR 22 • SUNDAY
APR 1 • WEDNESDAY
Hope Sunday Evening Concert Series presents The Tune Jerks
in concert, 5:15pm. Hope Christian Church, 4911 Hodgson Rd.,
Shoreview. $5-7 • (651) 486-6202, hopmn.com/Concert.htm
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Services every Saturday 10 AM to about 11:15 AM
We meet at Emmaus Lutheran Church, 8443 2nd Ave. South, Bloomington, MN
Call 952-432-7490 or visit our website for more information: graceseventhdaybaptist.org
Come celebrate Christ on Sabbath
Grace is a branch church of Dodge Center 7th Day Baptist and the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference, Janesville, WI
MAR 27-28 • FRI-SAT
Anti-Trafficking 101 workshop, 9am-4:30pm, Bethlehem Baptist
Church North Campus, 5151 Program Ave., Mounds View.
$30. Hosted by WAR (Women at Risk) Int’l. • (616) 855-0796,
warinternational.org
A Baptist Church with a Difference!
30
Pastors & Church Leaders Forum: Addressing current trends
in missions, 11am. Bethany Global University, 6820 Auto Club,
Bloomington. $45 • bethanyinternational.org/events
MAR 21 • SATURDAY
Grace Seventh Day Baptist Church
We are small but ready to grow
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MAR 26-27 • THU-FRI
MAR 23 • MONDAY
Single Christian Fellowship potluck (bring dish to share),
volleyball, games, speaker. 6:30pm, Faith Presbyterian Church,
Mat Kearney with Parachute and Judah & the Lion, 7pm. State
Theatre, Mpls. By First Avenue • (612) 339-7007, first-avenue.
com/event/2015/03/matkearney
“That Wonder Boy,” The Music Box Theatre, 1407 Nicollet Ave.,
Minneapolis • (612) 874-1100, musicboxmpls.com
Talk Tuesdays “Theatre & Social Change” with Sarah Bellamy
speaking, 1-2:30pm. The Intersection Art Studio, United
Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities • unitedseminary.edu
“How Do Photographs Form Us?” – Chalk Talk Workshop. 1-3pm.
The Intersection Art Studio, United Theological Seminary of the
Twin Cities. $10 • unitedseminary.edu/event/?eventid=124
MAR 17-APR 5
“Christianity, the Church and Missions in China” seminar, 121:30pm, North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 W. Hwy 96, Arden
Hills. By Transform Minnesota • www.transformmn.org.
MAR 24 • TUESDAY
Twin Cities Creation Science Assoc. Seminar “Geologic Records:
Do They Support the Bible” with David Mikkelson speaking,
University of Northwestern, 3003 North Snelling, Roseville, MN
Totino Fine Arts Center, Room F2128 • tccsa.tc
MAR 10 • TUESDAY
APR 4 • SATURDAY
Power Encounter with Jesus, a Passover Healing and Deliverance
Crusade, 6pm, Richfield Education Center, 7001 Elliot Ave. S.,
Richfield. By Resurrection Power Church Int’l. • (952) 881-2405,
resurrectionpowerchurch.org
APR 7 • TUESDAY
APR 8 • WEDNESDAY
APR 11 • SATURDAY
Singles Prayer Brunch, 10:30am. Perkins. Free admission, meals
extra. By International Healing & Restoration Ministries • (763)
742-7687, mmmgroup.org
events calendar
MN Gospel Opry with Chancellors Quartet & the Ophoven
Family, 7:30pm. Richfield Middle School Auditorium, 7461
Oliver Ave. S, Richfield. Free-will offering • (612) 361-9912,
MinnesotaGospelOpry.com
APR 13 • MONDAY
APR 14 • TUESDAY
APR 15 • WEDNESDAY
APR 16-18 • THU-SAT
The Trinity School at River Ridge Christian Arts Festival with Greg
Wolfe, exhibit juror & keynote speaker. The festival will open
with an artists’ reception & include a series of public events,
lectures & workshops • tsrrarts.com
APR 17 • FRIDAY
A night of music and comedy with Mark Lowry & The Martins
with Stan Whitmire, 7:30pm. New Hope Church, 4225 Gettysburg
Ave. N, New Hope • Tickets: www.trinitycommunications.org,
(260) 484-1029
APR 18 • SATURDAY
The Booth Brothers in concert, 6pm. Cedar Valley Church, 8600
Bloomington Ave. S, Bloomington. $20-$30, bring a can of food
to donate to Manna Pantry • (651) 638-6333, musicforthemaster.
com
Hwy 96, Arden Hills. $60. By Arise! Women’s Ministry • (763) 3233414, arisewomen.org
Twin Cities Quartet Convention, featuring Chancellors Quartet,
Sweetwater Revival, Living River Quartet, Master’s Voice, Still
Water, 4 His Love, Higher Power Quartet, Shoal Creek Revival
Quartet, Higher Call Quartet and the Garms Family, Discover
Church, 14300 W. Burnsville Pkwy., Burnsville. $20-$35 • (952)
736-2500
APR 26 • SUNDAY
Master’s Voice in concert, 3pm. Crowne Pointe Church,
7121 Bloomington Ave. S, Richfield. Free • (952) 431-1949,
[email protected]
0286, celebraterecovery.com
MAY 5 • TUESDAY
MAY 6 • WEDNESDAY
MAY 7 • THURSDAY
APR 27 • MONDAY
National Day of Prayer
West Metro National Day of Prayer Breakfast, 6-8am, Medina
Entertainment Center, featuring Ben Utecht with music by Tonia
Hughes. $20 ($25 after Apr 20) • (763) 473-3730, (763) 2312983, [email protected]
APR 28 • TUESDAY
New LIfe Family Services presents its annual Birth Mother Dinner,
6pm. Calvary Church, Roseville • nlfs.org
MAY 8 • FRIDAY
Equipping Center, 1139 Payne Ave., St. Paul. Free • (651) 231-
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Join prayer warriors from the Twin Cities area for the 18th annual
West Metro National Day of Prayer Breakfast
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Keynote Speaker:
APR 21 • TUESDAY
former U of MN and
NFL football player
Twin Cities Creation Science Assoc. Seminar “Khirbet Qeiyafa”
with Dr. Clyde Billington speaking, University of Northwestern,
3003 North Snelling, Roseville, MN Totino Fine Arts Center, Room
F2128 • tccsa.tc
APR 24-25 • FRI-SAT
C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce, Fri., 8pm, Sat. 4pm, Pantages
Theatre, 710 Hennepin Rd., Mpls • greatdivorceonstage.com
Mission Possible, Friday 7-9pm, Worship Time/Preaching &
Saturday 12noon-3pm, Teaching/Service/Community Outreach).
Amazing Grace Assembly of God, 1237 Earl St., St. Paul • (651)
408-5124, (704) 493-4171
“The Great Exchange” Women’s Conference with Larry Randolph
& Kris Vallotton speaking, 2pm. North Heights Church, 1700 W
For more events and community news, please
visit www.refreshedtwincities.com.
64th OBSERVANCE
Compassion Int’l presents “You Amaze Us” Tour with Selah &
Point of Grace in concert, 7pm. Hmong American Alliance Church,
2515 Maplewood Dr., Maplewood • (651) 270-3492, www.
facebook.com/musicchanginglivesministry
EVENTS ONLINE
Medina Entertainment Center
Ben Utecht
Worship Music:
Tonia Hughes
& Friends
Ben was a star player at the U of MN
and a tight end for the 2006 Super Bowlwinning Indianapolis Colts. Today, Utecht
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leader in advancing public understanding
of neurologic disease. Come and hear his
amazing story of perseverance and faith.
Emcee:
Pastor Carol
Skjegstad
Individual Tickets $20 ($25 after April 20th or at the door)
RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED
At the 2014 gathering, we had 40 West Metro churches in attendance. If you or your church would like more
information or to reserve a table, please download a registration form from www.calvary.org/ndop.
Tables of 8 or 14 available for assigned seating. Full payment and all names must be mailed in one envelope.
Tickets WILL NOT be mailed. Receive table assignments the morning of the breakfast.
Send names and checks payable to:
Calvary Lutheran Church
Attn: Pastor Carol, West Metro NDOP
7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN 55427
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31
plugged in
DOUG TROUTEN
Jesus could have come during the
digital age and asked his disciples
to “follow” him on Twitter.
The technology of education
Isaac Asimov’s short story “The Fun
They Had” imagines a future where children are surprised to learn that classes
were once taught by humans, rather
than by computers. Technology hasn’t
yet succeeded in replacing the human
teacher, but it isn’t for lack of trying.
Thomas Edison believed his film
projectors would make schools “so attractive that a big army with swords and
guns couldn’t keep boys and girls out
of it. You’ll have to lick ‘em to keep ‘em
away.” Edison’s views on corporal punishment of students notwithstanding,
his optimism has proven unfounded.
Edison wasn’t alone in believing that
new communication technology would
elevate the masses. A surprising number
of technological breakthroughs have
been heralded as the dawn of a new
golden age of education.
As early as 1855 education reformers
were gushing over the potential of a new
device which “appeals at once to the eye
and ear and naturally forms the habit
of attention, which is so difficult to
form by the study of books.” The tech in
question was a blackboard and chalk.
The dawn of the radio age featured
such programs as “School of the Air”
and “College of the Air.” Advocates for
educational radio promised it would
“help students to be intelligent about
important events ... it will ultimately be
used as a substitute for certain teacher
instruction.”
Similarly, early television advocates
were convinced that it would “not be
simply a luxury entertainment service.
Its educational potential is unlimited. It
will be the most powerful communication tools of them all.”
Broadcasting was seen as the key to
elevating the masses by bringing culture
into the living room. Of course, it turned
out that what the masses really wanted
in their living room was car chases and
32
gunfights. It turns out that you can lead
a horse to culture, but you can’t make it
think.
Today, we believe the computer will
revolutionize education. Computing
pioneer Seymour Papert predicted that
computer technology “will enable us
to so modify the learning environment
outside the classrooms that much if not
all the knowledge schools presently try
to teach with such pain and expense and
such limited success will be
learned, as the child
d
learns to talk, painlessly, successfully,
and without organized instruction.”
We haven’t
reached Papert’s dream
eam
of an effortless learnning environment
that surrounds
us each day. But
computers are
boosting education in a
variety of ways. Today’s online tools
supplement the traditional classroom,
offering opportunities for instruction
and interaction between scheduled
meetings. Computers in classrooms
make it easy for students to take notes
and work on assignments (when they
can tear themselves away from Facebook). For some, face-to-face classes
are being replaced with online classes,
and while this is often done for reasons
that center on convenience and cost,
research suggests that online learning
can be just as effective for motivated
students.
Of course, online learning comes in
many flavors, and the most effective
online education still includes plenty
of individual interaction with a teacher.
Sure, some schools are experimenting
with “Massive Open Online Courses”
which let students take a course with no
cost – and no teacher interaction. But so
far the results are not encouraging. (For
starters, about 90 percent of students
who sign up for a MOOC never finish it.)
The first truly powerful educational
technology may have been Gutenberg’s
printing press, which led to rising literacy,
educational reform and widespread sharing of knowledge, eventually fueling the
Renaissance and Reformation. And I suppose the last powerful educational technology would theoretically involve
neuroscientists
realizing the scifi dream of hacking the brain,
and learning a
language or skill
becomes as easy
as downloading
a file.
Until then,
effective learning
is likely to involve a
h
human
teacher. Perhaps
that’s how we’re designed.
After all, God could have sent his son
during the golden age of broadcasting.
Christ’s message could have been shared
over radio and television. Or Jesus could
have come during the digital age and
asked his disciples to “follow” him on
Twitter. But the teacher who brought us
the most important lessons of all did it
in an age of speaking, reading and writing. All the technology in the world can’t
replace the power of a human teacher investing in the lives of students.
Dr. Doug Trouten teaches
in the communication
department at
the University of
Northwestern – St. Paul.
marriage matters
COLETTE & JONATHAN STUART
Finding intimacy in marriage
I have a confession to make. I watch reality television. You might also find it interesting that I watch it with my husband.
This weekly ritual is not because we want
to keep up with people whose last name
begins with a “K” or because we fancy “C”
list celebrities. The reality television show
that has captured our attention for an
hour a week is a show about non-celebrity
status individuals who willingly want to
surrender their single status to six experts
to select a compatible spouse for them.
These volunteer applicants decide to trust
their spousal match to relationship professionals and psychological assessments,
and viewers watch as their marriage unfolds. At the end of the season, as statistics predict, not all the couples make it.
Out of thousands of applicants, six
people are chosen and the first time the
paired couples meet is at the altar with
loved ones present to witness. The show,
“Married at First Sight” has provided some
interesting and strange entry points for
us to have conversation about. We cringe,
easy. The journey deeper with your spouse
is important because it builds intimacy.
And intimacy in marriage is vital for
growth and for creating a more satisfying
and lasting marriage relationship.
Intimacy is such an integral part of
a healthy relationship. For some, the
immediate association of intimacy is
sex. Once, while leading a marriage
workshop, we asked people to respond
to a statement about intimacy and realized that there were two distinct and
different interpretations of the word.
It seemed that half the group thought
“sex” (we’ll let you wonder what gender that half was), while the other half
thought “emotional connection.” Intimacy is complex. In part, it is the physical, but it is also (and some might argue,
more) about the emotional, spiritual
connection.
This past year, I realized that part of
the connection I was missing was spiritual. If I’m not “feeling it” emotionally,
mentally and spiritually, our marriage
is not “feeling it”
physically.
Last year, I
needed to figure
out new ways of
being deliberate about my soul care.
“Above all, guard your heart, for it is
the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:3). I
wanted something different. I did not
have the time or energy for a book club,
and desired something more than a
traditional Bible study. I was seeking a
new and different entry point into nurturing my spirit and I was longing for a
refreshed and deeper connection with
my spouse.
Both my mother-in-law and a close
friend had studied spiritual direction
and I became curious about it. This past
year, Jonathan and I have been deliberate about scheduling time on our calendar to tend to this part of our personal
The journey deeper with your spouse
is important because it builds intimacy.
laugh and sometimes even cry (disclaimer
- only I cry) as we watch these couples
navigate newlywed life together.
Issues of communication differences
and conflict have provided openings for us
to talk about “us.”
It has never been easy for us to, out
of the blue, sit down and engage in deep
couple talk: “So how do you think we’re
doing?” For us, these conversations don’t
typically happen unless things are not
going well. And the conversation might
begin with less of a question and more of
a statement of what the other perceives as
“not so useful or helpful behavior” with
a slight hint of accusation. Eventually we
get there, but it’s not always smooth or
lives, individually and sometimes together. In order for us to dream together, we need to be present and attend to
our spiritual development and what it
means for us as individuals as well as
in our marriage. There is so much noise
in my life, and creating space to be, to
listen and to tend to my soul care has
made a difference in my ability to be
intimate with my spouse.
Are you satisfied with your level of
intimacy in your marriage? Do you need
a new entry point to reconnect with
your spouse?
Resources
• www.theurbanretreat.info/Marriage
Retreats — The Urban Retreat provides
retreat experiences that foster personal
and spiritual development in individuals
and teams.
• For more information about spiritual
direction contact: Susan Stuart,
Spiritual Director email: st.stuart@
comcast.net
• www.sweetencouragement.com — The
world needs more encouragement. Send
greetings, with a side of chocolate.
Correction
In last month’s article, the authorship
of the book, “The Five Love Languages,”
should have been credited to Gary D.
Chapman.
Jonathan Stuart, Ph.D.,
is a faculty member in
the Minnesota State
Colleges and Universities
(MnSCU) system. He
specializes in training
and mediation services.
Colette Campbell, M.A., is an adjunct faculty member,
speaker/consultant and coach. She offers workshops
on connecting to your calling, working with
differences, and workingbetter2gether. Learn more
at www.workingbetter2gether.com.
33
here’s to good health
WENDIE PETT
The key to success…PRACTICE!
Whether it’s losing weight, running a
marathon or a 10K, or keeping fit, some
of us won’t complete our resolutions.
Statistics show that many fail within
the first month. So what happens to us
that we get so frustrated and just want
to give up?
Why does the New Year’s Day motivation run out of steam? What gets us
to the point of thinking everything is
futile? First comes shame, then guilt,
which results in auto-pilot eating or
grazing, which paralyzes our drive,
which leads to inaction.
Misery loves company—and sometimes
a doughnut. Before you know it, more time
has crept by and another broken promise
and poor choice has stolen your hope of
accomplishing the resolution you were
longing to achieve. People tend to give
into failure. The problem is often that the
expectations were too high. The approach
was not sustainable. We can’t get where
we want to go from where we are; we have
to go somewhere else first.
Also, resolutions tend to be fly-bynight. More intentional planning turns
the fantasy (better health and mobility,
more stamina, increased enjoyment of
life)into reality. Plans to reach a goal are
laid out in phases, or one small goal at
a time. It’s intentional daily action that
gets you to your destination.
No one loses 20 pounds overnight or
runs a marathon after one day of training. You have to give yourself a chance
to succeed. You have to give yourself a
reason to make those intentional action
steps over and over and over. You must
dig deep and know why you must reach
your goal.
up in the process!
Instead of saying you want to lose 20
pounds, what if you just decided to “exercise every day, no matter what”? Even
if it’s only for 10-15 minutes. You might
not shed a ton of weight at once, but if
you kept up the habit, you’d start seeing
the results you desired—eventually.
Or instead of weighing every day
and letting your self-esteem rise and
fall with the numbers, just put it aside
for now and pay attention to how your
jeans fit will better and your muffin top
will soon disappear—eventually.
Focus on how your body feels and what
your measurements are, rather than on
the number you see on the scale.
To help your frame of mind and
change your focus, go through your
closet and purge those clothes that
continually tease you saying, “You will
never wear me again.” Honestly, when
you get down to that size again should
you be wearing that miniskirt? You keep
it because it seems like an incentive,
but perhaps you should tell yourself
that when you return to that size you’ve
earned some new clothes. It’s nice to
have incentive, but make it realistic-and age-appropriate.
There are two operative words here:
Practice and eventually.
The typical goal-setting mindset
tends to focus on the outcome with
little to no regard for the process of getting there. It’s like saying that you want
to run the Boston Marathon but you forget the months of the agonizing training and trials that you have to complete.
Long-term commitment will bring the
results you want to see. I promise!
Practice daily disciplines
The 20-Mile March
Practice what works for you and
don’t compare the outcome to others.
Measure the process, not the outcome. The cure to any unhealthy habit shows
34
In his book “Great by Choice,” author Jim Collins tells the stories of two
explorers wanting to be the first to visit
the South Pole. One plans on everything
going more or less according to his
expectations, and when things don’t,
it sets him back. The other, however,
decides to march 20 miles every day, no
matter what.
The first explorer blames everything
but himself (including the weather) for
his failure. He and his team do, in fact,
reach the South Pole, but sadly they
all die on the return voyage home. The
second explorer not only succeeds in
reaching Antarctica first, but he lives to
tell the tale.
There’s a lot to be learned from this
regarding our approach to achieving our
goals. Don’t set over-ambitious goals
or choose unrealistic targets. Instead,
map out what you want to accomplish
and what it will take to get there. Add
consistency to your schedule and practice what works. Again…what matters is
the process, the practice and the hope of
getting to your goal — eventually.
A few ‘must haves’ for success…
Right attitude: “I am doing something positive for myself today.”
Right process (for you): “Here’s what
I will do every day.”
Scheduled time: Eventually you will
achieve your goals if you stick with it!
Make YOU an important appointment
on your calendar daily. NO EXCUSES!
Don’t forget to celebrate small victories along the way, even if it’s only
one pound or one-fourth of a mile. Each
step forward is progress! Celebrate the
journey.
Wendie Pett is a
nationally-renowned
fitness expert and coach,
mother, TV host, speaker,
author and creator of
the Visibly Fit™ exercise
program. Learn more at
www.wendiepett.com.
at the table
YIA VANG
The world’s best coffee
We’ve all been to coffee shops with
the sign that says “World’s Best Coffee.”
How can a place claim that title? What
makes it the best?
It has to be the coffee beans.
To find the world’s best coffee, you
have to travel to Indonesia. There is a
coffee bean there called Kopi Luwak.
These coffee beans can retail up to $700
per kilogram (about 2.2 lbs). True coffee
connoisseurs would say this coffee has a
deep rich taste that cannot be imitated.
The smooth, dark roast is unlike
nlike any
other.
But what makes these coffee
offee beans so
special that it would cost about
bout a weeks’
salary for a kilogram? It’s the
he way
the beans are processed.
In the jungles of Indonesia, there is a cat-like
animal called the Asian
palm civet, also called
the toddy cat. These civets eat coffee berries as partt
of their diet, and as the berries
travel through their system, their intestines free the amino acids in the beans.
The civet expels the beans in the natural
order of things, and and then harvesters
collect them from the feces, clean roast
them, and package them.
The harvester
The job of the harvester is to trek
through the jungle, find the droppings
of the toddy cat and pick the beans
out of it. The beans are cleaned off,
dried and then roasted. The harvester
must literally go into the dirt and wade
through the fecal matter to extract the
beans. This job is not easy but it has to
be done, because the value of the beans
is so prized.
Similarly, I think of the Great Harvester who came down as a man and
rubbed shoulders with sinners and
“dirty” people. To show his love for his
people, he died for them. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great
love with which he loved us, even when
we were dead in our trespasses, made us
alive together with Christ—by grace you
are saved” (Ephesians 2:4).
The process
Many coffee drinkers who have tried
Kopi Luwak coffee say that the taste is
like no other coffee. Some consider this
coffee the purest and the truest coffee
taste. For some coffee drinkers, though,
they can’t get the image of where the coffee bean comes from out of their minds.
But to make this great cup of coffee,
the beans must go through a process. It
starts with the harvesting of the beans
from the fecal matter of a wild cat and
goes on to their cleaning and roasting.
If we do an introspective look at ourselves, we find that we come from a similar place. It was in sin that we lived, and
it was God in his great love that came
and rescued us. Through Jesus’ death on
the cross we were saved, and because of
this salvation we continue to go through
a sanctification process.
Love like no other
“Among whom we ALL lived in the
passions of our flesh, carrying out the
desires of the body and the mind, and
were by nature children of wrath” (Eph
2:3).
We have ALL lived in the passions of
our flesh. We have all sinned and fallen.
It doesn’t matter how “good” we think
we are. Because of our sins, to God we
are no better than the fecal matter that
comes out of the wild cats.
The main words that shake up everything is “but God.” This small phrase
has changed the destiny of mankind.
Because we “were by nature children
of wrath….” That means that because
of our sins, we were doomed to death.
Then like a tiny dim light in the vast
darkness or like a small whisper
in the midst of a loud clamor
comes this phrase “but God.”
This phrase is just the beginning and then eventually
the floodgates open like the
flash of an atomic bomb.
“Being rich in mercy,” “because
of the great love,” “made us alive,” “by
grace you ARE saved.” These words ring
loud as the anthem of our salvation.
Because of his grace we’ve been
saved from being “children of wrath.”
Romans 8:1 states it clearly: “There is
therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for
those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because
of Christ’s action, and through him, we
are free from death. We no longer live
under the curse of death. We’re renewed
and changed. The love that He has for us
is like no other.
Yia Vang graduated
from the University of
Wisconsin-La Crosse with
a BS in Communication
Studies. Shortly after,
he went on staff with
Cru. He is currently the
Lead Kitchen Ministry
Coordinator for Bethlehem Baptist Church in
Minneapolis.
35
sharp focus
JASON SHARP
Life is better with Jesus
As the station manager of KTIS, I often
have a front row seat to view the work of
God in the lives of those who listen. I received one email recently from Linda who
told me about their family emergency.
Her husband of 35 years was rushed to
the hospital for triple bypass surgery. She
called it the “most difficult time she has
ever had in her life” yet she continued to
cry out to Jesus for healing and support.
I recall another impactful letter from
Ben who shared that God had called his
daughter home just a few days after she
was born. As you can imagine, their family was devastated and wondered why God
would “take our child so quickly.” As time
36
goes on, and they adjust to their new normal, Ben shared that the Lord continues to
work in their lives providing them the assurance that they will indeed see their little
girl again. He also reminds them that they
are not alone and that He is with them.
And there was Jennifer, a 15-year
cancer survivor. Imagine her trepidation
when her doctor confirmed that he had
found a new lump. After mammograms,
ultrasounds, and biopsies, she shared the
great news, “I don’t have cancer!” Jennifer
walked through the situation with confidence that God was with her every step of
the way.
Life is not easier with Jesus. It’s also
not more convenient, pain free, happy,
financially rewarding, perfect, comfortable, or 75 and sunny. But, living your life
with Jesus is better.
I have passion for basketball so I’ve
been coaching my son’s 7th grade team
this year. I find great joy and satisfaction
(and sometimes frustration!) in developing boys as they learn the basics and fundamentals of the sport.
When my son hits a three-pointer as
the buzzer sounds for halftime, he runs
over to me sitting on the bench and gives
me a fist bump as we quietly celebrate.
(It’s apparently “not cool” to embrace your
dad on the sidelines). Carson knows and
understands that I will feel his joy for a job
well done. In the good times, Dad smiles
and says, “Enjoy the moment, my son.”
Then, when the game is on the line and
my son turns the ball over or misses a free
throw, he looks my way, wondering how
I will respond. I don’t do him any favors
by being disappointed. Instead, a quick
handclap and words of encouragement are
all that he needs. He knows the circumstances, as do I, and my son is aware that
his father is on the sidelines saying, “Hang
in there, Bud, we’ll get through this.”
God is the same way with you. But He
loves you more (times infinity) than any
earthly father could.
If you are going through a difficult time
today, know that you are not alone! The
Bible is full of encouragement for you:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and
sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing
of your faith produces perseverance. Let
perseverance finish its work so that you
may be mature and complete, not lacking
anything” (James 1:2-4).
“But this happened that we might not
rely on ourselves but on God, who raises
the dead. He has delivered us from such
a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On
him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your
prayers. Then many will give thanks on
our behalf for the gracious favor granted
us in answer to the prayers of many” (2
Corinthians 1: 9-11).
“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 have received from
God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Please never forget that your Father,
your heavenly Father, is not only on the
sidelines giving you the necessary coaching that you need through His word, He’s
also available to come in the game with
you – if you ask. If you’d like to find out
more about what it means to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please
call me directly at 651-631-5045 or email
me at [email protected]. Life is better
with Jesus.
Jason Sharp is station
manager of 98.5 KTIS in
the Twin Cities. Follow
him on Twitter @
KTISjason.
It’s taken much reflection,
confession, determination, and
unlearning of old habits.
purposeful parenting
JIM JACKSON
It’s not always about the kids
Me: “Nate, thank you for telling me
all this information, but what you told
me doesn’t help Ethan understand that
you feel wronged. Nate, look at Ethan
(he was still playing football with another friend) and tell me — who has the
problem?”
Nate: “I do. I have the problem and I
am mad… and Ethan… he is having fun
outside.” (That made Nate even more
upset!)
Me: “I agree. Then tell Ethan the
problem.”
Nate: “See! You don’t care!”
Me: “Oh no, I do care very much,
but I don’t have the problem with you
and you don’t have the problem with
me.”
Nate: “Ethan won’t care.”
Me: (Smiling) “I bet you a chocolate
that Ethan will care.”
Nate: “Okay.”
Nate got Ethan’s attention and they
walked away to talk privately. Three
minutes later I went out and found the
boys smiling, arm in arm. Even though
I won the bet I tossed Nate a chocolate
to emphasize the “win” in this for everyone.
Me: “Looks like I owe you a chocolate.”
“Knock it off! Stop it! Get over here,
NOW!” These are familiar phrases for
most parents. When kids act up we get
frustrated. We get demanding and even
disrespectful. Kids may comply with our
demands in the short run, but over the
long haul they learn from our example
to be frustrated, demanding, and disrespectful when they’re not getting their
way.
Dustin was becoming this kind of
parent. He saw where it was leading and
knew he wanted to walk a different road.
Determined to become a different kind
of dad, he immersed himself in a new
way of thinking. Where once his primary
goal was quick fixes and parental control, he developed the new primary goal
to come alongside his kids as a model of
God’s grace and guidance. It’s been hard
work and it’s far from finished. But this
recent report from Dustin shows the
results:
My two elementary school-aged
boys, Nate and Ethan,* were playing
football in the backyard. Nate got mad
at Ethan and came to me to tell about it
in great detail.
Here’s the conversation that followed:
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Nate tossed back the chocolate with
a HUGE grin.
Nate: “No you don’t!”
I threw the chocolate back anyway
as if to say, “Way to work things out on
your own!”
Me: “Enjoy the chocolate, boys.” I
walked back inside, and the boys ended
up having a great day playing together.
At face value this result may seem
overly simple or too good to be true. You
might think, “That would never happen
with my kids.” A year ago Dustin would
have said the same thing! Only recently
has he fairly consistently seen his kids
more respectfully manage their own
relationships and responsibilities.
However, the biggest change so far is
Dustin. He’s a new dad. It’s taken much
reflection, confession, determination,
and unlearning of old habits. But he
knew that with a vision for being a coach,
not a controller, he could slowly disciple
his kids toward maturity. His newfound
skills are evident in his report.
If you want results like Dustin’s, it
takes the same depth of commitment
that he made. This is not about “fixing”
our kids, it’s about becoming the parent you want to be. Of course the irony
is that as you become this new parent,
your kids will slowly change too. Parents
who tenaciously focus on their own
growth gain deep respect from their kids
and increased influence in their kids’
lives.
*names changed
Jim Jackson is the cofounder of Connected
Families, author, speaker
and parent mentor.
Learn more at www.
connectedfamilies.org.
37
that’s life!
JOANNE BROKAW
Do you have a receipt for that?
I know that receipt is around here
someplace. When we left the furniture
store, darling husband told me to put it
someplace safe, which I did. Except now
I can’t remember where that safe place
is.
The receipt is for six bookshelves
purchased when we cleaned and reorganized my office last summer (“cleaned
and reorganized” being a euphemism for
“moved everything around so that now I
can’t find anything.”) It’s time to do our
taxes, and the IRS says that in order to
write off the shelves as an office expense
I need to provide proof of the purchase.
Well, duh. The shelves are right there
in the office. I can even take a picture
and submit it with my tax return, if
they’d like. And while I can’t prove
exactly how much I paid for them, I’m
38
pretty sure each shelf was $45, because
frankly they’re not worth any more than
that. Does the IRS really think I’m going
to try and take a deduction for something I can’t prove I actually bought, or
claim to have overpaid for some cheap
furniture? I’m not a liar, and I take offense to that challenge of my skills as a
female American shopper.
And while we’re at it, why do I need
to prove that I purchased shelves that
I can see and touch, but I don’t have to
prove things like mileage? Sure, I keep
a record of where I went and how many
miles I drove, but that doesn’t actually
prove, for example, that six times last
year I met my editor for lunch, or that
we talked about anything work-related.
I mean, I did meet my editor for
lunch and we did talk about work, but I
don’t have to provide a dated
note from the barista or a
transcript of the conversation,
right? I just add up all the
miles I drove and give Joe the
Accountant the figure. He taps
his adding machine and comes
up with a deduction amount.
He doesn’t ask me where I
went or what I did while I was
there or if anyone can prove
my whereabouts on the afternoon of Oct. 15, 2014. (Although, maybe in the event of
an audit, the FBI will be called
in and I’ll be forced to back up
my story with evidence. Note
to self: Have barista sign my
mileage report.)
And you’re not even allowed to write off important
things. If I ran the IRS, I’d
allow writers to take deductions for any mood enhancing
products used to treat writers’
block. Things like coffee or tea,
chocolate, ice cream, anything
with whipped cream, red toenail polish,
and sessions in the tanning booth.
I have to keep track of receipts and
papers for both my writing expenses and
our personal household expenses, and
that can be overwhelming. Fortunately,
I have help from darling husband. One
year, when he asked what he could do
to help, I handed him a folder and said,
“Can you make sure everything we need
for our tax appointment is there?” A few
minutes later, he handed me back the
folder and said, “I don’t know how to do
this, so I did the best I could.” When we
got to our appointment, I opened the
folder and found envelopes from the
bank and mortgage company, along with
random pieces of what turned out to be
junk mail.
I don’t blame him. Half the time, I
don’t even know what we need in order
to do our taxes. I just hand over any
mail we’ve gotten in the last few months
marked “Important Tax Information”
and cross my fingers that it’s what the
accountant needs.
If I want to get my taxes done on
time this year, I really need to find that
stupid receipt for the shelves. The good
news is that, thanks to my obsession
with all things paper, it’s probably still
around here. Although I wonder if the
IRS would believe me if I said the cat ate
it. I can offer a hairball as proof.
Award-winning freelance
writer Joanne Brokaw
spends her days dreaming
of things she’d like to
do but probably never
will— like swimming
with dolphins, cleaning
the attic and someday overcoming the trauma
of elementary school picture day. She lives with
two dogs, a cat, six chickens and one very patient
husband. Learn more at www.joannebrokaw.com.
marketplace
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and mentor opportunities by going to www.volunteer.mntc.org where you can view all options
and apply online!
For complete up-todate job, internship and
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visit www.mntc.org.
COUNSELING
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from the impact of physical,
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You can help make a difference in the lives of
underprivileged inner-city youth. All of your
donation will sponsor a scholarship program
to help send children to summer camp. Camp
Compassion is a local, faith-based ministry that
is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of
underprivileged children from the Twin Cities.
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Cars for Compassion is a local 501(c)3 charity.
Donations are tax-deductible.
To advertise in Refreshed magazine, call 763-746-2468 x305.
39
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