A weekly reflection from a member of the Hastings clergy

The Undercover Christian

Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings

Are you living as an undercover Christian? When I was growing up I only remember one person in school being openly identified as a “Bible Thumper”. I’m sure that there were many other youth and teenagers who loved God, but I never heard anyone speak any words of faith in public. The general attitude among my parent’s crowd was that we should keep our faith to ourselves. We all understood that at social gatherings the two subjects to avoid were politics and religion. I’d like to suggest that this “silent faith” is one of the major reasons for our country’s apathy and disengagement from real faith.

When I look in the Bible, I don’t see any encouragement to be silent or shy about we believe. Instead we are told to shout it from the rooftops, make disciples of all mankind, and live like a city set on a high hill for all to see. (Matt 5: 14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.) So let me describe a healthier approach. If you’ve been silent at work about what you

believe, begin to tell your story when the opportunity arises. Share the hope you’ve found in Christ. If you were hesitant to speak about the contents of your heart regarding eternity and God’s love, find gracious and honest ways to share your faith story. When teenagers talk to their peers about real faith in real life, then hope will be shed abroad in the hearts of mankind. Parents would also do well to speak to other parents about God’s plan for our families and our children’s development of morals and character.

There was a time when this was common practice in our nation. Faith was real and spoken of as a common component of life. It was etched in stone, reflected in our laws and heard in our public square. I hope we shift back toward this more biblically accurate way of living, what I call “real faith being useful in real life”.

God’s plan for mankind has been interrupted by us keeping our faith life to ourselves. Don’t be silent about the most amazing thing in your life. Don’t hoard this treasure by keeping it to yourself. Tell somebody this week about the hope that resides in you. Do it in a way that doesn’t condemn them or make it impossible for them to join you. God never intended that our faith would get used one hour a week on Sunday. It was designed to be useful in our entire real life.

Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings

Are you aware that the Bible is really a simple yet profound book about farming? I mean God often uses an agricultural metaphor to educate us on how we might enjoy life the most. He tells us to sow seeds like a farmer. He reminds us that the soil we plant in matters and he reveals that there is always a harvest coming because He designed it that way. Maybe you are so far removed from farming it is a lost insight, so let me move you to a more modern perspective. Maybe you plant a simple garden in the spring or have a house plant on your window sill. Maybe you’re a parent or a teacher. These are all the same imagery that God uses to teach us how He designed things to function.

kindness returned even if not by the person I expressed my gesture to. Sadly, many people thing they can break away from God’s design and plant seeds of division, hatred and rejection hoping to get a more pleasant society in the end. We see some folks clenching their fists in order to demand their rights, rather than sowing the seeds of involved citizenry and civility.

Think for a moment what you plan to plant today at work or at home. Will the harvest be simply more of what you sowed or are you expecting something else? God wrote simple words to a church we find in Galatians 5:19–23 The

turns sharing a favorite portion from God’s word. You don’t have to be an ordained minister to hang out with God.

Enjoying the summer in Minnesota is not sinful, nor is spending quality time with your family. Having fun is not absent from God’s list of things to do. However, we should not take a vacation from God. If you are not connected to a wonderful group of people who are identified as a church family, then maybe when you spend time interacting around issues of faith, you will grow to see the value in advancing God’s plan for humanity over advancing your own plan.

But what can you do with God if you’re taking on a summer job? Well, you can do your job as if you were working for God, and then your temporary employer gets blessed by your actions as you get paid. You can commit to using a small portion of your compensation to be generous to someone in need. You could acknowledge that God gave you the

of something intelligent to say. However, it's not your skillful words or your investment of financial support that is most critical, it is rather the reality that you are in the room next to them. The power of standing alongside others is palpable. You can simply place your hand on the shoulder of someone and a surge of assurance that they are not alone can take place. You can sit on the adjacent lawn chair with them and simply be known as a friend.

One of the most meaningful statements in my Bible comes in Matthew 11:28–30 where Jesus Himself says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from

In fact if I plant seeds of discontent I won’t get contented people. If I plant seeds of kindness I will eventually see kindness returned even if not by the person I expressed my gesture to. Sadly, many people thing they can break away from God’s design and plant seeds of division, hatred and rejection hoping to get a more pleasant society in the end. We see some folks clenching their fists in order to demand their rights, rather than sowing the seeds of involved citizenry and civility.

Think for a moment what you plan to plant today at work or at home. Will the harvest be simply more of what you sowed or are you expecting something else? God wrote simple words to a church we find in Galatians 5:19–23 The

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jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

So acknowledge that you are part of the farming community even if you live in the city and enjoy a wonderful harvest this season by planting great seeds. May God’s blessings be upon your life.

Colossians 3:23–24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

As you can see, all of this is about planning to do something with your wonderful summer rather than just stumbling through it. God has a plan and He wants you to enjoy it, so plan Him in. It won’t happen by accident; because, far too many things seek to latch on to our lifeboat like zebra mussels and attempt to slow us down. God wants you free from the summer blahs, and get the most out of the life He has set before you. Have fun in the summer SON.

Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings

[email protected] me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Did you notice the position of the players? They were to come together and be with Christ. Not come to church or come to some religious place but come to Him personally because we will find His presence there and that will be enough.

Maybe you need someone to come close today. Maybe you feel alone. Well, you have an invitation to find rest for your soul, don’t miss the opportunity.

acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

So acknowledge that you are part of the farming community even if you live in the city and enjoy a wonderful harvest this season by planting great seeds. May God’s blessings be upon your life.

[email protected]

[email protected]