Glittering Vices, Glorious Virtues

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2 Glittering Vices, Glorious Virtues You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 What is the 40-Day Spiritual Adventure? The period leading up to Easter has been for many Christians throughout the centuries a time to clean house, to do some spiritual spring cleaning. Since the fifth century, the season of Lent (literally springtime ) has been associated with prayer, fasting, repentance, and almsgiving. It is both a time to give things up as well as a time to share with those in need. It is also a time to seek out reconciliation with others. Sadly, some have turned this tradition into a joyless time to begrudgingly forego a few token pleasures. But this season is an opportunity, not a requirement. As one author says, It is meant to be the Church s springtime, a time when, out of the darkness of sin s winter, a repentant, empowered people emerges. This is always a time for us to come to terms with who we are, to recall the great generosities of God through Jesus Christ, to know what has deadened us to him, and to remember what we are yet called to be and do in our time. When the practice of Lent began, it was in part an attempt to live out the 40-day fast of Jesus in the desert as he prepared for his ministry. Jesus did not merely give up food. He took on the mission of God. During our 40-Day Spiritual Adventure from February 26 until April 8, you are invited to enter into a season in which you purposefully pray, reflect, fast, repent, serve, reach out, worship, and share with those in need. Think of this season as an upward descent, for as we are moved upward by God s grace into godliness, we find ourselves drawn to the foot of the cross of His beloved Son. May this Easter season be both deeply humbling and richly energizing as we reflect and act on the heart of our faith.

3 About Our Theme, Glittering Vices, Glorious Virtues To flee vice is the beginning of virtue. Horace As we begin our Day Spiritual Adventure (also known as Lent), I want to reflect with you on how it is that we grow in virtue. Unlike our genes, which we inherit from our parents, virtues and vices are moral qualities that we gradually acquire through choices and habits. We can cultivate good habits or break bad ones over time through our repeated actions. Acquiring virtues (or vices for that matter) is like what happens at a winter sledding party. When we used to go sledding at Big Bear Mountain, we would first look for the perfect run, a hilly descent without too many trees or protruding boulders. We would then take our sleds and tubes and trudge up the hill to start making our runs. The first several times down the hill, the snow was unpacked and the ride was sluggish. But after several runs down the same path, the snow would compact, allowing for speedier descents. The ruts we gradually created also helped steer our sleds down the packed trail. After half a day of sledding, our runs would create a well-worn groove and we could fly down the mountain! Something similar happens with our character traits. Godly behaviors that initially seem difficult become, with repetition, more fluid and instinctive. Christ-like attitudes that feel unnatural can, with practice, become second nature for us. Vices develop similarly. The way that vices differ from sins is this: a sin typically describes a single or one-time event. A vice describes a well-worn groove of habitual sin, one that progressively becomes easier to repeat and more difficult to avoid because of the power of human habits. Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung describes virtues and vices in the following way: Virtues are excellences of character, habits or dispositions of character that help us live well as human beings... virtue helps us both to live and act well and to be good people... Vices are corruptive and destructive habits. They undermine both our goodness of character and our living and acting well. Which brings us to our 40-Day theme, Glittering Vices, Glorious Virtues. The New Testament speaks in many places about

4 the avoidance of vices and the cultivation of virtues. In Galatians 5, Paul warns against the works of the flesh but commends the fruit of the Spirit. In Colossians 3, he speaks of removing old habits and behaviors and being clothed with qualities such as compassion, humility, and patience. In Ephesians 4, he reminds his readers how they were taught to put away their former way of life and to put on the new self. In 2 Peter 1, the author describes a process of gradually adding to and strengthening the qualities of goodness, self-control, endurance, and love. During this season, I want to place before us what have been called the seven capital vices. These are not the seven worst possible sins, even though they are sometimes called the seven deadly sins. But they are, in the seasoned wisdom of the historic Church, the seven sins which when allowed to wear down a habitual rut in our lives, have the most potential to lead us into even greater and more destructive sins. Paired with these vices are seven glorious virtues, which are holy habits that serve as building blocks for the Christian life. During the next 40 days, I invite you to ponder how you are intentionally cultivating holy habits in your own life. Our 40-Day devotional guide and our sermon series are both designed to aid in these reflections. May God bless each of us during the next six weeks as we ardently pursue the life-long project of becoming more like Christ. About the Cover Art (by Joel Phillips) This painting, Battling The Demon, hangs in my home. I pass by it several times a day. This anchor pulls my fragmented mind back into intimacy with my soul. This archetypal image also encourages me and inspires me to fight for the good in my life, to fight for freedom. The coldblooded, scaly, reptilian tail of sin and vice that seeks to wrap its prey in a stranglehold of bondage must be battled with a strength that is transcendent. Michael, the Warrior Angel, symbolizes relentless commitment to defeating the demon, but does so with a sureness and freedom from doubt that mysteriously points to the inevitable victory.

5 Weekly Themes This devotional guide is intended to serve as a catalyst for daily times of prayer, Scripture meditation, and journaling. Each week our Sunday preaching and this devotional guide will focus upon one of the capital vices and its corresponding virtue. Different members of our congregation (and one historic guest) have written the weekly meditations to guide and stimulate our hearts and minds along the following themes. Week One: Gluttony and Self-Restraint (Temperance) Week Two: Anger (Wrath) and Forgiveness Week Three: Lust and Self-Control (Chastity) Week Four: Sloth (Laziness) and Diligence (Zeal) Week Five: Greed and Generosity (Charity) Week Six: Envy and Kindness Week Seven: Pride and Humility Spiritual Breathing (by Jack Williamson) As you enter your daily reading, we invite you to spend some time in an ancient, simple practice we are calling Spiritual Breathing. It is a spiritual exercise in three simple steps: exhale, inhale, and exhale again. Exhale. As you come to Scripture each day, find a comfortable place to sit. Breathe deeply a few times to relax. As you breathe out, clear your mind, exhaling all of your cares and concerns, readying yourself to take in the Word of God and listen to what the scripture might say to you. Inhale. Spend five to ten minutes reading over the passage several times. Read it quickly; read it slowly. Breathe it in and let God and His Holy Spirit speak to you as you take in the message of His Word. Exhale. Finally, breathe out again by wording a prayer to God about what the Word brings to mind for you. What have you learned or been prompted to pray for from the Scripture? What has God revealed about you or those you care about in this time of breathing in His Word? Now is the time for you to respond to God and His Word.

6 Special Events and Service Projects For All Ages In addition to our daily devotions and Sunday sermons, we have planned a wide variety of service projects, special services, mission fundraisers, and family, youth group, and children s ministry events. For more information, please see the Family News bulletin or go to Sunday, February 26 (both services) Kickoff of 40-Day Spiritual Adventure Sunday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. Concert of Prayer and Children s Praying Around the World Experience Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Tutoring for Conejo Elementary School students Saturday, March 3, 8:30 a.m. Manna Ministry Project Sunday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. Start of six-week baptism classes; start of Coffee for Kenya fundraiser Sunday, March 4, 6:00 p.m. An Evening With the Coustrons (Made In The Streets ministry update) Sunday, March 18, 5:00 p.m. Of Gods and Men (film, coffee, and discussion) Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m. Workday at Conejo Elementary School Saturday, March 31, 10:00 a.m. Joy in the Journey Conejo Women s Day Sunday, April 1 (both services) Palm Sunday children s processional Sunday, April 1, 4:00 p.m. Journey to the Cross program for Middle School and High School families Friday, April 6, 5:30-8:00 p.m. Children s Good Friday experience Friday, April 6, 9:00 p.m. Good Friday service Saturday, April 7, 10:00 a.m. Pre-school Easter Party (infants to 5 year olds) Sunday, April 8 (both services) Easter Celebration Services, Children s Memory Work Presentation Friday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15 City of Children Mission Trip to Ensenada, Mexico

7 Fasting In scripture, the practice of fasting is closely tied to seasons of prayer. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that provides room in our lives to give our total selves to our time with God. Any who are able to fast are encouraged to select one or more days during these 40-Days and commit to a 24-hour fast. You may choose to fast one day per week, one meal per day, for two to three days, or to exclude certain types of food from your diet (e.g., chocolate, soda, caffeine, etc.). An alternative to food fasting is a media fast, in which you forego television, radio, the internet, or newspapers. Children s Bible Memory Work Throughout these 40-Days, our children s ministry will be working on memorizing 1 John 4:9. On Easter Sunday, the children will recite these great words before the congregation. All are invited to join them in learning (or relearning) this important passage. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. In Conclusion The 40-Day Spiritual Adventure is intended to help us focus on Jesus, identifying with his sufferings on our world s behalf, praying for spiritual renewal, and devoting ourselves to his service. May God bless us with a spirit of commitment and openness as we seek to listen to him and better understand his will for us, particularly as we reflect on how the steady acquisition of virtue enables us to overcome the harmful effects of habitual sin in our lives. ~ Andy Wall

8 Gluttony and Self-Restraint Week of February 26 - March 3 In C.S. Lewis book, The Screwtape Letters, Screwtape writes to Wormwood that gluttony of excess is a thing of the past. The present trapping is gluttony of delicacy. The mother exclaims to the server Oh, please, please all I want is a cup of tea, weak but not too weak, and the teeniest weeniest bit of really crisp toast. You see? Because what she wants is smaller and less costly than what has been set before her, she never recognizes as gluttony her determination to get what she wants, however troublesome it may be to others. At the very moment of indulging her appetite she believes that she is practicing temperance. I tend to think of my grandparents as quite particular sit in the same place every Sunday morning, get grumpy if mealtimes aren t kept. I voiced my distaste for those demanding particulars once to my cousin. She wisely pointed out to me that I had made no less than five trips to the food bar a dip for this, a piece of bread for this, extra olives for that, etc. Are there instances in your life where you can t appreciate another person because things have to be just so first? Do you dwell in Martha-land while Mary-ville goes stagnant? ~ Brittany Joyner S U N D A Y February 26 Kickoff of 40-Day Spiritual Journey 6:00 p.m. Concert of Prayer and Children s Praying Around the World Experience Galatians 5:16-25 M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y February 27 February 28 Luke 16:19-31 Matthew 6:16-18

9 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y February 29 March 1 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring Acts 24:24-25 Proverbs 23:1-3; 25:28 F R I D A Y March 2 Matthew 5:6 S A T U R D A Y March 3 8:30 a.m. Manna Ministry Project

10 Anger (Wrath) and Forgiveness Week of March 4-10 Sometimes anger is a healthy response to a horrible injustice. More often, it is not so righteous. Most of us don t become violent or make a scene, but anger more quietly takes its toll. One helpful way to work on anger is not to try to just stop feeling that way but to look at the thoughts that underlie anger. Why does traffic make some people angry while others just enjoy their music? How is that when children misbehave some parents become irate while others calmly discipline? Have you ever noticed disappointing decisions at work result in some colleagues becoming aggressive and others just rolling with it? The difference is probably thoughts. When anger is unhealthy (too extreme, too often, causing problems in relationships and work), it is probably related to unhealthy thoughts. Often, these thoughts are centered on the self. Unhealthy anger often has entitled thoughts underneath--- I shouldn t have to put up with that!, How dare he do that to me!, Why wouldn t they do it my way? So, how do I become less angry? By the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2), and by following the way of Jesus, learning to Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). ~ Connie Horton S U N D A Y M O N D A Y March 4 9:30 a.m. Start of Baptism Classes Start of Coffee for Kenya Fundraiser 6:00 p.m. An Evening With the Coulstons: A Made In The Streets Ministry Update March 5 Romans 12:14-21 Psalm 103:6-14 T U E S D A Y March 6 James 1:19-21

11 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y March 7 March 8 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring Galatians 5:13-15 Luke 23:32-34 F R I D A Y March 9 Matthew 18:21-35 S A T U R D A Y March 10 Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is to their glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

12 Lust and Self-Control (Temperance) Week of March Lust. Admit it: You re guilty of this one. You pursue something you shouldn t have. You covet something not your own. That s lust. An unhealthy want followed by a reckless abandon pursuit. Stop lying to yourself and declaring you re immune to this one. We all lust. Me. You. All of us. But what do we do about it? Bemoan the fact that we re human, we sin, and this is something we just live with? God calls us to higher standards. So what s the antidote? Self-control. That s what. Because lust isn t just about sex, or money, or power, or position. And frankly, neither is chastity. It s about self-control. It s about wrangling your thoughts and actions and time before they get out of hand. But are you and I really that far gone in our self-discipline that we have to resort to eye-plucking or appendage removal? Have we lived so long in the land of I want that we think we re entitled to an I get? Self-control is the last in the list of Fruits of the Spirit, but it s the first line of defense against lust. So how in control of yourself are you? or do you need a knife? ~ Jacob Michael S U N D A Y March 11 9:30 a.m. Baptism Classes 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 M O N D A Y March 12 Matthew 5:27-30 T U E S D A Y March 13 Genesis 39:6-21

13 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y March 14 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 March 15 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring James 1:12-15 F R I D A Y March 16 Romans 13:11-14; 14:7-9 S A T U R D A Y March 17

14 Sloth (Laziness) and Diligence (Zeal) Week of March It is well known that Christ consistently used the expression follower. He never asks for admirers, worshippers, or adherents. No, he calls disciples. It is not adherents of a teaching but followers of a life Christ is looking for Christ came into the world with the purpose of saving, not instructing. At the same time he came to be the pattern, to leave footprints for the person who would join him, who would become his follower. What then, is the difference between an admirer and a follower? A follower is or strives to be what he admires. An admirer, however, keeps himself personally detached. He fails to see that what is admired involves a claim upon him, and thus he fails to be or strive to be what he admires The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always plays it safe. Though in word he is inexhaustible about how highly he prizes Christ, he renounces nothing, will not reconstruct his life, and will not let his life express what it is he supposedly admires. Not so for the follower. No, no. The follower aspires with all his strength to be what he admires And because of the follower s life, it will become evident who the admirers are, for the admirers will become agitated with him. ~ Soren Kierkegaard S U N D A Y March 18 9:30 a.m. Baptism Classes 5:00 p.m. Of Gods and Men : Film, Coffee, and Discussion Matthew 25:14-30 M O N D A Y March 19 Ecclesiastes 10:18; 11:6 T U E S D A Y March 20 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

15 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y March 21 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 March 22 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring Proverbs 6:6-11; 24:30-34; 26:14-16 F R I D A Y March 23 Romans 12:9-12; 1 Corinthians 15:58 S A T U R D A Y March 24 9:00 a.m. Conejo Elementary School Workday

16 Greed and Generosity Week of March As a young child, my iconic picture of greed was the scene in the opening credits of Ducktales when Scrooge McDuck (Donald Duck s uncle) is swimming around in the pool of cash. Based on images like this, I never considered myself greedy because I have never been motivated by the pursuit of money. However, upon closer inspection, I must confess that there are portions of my life that I greedily hoard. Namely time. At the sacrifice of relationships and personal peace, I devote far too much time to my work. I m grateful that I enjoy my job, but in moments of conviction by the Spirit, I become aware that I am selfish with my time. Often, generosity is cast as the spiritual antidote to greed. However, when I become convicted about my selfish use of time, I find myself praying for an increased measure of love for God and for others. This helps me let go of my greedy heart and find the generosity and time to love others. As you meditate on this topic, I pray that the Spirit can fill you with love and generosity. Perhaps, rather than a pool of money, we can imagine ourselves swimming around in a pool of love. ~ Dorothy Andreas S U N D A Y March 25 9:30 a.m. Baptism Classes Luke 12:13-21 M O N D A Y March 26 Jeremiah 6:9-15 T U E S D A Y March 27 Acts 5:1-11

17 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y March 28 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 March 29 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring Mark 12:41-44 F R I D A Y March 30 1 Timothy 6:17-19 S A T U R D A Y March 31 10:00 a.m. Joy in the Journey Conejo Women s Day

18 Envy and Kindness Week of April 1-7 Proverbs 14:30 says, A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Have you experienced the type of envy that wears on you, that rots your bones? I ll be honest: this bone-rotting envy strikes me in the middle of the night. In my groggy state, I start comparing myself to others who have things I want. Why can t my baby sleep through the night? Why don t we have a bigger home? Why don t I have more time to myself? These 3:00 a.m. questions aren t pretty. It strikes me that when I m envious, I can t be thankful. Instead of focusing on what God has given me, I focus on what God has given others. This jealousy steals my joy. The fact is, I have a beautiful son; I have a roof over my head, and I don t have time to myself because I am spending time with people I love. The antidote to envy is gratitude. Thankfulness, instead of rotting my bones, leads to peace that gives life to my body. Tomorrow morning, I will strive to count my blessings; maybe then, my bones will feel a little stronger. ~ Kellie Van Atta S U N D A Y M O N D A Y April 1 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. Palm Sunday Children s Processional 9:30 a.m. Baptism Classes 4:00 p.m. Journey to the Cross Program for families of middle and high schoolers April 2 Matthew 20:1-16 Proverbs 14:30, 20:17, 24:1-2 T U E S D A Y April 3 James 3:14-18

19 W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y April 4 April 5 6:30 p.m. Conejo School Tutoring 2 Timothy 2: Peter 2:1-3 F R I D A Y April 6 5:30 p.m. Children s Good Friday Service 9:00 p.m. Good Friday Service 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 S A T U R D A Y April 7 10:00 a.m. Pre-school Easter Party (infants through five year olds)

20 Pride and Humility Week of April 8 PRIDE is a puffed up sense of self-worth. If pride is thinking of oneself more highly than he ought, has it happened as a result of selfishness? Does selfishness lead to pride or does pride lead to selfishness life focused on the self? If pride is an attitude of the mind, perhaps selfishness is in the actions. The root cause of all sin must surely be selfishness. It s definitely at the top of the list of my faults. When my words or actions have brought conflict usually at home it always seems to be the result of my selfishness which surely stems from my prideful attitude of superiority. My unwillingness to admit I m wrong leads to hurtful words and actions. Pride can be coldly superior and dreadfully lonely. On the other hand, Love is not proud. The familiar Corinthians chapter describes a lifestyle of HUMILITY not negative self-abasement, but rather the healthy choice to focus on the needs of others, without assertion of Self s demands. Humility can be warming richly satisfying in fellowship with others and with God. Luke 18:14 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. ~ Norma Privitt S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y April 8 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Easter celebration services, Children s memory presentation 9:30 a.m. Baptism classes April 9 April 10 Philippians 2:1-11 Luke 18: Corinthians 1:18-25

21 2 Peter 1:3-11 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

22 40-Day Spiritual Adventures - A Twelve Year Recap A Walk to Emmaus (A Prayerful Preparation for Easter) A Prayerful Journey to the Cross (Jesus Seven Final Prayers) In His Steps (Jesus Passion in the Gospel of Mark) Praying the Passion of Christ (Jesus Discourse in John 13-17) Connecting at the Cross (Biblical Metaphors for the Atonement) Who Do You Say I Am? (Jesus I Am Sayings in John s Gospel) The Big Seven (Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues) A Place at the Table (Jesus Passion in the Gospel of Luke) The Faces of Sin (Biblical Images and Concepts of Sin) The Lengthening Light (Key Moments in Scripture s Grand Narrative) Encounters With Jesus (People Jesus Encountered in John s Gospel) Glittering Vices, Glorious Virtues (Cultivating Christ-like Virtues)