Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts

2020 Year in Review

2020 Year in ReviewDecember 27, 2020
It is deeply etched in my memory. And even though it no longer has any practical purpose for me, I still remember it…963.7710. It’s the first phone number I ever memorized as a kid (before area codes were necessary for reaching the intended person). Today, technology does much of our remembering for us. Instead of recalling and dialing a number, we tap a name on our phones, or ask Siri to dial for us! Which means that though I have a pretty good memory, and am better than average when it comes to numbers, I can’t recall some of the phone numbers I use regularly. They haven’t been hardwired into my brain like the ones I learned as a child. They’re stored in my phone’s memory instead.
There’s certainly much about this past year that many of us would like to forget. But, as we come to the end of this year and look forward to a new one, (as if somehow turning the page will make all the difference), perhaps, we should slow down and take a few minutes to remember. Maybe there are some good gifts buried in the muck of 2020 that we need to hold onto.
In the book of Joshua, chapter 3, we read the story of an incredible miracle God performed for His people. He made the Jordan River stop flowing so they could cross over on dry ground into the Promised Land. Then, God instructed them, through Joshua, to gather twelve stones – one for each tribe of Israel - from the dry riverbed - to set up as a memorial. They were a sign of remembrance, of what God accomplished for His people on that day; a marker that helped them to remember His promise, provision, protection, and plan for them.
Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” To recount means to remember. This weekend, as we gather one final time in 2020, we’re going to do just that – we’re going to remember the journey that we’ve walked with God, as a church family, over the past 12 months. And believe it or not, there is treasure to be found in the remembering; there is much to be thankful for.

The Rest of the Story

The Rest of the StoryFaithfulDecember 24, 2020
It’s a very COVID Christmas. No matter where you are, or what your traditions might be, all of us have had to adjust our plans, and our expectations this year. I’m sure there are many who ‘ve wrestled through the angst of how/when/ or even IF to celebrate this year. Perhaps you are finding it difficult to navigate this holiday season with joy.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the Christmas story from the perspective of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. From what we’ve learned about Joseph, we know he was most likely a simple, humble man. A man who worked with his hands, building things with wood. We know he was a man of deep faith and deep compassion. But even simple men have plans, hopes, and expectations. But in one miraculous moment, everything changed. And Joseph had a choice to make. Would he surrender his plan for God’s? Would he walk out his love for the Lord, regardless of the cost, with faithfulness?
This Christmas, regardless of our circumstances, we have a choice as well. Will you celebrate the birth of Jesus with us? I hope so!

The Journey to Bethlehem

The Journey to BethlehemFaithfulDecember 20, 2020
It’s the whine you hear coming from the back seat. Whether it’s over the hills and thru the woods to Grandma’s house, or just a quick trip to the store, it seems you’re barely 10 minutes down the road before it begins... “Are we there yet?” With no real understanding of timeframes or distance, and no choice about whether or not to make the trip, kids can be unhappy campers when it comes to traveling.Over the last few weeks, we’ve been taking a look at the story of Christmas from the perspective of Joseph, the man God chose to be the earthly father for His Son, Jesus. This week, we’re considering the journey that Joseph and Mary made to Bethlehem. I can’t imagine that making the long trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem with your due-any-day-now wife was what Joseph really wanted to be doing. There was a baby on the way. Being a carpenter, perhaps he had a crib to finish making. But they had no choice. Though the timing wasn’t great, not making the trip wasn’t an option. Whether he wanted to or not was irrelevant; whether it was convenient or not, they had to go.Like Joseph, sooner or later, all of us find ourselves on a journey we’d rather not take. It’s not our idea, it’s not comfortable or convenient; and yet, we have no choice.The last nine months we’ve all been on a journey that none of us would have chosen. Like kids strapped in uncomfortable car seats, with no idea how much farther we have to go, we ache for the journey to end. Are we there yet? I invite you to join us this Sunday as we worship together and learn from the story of Joseph, Mary, and their journey to Bethlehem.

Raising a Child Not Your Own

Raising a Child Not Your OwnFaithfulDecember 13, 2020
“Let every heart prepare Him room…”“O come, o come, Emmanuel…”“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee…”The songs of Christmas are filled with phrases that welcome or invite Christ into our lives. The words remind us of the truth that there was no room available for Joseph and Mary as they sought shelter in Bethlehem. Though their need was temporary, the only option offered was one which was more suitable for livestock than people. I imagine this wasn’t exactly what Joseph had in mind when he set out with his very pregnant wife.Over the past nine months, we’ve come to expect the unexpected in terms of how life unfolds. We’ve learned to adjust on the fly. “Pivoting” has become a new life skill. I think Joseph gets an ‘A’ in pivoting! I mean, imagine a door-to-door angel showing up at your house, informing you that a baby delivery is headed your way, and you get to be his parent! Talk about an adjustment! And it wasn’t just a temporary situation! In the blink of an eye, Joseph has a new assignment, a new calling, a new responsibility.Join us this Sunday as we continue in our Christmas series, “Faithful.” We’ll consider what it might have been like for Joseph to raise Jesus, a child who wasn’t his own. There’s a lot we can learn from the way Joseph responded to God’s invitation to step up as a step-dad.Emmanuel – God With Us – has come. Wherever you are, He is there. Will you make room for Him? Let’s welcome and worship Him together.

Whose Child is This?

Whose Child Is This?FaithfulDecember 6, 2020
It’s one of the most exuberant, popular, and beloved of traditional Christmas carols. And yet, it’s not actually a carol at all. In fact, though we sing and treat it this way, it’s not even a song about Christmas; at least, not as its author intended. Isaac Watts was born in 1674, in South Hampton, England. If the father of medicine was Hippocrates and the father of the telephone was Alexander Graham Bell, then the father of English hymns was Isaac Watts. He composed a huge collection of more than 750 hymns, which are still being sung by Christians around the world. The opening line of Joy to the World is sometimes incorrectly sung as, “Joy to the world! The Lord has come.” That is not what Isaac wrote. He wrote, “The Lord is come.” He wasn’t describing a past event (the birth of Jesus) but looking forward to a future event (the return of Jesus). He based this carol on Psalm 98, which is about Christ’s triumphant second coming, not his birth in Bethlehem! And that’s precisely what the song is about. It speaks of Jesus’ final coming to earth when “the Savior reigns” and when “He rules the world with truth and grace.” Watts longed for that glorious final day when the “nations (will) prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.” The phrase in this song that stands out most to me this year is, “let every heart prepare Him room.” What does it look like to prepare room for Christ? In our homes, our schedules, our priorities? Everything about the holiday season feels wonky this year. But Christ has come, and is coming. That alone, regardless of any of the temporary mess we live in, is cause for celebration! Will you make room for Him this week? We’re looking at the Christmas story from a little different perspective this year: through the eyes of Joseph, the man God chose to be His Son’s earthly father.

A Carpenter Named Joseph

A Carpenter Named JosephFaithfulNovember 29, 2020
In this message, we’re beginning a new sermon series called “Faithful.” Throughout this Christmas season, we’ll be taking a look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Joseph. If you’re a parent, you know how carefully you consider the involvement of other adults in the lives of your kids. Can you imagine choosing someone else to raise your child? God the Father sent His only Son to our dark and broken world, entrusting Him to the care of both Mary and Joseph. What kind of dad would God choose for His Son? I hope you’ll join us as we lean in to the Christmas story from a little different perspective.

Life in the Valley

Life in the ValleyThanks!November 22, 2020
It was given its forbidding name by a group of pioneers, lost there in the winter of 1849-1850. Though history only records that one of the group died there, they all assumed that this place would be their grave. Rescued by two scouts, the group finally made their way out of the valley and over the Panamint Mountains. As they climbed, one of the men turned, looked back and said, “Goodbye, Death Valley.” And this name, along with the story of the Lost 49ers, became part of the history of the western United States.
Steady drought and blistering summer heat make Death Valley a place of dangerous extremes. Winter months can be dangerously cold. Storms can produce sudden flooding on the valley floor. And summer air temperatures have reached as high as 127 degrees. It is the lowest, hottest, and driest part of the North American continent.  And yet, for each extreme there is a striking contrast. Towering mountain peaks are frosted with snow. The rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and provide refuge for wildlife. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life is found in Death Valley.
We often think of valleys as being a place of hardship or unwanted challenge and filled with stress or fear. It’s easy to become overwhelmed or stuck in the valley. But, as the story of Death Valley illustrates for us, there is both life to be found in the valley and a Rescuer to lead the way through it.
I’m guessing that there are a lot of us who feel like we’re stuck in a valley right now. No one knows how long it will last, or how dark it might get. Even the most resilient and optimistic of us can begin to feel weary when there is no end in sight. This week we’re wrapping up our “Thanks!” series with a look at how we can navigate the valleys of life with gratitude. While this message will be an encouragement for all of us, I want to especially encourage those who are struggling as the pandemic pressure drags on…please join us this Sunday. 

Myths of the Mountain

THANKS!Myths of the MountainNovember 15, 2020
Mountain climbing, as a sport, began in 1760 when a young Swiss physicist, captivated by the sight of Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in Europe, decided that he would either climb to the top or be responsible for it being climbed. He offered prize money for the first successful ascent of the mountain; but it wasn’t until 1786, more than 25 years later, that the money was claimed. Mountain climbing is not only challenging, it’s dangerous and full of inherent risks! So why would anyone do it? Why not just sit back and enjoy the view from below?Northwest climber Aubrey Laurence writes, “When I’m climbing, especially when I’m in a challenging position, all of life’s mundane issues and day-to-day stressors fade away… I feel a sense of clarity, focus and calm. Nowhere else in life do I feel more alive.” He identifies particular benefits of climbing such as becoming more self-reliant, developing increased confidence, displaying greater humility, and conquering deep fears.As followers of Jesus, most of us are familiar with the concept of having a “mountain top experience” with God. We savor the moments of euphoria, the thrill of accomplishment, or the incredible perspective we gain. But in order to make the most of the moment at the top, and reap the benefits of the climb, we must learn from the lessons of the journey.

The ABCs of Thanks

The ABC's of ThanksNovember 8, 2020
What a week! I guess 2020 is staying true to form. You know, it would be easy and understandable if we allowed the headlines to capture our attention, steal our focus, and dictate our mood. With the seemingly endless uncertainty, division, rioting…it can feel overwhelming. Then add the increasing COVID numbers, ever-changing and confusing guidelines and metrics. There’s just so much stress! Something’s gotta give!Science tells us that the mind reacts to bad things more quickly, strongly, and persistently than to equivalent good things. Negative emotions generally involve more thinking, and the information attached to them is processed more thoroughly than positive emotions and information. By default, we tend to think more about unpleasant events — and use stronger words to describe them — than happy ones. In order to counteract the power of negative events, experiences or emotions, studies have shown that we need five positives. That’s a lot of compensating! It means that in order to maintain a healthy perspective we must be intentional about where we choose to focus our attention.Philippians 4:8 says, “…fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”In Colossians 3:1 we read, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”Fixing and setting are action words. We won’t accidentally have a positive mindset! God’s Word instructs us to actively choose what we will think about. But it’s up to us to make the choice!This week, we’re beginning a short sermon series called, “Thanks!” For the next three weeks, we’ll be taking a look at what it means to be grateful, in both good times and hard ones, regardless of our circumstances. Learning to cultivate gratitude is a powerful discipline. Will you join me as we unpack what the Bible has to say about being thankful?

REMEMBER

REMEMBERREBOOT: Creating a New NormalNovember 1, 2020
Memory is a strange thing. The ability to remember is complex and sometimes frustrating. There are things I’d prefer NOT to remember, but can’t seem to forget, and other things I really want to remember that seem all too easily forgotten. To remember is to keep something in mind.  The prefix ‘re’ means again and ‘memor’ is Latin for mindful. Put together, we get: again, be mindful.The word ‘remember’ in all its various forms occurs over 250 times in the Bible. While some of those “remembers” refer to God, many of them are exhortations for us as His people to be intentional in our remembrance of Him. This Sunday, we’re wrapping up our REBOOT series with a message about the importance of remembering.I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship. This Sunday, November 1st, is a significant day for me. It was 20 years ago this weekend that God called me to join the pastoral staff here at Dayspring. It’s been quite a ride over the last two decades! But over and over again, we as a church family have experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God. I’m looking forward to celebrating all that God has done in this season. Remembering the past gives us hope and confidence for the future. It reminds us of who God is, of all He has done for us, and of His promises for tomorrow.