Discovering Life Restoring Limits During Lent
It All Begins Here
By Phil Rushton, Lead Pastor
On February 18 we started our Lenten journey. Historically, Lent is a time where many people fast. In fact, this 40 day season is sometimes referred to as the Lenten fast. You often hear of people abstaining from certain foods, or incorporating fast days into their weekly schedule.
However, many of us do not know much about fasting. It is one of those disciplines of the faith that seems obsolete. One of the reasons why fasting is not talked about very much is because we live in a culture that legitimizes excess. Gluttony has become one of those respectable sins that seem harmless. Richard Foster writes, “in a culture where the landscape is dotted with shrines to the Golden Arches and an assortment of Pizza Temples, fasting seems out of step with the times.”
Fasting, however, is a biblical idea. Almost all of the major characters in scripture fast, including Paul and Jesus. Even though Paul rejected the legalism of the Pharisees, he continued to “fast regularly” (2 Cor 6:5). In Matthew 6:16 Jesus says, “when you fast, don’t make it obvious . . .” Notice Jesus does not say, “if you fast,” but “when you fast,” thereby implying that he expects his disciples to incorporate this practice into their lives.
One of the major reasons why fasting is a beneficial spiritual discipline is that it helps to reveal the things that are controlling us. Marjorie Thompson writes, “fasting reveals our excessive attachments and the assumptions that lie behind them. Food is necessary to life, but we have made it more necessary than God.” When you take certain things away, our attachments and addictions are exposed. That is why fasting is a helpful discernment tool. It helps us discover the things that have too much control over our lives.
Fasting also helps restore balance in our life. Richard Foster writes, “Our human cravings and desires are like a river that tends to overflow its banks: fasting helps keep them in their proper channel. ‘I pommel my body and subdue it,’ says the Apostle Paul (1 Cor 9:27).” Fasting teaches us self-control, which in turn helps us find balance. We probably have all experienced how overindulgence leads to frustration. Not only does it make us physically sick and tired, but it can also make us feel emotionally and spiritually frustrated. When our desires overflow the banks we get caught up in a flood of frustration.
In her book Dopamine Nation, psychiatrist Anna Lempke points out that at a biochemical level too much pleasure leads to pain, while some pain (within moderation) ironically leads to pleasure. Exercise is probably the best example of this. While the strain of exercise is uncomfortable at first, it actually leads to the release of endorphins and a better sense of mental and physical well-being over time.
I love how Majorie Thompson explains this dynamic in her book Soul Feast. She writes:
Perhaps we can see, then, that the discipline of fasting has to do with the critical dynamic of accepting those limits which are life-restoring. Our culture would seduce us into believing that we can have it all, do it all, and (even more preposterous!) that we deserve it all. Yet in refusing to accept limits on our consumption or activity, we perpetuate a death-dealing dynamic in the world. That is why the discipline of fasting is so profoundly important today.
I love this idea of “life-restoring limits.” When we are intentional about limiting indulgence we experience restoration and growth. We tend to define freedom as the absence of all constraints. However, the opposite is often the case. Embracing certain limits can lead to renewed freedom and restoration.
Lastly, and most importantly, fasting is a means of communing with God. First and foremost fasting is not done for the benefits, but as an act of worship to God. In Zechariah the God says, "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?” (Zech. 7:5). This implies we can fast for selfish reasons and miss the point. John Wesley says, “first, let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” What this means practically is that our fasting will be done in the context of prayer. We replace food with prayer.
I would encourage you to consider trying out the discipline of fasting during Lent. There are many ways to practice fasting. Sometimes it is simply going with less food on a regular basis. Abba Poemen says, “For my part, I think it is better that one should eat every day, but only a little, so as not to be satisfied.” John Stott fasted daily by never having a second helping at meals as a way of standing in solidarity with the poor and building in regular limits. Others fast from certain foods that are becoming addictive and unhelpful. Others work towards regular day long fasts. If you consider this please consult your doctor if you have health problems. Diabetics, heart patients, expectant mothers, or those with a history of eating disorders should not do long fasts. We might also consider other non-food related ways of incorporating life restoring limits. Perhaps God might be inviting you to limit things like technology use or internet shopping.
How might God be inviting you to experience some life restoring limits during lent?
The Youth Room…Still Giving Homey Vibes 10 Years Later
It All Begins Here
By Jeff Grosskopf | Youth Pastor
It’s hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since we remodeled our youth room from a cluttered space into the warm, inviting place we now call “The House.” From the start, our goal was to create a space where students feel like they truly belong. A decade later, I believe that fostering a sense of home is more important than ever…not just in terms of the physical space, but in the relationships that take root within it.
Home is where life unfolds.
It’s where relationships are built, tested, and strengthened.
It’s where identities form and evolve.
It’s a safe haven amid life’s chaos.
For our students, life moves at lightning speed—between school, sports, jobs, friendships, family, and screens. It can be overwhelming. They need a place to slow down, to rest, to reflect, and to recharge before heading back out into the world.
We don’t aim to replace anyone’s home; that’s irreplaceable. But we do want to create an additional space that feels safe and welcoming…a place where students are known, loved, served, and celebrated. Here, friendships can deepen, faith can take root, and honest conversations about real life and faith can happen.
Time spent in The House gives students the opportunity to focus on what truly matters, surrounded by peers who are also growing in their relationship with Christ. This can only happen when trusted adults step in and remain present. Students need more than a great room; they need adults who know their names, remember their stories, ask meaningful questions, and model a steady life with Christ. While programs are helpful, it’s that consistent presence that really shapes their experiences, often in ways we don’t fully see.
Next year, we’re expecting a big influx of 6th graders, and we’re excited to welcome more adults to join us on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. If you feel even a small nudge to learn more about our space and our students, I’d love to chat about how you can serve alongside us.
Thank you, BCC, for trusting us with your students. Your prayers and your presence mean the world.
Peace, Jeff
P.S. If you’re a parent or grandparent and want to understand why family and home are so crucial for today’s kids (especially Gen Alpha) check out the research from the Fuller Youth Institute. Their recent findings show that young people born in 2010 and later often feel safest and most secure at home, and in-person connections with family and trusted adults are vital for shaping their sense of identity, belonging, and purpose. This insight highlights the importance of your presence, encouragement, and engagement with our students here at BCC Youth.
Gen Alpha and Faith | Part 1: Insights on an Emerging Generation
Religion and State Forum
It All Begins Here
By Mark Olson
Since March 2025, a monthly Religion and State Forum has taken place at BCC. The 90-minute Wednesday evening sessions have drawn from 6 to 25 people. Additionally, several people who have never attended have said something to the effect of: “I am glad you are doing this.”
As the title suggests, the framework has been as wide as possible: exploring the relationship between any state and any religion. We have discovered that the merger of religion and state never ends well, and indeed, such mergers in history have led to enormous damage, regardless of the religion or the state.
One of the topics we have looked at has been the development of Christian Nationalism in the U.S., seeking to understand the forces and movements that have fed its resurgence. Several books have helped provide context for understanding myriad events and forces that have been at work to bring us to this point. The book, The Violent Take it by Force, by Matthew Taylor, sought to uncover the role of the Christian community in the build-up to and aftermath following January 6. Taylor documents a significant role a number of Christian leaders and podcasters played in calling people from around the nation to Washington for that event. Tim Alberta, a conservative Christian from Michigan, explores this history more broadly, beginning with Jerry Falwell and others in his book, The Kingdom, The Power, and the Glory. His writing includes intimate descriptions of his own experiences in the church pastored by his father. Money, Lies, and God, by Katherine Stewart, was the basis for another book discussion.
We also looked at the Doctrine of Discovery, which had been unfamiliar to many people, although it has been tremendously impactful over the last 500 years. We used the book Unsettling Truths, by Mark Charles and Soon-Chan Rah, as a source. It documents the development of the Doctrine of Discovery and its role in providing theological justification for the theft of land and treasure, as well as the subjection of people who were not Christian by Portuguese and Spanish explorers. We also looked at the resolution adopted at the Evangelical Covenant’s Annual Meeting in 2021, which officially repudiated the doctrine.
Now, a year later, the Forum is exploring questions about how to be a citizen of the state as a Christian. We recognize Christians belong to another kingdom, the Kingdom of God, even while living in the kingdom of this world. Discerning how to best do that is a significant challenge.
The next session, on March 11, will be based on the book, The Spirit of our Politics, by Michael Wear. Recommended by Pastor Phil, the book explores how the formative wisdom of Dallas Willard can be helpful in finding pathways for living in this world. In April, the book Resident Aliens, by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, will help us discuss the nature of the church and its relationship to the surrounding culture.
At the beginning, the expectation was that this would not be simply a three-month project but a longer-term undertaking. At this point, it will keep going as long as it goes. Everyone is welcome to enter or leave the discussion at any time. Classroom C is the setting.
What does caring for creation look like?
It All Begins Here
The Creation Care Team has been asking ourselves this same question. While it’s easy to talk about being for the environment, nothing shows caring like action. So this month we’re looking for BCCers interested in making our church building a little bit greener. Three projects need volunteers: setting out well-marked recycling containers in our building, installing outdoor bike racks, and reducing coffee time waste (bring your mug to church?). If any of these sound interesting, check out the Not Our World blog post this month.
FROM YOUR BCC LIBRARY
It All Begins Here
By Nancy Henderson | Library Team
As we rapidly approach spring, it seems a good time to feature a few of the books added to our BCC Library just last week:
The Apostles’ Creed, by J. I. Packer, is a 92-page overview of this foundational statement of the Christian Faith considered section by section. Although brief, Mr. Packer’s book provides interesting, easy-to-read insights for both those new to the Creed, and those who have been reciting it for years.
Another book on the subject, The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism, by Ben Myers is a more recent publication. Written for twenty-first century readers, it considers the Creed word-by-word and phrase-by-phrase in 135 pages with illustrations.
Both books are shelved in the Theology section of the library.
In the past few decades, “Evangelical” and “salvation” have been subjects of both confusion and criticism. A collection of scholarly essays by nine evangelical authors explores the topic of salvation from the Evangelical perspective. What Does It Mean to Be Saved?: Broadening Evangelical Horizons of Salvation was edited by John G. Stackhouse in 2002. It, too, can be found in the Theology section.
In Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Laundry Basket: 150 Bright Ideas for Wannabe World Changers, Jenny Rae Armstrong offers easy-to-implement suggestions for ways to impact your world for Christ. Written primarily for women in the midst of career and/or raising a family, most of Armstrong’s two-page suggestions could readily be utilized by youth, singles, or men in most any stage of life. It’s in the Christian Living section.
John Ortberg invites you to consider the incredible potential that awaits you outside your comfort zone. Out on the risky waters of faith, Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and your trust in God. But as Peter discovered, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Find it in the Christian Living section.
Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt have authored two books of beautiful Prayers Inspired by the Psalms – Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace. Suitable for personal or corporate prayer or devotional life, these books can be found in the Devotionals and Prayers section.
With several weeks of the Lent and Easter season remaining, remember to check out the seasonal books on the cart at the entrance to the library.
Up Next…
It All Begins Here
Vespers Evening Service
Sunday, March 1
7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
*Vespers is a contemplative evening worship service of scripture, singing, and prayer, in the style of Taizé.
Prime Timers
Thursday, march 12
12:30 pm in the dining room
*Join this great group of retired age folks for a potluck lunch in the BCC dining room. Contact Jim Bruns for more information at (360) 393-1403.
Marriage Retreat
March 13 &14
*Register at https://www.bellinghamcov.org/marriage-retreat
Lent & Easter Happenings
Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 29
*Parents of Elementary Kids: When you check in with your kids at the kiosk, they can pick up a palm to take with them into church. Your family can go sit down as normal in church and then the kids will be invited up during the second song to parade around the church with myself (Ms. Megan), or parents/caregivers, or siblings...all are welcome to parade with their palms. When the song is over, kids will go back with parents/caregivers until dismissal. Looking forward to celebrating our humble King together!
Maunday Thursday,
Thursday, April 2
5:30-7pm in the Multi Purpose Room
*Join us for a simple meal of soup, (with chicken nuggets for the kids) and a short worship service. This is an intergenerational and kid-friendly service.
Good Friday
Friday, April 3
6:30-7:30pm in the Sanctuary
*Join us at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary for a contemplative time of worship, prayer, and reflection on Jesus' journey to the cross. No childcare provided, but all are welcome.
Easter egg Hunt,
Saturday April 4,
11am-2pm at the Weiss‘
*Come join us for the most epic Easter Egg Hunt of all time at the home of Sandy and Phil Weiss! Lunch and eggs provided! Invite your friends and neighbors as well! Phil and Sandy's address is: 9103 Sunrise Rd.Custer, WA 98240. See you there!
Easter Sunday!
Sunday, April 5
9:00-10:00 First Service
10:00 - 11:00 All-Church refreshments and coffee in the Foyer
Stay after the first service or come before for the second service to fellowship with everyone!
11:00-12:00 Second Service
*To make room for those that would like to join us on Easter, we will be having two services at 9am and 11am! We will have coffee and treats to celebrate during the life together hour at 10 am (no Sunday school this day). This will be an intergenerational Sunday-all ages in the sanctuary, celebrating this wonderful day together! We encourage you, as always, to bring friends, neighbors, and extended family! I'm excited to celebrate with you all!