Wednesday, May 27, 2009

"WOW!"

I just left one of the most deeply spiritual, meaningful and moving events I have been a part of since Living Hope started ten years ago. No sermon was preached and no songs were sung, but from start to finish it was it a holy moment of worship. I wish all of you could have been here because had you been I believe you would have encountered the presence of God over pizza and cake, just as I did. WOW!

What I am describing is an appreciation lunch that Food 2 Go put on for Elk Enterprize (the CHS special needs students who help run Food 2 Go). Around 20 students were bussed to Living Hope. As they came into the building most of them were friendly, but hesitant and shy. But it was not long until their glance shifted up from the floor.

Mayor Kingseed addressed the students with words of thanks and appreciation on behalf of the community for their part in ending hunger for children in our community. I was honored to offer a prayer of blessing and encouragement over the students. Then pizza and drinks were served much to the students' delight. As we walked around the tables meeting the students and staff, we all began to feel more at home with one another.

Then, for me, the whole event came to its climax as we called each student up to the applause and cheers of us all. Each made his or her way to the front of the room to be recognized. Their faces beamed and their eyes lit up as they received a Centerville-Gold Food 2 Go T-shirt and certificate with their name on it.

Then cake was served and it was over, but one thing was significantly different...they entered friendly but hesitant but they left with their heads hung high addressing us as though we were long-time friends.

Lily hugged me and said, "I can't wait to show my mom." Nathan begged his teacher to let him go in the restroom and put on his t-shirt. Patrick held up his certificate and yelled, "Look at this!" Michael was so excited I thought his feet would leave the floor as he clapped for himself. Laura said "Thank you!" An Aide said to me, "In all the years I have worked with our special needs students, I have never known them to be given an award for anything."

And as they left, I heard one more voice...it was the voice of one who was unseen but just as present as any student...I heard the still small voice of God whisper, "and that is what it is all about!" Try as I might, I cannot put to words what has just happened here around pizza and cake. All I can tell you, is that is why I am a pastor and in that moment I encountered the spirit of God as though it was the first time.

Thank you to all our leaders and helpers for Food 2 Go. You did a great job and we are excited to feed children in now six schools in Centerville next year. We are praying for the churches in Miamisburg and West Carrollton who are starting their own Food 2 Go. Thank you Living Hope Church for doing more than just saying you care and for BEING the Church. You are church that is poured out! Praise God! WOW!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"How Far"

Last night, I visited a home that our Home Repair Team and others have been working on since last fall. It all started with Becci Pryor driving by the small house and noticing that the front window was badly cracked and broken. Each time she drove by, she felt all the more compelled to inquiry about the window. Finally, she got up the courage to knock on the stranger's door. A small woman less than 5 foot nothing answered the door. She had long silver hair and she couldn't have been much more than 90 pounds wet. Her name was Elsie.

Elise had lived there for too many years to remember and as she hesitantly introduced herself, Becci saw that Elsie's need was much greater than a new front window. Elsie's deceased husband was a "pack rat". He filled the house and the yard with his garage sale and flee market finds. There was a path from the door to the only chair which Elise has and which she uses to sit and sleep. The only heat she had was an old Kerosene heater that has turned the ceilings and walls black over the years. She cooked on a small stove outside, which was also where her refrigerator was. The font porch was severly damaged and pouring water into the house. Becci came to ask about a window and left seeing a fellow human being living in conditions that no one should and from there the journey began.

On our "Don't Go to Church, Be the Church Day," a team began the project by replacing the broken window and clearing the yard. The improvement was so noticeable that the Mayor caught wind of the transformation and stopped by along with neighbors to thank the team.

This month the project picked up a gain by removing the porch that was leaking into the house and full of mold. And then, Elise, invited us into her home (This shows hom much she has come to trust Dave and Becci. Our Home Repair team is no longer merely fixing a house they are building a relationship). Last night I watched as the team filled up the third large dumpster and a trailer of trash. Elsie no longer has to step over her deceased husbands "treasures". She will now have the space to even have a bed...after only God knows how many years, she will be able to sleep in a bed. Of course, as the trash went out, it uncovered more work to be done... the floor in desperate need of repair, walls need to be redone and the ceiling needs to be patched.

How far do we go, "Becci asked me?" In a project like this, that is no small question to ask. For now, we decided we would clean out the main living area and not even open the door to the two bedrooms which are filled with items from floor to ceiling. Instead, now that a good relationship has been built with Elise we'll see what she can afford and what she wants to do about making the main living area, clean and livable.

When I met Elsie last night, I saw a little, elderly lady with a bright smile and a good sense of humor. It would be easy to look at Elise and assume we have the right to judge her for the condition of her home, but I guess the more you follow Jesus the more you realize that the right to judge is something you and I are called upon to release to Jesus. After all, I can look at Elise and assume what and why, but only Jesus can look at Elise and know what and why. Instead of judging, I greatly respect our Home Repair Team's decision to see a need and go far!

How far do you go, Becci? I guess as far as your team will help you? How far do we go to help others see, touch, and hear the love of Jesus where they live? I think Jesus summed it up best..."If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

To learn more about how you can go the extra mile for Elise contact Becci Pryor at BBCOVEFARM@msn.com and thank you to all of you who already have!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

"The Other Side"

Luke 8:

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

The Sea (Lake of Galilee) is a very moody body of water that can be given over to quick and fierce storms. For instance, in the 1990's it produced 5-7 foot waves...that is huge for the small body of water it is. One day Jesus and his disciples were crossing the lake and storm like that broke loose. Even though the waves tossed the little boat all around Jesus slept. Finally, the disciples wake him up saying, "Do something or we are all going to die!" Jesus wakes up, asks them where their faith is and calms the storm.

I relate to the disciples. How about you? The storms of life come and I react..."O, no...What are we going to do? What if the worst happens? We're all going to die!" Panic, worry, fear, stress, irritability...these are familiar emotions when our little boat is being mercilessly tossed to and fro.

And then, there is Jesus...sleeping...(ever feel like Jesus is sleeping when he should be doing something? ...Me too). Jesus is sleeping...why? Because he knew what he told the disciples, but they forgot. What did Jesus tell them before they boarded the boat? Look at verse 22 again...One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake."

Did you catch that? That is why Jesus slept in the storm and that is why the disciples did not have to panic. Why is that? Because Jesus told them before they left that they were going to go to the other side. Before they set sail Jesus confirmed that they would arrive at the other side. The storm did not change the promise of God...storm or no storm Jesus said they were going to the other side and that meant they were going to the other side.

However, the disciples forgot that. When the storm came all they could see were 7 foot waves, dark clouds and them sinking to the bottom of the sea. And so they panic and in turn Jesus asks, "Where is your faith?" He had told them they were going to the other side. Why did they trust the threat of the storm more than the promise of his word? May be that is a good question for you and me? Why do we trust the storms of life more than the promise of God's word that says, "Storm or no storm with him we will always get to the other side." It does not mean bad things won't happen. It just means that we have God's promise that if we follow him then no matter what happens some way and some how he will get us to the other side.

The next time you find your self struggling in the midst of a storm, even though it is difficult, ask God to help you remember what he said before you set sail, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." Jesus would not have told you he was going to take you to the other side if he did not intend to fulfill his promise.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"No More Chipmunks"

This past Christmas, I was feeling nostalgic so I purchased the Chipmunks Christmas CD. I figured the kids would enjoy it and I would enjoy the trip down memory lane.
At first, I did enjoy it. Their high pitched singing took me back to when I was a child. The kids really, really enjoyed it! Every time we got in the car we had to listen to the chipmunks. I was fine with listening to the chipmunks sing the Christmas song in December and even in January...but Anna continued asking for it in February, March and April. We would still be listening to the Chipmunks if I had not finally said, "Anna, the Chipmunks are gone. I am sorry but they sing Christmas songs and they cannot sing them again until next Christmas." I think she is finally past denial and has begun to accept that the Chipmunks are gone until next year, but it was not easy for her to accept.

Its not easy letting go, is it? Most of us have accepted by now that life is always changing, but that does not mean we don't resist it. We want to keep the Chipmunks singing "Silver Bells" in May. We want the family gatherings to be like they were 20 years ago...we want our bodies to feel like they did 15 years ago...we want to play our favorite CD over and over...and for good reason...its what we know, its familiar, it feels comfortable. But the hard truth is, "Its May and Christmas is over!" As long as we are holding onto what was, we cannot embrace what is. God has something for you right now. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may not be. Will you and I receive what he has for us today?

To receive God today means that I must be willing to accept the changes that life brings my way. Resistance to change is really our futile attempt to be in control. When we are able to stop resisting change and accept it, we give up the need to be in control and find ourselves resting in the hands of the only One who is in control. "AAAHHHH!" What a place of rest...the whole world is changing and yet God holds me. I don't have to hold onto what I have always known--be it good or bad--because I am now held by Him.

In John 10:10 Jesus says, "I have come to give you life and life to the full." Let go and let God hold you and instead of losing you find yourself full.