Imagine...Your neighbor is in his driveway washing his newly purchased vintage 1967, mint condition, stingray Corvette. O, it is a beauty. It shines...it glistens...it looks too good not to be noticed. You go over to congratulate your neighbor on his new ride.
"That is one good looking car," you say as your neighbor finishes drying it.
"Thanks," says your neighbor. "Since you are here can you help me push it back into the garage?"
"Sure," you say, "Still has some work, huh?"
"Well, it doesn't run, if that is what you mean by work, but I do not plan to do any work to make it run again."
"What? Why not?" you ask.
"I bought this corvette for how it looks not to drive it."
"So, you are going to just look at this beautiful '67 Corvette...you aren't going to ever drive it?" you ask in astonishment.
"That's the plan," says the neighbor as he shuts the garage door.
And you walk away thinking its not just the car that is not running on all of its cylinders.
As ridiculous as that story sounds, the reality is we are encouraged every day to buy into what is attractive but not effective.
You have heard John Colegrove share the statistics on youth ministry in the U.S.--75% of church kids walk away from their faith after they graduate from high school never to return to Christ again. So, then why is the church at large still doing what does not work? Because, while the youth ministry that is producing these negative results is not effective, it is very attractive. It is attractive because it makes parents feel like someone else is taking care of their kids spirituality and because kids say it is fun.
Living Hope's leadership has decided we will not be satisfied with attractive. We want our ministry to teens to be effective. But, frankly, it does not matter what the leadership decides...what will truly decide if we will have an effective teen ministry is if every parent, teen and person God calls steps up by attending one of the three informational meetings, the first of which is tomorrow night at 7 PM at LH. The decision of having an attractive or effective teen ministry is now in your hands. And from where I sit, knowing the heart you have for the next generation, I know our teen ministry is in good hands.
Furthermore, every day, we are told as parents of young children to settle for what is attractive. We are told that as long as our kids are happy and entertained, then all is well. As we buy into this lie we find we have lots of children who are spoiled brats who throw fits every time they do not get their way, show disrespect toward anyone and everyone in authority and are so used to being served hand and foot that they have no sense of personal responsibility let alone any sense of God's call to serve rather than be served.
Can I be honest? (If your answer is no, please stop reading at once :-). If I hear one more parent say they will ask their child if he or she wants to participate in, for example, Vacation Bible School this weekend I think I may very well blow a gasket. Since when do we ask our kids if they want what is good for them now and for eternity? We give them what they need even if they do not want it (Interesting side note--we do not let our kids not go to school or not eat or not bathe, just because they do not want to, so why do we feel like what is good for their soul should be entirely their decision?). This is why we are doing Vacation Bible School in a new format. The old way was attractive for getting a big crowd here, but that crowd was mainly kids from other churches and it was primarily used as a babysitting service so parents could have a break. This new format allows our LH kids to be discipled and to invite unchurched friends (our neighbor and child are coming this weekend) and it requires parents to engage with their child in faith building activities.
As a parent, I know why we have settled for the attractive over effective parenting: it is easier. I did it last night. My daughter began to whine and I just gave in ...I even said to her, "Does it feel good to know you got what you wanted because you cried about it?" (By the way, that is why I am attending the Parenting on Purpose class tonight at LH, 7 PM, child care provided-- I need to learn to be more effective as a parent). You see it is easier to just keep your kid happy and entertained than to intentionally prepare your child for life.
Attractive or effective? It is a question that applies to all of life--work, education, church, health, relationships...everything...Jesus sums up the attractive vs. effective debate in one question. It is a question that cuts through all of our excuses, objections and so-called reasons. Jesus asked, "What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his/her soul?"
This is my prayer for me today..."Jesus, I need to hear this today as much as anyone. As the urgent of this day demands my attention, give me the wisdom to make what is important most important. Give me permission to let the less than best take a distant second place. Give me the courage to go after what is effective even if it would be easier, with the rest of the world, to just be happy with what is attractive. Thank you, Jesus, that you lived, died and rose again to show me how to live for what matters now and forever. As it is written in your word, "These three remain: Faith, hope and love." Help me to make those three my priority today because that is where life becomes more than a pretty car to look at in the garage. Faith, hope and love are the engine that drives a life to effectiveness. Amen."
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
"Made for Danger"
What stands out to me about a circus is that most every act has a sense of danger. In a circus people don't just ride on horses, they stand on horses, a man is shot from a cannon across the stadium, the lion tamer puts his head in the mouth of a lion, Walking the tight rope without a safety net, getting elephants that could crush you to learn to step over you, the clowns choreographed falls, hits and spills...it all requires an element of danger. Isn't it that element of danger that keeps crowds coming back every generation?
As we approach, Father's day, I wonder if the reason that the church universal has more women than men is because we have robbed our faith of danger. We have worked so hard to make God out to be safe and secure that we forget that the Bible offers one true story after another in which men and women were required to follow God not away from, but through great, death-defying and some time, death-bringing danger.
Joseph was asked to trust God when his brothers sold him as a slave and told their father he was dead.
Moses was commanded by God to return to Egypt where he was wanted for murder and to tell the most powerful nation of the ancient world to let God's people go.
Joshua was asked to set aside what he had learned at the military academy and to march around the seemingly insurmountable walls of Jericho 7 times.
Esther was required to set aside self-preservation in an attempt to preserve her people by barging into the King's court without being invited as the Persian law required.
Nehemiah, a mere cup-bearer, was burdened to risk his job and life by requesting a foreign King to allow him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Peter, James and John were invited to leave behind their livelihood and trust that their needs would be provided for as they followed Jesus.
Jesus modeled the danger of following God as he was nailed to the cross.
The Apostle Paul was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, ship wrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake, falsely accused, imprisoned and martyred for his faith.
To follow Jesus, is not safe. To follow Jesus is to accept that I will be called to move outside my comfort zone and onto the battlefield. We are not guaranteed safety or survival. However, we are promised that in all things and at all times, if Christ is our Lord and Savior, then nothing shall separate us from him.
To all who accept that we are made for danger, Romans 8:31-39 gives us this promise, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As we approach, Father's day, I wonder if the reason that the church universal has more women than men is because we have robbed our faith of danger. We have worked so hard to make God out to be safe and secure that we forget that the Bible offers one true story after another in which men and women were required to follow God not away from, but through great, death-defying and some time, death-bringing danger.
Joseph was asked to trust God when his brothers sold him as a slave and told their father he was dead.
Moses was commanded by God to return to Egypt where he was wanted for murder and to tell the most powerful nation of the ancient world to let God's people go.
Joshua was asked to set aside what he had learned at the military academy and to march around the seemingly insurmountable walls of Jericho 7 times.
Esther was required to set aside self-preservation in an attempt to preserve her people by barging into the King's court without being invited as the Persian law required.
Nehemiah, a mere cup-bearer, was burdened to risk his job and life by requesting a foreign King to allow him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Peter, James and John were invited to leave behind their livelihood and trust that their needs would be provided for as they followed Jesus.
Jesus modeled the danger of following God as he was nailed to the cross.
The Apostle Paul was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, ship wrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake, falsely accused, imprisoned and martyred for his faith.
To follow Jesus, is not safe. To follow Jesus is to accept that I will be called to move outside my comfort zone and onto the battlefield. We are not guaranteed safety or survival. However, we are promised that in all things and at all times, if Christ is our Lord and Savior, then nothing shall separate us from him.
To all who accept that we are made for danger, Romans 8:31-39 gives us this promise, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
"The End is the Beginning"
As you know, in January, I enrolled in Weight Watchers. Last month, I reached my goal, loosing 42 pounds (By the way, I want to give God praise. During this time of weight loss he has shown me in one more way how he can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves as we let him strengthen us through his Spirit and use others to hold us accountable--Thank you Kimberly, my Life Group and my accountability partner, Damon Price). Now that I am at the end, I have spent the last few weeks realizing, this is just the beginning of continuing to live and eat in a whole new way.
The Kingdom of God is like that--the end is always the beginning!
Baptism is not where our faith in Christ ends, but where it begins.
Dedicating ones child to the Lord was not an act that was done once and for all on Sunday, but a commitment that now begins to be lived out every day.
A Graduation is not an end, but a beginning of a new stage of life.
A wedding does not end a romance, but where a romance is truly to begin.
A funeral does not recognize the end of a life, but the beginning of eternal life for those who die in Christ.
The end of the world as we know it is not the end, but the beginning of the new heaven and the new earth that Jesus will make as one.
In the Kingdom of God the end is the beginning because the cross of Christ was followed by the empty tomb!
In Christ Jesus, we have this forever hope: The end is always the beginning! May God help us to live what we believe!
The Kingdom of God is like that--the end is always the beginning!
Baptism is not where our faith in Christ ends, but where it begins.
Dedicating ones child to the Lord was not an act that was done once and for all on Sunday, but a commitment that now begins to be lived out every day.
A Graduation is not an end, but a beginning of a new stage of life.
A wedding does not end a romance, but where a romance is truly to begin.
A funeral does not recognize the end of a life, but the beginning of eternal life for those who die in Christ.
The end of the world as we know it is not the end, but the beginning of the new heaven and the new earth that Jesus will make as one.
In the Kingdom of God the end is the beginning because the cross of Christ was followed by the empty tomb!
In Christ Jesus, we have this forever hope: The end is always the beginning! May God help us to live what we believe!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
"What did you like best?"
When we began our trip home from our small smoky mountain get-away last weekend, I asked the kids, "What did you like best about our trip?"
Seth shouted, "Swimming!"
Seth has become a dare devil in the pool. He cannot yet swim, but he has no fear...actually his lack of fear is somewhat scary for his mom and I. He likes to stay under water as long as he can...I guess, we should have warned his Grandma Kalbaugh about this. I fear she lost a few years off of her life when Seth jumped in the pool and did not come up quickly. (Sorry, Marianne, I admit I saw the panic in your face and I could have put your mind at ease, but some sick part of my sense of humor made me stay quiet and just watch).
"What did you like best, Anna?" I asked.
"Just being together in the mountains...just me, Seth, Mommy and Daddy," she replied.
What about the Hatfield/McCoy dinner theater? What about the momma bear and three cubs we saw in the wild? What about the Ski Lift and Alpine slide? What about the small fortune I wasted on that Pigeon Forge fun house? What about all the fun things we did?
For her the what was only as good as the who. I pray she never looses sight of that. I pray that she lives and dies knowing that the only thing that makes what we do matter is with whom we did what we did.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 encourages us to impress this upon our children: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
That's what this Sunday is about...its about parents dedicating their children to God as a way of saying, the best thing we can give you is not what money can buy, but in who a heart can believe. Its about people making a public skeptical of their faith as a way of saying nothing I do matters if following Christ does not matter most. It about we as a church family being reminded that loving God and loving others is more important than anything else.
Because one day, our end will come and as Jesus takes our hand and walks us through the new heaven-earth he might just ask about our lives, "What did you like best?" And the only answer that will matter in eternity will be all about "who".
Seth shouted, "Swimming!"
Seth has become a dare devil in the pool. He cannot yet swim, but he has no fear...actually his lack of fear is somewhat scary for his mom and I. He likes to stay under water as long as he can...I guess, we should have warned his Grandma Kalbaugh about this. I fear she lost a few years off of her life when Seth jumped in the pool and did not come up quickly. (Sorry, Marianne, I admit I saw the panic in your face and I could have put your mind at ease, but some sick part of my sense of humor made me stay quiet and just watch).
"What did you like best, Anna?" I asked.
"Just being together in the mountains...just me, Seth, Mommy and Daddy," she replied.
What about the Hatfield/McCoy dinner theater? What about the momma bear and three cubs we saw in the wild? What about the Ski Lift and Alpine slide? What about the small fortune I wasted on that Pigeon Forge fun house? What about all the fun things we did?
For her the what was only as good as the who. I pray she never looses sight of that. I pray that she lives and dies knowing that the only thing that makes what we do matter is with whom we did what we did.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 encourages us to impress this upon our children: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
That's what this Sunday is about...its about parents dedicating their children to God as a way of saying, the best thing we can give you is not what money can buy, but in who a heart can believe. Its about people making a public skeptical of their faith as a way of saying nothing I do matters if following Christ does not matter most. It about we as a church family being reminded that loving God and loving others is more important than anything else.
Because one day, our end will come and as Jesus takes our hand and walks us through the new heaven-earth he might just ask about our lives, "What did you like best?" And the only answer that will matter in eternity will be all about "who".
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
"Credit Where Credit is Due"
Each year, the Church of the Nazarene asks its pastor's to write a report to give account for the past year of ministry. Our church year ends on May 31 so I just submitted the report for Living Hope. I want to share with you what I reported because this is your report, but also because we need to give credit where credit is due. All praise and glory be to Him from whom all of this has come!
•99 people made commitments to Christ.
•64% were involved in small groups.
• About 154 children were fed every week in our community who would have
otherwise gone hungry on the weekends through our Food 2 Go.
• About 20 at-risk children were mentored every Thursday through our Bloc 25.
•Elderly we were loved, houses were repaired, specials needs children were
served and much more on our “Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church” Sunday.
•Over 100,000 meals packaged through Kids Against Hunger.
•We have partnered with 10 others Nazarene Churches to partner in ministry and
share in mission through the “Synergy Network.”
•One mission team was sent to Ukraine and 24 orphans were sponsored all year
through an on-going partnership with World Light Foundation.
•30 people fully surrendered themselves to Christ to be transformed by the
renewal of their minds.
•We partnered with “30 Days Homeless” to raise awareness and money for aged-out
foster kids who are now homeless in Montgomery County.
•We gave 100% of our offering away to help families in need one Sunday in
January.
•People are finding real transformation through Celebrate Recovery, The Prayer
Ministry for Inner Healing and Freedom From Anger for Women.
•People in our church family have been responding to God’s call and finding
their own mission in the world such as nursing home ministry, working with an
Indian Reservation in South Dakota, providing housing for the homeless, Dayton
Street Ministry, school supplies for children in need, encouraging our
military and much, much more.
In these first ten years we have found what I believe will also be true for the next: "For nothing is impossible with God!" (Luke 1:37). Thank you for being a church that is real, transformed, connected and poured out!
•99 people made commitments to Christ.
•64% were involved in small groups.
• About 154 children were fed every week in our community who would have
otherwise gone hungry on the weekends through our Food 2 Go.
• About 20 at-risk children were mentored every Thursday through our Bloc 25.
•Elderly we were loved, houses were repaired, specials needs children were
served and much more on our “Don’t Go to Church, Be the Church” Sunday.
•Over 100,000 meals packaged through Kids Against Hunger.
•We have partnered with 10 others Nazarene Churches to partner in ministry and
share in mission through the “Synergy Network.”
•One mission team was sent to Ukraine and 24 orphans were sponsored all year
through an on-going partnership with World Light Foundation.
•30 people fully surrendered themselves to Christ to be transformed by the
renewal of their minds.
•We partnered with “30 Days Homeless” to raise awareness and money for aged-out
foster kids who are now homeless in Montgomery County.
•We gave 100% of our offering away to help families in need one Sunday in
January.
•People are finding real transformation through Celebrate Recovery, The Prayer
Ministry for Inner Healing and Freedom From Anger for Women.
•People in our church family have been responding to God’s call and finding
their own mission in the world such as nursing home ministry, working with an
Indian Reservation in South Dakota, providing housing for the homeless, Dayton
Street Ministry, school supplies for children in need, encouraging our
military and much, much more.
In these first ten years we have found what I believe will also be true for the next: "For nothing is impossible with God!" (Luke 1:37). Thank you for being a church that is real, transformed, connected and poured out!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
"We Understand in Part"
Yesterday, our dog, Butterball was neutered. It was funny and some what scary to hear Anna try to figure out exactly what was being done to him. Before his surgery, I over heard her comforting Butterball with these words, "Butterball, this is a big day for you ("If only Butterball knew how big of a day it was," I thought.) You are going to have surgery. They are going to cut you so they can take something out. I don't know what they are going to take out, but it really needs to come out so they can fix you. You want to be fixed don't you? It will be OK."
Then she turned to me and I thought, "O, Lord, please don't let her ask me what I think she is going to ask me."
God denied my prayer.
"Daddy," she asked, "What does Butterball need fixed?" I replied, "Sweetie, sometimes we just need certain things fixed and that is what Butterball needs."
Finally, God came through for me and she was satisfied with my answer.
As adults it is hard for us to see that next to an all-knowing God, we seem like kids trying to figure out life. We try to make sense of what does not make sense in this life. But the Bible urges us to get honest with ourselves about the reality that this side of heaven we can only see in part.
I Corinthians 13 explains: "8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
As much as we want to understand all things here and now, the Bible asks us to acknowledge that we can't...we won't. Can I accept that? Can you? Can I live in the tension of trusting God's love while not yet understanding his ways?
Then she turned to me and I thought, "O, Lord, please don't let her ask me what I think she is going to ask me."
God denied my prayer.
"Daddy," she asked, "What does Butterball need fixed?" I replied, "Sweetie, sometimes we just need certain things fixed and that is what Butterball needs."
Finally, God came through for me and she was satisfied with my answer.
As adults it is hard for us to see that next to an all-knowing God, we seem like kids trying to figure out life. We try to make sense of what does not make sense in this life. But the Bible urges us to get honest with ourselves about the reality that this side of heaven we can only see in part.
I Corinthians 13 explains: "8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
As much as we want to understand all things here and now, the Bible asks us to acknowledge that we can't...we won't. Can I accept that? Can you? Can I live in the tension of trusting God's love while not yet understanding his ways?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
"The Kingdom of God is like..."
The Kingdom of God is like people taking the bread and cup of Christ to others. These are your stories...
Christ to one who did not feel worthy:
"When they passed out the communion packs on Easter Sunday the friend I invited didn't take one because she said it wouldn't be right because she wasn't living right. I told her that she was exactly who Jesus had in mind when his body was broken and his blood was shed. When I dropped her off at home we took communion in my van in her driveway. We didn't know all the right words to say but for me it was the most powerful communion I've ever experienced."
Christ to the lonely:
"Today I stepped way out of my comfort zone. When I accepted the communion packet Sunday I kind of had an idea who I would share it with. Needless to say...God had someone else in mind. I had thought i would share it with a friend of mine. I figured she has seemed a little down for awhile and could use a boost. Well, today i woke up with the image of my elderly neighbor in my mind. He lives alone and never has visitors and we try to keep an eye on him since he is alone. Throughout the day i had about 4 or 5 moments where out of the blue he would pop in my mind. I kept saying "no way...that will make him uncomfortable and besides I don't even know his beliefs." Well finally at about 2:10 I decided to put my shoes on and peek over in his back yard. He was on his little fenced in patio. Well i grabbed the packet and walked to the fence and after a minute or two i said "OK God...I am not gonna yell for him so if this is you then let him see me over here" Just then he lifted his head and looked over the privacy fence he was behind and waved and yelled hello. When he came out of his gate he began talking about how muddy the yards were and I said "yes...its just awful...but i have a question for you." I told him about the communion and he said "Oh no! I'm not Catholic!" I laughed and said "Well that's ok cause neither am I! We do this because we love Jesus and its to remember His body and blood that he shed for our sins." His face actually lit up and he practically yelled "Well I WILL do that!" So right there in the mud and muck we stood over a rusty chain link fence and shared communion. After we were done he told me how much he loves us and how much it means to him to be cared for. He wanted to repay us for all the help we have given him over the years and i told him there is no need to give us a thing. He said " Its the caring...isn't it." and I said "yes...that's what its all about!" In 20 years of living beside this man he was finally comfortable taking my hand in his and patting it with the other he said "I love you guys and thank you". He left the fence with tears in his eyes."
Christ to the troubled marriage:
"I think this story started a week or two ago. I was speaking with a friend that is going through a divorce and he told me he was depressed. After we talked for a little bit I told him God does everything for a reason, he never said it was going to be easy. But this could make him grow in another direction he don't even see yet or another plan. I said I know it doesn't help much now but listen to him (meaning God) and he will lead you. My friend said back to me I wish I had your faith. I replied the cool thing is you can. So when you said to take the communion to some one I thought of him. I did not take communion with this person though, at first it was to help him through his divorce to try and give him peace. Then when I went to talk to him about communion he told me that his wife contacted him and she want to try counseling one more time. (They have been through counseling two or three other times.) So I told him to take it and split it with her before they started counseling so that they could have the best shot to get through this rough time. And I am not going to lie I also told him not to think I was crazy for giving it to him."
Christ to the widow:
"I brought mine home and on Sunday evening I gave it to my Mom. She was really tired from the day and she set it aside. I wondered if she heard me say that we were supposed to break bread together and share this communion. The next day when I talked with her, she had already taken the communion. She chose to take communion alone with her memories of my Dad and their unfailing trust in Jesus Christ. She shared that moment with God. Mom really appreciated the fact that communion was brought to her when she could not attend church."
Christ to the dying:
"I do want to tell you about taking the communion to one of my hospice patients in a nursing home. When I entered the nursing home I saw the family in the lobby. I went to them and asked their permission to give communion to her.(Her son in law who was there is a minister and I had no idea how he may have felt about it.) They graciously gave their permission and their blessing for me to do this.After talking to the nurse hoping there would not be any dietary restrictions, I was on my way to her room. She is a devout christian so she knew exactly what I had brought to her. But it was also very meaningful to her because Sun. was her 90+ birthday. I can not tell you how appreciative she was that someone would do this for her on Easter. Even though she was in bed when I left her room her hands were raised and she was praying aloud."
Christ to the elderly:
"I took the to go containers to the nursing home yesterday. I shared why we do it and invited Loretta, My Mom and two other residents, Rolland and June to join with me , they were eager to take part.. I prayed and asked for the Holy spirit to fill them as they took in the body and blood of Jesus. Afterward, Junes son, who was there visiting his Mother (probably late teens, early 20's) asked if he could also take communion. He said, I have never done this but I like what you said,and since you have it , I will do it too! Loretta was very happy but she wanted me to put the head of her bed down first so she could see the picture of Jesus hanging above her head. She let me put the wafer on her tongue after I dipped it in the juice, she had a beautiful smile on her face and my Mom closed her eyes, I think she was praying, and then she cried. It was a very moving and spiritual experience!"
Christ to a mother with cancer:
"Mom was unable to attend worship on Easter because she is too weak from cancer. When I came home from worship, I gave shared communion with her. She wept as she received this gift."
Christ to the discouraged:
"I have a friend who I invited to Easter services. He has been so discouraged that he did not come. I took the bread and cup to his house after the service, but he would not even open the door. I put it at his door with a note. Later that day he sent me a text saying he had received communion and how much it meant to him."
Christ to the neighbor:
"For five years, I have lived across the street from a good neighbor. He is always friendly. Easter Sunday, he came to mind. I knocked on the door. When I told him why I had come to share the bread and cup of Christ, he invited me inside. This was the first time in all theses years I was invited into his home. We shared communion together and then sat and talked for some time."
Christ to the homeless:
"Last night during the Dayton Street Ministry, I took my two cups and was looking for the opportunity. During the rain and as darkness fell I came across Mark Anderson. Mark was panhandling at STRT48 and the east bound entrance ramp to I-35, with a cardboard sign, I just caught a glimpse of the word “homeless” and couldn’t read what he wrote. A college girl in a compact car rolls down her window hands Mark a can of Mt Dew, and he thanks her. As he puts the can w/ his belongings the college girl mouths “Thank you “ to me. Mark sees us and asked us to give him a moment while the cars clear, as Mark didn’t want to miss any opportunity for charity. Once the cars cleared he stepped away from his perch where he had positioned cardboard to protect his feet from the saturated ground. He had long white hair, unshaven, thin, a blue ball cap to keep the rain off of him and wore a “smile”. I offer him a couple bottles of water which at first he refuses because he has Mt. Dew to drink. After some casual conversation, Mark accepts 2 bottles of water and a couple burrito’s/pudding cups Charlene Karacia had made and donated to tonight’s event. Mark was focused on us now and not the cars waiting for the light to turn green. Mark put the food and water with his other belongings and thanked us. Mark’s willingness and accepting was so warm, gentle and appreciative I recognized Marks needs we’re greater than what we had seen in this ministry before. God spoke and I moved. I offered him some dry clothes (t-shirt, a polo and a pair of sweat pants), which I carry for just these God moments. A lady with us gave him a plastic Kroger bag to keep the clothes dry, which Mark tied up and placed on the wet ground. We asked if we could pray with him as a group and he gladly accepted. This was the time when we would leave and find our next “customer”, but God spoke again and I moved. I have something for you, I said. I peeled back the wrapper and exposed the wafer. Mark then said … “I KNOW WHAT THIS IS … THANK YOU!!” He ate the wafer and then I opened the cup which he took and drank. I then told him “Jesus’ body was broken and his blood spilled so you may have ever lasting life. I pray for your health, shelter and nourishment my brother”. He then took the cup, as not to trouble me and said “I’ll throw this away”. As we left and waved good-bye Mark returned to his post, perched on the curb standing on cardboard in the rain hoping some motorists would provide him some food or spare change."
This is the kingdom of God...a network of Christ touching people who in turn touch others who are in turn touched by Christ who in turn touch others who...
Christ to one who did not feel worthy:
"When they passed out the communion packs on Easter Sunday the friend I invited didn't take one because she said it wouldn't be right because she wasn't living right. I told her that she was exactly who Jesus had in mind when his body was broken and his blood was shed. When I dropped her off at home we took communion in my van in her driveway. We didn't know all the right words to say but for me it was the most powerful communion I've ever experienced."
Christ to the lonely:
"Today I stepped way out of my comfort zone. When I accepted the communion packet Sunday I kind of had an idea who I would share it with. Needless to say...God had someone else in mind. I had thought i would share it with a friend of mine. I figured she has seemed a little down for awhile and could use a boost. Well, today i woke up with the image of my elderly neighbor in my mind. He lives alone and never has visitors and we try to keep an eye on him since he is alone. Throughout the day i had about 4 or 5 moments where out of the blue he would pop in my mind. I kept saying "no way...that will make him uncomfortable and besides I don't even know his beliefs." Well finally at about 2:10 I decided to put my shoes on and peek over in his back yard. He was on his little fenced in patio. Well i grabbed the packet and walked to the fence and after a minute or two i said "OK God...I am not gonna yell for him so if this is you then let him see me over here" Just then he lifted his head and looked over the privacy fence he was behind and waved and yelled hello. When he came out of his gate he began talking about how muddy the yards were and I said "yes...its just awful...but i have a question for you." I told him about the communion and he said "Oh no! I'm not Catholic!" I laughed and said "Well that's ok cause neither am I! We do this because we love Jesus and its to remember His body and blood that he shed for our sins." His face actually lit up and he practically yelled "Well I WILL do that!" So right there in the mud and muck we stood over a rusty chain link fence and shared communion. After we were done he told me how much he loves us and how much it means to him to be cared for. He wanted to repay us for all the help we have given him over the years and i told him there is no need to give us a thing. He said " Its the caring...isn't it." and I said "yes...that's what its all about!" In 20 years of living beside this man he was finally comfortable taking my hand in his and patting it with the other he said "I love you guys and thank you". He left the fence with tears in his eyes."
Christ to the troubled marriage:
"I think this story started a week or two ago. I was speaking with a friend that is going through a divorce and he told me he was depressed. After we talked for a little bit I told him God does everything for a reason, he never said it was going to be easy. But this could make him grow in another direction he don't even see yet or another plan. I said I know it doesn't help much now but listen to him (meaning God) and he will lead you. My friend said back to me I wish I had your faith. I replied the cool thing is you can. So when you said to take the communion to some one I thought of him. I did not take communion with this person though, at first it was to help him through his divorce to try and give him peace. Then when I went to talk to him about communion he told me that his wife contacted him and she want to try counseling one more time. (They have been through counseling two or three other times.) So I told him to take it and split it with her before they started counseling so that they could have the best shot to get through this rough time. And I am not going to lie I also told him not to think I was crazy for giving it to him."
Christ to the widow:
"I brought mine home and on Sunday evening I gave it to my Mom. She was really tired from the day and she set it aside. I wondered if she heard me say that we were supposed to break bread together and share this communion. The next day when I talked with her, she had already taken the communion. She chose to take communion alone with her memories of my Dad and their unfailing trust in Jesus Christ. She shared that moment with God. Mom really appreciated the fact that communion was brought to her when she could not attend church."
Christ to the dying:
"I do want to tell you about taking the communion to one of my hospice patients in a nursing home. When I entered the nursing home I saw the family in the lobby. I went to them and asked their permission to give communion to her.(Her son in law who was there is a minister and I had no idea how he may have felt about it.) They graciously gave their permission and their blessing for me to do this.After talking to the nurse hoping there would not be any dietary restrictions, I was on my way to her room. She is a devout christian so she knew exactly what I had brought to her. But it was also very meaningful to her because Sun. was her 90+ birthday. I can not tell you how appreciative she was that someone would do this for her on Easter. Even though she was in bed when I left her room her hands were raised and she was praying aloud."
Christ to the elderly:
"I took the to go containers to the nursing home yesterday. I shared why we do it and invited Loretta, My Mom and two other residents, Rolland and June to join with me , they were eager to take part.. I prayed and asked for the Holy spirit to fill them as they took in the body and blood of Jesus. Afterward, Junes son, who was there visiting his Mother (probably late teens, early 20's) asked if he could also take communion. He said, I have never done this but I like what you said,and since you have it , I will do it too! Loretta was very happy but she wanted me to put the head of her bed down first so she could see the picture of Jesus hanging above her head. She let me put the wafer on her tongue after I dipped it in the juice, she had a beautiful smile on her face and my Mom closed her eyes, I think she was praying, and then she cried. It was a very moving and spiritual experience!"
Christ to a mother with cancer:
"Mom was unable to attend worship on Easter because she is too weak from cancer. When I came home from worship, I gave shared communion with her. She wept as she received this gift."
Christ to the discouraged:
"I have a friend who I invited to Easter services. He has been so discouraged that he did not come. I took the bread and cup to his house after the service, but he would not even open the door. I put it at his door with a note. Later that day he sent me a text saying he had received communion and how much it meant to him."
Christ to the neighbor:
"For five years, I have lived across the street from a good neighbor. He is always friendly. Easter Sunday, he came to mind. I knocked on the door. When I told him why I had come to share the bread and cup of Christ, he invited me inside. This was the first time in all theses years I was invited into his home. We shared communion together and then sat and talked for some time."
Christ to the homeless:
"Last night during the Dayton Street Ministry, I took my two cups and was looking for the opportunity. During the rain and as darkness fell I came across Mark Anderson. Mark was panhandling at STRT48 and the east bound entrance ramp to I-35, with a cardboard sign, I just caught a glimpse of the word “homeless” and couldn’t read what he wrote. A college girl in a compact car rolls down her window hands Mark a can of Mt Dew, and he thanks her. As he puts the can w/ his belongings the college girl mouths “Thank you “ to me. Mark sees us and asked us to give him a moment while the cars clear, as Mark didn’t want to miss any opportunity for charity. Once the cars cleared he stepped away from his perch where he had positioned cardboard to protect his feet from the saturated ground. He had long white hair, unshaven, thin, a blue ball cap to keep the rain off of him and wore a “smile”. I offer him a couple bottles of water which at first he refuses because he has Mt. Dew to drink. After some casual conversation, Mark accepts 2 bottles of water and a couple burrito’s/pudding cups Charlene Karacia had made and donated to tonight’s event. Mark was focused on us now and not the cars waiting for the light to turn green. Mark put the food and water with his other belongings and thanked us. Mark’s willingness and accepting was so warm, gentle and appreciative I recognized Marks needs we’re greater than what we had seen in this ministry before. God spoke and I moved. I offered him some dry clothes (t-shirt, a polo and a pair of sweat pants), which I carry for just these God moments. A lady with us gave him a plastic Kroger bag to keep the clothes dry, which Mark tied up and placed on the wet ground. We asked if we could pray with him as a group and he gladly accepted. This was the time when we would leave and find our next “customer”, but God spoke again and I moved. I have something for you, I said. I peeled back the wrapper and exposed the wafer. Mark then said … “I KNOW WHAT THIS IS … THANK YOU!!” He ate the wafer and then I opened the cup which he took and drank. I then told him “Jesus’ body was broken and his blood spilled so you may have ever lasting life. I pray for your health, shelter and nourishment my brother”. He then took the cup, as not to trouble me and said “I’ll throw this away”. As we left and waved good-bye Mark returned to his post, perched on the curb standing on cardboard in the rain hoping some motorists would provide him some food or spare change."
This is the kingdom of God...a network of Christ touching people who in turn touch others who are in turn touched by Christ who in turn touch others who...
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