A few days ago I lost my keys. It's one of the most devastating things anyone can go through. For me, it initially felt like I lost a part of my life, a part of me. I searched through all the possible places I could think of, and found nothing. I sat down in my bed and just gave it up to God. I was tired of trying to look for them so I prayed and asked God to find them for me, and acknowledged that His timing would be perfect. Two days passed and I'm on the train heading downtown. I get a phone call from my roommate George. He told me He had just finished spending time with God and then the Holy Spirit told him to check a certain place in the house. He goes over there and sure enough, he finds my keys there.
It's experiences like that, where God answers a prayer like that, that restore my faith when it is weak, and push me to believe for bigger, greater things.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Um
I'm noticing a lot of irrational fears. Everytime I ride my bike, I think i'm goin to get pulled over, and the thing is I'm not doing anything wrong. I obey the traffic laws and what not, but I always feel like I'm going to get pulled over. Every day that I ride my bike, it seems I'm fighting this unseen force that wants me to back down, and not ride. But I love it too much, so I ride in the midst of feeling all of this pressure and anxiety. Anybody else feel like that?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Encouragement
For those who feel their lives are a grave disappointment to God, it requires enormous trust and reckless, raging confidence to accept that the love of Christ knows no shadow of alteration or change. When Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened," He assumed we would grow weary, discouraged and disheartened along the way. These words are a touching testimony to the genuine humanness of Jesus. He had no romantic notion of the cost of discipleship. He knew that following Him was as unsentimental as duty, as demanding as love. he knew that physical pain, the loss of loved ones, failure, loneliness, rejection, abandonment, and betrayal would sap our spirits; that the day would come when faith would no longer offer any drive, reassurance, or comfort, that prayer would lack any sense of reality or progress.
Just as the sunrise of faith requires the sunset of our former unbelief, so the dawn of trust requires letting go of our craving spiritual consolations and tangible reassurances. In trembling uncertainty the disciple pleads for proofs from the Lord that their affection is returned. If it is not, they are frustrated and start to suspect that their relationship with Jesus is all over or that it never existed. But tangible reassurances, however valuable they may be, cannot create trust, sustain it, or guarantee any certainty of its presence. Jesus calls us to hand over our autonomous self in unshaken confidence. When the craving for reassurances is stifled, trust happens.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Ragamuffins
To love like God, is to love someone for who they are, good, bad, all of them. To look at them not in light of what they do or don't do. The sophisticated adult in me shudders and is reluctant to offer hospitality to others. They may be carrying precious gifts under their shabby rags, but I still prefer clean-shaven Christians who are neatly attired, properly pedigreed, and who affirm my vision, echo my thoughts, stroke me, and make me feel good. Yet, my inner child protests: "I want new friends, not old mirrors"
This story shows the love of God in action.
One sweltering summer night in New Orleans, sixteen recovering alcoholics and drug addicts gather for their weekly AA meeting. Although several members attend other meetings during the week, this is their home group. They have been meeting on Tuesday nights for several years and know each other well. Some talk to each other daily on the telephone, others socialize outside the meetings. The personal investment in another's sobriety is sizable. Nobody fools anybody else. Everyone is there because he or she made a slobbering mess of his or her life and is trying ot put the pieces back together. Each meeting is marked by levity and seriousness. Some members are wealthy, others middle class or poor. Some smoke, others don't. Most drink coffee. Some have graduate degrees, others have not finished high school. For one small hour the high and the mighty descend and the lowly rises the result is fellowship.
The meeting opened with the Serenity Prayer followed by a moment of silence. The prologue to Alcoholics Anonymous was read from the Big Book by Harry followed by the Twelve Steps of the program from Michelle. that night, Jack was the appointed leader. "Theme I would like to talk about tonight is gratitude," he began, "but if anyone wants to talk about something else, let's hear it."
Immediately Phil's hand shot up.
"As you all know, last week I went up to Pennsylvania to visit family and missed the meeting. You also know I have been sober for seven years. last Monday I got drunk and stayed drunk for five days." The only sound in the room was the drip of Mr. Coffee in the corner. "you all know the buzz word, H.A.L.T., in this program," he continued. "Don't let yourself get hungry, angry, lonely, or tired or you will be very vulnerable for the first drink. The last three got to me. I unplugged the jug and.."
Phil's voice choked and he lowered his head. I glanced around the table-moist eyes, tears of compassion, soft sobbing the only sound in the room.
"The same thing happened to me, Phil, but I stayed drunk for a year."
"Thank God you're back,"
"Boy that took a lot of guts."
"Relapse spells relief, Phil," said a substance abuse counselor. "Let's get together tomorrow and figure out what you needed relief from and why."
"I'm so proud of you."
"Hell, I never made even close to seven years."
As the meeting ended, Phil stood up. He felt a hand on his shoulder, another on his face. Then kisses on his eyes, forehead, neck, and cheek. "You old ragamuffin," said Denise. "Let's go. I'm treating you to a banana split at Tastee-Freeze."
"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Torah (the law)."
-Romans 13:8
This story shows the love of God in action.
One sweltering summer night in New Orleans, sixteen recovering alcoholics and drug addicts gather for their weekly AA meeting. Although several members attend other meetings during the week, this is their home group. They have been meeting on Tuesday nights for several years and know each other well. Some talk to each other daily on the telephone, others socialize outside the meetings. The personal investment in another's sobriety is sizable. Nobody fools anybody else. Everyone is there because he or she made a slobbering mess of his or her life and is trying ot put the pieces back together. Each meeting is marked by levity and seriousness. Some members are wealthy, others middle class or poor. Some smoke, others don't. Most drink coffee. Some have graduate degrees, others have not finished high school. For one small hour the high and the mighty descend and the lowly rises the result is fellowship.
The meeting opened with the Serenity Prayer followed by a moment of silence. The prologue to Alcoholics Anonymous was read from the Big Book by Harry followed by the Twelve Steps of the program from Michelle. that night, Jack was the appointed leader. "Theme I would like to talk about tonight is gratitude," he began, "but if anyone wants to talk about something else, let's hear it."
Immediately Phil's hand shot up.
"As you all know, last week I went up to Pennsylvania to visit family and missed the meeting. You also know I have been sober for seven years. last Monday I got drunk and stayed drunk for five days." The only sound in the room was the drip of Mr. Coffee in the corner. "you all know the buzz word, H.A.L.T., in this program," he continued. "Don't let yourself get hungry, angry, lonely, or tired or you will be very vulnerable for the first drink. The last three got to me. I unplugged the jug and.."
Phil's voice choked and he lowered his head. I glanced around the table-moist eyes, tears of compassion, soft sobbing the only sound in the room.
"The same thing happened to me, Phil, but I stayed drunk for a year."
"Thank God you're back,"
"Boy that took a lot of guts."
"Relapse spells relief, Phil," said a substance abuse counselor. "Let's get together tomorrow and figure out what you needed relief from and why."
"I'm so proud of you."
"Hell, I never made even close to seven years."
As the meeting ended, Phil stood up. He felt a hand on his shoulder, another on his face. Then kisses on his eyes, forehead, neck, and cheek. "You old ragamuffin," said Denise. "Let's go. I'm treating you to a banana split at Tastee-Freeze."
"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Torah (the law)."
-Romans 13:8
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Aware
"They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
-Martin Niemoller, Lutheran pastor during Nazi Regime
Niemoller was tainted. He had been a U-boat captain in WW I prior to becoming a pastor. And he supported Hitler prior to his taking power. Indeed, initially the Nazi press held him up as a model... for his service in WW I. But Niemoller broke very early with the Nazis. In 1933, he organized the Pastor’s Emergency League to protect Lutheran pastors from the police. In 1934, he was one of the leading organizers at the Barmen Synod, which produced the theological basis for the Confessing Church, which despite its persecution became an enduring symbol of German resistance to Hitler. After the war, Niemoller emerged from prison to preach the words that began this post, that all of us know... He was instrumental in producing the “Stuttgart Confession of Guilt”, in which the German Protestant churches formally accepted guilt for their complicity in allowing the suffering which Hitler’s reign caused to occur. In 1961, he was elected as one of the six presidents of the World Council of Churches, the ecumenical body of the Protestant faiths.
This story brought conviction to my life as I have looked back through the years and seen the times where I have passed those who were in need. "It was not my fight." "These are not my people." "It is not my place to say or do anything." These were some of the excuses I used. I was selective in helping people. If they were a "Christian" that agreed with my views, I would gladly lend a hand. But if they weren't, I turned a critical cheek to them.
I grew up believing that Church was a building, that it was a place you went and experienced God. This mindset led me to be so ineffective in reaching the lost, because I spent time "preaching to the choir", hanging out in "Church", and not going out into the world as Christ called me to do. I failed to see everyone, especially nonbelievers as God's people, whom He loved dearly.
I realized that church was not a building, it wasn't a place, it was us, God's redeemed who gathered in unity. I did some research and found that the word church (ekklesia), in the New Testament, referred to an assembly of people, not a place. In every one of its 114 appearances, it referred to an assembly. God's people, not the architecture, constitute the sacredness of a space. The church in Acts realized this, they gathered in unity, they realized that they were the temples which God resided in, they realized that the Church was meant to go into the world, to minister to everyone, and they made God known through love in action, through compassion that made a difference, feeding the hungry, helping the needy, caring for the sick, providing for those who had nothing, they ministered and served to all, those that were redeemed, and especially those that did not consider themselves Christians or those who followed the Judaic-Christian way. Once we realize that we are the Church, we are the body, we can make a true difference in this world. Wherever we go, we can make sacred places that are cursed, by gathering in unity, serving and ministering, not standing on soap boxes and preaching an agenda, but being the hands and feet of God.
-Martin Niemoller, Lutheran pastor during Nazi Regime
Niemoller was tainted. He had been a U-boat captain in WW I prior to becoming a pastor. And he supported Hitler prior to his taking power. Indeed, initially the Nazi press held him up as a model... for his service in WW I. But Niemoller broke very early with the Nazis. In 1933, he organized the Pastor’s Emergency League to protect Lutheran pastors from the police. In 1934, he was one of the leading organizers at the Barmen Synod, which produced the theological basis for the Confessing Church, which despite its persecution became an enduring symbol of German resistance to Hitler. After the war, Niemoller emerged from prison to preach the words that began this post, that all of us know... He was instrumental in producing the “Stuttgart Confession of Guilt”, in which the German Protestant churches formally accepted guilt for their complicity in allowing the suffering which Hitler’s reign caused to occur. In 1961, he was elected as one of the six presidents of the World Council of Churches, the ecumenical body of the Protestant faiths.
This story brought conviction to my life as I have looked back through the years and seen the times where I have passed those who were in need. "It was not my fight." "These are not my people." "It is not my place to say or do anything." These were some of the excuses I used. I was selective in helping people. If they were a "Christian" that agreed with my views, I would gladly lend a hand. But if they weren't, I turned a critical cheek to them.
I grew up believing that Church was a building, that it was a place you went and experienced God. This mindset led me to be so ineffective in reaching the lost, because I spent time "preaching to the choir", hanging out in "Church", and not going out into the world as Christ called me to do. I failed to see everyone, especially nonbelievers as God's people, whom He loved dearly.
I realized that church was not a building, it wasn't a place, it was us, God's redeemed who gathered in unity. I did some research and found that the word church (ekklesia), in the New Testament, referred to an assembly of people, not a place. In every one of its 114 appearances, it referred to an assembly. God's people, not the architecture, constitute the sacredness of a space. The church in Acts realized this, they gathered in unity, they realized that they were the temples which God resided in, they realized that the Church was meant to go into the world, to minister to everyone, and they made God known through love in action, through compassion that made a difference, feeding the hungry, helping the needy, caring for the sick, providing for those who had nothing, they ministered and served to all, those that were redeemed, and especially those that did not consider themselves Christians or those who followed the Judaic-Christian way. Once we realize that we are the Church, we are the body, we can make a true difference in this world. Wherever we go, we can make sacred places that are cursed, by gathering in unity, serving and ministering, not standing on soap boxes and preaching an agenda, but being the hands and feet of God.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Teaching Kingdom Principles
There's a lot of buzz going around with the coming election. The tension builds on every side, party, and platform. In the midst of all this, Christians must keep the gospel central. I found this person's perspective to be inspirational and valid.
In today's church, one reason young people are disillusioned with the role of Christians in politics is because we often teach them only part of God's statutes, not all-and we rarely teach them kingdom principles. We are quick to teach about judgment, self-righteousness, and our perception of holiness, but we often leave out the kingdom principles of love, compassion, justice, and the sovereignty of Christ in shaping our political affairs.
We teach our own political traditions-instead of the ways of Christ-becoming enforcer, judge, and jury toward the sinful lives of others. We seem to forget that we all are sinners saved by grace-a loving, compassionate, merciful Grace who did not try to legislate hell out of us, nor give us what we deserved, but who gave his Son as a substitute, a redeemer for our sins.
Make no mistake-there are principalities, powers, rulers of this dark age, against which the church must stand. But we wrestle not against the flesh and blood of our fellow humans who sin.
For each generation, God has a sovereign plan for their role in the political process. We do a disservice to the coming generations if we try to force our political methods and mindset on the issues they face. If we teach our children all the statutes of God and things pertaining to his kingdom-although it may mean putting aside our own ways of doing things-we can trust that God's purposes for the coming generation will be fulfilled.
Rev. Jannah Scott
currently on assignment as policy advisor
Faith & Community Initiatives, Office of the Governor, Arizona
In today's church, one reason young people are disillusioned with the role of Christians in politics is because we often teach them only part of God's statutes, not all-and we rarely teach them kingdom principles. We are quick to teach about judgment, self-righteousness, and our perception of holiness, but we often leave out the kingdom principles of love, compassion, justice, and the sovereignty of Christ in shaping our political affairs.
We teach our own political traditions-instead of the ways of Christ-becoming enforcer, judge, and jury toward the sinful lives of others. We seem to forget that we all are sinners saved by grace-a loving, compassionate, merciful Grace who did not try to legislate hell out of us, nor give us what we deserved, but who gave his Son as a substitute, a redeemer for our sins.
Make no mistake-there are principalities, powers, rulers of this dark age, against which the church must stand. But we wrestle not against the flesh and blood of our fellow humans who sin.
For each generation, God has a sovereign plan for their role in the political process. We do a disservice to the coming generations if we try to force our political methods and mindset on the issues they face. If we teach our children all the statutes of God and things pertaining to his kingdom-although it may mean putting aside our own ways of doing things-we can trust that God's purposes for the coming generation will be fulfilled.
Rev. Jannah Scott
currently on assignment as policy advisor
Faith & Community Initiatives, Office of the Governor, Arizona
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Hands and Feet
"And now the lost, be welcomed home by the saved and redeemed, those adopted as your own. Let now our hearts burn with a flame, a fire consuming all for your son's holy name."
-Saviour King by United
As I sat at Starbucks the other day, reading, waiting for my disabled clients to arrive, a man walked up to me and asked me if I could spare some change for him. My immediate analysis of this man was that he was another homeless man looking for money to get some booze and get drunk. I told him I didn't have any change to spare and so he walked around and asked other people passing by if they could spare change. He came back to where I was sitting and started talking, but not to anyone in particular, just talking. Suddenly it hit me, this man was lonely, all he's looking for is someone to listen, someone to care. And so I turn my chair around and acknowledge him, and he begins to tell me his story. He was an engineer back in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina. When Katrina struck New Orleans he had lost his home, his cars, and his land. He only received a small amount of relief money, compared to the thousands of dollars he was now in debt with from his job being destroyed and bills that he was not able to pay as a result of it. He hitchhiked all the way from New Orleans and was trying to get to a friend who lived in San Francisco to see if he could get work. For about 30 minutes we talked, more so I listened, as he told me stories of him back in New Orleans, his rusted voice resonating with nostalgia from a few years ago of what it was like before the hurricane and what it was like after. I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to that man. I could feel his appreciation instantly as he thanked me. He got up and went to walk into Subway to get some food, and as he went turn and walk he looked at me with sincerely thankful eyes and said, "I will remember you." "What's your name?" I asked the man. "My name's Ron." "Well my name's Michael." "Pleasure to meet your Michael." "God bless Ron." "Thank you." And with that he headed into Subway to get a much needed meal.
Hours later I was walking around with my disabled clients and saw 3 young teenagers. Their clothes were worn, their eyes seemed a bit tired from traveling. I walked up to them and introduced myself. We got to talking and I found out that Evan was from Minnesota, Natasha was from Maine, and Adam was from Los Angeles. All three hop freight trains as a way of getting around the country. They told me stories, of how they got to doing this. I simply listened, didn't judge them or try to force any spiritual formulas on them, just loved them and accepted them. I also found out the food they were eating was from a dumpster. They didn't have much money and were waiting for another freight train to take them to LA that would be leaving on Sunday. I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to them and offered them my place to shower, freshen up, and cook them a hot meal. After work they came with me and made themselves at home. My roommates Brandon, George and Janet joined in and offered their food and cooked as well. They loved them and accepted them. I found a box of clothes I had not unpacked yet from my move and told them to pick whatever they wanted. You could see it, the feeling of being accepted, of feeling like they mattered in their eyes and subtle smiles. They were so happy to be watching tv, Evan told me that it had been so long since he watched "The Simpsons", one of his favorite shows. Adam was in awe playing the Wii, he had never played it before. Natasha and I talked about music and how you can only take so much grindcore music before you have to listen to another genre of music. Later on that night I came home from church with a ton of chocolate bars for them, I figured they could use a sugar rush. They ended up staying the night, and as I was about to head to bed I asked if there was anything else I could do, Adam looked up at me and said "you've done so much, we're all thankful for your hospitality." And with that I said goodnight and headed to bed. But before I dozed off, God spoke to my heart and through silence I heard his words, "This is what it means to be My hands, My feet. This is what it means to feed my sheep. This is how you say you love ME. This is how you build a community, this is how you lead people back to ME."
The next day I woke up early to head out to the city to visit my brother. I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing them when I got home so I wrote them a letter. It was nothing fancy, but sincere. I told them how much I enjoyed their company, their conversations, and how glad I was that they could share a part of their lives with me and my roommates. I also told them that I would keep them in my prayers, and that God truly loves each on of them.
After a long day I came home to find a letter from each of them, my heart smiled at their words, reminding me that what you do....echoes in eternity.
Dez,
I can't thank you enough for your hospitality. Having a warm place to stay and shower can definitely make a huge difference. I was feeling pretty burnt out, sitting in the same place for days, and I'm definitely ready to face the world (and the train yard) again. I don't have anything for you other than my thanks but it is sincere and your kindness is truly appreciated. At times people can be cruel, and it's folks like you who restore my faith in humanity. Take care, I'll drop you a line on my space. Thank you so much!
Natasha
Yo Dez thank you sooo much. I patched up my pants so I left the other ones here. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Adam
Thank you again for your never-ending kindness in bringing us in and having us as your guests. We'll surely never forget your generosity and be sure to keep in touch. Keep the faith up, man.
Evan
P.S. Your roommates are great too, give them our thanks, especially Janet for the bag of food!
"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
-Matthew 25:35&36
-Saviour King by United
As I sat at Starbucks the other day, reading, waiting for my disabled clients to arrive, a man walked up to me and asked me if I could spare some change for him. My immediate analysis of this man was that he was another homeless man looking for money to get some booze and get drunk. I told him I didn't have any change to spare and so he walked around and asked other people passing by if they could spare change. He came back to where I was sitting and started talking, but not to anyone in particular, just talking. Suddenly it hit me, this man was lonely, all he's looking for is someone to listen, someone to care. And so I turn my chair around and acknowledge him, and he begins to tell me his story. He was an engineer back in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina. When Katrina struck New Orleans he had lost his home, his cars, and his land. He only received a small amount of relief money, compared to the thousands of dollars he was now in debt with from his job being destroyed and bills that he was not able to pay as a result of it. He hitchhiked all the way from New Orleans and was trying to get to a friend who lived in San Francisco to see if he could get work. For about 30 minutes we talked, more so I listened, as he told me stories of him back in New Orleans, his rusted voice resonating with nostalgia from a few years ago of what it was like before the hurricane and what it was like after. I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to that man. I could feel his appreciation instantly as he thanked me. He got up and went to walk into Subway to get some food, and as he went turn and walk he looked at me with sincerely thankful eyes and said, "I will remember you." "What's your name?" I asked the man. "My name's Ron." "Well my name's Michael." "Pleasure to meet your Michael." "God bless Ron." "Thank you." And with that he headed into Subway to get a much needed meal.
Hours later I was walking around with my disabled clients and saw 3 young teenagers. Their clothes were worn, their eyes seemed a bit tired from traveling. I walked up to them and introduced myself. We got to talking and I found out that Evan was from Minnesota, Natasha was from Maine, and Adam was from Los Angeles. All three hop freight trains as a way of getting around the country. They told me stories, of how they got to doing this. I simply listened, didn't judge them or try to force any spiritual formulas on them, just loved them and accepted them. I also found out the food they were eating was from a dumpster. They didn't have much money and were waiting for another freight train to take them to LA that would be leaving on Sunday. I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to them and offered them my place to shower, freshen up, and cook them a hot meal. After work they came with me and made themselves at home. My roommates Brandon, George and Janet joined in and offered their food and cooked as well. They loved them and accepted them. I found a box of clothes I had not unpacked yet from my move and told them to pick whatever they wanted. You could see it, the feeling of being accepted, of feeling like they mattered in their eyes and subtle smiles. They were so happy to be watching tv, Evan told me that it had been so long since he watched "The Simpsons", one of his favorite shows. Adam was in awe playing the Wii, he had never played it before. Natasha and I talked about music and how you can only take so much grindcore music before you have to listen to another genre of music. Later on that night I came home from church with a ton of chocolate bars for them, I figured they could use a sugar rush. They ended up staying the night, and as I was about to head to bed I asked if there was anything else I could do, Adam looked up at me and said "you've done so much, we're all thankful for your hospitality." And with that I said goodnight and headed to bed. But before I dozed off, God spoke to my heart and through silence I heard his words, "This is what it means to be My hands, My feet. This is what it means to feed my sheep. This is how you say you love ME. This is how you build a community, this is how you lead people back to ME."
The next day I woke up early to head out to the city to visit my brother. I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing them when I got home so I wrote them a letter. It was nothing fancy, but sincere. I told them how much I enjoyed their company, their conversations, and how glad I was that they could share a part of their lives with me and my roommates. I also told them that I would keep them in my prayers, and that God truly loves each on of them.
After a long day I came home to find a letter from each of them, my heart smiled at their words, reminding me that what you do....echoes in eternity.
Dez,
I can't thank you enough for your hospitality. Having a warm place to stay and shower can definitely make a huge difference. I was feeling pretty burnt out, sitting in the same place for days, and I'm definitely ready to face the world (and the train yard) again. I don't have anything for you other than my thanks but it is sincere and your kindness is truly appreciated. At times people can be cruel, and it's folks like you who restore my faith in humanity. Take care, I'll drop you a line on my space. Thank you so much!
Natasha
Yo Dez thank you sooo much. I patched up my pants so I left the other ones here. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Adam
Thank you again for your never-ending kindness in bringing us in and having us as your guests. We'll surely never forget your generosity and be sure to keep in touch. Keep the faith up, man.
Evan
P.S. Your roommates are great too, give them our thanks, especially Janet for the bag of food!
"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
-Matthew 25:35&36
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