The Least

This thought from Dave Burchett’s book When Bad Christians Happen To Good People pushed a good reminder my way:

Notice that Matthew 25:35-40 doesn’t say, “For I was hungry and you gave a check to the local food bank, I was thirsty and you gave money to a fresh water relief fund, I was a stranger and you supported a homeless shelter, I needed clothes and you made a quick drop-off at Goodwill, I was sick and you donated to a Christian medical outreach, I was in prison and you supported Prison Fellowship.” There is nothing wrong with doing any or all of the above, but I would suggest we all need to mix in personal contact.

I have made a commitment in this area: I am committed to giving something besides my money to the mission of Christ. There is a time to give money and a time to give yourself. You won’t get the same kind of blessing or personal growth out of sending a check that you would rolling up your selves and actually touching someone.

Chasing Daylight

Nearly 3 months ago, I began meeting weekly with an incredible group of young men. None of the guys really knew each other and they are all extremely different individuals. One guy was actually finishing up a prison sentence. I literally took him back to his step-down facility after our gatherings. These guys were hand-picked based on the amount of un-tapped potential I saw in each one of them.

We walked through a study of a very unique book entitled Chasing Daylight by Erwin Raphael McManus, a gifted pastor from Los Angeles. The purpose of this book is to focus Christ followers on the difference between living a life of purpose and adventure, and living one of apathy and missed opportunity.

We concluded our experience last night. I can only say that God exceeded my wildest expectations as to what might happen when a group of strangers join together to ask God for guidance. Here’s an excerpt that was part of our closing session.

There’s so much talk about potential in our culture, as if it’s the end-all of success. Has anyone ever said about you, “He/she has so much potential?” If you’re under twenty five—consider it a compliment. Potential---your untapped or unlocked capacity. Potential---the hint of greatness not yet developed. “He has so much potential”---a statement of praise and maybe even adoration. And then you’re thirty, and you still have all this potential. Pressing forty, and you’re still full of potential. If you’re forty-five and someone looks at you and says, “You have so much potential,” pause…excuse yourself...step into a closet...and have a good cry.

What was once a statement of promise is now an assessment of lost opportunity. There is a point where you’re supposed to be full of potential; you’re supposed to be full of talent, capacity, product. Potential is a glimpse of what could be, yet there must be a shift from where we have potential to where we are potent.

finally

My kids gave me a laptop for Christmas. Totally blew me away. I haven't had a computer at home for some time so I was really grateful to receive it. Hopefully I'll be able show up here more often.

I just came across this in an email. Caused me to pause and be thankful.

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

changes coming

October and November were a couple of crazy busy months for me. I haven't had two minutes to devote to this blog. I've been pondering a different approach and should be rolling it out shortly.

proud dad

I love being a father! My girls bring me so much joy and I could not be prouder of the women they have become. They love God in word and action. They also know the power that comes from a a friendship with Jesus. My middle daughter Ellen is already pouring faith into her two small kids. My oldest daughter Paula is about to experience an incredible adventure. She is leaving Friday for Dublin to work with Holly Davis, an american missionary called to raise up youth leaders in Ireland. I spent the day with her yesterday and she is greatly excited about this unique opportunity God has granted her. Please offer a prayer for protection and that a rich dose of God's power would rest on her as she teaches.

Post Election Thoughts

Talking with my neighbors last night at our local polling site was a moving experience. They felt the urgency wrapped in the decision they were about to make as to who should lead this country. There was deep concern about Americas current situation and most had strong opinions as to why their candidate of choice was the best fit. Today, they're either elated or deeply frustrated by the new President-elect. As I was sorting out my own feelings this morning, I received these words from Dr. Al Mohler in an email.

Despite your opinion of Mr. Obama ,we must commit ourselves to pray for this new President, for his wife and family, for his administration, and for the nation. We are commanded to pray for rulers, and this new President faces challenges that are not only daunting but potentially disastrous. May God grant him wisdom. He and his family will face new challenges and the pressures of this office. May God protect them, give them joy in their family life, and hold them close together. We must pray that God will protect this nation even as the new President settles into his role as Commander in Chief, and that God will grant peace as he leads the nation through times of trial and international conflict and tension. Pray that God would change President-Elect Obama's mind and heart on issues of our crucial concern. May God change his heart and open his eyes to see abortion as the murder of the innocent unborn, to see marriage as an institution to be defended, and to see a host of issues in a new light. We must pray this from this day until the day he leaves office. God is sovereign, after all. Without doubt, we face hard days ahead. Realistically, we must expect to be frustrated and disappointed. We may find ourselves to be defeated and discouraged. We must keep ever in mind that it is God who raises up nations and pulls them down, and who judges both nations and rulers. We must not act or think as unbelievers, or as those who do not trust God.
America has chosen a President. President-Elect Barack Obama is that choice, and he faces a breathtaking array of challenges and choices in days ahead. This is the time for Christians to begin praying in earnest for our new President.

Thanksgiving 2008

The people of Grace are an incredibly generous bunch. We are in the midst of our yearly Thanksgiving outreach. Thank you for serving our community by purchasing a complete Thanksgiving meal(s) for families who are struggling under the weight of poverty or extreme health issues. I’m often asked this question. “Who exactly receives the meals?” We work in partnership with several local relief and medical organizations such as GECAC, Family Services, Mother-To-Mother, Big Brother-Big Sister, Visiting Nurses Association, Regional Cancer Center, Mercy Center, local hospice chapters…etc. They represent people who are seriously trying to better their lives yet remain far below the poverty line. They are learning how to budget, be better parents, how to manage as a single mom or dad. On the medical side, we support families that have seriously ill members. Dad or mom has cancer or other life threatening diseases.

We have the privilege of injecting some hope into these homes on a holiday that centers around a very special meal. When a family can’t afford the meal or is too sick to consider putting it together…Thanksgiving can be very painful.

If you haven’t made a donation yet and still want to participate, simply click on the Thanksgiving Outreach section on the whoisgrace.com homepage.

Thanks you Grace Church for being Christ to our community!