Living in the Story - Lent #14, 2009

"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony." (Luke 16)

This is Jesus, telling the story of Lazurus and the rich man.

Just yesterday I was walking along a river path with a friend. That friend is reading a book by a prominent "tele-vangelist" and he mentioned someone warning him to not tell me. I guess I have a reputation for dis-liking this certain TV preacher...well I know I do, I have been quite outspoken on the subject. The opulence of some ministers does irk me and I suppose I've been a bit too vocal about it.

Two years ago, I went along on a mission to Mexico with a local church group. Our main objective was to build a new house for a struggling family with YWAM's "Homes of Hope" project. The house was about the size of my living room with less furniture than my living room. It was a clean, well built, two room, tiny little home. Compared to what this family had been living in, it was a palace.

On the last day, the family moved in. One of the missionaries there had spent time with this single mother and her whole house received the gospel with joy! There were tears and hugs and photos all around. She now felt like a queen in her shack, on the dusty hillside of a slum in Mexico.

If that woman were to be able to see the house I come from, then I am the tele-vangelist. Notice, Jesus doesn't condemn the rich man for his wealth (of course he also does not have kind things to say about people that aquire wealth through religious manipulation or other dodgy means)...he condemned him for not sharing.

Who is outside my lavish gates that I could invite in? Is there something I can give up so that others can receive? There are so many massive needs in the world, how can I do my part? Is there a way I can live simpler? Can I share a meal with someone? Can I share my time with someone?

Looking for a worthy cause? Try HERE Or HERE Or HERE (it's better on facebook to go HERE) Or HERE Or HERE Or HERE Or HERE Or HERE

There are so many ways we can give and invite others in to our lives. It's about way more than just money, it's about presence, connection and sharing real things...it's about relationship. As much as we want to get out of it, we must lay down our life for others. This has to go beyond words and into reality.

Living in the Story - Lent #13, 2009

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mt. 20)

"What can I do for you?" "Do you need help with something?" "How can I pray for you?" "How are you?" "I love you." "Please forgive me." "Can I get you something?" "Would like to sit and have a coffee together?" "Yes."

Such things can change the world.

Living in the Story - Lent #12, 2009

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matt. 23)

The last time I was in Thailand, we were taken by our host out to a Refugee camp for Burmese Karen people who had crossed the border fleeing the Burmese military who have been taking over their lands and destroying their villages. This sprawling camp seemed to go on into the hills forever. In this camp, there is a grass roots Christian school run by the people in the camp. Walking across the stream and up the hillside into the weaving system of paths to bamboo houses on stilts was the highlight of my trip. Hearing the children sings songs about Jesus for us brought tears to our eyes.

The Karen gentle lady that is the 'principal' of this little school (just a bamboo room on stilts in a refugee camp) had taken on a little physically and mentally handicapped boy to care for...he cannot walk or talk or do anything for himself. All she does is hold him all the time and pray for him and love him. When I hear the story of the widow's mite, I think of her. When I hear Jesus say, "the greatest among you must be your servant", I think of her. I don't know her name but Jesus does and he will lift her up.

Living in the Story - Lent #11, 2009

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6)

I was at a lunch quite a few years ago...about the third time back that it was cool to talk about how awful the singer Madonna was...the controversial, shameful, anti-christian ways that she was behaving. I was making jokes about her around a table and enjoying the laughter and admiration of everyone there...enjoying how right my prideful rant was. A girl there interrupted it all and asked if I ever prayed for Madonna. The table was immediately silent and my face was immediately red. She meant no malice in her question. I was speechless. Then she proceeded to say that we should all take a moment and pray for Madonna to come to a real knowledge of Jesus. Very soberly, we did.

Jesus' words here state what our posture should not be toward the world and what it should be. Why do I get these confused so easily? He has not called us to judgment and condemnation. Those are ultimately jobs only God can handle. Our posture toward the world is to be mercy, forgiveness and giving.

What unmerciful judgments am I making about others? Do I condemn with my words, attitude and thoughts? Do I judge through my prayers? Do I honestly wish for others to know Jesus' love and forgiveness? Am I holding on to perceptions? How can I show mercy? How can I pardon? How can I give?

P.S. I found an excellent post in the season of Lent over at the "Rabbit Room"...so good I thought I'd link it here. GLONK HERE to go tot the site...http://www.rabbitroom.com/?p=1487

Living in the Story - Lent #10, 2009

"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt. 5)

If you are reading, you've probably noticed daily postings here during the Lenten season. I'm also reading another blog by an old friend, Scott who is now a pastor in New York...he's doing daily posts during Lent too. He has a great entry that goes with this verse from today's gospel reading. GLONK HERE to go there.

Sam's day planer

Sam is keeping a day timer. Here are this week's entries...

Tues. March 3, a plain 'ol day. Back to school. Everything's weird.

Wed. March 4, AWANA tonight. Finishing my book. Nag, nag, nag.

Thurs. March 5, Going to see Grandma. Red Robin, yum. poop.

Fri. March 6, Softball today. There's nothing else.

Living in the Story - Lent #9, 2009

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matt 5)

With this statement, Jesus elevates our relationships to one another to be as important as "worship". No matter how much I give, sing and work, if I am not right with you, I am not right with God.

Living in the Story - Lent #8, 2009

"...whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, this is the Law and the Prophets."
(Matt 7)

This is it. It is simple, not easy. In every decision, in every move, in my words and thoughts, what do I want others to do, think, say on my behalf? It is how I should act, think and speak. This is love, this is life, this is it. No grand theological understanding needed. No papers that have to be written. This is it.

How can I keep this in front of me today?

Living in the Story - Lent #7, 2009

"This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah." (Luke 11)

There are similarities between the story of Jonah and Jesus. Jonah left his home to deliver God's message, he gave his life so the ship crew could be safe, he spent three days in the fish only to 'resurrect' and deliver his message. And that's where the similarities stop. Where Jonah was reluctant, disobedient and pouty...Jesus was resolved, obedient and endured for the "joy that was set before him".

Is Jesus condemning all future 'supernatural' acts? Of course not, his commissioned his students to work wonders and these continued on into the days of the early church. Miracles still happen today.

However, we do not have to look for the supernatural to be assured of God's love or favor...that is what wicked people do. Jesus himself is enough. If disobedient, reluctant, pouty Jonah was enough to bring Nineveh to it's knees, how much more sufficient is Christ and his good news?

"I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
(Isa. 12)

New Interview

Hey folks, our friends at Advancing Vibrant Communities interviewed Jimmy and I for their hour long show called light house live. Glonk the link below to listen...

http://lighthouselive.blogspot.com/2009/03/ywam.html

Also, it's downloadable in the itunes store under "Lighthouse Live"

Living in the Story - Lent #6, 2009

"...your Father knows what you need..." (Matt 6)

My kids don't need to spend a lot of time convincing me of their needs. They don't plead for hours with tear stained faces begging me to help them.

Even now, they are resting securely in bed knowing that when they are up, all will be provided for them to live, eat, learn, have fun, be supported, corrected, sheltered and clean. They know that they are part of our family and that brings security, identity, good work to do, laughter, warmth, a safe place to be one's self, try and even fail.

God is a better Father than me. Resting securely in that we can pray...

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Your is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Living in the Story - Lent #5, 2009

"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you (fed, gave drink, invited in, clothed or visited) one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me."

"...even the least of them..." I've always seen this passage to mean that we look for the "least" and many of us translate that as "the poor". While this is true, the way Christ says it here suggests that this should be our posture toward everyone...even the least.

It's different because it seems we think that we should minister to the "least" every so often...do the church outreach, go on a mission trip...but Jesus calls us to a hospitable life, sharing food, drink, clothes and time with all his brothers, including the least. In this passage he is addressing his students and is including them as he speaks. In a short time, these men will be poor wanderers for the sake of the gospel, they will be thrown in prison, tortured and in need. They will desperately need each other.

Our hospitality to Jesus starts right where we are right now. Don't wait for the monthly outreach down at the shelter. Do that too but we can share, invite and welcome today.

Do you see a need? Who in your life needs food or clothes or drink or a welcoming space or a visit? How can we open our homes, cupboards, closets, schedule and hearts to one another today? How can you be hospitable where you are?

Sam's art

Sam's depiction of an apple being murdered.

Living in the Story - Lent #4

"Truly I say to you that tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you (scholars and leaders). For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him."

This is found in the gospel of Matthew. Matthew had previously been a tax collector so I find it beautiful that he vividly remembered Jesus saying this specific thing. It would have been a moment he held on to the rest of his life.

Having grown up in church and mostly avoided the pitfalls of "public sin", it's easy to keep myself out of the "tax collector and prostitute" category. Do I hold others at bay? Do I keep myself in a "higher" category? Am I beyond all this?

Where have I sold myself? When have I given away something precious for temporal comfort? When have I sacrificed my humanity for things? When has my heart strayed?

Along with the rest, I can only beat my chest and say, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."

Please help!

This letter was sent to me by friends with Compasio working on the Thai/Burmese border...please read, pray and help if you can...

Subject: Prison Baby Campaign

Hi Friends,

I just wanted to let you know about an immediate and urgent need that came up here in Mae Sot with Compasio!

A couple weeks ago when Sia was taking some of our children to visit their parents in jail, one of the prison guards approached her and asked why the children were with her. She explained that we have a safe house for children that have been abused, neglected, abandoned or were at risk and formerly living on the streets. Some prison officials were very interested and said, we have some babies here that were born in the prison, can you take them too?

Well we are faced with a dilemma, we were asked to help children, that are obviously in a bad situation, surrounded by criminals, and they have never even seen the outside world. But we do not have a place or staff at the moment to meet this need. We were told that we had until the 5th of March, and then to come pick up the toddlers if we wanted to help. There are five babies from ages 2-3, three boys and two girls. What will we do? Well our motto has always been, Risk on the side of love. And we're believing in faith that the needs will be met and taken care of. We've said Yes, okay, we'll take them!!!

The challenge is this: We have 10 days to find a home, caregivers, and funding to take care of these five toddlers!

Please pray for us to find safe loving staff to care for the children, for us to find a house to rent, get it cleaned, stocked and prepared with diapers, beds, and bottles.

Look for more information on our Website: Compasio.org over the next few days, and to donate to this cause specify that your donation is for: The Prison Babies Project.

Thank you!
Compasio, Mae Sot

Living in the Story - Lent #3, 2009

"And when He had taken the cup and given thanks, He said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves...'"

Before the proclamation of "this is my blood" it was just a cup...a cup of wine at a holiday meal. Before "communion", they just drank together, ate together.

That mystical connection between spirit and physical, the ritual of remembrance, the symbolic sacrament, the sacred symbol...it started with a group of friends sitting around a table sharing a drink and a meal.

First we walk and learn together. Then we simply eat together. And it's a mystery how but at some point, our sharing life becomes more than community...it is communion.

Global Youth Network

We partner with a Canadian organization called Global Youth Network. Every year they bring a batch of young leaders to Modesto for a week of outreach and training...which really means they hang out with us and do what we do with us. We love Global teams! Here's some pictures from the week...some from my phone and others from the team...



Day #1 - The obligatory touristy day in the city...Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Sunset over the ocean and awesome curry!



Day #2 - Church in the morning and a tour of Modesto and where we work for orientation.



Day #3 - the team spent the whole day downtown with no money, food or resources. They had to rely solely on homeless people to find out where to go for food. They ended up making some really good friends.



Day #4 - We spent the morning with Advancing Vibrant Communities hearing about their work and then we went and did a project with them...chopping and stacking wood for an elderly lady and her daughter...



...then we barbecued for the South 9th St. community...







This team dug in to our heart to make friends and let relationship and compassion lead the way.

Day #5 - Yosemite!





!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day #6 - We went back to 9th St and reconnected with friends from earlier in the week...





These guys were more than just another team...they dove into our heart for people and became friends and co-workers. We even dreamed together about the future. Yay team!



And I think we wore them out a bit.

Living in the Story - Lent #2, 2009

Many Christians observe some kind of fast during the season of Lent. Traditionally it is a giving up of meat and flour to eat only vegetables and fruit or nothing at all. It is a way to identify with Christ and his 40 days of fasting in the desert. To take time away from our normal life and devote ourselves to an intentional season of prayer.

These days, people fast from all kinds of things...TV, the Internet, caffeine, etc. A common question around this season is "What are you giving up for Lent?"...I even saw it among my facebook friends last night. While this can be fun to talk about and hear what creative ideas people have it's not so much a "what" as it is an issue of time. Giving ourselves time to hear from God and to pray.

Don't we always want to do that? Of course but there is something to intentional seasons. I always want to be a good husband but that doesn't hinder me from making special "date nights" or weekends away with Amie.

When you feel the hunger pains, thirst, heavy eyelids, craving, emptiness, boredom or lack of some comfort, don't just endure, let it drive you to Jesus to be comforted with his presence. Let it remind you of your need for him that is at the heart of every need. Let's let him fill us up from the inside out.

Living in the story - Ash Wednesday, 2009

One of the things I appreciate about the perspective of liturgical churches is the way they celebrate seasons. More than hollow ritual, these seasons, if approached with grace, humility and even, in my opinion, a touch of humor, can go a long way to remind us of what's important.

Lent is a period of re-commitment to spiritual discipline, reflection and prayer in the days leading up to the celebration of the resurrection. A pet peeve of mine is when we use the word "myth" to describe something that's not true. Myth is something that's truer than what we see and these seasons in the liturgy are traditions that help us live inside the myth of Christ.

As we read and reflect on his story, it lays over our story and we begin to experience Jesus, the gospel and the spiritual life (which is our whole life) in deeper ways. These are more than just stories that happened in history...they are that, of course...that's why Tolkien referred to the gospel as the "true myth" of Christ. They are stories that we can live inside.

This season, as we near the resurrection celebration, let's walk with Jesus and watch his miracles. As we see him make water into wine, maybe we'll notice when he takes our plain existence and turns it to celebration and joy. When he raises Jarius' daughter, perhaps we will hear him tell us to get up and live. When he clears the temple, perhaps we can sense those things in us that have kept us from prayer and let him deal with them.

This morning, the sun came up behind dark rain clouds here in the valley. As it got brighter, the clouds dispersed and a clean, fresh sky poured in from the west. That's like Jesus. We are in his story and that changes everything.

Club Awesome!

We didn't mean to start a kids program...it just kinda happened. The kids were there at the motel every week and we knew we should hang out with them somehow. We started taking side walk chalk and games, then we bought a Bible story book, some snacks and it was all over from there. It's such a privilege to hang out with these guys through the weeks. Here's a couple of shots too great not to share...



Monique and a puppy.



Selena...I love the t-shirt : )



Junior helping make the hot dogs.



Jesse



Anastasia, hot dog and actual dog.



Lisa has her own, special personality : )!



Jeremiah, trying to figure out how to catch fish.



Willie



Amanda

These aren't all the kids but please pray for these, their families and all the kids from "Club Awesome"...he has a unique destiny for each one.

Ok, last time but go see Andrew Peterson!

This is Josh (my son) and Andrew Peterson at last night's concert near Fresno...he signed Josh's copy of "On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness", Andrew's first novel that Josh is reading. We had a great time...Andrew sang every song from his new album "Resurrection Letters, Vol. 2" and told the stories behind them. If you have not heard of Andrew Peterson, you would do well to get to know his stuff...great stories and perspective on scripture and how we all fit into Jesus' story.

If you're in the Northern California area, you can catch him Wednesday night near Sacramento here...

Cameron Park, CA
Wednesday, February 11th

Venue: Church of the Foothills
2380 Merrychase Dr.
Cameron Park, CA 95682 Google map link

Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Concert Starts: 7:00 PM

For more information call 530.677.3057 or go to www.cotf.org.

And here's a great video of the opening song of the show (if you're reading this on facebook, you have to click "view original post" to see this in my real blog)...

South 9th St. Barista

We take coffee out to S. 9th St. every Friday...I think I mentioned that before...it was Arlie's idea. So people come now and sit to enjoy something hot and some company. Everyone's favorite is something called a "Cadillac" that I think was started by another group of ladies that comes down here...one scoop of coffee, two scoops of hot chocolate, one cream, one sugar.

This is Amy, she lives near S. 9th in a trailer park. She stayed with us all day and pitched in to help make coffee. She was so awesome! Undeniable service with a smile.

Somewhere Green

We don't know him that well but we're becoming fast friends. We met him on South 9th St. at a barbeque we were throwing with a bunch of Canadians. He doesn't really have any where or any one. He loves to sit and talk...mostly about fishing. He told us his world is noise and concrete and he hadn't been anywhere green in a long time. This is where we went to soak up the quiet, talk about fishing, tell our stories and just be in a place that's not concrete and noise. A great day.

Arlie went too. He jumped in. He said it was pretty cold...in February!

James

He is alone, in despair, bound by chains of which he will not let go

He is taken advantage of, almost helpless, fallen through the cracks

He played piano, had good work, never seemed to fit

He is unkempt, uncared for, written off

He wants to live, he craves friendship, he is not beyond hope

Please, pray for James.

this sign posted by Jimmy after spending a day helping James clean his apartment

The end of bread

As we've recently revealed that we have decided to end our 6 year run of handing out bread in 2 city parks on Thursday afternoons...we have gotten a lot of questions about the why and how we came to this decision. This was a response to a good friend's question and I thought I'd post it in part here with some pictures from today, our last Thursday community bread share. It was a great day full of appreciation and blessing...



We inherited the bread line from New Hope Chruch around 5 years ago...until then it was kind of a loose association of friends that we participated in, before that, it was officially run by New Hope church. When it fell to us, we just kinda unquestioningly took it on and stewarded it...thinking it was a good thing for the community. And it has been.

Last year we considered dropping it as it really is the thing in our week that is least in line with our stated values of being relationship focused. As we took inventory we realized that not one of our long lasting relationships (like our kids club, girls on 9th St, etc)...which is what we feel strongly called to, have come from the bread line. As it is a bread line...people stand in line, we manage the line, they get what they want and leave, unless you have a ton of volunteers, there is not that personal connection.



We didn't drop it last year as we felt through prayer to stay the course. This year, we asked the question again and discerned together that it was time to give it up. Among other issues was that the bread donations from the stores have dramatically decreased due to the economic turn and we have been having trouble just servicing both parks.

Since managing a bread line or "food program" is not in our corporate values, it's not something we are invested in with our passion fueled by a strong sense of calling. We are called to focus on the kids and south 9th street and a freedom to be faithful to relationships in a more sufficient way.

This week, Aaron and Jimmy and I helped our handicapped, alcohol addicted, lonely friend James (who lives in utter filth) clean out his apartment and we got him a new bed and prayed with him and are in his life. That's what we want to do more of...to have more time to really be in people's lives. We found that keeping the bread truck going was working against that on Thursdays instead of supporting it.



Please do pray for us...we're still here doing what we do and in a way that is more in line with our calling.

From the Modesto Bee's "Every Monday Matters"

by Matthew Emerzian

FACTS

61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes.

43 percent of adults with the lowest level of literacy proficiency live in poverty.

Only 4 percent of adults with strong literacy skills live in poverty.

55 percent of children have an increased interest in reading when given books at an early age.

Children with a greater variety of reading material in the home are more creative, imaginative, and proficient in reading. They are also on a better path toward educational growth and development.

There is only one age-appropriate book for every 300 children in low-income neighborhoods, compared to 13 books per child in middle-income neighborhoods.

TAKE ACTION TODAY

1. Go through your bookshelves...

Read more here