I Surrender All, Again

Draw a circle.

Look at it. Its a simple form to clearly notate what is “inside” and, just as poignantly, what is “outside” the sphere. No confusion, no ambiguity, crystal clear clarity in a world of relativity.

If we put something in the circle, we know it isn’t outside the circle and vis-a-versa. How beautifully simple.

In that circle begin to write all the things you need, want and desire for life. Write what you possess, and also what possesses you. Its in your circle.

So go ahead, start to work. But this heart-searching endeavor will take some time. I want you to attempt to put everything you can think of that belongs inside that circle in that circle.

Sounds simple enough. One might say, “I know my priorities and my stuff.”

Now be careful, don’t write these possessions, characteristics, and attitudes in the place you wish them to be, but instead, where they really are, today.

As you may be beginning to see, this may take a while.

In terms of time this will not be completed in minutes, but in reality, years. As time passes you will realize other items needing to be placed inside and outside of your circle. Keep this circle near you. Put it in your Bible, or your bedside table. As you pray, refer back to it.

I remember a pastor of mine (he was the preacher for the church, but he was indeed my shepherd) commenting about the condition of his yard. I had just noted that his yard looked like it needed a little attention; maybe some water and fertilizer. He chuckled at my innocent question and my blindness.

He responded, “the more attention I give to my yard, the more of me it possesses. The more I water and fertilize, the more I have spent on it. The more it grows the more I need to mow, and then I might even need a better mower. Eventually, I spend more time edging and pampering and then even comparing to others on my block. It begins to possess me, more and more.”

I stood in stunned silence at his wisdom. Inside my head I found myself looking at my own circle; the things that I possessed and the things that had come to possess me. It was an epiphany. All the goals, desires, and aspirations of my life were laid in clear contrast and judgment against what were in other terms, the trappings of this world.

It applies to your house, your car, your memberships, your volunteer organizations, your invitations, your toys (boats, motorcycles, hobbies, recreation), and everything else. I’ve been taught to not use superlatives, but in this instance I will not refrain.

You have complete control of your circle. What gets in. What stays out. Sure circumstances come our way, not of our choosing, but we control our reaction to those circumstances. We control how much “space” they get. We control how they will linger and influence.

Corrie ten Boom’s (Hiding Place ) circle came to include even the lice and fleas inhabiting her cell. She counted the blessing as the reason the guards would not come near to torment them, as they had repeatedly, before.

My circle is often filled with soured discontent. I selfishly obsess about what others have that I don’t. At times I sing verse after verse of “poor, poor, pitiful me”. I whine and fall into angst over mindless earthly desires. And even when I do acquire what I thought I needed, the “high” is only a moment.

Rich Mullins wrote these words in his song Hold Me Jesus,

Surrender don't come natural to me at all

I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want

Than to take what You give that I need

And I've beat my head against so many walls

Now I'm falling down I'm falling on my knees

Will I finally fall to my knees and surrender?

My circle is way to big, or maybe just too encumbered my useless things.

You decide what gets in and what has to go. Nobody controls your circle. Nope, don’t make excuses. Its your circle. Neither God in all his power now Satan in all his deception has ultimate earthly authority over your circle.

What’s in your’s? Family. Spouse. Children. Education. Car (or cars). House. Habits. Preferences and prejudices. With all the veneer peeled away and the contents of your circle clear to everyone, but especially to yourself, ... what’s in your circle.

Has it happened to you yet? Have you said, “I’m gonna need a bigger circle!” Not that the statement makes us happy, its just a reality. I came to a place where I wrestled with the thought of not only being “in this world”, but potentially “of this world”! I have fought this every day! How did this happen! I’ve been fighting against Satan getting a measly foothold in my life and “lo and behold” he built a porch while I was looking the other way. The rat moved in!

In the fight for your life and soul, our Father attempts to influence our circle (not control). He calls to us to allow the indwelling Spirit to influence our circle from the inside out. Satan

But, maybe I need a smaller circle?

Simplify. Simplify!

I get so drawn up into my stuff, ... the stuff that surrounds me in this world, ... stuff I want, ... stuff that looks like fun, ... stuff that seems so stinkin’ innocent!

Andrew Petersen, sings in Land of the Free speaks of a young lady in South America living in poverty without the same temptations.

‘cause I’m just a little jealous of the nothing that you have
unfettered by the wealth of a world that we pretend is gonna last
they say God blessed us with plenty, I say you’re blessed with poverty
‘cause you never stop to wonder whether earth is just a little better than
the Land of the Free

well, I’m weary of the spoils of my ambition
and I’m shackled by the comfort of my couch
I wish I had the courage to deny these of myself
and start to store my treasure in the clouds
... ‘cause this is not my home, I do not belong
where the antelope and the buffalo roam

Words and music by Andrew Peterson.

Look at your circle, again. Its unfinished, but you’ve got at least a start. Honesty should prevail as you ponder the items. You’ll most likely move a few around as the Spirit convicts and affirms. Some will move to the inside as denial turns to confession. Some will move from inside to out, as what we hope for is smashed by the realities of our brokenness. You’ll create a longing for a few of the things outside the circle as they become non-negotiables for inclusion for the circle.

What items are in the circle that need to be outside the circle; the ones that aren’t healthy, helpful, or or in anyway spiritual?

What items outside the circle need to come in? Those things which you know you need, the ones you want and need but haven’t prioritized to a place inside the circle.

As you ponder your circle, how does it look to you. Is it as you had imagined? Is your circle (both inside and out) a depiction of Godly priority and spiritual journey or something else?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULNH9svens0

Its Hard to Believe

It is my blessing today to teach for a second time a group of 50 rostered freshmen at LCU. The real number will be closer to 40 as the last few trickle into the classroom. They tell me the 4:00 p.m. class was preferable to the 8:00 a.m. option. Their surprised stare in awkward as they see my unfamiliar face in the front of the classroom. Starry eyed college newbies, and skeptical, over-churched students will take their seats to hear what this aged substitute will say. I assume I will have about 3 minutes to gain or lose their attention.

The subject; Jesus and the Gospels. This week I get to cover Mark's account of Jesus. On Tuesday I asked how many had even read Mark's Gospel. The response was mixed. Some said yes, others offered the truth of their laziness. Still others watched to see what others said before offering their hand to answer for themselves. Then I asked them to read for about 8 minutes. Some did not have a Bible. They joined with others who brought their text book. So they began to read chapters 3-7. It was encouraging to see frustration on some faces when time did not allow them to finish.

The Bible doesn't deserve to be boring, or even terribly predictable. No, I don't expect that the words have changed, but that the words are changing me, ... unpredictably. When I read about this man, Jesus, I should expect that He can always surprise me, challenge me, change my mind about him and what he wants from me.

Jesus isn't easy to believe. There was a time when I thought He was easy to accept, to follow. But the truth of the matter is He expects a lot. Not an unreasonable obedience, but hard. Actually impossible. (I assume you agree, unless you have mysteriously and erroneously avoided a need for grace.) So, why should I be frustrated if these students look at me with the same skepticism read about in Mark's gospel. Even those disciples tossed about by the waves and then see the calm waters still wondered who he was. Those who watched the strong man living in the tombs, naked, and possessed by many demons come to his right mind, questioned sensibility and sanity of both Jesus and the other crazy man.

I told the students on Tuesday, "The gospels weren't written as merely a news account, nor a physical history of Jesus. These words were written to work on the hearts and minds of real people, wrestling with what to do with, and what to believe about a man named Jesus."

I told them they should do the same. Today, the assignment was simple. they will

God, be with me today, in every hour. I offer myself to you and to Jesus; in whom I truly believe. Help me to offer to these students the authentic Jesus. To help them encounter him as he really is. May I offer them a view of Jesus with all of the intended difficulty to believe and inspire them to believe with all of the commitment it will take to believe in Jesus in this world.

The LORD is still teaching me patience. Even this statement tells me that his patience endures through example. Michael Taylor, a longtime friend, mentor, and confidant posted a video recently which has been wearing on me. You can read more from Michael at http://michaeltaylor.cc/

I am unable to discern any single purpose for posting this item. I have been affected on many levels. Was I patient with my children as their youthful exuberance repeated questions, not so much to be answered, but as a cry for my attention? Am I listening when others speak, or am I already forming my response, as they speak. Are others as important as "me"? What does my life say to "them"? Are others (thoughts, needs, hurts, desires) not just as pressing as my own?

Ann Voskamp, another of my electronic mentors, (http://www.aholyexperience.com/) relays her thought that every bush is ablaze with the glory of God, if we would but notice. This thought slows me down (on my good days) enough to allow me to see the miracles around me, to hear the magic of sound and explore the unending myriad of color. And see life!

LORD, forgive my selfish impatience. Help me to see the sparrows. Help me to hear and see others. May I embrace the moment, live in the moment, celebrate you in each moment.

Matt 10:28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a pennyd]" style="line-height: 0.5em; ">[d]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Kari Jobe - Absolutely Angelic

While I am sure the angels in heaven are never jealous, ... I'll bet they are anxiously anticipating the arrival of this girl! Wow!



Father God,
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, sound as pure, good, and Godly to you the she sounds to me.

Max Lucado :: Don't be Afraid

DON'T FEAR "THE SMALL GROUP"
Max Lucado :: Don't be Afraid

Shared via AddThis

John Burke :: What if there's a conflict in my group?

CONFLICTS IN SMALL GROUPS
John Burke :: What if there's a conflict in my group?

Shared via AddThis

Slow me down, Lord

So much to do. So many roadblocks. Stress mounts. Incompetency, failure, and unmet goals fill my thoughts. Then from within, my heart desires to cry out in pain. But I must be still. Still and quiet. I must do the difficult task of soothing the urge to do more. I must cease, instead of pushing myself to labor. I must refrain from the urge for self pity, and hush the push to justify.

And then even before I can hear God's voice I can hear the silence that comes from within this peace. While bowed down the world races over me and in an instant, I am in the presence of God. I grasp in that moment I have hurried ahead and left God behind.

Forgive me, Oh God for thinking I have more (for me) to do, ... than you have for me to do. May I stay near and hear your voice to guide me.

May I find no greater joy than to know I have done your will.

Will my faith sustain me?

Recently this question haunts me. From the the darkness createdby the present challenges I am burdened with despair (at least in my mind and my ability to understand my circumstances) . Hopelessness is upon me to a point of a feeling of potential physical collapse. I am crying out for direction. Crying out for help. Crying out in feelings of failure. I am weary of praying for patience and seek solution, ... resolve, even if not to my expectation and satisfaction.

Hold on, ...

I don't go to bed hungry. I have fresh water to drink. I have a house that in many countries would be considered worthy of royalty. I don't live in fear of malaria. I am mentally capable and emotionally healthy (yeah, I know what you're thinking). My children are healthy. I have two healthy grandchildren. My wife and I love each other. Just like everybody else, I lost most of my retirement in the recent stock market crash, but feel I can recover some or most of that loss. I have a job. I know I whine too much.

So why can I not seem to balance these matters in a healthy spiritual fashion? Such is the struggle of our earthbound human existence. I am reminded this world is not my home. "In this world you will have trouble" or maybe, "this world is not my home", needs to be my tattoo.

I am spending this morning praying through the congregations "response forms from yesterday's lament service. I was tearful throughout my reading and my prayers. There's a lot of hurting out there. I am not alone. Its not just my faith through which I will endure, ... but, if you will allow it, I will survive with the help of your faith as well.

God forgive me of my faithlessness. YOU are FAITHFUL. I am yours.

Getting older and Parenting

Last week was a difficult week. I came home from a ski trip realizing that I was skiing with guys ten to twenty years younger (never a good idea, unless you are only twenty). Undeniable and harsh realizations of my own mortality were upon me. Now just so you know ... the mountains around Pagosa were fantastic. The drive and the fellowship while at the lodge were second to none. The snow at Wolf Creek was like I had never seen, twelve inches of powder the day we arrived. My 10 year old F-250 ran like a top and exceeded my expectations on fuel economy. We stayed in a condo arranged my Eric Babb at no cost to us. I had a queen sized bed all to my self. The view out the window was a Colorado postcard. It was the least expensive ski trip I have ever taken.

But then I tried to ski ... I didn't fall much ... I didn't miss the lift ... I was plenty warm, but just going downhill was painful. My geriatric knees and under exercised thighs seemed to make enough noise I was surprised ski-patrol didn't respond. At times I wished they had. Powder alone was bearable, but as the morning progressed the ruts and bumps brought new challenges. Every dip and hump brought unsolicited audible responses to my lips. I tried to keep up, but to no avail. By the time lunch rolled around, another wave of the white powder recovered the mountain in a fresh layer. I returned to the top of the mountain and headed to the bottom again. By the time we had made it half way down, I was toast. I went to the lodge to wait for the super-humans with my tail between my legs. At the end of the day I was spent for the weekend. I only skied one of the two planed days. The worst part was realizing I was in the worst condition of my life.

Part two
Raising children. I could have ended that sentence in any number of ways. Question mark ... Exclamation point ... or a string of nondescript markings denoting words I can not utter (or type). I hate to admit it. But it has been true for a while. I hear other parents alluding to the same feelings. I am tired of raising my children. There, I said it. I don't feel (very) guilty about it, either. terry and I have busted our butts and shortened our lives in the endeavor of training up our children in the way they should go (according to the way we have interpreted scripture). We know we aren't perfect, but we feel we have done a good job at being faithful to this quest.

I remember the day my dad said the fateful words to me. "Son. I've spent the last 18 years of my life telling you everything I knew about what was right, and good, and Godly. Telling you again at this point would be a waste of my time and of yours. He implied that I was always welcome to come to him with questions or for a request for a refresher. He was merely saying repetition at this point in my life was pointless. He was done.

It was a turning pint in my life. Somehow (in some twisted satanic adolescent terms) I had allowed my father's inputs to me about how I should live had clouded my ability to do or to think about what I should be deciding about my own life and choices. I still remember "grounding" myself whereby I "made myself" walk to work for a few days. Never told my friends about that. They just thought it was another installment from my dad.

After a few days of my self imposed punishment I began to realize I had a life to live and to give an answer for. It was the start of good things. Not immediately, but gradually I would consider one habit/indulgence/social interaction at a time and began to structure my life for myself. Notice I did not say "re"-structure. The only structure I had previously erected was my propensity to argue against my parents when I disagreed. I now was coming to the knowledge that my parents were just a small part of all the world was ask me to make a decision about.

I hope my kids understand that.

Its not that I am done being a dad, a father, a provider in times of need, a shoulder for consolation, or even a forgiver when the time arises. Its just that I've said everything I know to say multiple (or "thousands", according to my kids) times and don't want to waste their time, nor my efforts, anymore.

Ben, ... You still have a few things to hear.

Dad

PS I am still available upon request for continuing education.

I'm a Christ Follower (Mac vs PC) (We're probably not ready to hear this!)

Small Groups (Mac VS PC, parodies)

As our church prepares to re-tool our approach to small groups and expand our definition of what will constitute a small group at Broadway I have run across some great resources. Here are four videos from a group called RealLife. Enjoy.

Speed Up and Slow Down - Read the signs

As I enter this Lenten season I am determined to be focused. I am determined to be engaged. I am set on being both at utter peace and absolutely becoming more than I have been recently. I've had a lazy season, filled with self-pity, allowing others to affect my mental attitude, and complaining about my outcomes.

I need to both speed up and slow down during this season. Speed up to do the things I am called to do and slow down to access the power and direction for my life.

I love what the video (below says about two words; immediately and solitary. The two seem unrelated as we see them typed. They are only marginally connected as they are explained. I believe they are integral to living the life Jesus calls us to. Jesus was immediate in many of his actions. He took personal responsibility and acted without fear. Second, he found his strength in his solitary times. Before almost every major decision, trial filled day, and as his days became more and more filled with the world's pressures upon him, he went out to pray. Early in the morning, late at night, and sometimes, all night long, he prayed.

Be immediately where you are called of God to be. Find times of solitude to gain the strength to carry out tomorrows calling.

The real question is ... Who will die first?

A couple from Colorado made a pact to be intimate for 101 days in a row (actually, they said "have sex" for 101 days). Amazingly it was the wife who suggested the little project. That certainly doesn't fit with our cultural norms. The interviews are both enlightening and a bit comical, just because of the subject matter.

I love the idea of 101 days of intimacy. Don't misunderstand, I'm intrigued by the thought of 101 days of sex, but wonder about, ... a lot of things like; just the time it would require each and every day, the creativity to keep it interesting, the stamina required to complete the day's assignment, ... it boggles my mind.

I think 101 days of planned, intentional, mutual, deliberate INTIMACY could transform many stale or even (nearly) dead marriages.

I over heard a conversation between two 50-ish ladies a while back. One remarked that she had heard that a husband that had sex three times a week was predicted to live much longer than a man who did not have sex as often. The two ladies shared a silent thought filled stare for a moment and then the other lady said, " Neh, its just not worth it!"

While the sentiment shared above is obviously true for some, I've got this feeling that if a couple starts this "project" the guy will be ecstatic, ... for about a week, or maybe optimistically a month. At that point my money says the girl will be the only one interested and the guy will be crying for some rest, ... if he's still alive.

PS If you and your wife (or husband) decide to "Just Do It" (the couple's new book title), please do not call me to report.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Locked in my memory

Laredo, Texas. Summer Youth Mission Trip. Hot as blazes. Hard work. Trips to the "colonias" of the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo. Poverty. Hunger. Despair. Brown eyed children. Distributing rice, beans, and water. In the evenings we'd return to our cheap, but clean motel and air conditioning. Each evening the teens would lead the devotional time. On this night on of the boys asked to sing a song, a duet he was working on with my daughter.

That moment is frozen in time.I was blessed.

Hallelujah from the heavens
Hallelujah in the heights above the earth
Hallelujah all His angels
Hallelujah for the last will be first
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord

Hallelujah in the morning
Hallelujah for the beauty of His scars
Hallelujah in the twilight
Hallelujah sun and moon and shining stars
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord

When the night seems so long (throw your hands to the sky)
You can sing a new song (wipe the tears from your eyes)
When you're weak, He is strong
He can heal your wounded soul
And calm the storm inside

For all your times of laughter
In every hopeful prayer
When the world weighs on your shoulders
Through sorrow and your despair
With everything, with every breath, praise the Lord
Let everything, let every breath praise the Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Let everything, let every breath praise the Lord

When the night seems so long (throw your hands to the sky)
You can sing a new song (wipe the tears from your eyes)
When you're weak, He is strong
He can heal your wounded soul
And calm the storm inside

Thoughts on “Contribution”

(a conversation between a father and his son)

Son, this contribution thing that we do was one of the first things I remember about church. It was one of the first places I remember getting to participate. The time would come and my mom or dad would pass along a dollar or two to me from their money, sometimes just some change. I would then try my best to place it in the plate as it passed being careful not to drop it. I remember seeing all those folded checks and bills of $1, $5, and even $20’s. Later as I reached my teen years and had a job I began to take part in this weekly ritual and began to put my own money in the plate.
I didn’t really understand what all this (contribution stuff) meant till years later. In fact, I’m still learning and I learn more every year I live.

There are a couple of things I have learned about this collection: You can’t really fake it. (You can sometimes get away with faking it at singing or listening or praying or even talking to friends about God).

Second: Others can’t judge it. Oh, they might have an opinion. Others may join us in holding us accountable, but this is between you and God. Contribution is truly between God and … your heart and your soul. But its weird, we can’t avoid judging it for ourselves (Mom said, “a true judgment of ones character is when … you can’t lie to yourself”). We should really think about our contribution. It says a lot to God about us.

Third: It is our opportunity for joy (not shame) The God who created our blessings allows me to give it back, as a gift. I love giving money to my kids to see what they will do with it … to see what they value … to see where they bless with their gifts.
Jesus taught more said about riches (possessions, money, treasure; things we value, hold dear and strive for) than about any other single subject in the New Testament. He said over and over that how we value our possessions says a lot about our relationship to him. If we value our “stuff” over our relationship with God, they have become our idols. Plain and simple; if it isn’t a sacrifice … it is not a gift and it is not pleasing to God. Giving, without sacrifice, is not what we are called to!

“Ben, I’ve got a question. Sacrifice … what is that?”

He gives a simple answer, “Sacrifice is when you give up something. And it usually hurts, … at least a little.”

I continue, “How much money do you get each week for chores and allowance?” Ben answers, “$5”.

“Who gave you your talents?” His humble voice states the truth, “God did.”

“How much would you need to give each week for it to be a real sacrifice? But don’t need to answer, it’s our decision?”

So, my advice and council on this is to give till it hurts a bit, then give a little more.

The question for each of us is what exactly are we willing to sacrifice for? That newest game for Xbox, fishing pole, new outfit, a new car, new house, $6 popcorn and $5 sodas at sporting events and movies, season tickets to our favorite sporting events? More/better/newer/ STUFF.

Remember … It’s not so much about making the budget (bulletin). That’s important but inarguably secondary. Its about personal sacrifice made from a perspective of what God has given us. If we give sacrificially, the budget is met and there is money to spare. If we all gave, as God gives to us, we’d never need to worry about a budget. The elders and finance committee would have to meet extra times just to figure out where God wanted us to extend these additional blessings.
There will always be stuff we want, trips we plan, and expenses to life, but they should never interfere with what we have dedicated to God as our sacrificial return to the one who gave it all for us.

Your mom and I decided early-on in our marriage that we would set aside, first, what we would contribute. That’s what we are taught in scripture … to give our first fruits, … to give first to what we value most, …, That’s not always easy, but if you move your sacrifice to God anywhere else down the list, it says something about your priorities. If you can move giving back to God, who gave you everything … to anywhere on the list but first, … you’ll have a hard time sacrificially giving to back God at all

So remember, its not about the amount you give … its about the personal sacrifice your giving represents. For you (Ben)… your sacrifice is as pleasing (as valuable) to God as my giving … or frankly, the gift given by any person in this room, even though the amount may be different. God is as pleased with a sacrificial gift from you as he is with the biggest check in the plate (and more so if you have been more sacrificial (remember the story of the widow’s mite?)

He wants your life, (sure) and your sacrifice, just like he wants mine and just like he wants everyone’s. Heart, mind, body, soul … then the treasures will become very easy to give, sacrificially.

PRAYER
Father, Repair our hearts from the selfish, consumptive people the world leads us to be.

Restore the joy of sacrificial giving. May we open our hearts to you and let our gifts flow freely. May our joy over flow as we give.

You have given so much to us, … for us. We can never repay. But we ask that our gifts to you on this day will glorify you, because of our sacrifice, much in the way that your sacrifice saved us.

Converted to church .... or ... converted to Christ

Church is messy. A friend of mine (Eddie Sharp) said that years ago. He humbly denies being the originator of the statement, but said it none the less. I guess I'm wallowing through some of that ... mess.

Around this church and around churches across my experience I am confronted with an unanswered question; are people converted to church or converted to Christ. I do not believe the phrases are synonymous. Actually, I believe in this present age, they are antonymous*.

*an⋅to⋅nym   [an-tuh-nim] –noun
a word opposite in meaning to another. Fast is an antonym of slow.
antonymous - adjective
of words: having opposite meanings [ant: synonymous]

Not that I believe Jesus intended it that way, but in the sense of conversion I believe they are very different.

I look around and watch as we protect our churches, our boundaries, our differences, our addresses, and our membership numbers while giving less attention to protecting Jesus' teachings, ways, examples, and lifestyle I am smitten with irrefutable evidence.

And its no surprise, then, when those within the walls of our buildings have become (are becoming) blind to the transformation from Jesus followers to church followers. We demand our songs (my songs), my style of preaching, my length of a service, and my ... (you get the picture).

This is a real question, worthy of our very real contemplation. Would we let Jesus, the King himself, preach in our pulpits? Would he be too radical? Would he run off our most influential members? Would he care? What if attacked some of our most sacred holdings; our building, our ministries, our ministers, our missions, our YOUR most precious spiritual connection. Would you be ready to escort him to the door so that we could continue to protect what we have and continue in OUR (not his) direction? What if he told us to give up what we have for the poor, what then? Oh, wait, ... he already did.

What will it take for the church to be His, again? His instead of belonging to ourselves, a hideous misrepresentation of what He died to start and lives until He returns to see bringing him glory.

I used to listen to and sing a song by Keith Green every week before I would preach or teach. It would not take long before I was reduced to tears. It seemed to transform me from whatever I had thought I might have created, into a being charged and moved my the Spirit of God. I hope I will begin to listen to the song again as I speak, teach, and worship.

Under the Stars - Renew Your Glory

Friday night I will go with a crew of dads and their kids to a pecan orchard south of Lubbock. There wil be the common boat load of details, I'm sure. In the midst of it all I hope to recapture the glory of God in the sky. In the cold night air I hope to see a clear sky filled with stars and spend time just recapturing the glory of God in creation.

Home

I hear people talk about home. Most talk of obviously flawed places of a combination of peaceful familiarity and predictable conflict. It must be true. Houses filled with flawed people, must inherently be flawed.

But my earthly realities don't keep me from longing for the place of warmth, the place of peace, and the place of belonging to which my thoughts climb. For me, the idea of home brings to mind, not those broken or thwarted memories, but a magical place filled with joy, true joy. Heck, no! Its not real. But a guy can dream, can't he.

I'll dream that my kids always agree with me. Heck I'll believe they even think I'm smart, all the time. I'll believe there's always enough of everything I need and to spare. I'll dream that the church is the perfect embodiment of Jesus ... and when it isn't it falls to its knees.

Wow, some days the thought of heaven on the horizon sounds good to me. Take me home!

Homeless in Lubbock

Broadway and the entire Lubbock community are banding together to bring awareness to the breadth of the homeless dilemma in Lubbock.

Join us if you can.



www.innercitylubbock.org

This is a reminder and an update on the movement to provide shelter for our homeless friends in Lubbock, TX this winter.

Reminder: Prayer Vigil for the Homeless this Saturday, Oct. 18th from 8-9pm at the Mahon Library downtown (1306 9th St). Participants are also invited to spend the night on the sidewalk alongside the homeless.

The Point: Together we will ask God to provide shelter for the homeless of Lubbock, TX this winter and in the future.

Logistics:
From 8-9pm we will have a focused time of prayer during which several community leaders as well as some of our homeless and formerly homeless friends will lead prayers asking God to hear our cries and respond.
There will be access to toilets.
The ground is concrete and will be cold and hard! Participants are invited to make this experience as real as they like (e.g., sleep on cardboard, newspaper, etc.), but if you need sleeping pads they are also welcome.
During the night participants are invited to sleep, pray and get to know each other. But please be aware of those who need to sleep! Those wanting to pray or talk are asked to do so in the parking lot west of the Library.
Safety: Come in peace and expect to stand (or lie down) alongside our friends. There is no reason to fear this community or the idea of spending the night. There will be plenty of people around, we will have Police proximity and the area is well lit. But please be wise about how you participate. Here are a few tips to ensure safety:
Please stay in groups and do not go anywhere with people you do not know.
PLEASE DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ALONE WITH SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.
Please keep track of your valuables! Do not leave purses, cell phones or other items unattended.
If you are spending the night, try to sleep next to a few people you know.
Please do not give cash to the people on the streets; if there is a need you want to meet please try and meet the need directly (i.e., if they're hungry, give them food or a gift card)
Creativity: Most of us will be guests to the Library which has served as a "home" to many homeless people over the years. As guests we want to be a positive presence. Feel free to bring food, bottled water, hot chocolate, breakfast burritos! or anything else to share with those in need.

Shelter: Currently we do not have a facility to use as a shelter this winter! This is our main concern this winter: finding a facility with floor space, toilets and a heater. For information concerning a facility, property or donation for a shelter facility please contact Dale Milhauser at 1745@suddenlink.net or (806)368-7334.

Backup: Carpenter's church has decided to continue the prayer vigil on a nightly basis starting Nov. 1st through March 15th. We will continue to ask God to provide shelter for the homeless and we will invite our homeless friends to join us in prayer each night from 8pm to 8am until that happens. All of those who are interest in volunteering to be on a rotation for prayer and supervision please contact volunteers@innercitylubbock.org or call Chad Wheeler at (806)543-0526.

Standing together with God we can do anything! Let us stand together with the marginalized and forgotten of our society and we will house the homeless!

Check out this video produced by Aldersgate about homelessness in Lubbock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8CeCoj-kP0

Let me know if you have any questions and see you Saturday night!

Chad Wheeler
Carpenter's Church
chadwheeler@innercitylubbock.org
(806)543-0526

One line blog updates

Often, especially recently, I find I must make a difficult choice. My heart finds incessant opportunities for ministry. Truth be known the opportunities are beyond incessant, they are overwhelming. But the choice in the balance is to be engaged in these ministry opportunities or to take the time away from the ministries to report, blog, reflect, and share what these experiences are doing for me, to me, and around me.

I even feel guilty writing this, but felt my heart would explode if I did not vent just a bit.

How about you? Does your involvement in ministry preclude your opportunity to tell the stories?

Lord, show me balance, give me strength.