From the Trenches #3 – The Power of Presence

In the midst of ministry, I have begun to discover the significance of just spending time with people. Some may call this incarnational ministry. Handing a stranger a flyer and saying “come to our church” may work on occasion, but this is not the depth of the calling of Jesus followers. Earning trust can be a long process that often takes multiple contacts with people. The first time I went to a sports event of one of my youth group teens, it was a little akward. But, several concerts and volleyball games down the road, I realize that it’s worth the effort. If you become a part of a person’s life and see their struggles and joys, your perspective will change. You are no longer an outsider trying to figure out a way to get in, but one who stands next to a person and cares deeply for them. I’m reminded of a quote from the movie Save the Last Dance: “Don’t be here just to be here. Take a look around.” When you speak, this person will be more likely to listen because you have earned the right to speak truth into their lives. This is not to say that spreading the gospel can only happen in this context. The Holy Spirit works in countless ways. And, total strangers need Jesus, too.

Beautiful are the feet of them who bring cookies

I have a friend who shows love by giving cookies. It doesn’t matter what the occassion or who the recipient might be. If she wants people to know that she cares and that she’s thinking about them, she bakes them chocolate chip cookies. Sometimes, she teams up with other people who live in her apartment complex to bake cookies for all their neighbors. You may wonder why this is a big deal. Well, our society is seaped with individualism. People don’t know their neighbors, let alone bake cookies for them. In order to knock down these proverbial fences, Christians must make an effort. The thought that people all around us are the walking dead should inspire a little action. But it’s not rocket science. Handing your neighbor a plate of cookies is a beautifully simple way to build relationships in which you can share the gospel. During this Christmas season, I encourage you all to take advantage of this opportunity to share the love of Christ. Lives could be transformed, and it could all start with a plate of cookies and a knock on the door.

Inadequate

My good friend Aaron Bolduc told me recently that doing only what you are humanly capable of probably means you aren’t really following Jesus. This was such an encouragement to me. If I can handle it on my own, why does God need to be in the picture? He is strong in my weakness. He must increase and I must decrease. At the end of the day, I want to look back and say “look what God did,” not “look at the worthless piece of nothing that I did.” There’s something about ministry that leaves me in a heap of glorious exhaustion, knowing that He is at work and I am just a speck of dirt that He loves more than I can imagine. Isn’t it mind-blowing that He has included us in His master plan?

Christmas Poem 2008

Here is the brand new model out for 2008! It has the style you’ve all grown to love, but with new features that will rock your world.

Imagine

The tree is dead, the lights burnt out,
Bright reds and greens turn gray.
The ornaments lie shattered now.
Has Christmas gone away?

The gifts have vanished from your sight,
No stockings on display.
The toys destroyed, the money spent.
Has Christmas gone away?

Your feast becomes a memory.
The famished children pray,
“Lord, give us just one piece of bread.”
Has Christmas gone away?

Your family has disappeared.
A lonely, silent day.
As grief pervades your vacant soul,
Has Christmas gone away?

The celebrations all have ceased.
It’s just another day.
No talk of peace or happiness.
Has Christmas gone away?

The virgin Mary bears no Son.
Darkness clouds the way.
No Savior, hope, redemption:
Our Christmas gone away.

Happy Holidays!

If you are like many Christians you are currently building an argument in your head as to why “Happy Holidays” is evil. You will be chomping at the bit to write a comment about how I’m taking Christ out of Christmas. Well, I’m here to tell you that if arguing with a bunch of people who don’t know Jesus about what holiday greeting they should use is what you call putting Christ back into Christmas, you’re wasting your time. Honestly, I would love someone to enlighten me on why people get in such a tizzy about this. This time of year is not about Jesus for a LOT of people (even some Christians). Wouldn’t it be better to spend your energy on sharing Jesus with them instead of fighting about this? I’m not sure if joining a facebook group is the best way to spread the gospel. I’m not sure getting into a shouting match with a cashier is the best way to show people the love of Jesus. Maybe some people hear ”Happy Holidays” and use that as an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. If so, that’s great. I’m just sayin’ some people have weird priorities when it comes to Christmas.  (If you are offended by this, keep in mind that my family didn’t celebrate Christmas, and often referred to it as X-mas – I have a little different perspective.)

Newsflash: Godwin Heights

Check out the breaking news at www.unlikelyking.com!

Racist

While I was working at CVS the other night, I was accused of being a racist. We had several liqour thefts that day, so I was keeping an eye on anyone who went in the liqour aisle. A group of African Amercan women went into that aisle, so I went to make sure they were on the up and up. As I went back to the spot where I was straightening, there was a person from their group at the front by the checkout. I looked over to see if she was ready to check out or not. She caught my eye and asked if I was following her family around because they were Black. My initial reaction was flustered (not sure how to respond other than saying no). After she left, I thought of a million things I could have said (I wish I could think on my feet a little better). Things like ”I’m sorry we live in a world were some white people follow you around because they think African Americans are thieves,” or “we’ve had a lot of liqour thefts today, and I’m just keeping an eye on that area.” For some reason, I got this sick feeling in my stomach. I just couldn’t stand to think that someone thought I was racist. I may have other prejudices (I have trouble loving rich preppies who shop at Abercrombie sometimes, for example), however racism just isn’t a part of who I am. In fact, it makes me angry just thinking about it. Maybe that’s why it bothered be so much. My Jesus isn’t like that, so I hate that someone would think that I’m like that.

A Spark of Hope, A Blaze of Deception

This past weekend was the National Youth Workers Convention. Not only was it a time to recharge, but it also gave me a glimpse of traditional youth ministry at large. The oddity of being surrounded by youth workers who have a ministry that looks nothing like mine was combined with the peace that we’re doing the right thing. In the midst of all the books and resources and t-shirts and technology and everything else that tends to distract from being the church that God is calling us to be, I saw a spark. There was a little hint of something in their eyes that knew that there is something more, something worthwhile. This is not to say that I have it all figured out. On the contrary, I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark while God does miracles all around me. However, I saw something this weekend that gave me hope for the church in America: something about outward-facing youth ministry, something about using the church in Acts as an example, something about discipleship happening in the midst of mission, something about the kingdom. It was just a spark, but it was there in some of the youth workers.

Unfortunately, I also saw some deception. While some are drifting toward acting like the church, others are abandoning truth. They say that love doesn’t include challenging people to repent and follow Jesus. They say that the word of God is just a big allegory. They say that the poor have some special divine presence. They say that the words of Jesus are limited to the “red letters.” They say that relationships are ultimate, not God’s glory. May the Holy Spirit lead people through this maze of hope and deception. Without Him, it’s just a giant ball of confusion. (By the way, I’m not going back next year).

From the Trenches #2 – The Backyard Missionary

This past summer, I felt a pull toward world missions. I want the world to know Jesus and love Jesus and worship Jesus and be transformed by Jesus. I began to see that how God has shaped me would make living across the world in a different culture the perfect place for me. This might be a possibility in the future. Only God knows. Nevertheless, cross-cultural ministry is not a future venture for me. I looked around at the people at tutoring on Tuesday, at the people around my table at the awards banquet for the local high school’s marching band, at the people at the store ran by the aunt of one of my youth group kids. What did I see? The only other white person was another youth leader. Most of the peeps I was with speak another language than English at home. Some of them are Muslim. I am a missionary today to the people of Sierra Leone in Wyoming, Michigan. If God has prepared me for world missions someday, you can bet He has prepared me for this moment.

From the Trenches #1 – A 2-Way Street

Have you ever seen an old military vet show off his piece of shrapnel? (I haven’t, but I’ve seen it on TV!) He tells the story of how he got it and lets you see the scar. You get a glimpse into what he learned while he was in the trenches. Well, as I’ve been in the trenches of ministry, I’ve begun to get a few battle wounds and boy have I learned a lot in the process. I want to share a few of these things that God has been teaching me with the two people who read this.

Not only am I commissioned by God to share Christ with others and live among them and serve them, but I need to learn from these people, too. I’ve always known this, but this past Sunday I was reminded of this. After leading a discussion group of girls and spending a little money to provide lunch, I went with one of my girls to the store. She wanted to buy a can of Arizona for one of the other youth group leaders, and she bought one for me, too. Mind you, this is a girl who has no job and only had about six dollars to her name. I gladly accepted it, because I remembered that ministry is a 2-way street. I shouldn’t just give, but allow others to give. Paul welcomed support from churches, because he wanted them to be blessed by it. This goes way beyond a simple can of tea. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re all that and that the people you are sharing Jesus with have nothing to offer.