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Archive for October, 2008

Standing Our Ground

Saturday, October 18th, 2008
Daisy's Jeef

Daisy's Jeep

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  -Jesus

A week ago on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. we were startled by the clarity with which we heard, “pow, pow, pow, pow, pow!  Immediately Heather jumped off the bed and onto the ground and encouraged me to do the same.  Realizing that we just heard 5 gun shots outside our bedroom window I called 911 and reported what all of our neighbors simultaneously reported…gunshots on our block!

The morning after the police had come and gone I awoke early to walk, pick-up our trash lined streets and pray for our neighborhood.  As I was finishing my prayer walk I was greeted by our next door neighbor – Daisy.  She explained that her car was the receipent of a “bullet wound” and that she had called the police to file a report.  After our conversation was over I returned home to have my morning coffee and reflect on what happened the night before.  I was not happy.  For the first time since moving into Fairhaven I was angry…angry that bullets were flying 35 feet from my bedroom window.  Angry that people just don’t care.  Angry that our police department cannot seem to get their act together and respond to the problems of our city well.  Angry that our inner cities in America are like war zones.  Angry that 18 people have been murdered in New Haven in 2008. Not far from New Haven’s record of 24 homicides in one year.  Angry that my wife and kids can’t just pop out the front door of our house and talk a walk for fear of what could happen.  And…even though we moved into this neighborhood to help those on the margins of society…I still hope to live a long and prosperous life.  Just being honest!

Now, a week and three days later, I find myself on bended knee in prayer…seeking to make sense of it all.  And, it was in prayer that I heard the voice of our Lord.  “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.  Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”  -Jesus (Luke 10: 2-3)

It all made sense.  The anger and frustration I had felt towards those causing so much pain and strife (i.e. those shooting, killing, dealing drugs, prostituting, pimping, & slum landlords) they are the “harvest” that the Lord is referring to.  The harvest is not only plentiful but it is beautiful as well.  See, I was looking at the situation (along with other similar situations) from a purely “earthly / material” perspective.  HOWEVER, the LORD looks at each person, in whatever situation they find themselves in, in whatever activity they are participating in, as a beautiful son / daughter – HIS beloved.  Though they may be far from the “promised land” of relationship by their own choosing the Lord is chasing them, HE is sending US to chase them and tell them the wonderful story of redemption and reconciliation that is found in Christ.  Instead of focusing on the situation – I am choosing to focus on the person…those in desperate need of hope, peace and personal reconciliation.  Those in need of a friend and a Father.  Instead of trying to find ways to “lock up tight” I will focus (w/ the help of my family and friends) on how to open our doors wide and invite those in that are “weary and heavy laden – that they may find rest for their souls.” 

See, I think this is the answer.  We can no longer watch the “war” on TV…we have to jump onto the battlefield of life and be a hearld of Good News.  I for one hope to spend my remaining days fighting the good fight…

Following In His Footsteps

Friday, October 3rd, 2008

From the ESV Bible – Philippians 3:8-12 & 17, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith – that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made it his own…Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the exmple you have in us.”

Two years ago we made a decision to leave our life in Dallas, TX. and “follow” Jesus into into a inner city neighborhood to begin a work among prostitutes, drug addicts, and at risk families.  Our short term goal – to share the message and love of Christ through the development of urban restoration projects and a local food pantry.  Long term, we want to open a home for prostitutes who desire to leave “street life” and begin again. 

I remember when I talked with our Senior Pastor, Mark Brand and informed him of our desire to end my work as a staff pastor at Hillcrest Church and become a full-time missionary…to live and work among the marginalized.  He agreed with our decision, we talked over the details of my transition and prayed.  As I returned to my office that afternoon I remember the pure excitement I felt in my heart to begin this next chapter of my (our) life.  This is the day I had been waiting for – for over 10 years!

It is always exciting to start a new chapter in life…but with every new chapter that we begin in our journey towards Christ there are new challenges.  New challenges for our family, friends, and the work we were to begin.  With every new step came insight from the scripture as to the committments and cost of following Him.  A couple of days ago – I was reading through the book of Philippians and was challenged anew by the words of Paul to the Church at Philippi.  As we journey towards Christ I find it interesting that Paul, not only asks us to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, but to share in His sufferings as well.  Over the years I have heard many talk about the fact that Christians are invited to enjoy the benefits of Christ’s resurrection – how He overcame death and brought reconcilliation between man and God for those who believe.  But, as it is with the story of scripture, there was much more to Paul’s admonition.  As we are enjoying the benefits of the resurrection we are invited to share in His “sufferings – becoming like him in His death.”  I don’t know about you – but I don’t wake up in the morning and look forward to a day of suffering.  Most of the time – me (& others) try to avoid suffering…and for good reason.  But when we talk of a relationship with Christ and our desire to “follow him” Paul is clearly calling out to the Church and asking us to embrace His sufferings, to bear our cross and follow him. (Mt. 10:38)  Suffering is the call to responsibility, to embrace what is difficult, to give our entire self, to go beyond and in many ways to do without. 

Each of us who choose this life will be challenged by this embrace…but it was (and is today) through Christ’s embrace of suffering that each Christian enjoys our adoption in the family of God.  It is through suffering(s) that others will enter into the joyful mystery of salvation, and it is through the path of suffering where we find His peace and joy.  We are called to imitate Paul and other faithful men to make a real difference in our world. 

In this political season – let us keep our eyes fixed on Him in whom we have hope.