The Power of Empowering One

On a Friday afternoon, a little girl learned that the Salvation Army had to halt packing gifts for children who otherwise wouldn't receive anything this Christmas. And this one  little girl came up with an idea to sell handmade salt-dough ornaments and use all of the proceeds to buy gifts.

By that same evening, she had raised nearly $1000.  A little girl. A “go gettem’” attitude. And a big heart.

In four days, Avery had raised over $3000! And people kept giving.

I want to be like Avery when I grow up. Hearing a need and being willing to act on the Lord's call, just like Avery did. I believe is a huge testament to the work that the Lord is doing in her life. And I also believe that this is a testament of her parents empowering her to love and serve others. To say yes to God.

And the people giving? Generosity abounded. No matter the size of the person's donation--$5 or $200--they were making a huge investment. Not only are they investing in this one specific project--providing money for gifts and therefore showing love to the recipients--but they're investing in the long term...investing in the development of Avery's generous spirit.

People saw Avery's desire to raise money...nobody had to give money. At this time of the year, many people are already giving above what they usually give to their churches or favorite charities. But, people gave anyways, and in doing so, they showed a little girl the importance of what she was choosing to do--serving without any expectations. Giving simply to benefit others. People's kindness in giving donations  will most likely serve as an example to Avery for a very long time. It will be an impetus for more giving in her future. For a posture of generosity.

I believe that there's a whole generation of kids--young and old--itching to give...itching to serve. Lets show them how important it is. Let's invest in their ideas. Support them. Empower them. You never know what one child can do to transform lives and show others the love of God. 

(To see more about Avery and her amazing generosity, check out this local news story)  

"I'm not Bono!"

When I was a child, I wanted to help people. I was that 6^th grade kid who wanted to start a disaster relief fundraiser when the tsunami hit Indonesia. One time, when the power was out at our house because of a snow storm (read: an inch or two of snow on the ground), somebody mentioned the homeless in our city and I'm pretty sure I burst out crying right then and there thinking of these people huddled somewhere in the cold. This isn't to pat myself on the back...it's just how I was as a child. And I think it's how lots of children are. Children have big dreams. Big dreams of making a difference and they don’t think of being held back.

Somewhere along the way though, we grow up and our thought process changes. We let things stand in the way of stepping out to help others and attempting to positively impact someone's life. 

I've noticed that there appears to be two groups of people. (1) Those who believe they can help, and, therefore, do. And (2) those who let fears stand in the way of helping, then don’t.

Most people are the latter--thinking that they’re inadequate and therefore can’t do anything to make a difference.  As we age, these fears of certain deficiencies inundate us, and, the train of thought that follows is “I can't make a difference unless I've got enough *blank* (influence, money, or resources, etc.).I'm not Bono*! Nobody will pay attention to anything I attempt to make a difference.” Or, even more seriously, people think that they’re so messed up, that God cannot actually use them to make a difference. They let these fears hold them back, possibly from something that God has called them to.

Basically, the fear of lacking holds us back. There's no way that God can use us to make a difference in somebody's life, so besides the occasional service project, why even attempt?

We let so much stand in the way of following the Lord's leading. We don't step up and into situations to serve because we let our fears of inadequacies get in the way. But listen, we are never too messed up, screwed up, sinful, under resourced, poor, un-influential, or ill equipped for the Lord to use us.

If the Lord is calling me to something, you'd better believe He'll equip me, teach me, lead me. So how dare I look at the Lord and tell Him that there's no way I can or will do what He wants and is calling me to do--there's no way He can use me? Because, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."

God is calling masses of believers to step outside of their comfort zones. People of differing backgrounds who have experienced different joys and heartaches and who have their own area of influence. God is calling us here, and now. Are we going to get past any inadequacy we feel we have in order to step into a role of mercy to the hurting in the world? Because once we do that, God is going to use us for His glory. Use us to impact the hurting world.

*Note: I use Bono as an example because he's someone who has not only the money to get things done, but the influence not only to draw attention to certain issues but also to encourage others to act.

(Via Christine Caine's Facebook page)

Christianese Part 2

God has a plan for this (trial, situation, etc.). This sentiment is Biblical and can be found in Romans 8. I don't think that this is "inappropriate" to say, but I  personally believe that this quote and similar variations are thrown around way too often and have become cliched. 

A lot of times, I think we don't know what to say to comfort somebody during a difficult time and this is what comes out of our mouths first. But sometimes, it seems as if we're saying "Well, you're going through this problem, but just remember, it's not a huge deal because God will work it out to His glory in the end." Yes, it's true that God will work the situation out for his glory in the end, but when we just leave it at that, we come off as insensitive (even if it's unintentional). 

Several months ago, I was watching one of my favorite shows, Parenthood. Kristina was battling a severe case of breast cancer. Adam--her husband--came into the house angrily exclaiming that the neighbors had the audacity to say this to him. When an unbeliever hears this, they (generally) shut down. Unbelievers don't understand that God has come to redeem this world and that he will come to restore it. They don't understand that the trials we go through are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4). If they don't believe in God, why would they believe that he would work out a sad situation for his glory? In this type of situation, maybe it's best to just show that, as a friend, you're there. You're willing to help out with physical needs, and if the opportunity presents itself, you can then share the gospel.

Maybe no matter who the person is--Christian or unbeliever--it's best to remind them of this, but also remind them that it's okay to grieve and lament. Point them to Psalms of lament. Remind them of God's goodness. But for goodness sake  don't just end your sympathies at "God has a plan for this." 

(Please do not think that I believe this passage has become cliched, I just believe that the way we throw it around has become cliched)

"All the Poor and Powerless"

"Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel Tyrants...he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck. He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restores the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture--when they bleed, he bleeds; when they die, he dies." Psalm 72-Various Verses-The Message

God has always been caring for the poor and oppressed. This care is a common thread throughout the Bible--from Exodus and Leviticus to the Psalms and the Gospels. In the Old Testament, God instructed his people not to pick up crops that fell to the ground, so that the destitute among them would be able to come and gather the abandoned fruit. Psalm 9:9 states that "The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." And Psalm 35:10 asks the questions "Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them."

All of these verses--and the countless others--show the Heart that the Lord has for the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, the oppressed, and the "just plain down-and-out." 

Before Christ's redemptive work begins in our lives, we are these people. We might not all be physically poor, but in a sense, we are all poverty-stricken. Because of the Fall, our relationship with Christ has been distorted and we are poor in spirit. Where Adam and Eve once literally walked in fellowship with the Lord, we are now--by our own feeble attempts-- trying to reach God. Thankfully, God has always had a heart for the poor and he sent his Son to save us. He came, and in doing so, has piled blessings on us. 

As a Believer that is being sanctified to become more and more like Christ daily, one specific area I want to look more like Christ is in my care for the oppressed and the poor. Because...

"He loves us without condition, unrelentingly  forever. He loves us broken, and he loves making us whole again. And he asks those of us who love him to love others the same way. To choose them. To be agents of his hope, his forgiveness, his grace. He asks us to join him in rescuing others." Christine Caine-Undaunted  

All Sons and Daughters--All the Poor and Powerless 

Find You On My Knees

Troubles chasing me again,
Breaking down my best defence,
I'm looking, God, I'm looking for you
Weary just won't let me rest and fear is filling up my head.
I'm longing, God I'm longing for you

But I will find you in the place I'm in, find you when I'm at my end,
Find you when there's nothing left of me to offer you except for brokenness.
You lift me up, you'll never leave me thirsty,
When I am weak, when I am lost and searching
I'll find you on my knees.

So what if sorrow shakes my faith,
What if heartache still remains,
I'll trust you, my God I'll trust you.
'Cause You are faithful and

I will find you in the place I'm in, find you when I'm at my end,
Find you when there's nothing left of me to offer you except for brokenness.
You lift me up, you'll never leave me thirsty,
When I am weak, when I am lost and searching
I'll find you on my knees, my knees.

When my hope is gone, when the fear is strong
When the pain is real, when it's hard to heal
When my faith is shaken and my heart is broken and my joy is stolen, God I know that

You lift me up, you'll never leave me searching,

Find you in the place I'm in, find you when I'm at my end,
Find you when there's nothing left of me to offer you except for brokenness.
You lift me up, you'll never leave me thirsty,
When I am weak, when I am lost and searching
I'll find you on my knees.

Food for Thought

"When we know Who we serve, it will determine how we live." Bianca Olthoff

As Christians, we've probably all heard something along the lines of this quote. I love how simple, yet convicting and truthful it is. 

In chapel this past year, the theme has been "Knowing God." I think this is an important concept to grasp. Knowing someone isn't just about knowing who they are or what they do--it's not the head-knowledge. When we truly know someone, we begin to grasp their essence and personally get to know them. With God, the more I know God and focus on the cross, the more I want to know of God...my desire to deepen this relationship grows. 

When we truly begin to grasp a tiny picture of who God is and we begin to know Him better what flows out of our lives will change. We need to keep our personal, relational knowledge of God at the forefront of our lives.

Last night I read a few chapters in Deuteronomy, and Moses reminds the people of Israel how they were afraid to go meet with God and talk with God because they believed His glory and power would be too much for them, so they sent Moses instead. God tells Moses "they are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever! (Deut. 5: 28 b & 29)" If God's chosen people had kept this experiential knowledge of God at the forefront of their lives it would have changed how they lived.

It's the same for me, when I take into consideration all that I personally know about God and all that I've experienced because of God, the way I live out my life will be determined. I desire then, to more deeply understand and know Who I serve.

The Problem of Separatism

I go to a very conservative fundamentalist (southern) school. While I have grown-up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school, and attend a non-denominational church, it is nowhere near the level of conservatism as my college. 

Growing up in a Christian environment an idea heavily stressed was that of picking good friends. This has always been logical and obvious to me. Your very closest friends should be a group of people who are morally upstanding (don't read perfect), kind, loving, edifying, etc. This is something that my parents, teachers (in high school), youth-group leaders, and Pastors have taught. I've grown-up with an amazing group of close friends that have encouraged me and edified me spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. 

One thing that was not taught to me was the idea of separatism. When I went off to college, this message of choosing good friends was constantly brought-up. Something else that was taught was the idea of separatism--which, save evangelizing, is separating yourself completely from anybody that is "worldly." This idea to me was, and is, so antithetical to the message of the gospel. How can we, as followers of Christ, completely separate ourselves from lost people--people that need God desperately--when Christ Himself went and ate with sinners?

Today, in a Bible-conference service at my school the speaker took words in Psalm 1, which states "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers" and twisted them to fit his idea of separatism. He completely disregarded the fact that this first verse warns against "walking in the counsel of the wicked" rather than separating completely from the wicked. I don't believe that you can take this verse and completely write-off relationships with non-believers.

Sure, as Christians, there are certain things we are not to be a part of, but walking in the counsel of a non-believer is completely different than being a friend to someone who is not a believer. I believe we are to take Christ's example of befriending non-believers, but we obviously would not take their advice on important matters. Rather, we walk in the counsel of the godly.

A friend and I discussed this idea several months ago and she shared with me her disgust with this idea of separation. She works in the fast-food industry alongside Believers and non-Believers, and she is friends with a majority of them. Often times, she will choose to participate in certain activities with these non-believer friends--such as going out to eat or shopping--but she uses discernment and chooses not to be in certain situations with them that would damage her testimony. She would never separate herself completely from these friends though solely because they're not Believers.

So while there is to be some level of separation (perhaps in certain activities/situations) with these friends, as Christians, I don't believe in separating ourselves from these people completely. We are to use discernment in these cases and love on these friends like Christ loves on us. 

If we completely separate ourselves from non-believers, how is that a good testimony?

Quotation

Find a quotation that moves you and write it down. Why does it move you?

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake." Victor Hugo

A Facebook friend posted this quote the other day as encouragement for anybody in an overly busy, stressful period of their life. It was an encouragement for me. Everyday we are faced with numerous road-blocks, grievances, or just flat-out stressful moments, but we are to face these with courage...more particularly, courage from the Lord.

This Sunday, at church, we went through Hebrews 2:14-18 and our Pastor said that as believers, we are to focus on the cross. This isn't some magical "make your problems go-away" cure; when focusing on the cross though, we remember that Christ suffered, and he didn't have to, but He loved us enough to do that. Remembering this gives us courage not only to face our current struggles, but also courage to not fall into temptation.

When we have this courage to face our sorrows, patience to face the small every day issues, and we've done all that we can do of our simple tasks in a day, we can go to sleep. We can rest in what Christ has done. That He has won the battle over sin and death; eventually these afflictions we've faced will be light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4). We can go to sleep, knowing that "God is awake." And how comforting is that?

<sup>Hebrews 2:14-18

14</sup> Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Lament

As Christians, i think we often forget that we're allowed to lament. We think somehow that by crying out to God in the midst of our great sorrow and pain, we are questioning his power,  might, or goodness, but lament is not blame. Numerous godly men and women lamented in the Bible. It's okay! God hears our cries. These cries draw us deeper into His grace, and love, and comfort. We can lament in times of tragedy.

This morning, as I was thinking about lament, I remembered this song by Jars of Clay. I always took this to be the singers' cries of grief, but I read something earlier in which somebody stated that they always believed this was supposed to be "God's lament" in a way. Either way, it's a powerful song. (Below are the lyrics)

"Oh My God"

Oh my God, look around this place
Your fingers reach around the bone
You set the break and set the tone
Flights of grace, and future falls
In present pain
All fools say, "Oh my God"

Oh my God, Why are we so afraid?
We make it worse when we don't bleed
There is no cure for our disease
Turn a phrase, and rise again
Or fake your death and only tell your closest friend
Oh my God.

Oh my God, can I complain?
You take away my firm belief and graft my soul upon your grief
Weddings, boats and alibis
All drift away, and a mother cries

Liars and fools; sons and failures
Thieves will always say
Lost and found; ailing wanderers
Healers always say
Whores and angels; men with problems
Leavers always say
Broken hearted; separated
Orphans always say
War creators; racial haters
Preachers always say
Distant fathers; fallen warriors
Givers always say
Pilgrim saints; lonely widows
Users always say
Fearful mothers; watchful doubters
Saviors always say

Sometimes I cannot forgive
And these days, mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep
While I lay, I dream we're better,
Scales were gone and faces light
When we wake, we hate our brother
We still move to hurt each other
Sometimes I can close my eyes,
And all the fear that keeps me silent falls below my heavy breathing,
What makes me so badly bent?
We all have a chance to murder
We all feel the need for wonder
We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the thunder

Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give
Babies underneath their beds
Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes,
All the comforts of cathedrals
All the cries of thirsty children - this is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers - this is our greatest offense

Oh my God
Oh my God
Oh my God

Back Home at Work

This week has been my first week back home since my three week long trip to Michigan. We got home Friday afternoon, so I was able to go to church last Sunday. Driving into the parking lot of church made me smile because I realized how much I had missed community, fellowship, and the place in general. Southside Fellowship is not just the local (little "c") church that I worship at, but it is also where I work. 

This summer has been a summer of growth in my job-which I started two years ago as an intern. Earlier in the summer, my position was "upgraded" to that of  an "Office Assistant." Where as before, I was working in the copy center doing tasks to get ready for Sunday morning, now I'm doing those things in addition to numerous other things. One of the biggest things I've been doing is assisting our Director of City Involvement. This job has been so much fun for me because I'm actually researching things, going to meetings, learning how to serve the church and the local community, and so much more. 

I've learned so many more things about myself-and I feel like I've found my "niche" in a way. God has blessed me so much with my job (which I loved even before all my new work was added on)! He's blessed me with amazing coworkers. He's blessed me with work that is fulfilling. 

For almost all of my high school career, my eyes and heart had been set on going to college in Indiana until God showed me that he wanted me to stay in town and go to a school that I had always stated I would never attend. Looking over the past two years, I can see how maybe God wanted me to stay, in part, because I would have the opportunity to grow into my job. For that, I am thankful. I thank Jesus not only for an amazing place or worship and work, but for the ability to look back over the course of a few years and see that God was at work, and will continue to be at work, in my life.

Psalm 19:14

Found on Haven and Home

Me

It's not really appropriate for me to say that this is just another "part" of me....because this is all of me and it hopefully pours into every other thing that I do in my life-every decision I make in my life. God is THE most important thing in my life.