Church is best defined in action

I am passionate about seeing people grow in their faith, to the point where that faith pours out into every area of their life, creating epic ripples that echo into eternity.  Much of what has formed my passion is personal experience, God's word and the teachings of John Wesley among others.

I particularly hold to Wesley's biblical interpretations and theology with regards to works of piety and mercy meeting with repentance, as necessary to full sanctification, if not at least as evidence of full sanctification. “True faith is manifestly shown by good living and not by words only…true faith is no unfruitful thing but a thing of perfect virtue, of wonderful operation and strength, bringing forth all good motions and good works.” "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" ~1 John 3:18

Further to this I conquer with Wesley’s insistence that “the church is best defined in action, in her witness and mission, rather than by her form of polity.”

God has called the church to be salt & light, this in essence is our witness, our mission our faith in action. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:13-16

But salt left in the shaker does no one any good, nor does a light hidden under a bucket. We need to get out of our churches, off the pews, and into the world. Being Salt is all about getting in there, mixing in with the world, so that we can season it, purify it and preserve God's kingdom, so that we can usher in Heaven on Earth. Being light, means that we are to shine, reflecting the joy and hope we have found in Jesus. 

Learn How They Hear

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.; To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." ~1 Corinthians 19:9, 22-23

I read the following devotion tonight and was reminded of something Louis Giglio shared in his DVD "Fruitcake and Ice cream"[ I highly recommend everyone, christian or otherwise watch this video ].  Louis explained how the apostle Paul, wanted to go out of his mind for God, to just go crazy from the overwhelming love he had for God, but instead, he stayed in His right-mind.  He did this in order that he might be able to reach some without potentially turning them off or confusing them.  In doing this, he was not denying His passion for Christ, simply reserving His demonstrative expression, until such a time that those he was seeking to minister to would come to know God and the joy of the Lord for themselves and would then join Him in the celebration of the Saviour - going out of their mind together for God.

The following is an amended excerpt from the book "Spiritual Disciplines Devotional" by Valerie E. Hess.

 

When I discovered the different theories of personality types, it changed the way  I communicated with people.  I learned that some people respond well to strong, forthright communication, even if they disagree with you.  Others need to have a bit of chit-chat and laughter before you can talk to them about more serious things.  Some people are more concerned about their safety (emotional as well as physical) in particular situations.

In the verse above, Saint Paul talks about using language that people with differing worldview can relate to so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ mat get a fair hearing in all places.  Those of  you who have raised or taught children know that we need to speak differently to each child, even about the same issue.

Part of the discipline of service is communicating well.  And part of communicating well is knowing who your audience is.  Sometimes we can be a hindrance to others and to their reception of the gospel if we do not take the time to learn how they hear.

Treasure Hunting

Yesterday was Easter Sunday, a time of celebration, a time spent with family and friends reflecting on the joy we have, on the victory that we have, because Christ overcame death.  As a result I opted to not take away from the celebration by sitting in front of the computer and so did not have a post yesterday.  However, I am on it this morning - bright and early, while everyone is still sleeping :D

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 

What has your heart today?  Matthew 6:21 states a universal truth, your heart will be focused on what you treasure the most.  If your treasure is found in God, then God will have your heart.  I am sure we would all like to attest to the fact that our treasure is found in our relationship with Christ; that what is most important to us, is loving God and loving others, making a difference and changing the world.  Jesus knew all to well though the myriad of things that would be competing for our hearts; Popularity, Power, Fortune, Fame, Pleasure and Acceptance.  He also knew how fleeting and temporary these treasures are.  Which is why He advises us to make those things which we treasure most, the joys and gifts of heaven and to place our happiness in things eternal.  To spend our time, money and talents on things which will leave an eternal legacy.

Want to know where you treasure is? Do some treasure hunting. Take an honest assessment of where you invest your time, money and efforts and find out where the majority of your resources are spent.  Ask those closest to you what they see as being most important to you.   Did you find that your treasure is found first in God and then in selfless relationship with others?  Are you pleased with what you've discerned about where you're treasure is?  Is God? If not consider  changes that will see you living for treasures that will last into eternity.

"The love, kindness and value we have given authentically to others will be our remaining treasures at the end of life" ~ Steve Brunkhorst

Our Heart's Beat

“...Freely you have received, freely give” ~ Matthew 10:8

God—the creator of life, is teaching us everyday, through His creation how we are to live. Take the heart for example; it functions physically in the exact same way God would have us function spiritually. The heart has two valves, one valve that pumps life giving blood in to the heart and one that sends that life giving blood back out to the body. God created us the same way, like a heart's beat we are created to receive from our Heavenly Father, and then called to give all that we have received to others. If we do not take time to receive we will run dry and shrivel up and die, and at the same time if we keep all we have received for ourselves, and not allow God’s love, grace and mercy to flow through us we will surely implode. Our heart does not think twice about it’s function, freely it has received—freely it gives, and in that giving and receiving we sustain life.

It's when we freely give all we have received from God that our heart's begin to beat in sync with His. As we share the blessings God has poured out upon us, understanding that He blesses us so we can bless others and as we minister to others in the same way He has ministered to us, we will experience healing of our spiritual health, the transformation of our lives. The impact of this divine heartbeat will impact the  lives of those around us, our communities and His Kingdom.

“You have been treated generously, so live generously” ~ Matthew 10:8 (The Message)

God the Missionary

God is on a mission.  In fact, He is the ultimate missionary. The Good News – is hope for all people and we receive that hope through our personal relationship with Christ. God saves us from sin and death, but not only that He saves us for a Mission. A mission of gift giving. We are saved to continue to share with all mankind the gifts that we have received from God, to extend His gift of hope, grace, mercy & love to others.

God is a missionary. The Latin theological term “Missio Dei” actually means “sending of God”. When kept in the context of the Scriptures, Missio Dei correctly emphasizes that God is the initiator of His mission to redeem through the Church a special people for Himself from all of the peoples of the world. He sent His Son for this purpose and He sends the Church into the world with the message of the gospel for the same purpose. God is Love – God is our Hope – and was sent as Love as Hope in His son Jesus Christ, and He send us now having received this Love and Hope to share it with others. God saves us through  and  then sends us to Love.  Given the example provided by God himself and Christ His son, we are not to get caught up in the notion that people need to come to God via the church or it's buildings, but rather that God extends His hope to us, sent His Son as hope for us, and ultimately lives within us and send us out to extend that hope to others.

Here we sit as Christians the largest religion in the world. More than 1/3 of all the people on the planet profess to be Christians. Over 2 billion strong – with the power of God on our side – the hope of a Saviour and yet our world is in despair, in darkness, lost, stumbling around in the darkness looking for a glimmer of hope.

I recall sitting in a seminar  years ago, that author Michael Frost led, and at the end he shared with us this challenge to create a missional rhythm of living, a way of living that would allow us to be that glimmer of hope in the darkness. Each person would meet with two others to keep each other accountable on the following:

GENEROSITY

BLESS X3 - What 3 people or 3 ways that you have blessed someone this week -

HOSPITALITY

EAT X 3 - What 3 people did you have time to break bread with / eat with -

LISTEN X 1 - Take time to be attentive to the Holy Spirit - What did you

hear God say this week

LEARN X 1 - Take time to learn the person of Jesus -CHRIST LIKENESS

SENT - Journal ways you have done the work of God this week. - MISSIONAL

The church has always been the one called to bring life, to bring HOPE, "if we rise to the crisis’ our society faces it will be the biggest witness the world has ever seen."

St. Patrick's Day - A Call to Serve Your Enemies

After the Irish songs are sung and the pinching is done, do you really know about why we celebrate this one?

 

Did you know that St. Patrick was a slave?  He was born in Britain but captured and sold into slavery in Ireland when he was 16.  Though not very religious at the time, his faith grew as he served as a slave shepherd in Ireland.  One day he felt God tell him through prayer to escape, so he made a run for it and ended up meeting a ship as it was about to set sail.  Somehow he got on board that ship which landed him in France, where he eventually found himself in a monastery.  At some point Patrick has a dream where an Irishman beckons him to return to Ireland to share the gospel.  With no schooling, it did not seem very feasible that the church would let him serve as a missionary.  However God told him to go, and prepared the way for him to do incredible things in Ireland.  Now the Irish are famous for their tall tales, so it is hard to separate fact from fiction. We know our God is big and can do more than we can ever dream or imagine, nothing is outside his abilities, so when hearing stories about  how he drove all the snakes out of Ireland, survived poisoning, turned an evil ruler into a fox and that his fingers turned into flashlights in the dark, the best we can do is use discernment, using reason, discernment, tradition and experience to shed light on these claims.  For example Ireland is not known to have had any snakes even before St. Patrick's time, and thus it probably referred more to the various pagan beliefs that were being espoused at that time.

What is cool is that we understand that during the time of his ministry in Ireland he used the 3 leaf clover to explain the Trinity, with each leaf representing the 3 parts of God being one.  One leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. Oh but what about the elusive four leaf clover? When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it is said to represent God's Grace.

So many celebrate this day, without understanding the impact and life of the one we celebrate.  St. Patrick a missionary who went when God said go, and as a result was freed from His chains of slavery, given a calling to share the Gospel with his enemies, the Irish, who initially enslaved him as a teen. It was not an easy task, as he faced opposition.  St. Patrick shared in one letter that he was on one occasion beaten, robbed of all he had, and put in chains, perhaps awaiting execution." In being obedient however, he freed many who did not even realize that they were living in the bondage of sin, enslaved in chains that only God himself could release.

I think the greatest lesson in the life of St. Patrick, is not only did he willingly return back to Ireland to serve his captors, no longer a slave to them but a bond servant of God himself,  but he invited His enemies to join with him in the celebration that comes from a new life found in Christ.

Amongst the festivities, parades, limericks and beer, may St. Patrick's day serve as a reminder to us that we are called to serve our enemies, to love them as we love ourselves and to share with them the same, love, grace and mercy that was extended to us, by our Heavenly Father.  God helping us, may we have enough forgiveness to invite our enemies into our lives, so that they too may come to know the joy of the Lord and thus join us in the celebration that awaits all God's children. 

As proud as I am of my Irish Heritage, I am more proud of being a Christian.  Today I can celebrate and wear that shamrock proudly, knowing what it represented to St. Patrick.

Our Message Needs to be Seen

A friend handed me a DVD on the weekend, which they had randomly come across and thought I might enjoy. The DVD called "Ignite the Light", contains messages from some popular speakers who had spoken at a conference held at the Peoples Church in Toronto.  One of those speakers is my favourite apologist, and learned evangelist, Ravi Zacharias.  The following are some of his points that resonated with me, as I watched it today.

Ladies and Gentlemen there is a world out there that needs to be reached, and our message needs to be seen. 

We are the only ones, in the world views around us, that claim our transformation is supernatural. We're not talking about being better people by more disciplines, we're not talking about lifting ourselves up by our moral bootstraps,  we actually contend that God has done for us what we cannot do ourselves. We are unable to do it, that is the doctrine of our regeneration, we are born again of the Holy Spirit of God.  If this birth is supernatural we had better be able to demonstrate that supernatural change.

We need a Christian answer that is...

Not Merely heard, but also Seen: It's the thorniest thing, why so much of quarreling that goes on in our circles, why so much of  jealousy, why so many big egos, why such power struggles. If we really want to change this world and take it seriously, I truly believe it can be done with a much greater victory than it has been, if the ministry we have to our friends is visible and not just audible.

Not Merely Argued but also Felt: Henri Nouwen taught us a lesson that the message is not merely cerebral and argumentative, it is a message that must be felt and felt deeply in the soul.

Harnesses the Word: How do you reach a generation for whom feeling and life is identical? You reach that generation by demonstrating that word and life must be identical to. If you can show that, in the beginning was the the word and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, the word has to become like a fire within our bones

I realize that by excerpting certain quotes, you lose some of the supporting content and context, but the truth's he elaborated on are valid and powerful .  The question is in light of it, what are we to do?  This is precisely what I am excited to share on April 11th.  Interest peaked?  Check back then to see how you too can take baby steps that will have the potential to create epic ripples. 

Privileged to Serve

We watch inspirational movies about coaches and teachers coming alongside their students and players, influencing them towards greatness, but the truth remains that God, has equipped each of us to do the same in the lives of all those He brings across our path.  It is no small thing to care for another, to give of our time, to invest in the life of another.  No effort when extended in sincerity  of heart, to the benefit of another goes unused.  We may never see the fruits of our labour this side of heaven, and that is okay, because we know that it is to God's glory and through His mercy and strength that lives are transformed.

Then there are those times, overwhelming, humbling, privileged glimpses of how He uses us to touch the life of another!  With God, our life has meaning.  Because of God, we can help others to see that their lives have meaning.  It is not in the grandiose gestures, extravagant events or even planned, plotted and prepared endeavours that we truly transform this world, and the lives of those who live within it.  It is simply in allowing our hearts to touch another's - together pulsating loudly with beats of passion that encourages each of us on to greatness, like tribal drums beckoning us to unite and go forth, conquering all that stands between us and our dreams.

God, has set my heart to pounding.  I pray my dreams will be His dreams!  I will do all He asks of me, from the seemingly small to the uncomfortably inconceivable.  I do not deserve all that God has provided me, this life, the privilege to serve, to share my life with others and theirs with mine, but I am grateful.  I am oh so thankful for the opportunities to share with others all that God has shared with me.

Heart for Others - it's a Lifestyle

Today I went down to Martha's Table to help serve supper to those in need.  I was privileged to meet a young University student who was volunteering for the first time.  In only 2 hours together this young girl, left quite an impression on me.

Through our introductions, I learned that she was enrolled in the religion program at school, which made it easy for me to respond that I was a pastor, when she asked what it was that I did.  (She thought I was a student as well - That made my day...lol)

It wasn't however, her kind remarks about my youthful looks that left an impression.  Her heart for others was so vivid.  I remember when I was in Africa, one of the workers had a shirt that said "Heart for Others - it's a lifestyle". I loved that shirt and subsequently was given one to take back with me to Canada.  My co-volunteer today, exemplified that saying.  Her heart for others was being lived out in front of my eyes.

Here she was volunteering, on her own volition, not for community service hours, or as part of her program, but simply because she wanted to help those in need. Even with a busy work and school schedule, she still took time to come and serve others.  In fact as we came to the end of our shift at 5:30pm she was preparing to run home to get her books to make her evening class.  While this was her first time volunteering at Martha's, it will not be her last, before she left she made sure to sign up to volunteer again next week!

She was a very personable young lady with a sweet demeanor and her concern for the clients was genuine.  She wanted them to be blessed. During her first shift, she expressed a desire to be able to get her workplace (a local restaurant) to come together as a team to do the cooking, cleaning and hosting of a gourmet meal for the clients. Her concern however, extended beyond just the clients.  She engaged the volunteers around her in conversation, and took the time to inquire about their lives, actively listening to all they had to share.  Half way through our shift, she casually made the statement that making personalized aprons might be a suitable gift to give each of the volunteers as a thank-you.  Here she is, on her first day, a heart full of compassion wanting not only that the clients be blessed, but the volunteers to feel loved and appreciated as well.

We carried on our conversation and talked about boys, as single girls sometimes do.  I told her about a series my girlfriends and I are doing on relationships, sharing a funny 6 minute diatribe by Perry Noble about how men should pursue - women (I feel like I should bold that statement...lol).  It was a great, light conversation that took an unexpected turn as I talked about how men primarily need to feel respected, and women primarily want to feel loved, not at the exclusion of one to the other of course.  She said, she had never thought of it like that, but that it made sense. This opened the door to more casual talks of religion, service and God.

She confessed that she was liberal in her religious beliefs.  While she held her beliefs in God and her religion, she also respected the rights that others had to their own beliefs, and felt that all religions could co-exist together.  Through our conversation it became clear to me that we may have some differences in understanding. I too agree that everyone has the right to believe what they choose.  I believe as humans we need to co-exist amicably, however, given the vast foundational differences amongst the various religions of the world, it is impossible for them each to co-exist with equal footing.   They can not all be equally valid, since their espoused truths are sometimes diametrically opposed. As a Christian, I believe that there is one God, and He in his goodness and grace, married His perfect justice with His perfect love, by sending His Son to be the Saviour of all - the complete and all encompassing sacrifice, that allows any one, the opportunity to enter into a relationship with Him. "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me".  Any religion which does not ascribe to this, contradicts the essence of my faith and therefore cannot co-exist in foundational harmony. That being said,  having just met, I was not about to enter into a theological debate with her, I am sure she gets enough of that from her atheist religion professors.  Through our thoroughly enjoyable conversation we agreed that the best way to preach is through our own lives, sharing the gospel, using words only when necessary.  Greater than our differences was that we connected on our love of God and others. I look forward to working with her and enjoying some great conversations over the steam table once again, who knows what God will reveal to each of us, or how this relationship will serve to draw us each closer to God.

As I left Martha's table I couldn't help but think, how by simply taking 2 hours out of my day, I was able to not only help others, but increase my sphere of influence. I have now made a connection with someone new, and through that connection was able to be blessed, and perhaps be a blessing.  How do we change the world? By investing in others, the dividends are priceless and unlike any other commodity - last into eternity!

Abandon your lesser visions in favor of living life the way God intended … with one eye on him, one eye on the people he loves, and a heart that beats fast for kingdom-building activity.  Live in light of the reality that the only thing you can take to heaven are the people whose lives you touch!  Throw your one and only life — all of your energies, your resources, your passion — into making a difference with people, and you will one day say, “Now that was a life well-lived!” ~ Bill Hybels/Just Walk Across the Room

God says Go

I was asked recently if I would consider coming to India to speak at a large conference as well as at a number of other events and churches from June 12 - 20.  The opportunities to share the word of God include at least 3 churches, 2 student events and 2 public events addressing non-Christians, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.  I was humbled and taken aback but definitely honoured.  One of the students at the college in Thailand had heard me speak, and apparently was impacted by what God had to say through me.  He and His family run a church ministry in Andhrapradesh, India.  Last year they held a conference for students  to encourage them through their studies because of the great pressure they are under and preach the Gospel to them. India puts extreme pressure on it's students through the education system with overwhelming course loads, nearly 0 time off throughout the year, and not to mention its degree of difficulty barely giving students a social, family or any sort of relational life.  Put all that together and you generate a country that has one of the greatest depression and suicide rates among its students in the World.  So the students in His area are a burden on his heart.   Around 5000 attended last years event.

I often hear people say where is God in these situations, be it India, Africa, Camodia, Haiti, or New Orleans. Why does God allow these people to suffer? Why is God not doing anything to help? and I am sure God is asking us the same thing. Why are you not doing anything to help them, I have given you everything you need, every opportunity. God is for them among those He sends. But like our salvation it requires us to choose to accept it – to say yes – to Go.  God does not reside in a temple - God lives in us! The Holy spirit does not reside in the buildings we create but in the body God has created for us. I've learned that when it comes to serving, you never have to ask God –should I do this or that – should I give this or that – God has already called us to go – to Give – to extend His love, grace and mercy to each person He brings across our path, GOD SAYS GO – UNTIL GOD SAYS NO

I have agreed to go and for the first time that I can recall, I am placing all control in the hands of God and others.  Already this is a stretching experience, requiring me to grow in Trust.

I've been thinking of putting together a book with photos and devotions from my time in Africa to sell, in order  to raise funds for this and other service trips. So I've decided that for today's post to include a devotion from my time in Africa.  If you're interested in finding out more about purchasing one of the books with proceeds going towards service trips to India, Haiti and Cambodia please feel free to contact me.

May 8th - 2007 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever" "The Lord is for me among those who help me" ~ Psalm 118:29 &7

Our luggage arrived!  This is only one of the mall blessings we experienced today!  Thank you father for the privilege of playing a small part in Your great plan.  You truly are good and Your mercy endures forever!  I see joy in the faces of those who have suffered more pain than I could ever imagine. A pure unadulterated joy.  I remember experiencing moments of that joy and i know that it comes from You.  I understand how much we take for granted - we are a privileged and still selfish people.  These children, aged 2 -12 have no mom or dad or are orphaned, many are dying of AIDS, some have been raped countless times and still they sing praises to You.  One boy maybe 10 sat near me leg outstretched, revealing the rotting flesh around his ankle - white and bloody, where once thick dark healthy epidermis covered it.  As I noticed it, he noticed me and was, I think, embarrassed - covering his wound up with his hands.  I sadly reflect on the fact that these your children are covering up much deeper wounds than those of the flesh.

I pray Father that you will use Keera and I to help heal those wounds, or at least help each child recognize they are Your child - deeply loved children who need not be embarrassed, for their Father in heaven is not ashamed.  May they know Lord - believe- experience, that you are good - that they see glimpses of you through us!  May they know that you are for them among those who come to help - those who have gone before - who continue to this day and those to come.  Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  May they know that this verse is for them!  They can bank on your promise - build a future on the hope you provide.  Continue to equip and enable "Somebody Cares" to lead this young people to their hope & future. Even when that hope and future comes in facing death knowing they will meet you face to face.

Is Church Meant for the Atheist?

I love books, and reading, so on my day off I rest and read.  Today I am reading a book I picked up at Chapters titled "I Sold My Soul on eBay - Viewing Faith through an Atheists Eyes" by Hemant Mehta. It was a great deal at only $4.99.

You may recall the name Hemant Mehta, he is the Atheist who auctioned off the opportunity for someone to have him go to a church of their choosing.  The bidding started at $10/hour and he figured it would probably top off there, meaning he would have to go to church 1 week for 1 hour.  In fact the auction closed at $504 with Jim Henderson of offthemap.com being the winner.  This meant the Hemant was to go to church 1 hour, each week, for a year.  In fact Jim had him attend no more than 15 churches and write his impressions of those churches for his blog. I am on Chapter 6 of 10 and my first impression is that the book would have been more accurately subtitled "viewing church through an Atheist's eyes".  I will let you know if this impression changes by the end.

As I entered the 3rd Chapter, I found myself asking.  Is Mr. Mehta's opinion as an unbeliever pertinent? Is a Sunday morning service meant for Atheists?  Historically, were non-believers catered to in the holy temples?

In his book, Hemant, revisits an old parable of the sun and the wind.  The story goes that a battle ensued between the wind and the sun over who was more powerful.  The wind contended that it had the ability to move ships across oceans, destroy cities, and cause bridges to collapse.  The Sun countered that it could start fires, help crops, and power entire buildings.

The Wind and the Sun decided to settle the matter once and for all.  Spotting a young girl walking to school, they decided to compete to see who could make the girl take off her jacket.  The wiser Sun, knowing he would easily be the victor, sat back and watched while the Wind went to work.  The Wind's strategy was to blow the jacket off the girl.  It blew harder and harder hoping the girl would give up the struggle and stop clutching her jacket.  Yet every time the Wind blew, the girl only clung more tightly.  No matter what the Wind did, it could not find a way to separate the girl from the jacket.

Next, it was the Sun's turn.  It simply shone as bright as it could.  As the girl felt the heat building up, she quickly removed her jacket.  The Sun won the contest.

As I read this parable, I drew a parallel between the wind and a Sunday morning service as it applies to the Atheist. Sunday morning service has the potential to feel like your entering a wind tunnel to those who have not been introduced to Jesus. The Church is a place of worship and if someone does not have a personal relationship with God, then many of  the expressions of that worship will hold little meaning. As it appears by Hemant's experience, Sunday morning service  can leave the unbeliever confused by rituals they do not understand, prayers to a God they do not yet believe in, songs that hold little meaning, and messages that could be perceived as judgmental or coercive rather than persuasive.  Not that all is lost, good fellowship, engaging songs, and great teaching will undoubtedly benefit any unbeliever in attendance.

 

As I continue to read this book, I grapple with the idea that Sunday morning service should  be designed specifically to attract the non-believer. Undoubtedly the church body is to be a supportive, if not, the primary source for meeting the needs of those that make up the community outside their stained glass walls (Christian or otherwise) yet the discipleship and worship programs of the church have a primary responsibility to the body of believers. I would not go to a mosque and expect that they would need to change their style or method of worship in order to convert or even attract me as an unbeliever.

I appreciate Hemant's views as an Atheist attending church, and agree many of his observations have merit, however, they are observations that many believers would make as well as they are matters of preference of style and form of sermon delivery, worship, etc..  His criticism of content, appears to be more a result of a lack of biblical understanding or faith experience.  As a result I would be more interested in knowing what a Christian thinks of the places we worship? Do the sermons minister to them and are they grounded in biblical truth and balanced with relevance? Does the music draws them into the presence of the God they love? Do they find themselves involved in lifting up prayers from their heart?  Is the service relevant, is there accountability in place, is the fellowship sincere, is their foundation in Christ strengthened?

I do not believe that Sunday morning (or whichever day and time your church body gathers) is meant to be seeker sensitive, unless you are being sensitive to the only seeker who matters - God.  However, the most recognizable entity of the Christian faith has become the church as signified by steeples and stained glass. When what should be the most recognizable entity, is us as individuals within whom Christ Dwells. When non-Christians are seeking the truth they go to what we have created as the most recognizable, most significant symbol - where we have dictated the truth is kept, a temple of brick and mortar.  When in actual fact, that greatest testament to the truth of God, lives within us, the body of Christ - the individual members of the church. We, who have already entered into a relationship with Jesus, should be like the Sun in the parable, emitting the warmth of God's love to those around us. When we allow His light to shine in our life, and are obedient, to leave our places of worship and go into our communities and LIVE out our faith, then the seekers would seek us out {the real church/the true temple}, and we could gather where they are and share the truth that has been given to us, allowing the love of God to permeate and persuade them. Isn't that the model of church Christ exemplified.

That being said I would love to hear a non-believers critical analysis of the programs, means and ways in  which we try to evangelize, the organic ways and the planned and plotted ones.  I believe this would be more pertinent coming from a non-believer and would help to curb the risk of the body of believers becoming like a wind tunnel, blowing a lot of hot air at people, in our attempts to convert them (like that is our job). I would also purchase a book that chronicled first hand accounts of the ways in which God used others to bring individuals into a personal relationship with Himself.

So do I think church is meant for the atheist or non-believer? Referring to the building and worship programs, not specifically, it's primary purpose is to the body of believers, though it is still a great place for all to come on a Sunday morning, and I delight that the doors are open to all.  In fact I have witnessed time and again, first hand accounts of God's salvation grace being extended to an unbeliever after a Sunday morning message, resulting in their lives being transformed. If we are referring to church as the body of believers - definitely, the church as an extension of God himself is for everybody. We are commanded to love others as we love ourselves - all others. [Matthew 19:19]

Don't Just Give Up - Give Back

Today, Ash Wednesday begins the 40 day season of Lent.  A period marking the 40 days before Jesus death and resurrection.  40  is a number of great biblical significance including  the number of days Jesus spent in the desert before starting His public ministry.  It was here that He was tempted. He was in essence preparing and disciplining himself, to do the work God had called him to.

The 40 days of Lent leading up to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ is a time of reflecting on the cost and sacrifice that was made on our behalf. I have come to realize that despite my best attempts I will never be perfect and sometimes it seems I can not even do good, but thankfully grace is extended to me through the cross. As I reflect on all that Christ endured I find myself asking, how can I love Him better. The answer comes quite plainly in Scripture "Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength and love your neighbour as yourself."  So for me Lent is a season of purposeful focus, learning what it means to Love God and others better and then putting it into practice. Loving God better requires giving more of myself to Him and to others, while trusting in the fullness of all that was completed on the cross.

Lent is a time for self-reflection, saying search my heart oh God and reveal any unclean way in me and then turning away from those things. A time for learning what it means to follow Christ, and to listen to the Spirit. A time for actually going about changing one's ways to be more as Christ would have us be.  That being said, I have never quite understood, some of the practices that are adopted during the Lenten season.  Some of it seems quite trivial. For example, what benefit is it to God or anyone else if we give up chocolate or coffee for 40 days only to return to the same indulgent pleasures on the 41st day. If we are going to give something up, shouldn't we choose something worth giving up for good? It is then that we are truly developing the discipline of self-control and identifying with the sufferings of Christ.  

I suggest however that Lent involves more than just a giving up but also a giving back; a giving back to God of ourselves and a giving of ourselves to others.  Jesus gave everything up all the way to the cross, so that we could eventually have everything back. He gave it all up so He could give it all back.  

I have decided to give up some things this Lenten season (2011), hoping to break habits which rob me of time with God and others, and yet do not add to my  life.  TV, Facebook,  and unnecessary expenses, to list a few.  Now giving up these things for 40 days is fine but not overly beneficial to God or others. It is only worth doing, if I come to a place where it no longer masters me, where a negative habit is broken.  I love the Franciscan phrase, "The less that "stuff" preoccupies our lives, the more room there is for God, as well as for ourselves and for other people." Thus giving up must be replaced with a giving back. So by giving these things up, I can now invest that time in my relationship with God and in serving others. Where I would typically be on Facebook or in front of the TV, I will read His word, pray, worship and spend time serving and building relationship with others. In essence, God helping me, I am changing my ways to be more like Christ would have them be, serving others and glorifying God. The money that I save by not purchasing a coffee, or fast food, or items to indulge me or more often others, will go towards my missions trip to India as well as helping to break an especially sticky habit.

Yesterday served as a perfect example on how giving up is simply a means for giving back.  I had just finished visiting with a friend and was going to go home and rest for a bit in front of the TV before going to bible study.  Then I realized, oh yah, I gave up TV, so instead, I drove to Martha's Table, a local soup kitchen and served supper to the disadvantaged. Then I came home and made dates to go have coffee with people over the week.

I have no idea what your intentions are for the Lenten season, but might I suggest you take this 40 days to reflect on the immense gift of grace that was enabled through Christ's sacrifice. Then God helping you, surrender your heart, time and desires and ask Him to reveal to you what you can/should give up in order to love Him and others better.  Develop a great new habit, one that mirrors the heart of Christ, while at the same time eliminating a habit that otherwise serves as a stumbling block in your relationship with God and others.

"Jesus is not looking for self-torture, self-hatred, woe-is-me thinking, 40-day starvation and oceans of tears. (Many great saints and plain fools have thought that's what He wanted.) Lent is for soberly looking into yourself and getting down to what's real. Self-hatred is not being real. How could it be right to despise someone whom God loves and treasures? The Sundays aren't counted in the 40 days of Lent, because every Sunday carries with it a part of the glow of Easter Sunday. So it's not all gloom and doom. But even on the Sundays, the theme of repentance (turning from our ungodly ways) holds true. When you repent, you please God whether you fast or not, and that is what most counts for Lent."

Much like Jesus - God has great things for you to do. In fact Jesus said "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  If Jesus had to spend 40 days in the desert, resisting temptation and preparing for the work God had for Him to do, then we would be well served to take these 40 days to do the same.  Commit this time to God, allow Him to work in and through you, focused on allowing Him to transform and prepare you to do Great things in His name.

Used by God

I have the privilege each Saturday of serving on the Kingston Street Truck.  A parked converted bread van, that provides the homeless and disadvantaged an opportunity to get out of the cold, enjoy a hot beverage and some good conversation.  I love Saturday nights.  Yesterday, a couple of my friends joined me for an evening full of great discussion. Discussion on a number of biblical topics, initiated by one of our clients.  While another younger homeless man, who fell asleep for a couple hours, awoke to share with us some of his thoughts.  In a convoluted and circuitous manner,  he made a number of interesting and poignant statements.  The thing that caught us all off guard, was when he shared with us the gospel as boldly and clearly as any pastor.  I think we were all slapped in the face a bit.  All that night, those who came on the truck shared their experiences and understandings of God.  We did not initiate this line of discussion, but were certainly pleased to be engaged in it.  When we locked up for the night and began the drive home, I shared how I was humbled, to know that those who rarely darken a church door, have the courage and fortitude to share the gospel and the word of God with a stranger, sometimes putting us to shame.

I was reminded of an  episode of Oprah I saw a couple years ago,where she interviewed a Girl form Atlanta who shared Jesus with her Kidnapper who just so happened to kill a bunch of people earlier. I had heard her story a few times, but rarely did they explain her life situation, leaving me with the impression, she was this lifetime Christian, when in fact she was a recovering Crystal Meth addict who had just given up her daughter and could not keep a job.

But God spoke to her, God used her, she heard his voice, and was obedient - she WAS an "Unlikely ANGEL". She shared with him from "The Purpose Driven Life" and as a result saved her life, his life and probably the lives of many others.

I am reminded of the people that are so often judged and written off as useless, to far for even God to find. I am reminded of friends I have had who among all their struggles, all their burdens, in spite of their strongholds, have allowed God {even if they did not recognize it} if even for a moment to use them - to save someone else. "IF YOU GIVE WHAT YOU GOT TO GOD - HE WILL TAKE IT AND USE IT"

God is working in us all, We all have a long way to go, we are all at different places in our Christian Walk, but If we listen for God, and are obedient to His voice, then we will be saved and can save others. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE USED BY GOD!

We need to be careful so careful of not becoming so caught up in our own transformation that we forget where we came from and fall into the trap of judging others.  There is a purpose for every life!

I am Pro-Life

I did not have a chance to watch the Superbowl.  I was cheering for the saints though, the New Orleans Saints and the saints that joined me on Sunday.  Not only did I miss the Superbowl but also all the entertaining commercials.  I saw this morning for the first time, Focus on the Family's Tim Tebow Superbowl Ad.

There has been a lot of controversy over this commercial which I personally think is unwarranted  The commercial  did what I think is appropriate for Christians to do.  Present what they stand-for without attacking what they stand against. It was a pro-life message verses an an anti-choice one.

I'm Pro Life and I advocate Pro Life. God is certainly Pro Life!  He created life - "God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them" ~Genesis 1:27.  He gives life - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." ~John 10:10.  It breaks his heart when we take life from anyone, for any reasons. "Thou shall not kill" ~ Exodus 20:13 "Jesus replied, 'Do not murder,'" ~ Matthew 19:18.  This being said, I do not spend my time fighting against pro-choice. God has given us all free will. While we are commanded and advised to not do certain things, we are not prevented from doing them. God guides us and He informs us of the consequences of our choices good and bad. The consequences for not following His commands or advice, both temporally and eternally will be devastating for all involved but ultimately God still leaves the decision to the individual. While I am a strong pro-life proponent, I recognize that people have a choice both because it is legal and because God has given us free will. Make it illegal and people will still have a choice, though the consequences of an ungodly decision could be even more devastating. 

I am not God and I certainly have no desire to play God, instead, I want to point people towards Him.  I want to be an advocate for the things of God. I want to be able to build relationships and present the truth in love, advising them of the possible, probable and definite consequences of any decision so that they can make the right choice, the Godly choice. I realize that in the end the choice is theirs to make - theirs to live with, but believe this is the best chance I have to influence anyone.

My question is where are the Christians in the lives of  people before they find themselves lost in the darkness of confusion and hopelessness looking for a way out?  I suggest that more lives would be saved, more women would choose life if we spent more of our time coming alongside people, building relationships, providing them support and pointing them towards the hope they need, to believe that they can get through anything.  The Tim Tebow story is evidence of this - it was their relationship with God and trust in them that gave them the strength to make the decision they did.  I would love to know what percentage of people who stand with picket signs, fill-out petitions, and lobby government, spend as much or more time working in crisis pregnancy care centers, mentor young women struggling with self-esteem and promiscuity.  How many are interested in ministering to those who make the difficult decision amongst confusion and feelings of hopelessness and need healing?

If God will not force someone to make the right decision, what makes us believe that we could do so.  What we can do is reach out to those among us, and lead them to the Saviour.  Trusting that He will help them to make the right choice, saving perhaps not only 1 life but 2. We need to spend less time focused on fighting against the issue and more time focusing on people, building relationships, extending the same grace, mercy and love that was extended to us by our Heavenly Father. Here is what I know to be true - if people are brought to a place where they choose God - then they will choose life!

Consider Our Ways...

I have the privilege of facilitating a 48 hour prayer vigil this weekend at church.  While I was praying, I became distracted by the sound of the cars going by, which got me thinking and in turn inspired this - my 2nd attempt at poetry slam. Perhaps I`ll attempt to write one a week, but we`ll see how it goes. I could definitely use the practice. This is a spoken word art form, so a little is lost when it is read rather than heard. 

CONSIDER OUR WAYS...
I hear the cars driving by, whizzing, streaming by and I wonder why, they never stop to look inside - this sanctuary. Is it scary? Or is there something more ominous looming? Like the possibility that we are not choosing - to go beyond these stained glass walls to where it is dirty, messy and Jesus calls, us to start leading people out of the darkness, pulling them out of the muck and mire. Cause perhaps we're to concerned that it may ruin our image, mess up our attire.

You can debate me on this, argue that it's not the case but given the evidence or lack there of could you look me in the face. When people are lost more than ever before, many never having even darkened a church door. When there is so much space in this sacred place, full of empty pews and seats - tell me where is all the "Fresh Meat". I'll tell you where it is - in the world rotting away, unaware of their spirits decay, all because our fear or selfishness keeps us away.

Don't blame it on God when He has called you to get out of your pew, to start putting others ahead of you. There are people in Darfur dying, children crying, homeless people sleeping on the street, nations with nothing to eat. So many of God's children oppressed. this world is a mess. Yet we sit back and say it ain't our fault, wondering why the dark is so dark - pitch black like a moonless night. The question worth asking is why is our light not so bright.

Blood stained sacrifice paid the price - Do we honour the cost? When our inaction seems to indicate that we don't really care about the lost. Do we even care to bring them inside - this place where we hide? Or are we embarrassed and ashamed that our church is not all that we've claimed. Maybe we will recognize the error of all that we've been doing, building palaces for ourselves, while God's temple inside our hearts lies in ruins.

I don't mean to rant or come down to hard, my intention is not to have you leaving here emotionally scared - but if you are getting a little offended -then perhaps your heart needs to be mended. Maybe this Def Jam Slam was meant for you, because God has powerful, incredible things for you to do. Don't pack your bags, I'm not sending you on a guilt trip. These words are meant to challenge and edify the church not break the spirits of the saints like a whip. I am there with you, trying to get it right, considering my ways and how to brighten the light within me so that others can see when I venture into the dark, someting worth having, a spark, that will ignite a desire to know of God and his refining fire. Let's consider our ways and how to ensure this is a place of God's glory, where people come and sing praises, sharing their own story - Of how God's servants came blazing bright, leading them out of the darkness and into the light.

Do This and You Will Live

Yesterday was a government holiday here in the USA.  It was Martin Luther King day, a day set aside to honour one of the greatest civil rights leaders the world has ever known.  I have always admired Dr. Martin Luther King.  Did you know he skipped ninth and twelth grade and started college at age 15, graduating with a Bachelors in Sociology, Bachelor of Divinity and Doctorate of Philosophy? He was inspired by many people, including Ghandi. He had the privilege of  going to India in 1959 to visit Ghandi. This meeting profoundly affected him and deepened his passion for and commitment to non-violent resistance.  He was the youngest person to ever win the Nobel peace prize for his work to end racial segragation and discrimination.   He was also a Baptisit Minister who focused his efforts on ending poverty and opposing the Vietnam war from a faith perspective. At 6:01 p.m. April 4, 1986 Martin Luther King was assasinated with a single bullet while standing on the balcony of his Hotel room.

The man was a great preacher and his sermons are incredible.  I decided that today, and perhaps throughout this week, I would post a blog initiated by one of his quotes, beginning with the following one:

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"

The parable of the good Samaritan, found in the book of Luke Chapter 10 verses 25-37,  was an illustration Jesus shared to drive home the biblical truth that kindness and goodness should never be witheld from anyone but instead made available to all. In the story, a Jewish man is attacked by bandits, robbing him of all he had and leaving him for dead. As he lay there dying a priest sees him, but purposely crosses over to the other side of the road to avoid him.  Then one of his kinsmen, a Levite, sees him writhing in agony, but also passes him by. Then a Samaritan, (who are despised by the Jews) comes along and feels compassion for the man, not only does he bandage his wounds, but he takes him to an inn, paying the innkeeper to take care of the man, promising to come back should it cost any more than what he has given to meet the needs of the wounded Jewish man. At the end of the illustration Jesus asks the listener "“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?”  The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”  Jesus wants us to understand that regardless of colour, religious belief, sexual orientation, style of dress, intelligence, wealth or poverty, everyone is our neighbour.  When it comes to the greatest commandment "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbour as yourself"  Our neighbour applies to everyone who comes across our path!

Martin Luther King Jr. poignantly addresses the concerns that many have when it comes to helping others, befriending others, loving on others.  If I do this what will happen to me?  What will people think of me? How will I be affected? What will it cost me? His profound response is that our first questions should be how will others be affected if we choose to not care for them  and love on them. 

The parable of the good samaritan was Jesus' response to a religious expert who asked him "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”  

Not only does our disobedience to the greatest commandment negatively affect others, but ourselves as well. What consequences will we face, not only temporal or eternal if we do not help, befriend and love on those God brings across our path? What will ultimately cost you more, taking the time and initiative to love on others or ignoring the greatest commandment by not doing so.  Can we afford to not love our neighbour as ourself?

It all begins with hello or My Epic Fail

There are not too many things in life more regretful than missed opportunities.

This morning I went to Canadian Tire, to get one of my tires replaced before my road trip to Delaware on Monday.  The mechanic took my car in at 10:30, so I made myself comfortable in their posh waiting room, sinking myself into one of the large leather chairs, placed in front of the fireplace and big screen TV. There were three other people, 2 men and a woman in the room as well.  As I sat there, looking straight ahead at the TV, not saying a word, I found it interesting that here were 4 individuals stuck in a room with nothing to do, yet no one was saying a word.  I toyed with the idea of opening with Hello, but I didn't.  I just sat there thinking how silly it was that none of us, would engage the other.  I sat there, in my chair the whole time, realizing that if I would just start a conversation perhaps, one of us would leave impacted in ways we never imagined when we awoke that morning. Ashamedly, I exhibited an issue many of us suffer from - we think to much and do to little. I have no other way to explain this missed opportunity to enter into relationship except to say it was an EPIC FAIL on my part.

Some may say that I am being a bit over dramatic.  That I am making a mountain out of a mole hill.  The truth this incident merely revealed the symptoms of  a larger problem. As I drove away in my newly re-tired, the following three lessons became painfully obvious.

Call it intimidation or call it fear but whatever it is that keeps us from doing the thing, that we know we should - will cripple us and rob others.  I can not deny that I knew what I should do, but I was intimidated.  I was afraid of how I might be perceived by others, worried about offending someone or interrupting them in their silence.   In that moment I failed to trust God who says in Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Logically and spiritually I knew what to do and, yet as I battled it out in my mind, I remained silent in my chair, till I left, without a goodbye.

Social Justice starts with being social.  You can't isolate yourself from society and expect to make a difference in someone's life, let alone change the world. Entertaining a party of one helps no one.   We were designed as relational beings. We are created to be in relationship with God and others.  From the very beginning God said "it is not good for man to be alone" Gen 2:18. This is not just about marriage.  Just as God enters into relationship with us He desires that we enter into relationships with others.  Our capability for virtual connectedness continues to increase exponentially with the introduction of new technology, though it appears that it has been to the hindrance of  actual real live interaction. So the hands of Jesus are kept snug in the safety and warmth of our proverbial pockets, while our feet remain planted in the comfort of our homes, even our mouths seem disabled, as we connect more through the aid of "Qwerty". We watch the devastating news of tragedies unfold on TV so that we are socially aware, we mind our "P's" and "Q's" so that we are socially correct, we set our hearts on climbing the social ladders and yet we do this, often at the sacrifice of being socially just.

The opportunity to make a difference will meet you right where you are at.  Every day in a myriad of simple and profound ways we're invited to step into the life of someone and offer encouragement, hope comnfort and more.  God desires to use us to make a real impact in the lives of others, and so, He brings us to places where we are encouraged to engage one another.  "As God brings people across our path, we are changed by them and we are used by God to shape and change others" Jesus has the power to change lives!  We can change cities and countries - one life at a time.
It all begins with Hello!

Honouring the Wise

A busy day but one that has left me keenly aware of how incredibly blessed I am. Specifically by the amazing friends God has brought into my life.  At this point though, I am too overwhelmed, to even begin to eloquently express my gratitude.

There was however, another group of individuals that I was grateful and appreciative of today.  A people who unfortunately, we do not often give enough credit or recognition to.  In fact it would appear that the elderly become less revered with the birth of each generation.  It's a sad testimony of our society that we no longer esteem the elderly in the position of honour, that they have duly earned. 

I had the privilege today to sit with and serve alongside these older, exceptional individuals. As I engaged them in conversation, I heard wonderful stories, of days gone by.  Days when they would butcher and can their own beef.  They would leave it hanging in the barn over the winter season, going out to chop off what they needed as they needed it. Days when flour and sugar were delivered by the barrel, and mom would bake 14 loaves of a bread a week, (from scratch, sans bread maker) to feed the family. Tales of times when the preacher would "come a calling", knowing that along the trail there would be a meal ready and waiting for him. I listened as these Pillars of our faith, sang some of the most theologically sound and beautiful hymns with such fervour and authenticity that I could not help but smile in delight. Simple stories by the standards of our fast paced, Google, society and yet in it's simplicity, profound.

"These people bring to us generations of wisdom, stories of global progress and decline, memories of a time before television, cars, airplanes, moon launches and nuclear bombs.  They chart for us the childlike steps of nations determined to be modern, of despots grabbing power, of people trying to be free, of frontiers becoming urban centers. They link together the generation of long ago with the generation of today." ~Tony Campolo

The trouble is that, more often than not, we push the elderly aside, considering them more of a burden than a blessing. When we do take the time to spend with them, we only allow ourselves to enter into surface conversations, our minds inattentive, preoccupied with the deeds of the day.  If, however, we truly engaged the elderly we would gain so much wisdom.  We would get a peek into a life long gone.  When we invest time in their lives, our lives become richer.

Proverbs, the biblical book of wisdom very clearly gives credit where credit is due, explaining in chapter 16 verse 31 that "Grey hair is a crown of splendor." It is the distinguishing mark of someone who has lived through the years, earning the wisdom that experience affords.    "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding" Job 12:12. Like a thirsty horse, brought to a watering hole, how we would be refreshed and revived, if only we would sit at the feet of wisdom and soak it up.

Not only do they hold wisdom we can not afford to ignore but I have experienced that the elderly are some of our best cheerleaders. They know what it is to struggle through the ups and downs of life, they have experienced the crippling hurt of loss and the exceeding joy of triumph.  In turn, most want nothing more than to help spare us the pain, and see us grab hold of the victories. They truly do mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Unlike our peers, there is no sense of competition.  They are so past that.  Meaning that they can, with an unadulterated heart and pure motives, extend their full support, and constant encouragement to us in our efforts to achieve our dreams and live fully the life God has prepared for us.

There is a popular though somewhat demeaning cliche that says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," but you can certainly learn from them, how to master the old ones and avoid the mistakes of new ones.  We need to return to the days when silver hair was revered as a crown.  Back to a time when we recognized and cherished the contributions of our elders.

For those of you, who still struggle to recognize the importance of valuing our elders, God has this to say, as quoted from Leviticus 19:32.   "Show respect to the aged; honor the presence of an elder; fear your God. I am God."

The Modern Leper

I just finished reading "Everybody Wants to Change the World, Practical Ideas for Social Justice".  It was a good book touching on a number of justice issues. It provides the reader resources for how they might get involved in implementing positive social change, from a biblical perspective.

 
Chapter 7 entitled "The Sick and Disabled", particularly impacted me.  This chapter focused on the AIDS epidemic and as I read, I learned that Worlds Aids Day falls on December 1st. This is an issue very close to my heart, having seen the affects of AIDS first hand in Africa and just recently returning from serving in the AIDS hospice in Cambodia. In fact, my mind immediately started to crunch the numbers, trying to establish when it was that I was in Cambodia.  I quickly realized that December 1st was the day my mind was held captive on the long bus ride back to Thailand, as I worked through copious scenarios, trying to establish, if and how I could continue to serve those I met in the Poi Pet AIDS hospice.  With offer and opportunity, I  felt compelled to remain in Cambodia serving at the hospice.  The connections I made there were powerful, the stories unforgettable.

Before I share a personal story, let me establish for you some facts. I looked up the UN Global report on Aids which is issued every 2 years (2008) and found the following. An estimated 33 million people were living with HIV in 2007. There were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 2 million AIDS-related deaths last year and of those 500,000 were children. "In some regions of the world entire villages have been decimated in places where parents, teachers, administrators and commerce leaders succumbed to the disease."  I witnessed this first hand in Malawi, where children living with AIDS were orphaned because their parents had succumbed to the same disease.  This left a population of the very young and very old.  Where the very old would take care of the very young, until they themselves passed on, leaving children raising children.

AIDS is not just a 3rd world issue.  In North America approx. 1.2 million people are living with AIDS. In 2007 alone, there were 54,000 new infections and 23,000 deaths.

Such a significant decimation of human life and yet since the diseases' sinister inception, many maintain the same attitudes of those in the days of Jesus who responded to the lepers  with  "unclean! unclean! unclean! "Clear the way! Don't close enough to touch them or you yourself may becoming infected! Yet Jesus held the hands of the lepers.  He touched them, soothed them and comforted them."

This was my blessed and privileged experience in Cambodia to care for the least of these. It was at the Cambodian AIDS hospice that I saw first hand and got to live out the calling that Mother Teresa so eloquently demonstrated, coming alongside those in need, the oppressed and dying. Enabling them to live with hope and die with dignity. Galatians 6:2-3 reads "Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed.  Share their burdens and so complete Christ's law.  If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."    

While the patients could stay at the rudimentary hospice free of charge they had no food or company, unless a friend or caring person would drop some by. I only saw one visitor for one lady the week I was there.  So we would go to the market each day to get them juice and food. I  had the privilege of praying with them, sitting with them, getting a cold clothe for their head when they ran a fever, making them laugh, hugging them and loving on them.

During my week there, I made a connection with each lady.  One woman was very sick, I did not think she would live to see the end of the week.  She had contracted AIDS from her husband, a Cambodian police officer who had engaged in a number of extra-marital affairs.  We prayed for and over her and by the end of the week, she had enough strength and energy to get out of bed and walk. 

There was another young lady named Lee Lee, who I became quite close with. She is 30 years old, though to look at her you might think her much younger.  As I understood it, she came to Poi Pet when her boyfriend got work there, and either he forced her to or she felt she had to, begin prostituting herself.  She had 7-8 boyfriends which is how she contracted AIDS.  When her boyfriend found out he left her alone in Poi Pet.

Some days she seemed to have lots of energy, especially in the mornings.  In the evenings however, she was a completely different person, no energy and in such pain that she would whimper.  She could not stand on her own without my help to get her to the washroom. 

Lee Lee asked me by making a cross with her fingers if I was a Christian, to which I replied yes.  The verse  John 13:34-35 immediately came to mind “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." We prayed together and I prayed that if she did not have a personal relationship with Christ that she would come to know the love, grace, and life saving power of our heavenly Father. We continued our time together over the week singing Jingle Bells me in Canadian her in Kamir.  I taught her how to say each of our facial features in English.  I massaged her arms and rubbed her back.  I tried to bring her as much comfort as I could. The night before we were to leave we were blessed to have Selah join us as an interpreter.  She informed me that Lee Lee wanted me to stay and that she loved me.  This pretty much broke me, because that morning all my heart felt compelled to do, was stay and serve in the clinic and village churches until she and the others I had connected with passed on.  I told her I loved her too. As we were leaving that evening, a woman beckoned Selah and I aside from our group. I came to understand that she was the nurse at the hospice. She spoke to me through the interpreter, explaining  that they and the girls would benefit from my staying and serving in the clinic for 3 months, which only just continued to rip my heart open.   

The next morning we had to leave. Before we did, we stopped into the Aids clinic to say goodbye and drop off more food and juice for each of the ladies.  The doctor was in that morning and it was then that I realized just what a connection I had made with Lee Lee. The doctor was putting in an intravenous, causing Lee Lee great pain.  I could see her forearm swelling up as he forced the liquid into it and I thought something did not seem right, but I am no doctor, so I held my tongue. One of hospice volunteers came by and was fiddling with the IV, it was apparent it was not right.  At the doctors instruction he began to remove it, Lee Lee writhing in pain as blood began to spew out her arm. At this point I got up from her bed and went to the doctor, emphatically pointing towards her, speaking in a language he did not understand, wanting him to realize this is not okay.  Like a mother coming to the defence of a hurting child, I was not even conscious of what I was doing, but someone was not meeting the needs of someone I had grown to care for and that was not okay.   

I never did give much thought to the fact that she had sold herself to men. I was not concerned about the fact that she had Aids when I hugged her, when she would kiss my cheek, when blood was coming out of her arm.  Lee Lee was my friend, she was a child of God and she deserved LOVE!  I left Lee Lee, the other girls, the Aids Clinic and the villages of Cambodia that morning but they are forever in my heart and prayers.

We are advised in James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  Now that does not mean that everyone needs to go half way across the world to do it - unless God is calling you to - and He may be.  You can live it right where you are. My question is "are you?"  Who is your Lee Lee? Even here in Canada God has blessed us with Lee Lee's, people who are forgotten, dismissed, oppressed, lonely, hurting and dying.  Saved yet or not they are God's children and unless they experience the love of God through us, and  are extended the same love, grace and mercy that was graciously given to us then they may be lost forever. 

All the programs, all the Sunday morning services, all the churches in the world, mean nothing if we are not loving and serving others to God's glory.  Sermons don't save - programs don't save.  It's the word of God in action that draws people to Christ.  Love of God and Others will redeem the world.