Who Wears the Crown?

“Who wears the crown, Mom?” My daughter asked me. It was a rhetorical question, sort of.  We were pulling out of the drive-through at Burger King last August and discussing the fact that the dollars were not there to pay for her fall semester at Tabor College. Financial aid had not come through in a sufficient amount and yet she was determined to depart for school. I was worried sick, fearful of her getting back to Kansas and having to turn around and come home. But Rachel was operating in faith, trusting that God would bring about the financing she needed. It was her conviction that this was what God wanted her to do.  I was lagging far behind in conviction. In fact I was sort of doing a belly crawl, knowing that God “could” but with plenty of fear and doubt thrown in.

“Who wears the crown?” She said again more gently, pointing to the little gold-colored paper crown from Burger King that lay beside me on the seat.  She knew. She trusted God. Why was I struggling so much? I stared at the cheap paper crown, my eyes tearing up.  There it was, that stalwart faith of hers defying all my argument and fear.  Why couldn’t I live it like she does?

Now, three months later, she is in the home stretch of the first semester of her senior year, and about to embark on yet another adventure of faith.  Barely scraping together the dollars she needed to pay for fall semester, Rachel had immediately signed up for a school-sponsored trip to Thailand in January. She was certain, again, that it was God’s plan for her and so she was not deterred by the $3,000 estimated cost.  She had asked God for direction to fulfill what she knew was His plan for her.  It was no surprise to her, but certainly to her delight when she was hired last September to work at a new little restaurant in Hillsboro as a waitress. She has so enjoyed the job, and has made many dear friends of her “regular” customers. She has also squirreled away every tip she could manage to save, and with a couple of generous benefactors, has succeeded in saving the dollars needed to pay for her Thailand trip! Now she is looking forward to January 5^th, and the adventures that await her on the other side of the globe.

As for me, I am amazed at the faith of my daughter. Why? I know it sounds silly to have raised her to love the Lord and then be surprised at her trust in Her heavenly Father.  I did not understand the Lord when I was her age.  So for me, to see her living out her trust in God is to understand things I never knew as a young woman. It blesses me and surprises me over and over. When I pray for her, I thank God for such a precious young woman in my life.  And I keep that little cardboard crown. It means nothing in itself, of course, there is no magic in it. But I smile when I see it in my car and I am reminded that the King of Kings is there with me, guiding me and providing for me as I learn how to walk in faith: the faith like a child.    

Flash Mob

From My Corner…

It’s called a flash mob. A flash mob is a group of people who organize an unexpected event, say a song or dance or something random to happen in an unexpected location in order to make a statement, bring unity, or simply to offer a moment of surprise or fun.  On October 30, 2010, a “flash mob” somehow gathered inconspicuously in Macy’s department store in Philadelphia, PA.  This store happens to house the Wannamaker Pipe Organ, the worlds largest pipe organ. This was no accidental gathering. We live in a culture with so many problems to address. This moment of cheerfulness could not come too soon. The event was staged by the Opera Company of Philadelphia who staged a public singing performance of The Halleluiah Chorus accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ (www.wanamakerorgan.com). The catch?

The store was crowded with shoppers and the opera singers were scattered throughout Macy’s department store. The chorus began at noon sharp with no warning, they simply began to sing. The entire store full of customers and employees were awed by the beauty of the songsters, and the message was declared, “King of Kings!  And Lord of Lords! And He shall reign forever and ever!”   As the song ended, applause broke out from the delighted crowd. What a lovely conspiracy! 

At Heritage this year we have also found a rather lovely conspiracy in which to participate, its called the Advent Conspiracy.  If you missed the two Sundays that the video promotion for Advent Conspiracy was shown, you can see it at www.adventconspiracy.org.  The Advent Conspiracy is an effort to focus more on the real reasons for Christmas, Christ’s birth and coming to earth, and less on the stress, debt and unhappiness of being slave to the commercialism of today. The idea is to spend more time with your family and loved ones, fewer dollars on gifts, and then share the dollars you do not spend with someone in need. The original need identified was for clean water in third world countries.  Heritage Bible Church has chosen to adopt this concept, with some options for our church members. You can choose to donate to the Advent Conspiracy through Heritage and direct your donation to one of three identified needs: our local Bakersfield Rescue Mission; a church plant we support in Utah; or a missionary effort in Thailand. Any of these three identified needs will be grateful to receive the gifts of those who participate. It’s as simple as attending worship services on Sunday December 18, or Friday, December 24, and place your donation, marked “Advent Conspiracy”  in the offering basket. Or choose your own Advent Conspiracy project. 

Can you imagine the joy of these ministries when they receive the Advent Conspiracy gifts from our church family?  I think there may be a little “Halleluiah Chorus” singing going on, don't you think?  And the rest of your holiday season will be joyful too as you adjust from a season of harried frenzy, shopping and wrapping, to a time of sharing, cookie baking, letter writing, prayer, Bible reading, sharing lunch or coffee or a meal with someone. There are so many ways to say “I love you” to another human being.  Take a look at the Advent Conspiracy website www.adventconspiracy.org for some links and ideas to give you inspiration. Its never too late to take time to conspire to love one another.  And maybe we could organize a “Hug Somebody” flash mob at the mall, what do you think?

Its (still!) not about me...

In a recent devotional I read from Pastor Rick Warren, I was once again reminded that in this life, its not about me.  Sigh. But… but— I want “it” to be about me, sometimes!  Don’t we all wish for that? C’mon, in your heart of hearts, sometimes you wanna be the center of your world. The reason someone else exists. A person someone else simply couldn't live without!  We all do.  And for me, that means that people I care about appreciate what I do, make an effort to spend time with me, look to me for friendship, write me nice notes, mop the kitchen floor and battle my dust bunnies for me, gratis,  and, ok, maybe give me a nice gift now and then. Is that so much to ask?   Oh how much I enjoy when life revolves around me!  Unfortunately, for most of us, its not going to happen because God has a better plan.

Pastor Rick Warren put it this way, “God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. You were put on earth to make a contribution.  You weren't created just to consume resources - to eat, breath, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life.  You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back.

The Bible says, ‘God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.’   (Ephesians 2:10b, TEV) These ‘good deeds’ are your service to the world. Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes (Colossians 3:23-24; Matthew 25:34-45; Ephesians 6:7).

What God told Jeremiah is also true for you: ‘Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.’(Jeremiah 1:5, NCV)

When most people think of this 'special work,' they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of his family is to minister. In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonyms, as are service and ministry. If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering.”

Whew!  What do you think of that?  Because I grew up in a Catholic church, it took me a few years to grasp that whole concept of me as a minister of the gospel. After all, I didn't go to school to get my degree in Bible, and I’m not ordained. I didn't wear a funny little tab collar, or have a plate on my door with a title under my name.  Some would even suggest that since I am not a man, I can’t possibly be a minister! 

Well It took me time to “unhitch” my brain from the concept of priesthood being a step above me as I had been trained to believe. But the fact is, nobody is greater than God, and nobody is less than I am in His eyes.  What a marvelous thing! God says I am his servant and minister. And he says you are too.

Pastor Warren continued, “Have you ever wondered why God doesn't just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen world? He leaves us here to fulfill his purposes. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goals. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for you in the world.”

Wow, Rick makes a great point!  I have wondered why God didn't just take us to heaven, why mess around with all this nasty stuff on earth, Lord?  But he has a plan for me. And that plan includes some pain, and, hey, even some presents!  And as we learn to minister, we understand a little better what our pastoral staff does on a larger scale every day.

Since October is Pastor Appreciation Month, take some time to consider how you can show appreciation to the pastoral staff. But also, consider how you can bless their socks off by digging in and finding your place in ministry— your very own pastorate! Its here, in our community through things like DMC small groups, Children’s ministry,  FLOOD Bakersfield, Wednesday night diner and hospitality team, church office volunteering and youth group support team members, to name a few. I believe that in God’s family, not one of us should simply sit in church on Sunday and fail to serve the community. If all do a little, nobody has to do a lot!  And that equates to being a blessing, and being blessed as God showers you with (here’s that part I like again!) his PRESENCE and his PRESENTS! 

What about you?  Is God nudging you to a new level of ministry, to be his hands and feet in the church or in the community? Step out and discover your calling!

“Passion for everything we do. Integrity. Spirit and drive. Respect.  Personal—one human being… at a time. This is our belief.” 

Those are great concepts, aren’t they? And they might make you think about our Christian faith and how we live it out in community.  But do they remind you of coffee?  These words are copied from the Starbucks Green Apron booklet, a training guide given to employees at every Starbucks store in the country.

Crazy, huh?  The Starbucks people get it—being friendly, showing courtesy, having spirit and drive and integrity are all good for the coffee business. 

They are also good for the church!  Who doesn’t love to be greeted with enthusiasm? Who doesn’t enjoy the warmth of a welcome that is genuine and intentional? Those Starbucks folks have the right idea. But I’ll tell you a secret. We knew all that stuff first!  We did!  And we can apply it just like they do. Right here in our church home, every time we welcome a visitor, we can be just as personal—more so!—than any Starbucks employee offers while serving a cup of joe.  And while we aren’t selling anything tangible, when you think about it, we really are selling a concept to visitors:  if the person senses genuine warmth and welcome, we have likely sold that person on a community that will welcome him or her.   It’s all about sharing the love of Jesus with people, and we are all called to do this every day.  

Recently I spoke with a friend who said she didn’t think that attending church on a regular basis was necessary, she and her husband really don’t need that.  Well, perhaps they don’t, but that’s not what the Word says. There’s that stuff in the Bible like not forsaking the assembling together— you know?  It says that because I need her to be there!   

A church community is bigger than any one person. Every one of us grows and matures when we dig in, give of ourselves, and attend church regularly. Imagine a cog that is engaged with other cogs in a car’s gearbox. If teeth are missing, the gears will slip—and that can mean that the engine doesn’t move the vehicle forward. The engine’s power is not being utilized.  The car can’t get to where it needs to go, not because the engine won’t start, but because the gears have tiny missing parts. It’s the same with a church family. We, the church family, are all teeth on those gears. When we are absent, the energy necessary to propel the church forward is missing!  We need each other.  I say this as much to myself as to anyone else because I won’t pretend that there weren’t times that I slept in on Sunday morning.  But they are fewer than they used to be, and I hope that is true for you too.

Let’s let the coffee crowd remind us of a valuable lesson, and renew our commitment to attending worship faithfully. But let’s go beyond that. If you don’t have a place where you regularly serve at your church, then you are missing out and so are we! We need each other. Church shouldn’t be just something you do on Sunday morning.  Regular coffee drinkers do that. It’s a place where we meet, grow, give, and serve so that God can challenge us and build up His body of believers!   On top of that, the hospitality team at my church makes a pretty mean cuppa joe, so you get great coffee AND great worship and opportunities to serve when you join us!

Won’t you bring your passion to the forefront and share your personal spirit, drive and integrity with this church family?  Dig in!

See you on Sunday morning! 

Escort service....

Ever thought about being an escort? No? I was an escort recently. Well I was a part of an escort ride, something that some of the Harley Davidson riders in town do on Sunday afternoons.

 I had learned through a friend that the mothers of some young men, departing the central valley of California for the United States Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, were in need of needed some moms to support them as they bid their children farewell. I understand that, having been through the process of letting go of a child choosing military service,  I understand too well the fear of the unknown, the sense of loss, the finality of that last "Goodbye,Mom".  I also understand the pride, that sense of my boy becoming part of something much bigger than the little family which stood around with tears in their eyes trying to say good bye.

So I got on the bike with my husband, adjusted my helmet and rode to the Marine recruiting office. There were dozens of bikes assembled there when we arrived. Some had little American flags attached, some were dressed with stickers and other patriotic decor.  Our bike is not decorated, but we wear a love for America deep in our hearts. We hold a deep appreciation, too for those who serve in the various military branches.

As the time to depart drew near, we riders gathered to share a few encouraging words with the recruits and their families. The moms, wives and sisters were teary eyed, and the dads and brothers stood a bit taller, working to control their emotions as we reminded the young men and women that we were grateful indeed for their service to our nation. We offered them a prayer of blessing, asking God to protect them.

Then it was time for individual words with each of the young recruits. I stood in a long line, waiting my turn.  A guy in front of me was behaving in a manner that disturbed me as he clearly had only his own interest and folly in mind when he told a recruit, "Don't give 'em anything you don't have to!" and walked away with a sneer on his face, apparently satisifed to get in a dig at the Marines for whatever he had endured in his own time in the service.

Then it was my turn. I have no military experience except the vicarous one through my son's eyes, and memories of the Vietnamese war years when I sold POW/MIA bracelets as an act of support for my country.  Taking  the hand of a tall, slender young man with coffee colored skin, I gazed solomnly into the deep brown eyes of the first recruit and said, "Call your mother. She will be counting the minutes until you do. Step up and serve wherever you find opportunity. The world needs more people like you who want to give to this great nation. Serve well, and finish well whatever you start."  My throat was tight as I pulled him close and gave him a long tight hug. "Go with God, my friend."  Releasing him from my arms, I turned to his mom, who was struggling to maintain composure, "He will come home to you. He will!  I know this is frightening, because I said good bye to my own son just like you are doing now. Do not fear. Your boy will be home again, and the difference will be that he will return a man. Be proud of him. I will pray for you."  With this I hugged her long and gently, and she held on tight and sobbed quietly.

Letting go of our children is not easy, weather sending them off to college, or whatever brings about their first departure from home.  Those who say farewell to children who opt to spend time in military service should recognize that their child is displaying a great deal of bravery and maturity.

When we had finished blessing and encouraging, bikes were started, riders fell in line behind the military vehicle which we followed, two bikes at a time, out of town and south on interstate 5.  At the base of the Grapevine, near the county line, the military vehicle slowed to allow all bike riders to slip past. As my husband and I pulled past the recruit's car, I turned, waved solomny and offered a "thank you" sign, touching one palm to my chin and downward toward my chest.  The recruit I had spoken to smiled softly through the car window, returning a small wave.

It will aways be my great honor to be this kind of escort.

To Save a Life

For Jake Taylor, life seems easy: everybody likes him, he is athletically gifted, good looking. He has a basketball scholarship, a hot girlfriend and a bright future.  Jake has the appearance of a perfect life.   But privately, Jake is struggling: his parents struggle with disappointments in their relationship, his mother makes excuses for her husband’s bad behavior and his father shows a lack of character reflected in marital infidelity and a focus on worldly ideals. 

Jake has mirrored his father’s lack of character in his dealing with Roger Dawson.  Roger is Jake’s childhood pal who gave his all for his friend.  But in high school everything changes, and Jake chooses his own growing popularity over his old friendship. Tired of rejection and having no place to belong, Roger walks onto his high school campus one day with a gun in his pocket: his pain-filled heart the impetus for a tragic event.

Jake is devastated by Roger’s action.  As Jake seeks to reconcile his choices with the decision Roger made, he finds himself deeply compelled to reach out to God, and to the kids on the fringe – the social outcasts. The decision threatens Jake's world. His desire to find meaning in his life could cost him dearly. Jake has to decide what really matters in his life.

“To Save a Life” could have been considered melodrama forty years ago, but today’s teenager faces these kinds of challenges and worse week in and week out on high school campuses across America.  Dealing with the struggle of climbing the social ladder while enduring hormonal changes, conflict and moral dilemma on a daily basis, high school kids worry as much about if they will graduate as they do about what they will do if they manage to make it through the next four years.  Jake and his friends are everyday kids in today’s world, and their struggles are magnified by the typical lack of a moral compass at home, forcing them to seek each other’s opinions for approval rather than the example of parents or the Word of the God who created them.  

When the film was viewed recently at Heritage Bible Church by the youth, it struck a chord with students and parents alike. One dad was observed weeping as he watched the portrayal of Roger being rejected by his peers.  Another parent, Susan, said, “A key part of the movie for me was how Christians were not portrayed as perfect, hypocrisy in the church was evident, but because he was searching, God touched Jake and helped him see past that and try to do the right thing despite the mixed message.”  Katherine, another mom who watched the flick, mused, “We should be more attentive to the person who is the outcast….as Christians, there should be no outcasts in our (community).”  

“I wasn’t sure anyone else felt like I do.” Stated Leah, a student who watched the video and was relieved to relate to and be understood by the characters in To Save a Life.  Its human nature to want to be liked, and countercultural to choose to be inclusive of all people.  But as much as Jesus was counter cultural, and we are called to be like him, we must find ways to ramp up the welcome to all who come seeking after a place of safety and loving kindness. To Save a Life points a glaring spotlight on our weakness as a body of believers when we do not offer this basic response to human need.  Utilizing this media to teach and convey the message, perhaps we can get steps closer to growing a church where the love of God is so evident, so palpable, that people can’t help but feel the love and want to step up and join us on the journey. 

I was found...

"Been reading in Romans, "I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me."
Whew... Christ reveals himself to people like me who were not looking. He showed himself in the mountains where I grew up. He showed himself in the trees and the mountain goats, in the mosses and the granite rock. He showed himself in the myriad clouds and the shadows of nightfall, and in the starry skies. I did not seek but I could not help but to find Him.

Blindness to the presence of Christ is like ignoring the tree that is growing in my back yard. It started as just a seedling: tiny, a few leaves. Nothing to be concerned about and yet... it was there and its presence bothered me. I did not want to notice. I was preoccupied. The seedling grew, and became a sapling. Long and thin, it was rather gangly and I could not identify it. Perhaps I would pay attention to it next fall, pull it out with the fall weeding chores. Or perhaps I could nurture it, transplant it and call it my own. Perhaps.

The tree grew, despite my lack of interest and it could not be ignored. It grew under the cement and stone in my yard and it swelled and fractured the very foundation it was growing under. I could not ignore it anymore.  But what was I to do with this tree? Was it in my way, or was it offering shelter and shade if I would only nurture it and pay it a little attention?

Do you have a sapling growing in your life?  Are the roots trying to catch on and flourish, if only you would feed it and water it a little?  Its so easy to ignore saplings, and yet, they produce shelter from the storms if you will only encourage the growth of that young tree.

The Lord is a very strong presence. He is there, nudging at you, at me. He is willing to reveal himself to those who are not looking for him. Are you looking? Has He nudged you?  Bring to Him the water of your presence, soak up the wisdom in His word and see if the very roots that grow and the leaves that flourish don't offer you the sustenance and protection that you need in a future storm.  He is waiting.

Turn on the faucet of acceptance, and let Him flourish in your garden.

my waving buddy

In this less than friendly world there are pockets of kindness. Oh yes there are. One of them is my waving buddy. He's an older gentleman, skin the color of dark chocolate and a fuzz of gray hair on his head. He drives a white pick up truck and he parks in the same place every day. He is a crossing guard for children going to elementary school and he is my waving buddy.

For two years he has waved and smiled at me every time I caught his eye as I drove to work in the mornings. He has one of those marvelous smiles that light up his entire face, and his teeth are white as white can be. Wonderful!  He exudes genuine friendliness, warmth and welcome greeting to all who pass his corner. He is never less than pleasant, and he is always at his post. Rain or shine.  His demeanor seems to glow with contentment for life. I think he probably knows Jesus. He knows who he is and were he is headed. And he knows how to be kind and friendly to others. No matter who you are.

Last Friday, my waving buddy wasn't there. He was not at his post, and my morning didn't feel right with him gone. Today, in his place was this young woman sitting in a lawn chair, sullen and not waving. She was smoking. She did not smile. She did not wave. She doesn't know the corner she occupies was formerly graced by a great man. Perhaps I should stop and tell her.

"Excuse me, miss. But my waving buddy is gone. You have taken his place. You have big shoes to fill, young lady. Get off that lawn chair, put out your cigarette and start waving. Smile, at least."
I don't suppose she would be impressed. But she needs to know.  Some one needs to tell her.

But maybe she has never been fortunate enough to have a waving buddy: someone you can count on for a smile and a wave every day.  Maybe she needs to be introduced gently. Maybe, I should just smile at her and wave. Yes,  I think thats what she needs:  I will become her waving buddy. She looks like she could use a friend.

Meanwhile, I pray that my first waving buddy is okay, and that he is still smiling and waving somewhere.

God bless you, my first waving buddy, where ever you are.
o/