Monthly Archives: February 2011

The Church of Greater Lansing Food Drop

Today was a day of days for me, an experience I won’t soon forget. It was a mix of feelings, one that we were changing the shape of Lansing, and another that all we did was a drop in the bucket. But for those people in the bucket that we were dropping on, we were a much needed blessing indeed.

I came solo so I got teamed up with a pastor from Penway Church of God, Doug Irving and his son Jaxon. After a very spirited rally of worship and encouraging words from a team of pastors from the Greater Lansing Area, and a special appearance from Mayor Virg Benero himself, we were sent out with a load of boxes containing food for families in need in the region. We started off from Holt High School, where we met at and celebrated Jesus together, then we got our boxes and headed out with a map to the specified sites. The boxes, purchased by offerings given by 30+ churches, contained food enough to supply a family for two weeks.

The first family Doug, Jaxon, and I arrived at was an older lady named Maurice (I think). We delivered her box and offered to pray for her. She was an older lady dealing with some sort of auto immune deficiency. Doug offered her a prayer of healing and encouragement that seemed to unlock emotions that were bottled up upon our arrival. By the time we left she was crying and praising Jesus.

At another site, we met with an older man named Charles (again, I think). He had a major heart condition and in the combination of the food drop, Doug’s prayer of healing, and our successful/semi-hazardous attempt at pushing a neighbor’s car out of a ditch, I think God’s heart condition for Charles and his neighbor was communicated.

The person I had called and tried to arrange as a partner in this event canceled on me, but told me to do my good deed for the community anyway. I wish I would have had the words to tell him this wasn’t about doing some sort of deed that makes you feel good about yourself. For me, it was about someone much greater than I reaching out through His children to those in need of something much greater than a box of food. This fellowship of believers set out to minister to those in need with the love of God and in doing so, were a Spirit inspired response to Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

“…to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me.”

God bless you Lansing, may His Spirit dwell richly within your people.

Brian

When I consider Your heavens, Part 2

The sky rose up above my head, distant stars shining with such presence I felt I could gather them in my fingers. But like sand they escape my grasp. My spirit lifted me that I may take my place among them. Everything in motion, the light they shine passes through me. I am somehow less firm in the company of the stars. I see myself as crude matter next to their glorious bodies.

But this is not so. For though I’m fallen creation I live in the crucible of free will. The stars continue in their purpose, there is no rebellion there. But I have to discover mine and submit to it.

Such a delicate dance, so effortless for them to obey. And yet for me, I am at war to keep my pace in step with His. Each foot I put in front of the other is a battle. And yet I learn from the stars, their fluid motion, their twinkling brilliance, their order with creation that all may exist. For such things to be there must be obedience.

When I consider Your heavens, Part 1

O sometimes I envy the stars, they only ever shine, it is their nature. But I, in my freedom sometimes shine, sometimes not. I understand that when I am faithful my light shines greater than all the stars in heaven, but sometimes I would trade my freedom that I would actually be one.

And yet, I know that Jesus paid the price for my freedom and that I should be grateful, but at times, its almost blasphemous to think, I still envy the stars.

Worship like a Tree

A tree knowing where its source of life comes from and turning its leaves to get more is worship. Growing branches that strain to get as much as it can, sometimes even recklessly upraised and unbalanced. Roots digging through the earth passed rocks and clay in search of water drinking as deeply as they can.

A tree knows that it can live off nothing less, so it grows and reaches and becomes a blessing to others providing homes for birds, squirrels, and many other creatures and providing shade and fruit for the traveler.

Living worship is more than a thought on a page, more than acts of kindness to a stranger. It is greater than the fellowship of community, and more powerful than the martyr’s sacrifice. It is everyday giving glory to the One who is all with each and every breath, in and out, each and every thought and action, each and every movement and stillness. Reaching toward our source of life with everything we are and growing to be a blessing, bearing fruit filled with thoughts, acts of kindness, communal fellowship, and sacrifice.

Peace to you on our snow day.

Brian