Passing the Basket

One of the largest outreach programs that I coordinate at the Allison Park Church site is the Give-A-Gift program. In 2006, we served 75 shoppers and provided 3-4 gifts to 191 children. In 2007, our goal is to increase those numbers.

Every year it gets a little tense in the weeks before the event as the Give-A-Gift team scrambles to gather gift donations and schedule shoppers. We always want to serve as many shoppers as possible, but then “What if we don’t receive enough gifts?” The tension level rises because the “shopper/donation factor” is not easily managed and ultimately out of our control. We do our best to promote the event to potential shoppers and contributors, then we try to manage what comes in.

As I worked with our Give-A-Gift team this year, attempting to balance the shopper/donation factor, I was struck by a God-thought. In the scriptures, there is a well known story of a crowd of people being fed with a boy’s lunch - a couple of fishes & loaves of bread. Evidently this lunch was not enough to feed the large crowd of 5,000, but Jesus instructs his disciples to pass the basket of food. What I realized is that in coordinating and volunteering for the Give-A-Gift outreach, we have the opportunity to experience what the disciples experienced that day.

Imagine with me how the disciples felt as they stood before the large crowd, holding a small basket, containing a small amount of food. I can imagine how incredulous they must have looked, as they turned to look back at Jesus in order to make sure they understood him correctly. I can only imagine how it felt to pass the basket to the first person (with a brave smile) and see that first puzzled face look up from the basket with questioning eyes. Can‘t you see the disciple shrugging his shoulders and saying “Go ahead, take some for yourself and pass the basket”. I‘m sure the scene was repeated many times as the disciple watched the basket being passed. The biblical account states that everyone in the crowd ate their fill and when the disciple received the basket back - there were leftovers!

The amazing coordinators and volunteers with the Network of Hope do the best that they can to gather gifts and schedule shoppers. Once they’ve done the best they know to do, they have the opportunity to pass the basket and watch a miracle happen. What a privilege!!

Weekend of "Two's"

What a great weekend for NOH!

2 Give A Gift Events happened in Valencia and Allison Park. Over 300 children will receive many gifts this Christmas. Five more events to go between now and Dec 18th!

2 Benefit Concerts happened as well--in Gibsonia and the North Hills. The combined effort brought in more than 40 garbage bag-fuls of gifts and over $1200 in cash and gift cards!

I was personally at the Johnny Angel & Friends concert and it was fantastic! What a great show filled with energy, entertainment and true talent. Words fail about how enjoyable it was!

THANK YOU to the PERFORMERS who shared their time and talent. Show your thanks by supporting them in the future. Just visit their websites for upcoming performances.
Greater Harmony Chorus
Jana Snavely
Johnny Angel & the Halos
Mike Profozich
Pete Hewlett
William Dell & Wee Jams

THANK YOU also to the MANY VOLUNTEERS who have done so much before and during the events to make them successful. You are the hands and feet that turn a good idea into a reality.

Greater Harmony Chorus

Donna Knapp is a former employee of NOH and long-time member of the Greater Harmony Chorus, an award-winning Sweet Adeline International chorus. They have been generous supporters of NOH and this year their giving continues as they present "Harmonize the Holidays," a free concert for family and friends.

Admission is free, and they will be collecting toys and cash donations to benefit the Give-A-Gift program.

The show starts this Saturday, December 8th, at 7:30 PM at Richland Elementary School in Gibsonia.

Come out to sing along and help a family in need this holiday!

Remembering

John Szymanski (1931-2007), our food bank coordinator for many years, passed away on Sunday, December 2nd after a long, good fight with cancer. Today I attended his Celebration of Life service, which some call a funeral. The former is much more appropriate for this one who lived fully and lived well before us all. It was a touching time surrounded by fondness as we recalled all that he represented, all he had done and all that he will now experience in his new, whole life.

I wish there was time to write all that John has meant to me and others, but these are a few of the words that immediately come to mind about this authentic man: love, integrity, knowledge, compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, service, committment, kindness, humor, gentleness, faith, strength, wisdom, community, empathy and hope.

Maybe you'd like to post a comment about John as an act of modern remembrance. Please join us in this celebration of one with whom we are fortunate to have been associated.

Johnny Angel & the Halos Concert Gift Drive

Holiday music is one of the best parts of this season, so we're bringing just that to you, this weekend, from some of Pittsburgh's best talent.

JOHNNY ANGEL & THE HALOS, Pete Hewlett, Bill Dell & Wee Jams, and Jana Snavely are GENEROUSLY donating their time and talent as part of a concert gift drive to support the Network of Hope's Give A Gift program.

Admission is FREE-we just ask that you bring a NEW, unwrapped gift (no stuffed animals, please) for infants, kids or teens. We particularly need gifts for older kids and teens.

Doors open at 5:15 PM. Enjoy the sounds of the season while helping a family in need.

Hope to see you there!

ON THE RADIO

NOH's Kate Gordon and Deana Leone will be guests on the John & Stephanie Show (101.5 FM) on Monday, November 26th at 4 PM. We'll be promoting Give-A-Gift and the upcoming Johnny Angel concert. Tune in to hear the latest!

Angel Food Boot Camp

Kate and I are at the Angel Food Boot Camp this week. After some severe trial & error, & error with our GPS system, we finally arrived and are ready to share about Network of Hope.

Angel Food is a ministry that allows anyone, from any income bracket to purchase groceries each month. Groceries are available in boxes of various items, worth approximately $60 for only $25 per box. Individuals may purchase any number of boxes they desire and the program also accepts food stamps as payment. It is often times a gateway for people with multiple needs.

Here are some notes from the sessions:

Steve Donaldson, from Rural Compassion
...the church needs to move beyond its "walls," physical and otherwise, to help people in fundamental, practical ways
...we need to participate in helping people become self reliant, yet interdependent, but NOT dependent
...we want people to become all that God has designed them to be and experience God's best for their lives.
...church is the spiritually based social architect for our communities.
..."The question, 'How big is my church?' should be replaced with, 'How big of an impact is our church making in our community?'" (Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin).

Great stuff! It's about being in RELATIONSHIP with those around us.

Help for Addiction

The Alliance Against Drugs and KDKA are sponsoring an
Open House Resource Fair titled "What Help Looks Like"
tomorrow, November 2nd from 8:30 am-1 pm
at Orchard Hill Church. The event is for adults only.


Bruce Edwards, Site Director for
the NOH Allison Park location,
will participate in the event.






Marty Griffin & "The Real Deal," from KDKA will broadcast
his show from the event, which will include a live discussion
with a panel of experts in the field of drug abuse and addiction.

Network of Hope currently offers Celebrate Recovery at our
Allison Park location on Wednesdays at 7 PM on the 2nd floor.
You can contact that location by calling 412-487-7220.

Quilting for Hope

A beautiful, hand-made quilt was raffled off at Fall Fest with the proceeds benefitting Network of Hope. Mike Kunkel (left) is the winner!

Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the APC Quilters, Joann Bouda, Heather Collins, Nancy Forsythe, Susan Gray, Beth Haubach, Teja Hough, Nancy Laser, Sally Lippert, Helen Marcellus, Anne Martinez & RuthAnn Sesti, for putting their personal touch into supporting NOH.

The APC Quilters meet on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month from 9 am-12 pm on the 2nd floor at Allison Park Church. New members are welcomed. Contact Beth 412-492-8696 or Nancy 724-443-3507.

Change of Seasons

This is a great time of year; I couldn't imagine living without it. Crisp, colorful leaves, bright sunshine on cool days, apple cider, a favorite sweater..... We've been fortunate to have unseasonably warm weather this month, but I caught myself the other day wishing for the change of seasons to hurry! (you have my permission to remind me of this when I'm stomping the January slush off of my shoes). Looks like we're on our way as the beautiful foliage is making its transition known.

Join us in the celebration this weekend:
FallFest
Saturday, Oct 27th
11am-4pm on the campus of Allison Park Church (APC)
2326 Duncan Avenue, Allison Park, 15101

Admission is FREE and there will be plenty of activity for all ages: craft show, giant inflatables, pumpkin painting, train ride, food and MORE! The APC Quilters will be raffling off a hand-made quilt to benefit NOH programs.

We're asking everyone who attends to bring a non-perishable food item to help stock the NOH Food Bank for the holidays.

For more information, contact Bruce Edwards at 412-487-7220 or see our website at NetworkofHope.org

AngelFood Ministries

Deana and I have the exciting opportunity to speak at an AngelFood Ministries http://www.angelfoodministries.org/ bootcamp on November 6 & 7. What is AngelFood? It's the new way to do Food Ministries. Instead of giving food away for free, this organization has devised a way to distribute food through local churches in a co-op sort of way. Everyone pays $25/month and receives over $65 in quality food. Churches love this ministry. AngelFood has over 4,000 churches distributing food to their communities.

We were asked to speak because of what we are doing here in Pittsburgh through Network of Hope. The main topic of interest is the Life Management System (LMS). Many AngelFood churches are now reaching hurting people and they have no way of effectively ministering to them. That is where the LMS comes in. It is specifically created to surround individuals with multiple needs with the support they need, all by using your local church & community volunteers.

It's so cool to be a part of a ministry that other churches are looking to replicate!!

sweat equity

Equity…the residual value of something after your subtract all the liabilities.

Sweat…what you do in the ‘Burgh when it’s 87 degrees with relative humidity of 75%

Sweat equity…what you build up during a VBS (vacation bible school) week.

It started today at 6 AM, when I awoke to begin the first day of VBS week. Ordinarily words like sweat, AM, and humidity are not those I embrace, but today they were. I got to work alongside a great group of teens, which is energizing to say the least, and at best, reminds me not to take myself too seriously, ever.

Our VBS theme this year is “Treasure Beach,” based on the verses in Matthew 6:20-21, which say, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We’re anticipating a powerful week where kids will learn that they are God’s treasure and that the most important things they can commit themselves to are giving, celebrating God, helping, and receiving the gift of salvation.

The lives of these young people are precious; they are the treasure which must be stored up. Investing into their lives is one of the “funnest” privileges God could give me. There’s something special about putting your heart, mind and body to work for things of eternal value. The “liabilities” of heat, discomfort and fatigue come up short on the bottom line in the cause of Christ.

Sweat equity…worth the investment.

seeing clearly

Yesterday, 2 things reminded me about the view of what's to come.

First, when I woke up, I immediately put a drop of re-wetting solution into each eye. Contact lenses get extremely dry during this time of the year, so a drop in each eye brings relief as things come into focus. That first blink makes me long to see that way all the time--sharp edges, exact focus, brightness.

Then, I cleaned my car windows. They needed it badly. The film had formed--you know the one that you don't notice until you open the car door and realize there IS no fog today. So I did the best I could to reach my Civic's tight corners (cleaning the windows was definitely NOT considered in the design process). It's amazing the contortions a human body can make in the name of cleaning (my poor neighbors). Needless to say, the drive following this effort gave new meaning to the phrase "crystal clear".

The verse from 1 Corinthians 13:12 came to mind. It says, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

It doesn't say a foggy mirror or streaked mirror, just mirror. Most mirrors seem to give a pretty good view of things. So, it would seem, do my contacts and car windows. Even though I could see out of both pretty well, my vision greatly improved once they had been cleaned.

This verse reminds me that the BEST is yet to come. As good as things are, there is better on the way. It excites me to know that there is a clearer, more perfect view promised.

Now I "see" God through His creation, through His word, through the church,...and it is good, it's beautiful, so much to admire. These are 'mere' reflections of God. Soon, I shall open my "eyes" and the subtle fog of this world will lift, and I'll see Him face-to-face, vivid, clear, crisp, bright and alive; no longer the reflection, but God Himself. And I will be truly "seeing" for the first time.

Perspective

I am one who has always loved my uninterruputed sleep but over the past 7 months of being pregnant, I'm coming to grips with the fact that I might not see one of those uninterrupted nights for at least a decade...so I'm trying to make the best of these quiet moments. Although I wish I could say that I have spent the time in prayer and meditation (which has happened), I have also learned that the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" runs nightly from 2-4 am and Oprah's re-runs air from 1-2 am. But what I want to blog about is a time late last week when I was reading my Bible and God showed me such a powerful life lesson that it has stuck with me throughout the week. It's the simple story of David and Goliath. A story I often just skim over because I know the story inside and out. Yet this time, I really read it. I'll pick up the story in 1 Samuel 17:22 - David has just entered the Israelites camp and has heard Goliath mocking the army. For 40 days, Goliath had been doing the same thing. David saw the Israelites run in "great fear" of this man. He also heard them say "Do you see how this man keeps comning out? He comes out to defy Israel....". David responds to them (I believe in disgust and amazement of their lack of faith) by saying, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" What God showed me in this passage is Perspective is everything. The army had been dealing with Goliath for 40 days. Goliath had basically sucked the life out of the Israelites and they were living in fear. They also began having "group think" - they all began thinking alike. David on the other hand, just entered the situation and saw things completely different. He was outraged that someone would speak out against His God, the Living God and I think he was ashamed at his brothers and the Israelites that noone would stand up to this mocking fool. He had no fear of him. How often do we end up in a "groupthink" pattern of life?? We have been beaten down by the realities of life and we allow others words to penetrate our hearts. Instead of believing the truths of God, we begin believing in the words of man and in what we see. Not only do we need to fight against these kinds of habits personally but we also must have people who we allow speak into our lives that have that fresh perspective-- a God truth perspective!! We cannot grow in our faith without the kind of perspective David had...

The Season of Change

I look out my office window and see several trees in the yard. The biggest one has a bunch of empty branches spreading out to the east and west. But here and there are some dead leaves on the branches, hanging on for dear life, blowing in the wind, refusing to let go. It's as if they are in denial about the fact that they are dead, that they don't have a chance, that their future is doomed.

Looking at those doomed leaves reminds me of an illustration I read by R.A. Torrey. He was writing about the difficulty we as Christians sometimes have as we are in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. Sometimes we have old habits, behaviors, or thoughts that we just can't seem to get rid of. We try everything to get rid of that part of our old life - we pray, we read the Bible, we fast, we ask someone else to help us. And some days we have victory. Some days it feels like we have finally been made free, and we are certain that we will never struggle with that part of our old selves again.

And then the next day comes, and we fall again, and now we feel worse than before. So we work even harder at conquering the "old man" that refuses to leave. We may continue with that pattern for years, having times of victory and freedom, only to experience the disappointment and shame of falling again. R.A. Torrey said those old habits and behaviors and thoughts are like those leaves on the otherwise empty branches. They don't know they're dead, they don't know that there's no hope. They are still hanging on for dear life.

But then the seasons change. It's March and time for winter to leave and spring to come, in all its glory. It's time for change, a time for NEW LIFE. The life-giving flow begins to emerge from the roots of the trees, up the trunk, the whole way to the tips of the branches. And before we know it, evidence of that new life becomes apparent. Those old dead leaves that were so brave and strong and persistent are no match for the new buds that are on their way! They have no choice but to make way for those new buds. They, in their deadness, must bow and surrender to the new leaves, so full of life and vitatity.

Even though all of the bending and swaying those branches did all winter long may have resulted in most of that old life being cast down and thrown away, nothing that tree did could make some of those stubborn dead leaves give in and let go. But when the time is right, when the tree just allows that life giving flow to touch the ends of those branches, that's when the rest of the old leaves lose their grip.

It's not wrong to pray and read the Bible and fast and be accountable to others as we allow God to change us and make us in the image of His Son. But it's the life-giving Spirit that is really doing the work. It's not in our power to change some of the "old man" that just won't give up. But it IS possible through the life-giving power of the Spirit. Take heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. Wait for the spring to come. It's a season of change, a season of life. And it's on its way!

The Elite

I'm reading a great book: Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology by Eugene H. Peterson. It is full of truth and challenge. My mind is coming alive in application of spiritual truths in new ways. It is taking me a long time. :)

Peterson talks about the concept of spirituality and its prominence today, especially among circles outside of religious institutions. This has a positive effect of stirring up a hunger for things lasting, eternal, but is accompanied by the negative result that individuals are defining for themselves what the eternal or spiritual is.

He identifies four inaccuracies that accompany this sense of cultural spirituality:
1. Elitism
2. Self-help
3. Cultural Fuzziness
4. Shrunken secular horizons

We're going to look at each of these in our monthly Site Directors meetings. Today, we talked about elitism as it relates to helping people. Even we, in the Church, can tend toward this attitude if we fall into the lie that spiritual things have limited accessibility. Ever categorize someone based on their vice? Limit someone's potential because of his past? Relegate someone to a certain place to get help for "those" types of issues? Evaluate your own level of spirituality based on someone else's low-level of functioning? We must and can guard against this by renewing our mind with the Word.

Peterson takes us to the book of John, chapters 3 & 4, where the accounts of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well are recorded. As I read the juxtoposition of these to people to each other, in history and literally in how they are recorded consecutively, I was struck and reminded with sweetness, that things spiritual are accessible to all. I saw the beauty of Christ's response to both of these people: loving, truthful, hopeful, calm, dignified. And I thought of our response to those who come to us in need. Do we follow in His footsteps?

Peterson points out seven things from these accounts to remind us that the Christian life is accessible to all:

1. PROFESSIONAL AND LAY PERSON; INSIDER AND AN OUTSIDER
Jesus spoke to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman using similar metaphors with each (water, wind, birth)
INTELLIGENCE is not a factor in understanding the spiritual

2. MAN AND WOMAN
Nicodemus was a man; the Samaritan at the well was a woman.
There is NO GENDER PREFERENCE for the spiritual

3. CITY AND COUNTRY
Nicodemus meets Jesus in city, the place of sophistication, learning, and fashion
The Samaritan woman meets Jesus in the country on the outskirts of a small town
GEOGRAPHY plays no bearing on spiritual perception or aptitude

4. ORTHODOX AND HERETIC; RESPECTABLE AND DISREPUTABLE
Nicodemus was a respectable member of a strictly orthodox sect of the Pharisees
The Samaritan woman was a disreputable member of the despised, heretical sect of the Samaritans
RACIAL BACKGROUND, RELIGIOUS IDENTITY AND MORAL TRACK RECORD do not gain a person entry or keep a person from things spiritual.

5. NAMED AND ANONYMOUS
Nicodemus is named; the woman is un-named
REPUTATION AND STANDING are not factors in accessing the spiritual

6. INITIATING AND RESPONDING
Nicodemus starts the conversation with Jesus with a religious topic
Jesus starts the conversation with the Samaritan woman by requesting a drink
SUBJECT MATTER and WHO INITIATES the conversation play no role in the opportunity to approach the
spiritual

7. HUMAN REPUTATION AND DIVINE REPUTATION
Nicodemus risks his reputation by being seen with Jesus
Jesus risks his reputation by being seen with the Samaritan woman
Accessing the spiritual has little to do with PRESERVING REPUTATION OR CONVENTIONAL BEHAVIOR


So I read about Nicodemus and the woman and I see the people we try to help; I see myself; and I remember:

• People may come to us, or we may go to them-either provides an opportunity to carry out our mission.
• Often a person’s first expression or response does not reveal their truest need.
• Discernment is vital: in identifying the true need; in timing our response to it; and in the method we use to communicate
• Being human=being in need of truth.
• The "why" or "how" behind a person's actions is not nearly as important as the fact that he/she is standing in front of you, in need, the "now"
• God's Spirit is the usher into things spiritual, nothing else

There are no elite when it comes to accessing the things of God, and for this I'm thankful.

Some things never change!

I'm all about change - I have to be to work at the Network of Hope, because we're all about change. But sometimes too many changes can come at once, even for me. That's when I'm glad that some things NEVER change. When I'm feeling like I'm in the whirlwind, and everything around me is blowing wildly, I have to stop and take hold of some of the things that are not changing around me. Here are a few examples of my favorite things that never change:

God's love - "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children. (Psalm 103:17)

God's Word - "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89)

God's kingdom - "How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation" (Daniel 4:3)

God's protection - "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'" (Deut. 33:27)

Those are just a few truths that keep me grounded when everything else seems to be changing. I can also count on God to:

accomplish what concerns me (Psalm 138:8)
forgive me of me sins (I John 1:9)
complete the work He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6)
be with me (Hebrews 13:5)
help me through my trials and temptations (I Corinthians 10:13)

Aren't you glad some things NEVER change?????

NOH in the News!

Network of Hope is featured in the February issue of the Pittsburgh Senior News. Upon reading it, I am humbly reminded about how fortunate we are to be surrounded by so many dedicated, caring people who volunteer daily to improve others' lives. Thanks to PSN for such generous coverage and for so accurately and articulately capturing the mission of NOH. (The article is on pages 4-5).

A new member of the NOH Team!

I wanted to introduce you to my son, Javen. This picture was taken a few weeks when he was 20 weeks old. Every part of his body has already been formed and to think that God has already ordained his days is an amazing thought!! I have never felt such awe and love as I did that day -- I can't even imagine what is will be like when he is actually born...which should be at the beginning of June!!

Modeling Growth by Neil Anderson

One of my good friends sent this to me and it is worthy for all to read. I hope you not only enjoy this read but that you really put it into practice!!

MODELING GROWTH, by Neil Anderson
James 1:22 ~ Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves
I am learning about pastors and missionaries across the country who are preaching against the very sins they are committing themselves. Nationally known Christian personalities who vehemently condemn immorality have themselves been found to be hiding an immoral lifestyle. Those of us who are called to preach or teach God's Word must put it on first. We must get on our knees before God as we prepare the message and say, "God, is this Scripture true in my life?" If not, we had better be honest enough to say to those who hear us, "I wish I were a better example of this passage than I am, but I'm still growing in this area." To proclaim the Word of God as if it were true in your life when it's not is a lie.
Those of us who receive the Word are also vulnerable to self-deception if we fail to put it into practice. We hear a sermon or a lesson and say, "Wow! What a great truth!! and hurry off to share it with someone else without processing it ourselves and applying it to our own lives. James said that hearers of the Word who are not also doers of the Word deceive themselves.
Why are we afraid to admit it when our lives don't completely match up to Scripture? I believe it's because many of us have a perfection complex. We think we have to model perfection and not admit to something less. But we can't model perfection, because we're not perfect; we can only model growth. The people around us need to know that we are real people in the process of maturing. They need to see how we handle failure as well as how we handle success. When we model this kind of honesty in the Christian community, we greatly reduce the possibility of the deceiver gaining a foothold.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I have placed the quest for earthly perfection ahead of growth in You and Your Word. Help me model growth in my life today.

Isaiah 58

During the beginning of this year, I was asked to share the vision of Network of Hope with one of our churches that is beginning an NOH Site. I felt as though I needed to share more than the NOH mission, vision and results. I wanted to share some of the foundational philosophy behind our organization. Isaiah 58 has become one of my favorite chapters of the Bible and the one I continually read as we move forward here at NOH. As I studied the passage though, I realized that Isaiah 58 is really about God's view of true righteousness and what He promises to those who live accordingly. Below is a synopsis of this chapter. I hope that it will inspire you to see your faith through God's eyes and not through the lense of religion. Outward Evidences of Genuine Righteousness · Loose the chains of injustice and untie the cord of the yoke (vs. 6) · Set the oppressed free and break every yoke (6) · Share your food with the hunger (7) · Provide Shelter to the poor wanderer (7) · Clothe the naked when you see them (7) · Turn not away from your own flesh and blood (7) · Do away with the pointing finger and malicious talk (9) · Keep from breaking the Sabbath and doing what you please on that day (13) · Call the Lord’s Day a delight and do not speak idle words (13) God’s Promises to the Righteous · Your light will break forth like the dawn (8) · Your healing will quickly appear (8) · Your righteousness will go before you(8) · The Glory of the Lord will be your rear guard(8) · You will call & the Lord will answer (9) · You will cry for help and He will say “Here am I” (9) · The Lord will guide you always (11) · He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land (11) · He will strengthen your frame (11) · You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail (11) · You will find your joy in the Lord (14) · He will cause you to ride on the heights of the Land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.(14)

Counting Luggage

I think that it was on one of our family vacations where I first noticed it.... as we are traveling, I was continually counting people and bags. Actually it was brought to my attention rather pointedly and mockingly by my wife and 3 daughters.

I don't just give a cursory glance... I do a complete count at everything even resembling a stop. This has also been confirmed by anyone who has traveled with me on a mission trip to Africa. I have also observed that once I actually arrive at my destination, I can absolutely relax and not experience the slightest concern. Some would call it obsessive, others endearing.... but it is part of how I am "hard wired".

I was also recently watching a docudrama, "Band of Brothers" about one of the most highly honored fighting units in WW II. There was a poignant scene in which a highly respected lieutenant is seriously wounded in the leg and is unable to walk, just as the enemy is about to overtake their position. The Lt. is ordering his men to leave him behind in order to not put themselves in any further jeopardy. His men defy his orders, dismantle a door from a nearby farm house, and use the door as a litter to drag him to safety while all the while bullets are flying all around them.

"No one was left behind!"

It wasn't the men who carried the lieutenant out of danger, but love and commitment.

I really believe that this accurately represents Jesus' attitude in leaving His exalted position in order to pursue every man. He is no respecter of person, position, or title. Love brought Him to Earth, love sent Him to the Cross, and love raised Him from the dead. All this so that it was possible for "no man to be left behind".

But Jesus' mission did not end at His ascension 2000 years ago. Rather the mission was extended to his team... His "Band of Brothers (and Sisters)". His mission is now our mission... that no one is left behind. You and I are part of God's great mission to see that no one gets left behind.

It's a lot more beneficial than counting luggage..... though come next trip, I am certain that I will again be counting.

What needs to change?

Psalm 136 is a strange looking psalm at first glance. Every one of its 26 verses ends with the phrase, "For His lovingkindness is everlasting." According to one Bible commentary, this song of thanksgiving had a prominent place in Jewish worsip. The repeated phrase was probably sung by the entire congretation, while the leader of the congregation or the choir sang the beginning phrase of the verse.

As we read it in English, though, it may seem clumsy or tedious. But think for a moment - we all have used the method of repetition throughout our lives as an aid to memorize things. Remember learning the times tables in grade school? Or have you ever repeated in your mind someone's name you just met so you won't forget it 2 minutes later? How about saying over and over again, "Don't forget to stop at the store for milk"? It doesn't take a great leap to suggest that the psalmist intentionally repeats this phrase because he knows how important it is to remember this truth - "For His lovingkindness is everlasting." And that's something that doesn't change!

Two other phrases stick out in this Psalm. Verse 14 says that God "made Israel pass through the midst of it," meaning the midst of the Red Sea. We think of the parting of the Red Sea as a wonderful miracle, which is was. But think of the Israelites whom God "made" to walk on either side of those huge walls of water. Those walls were just being held there by...what??!?!? Don't you think they may have been just a tad nervous? Don't you think they were scared to death that the situation could change and that those walls of water could come crashing down on them at any second?

Then, only two verses later, we are told to give thanks "to Him who led His people through the wilderness." I don't know about you, but a wilderness is not exactly a place I would want to be led into - even if God is doing the leading. "Lions and tigers and bears, O MY" comes to mind. I would probably have to be led kicking and screaming!

But God did make Israel pass through the midst of the Red Sea, and He did lead His people through the wilderness. And the Israelites were called upon in this psalm to thank Him for it - more precisely, to thank Him "for His lovingkindness is everlasting." I don't know about you, but I don't immediately associate walking through the Red Sea and then the wilderness with God's everlasting lovingkindness.

What about you? Are you feeling like the walls are about to crash down on you? Are you in the wilderness? Are you crying out, "God, something needs to change!"? Right now, you may not see it, you may not believe it, but "His lovingkindness is everlasting." That means that His love for you doesn't change! He loves you in the middle of the sea, and in the middle of the wilderness. Do you want to believe that? Then try repeating it as a sacrifice of praise, just like the psalmist encouraged his listeners to do. Repeat it in your mind over and over until it becomes a part of you. You may find that the sea and the wilderness don't immediately change... but you attitude toward them might. Your situation may not change...but your thinking might. Your focus may not change...but your state of mind might. And those changes are the ones that most concerns God - your thinking, your attitude, your heart. That's the lasting change in which He is most interested.

Let Him change your thinking, your attitude, your heart. Then watch to see how the situaton will change!