One Shot

A gut check. That's what I received for taking a 15-minute break. God's "velvet boot" kicking me gently, but ever so effectively, in the kiester to help me gain a truer perspective. Funny how He does that with me. Often.

See, it's been a long, l-o-n-g week. Long hours. Short deadlines. Pressure. And other projects backing up. So today – correction – tonight, I'm running out of gas. Worn down. Spirit fading and desire slowly sliding into a slight state of "numb". So I decided to watch the news for a break. I'm allowed that, right?

So there I am, watching the news, martyring myself and the week when the news does a feature of ProMujer.org. Pro Mujer gives micro loans to poor, yet enterprising, women in Latin America who literally have nothing. Women who were seen as second-class are given small loans to start their own businesses so they (and their children) can survive. The woman the news highlighted lives in Bolivia and through her loan, started her own bakery.

(Warning: here's where the "velvet boot" comes in, kids.) She works, get this, 20 hours a day (no, that's not a typo). 20. Because she's committed to making sure her business doesn't fail. In fact, she now has a few employees (including her husband!) and she hopes to get a car to expand her business soon. And during the interview, she never stopped working - or smiling. Because someone gave her a $17 loan, she can make her own way and in her words, "have dignity".

(BTW – It was at that moment I began to feel small and sheepish.)

So here's the deal. I am tired. Run down and a bit mentally spent for the day. But I can't go to bed without telling you about these couragous, wonderful women. Go check out the web site (ProMujer.org) and I promise you you'll be inspired by their stories. And their perseverence. They dig deep. They only asked for one chance to prove themselves - one chance - and are making good on their promise.

And I can't stress this enough, that's all God wants from you. For you to take a chance on Him.

Just to give Him one shot...one chance to prove Himself to you. For my friend Todd who's 15-year-old son has undergone 41 operations in his short lifetime... and no "expert" thought he'd live to see 15...there's God showing what He can do with His one shot. For a lady who even a short while ago was afraid to pray for people out loud who is now a beloved Outreach leader and tears down cultural walls and hardened barriers with a hug, God's shown her the awesome power what His love can do.

Mark 10:27 says, "Looking at them, Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.' ". I want you to print out, copy, jot down that verse for this week and keep it handy. Just keep it in the forefront. Not to memorize it or as some weird "Bible verse chant", but know what it means. To you. From God. "...for all things are possible with God." "With" as in, "you and Him working together."

I know many of you are tired and need the refreshing waters of Christ. Need to know God's promises of protection and deliverence...provision...

rest...peace...favor, all that and more. And He will provide. But He needs you to take a chance on Him (and that's not always easy, I know. Trust is not my strong suit.)

Because here's the deal, God doesn't quit. God doesn't break. God doesn't blink. And God works His will 24/7 and relishes the time you spend with Him. And working His miracles in your life. All because you trust and take a chance on Him.

Which, ironically, isn't chance at all.

Esther

"And if I die, I die."

Suddenly the account of Esther goes from Cinderella to something more Shakespearean.

Esther, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The poor girl whose name means "star". The girl raised by a lowly porter, whose chance of "making it big" were infinite to none.

But there she stood, as a queen, grieving inside the King's palace. A queen with an entire race's fate weighing on her petite shoulders. Because on the other side stood Haman. A man, corrupt and morally bankrupt, who stood as the king's greatest advisor. Haman wanted genocide against the Jewish people because one Jew, Mordecai, wouldn't bow to him. Because of that one defiant act, Haman set out to eradicate every Jew in the land. He had the time. He had the place. And the support of a most powerful king to set his plan into motion.

The only thing standing in his way was a pretty Jewish girl.

And there she stood, perhaps on her balcony of the king's palace which, by the way, the palace foundation alone spanned two and a half acres and rose five stories. I imagine an emotionally torn, grieving Esther looking over the kingdom, her people, her Jewish people knowing she can't simply walk in and ask for an audience with the king, but she must. To do that would show disrespect and could have grave consequences (as it had for her predecessor) but she must act. She must talk to the king to save her people.

"And if I die, I die."

Aside from the words of Jesus, there are few more powerful words spoken throughout the entire Bible. "And if I die, I die." Make no mistake here, Satan had chosen his person to carry out his will, Haman. The king's advisor, a man swayed by egotistical whims who had the power to carry out devastating orders with ease. But in the other corner, ah, the other corner, God chose a woman. A Jewish woman. Two things that carried a serious "second class" label in those days.

God chose Esther. And her response to the peril was, "And if I die, I die." Historians reveal that it was Haman's own pride and egocentric ways which sprung his own trap on himself and led the the unraveling of his plan. Satan had his player. God chose His. And once again, it was the most unlikely hero with whom God proved the victor.

Now, besides being a wonderful account of true events in history (you can visit the palace Esther lived in today), what strikes me is Esther did what was right. Period. It wasn't easy. It wasn't going to make her popular amidst the influential people in the palace. But it was right. She did what she knew she was meant to do, risking her own life in the process, and letting God do the rest.

Which brings me to this: In our world where we hear of corrupt politicians, greedy CEOs and "ethics" seem more like a nice ideal than something held dear, know this. This isn't anything God hasn't seen before, hasn't dealt with before and hasn't beat before. He sets things according to His plan. Always. And He wins.

All He asks is you do the right thing and He'll do the rest. And you may die. Socially. Financially. Professionally. That's the risk He may ask you to take at one time or another in your life. Heavy thought? Sure. But God will have His way by working with you or someone else. He chose someone whose name means "star" over 2,500 years ago to put His will into motion. And her selfless act is celebrated today.

What will you do when he calls your name?

Fed

So the church I attend, Vineyard Community Church, has a Thanksgiving tradition where we hand out complete Thanksgiving dinners to those who need it most. For some, this along with our Christmas Eve Donut Outreach are the pinnacle of all the outreaches VCC does throughout the year. And this year was no different. Moreover, as the economy has put a strain on peoples' finances and folks are learning to go without, VCC wanted to make sure no one, not a single person, went without hope in Jesus Christ.

'Cause that's our job, that's what we do.

So this year they set an audactious goal - hand out 1,200 complete turkey dinners. Admist people losing their jobs, people's 401(k) plans tanking, people having to cut back and say "no" and budget like never before, Dave Workman, our senior pastor, stood up on stage and asked people if they could give $20-30 and fill up a box so a family could, yes, have a nice Thanksgiving, but also know about our God. About his love, grace and mercy. And Dave knew that would be a lot to ask of some people, so he wasn't expecting everyone to be able to do it. So Dave asked those folks to pray for the dinners that would go out. See, it's not all about the "stuff", it's the divine appoinments. The light touches. The person who's got nothing who receives far more than a dinner, but a deep sense of who God is.

1,200 dinners though? That's up from 900 last year. And during an economic crisis. Was this really going to happen?

As I drove into the VCC parking lot Saturday morning, I couldn't find a spot. So you know, this is a parking lot that fits 2,000 cars easily and I had to park all the way at The Chapel up the road a bit. I had to walk in the 22° blustery cold all the way into the Atrium. And I couldn't have been happier. Because people didn't just show up, they showed up en force. To see all the people walk out with their boxes, most of them decorated by their kids, some wrapped in paper, others splattered with construction paper hearts and messages of love on them where going out the door to their own divine appointments. Stranger meeting stranger. Now friend helping friend. All to say, "God loves you, and we do too".

In the end 1,200 dinners weren't delivered but 1,500. 1,500. Some people took five and six boxes and sacrificed their own Thanksgiving dinners to make that happen. Dave told the congregation he was pulled aside by one man during the outreach who said, "Last year...you guys gave my family a turkey. This year, we get to be the ones handing out a turkey. And our hope is next year, we can do even more."

Now, I could end the "60" there. With warm and fuzzies and the faint taste of cranberry sauce lingering about your mouth. But there is a deeper story here, one you can carry on with you today, on Thanksgiving and deep into the rest of your life. And it's simply this – God feeds his people.

He feeds us. Always. He finds a way. Sometimes it's with a turkey dinner. Other times it's a kind word from a friend. A line of scripture from the Bible. A paycheck when you most need it. A sense of hope when all seems lost. He feeds us when we find ourselves hungering for more than ourself. Something bigger. Something that really means something.

He feeds us. But we need to be willing to trust. Someone once said, "A hand open to give is also open to receive". And for a lot of us, we're really good about the giving part, it's the receiving we need to embrace and cherish. So this week, my prayer for you is to let God "feed" you. Spend some time with him, let Him lead you to some things He's put on your heart lately. Be open to accepting His love and love of you. And the love others have for you as well.

And if you think of it, let your friends and loved ones know about the turkey outreach. Not how a congregation showed up. Or even how VCC showed up. But that God showed up to fed 1,500 families. And you as well.

Beds

During LA La Viña, an outreach which reaches out to the Hispanic poor in our community, one of the families we serve had one sole immediate need – three kids under the age of 10 in need of beds. The mother, who works very hard couldn't afford beds for her children and it wrecked her to the core. For her kids to sleep on the aged carpet and warmed only by thread-bare blankets...well, how would it make you feel?

But here's how God shows up: Two people, who'd never been on that outreach felt they "needed" to see what it was all about Saturday morning and when the mother's needs were known, each one had a missing component – one had a toddler bed, the other a twin bed for two. And another first-timer had sheets and pillows for the twin bed.

And while the mother was embarrassed to tell us her family's needs, the people who had the items were bursting with excitement, joy and were more than ready to help. (I think there was a suppressed high five floating about the room amidst the tears of joy.)

So today, twelve people, most of us strangers, regrouped again after meeting each other for the first time yesterday, to go back over to deliver two beds and bedding for three kids who'd been sleeping on matted, worn out carpet for over a year.

And that....that...is Christ in action, kids. Princess bedding for the girls. Batman bedding for the little boy.

And let me say, this is not about a good deed, or about a "warm and fuzzy" at the end of the day, it's all about Christ in action. Period. And how He puts the right people in the right places in the right time to help three little amigos in others path just to so He can say, "Sleep well tonight...for you..are a child of God."

So to Kimberly, Jennie and Railey. "Jesus te ama."

And we do too.

Saturday

I was asked to give the devotional before our Saturday church-wide Outreach. Since I received a lot of positive feedback on it, I'm going to use it as the base for this week's "60". I hope you enjoy it.

Today is the best day of the week for a lot of people. Not because it's the start of the weekend or the end of another work week. No, it's because of you. Because you care. Because you know their stories, you know their pains, you know what they're going through.

Because on Saturday morning when our homeless friends see the vans pulling up, the tables being unloaded and the coolers being set up, they know what's coming. And for our Hispanic friends at The Willows, when they see us toting grocery bags and diapers, they know what's coming. We see them standing at the corner waiting for us. We see kids looking out their windows waiting for us to show up.

That's what makes it the best day of the week.

You. Caring. Listening. And coming back.

Matthew 25 says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

I like how our teaching pastor Joe Boyd put it, "Throw a party for people who can never repay you". Now, I'm not sure if ham sandwiches and some hot cocoa, or a bag of dry beans and rice constitutes a party, but we'll take it. And we'll love everything we've got to serve them with.

And I'd like to say that after the historic election this week, I want to remind you we're not called to spread a message of political hope. No, we're called to witness to the promise that is Jesus Christ. And we're not called to be political mavericks, but servants in the name of Christ.

Because on Tuesday night when one of our friends in Washington Park is tempted to hit the bottle or hit the pipe, we want him to hit his knees and say, "God, I want you, not this". And we'll be right there with him. And on Wednesday morning when there is little work and even less money for a single working mom with three kids and she wants to give up, we want her to give it all to God and see what happens when He works in her life.

After all, you were once lost and someone went through hell and earth to find you. You were blind and someone showed you who you really are in Christ. And that's all we're doing today. Finding and showing. All through Christ.

So I want you to remember that today is the best day of the week for someone you're serving. So you can smile a little brighter. Listen and little deeper. And love a with a little more abandon.

Now, what do you say we go out and serve someone?

Odds

See that photo? That's Ken Mink, age 73, playing for Roane State Community College shooting two free throws. No, it's not a PR stunt. Or a gimmick. It's not even and intersquad scrimmage. That's Ken, at age 73, shooting two free throws during a regulation game. More importantly, it put to rest something that bothered Ken for over 50 years.

See, over half a century ago, Ken was a scholarship basketball player for another college. One night, the basketball coach's office was soaped and Ken took the blame for it. For that, he lost his scholarship. No more college. No more basketball. For something his still insists he did not do.

Fast forward 50 years and Ken's want to finish out his basketball career and thirst to redeem himself led him to do something most people would either call foolish or crazy - he wrote every area college and begged them to let him try out for the team. His letter writing campaign resulted in a river of rejection letters.

Except for one, Roane State Community College.

He worked out for the coaches, practiced, learned all the plays, made the team and while coasting to victory against rival King College, Ken was given the chance to play. And that's all he wanted. One chance. Now he's on record a being the oldest person to ever play NCAA basketball (along with two points and a 100% free throw average to his credit).

Redemption. At age 73.

Now let me bring up a kid named Matt Williams. Matt was a good high school kicker but wasn't offered any scholarships to any colleges big or small. Not even a single walk-on invitation. So he attended a larger Division One Texas college, hung out with his friends and on a one-time chance, entered a contest to get one month free rent if he could hit a field goal during half time. Matt was chosen to attempt the feat and in front of a packed football stadium of rowdy college football fans on a Texas afternoon, people cheered, held their breath and watching curiously to see if a no-name kid off the street could even come close to making the field goal.

He nailed it. Solid.

His contest-winning PAT got the attention of the school's coaching staff (and fans) and now Matt is kicking for the number two-ranked football team in the nation, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. And he's still nailing 'em. Solid. Every Saturday.

He took a chance and now he's got a full-ride to Texas Tech.

Unlikely victory. For taking a chance.

In the Bible, we read stories about people who, just like Ken and Matt, took a chance and then beat the odds. Who looked at God and what God could do instead of falling into the trap of everyday mediocrity. A kid with a rock kills a trained assassin. A guy who was completely out manned and out classed in battle took on the opposing force armed with only some clay pots, torches and a few trumpets. And a Man chose twelve less-than-ordinary guys to spread His word throughout the world and through the ages.

All unlikely. All against the odds.

But that's how God works. He defies the odds and says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending". He doesn't know what defeat is. He isn't concerned about the odds or the naysayers. And loves it when His people look to Him and go "all in" on Him. His word. His will. His way.

And take a chance on Him.

So this week my prayer for you if that you not look at the odds, instead focus on God. Look to Him for His will in your life and how he wants to use you. Then let Him show you how He'll work through you and with you to not just defy the odds, but to shatter them.

Because the world is holding its breath and watching curiously to see if you can even come close to making your God-sized goals. And with Jesus beside you, trust me, you're going to nail 'em.

Solid.

99

What were you doing at 9 am on Tuesday? Headed for work? Drinking your first cup of coffee? Heading for work while drinking your first cup of coffee? Can't remember? Me either.

But Keith Thomas sure knows.

Because he was sitting in a courtroom awaiting a ruling of whether he could stay here in the US, or be deported back to England. For those of you who don't know Keith, he's one of the most warm, caring and well-educated people I know. He's lived across the world, has a wonderful family and is a passionate follower of Christ. Problem is, in 1971 (at 17 years old) he was convicted of the importation of cannabis into England from Morocco via a cruise liner he was working on. That's of course before he became a Christian. Now, fast forward almost 40 years and that conviction (which has long been expunged in Britain) now has his US residency in peril.

So back to Tuesday, Keith found out he'll get a one-on-one meeting with an immigration judge sometime in January. So now, after over a year in limbo, he and his family have to wait another 99 days or so to see if he can stay or has to leave.

Thursday, I had lunch with a friend who just found out his mom has cancer. They're not sure what kind yet, but they know it is cancer. He told me he feels like he's getting ripped off because he just recently reconnected with him mom. After many years of separation, they got past their differences and hurts and recently his wife and kids have gotten to know her too. Vacations together. Holidays together. A long overdue phone call just to say, "Hi, Mom...it's me."

And my friend told me that he doesn't care if it's a waiting room, an examination room or a surgery room, he's going to enjoy every minute he gets to spend with her. And if her cancer is incurable, he's taking her to Hawaii. No matter the cost or how much time he has to take off work, they're going - as a family.

So those two accounts within a span of two days leads me to this, how will you treat your next 99 days? Keith will be relishing his friendships and his pastoral job for the next 99 days. My friend will be spending some serious quality time with his mom over the next 99. So what about you?
99 days or so to see if he can stay or has to leave. And although Keith could give up, get frustrated or bury his head under the pillow, he's not. I know Keith and know he'll use the next 99 days as if they were his last in the States. He'll counsel, console, preach, advise, teach and worship a little harder. He'll enjoy the small moments with his wife and kids a bit more. He'll live a little deeper and enjoy life in the states a bit more as his judgement in January draws closer.

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons. The younger demands his share of his inheritance while his father is still living, and goes off to a distant country where he "waste[s] his substance with riotous living", and eventually has to take work as a swine herder (clearly a low point, as swine are not kosher in Judaism). There he comes to his senses, and decides to return home and throw himself on his father's mercy, thinking that even if his father does disown him, that being one of his servants is still far better than feeding pigs. But when he returns home, his father greets him with open arms, and hardly gives him a chance to express his repentance; he kills a fatted calf to celebrate his return.

For a lot of us, that's how we treat our life, we squander the time and then scramble to find a quick solve later on. Then we end up thinking, "Man, if I was 25 again", "If I was his age, I'd be able to...", "If I made the kind of money I made back then", "If I didn't have this extra 20 pounds", "If I had more hair", you get the idea.

We "if" away our own existence and end up frittering away the days. One right after another ...plunk...plunk...plunk...until we look back having logged in the time, but have little to show for it. But that's not what God wants for you. No, never. For you to drive home saying, "Well, I put in another day...two more to go 'til the weekend". Or you to look at your past as your only unclaimed chance at a life. A real life. To really "live". Or to look at yourself and not see all you're capable of in Christ. To hone the gifts and talents He gave you. Changing your life through Him. Helping others out of their own cesspools. To live, really live. Each day. Every day. In Him.

That...is what I want for you.

So here's my challenge, you ready? Let's you and I see what we can accomplish in the next 99 days. If Keith can live out loud while he awaits his hearing in front of the judge, if my friend can spend the next three months cherishing each moment around his mom, then certainly I can pick up a torch a bear down on a couple things in my life. And I hope you will too. Write down two things you want to overcome, to get rid of, to begin or finish out in the next 99 days and let's see how God guides and moves you.

For inspiration, I'm sending you a link of what God can do, how lives can be transformed and a community (and a world moved) in the span of just 99 days.



You inspired now? Good. Now, write down your two things and get to gettin'. Because tomorrow morning, you'll only have 98 left.