Kristen

Last week, I shared stories about a couple of my friends, Davis and Jerry, who have disabilities. And your responses were many and heartfelt. So I wanted to continue on that path a bit more this week, but wasn't sure how. So to kill some time - ok, "stall" - I checked my Yahoo! email (aka - my junk email box) and there it was, a story that fits perfectly into last week's "60". Here's the link:



Pretty cool, huh?

And the most amazing part to me is, these are high school kids voting her as their Queen. They all banded together and saw through Kristin's "imperfections" to vote her in. Would your high school peers done that? Mine wouldn't. Heck, I thought this stuff only happened in Disney movies. But maybe today's kids see deeper than we think they do. At least they do in Texas.

John 13: 34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

And I think the kids at Aledo High are doing just that, showing their community, their state and their nation what love can do - crown a queen. Not in pity or as a feel good project, no. It's because they see, sure she has disabilities, but that she doesn't let them debilitate her. That's more than a queen, that's a champion.

So I'm going to keep the writing section of this "60" short so you can spend time watching the video, learning about Kristin and the kids at Aledo High. And I hope and pray that you've identified a "wheelchair" or disability in your own spirtitual, emotional or financial life and are working with God to become your own champion. It will take work. It will take time. But, oh my, is it worth it. To get past the lies, the scars on your heart, the weight of mocking shame and to be set free, trust me, it's worth it. More importanly, trust Him, he won't let you down.

As Kristen's friend said about her, "She's always up for anything". I hope you are too, in Christ.

Wheelchairs

I wanted you to meet someone today, my friend, Davis. Davis is the son of a dear college friend of mine and lives in one of my favorite cities, Fort Worth, Texas. Davis is a curious, spunky little boy with lots of energy, lots of love and a bright outlook on life.

He also has Down Syndrome.

Now, another friend, Jerry, some of you know Jerry. Jerry goes to The Vineyard and has his own challenges. Because of a mental disability, he can't drive a car so he has to walk wherever he goes. And this is what I love about Jerry, he has a job that he takes great pride in - busing tables at the nearby Chick-Fil-A. I know he's got his eye on running the cash register one day, but right now every table is clean, the bathrooms are surgery-room spotless and he'll get you a refill and hand it back to you with a sincere, "Here you go, my pleasure".

And tonight, yes tonight, there's an adult "Prom", a gala if you will, taking place where adults with mental and physical obstacles get to experience something most of us take for granted - being invited and accepted at a party. Dresses, tuxedos, limo service, food, prizes, even the red carpet have been donated and well over 500 area special needs adults will be dolled up and dapper later on tonight. Many who have spent their life as an outcast will not only be accepted and cheered, but also be crowned "Prom Queen" or "Prom King" at the end of the night (but don't tell them, ok? That's a surprise).

So in this "60", I wanted to address our own handicaps and obstacles. Short comings. The "hand we're dealt". Our issues. Whatever you want to call them, this is more than just "junk in the trunk", a bad habit or foolish behavior, I'm talking about the hard stuff. The stuff you seem wired to do and wish you wouldn't, or act out but wish you could quit. For some it's alcohol. For others it's porn. Still others struggle with an ingrained feeling of shame and failure. While for some it's an endless quest of approval.

Should I name more? Ok, I will. Let me start with my handicaps (but, please, feel free to list your own). I'm a control freak. I don't trust others. I assume the whole world works off "performance-based love". I believe if there's tension in my family or circle of friends, that I'm to blame, I did something wrong, and then, I need to fix it. Oh, and I think when things are going well in my life, just wait, because the rug is going to pulled out from underneath me soon.

Yes, that was hard to admit. But I told you when I started these "60"s, I was going to be transparent, honest and open in the hopes that you would be too, both with yourself and God. So you could cleanse your soul a little. Open up the hidden areas and ask Our Father to help you deal with them and shine His light on them.

Davis has his handicap. Jerry has his obstacles. The kings and queens of "The Prom" tonight have their challenges. But here's the deal, they're not letting them dictate their life. And neither should we. We all have our emotional, spiritual and mental wheelchairs. We can't seem to forgive the person who hurt us so many years ago. We can't seem to see ourselves as beloved creations of God and try and try and try to be perfect, yet we fail. We don't let others in because of the off chance of getting hurt is too painful to bear once more. And we're so afraid of failing we don't even try.

So we sit in our "wheelchair" and watch the world go by wishing we could be a part of it.

Below is a link to all the miracles Jesus performed that are listed in the Bible, click on it and read through the list, let it all soak in a bit:
http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/miracles-of-jesus-2.htm

Now, what I want you to see is, yes, He performed many miracles (and more than likely more than we know). But I want you to see exactly which miracles he performed. Let's look through the list at the actions of just some of His miracles: healing, delivering, cleansing, raising, feeding, and calming just to name a few. Could you use a little of that in your life?

See, Jesus got people out of their spriitual, emotional, mental and physical wheelchairs. He took their crutches and tossed them aside. He awakened the dead. Gave sight to the blind. Cast out demons and said, "Be free". He looked prostitutes and theives in the eye and said, "I love you, do this no more". He came. He loved. He conquered. And told them all to leave their "wheelchair" and walk. With Him. In His footsteps. So we all could be free.

And He's not done. Not with you. Not with me.

So here's my prayer for you this week. I pray you identify a "wheelchair" in your life, whether it's spiritual, mental, emotional, financial, whatever and start working with God to overcome them. No need to be embarrassed. There are many fine sources of counseling, prayer, safe support groups, books, websites and dear friends that you can trust to say, "This is my wheelchair...I'd like to get rid of it."

Because Davis could be on the sidelines, instead he's on the field. Jerry could be holed up in an apartment feeling sorry for himself, instead he's out serving others. And the queens and kings of tonight's prom could stay home and watch reruns on television. Instead, their opting in and having the time of their life. I want nothing less than the same for you. So "rise and walk", get out of yur wheelchair, work through your handicaps and cling tight to Jesus - He won't let you fall.

Gene

My dad has a wonderful cousin in Chicago named Bret. Bret is a music teacher, a wonderful singer who, in fact, has sung The National Anthem for the Chicago White Sox and other professional teams. He's probably the most kind-hearted, easy going, giving person I've ever met who, I swear, inherited that "heart" from my great grandmother, Emma. His sincere kindness and warmth is only surpassed by his wife, Sue and together they are just incredible to be around. To paint a picture here, Bret and Sue are the people my whole family knows we don't get to see enough, don't get to be around enough and can't say enough nice things about.

This week Bret and Sue lost their only son, Gene, in a car accident.

Gene was a young guy in his early 20s, and was working a construction job, felt ill and drove home. On his way home, he passed out and drove his car off the road and died instantly. So our family is in a bit of shock and it's times like these that it's beyond words and action to imagine what they are going through. What Gene's grandma is going through. A parent burying a child is bad enough, a grandparent having to bury a grandchild? That's wrenching.

So I'm led to "Why?". I know the Sunday School answer is "God has a plan". Trust me, I've heard it. Many times. Last week I asked you to pray for Gabby in Mexico. To let her know "Daddy's got a plan". But still, Gene? Why? Gene was Bret and Sue's only son. Their daughter, Rachel, only had one brother. One sibling. Maggie had one grandson. And now he's gone. Why? No holiday, no birthday, no day will be the same for them moving forward. Wounds heal in time, but this goes way beyond a wound, this is true "loss".

Yesterday and a large part of this morning I wondered "why?" about Gene. Why it happened to him. Why it happened to Bret and Sue's son. Why it happened to Maggie's only grandson. And it was tough. And it will be for a while.

But here's what I know, God can take it. He can take your hard questions. Your anger. Your resentment. Your fear. You lashing out and demanding "Why?" He can take it when you can't. He knows you better than you know yourself. Psalm 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts". Let Him in. Ask for help in the tough times.

Psalm 22:2 reads, "O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest." Ever been there? Ever been that honest with God that you declare He's not answering you? That you have no peace and it's His fault? Test Him. Try Him. Call Him out. He's more than ok with that.

Later on in Psalm 61:1, like a final plea, David says, "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer." Ever said anything that bold to God? Get that messy? It's not easy. It's not for the meek. It's not for those who smooth everything over with the chipper milquetoast mantra, "God's got a plan!"

In short, I don't know why Gene died. I don't need to know. That's for God and Bret and Sue and Rachel to work on through these tough days ahead and for the healing salve of Christ in the future. I don't know why you've been "messed over" in life. Why you've been hurt. Why you've been let down. Why you seem to get tested day in and day out only to be tested once again.

But God does.

And He wants a relationship with you. A real, honest, soul-bearing, "As I am Lord" relationship. And like all relationships, it's going to take work. There needs to be honest dialogue. There needs to be trust. There will be good times, there will be bad. Trials. Heartaches. Rough periods where you want to quit, and then times when it seems the world is yours. So get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Ask the hard questions. Don't make your relationship with God a hobby, make it your passion. Be brutally honest and open with God for one month and see what happens. Old wounds are healed. Mistakes are forgiven. Debts are canceled. Eyes are opened to something strangely new yet familiar at the same time.

Go for it.

Here's what else I know. That twenty-something kid, my cousin Gene, is a hero to twelve complete strangers and their families as his organs and corneas were able to be harvested. He instantly changed twelve people's lives forever. Forever. These people who were on waiting lists for months, maybe years, went from living by the second to a second chance to live because of Gene. And because of God.

Maybe you need your own second chance with God. So go...get honest with Him. Deepen your relationship with Him. Take a chance on him. Start by reading the Book of Psalms. And then write - and live - your own conversations with God.

Merging

She wouldn't let me merge. The lady in the minivan.

I thought she had just a few seconds ago. I was in the right lane that ended and everyone on the left was letting others in. I assumed I was next and started to merge over. All was well until she shot up beside me and made it clear she wasn't going to let me in. No way. No how. She had it out for me.

And now, I was mad. What did I do to her? Why was she being such a jerk?

Sad thing was, I sort of felt like I'd been sucker punched by a total stranger. You've been there too, I'm sure. Someone takes the parking spot you'd been waiting on. The cashier gives you attitude when all you're trying to be is nice. A saga with Customer Service. You get the idea.

And those instances with strangers come and go, darken our day a bit and then we move on. But it got me to thinking, "Who was the last person I sucker punched?" A friend? Someone in my family? A customer service rep in India?

Sadly, we all do it. Not a physical cheap shot, but through words. Through actions. Most often to the people we love the most. I get tired. I get cranky. I get to a point where I don't want to be around people for an hour or so. And when I've had enough, I sometimes sucker punch the very people I claim to love the most. I do it through a smarmy remark or a biting comment. That's me. I'm sure you have your own style.

What do you say we both agree to work to get rid of that, ok? Because it hurts.

In The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), we're told of a master who had mercy on a debt of a servant, but that servant had no mercy on someone who owed him. And the master was not happy about this double standard. Jesus ends the parable saying, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Let me throw this at you, Newton's Law of Motion says, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." I'm not sure if Newton was a Christian, but when it comes to how we fall and fail, this sounds a lot like Christ's love to me. We mess up, he cleans us up. We have words of anger, he soothes us with words of forgiveness. Newton's law from a Christian perspective. Not bad for a Tuesday.

So back to my minivan lady, the next stoplight turned green and she was too busy messing with her radio or something in her purse and didn't notice it. Tick. Tick. Tick. Light's still green and she's not paying attention. That's when I reached back and I was ready to retaliate via my truck horn. And man, I was going to let it wail. Cut me off. Treat me bad. Give me attitude. Now who's in charge, lady?

And then I saw it. The cross ring I wear on my thumb. The one that reminds me who's really in charge. The one that puts me in my place. Trust me, I wanted for all the world to give her just a teenie, weenie "courtesy" honk, but I couldn't. "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" in Christ in all. In other words, "give her a free pass".

A few blocks later she turned off and I prayed for her. For her day. For her "issues", and I meant it. And it felt right.

So, my prayer for you this week is that you don't let cheap anger lead the way to a biting comment or something that drives a wedge into a relationship. Because that's not Christ. At all. Do the opposite. Take the cheap shot, pray about it. Talk to the person if you can and see what's really going on. Love them as Christ loves you. Sure it can be tough and rocky waters to navigate, but that's why I wear a thumb ring- just to let me know who's really in charge.

Daily Bread

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

I've recited that line of The Lord's Prayer countless times, mostly in unison with a congregation or even in a small gathering of other Christians. And most the time I just mutter through it, parroting the line and focus more on whether we'll say "debts" or "trespasses" in the forthcoming line. Shallow praying, I know. And I hate it.

But "Give us this day our daily bread" really meant something to me this week. You too, I'm sure.

In my case it was "Give us this day a tank of gas", "Give us this day a cell phone charge" and "Give us this day a warm shower".

I'm not trying to make light of The Lord's Prayer or put any humor in this thought, it's simply finding an open gas station when my tank was hugging "E" while traveling back to Cincinnati early Monday morning was a time of outright trust in God. Finding not one, but two power converters for my truck to create my own rolling command center was like finding a Christmas present with my name on it. And having my friends insist I stay with them while my power is out is nothing less than an oasis.

But being thankful for help with the small things, the daily things, is hard for us. As people. As Americans. Even as Christians. Because we idolize the people who are self-made successes, shy away from labels like "support group" and even have a hard time when a store clerk asks, "Can I help you?" ("No...no I'm just looking."). Admit it, you probably hate having to ask for help. From a friend. From a stranger. From God.

But a storm that led to a week with no power, meant blocked roads and countless closed stores shakes up our routine, displaces our little world and shows you that, try as you might, you're not walking solo on this journey. We all need God. We all need others. And that can be scary. An inconvenience. At times, it can even be a let down. But it can also be a blessing. A growth experience. And a healing experience like no other.

"Give us this day our daily bread..."

That's faith and trust in something other than myself. Something I need to work on.

I just had my morning coffee and truly, honestly thanked God for it today. Probably for the first time ever. "Thanks for taking care of me, God. Thanks for putting the people in my life who I can ask for help and they can ask the same from me. Thank you for all you do for all of us, big and small, to show us how much You care for us and protect us. Thank you for my daily bread."

So now what? Do we just let this week go and "get back to normal". In a way, I hope so. In another, I hope not. Because the next time I recite The Lord's Prayer I'll be more focused and heart-felt when I say, "Give us this day our daily bread..." and not worry as much about the whole debts/trespasses coin toss. After all, God will take care of that, like He does with all things.

That's faith and trust in something other than myself. Something I am working on.

Oil Change

So I got to spend the long weekend in the U.P. of Michigan, a half hour away from the Canadian border. With the picturesque views, the impossibly fresh air, the "clear for days" skies and the warm, open people that live there, I was excited how God would turn that experience into a "60".

Instead He used an oil change. Yeah, at first I was a little disappointed too.

But this isn't about an oil change as much as Him changing me a bit. See, I needed a drop cloth or shower curtain. Got that? Drop cloth or shower curtain, walking into Wal-Mart, I knew that much. Why? To catch any oil drips that came from me changing my oil filter.

So I was in Aisles 6, 7, 8 and part of 9 looking for a cheap shower curtain or drop cloth. And kept looking. And looking. No luck. Of course, on a Labor Day holiday, the Wal-Mart was running on a skeleton crew anyway, so I kept trolling the aisles and was getting more and more frustrated. Quick side note, I worked at Wal-Mart for six years through high school and college, so I should know generally where to find stuff, right? But it just seemed like, really felt like, I wasn't supposed to find a plastic drop cloth or shower curtain. I didn't know why, didn't get it. But here I was in the shower curtain aisle, and they didn't have anything. Something was off.

That's when I got frustrated. And God told me to "turn around...look down".

I did.

God had shown me a row of paint roller trays. The idea was simple, instead of using a bulky cloth that would wrinkle up (and let the oil run down the crinkled channels), just use the paint roller tray to actually catch the oil, contain it. Very nice. Line it with a plastic bag and it'd be super easy to clean up. Huh...

So I was standing there, right in the middle of paint aisle of a Wal-Mart, and I closed my eyes and said, "Thanks for the lesson God...I get it." It wasn't about changing an oil filter, it wasn't about whether to use a drop cloth, or a paint roller pan or anything else. It was about me being open to Him, for me to trust Him. In all things, big and small. New and ordinary. Ok, I get it. Thanks.

Proverbs declares, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Makes it pretty clear, huh?

And after my experience trying to track down a phantom drop cloth, I really think God wants us to acknowledge him, even in our everyday things. Say, "Show me" and then to trust Him. It may sound corny or silly to ask God, "Where should I eat lunch today?" or "Should I get gas there?" or "Show me Your solution - drop cloth or shower curtain" because it feels like we're using God as a Magic Eight Ball, and that's not what He's about. He's sovereign. He's perfect in all His ways.

And the whole theme of the Bible is He wants a relationship with you. As a Father loves his child. And we need to trust Him, prepare for those lessons where we're standing in the paint aisle of a Wal-Mart, standing behind the high-maintenance lady at the grocery store or wondering, "What do I do with this mess in my life, Lord?" and hear His answers, His insight, His instruction. And trust me, most the time it's different from our assumptions and perspectives. Which is why we need His guidance.

Just be ready. Be open. Be listening. Be praying...hard. Mean it. Because more than likely he'll spin you around a bit and show you something exciting and "right" that you never would have figured out on your own. Even something as mundane as an oil filter change.

Fran and Janet

Funny how things come full circle sometime.

One of the first (and most popular) "60"s I wrote was how people tend to paint Peter as a goat because he lost faith while walking on the water and began to sink. Now, my personal view is that Peter should be counted as a hero for at least getting out of the boat in the first place. Taking a chance on Christ. Not staying in the safe, and throwing a leg over in faith - white knuckle faith at that.

And this weekend I wanted to point out two people who are "getting out of the boat" - Fran and Janet. Fran and Janet have been an instrumental part of the Hispanic LA La Viña Outreach since its inception. Every week there they are, with diapers, bubbles, toys and hugs for every single person we serve. When Doug and I started the outreach we had hard time because here we are, two white guys who speak no Spanish, looking for all the world like Border Patrol cops and we needed a way to soften the experience. Fran and Janet do just that.

Now this weekend, with Doug and I being in the U.P., they are going to lead LA La Viña and I know they'll do a great job. Because they're not doing it for themselves. Or to impress others. Or to score some points with God. No, they're doing it because it's work that needs to be done in the name of Christ. Must be done. Because our amigos at the Willows look forward to us showing up, checking in on them, offering them prayer and, yes Fran, especially offering a smile and a hug. For them, it's proof of the power and grace of Christ.

Philippians tells us, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction". Most of us know the first verse (13), but don't know the next (verse 14). "Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction."

How's that for some roll-up-your-sleeves, lift 'em up from the depth inspiration? See, we need to reach out to people – all people – in their trouble, in their pain, in their darkness, in their silent agony. Christian and non-Christian alike. As our teaching pastor Joe Boyd says, "We need to walk through the gates of hell and walk people out...to Christ". I can't say it any better than that.

So please pray for Fran and Janet. That they are inspired through Christ and He shows then something new in Him. 'Cause that's what happens when you get out of the boat and take a chance on God - He comes through. Read that last part again. He comes through. And my challenge is if you've been getting a nudge to get out of the boat, throw a leg over and plant your foot solidly on the water in the name of Christ. It's scary. It's weird. It's the best chance you'll ever take.

Have a great week! Now go do something scary for Christ.