Friday Night Live 12.11.09

Isaiah 1.17 says, "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." I'll be honest, I didn't really learn that as a teenager. Especially where I lived and how I grew up. Following Jesus was very Americanized. I saw two teenagers this weekend have the American Jesus picture shattered as we met Jesus in the slums of St. Louis city. Thanks to an abundant amount of hand made scarves and hats, we went downtown to hand them out to the homeless. I knew what we were in for, but the guys that went with me didn't. And it was neat to see their faces and attitudes change in 3 hours. Downtown St. Louis, in my opinion, is very beautiful. The giant buildings, Busch Stadium, Keiner Plaza, the Arch, it's all very beautiful to me. Then you head south 2 blocks from the Arch and you reach a different city. With barely an street lights, abandoned warehouses, and you find yourselves under the highways and railroad tracks..it's dark, and not inviting. No one in sight on a cold Friday in December, except for some West County guys looking to have an encounter, a real encounter with Jesus. So we went to one of the darkest areas in downtown. And there we met Jesus, we found him with Larry and Ronnie...Albert, and a family in the projects.

As we approached an abandoned building with a loading dock in the back, we met our friends Larry and Ronnie. Both drunk, Larry as high as kite. I hopped up on the loading dock where they were sitting and offered them scarves, hats and PBJs. Larry took a scarf and wanted the PBJs. Still a little pissed we didn't bring water and that his was frozen, he was thankful. I got to talk with Larry, hearing his story about his grandma is in Kansas City, and how she is not doing well. He won't be able to go home to KC for Christmas and he was upset about that. I got to pray with him very briefly, and I prayed for his grandma. I told him God hasn't forgotten him and that he was loved. While that was taking place, the other 3 guys I took were dealing with Ronnie. Ronnie said he had not been sober in 2 weeks. I was thinking at least a month. Ronnie was yelling and screaming about how vodka has ruined his life. Long story short, we were able to take the vodka out of his hands, pour it out and pray with him. Not to sound like a weirdo...but it's interesting when you get real with someone. When you say things like, "Jesus loves you" and "God hasn't forgotten you" to someone who is so drunk they can barely stand. You still can see God begin to work in their heart. Who knows what God is doing inside, but I think it's something great. I think there is so much power, love, hope and life in Jesus' name that no matter how drunk, high, or sober someone is, in passes and transcends everything. So we talked with Ronnie, told him he didn't need the vodka and told him to go back and sit with the other guys. He said he needed help and I said if I found a cop I'd get him some help. As we were walking away, I honestly didn't want to leave. I don't know why, but I wanted to stay with them for a while, sit and hear there stories. I didn't want to offer advice, just sit and listen.

As were walking by the Arch we met Albert. He was sober...and really nice. He was riding his bike and you could tell he was extremely cold. We gave him a scarf for him and his friend. We got to pray with him and tell him God loved him and hadn't forgot him. When we asked him what we could pray with him about, he said that it wouldn't be so cold, and that people would remember the real reason for Christmas. That sounds so different when a homeless person says that. Someone who has nothing and is wanting people with everything to remember the reason for Christmas. It was as if Jesus was saying to me, "I'm the reason...he's the reason. Because when you find the least of these, you find me." It hit me hard. And as we prayed, I felt that God was there, showing us what being a follower of Christ was all about.

The last couple we found were in the projects of Lafayette Square. A couple with their 3 kids. Walking home with hardly anything to keep them warm. We gave them scarves and since it was so cold and they had a baby with them we hurried and let them go home. But that was Christmas for their kids.

As we got back into the van, Tyler and Jon were changed. As I said before, American Jesus died for those guys that night. It's interesting that maybe the most changed people weren't the homeless, it was Tyler and Jon. Having their perspectives changed within hours is something amazing. They can't wait to go back, and bring their friends.

I've been thinking about the verse in the scriptures that says we may be entertaining angels without realizing it. (Heb 13.2) Jesus said that what we do to the least of our brothers and sisters, we've done to him. I keep thinking about Ronnie and Albert. When I looked at Ronnie, I didn't see a drunk or a homeless guy, I saw a man who God loves, cares for, and knows everything about him. His dreams, his goals, and what he loves. Albert, a sweet man, reminds us that Christmas is about love, hope, promise and redemption to a world looking and searching for such things. I experienced God more Friday night than I have in church in a very long time. And I wonder, what would the church, as a group of believers, look like if we remembered the real reason for Christmas? About brining love and hope to others. Would we allow Ronnie into our churches? Will we be the church to Ronnie? Because the church isn't about a building, pews and 5 songs. It's about telling our story of hope to the world. The good news! And the gospel is good new for everyone! It's when the church gives surrenders it's desire to convert people and convince them to "join". When we give ourselves away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return. But to do this, we must stop thinking about everybody in categories of in or out, saved or not, believer or nonbeliever. Because these are offensive to those who are "un" and non". And they work against Jesus' teachings about how we are to treat each other with love. Love your neighbor...and that can be anyone. We are all created in the image of God, we are valuable and worth dying for. To treat people differently is to disrespect the image of God in everyone. You were worth dying for, I was worth dying for....Ronnie was worth dying for...

VM

(Check out www.emmausoutreach.org for more info...)

God is not a man...

I've been trying something lately, and it's been difficult, but well worth it. I've noticed that for me, when I relate God to a "man" I box God in. And we as a church are amazing at boxing God in. And not saying that using "he, him, his" is bad. We've been doing it for centuries. But for me, I just put another box around God and I'm trying so hard not to. I keep imagining a lifestyle without God in a box. (Because being a follower of Jesus is a lifestyle...not a religion!) When God can be God, and not what I've made God to be. And when I think of God as a man, two things happen:

1. I forget about the "womanly" or "motherly" things God is. Beauty, Forgiveness, Humility, Comforting, Caring, etc.

2. I think too much of my Dad...and other men that aren't the best examples of God.

Let me explain #2 before I go back to #1. Nothing too bad with my Dad now, but growing up he wasn't the best example for a Father. And I can say that without any hard feelings and bitterness (23 years later...) but it's the truth and we've had discussions about it. Growing up, I had to work for forgiveness, it didn't come free. I was scared of my Dad. I hid stuff from him, wasn't honest with him, and would rarely ask him for things. You never knew when he'd yell or get mad. He wasn't the one I'd run to if I was hurt, or had a bad day. So for me, saying "God is my father" was/is really hard for me. (maybe you can relate?) Because I think, "God is my father...and my father wasn't really the 'father' type". It puts me in a awkward place. Growing up, my mom was the one we'd go to if we were hurt, upset or just needed a hug. We'd ask her for things, bring our problems to her. We were honest with her because we knew there was love, and not anger there. Forgiveness was there for free. Those are characteristics of God...right? This isn't a bash against Dad and parade for Mom. But I'm saying in my childhood, God was more present in my mom's actions. God is just as much a women as God is a man.

Which leads me back to #1. God is Beauty, Forgiveness, Humility, Comforting, Caring, etc. I don't relate many men in my life to this. Do you? I don't even feel I relate to some of the "womanly" characteristics that God does, and yet, I am told to be "like God" and "made in (Gods) image." Maybe most men aren't comforting because we've been taught that way. It's a social condition since the beginning of time. But what would it look like if a man, husband, brother, father, looked like this? This is my goal. I'll have a kid soon. And I want my kid to be able to come to me where there is free forgiveness and unconditional love. Where there is comfort, and love, etc.

So back to my original idea. Now, I know there are a lot of "nay-sayers". I know Jesus called God, "Father" and used "he, his, etc". But I wonder how much of that was the time period? For instance, Jesus was socially different anyway. Let's face it, he did a lot of stuff many rabbi's and Pharisees shouldn't and wouldn't have done. So imagine if Jesus started calling God, "Mom". I think he would have been crucified about 1 day into his ministry. God, for many, was this warrior, battling other gods and religions. God was this mighty "man" sitting in heaven reigning and ruling with ultimate justice. And God was feared (like a dad). So we've been taught and we expect to view God as a man. It's a manly picture. It gives us comfort that this beastly guy is looking after us, rather than a beautiful woman. But we take away half of what God really is when we do this. And that leads me back to the box. It's just another box I put God in. I miss the other things God is. When I think about religion, God gets put into a box. When I think about what God can and can't do...another box. And when I think about God as a man...another box. And so I've got a religious, limited, God-man as a my creator and supreme being. And I miss SO much. God is bigger than religion, bigger than limitations, and bigger than a sex. God is. Period.

VM

9 weeks...

Hello everyone~

Steph is right in the middle of her 9 weeks. Not too much of an update here. She's doing really well. No morning sickness...thank the Lord. I am really aware of babies now though. Every time I see a baby I just have to stop and stare. Same with pregnant women. I've realized the miracle that is taking place in their body and I just can't comprehend it. Not like I stare and and creep them out, just take a look and can't wait for Stephany to start showing. I think that's when it becomes "real life". Like, "Holy cow, there is actually a baby growing in their". I also have to make detours now when I'm shopping. At Macys, Target, Dillards, I always seen to end up in the baby section. It's just fun to imagine my baby boy/girl wearing these cute clothes. I was at a Cardinal store the other day and they have some of the cutest Cardinal baby shirts. One shirt says, "I can barely talk and I already hate the Cubs!"....MY FAVORITE! There is another one that reads, "This kid hates the Cubs". I like that too.

So Steph is healthy, I assume baby is healthy. So we're good. Like I said, not much of an update here.

First Baby Blog!

Hello everyone! Here is our first baby blog! We just officially announced we're having a baby. Stephany is 8 weeks along today. So we're super excited. She is doing good, no morning sickness yet (knock on wood), and she's feeling pretty good. She gets tired a lot, and because of her bad back, her back hurts a little bit more than usual. But other than that, we're good...or should I say she's good. My goal is not to gain the 20 lbs men gain when their wives are pregnant. Which surprisingly enough, it's kind of hard. Because when she eats, I'm like, "Well, what's another taco..." or whatever food she's eating. And next thing you know, your pants are a little tighter. So that's my goal. Not to gain weight. =)

So since she's eight weeks along, I thought I'd share a couple things about our little baby at eight weeks. This is taken from "Your Pregnancy: Week by week" by Glad B. Curtis M.D., M.P.H. and Judith Schuler, M.S. We're reading this book and it takes you on the journey of pregnancy. Tells you what to expect, etc. It's a nice book. So as of this week, our baby is the size of a pinto bean. Eyes are forming and it already has little finger slits and elbows. In the heart, the aortic and pulmonary valves are forming and in the lungs, the lung tubes have "branched". Crazy!!!!! The baby is actually becoming a person. That's crazy for me to think about. As for me, and this is just a blanket statement, but I have to believe more in God and of God when you look at this stuff. I don't know how else you can explain it. I'm sure there are very intellectual ways to explain it. But for me, it just deepens my faith and my dependence on God.

So that's about all for an update. I'll try to update once a week or more just to give people updates. (I do write about other stuff on here, so feel free to check it out and comment).

Well, have a great weekend and come back next week.

VM

Bible Characters

Hello everyone!

Last night I couldn't sleep, and I started wondering what Bible Character I am like the most. I went through a bunch of the "main" people, and the arguments for and against. Then I went through the "not so main ones" and did the same. Here's what I got.

1. Jesus---I'm not kidding. We're all called to be like Jesus. But I've learned a lot from his words, and how he acted. Here's my argument. Jesus took the path of descent. He was a king, who's kingdom was completely different from this world. Instead of riding in on a horse like most kings would, he rode on a donkey...crying. I cry a lot. I hate horses, and if I had to choose, I'd choose a donkey. LOL. But for real, He served, He didn't fight, he loved. He ate with the social rejects and reached out to the marginalized. That's my heart. He hated what the "church" or the body of believers had become, and if you know me, I feel the exact same way. My argument against. I'm not Jesus.

2. Elisha--- Coolest story in the Scriptures is when Elisha was walking up the mountain and these kids, 42 to be exact, started making fun of him calling him bald. So instead of ignoring him like any other mature adult would, he sent to bears to kill them. WOW! That's my case. He was a prophet, and didn't take a lot of crap from anyone. He had a vision of what it was to follow God, and nothing stopped him.

3. Isaiah---I like Isaiah and his words. He was living with the Isralites in exile. Be had vision and hope. God showed him that something great was out there, for all humanity. It wasn't just about the exile of the Israelites, it's about the exile of all humanity. God was going to come in and save all of humanity. I feel like for me, there is something out their more than just us. It's not about America, it's about all of humanity. My neighbor is the African woman who can't feed her kids. My enemy, who I may despise, God loves them just as much as He loves me. And Jesus isn't coming for America, or the Assemblies of God, but he's coming for all of humanity. Something bigger is out there. I see it, I believe it. There was hope for Isaiah, I see that hope.

4. Moses---Bringing people out of Egypt. Prison, slavery, oppression. My heart is that I can help people who are crying out for something more. Moses saw God. I want see, hear, and listen like Moses did. But God taught Moses that He hears the cry of the oppressed. After understanding that, I prayed that I would see and hear. Honestly, hardest thing for me. I see it, I've always seen it. In high school, I always saw the kids being left out, the ones people picked on, and my heart went out to them. I see people at the mall, and I can tell their hurting. I want to be like Moses and free people from that oppression.

5. Hosea---One of the greatest guys in the Scriptures. He married a prostitute...not saying Stephany is one...but he loved her no matter what. I think he's the "ideal" husband. He would have done anything for her, and he loved her. I want to be the husband that loves my wife and family unconditionally. I think I'm getting there. I think it's something most men strive towards. But it makes sense that God, as the husband, and the church, his bride, loves us no matter what we do. Hosea got that. I'm getting it. God doesn't love me for what I do, or what I've done. He doesn't love me for the money I make, the TV I have, my car, my savings. God loves me...period. I woke up today, and God loved me for doing nothing. He accepts me, not for my accomplishments, but for being me, His creation.

There you have it. What do you think...

VM

Exodus

I absolutely love the book of Exodus. I have learned so much about God through this book. I would like to add a couple of comments...

1. I think we can all learn about being delivered and going through our own personal exodus'. If we look, the Israelites forget what God does...over, and over, and over. And Moses, and eventually the prophets, all continually say, "Remember..." Remember when God delivered you from Egypt. Remember when God was there and separated the water. Remember when God provided for you. And I think we, the church, and individually, forget sometimes that God has taken us out of our own Egypt and delivered us. I think we can hear the prophets words echo in our hearts..."Remember..." Remember when God provided the money. The food. The people. The resources.

2. I think it's very interesting to see God's nature on Mt. Sinai. God says, "You will be my priest...a holy nation." (NASB/Vince version). Priest? We, just people, full of sin, are to be priest. God was looking for a body. Looking for a group of people to dwell amongst. He says that he "hears the cry of the oppressed" and "he listens, and redeems them". God is looking for people, to be His body, his priest, to be "God on earth". And so as his body, we have to ask the question, "What are we supposed to do." And in my mind it's simple, we hear the cry of the oppressed. We hear, we listen, and we deliver...just as God delivered us. God says to Moses that we are to take care of the orphan and the widow. Take care of the oppressed. And if we don't, well...we're putting people back in Egypt. We're doing exactly what God doesn't want us to do. And to that, God says he will deliver those people, just like he delivered us. But at our own expense. So the question I pose is this, are we hearing the cry of the oppressed? Redeeming, freeing people? Or are we, in a way, Pharaoh, and putting people back into Egypt. Where they are crying, and broken, and needing deliverance. And if we are...then that puts God at an awkward juncture. We are supposed to people of God, priests. And if we aren't being what he's called, then what are we being? And how does God deal with that? The Israelites eventually became the biggest Empire around Solomon's reign. And they stopped listening to God, the stopped hearing the cries of the oppressed, and started getting things at others expenses. They had slaves, armies, money, ivory temples, and God doesn't like any of that (Isaiah 1 NASB). And he sends Amos to King Amaziah (a descendent of Solomon). He says that they must stop, or God will put destruction on him, his family, and the Israelites. Amos says, "I was neither a prophet, not the disciple of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me out from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'...Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword...And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land." (Amos 7.14-17) WOW! Exile...it's funny. At the height of power, Israel misused blessings, favortism and entitlement. They became indifferent to God, to the calling they had to bring liberation to others. Exile. When you still have the power and the wealth and the influence, and yet, you blow it. You forgot who you were in the first place. So I ask...have we forgotten? Are we in exile? Have we forgotton our story? Have we failed to convert our blessing into blessing for others? Exile...is when we find ourselves strangers to the purposes of God.

Just some things to think about this weekend. Where are we in God? Where are we in the world? Where are you...in St. Louis? Are we in exile? Do we hear the cry of the oppressed? Do we take care of the oppressed, the orphan, widow? (Isaiah 1.17 NASB) Do we free people...or put them back in exile...back in Egypt?

VM