Thundering Who We Are..

Sunday morning started out a bit unusual for me in that instead of getting ready for our downtown activities and getting ready for church, I was planted firmly in front of my computer on a work call that was supposed to last about 1/2 an hour. It didn't. Almost 3 hours later, as I was already too late to make it to church, my call was wrapping up. Fortunately, I had prepared and loaded most of the necessary items in our trailer on Saturday.  That meant most of the things that we'd need for our monthly meeting in the park with our friends was covered and I was in pretty good shape on Sunday morning. There's just certain things I can't do ahead of time, like make gallons of coffee, lemonade, etc. Some things just have to be done the morning of and those things were staring me in the face after my conference call ended. But actually, I was multi-tasking during my call. Making the great Scooters coffee that our friends at Harvest Roasting so generously supply. I'm telling you, this stuff is so much better than Starbucks. It's not even close. And they've really set us up over the years. Great commercial brewing system. Plenty of coffee whenever we need it. Just great stuff and our friends really love it. So as my call wrapped up and I knew I wouldn't make it to church, a somewhat relaxing feeling came over me. I knew that it wouldn't be a crazy, hectic morning getting everything prepped to go. And it wasn't. And what that bought me was a little less craziness when we got downtown. You see, normally when I get there, my mind is racing about a million miles a minute. Making sure we brought everything. Making sure we didn't forget something that might be important to someone. You may not think lettuce is that important, but one young lady refused to eat a taco last month because we forgot the lettuce. She was really pretty upset about it and I don't want those kinds of avoidable things happening. So today was good in that regard. I don't think we forgot anything. And when we arrived, even though we saw one of the biggest crowds of people I've seen there in a long time, there was something relaxing about the whole atmosphere.

One thing I noticed right off the bat was our good friend Dave Paulsen was there and ready to go. Dave and his wife Amber, of facingGoliath, come most Sundays now and provide live music for our friends. Crowder, Tomlin, and all sorts of other great worship music. There's something about live music that really sets the atmosphere. It creates a festival type of ambience that is just really cool. I'm continually amazed at how God will orchestrate this whole thing into something great as long as we are obedient and willing. So when Dave shows up, it is good. He comes once a month to perform at our Monday Common Table meals at inCommon Community Development also and his music and style just really set the stage for God's message to be shown.

You see, I read somewhere this week that you cannot "show" the Gospel, that is must be proclaimed. A well respected pastor from one of our nation's mega churches was credited with having said that. And while I agree with it to a certain degree, I probably disagree with it more than I agree, if that even makes sense. I absolutely believe that people see the Gospel in our lives at all times. I know we should be prepared to explain and defend our beliefs, especially to those seeking the truth. But our actions speak so loudly at times. I have a friend who lives in the shelter and he's sent me a couple things recently that just really made me pause.

First he said to me in an email - "what you are thunders so much that I do not hear what you are saying".

And secondly, he sent me the following -

Sermons We See

Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 

I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;

I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,

But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,

But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.

When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind

Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me

To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.

And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today

Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;

One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.

Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,

For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,

I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

Powerful words on so many levels.

One short thing I'd share today is personal and relates to my son Nick. I'm biased and probably have a hard time separating my feelings for my kids from what I actually see from them when we are downtown. But one thing I know is that it's important for us to go. Nick had an opportunity to go out to lunch after church with some friends. But it would mean that he would miss out on our downtown activities. I wrestled briefly with letting him go. But what it came back to for me was the fact that we only go down once a month these days. And that day we go is important. And I believe it's important that we do this as a family. I get the chance to watch my kids in action on that corner. They've literally grown up on that corner. Nick will be 14 in a little over a month. We've been going for 5 years now. He's spent over a 1/3 of his life going down to visit our friends on that corner. He knows these guys. They know him. He was a bit upset about not getting to go hang out with his friends. As we headed downtown, there was a bit of moping and sadness emanating from the Nickster. But moments after we got downtown, he was in his element. He just does it well. He was talking football with a fellow named Michael. He was working the crowd. And he was thundering who he is. He was letting people see a sermon. It's not always good. We all make mistakes. But it's real. And that matters.

So today, and I'm sure it was because I was a bit more relaxed and my head wasn't necessarily on a swivel looking for the next thing to do, I was able to actually stop and talk to several people. I talked to a couple (not married but they've been "together" for about 5 years) who were experiencing relationship problems. I first explained to them that I'm not a counselor, not a pastor, but just a guy who believes. I tried to explain to them, and I believe they got it, that the battle wasn't between their human selves.  Not of the flesh. But the battle was literally between them. That the enemy was in between them, pushing buttons, picking at wounds and forcing them to fight with each other rather than look upwards. Hopefully it all made sense to them. I think it did. She understood. I think he did.

Again, I'm so far out of my league sometimes when people ask me for advice. But the thing I don't do is "lean on my own understanding". I can't. Because I've learned over the years that it only gets me in trouble. But if I lean on what is really important, The Word, then it all begins to make sense. And then it comes down to living it and letting it thunder who I am. Letting people see the sermon that is our life.

So Sunday, June 26 was really good. The line of people stretched for almost a city block. And in some cases, it was 2 lines. There were just so many people. I wonder where they all come from. But I pray that they saw the Gospel in action today. From all of us. Thundering. Living it out. Oh, and on the way home, about 3 minutes from downtown, the rain came. It never rains on us while we're there. God always gives us a window. But on the way home, he reminded us that we'd better be effective within that window. Because maybe it's not always open. We'd better be a sermon for all to see and we'd better use our time and opportunities wisely. We'd better thunder who we are when the opportunity arises because that window can close rather rapidly. :)

Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill...  Matthew 5:16   ~The Message (MSG)

Make a difference…it matters.

Grace on The Brick...

We serve on a downtown corner. Most people know that I guess. Our current serving spot, which is the southwest corner of the Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha, is covered in old brick. The actual area where we set up shop on those last Sundays of the month is covered in what I imagine is brick that was probably recycled from an old Omaha street. I can't confirm that, although I did try. Doesn't matter. It adds to the nostalgia in my feeble mind. ;) It's on that very spot though that some pretty amazing conversations happen. I drive, walk and run by this spot often, as I work downtown. Lots of times I'm a witness to various shenanigans and other crazy activities. It's a spot where young people hang out during the week. Some homeless, some near homeless, others just hanging out. Not much good happens there though, I'd imagine. The devil's playground maybe? But on those Sundays that we show up, I'd like to think a transformation of sorts takes place. Not because of us. But because God has a plan each and every time. If we show up, He shows up. And on Memorial Day 2011, He showed up. As He's so apt to do. One other thing about this corner - there was once a group who also came and served meals on this spot. They called it Life on the Brick. I'm really not sure of the circumstances or the reasons they stopped serving here. I only know that through different circumstances, we eventually became intertwined with this group. I'm going to screw up these details, but just know that the group was from an organization called Mosaic Community Development. They served meals in this very park long before we arrived on the scene. Then I believe they moved their operation to a building a bit south of the downtown area. Started serving a meal on Monday nights. Some Saturday breakfasts. Still called it Life on the Brick. Now it's called Common Table. I can't remember exactly how we actually got hooked up with this group, but it had to be 4 or so years ago. We started attending a Tuesday night Bible study at their facility. Soon after, we started attending their Monday night meal. At some point, they asked Robin and I to spearhead the meal. We've been doing that for a little while now. I mention all that because a lot of the same great people that we've been hanging out with on Sundays for almost 5 years now also attend this Monday meal. It's just amazing to me how God weaves these opportunities together and makes it all work. Another opportunity to share. Greatness. On the brick.

Some of the folks we meet with on Sunday and Monday are different, unique and very special to us, but really not so unlike any of us. For all sorts of reasons. It's not unlike anything I've ever done. Work. Church. Wherever. We just run into unique individuals and they impact us in many different ways. One young lady starting showing up quite some time back. I'd guess a couple years ago, but the way time gets away from me these days, I really can't remember. My first memory of her revolves around lotion. She'd always show up on Sundays and she was always asking for lotion. We always had plenty so it was never a problem for her to get what she needed. But it never stopped her from asking about it. Almost obsessively. And I have to admit, we joked about it at times but not in a mean way at all. At first I didn't know her name. People come and go on that corner and we may see someone once or twice and never again. Or they may show up and become a regular, so to speak. She's become a regular. And now she's a regular at our Monday night gathering also. After some time, I came to know her name. If I were guessing, I'd imagine she's in her early 20s. I think she lives on her own, but I'm just not sure. On Sunday, we happened to be serving soft shell tacos. As happens sometimes, and because we are a mobile entity, we forget things on occasion. This time, we forgot lettuce and some of the sour cream. When this young lady found out we forgot the lettuce, she was a bit upset. Told us in so many words that she'd not be joining us for lunch on this day if we didn't have lettuce. Said she could not eat tacos without lettuce. She even made a point of leaving and coming back later to reiterate her point. Really? Can't eat a taco without lettuce? I'm not sure why I'm even writing about this, except that I thought it was a little strange that she'd make a bit of a scene over what to me was a fairly minor thing. I mean I know that tacos need lettuce. But I don' know that I'd turn down lunch for that reason. Just one of the many unique personalities we encounter there weekly.

I was talking to a another fellow and he pointed out something to me that I probably should have noticed on my own. We've been doing this as a family for almost 5 years now. A lot of these folks have watched our kids grow up right before their eyes. When we started, Christian was 12, Nick was 9 and Erin was 6. And of course, Robin and I were MUCH younger than we are now. Well, the kids have obviously grown quite a bit in 5 years. Christian, at 17 now, has grown into quite the young man. Nick, soon to be 14, has done the same. And Erin, of course will always be my baby girl. But that simple fact hasn't stopped her from becoming quite the young lady. So as I was talking to this fellow, he pointed out that Christian was developing quite the ear for listening. I stopped what I was doing and looked over to where he was standing. And sure enough, Christian was engaged in what appeared to be a pretty good conversation with another fellow we've known since day 1. I really don't know what the conversation was about, but what struck me was my kids probably get this thing even more than their parents. Or at least this parent. Here was my oldest son engaged in a conversation with a fellow who's called the shelter his home for years now. The point? Well to me the point has always been the relational aspect. That thing within us that says lets go, lets listen and lets love. Right where we are. No matter the circumstances, no matter anything. If someone needs an ear, let's give 'em one. And let's show a little of God's love in the process. And I don't mean to just point out Christian here. Nick is probably one of the more social kids I know. It's just how he rolls. Always has been. I guess these years of home schooling haven't "de-socialized" him as much as some would have us believe. And Erin never met a Turbo she didn't like. :) I just am blown away by what I hope my kids are learning in these environments. That no matter what situation someone may be in at any given time, there's still plenty of love to share and I pray that they never lose sight of that. And I thank this gentleman for pointing that out.

There's another individual that we've known for some time that I believe showed up one of the first weeks we were there. A little boisterous. Maybe a little loud. Whatever. The one thing I've learned from this individual over the years is that grace comes in all shapes and sizes. At first, I was a little put off be this person. And honestly at times I still am. One of those people that if they don't show up, you kind of breathe a little sigh of relief. Kind of know that things might be a little easier. But what I've learned from this person is that I'm pretty loud and boisterous also. Obnoxious even. To God. I wonder what He thinks at times when I pepper Him with my prayers. When I stumble and fall and lay flat on my face, bloody and broken and whatever else. And when I do it time and again. Over and over. Loudly. Obnoxiously. You know what I think? I think He picks me up, dusts me off, pats me on my big ol' noggin and sends me on my way. With Grace. And that's what I need to practice a whole lot more of on a weekly...daily...hourly basis. This particular individual has definitely taught me that Grace is something I need to constantly be thinking about. Sometimes I have to be firm, but the two aren't mutually exclusive. They can coexist. For that, I'm thankful.

Finally, there's one last fellow that we've known for quite some time. He's not homeless. I'm not exactly sure what his life situation is. I mean we've talked about all that stuff, but with some of these guys, I just can't figure it out. And sometimes I just can't remember. This guy has some kind of photographic memory, which is fitting based on what we talked about Sunday. He's a guy who always waits around until the end. I have to admit that it's sometimes a challenging conversation for me. He sort of demands my time. And it's usually as we are packing up to leave. And there are times when I frankly don't have the energy or whatever to carve out specific, uninterrupted time for him. Pretty selfish on my part. So I usually try to mix the packing/loading process with our conversations. Again, pretty selfish of me. But on Sunday, he asked if he could talk to me and if we could ensure that no one else would interrupt. I promised him we could do that. You see, he'd recently been on a European trip. And he had pictures to show me. Lots of pictures. Actually, hundreds of pictures. He wanted to show me each and every one. So this time I made sure everything was packed and loaded and we began the process of looking at his pictures. The way this fellow's mind works is actually fascinating. He had pictures and a map. He traced his route on the map for me. And it was extensive. He showed me pictures of buildings in probably 10 different countries in Europe. At least. And he knew the name of every building, street, etc. Now this wasn't like a trip I take to a specific city. Where I can't even remember the name of the hotel we stay in. This guy remembered it all. Down to the detail. At one point, he was showing me a picture of a building in some city and even pointed out a bird in the picture. I made sure Christian joined me for this adventure, because I didn't think it was fair that I be the only one. :) But seriously, it made me pause and remember why we do what we do. It's not just to go through the motions, although I do that at times. The reason we go is to be involved. To listen, that very important skill that my kids seem to be mastering. To not only listen, but to hear. And to love. It all goes hand in hand.

It all speaks to Grace. On the Brick. And I'm so amazingly lucky to be a small part of it all. I thank God that in spite of the fact that I fall on my face often, He allows me to go back. Time and again. Very thankful.

She said, "Oh sir, such grace, such kindness—I don't deserve it. You've touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don't even belong here!" ~Ruth 2:13 The Message (MSG)

...and

Looking at it one way, you could say, "Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster." But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well. ~1 Corinthians 10:23 The Message (MSG)

Make a difference…it matters.