Summer Storms and a Love Drug?

Once again we were amazed by our God today.  I don’t know why we find it so hard to believe he’d take care of us, except for the simple fact we live in a very small, limited mindset at times.  I don’t think we ever doubt Him.  Don’t get me wrong.  And we never doubt that He shows up every time we venture in to our downtown Omaha corner.  But today as we were leaving our nice, dry, suburban homestead, the skies were telling an ugly story.  I mean some of the ugliest, blackest, thickest, promise to dump a million gallons of water looking clouds on us in a minute that you could ever imagine seeing were hovering over the downtown area.  In fact, they were everywhere.  As far as the eye could see.  We live about 15 miles south and west of the downtown area and all the way down it was ugliness.  We even had people texting us telling us we’d better be ready.  It was already raining downtown.  One fellow who shall go unnamed even texted us and told us we’d better have a plan B.  Sorry man.  We only have one plan.  We aren’t sophisticated enough to have a plan B.  And anyway, we’ve seen it happen too many times.  In fact, its one thing our friends know.  When we show up down there, it doesn’t rain.  Has nothing to do with us.  Nothing.  Just God giving us a brief window to do a little work.  And I don’t know why in the world it is so surprising to me.  It’s like we tempted fate one too many times.  But it’s true.  It just doesn’t rain on that corner from about noon until whenever.  I don’t care what the weatherman says.  I don’t care what weather.com says.  Oh, we check.  I don’t know why.  But we check.  And it might tell us that it’s going to rain at whatever time.  But if that time falls in the window that we are downtown, forget about it.

So when we got downtown today, it was nice and cool.  And the line had formed.  And it was loooooong.  Man it was long.  Never know what we might find when we get down there.  Especially with the “threat” of rain.  Must not matter.  There were well over 200 people waiting when we got there today.  And when we got there, I was in hurry up mode.  In my mind, as feeble and limited as it is, we had to get this thing going.  We needed to get set up and get everyone served as quickly as possible in case it rained.  It was in the forecast ya know.  The skies were quite black.  And my mind was telling me we needed to hurry.  And for some reason, it seemed like we were short on people to help serve.  I was recruiting Nick, Christian, Erin and anyone else I could summon.  It just seemed weird that we had all these people to serve and not enough people to help out.  But they started showing up and pretty soon we had the serving tables fully staffed.  And poor Robin was about at her wits end trying to get it all set up.  We served tacos with chips and cheese and various desserts.  That menu takes quite a few hands to get everything doled out and keep the lines moving.  Oh and did I mention that we were worried about the possibility of rain?  Oh, us of little faith.  

So I jumped up on the wall with Erin and we did our thing.  One funny thing about that.  Every time we do out thing on that corner, we start the whole thing off with the Lord’s Prayer and then I say a short prayer to bless the food, our times, etc.  Erin always helps me.  We jump up on a short wall that lines the block from 13^th St. to 14^th St.  It’s just a good way for a short guy like myself to get a little more height and for them to be able to hear me if I actually were to have anything worthwhile to say.  As Robin gave me the go ahead today and told me to get up there, I looked around for Erin.  She was stationed at the front end of one of the serving tables.  The look on her face was one of worry.  She was pretty much tied to the table because as soon as we finished praying, the food would start flying!  She looked at me and said something like “…but Daddy, I have to stay here and serve”.  And she was right.  But she also knew that I don’t go up on that wall alone.  That’s our thing.  Me and Erin.  My trusted assistant.  I know I just spent a lot of words telling what may seem to be an insignificant story.  But it’s pretty huge to me.  I pray it’s something that Erin will always remember.  Years from now, that she and Daddy prayed on that wall many times and that she always has a heart for serving.  So Erin and I jumped up and did our thing.  And I really rushed the prayer.  Not in a way that dishonored why we were there.  But I just kept thinking we need to hurry up.  And when I got off the wall, a lady asked me where I “preached at?”  Seriously?  That always cracks me up.

So a few minutes later, after walking the line and greeting everyone, I’m standing on the corner.  What had a few minutes earlier been ugly, billowing, black clouds had given way to a small blue hole in the sky.  A small break.  Was it going to happen again?  A menacing summer storm that looked like it might just ruin our afternoon was going to blow by with not so much as a whimper?  When I looked up and saw the small dot of blue in the sky, you can bet I was on it.  I was talking to another fellow.  A guy who I’m just not sure what side of the fence he lies on, spiritually speaking.  I get the hint at times that he’s a believer.  But I’ve never really sensed a commitment.  But I was able to once again reiterate that we serve a God who cares about this stuff.  And about his people.  Especially those that gather on a corner in downtown Omaha on occasion.  I was able to let this guy know that this was once again God doing His thing while allowing us to also do His thing.  Just another chance to show this fellow that God does indeed mean business.  And He’s in the business of love.

On a somewhat humorous note, another fellow was there today and I think he wishes he was in the business of love.  A little different than God’s love, no doubt.  He mentioned to someone that he wanted to give Robin a love drug.  I am literally laughing out loud thinking that, number one, he actually said it and number two, who he said it to.  He made this proclamation to someone we know very well.  It’s not as if it wouldn’t get back to us.  Of course he didn’t know that.  I guess some of our friends don’t realize that we talk.  I don’t know.  It just hit me as pretty funny.  Not that Robin isn’t worthy of a love drug.  She definitely is.  But I’m going to probably have a talk with my man and tell him maybe he needs to focus his love elsewhere.   A love drug?  Seriously?  Wow…

So we brought enough food for a couple hundred people.  And we had about 250-300 plates.  And about 20 big tubs of clothing.  And all kinds of other stuff.  And we left the downtown area with a pretty empty trailer.  It was amazing.  And you have to remember all of this happens in a pretty organized, chaotic kind of way.  I’ve just never seen anything like it.  I get so many thank-yous.  Like I actually do anything?  I mean seriously.  It just blows my mind that we serve a God who will literally part the skies so we can do this thing and people are thanking me.  I try as hard as I can to make sure the thanks go to God.  And to let our friends know that it ain’t us, but Him they need to be thanking.  And I know that it’s pretty cool to get a good meal, some clothing, hygiene stuff, whatever, but I also know that it all leaves that corner with His blessing.  It just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. 

And by the time we left that corner, actually about an hour after we got there, the skies had completely changed to a bright blue and there wasn’t a cloud to be found anywhere in the downtown area.  Another beautiful, successful day of ‘Fishin.  Starfishin’.  With the blessings of a God who loves us like we will never know.  Very thankful to be able to serve alongside all of those who give up their Sunday afternoons to do this thing.  Because I know that a lot of them drove down thinking the same things we were thinking as we drove downtown today.  Probably along the lines of “…Are the Laneys crazy?  Don’t they know that the skies are about to open up on us?”  Well, honestly, that’s probably about what we were thinking.  And the skies did open up.  To reveal a beautiful blue sky and another opportunity to serve an amazing group of people and an AMAZING GOD!  :)

"Sometimes I would like to ask God why he allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid He may ask me the same question." Anonymous.

Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives. ~1 Thessalonians 2:4 Good News Translation (GNT)

Make a difference…it matters.

Writ To Assemble?

Yesterday was HOT.  I mean the old fry an egg on the sidewalk kind of hot.  It was so hot that I burned my hand on the inside roof of the trailer as I was loading the tables up before heading home.  I wasn't sure what kind of crowd to expect because of this crazy heat wave we've been having, but our friends definitely showed up.  Not sure I can say that I would have ventured into the downtown Omaha area yesterday if I were them, but for reasons unknown to me, they came.  And in force.  The heat index was well over 100°F.  Plain and simple, it was brutal.  My man Dwight brought 10 cases of water.  We left with none.  We brought 2 big coolers of lemonade.  Left with none.  We did come home with quite a bit of coffee.  Never know how much of that to make.  If I make less than normal, we run out.  If I make the usual amount, we bring a bunch home.  Always a tough one to gauge.  I know I wouldn't be drinking hot coffee on a day like today, in that crazy heat.  But people do.  Crazy.  So it was dangerously hot and we did our best to make sure there was plenty of fluids to go around.  A quick side note here.  I was at the City of Refuge Children's Home  in Jamaica a couple weeks ago.  One of, if not the most amazing places I've ever been.  I kept a few notes on our visit there.  I'm here to tell you it's hotter in Omaha right now than it is in Jamaica!  Only we don't have the mountains and beaches.  Go figure...

So we got downtown yesterday, got all set up and were ready to get that show on the road.  After getting the ok from the boss (Robin...oh yeah, I know who runs the show), I took my usual spot up on the wall with my trusted assistant Erin and we made few quick announcements.  It was hot, so I wasn't going to spend much time pontificating.  Although I'm apt to do that on occasion, I didn't think the conditions warranted my soapbox preachin'.  :)  But I'd had a thought a couple days ago.  And it went like this.  I get about 5 minutes or so up on that wall.  I feel it's pretty important to share what I believe with our friends.  I make sure they know that He loves them.  I hope that is clear.  But a thought came to mind a few days ago to make sure I told the ones that don't believe.  To address them specifically.  I know as I stand on that wall and share, there are clearly and definitely those that are there purely because they can get a quick meal, a few t-shirts maybe, some hygiene items, whatever.  And one thing I've always been clear about is that I'm not going to force my faith, my beliefs, my Jesus on anyone.  I'll share it with them, for sure.  But if a guy doesn't want to listen, then I'm not sure what else I can do.  We know our words don't go out void.  They don't come back empty.  But I know for a fact, because I've seen it first hand, that people feel this need to "beat up" our friends with their faith.  To prostheletyze to the point of offense.  I know there's a fine line there and I'm pretty sure I've crossed it many times.  But one thing I know for sure is our actions speak volumes about our faith.  We gotta proclaim it.  But to me, it's pretty important that we live it also.  And I know people see it.  They've told us.  So a thought came to mind to reach out to the non-believers.  Novel idea, I know. 

So I'm on the wall.  I have nothing really prepared.  Just not how I operate.  My whole life, as unfortunate as it may be at times, is flying by the seat of my pants.  But this day, I was going to just share with the folks that think I spout nonsense from that wall.  I was just going to share with them that God does indeed love them.  He wants them to love Him back.  But no matter what they think, He loves them.  So just as I'm getting to that, a bit of a disturbance breaks out.  I look back over to the area on the sidewalk by 14th Street and I see a fellow with an orange backpack.  Middle aged Caucasian fellow.  He's not walking into the crowd, but just skirting on the outside edge.  As I realize that he's yelling at us, and sort of at me, I try to catch what it is he's saying.  He's yelling pretty loudly at me and asking if we have a Writ to Assemble.  Well, no, we've never had a Writ to Assemble.  We have no permit.  Nothing that would legally allow 150 or 200 people to gather on a downtown corner and eat, share and honor God.  Nothing that would allow us to do that.  Other than His blessing.  And this fellow was not happy with us being there.  I've seen him before.  He's a homeless fellow that is obviously troubled.  He stated very loudly that we needed the proper paperwork, hence the Writ to Assemble, to be here doing what we do.  I could count on one hand the number of times someone has told us, in almost 5 years, that we need a permit or whatever to show up and gather on that corner.  But not one time have we ever encountered anyone of significance, i.e. from the city, telling us we can't be here.  And I definitely wasn't worried about what this guy might be thinking.  Other than trying to quickly defuse whatever was on his mind and get him to move along.  So I try as best I can to assure him, from across the way, that we're ok and it would be alright if he moved on.  He asked me to come back later that night if I wanted to fight.  Seriously?  I assured him it was ok to move on.  As he was walking away, I even did my best to wish God's blessings on him.  He wished them back.  "God bless you a$$_ _ _ _" were the exact words he used.  I've been called worse.

But one thing I know.  This battle was not between me and this fellow.  I don't even know him.  And he doesn't know me.  This was not a battle of flesh.  The funny thing was, as he was yelling this stuff, he never once tried to come into the crowd.  Just stayed on the outer edge.   And the whole thing probably lasted about a couple minutes.  It was quick and brief.  But to me it was clearly the enemy making his presence known.  Letting us know that we were on his turf.  And that he was in charge down here.  Well, maybe so.  But not on this Sunday.  Not during this time.  It may have felt as if we were in hell, because it was sure smoking hot, but God was at work.  All we had to do was show up and He'd make sure of that.  It was like there was a protective barrier all around us.  This dude wanted in, but it wasn't happening.  And when I said "God Bless you", I meant it.  I always do.  But that certainly isn't how it was received.  And later on, my boy Nick tells me I should have offered him lunch.  And he was right.  Instead of asking him to move along, I most definitely should have asked him to join us.  Wasn't so quick on my feet that time.  I'm usually not.  I absolutely should have offered him lunch.  And a free Bible.  And a little love.  And whatever else we had to offer.  Missed opportunity on my part for sure.  He never tried to come in the crowd.  Like I said, it was almost like he was just making his presence known.  Like he was telling us that even thought we were there, this was his territory.  Well maybe so, but for a couple hours on this particular day, it was God's. 

One last note that I always want to remember is how God manages the details of this thing.  There's a fellow and his wife that have been helping us out in this thing for a long time now.  He was telling Robin yesterday how he is always amazed at how this thing always comes together.  Down to every little detail.  He's a planning guy.  Has to have all the details worked out ahead of time.  And to be sure, there is a bit of planning that goes into making this happen.  But God always, and I mean always, is in the details.  Even right down to someone having a can opener yesterday.  We had a can that needed to be opened and no opener.  Or so we thought.  And God cares about even the smallest details.  I've seen it too many times to think otherwise.  He cares.  And when we go in His name, he shows up.  Before us even.  And when that happens, amazing things happen.  And even the presence of the enemy himself cannot thwart God's plan.  He works it all out.  I'm reminded constantly not to get ahead of His plan.  I've done it too many times.  And every time I mange to screw it up.  Sometimes pretty badly.  But when we allow Him to work, amazing things happen.  And we realize the only Writ to Assemble we need comes from God Himself.  So to the fellow that asked, yes we definitely have a Writ to Assemble.  We had one yesterday and we'll have one next time.  And it will be blessed by God Himself.  If you have any questions or issues with that, I'd suggest you take them up with Him.  He'll be able to answer any questions you may have.  ;)

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. ~Ephesians 6:10-12 The Message

Make a difference…it matters.