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.

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.

Nice Speech

Seems lately that every time we show up on our downtown corner, someone mentions those 2 words.  We show up, get set up, prepare to begin serving, I get up on the wall with my lovely assistant Erin, say a few words, make any announcements that need to be made, we join together to honor God with His prayer, I follow up with a short prayer to hopefully ask for God’s blessings on our time and activities and hop off the wall.  And as I’m meandering through the line exchanging greetings and pleasantries, someone invariably tosses out those 2 words.  “Nice speech”.   And for some reason, it always strikes me as odd.  I don’t get on the wall to make a speech.  In fact, if I were to go back to my high school days, a speech is one of the farthest things from my comfort zone that I’d likely find myself in.  Definitely not in my wheelhouse.  Now it seems that I’ve been in front of crowds from time to time, but I’ve never really been comfortable in that role.  I used to play in a band here in town.  Of course that always put me in front of lots of people.  I never really knew how to deal with that.  In fact, we’re getting ready to do a little reunion gig, so to speak.  20 years later, one last blowout.  Stepping back into a world I was sure I’d left behind all those years ago.  But I digress.  There’ll be no speeches in that situation.  So when we started going downtown almost 5 years ago, someone needed to lead a prayer and make any announcements that needed to be made.  For whatever reason, or because I’m a control freak, that fell to me.  What it’s morphed into for me over these years is a chance to share a little about how we all need a lot more of God in our lives and a lot less of us.  I know for a fact that’s true for me.

So when I have the chance to get up there for that 5 or 10 minutes, I try to make it meaningful.  I never really prepare a “speech” ahead of time.  Rarely, and I mean rarely, do I have anything ready to say in advance.  I simply pray that God will give me the words and that I can take that opportunity and absolutely capitalize on the fact that for just a few minutes, we have a captive audience and a chance to share what God’s love means in our lives.  What His unbelievable, undeserved, amazing love is all about.  Now you can’t really do that in 5 or 10 minutes.  I know that.  But I can do my best to make it a “speech” worth something to someone.  And when I step down off the wall and someone mentions those 2 words, “nice speech”, I’m reminded that God may have indeed used that brief time to capture someone’s heart.  If I think about how I used to live, about how I used to speak, about the filth and nonsense that used to flow from my mouth at times (and still does sometimes), I’m amazed that God would even consider using me in a situation like that.  It is so incredibly humbling that I’m usually at a loss for words.  But for that few minutes, He absolutely fills the gap.  I almost always let our friends know that I’m not a pastor and that I’m not going to preach.  And then I turn around and do just that!  But I’d certainly be dishonoring our God if I didn’t.  And I won’t let that happen.  I’ve made and continue to make mistakes in this crazy life.  That happens.  But I’ll always do my best when I get on that wall to make a “nice speech” for the One who has given so much for each of us.

And yesterday, Easter Sunday, I was able to share, albeit very briefly, about a God who loves us so much, he sent his only son to live and die for us in a most barbaric and ugly way.  I cannot, as a father, imagine.  I cannot, as a human, imagine.  But as a guy who’s just trying to navigate through the crazy, sometimes bizarre world we live in, I’ll continue to get on that wall with my beautiful daughter and share.  I’ll continue to attempt to give “nice speeches” because I love doing it in that setting for all the right reasons.

So yesterday we had a great day serving in the Lord’s House.  That open corner in downtown Omaha where we gather to honor a God who loves us more that we could ever possibly imagine in our humanness.  We had great music provided by our friend Dave Paulson.  We had great food provided by our friends from all over.  We had great help provided, again, by our friends from all over.  And there were people there yesterday that I hadn’t seen in what seems like years.  It was honestly like a reunion of friends and family that we hadn’t seen in a long time.  Some of the names didn’t come back to me as quickly as I’d have liked. But man it was good!

Just before we left to go downtown yesterday, I received the following from a friend on Facebook.  It’s from a fellow that we first met on that corner a few years ago. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing it:

“Heads-up! I just got my Amtrak ticket to return to Massachusetts. I leave EARLY Thursday Morning. I wanted to let you know because I know you've been praying for me for a long time! Thanks for everything the Lord has done through you over the years.
 CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!”

Now that to me is a nice speech.  I often wonder if what God does through us makes a difference.  When I get notes like this, I have to think maybe it does.  I know one thing.  Those few words sent by our friend? Well, to me, THAT’S a “nice speech”. :)

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.  ~Romans 15:27

Make a difference…it matters.

“It was a great Birthday Party!”

Great day today.  In spite of some weirdness in getting things set up for our monthly venture, greatness definitely followed.  It was so weird though.  As we were getting everything set up, Robin comes to the back of the trailer and tells me we’re missing tables.  How in the world are we missing tables?  And who is this woman masquerading as my beautiful wife?  The tables stay in the trailer all the time.  We might use one on occasion for whatever, but for the most part, those things live in the trailer.  We have enough tables to set up 2 serving lines.  When the number of people being served warrants it and we have enough help to pull it off, we go to 2 lines so people don’t have to wait in those God awful lines for so long.  We decided before we even left our house today that we’d do 2 lines.  I hate making our friends wait for a meal.  Just a pet peeve of mine.  I mean, why should they have to wait if we have it in our power to do otherwise?  These are people that wait for beds in shelters, for food pantries at the food banks, and everything else in between.  Why?  So we decided a long time ago that we’d get enough tables to make sure they didn’t have to wait long when we showed up.  We’ve done it quite a few times now.  It’s not like we’re professionals or anything, but we’re not rookies either.

So when Robin showed up at the back of the trailer, in the middle of the somewhat controlled chaos that is our unload process, telling me we were short of tables, I tried to explain the best I could that we did indeed have everything we needed to pull this off.  And I even went as far as to explain how the tables needed to be set up.  She just walked away with a weird blank look on her face like I was speaking Chinese or something.  We made it happen, and it’s probably a fact that we could indeed use a couple more tables, but I was pretty sure we’d done this a time or two.  Just one of those little weird moments when I had to wonder what alien had taken over my wife’s body and when would she be back?

A young fellow who attends our church told us recently that one thing he requested for his birthday was for his whole family to come down and serve with us.  Now I’m not sure how old this guy is but I’d guess maybe 15?  And I’m not sure if today was actually his birthday, but that doesn’t matter.  The fact is that he wanted to spend his birthday serving.  He came up to me as we were loading the trailer to finish things off and told me “it was a great birthday party”.  Seriously?  You just spent your birthday party with about 100 or so of our homeless and near homeless friends?  And that makes a great birthday party?  You better believe it!  It was an awesome birthday party.  And this young guy gets it.  He understands what it means to serve.  I was blown away by his statement.  I imagine he could have gone out for pizza with his family and friends.  Probably could have done any number of things.  But he chose to spend it with us and our friends.  His dad told me as they were leaving (and his little brother was eating a poppy seed bagel with no hands) that the boys vote was to come back and do it again.  I pray that they do.  If our kids don’t know how to serve, what have we taught them?  The beauty of it is this guy gets it.  Greatness.

Saw lots of old friends today.  Guys we haven’t seen for a long time.  It was like old home week at the Gene Leahy Mall.  A little fishin’ with old friends, so to speak.  David M., Mikey, JB, Mark…guys that we met probably about 5 years ago.  In this very park.  And I have to say that not much has changed for them over that span of time.  A few years older.  Maybe a little greyer around the edges or in some cases, less hair.  Most definitely been on quite a few benders since we last saw them.  And these guys seem to age just a little faster, given their lifestyle.  But most of these guys are still plying the same old tired trade.  So what’s my thought around that?  Well to be honest, I don’t give it a whole lot of thought anymore.  I just simply try to do the best I can do with what we have.  That’s just my thought.  Others definitely think differently.  Why does it have to be like this?  Why are people sleeping on the river with nothing more than blankets in March?  In Nebraska?  Why are there families with kids showing up down there on Sundays?  Why?  Why?  I talked to a friend who came down to help today.  She was obviously pretty deep in thought.  Standing off to the side by herself taking it all in.  I asked what she thought?  Her answer?  It made her really think about how many blessings she has in her own life.  We just take so much for granted.  Usually.  And not all of us, but I’m certainly guilty.  I can usually find something to eat in the fridge when I’m hungry.  Lots of these guys have no fridge, much less any food.  I can take a pretty decent hot shower whenever.  Not most of these guys.  I sleep in a pretty nice, warm, California king bed every night.  I met a couple today and their bed is somewhere along the banks of the Missouri River.  With a couple of blankets as their “California King”.  I’ve said it all before.  It just amazes me that we see this time and again.  In a country as wealthy as the one we live in.  Hard to understand.

But what’s not hard to understand is a great birthday party.  That I get.  And today, God blessed us with all we needed to throw one.  And we did.  And for that I’m forever thankful.  I pray that this young man truly had a great birthday party.  And that he has many more.  Right there on 14th and Farnam St.  We’ll throw another one on Easter Sunday for whomever is celebrating a birthday at that time.  That should shape up to be a great one.  Hopefully, we’ll have enough tables to make it all work and Robin will be un-abducted by the alien forces who felt the need to take her away this morning.  :)  And I pray that when we show up, we will indeed somehow make a difference in some way.  I do believe it matters…

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you... will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

Make a difference…it matters.

Clyde

Clyde, Kansas.  Population ~900.  Today, approximately 20 or so residents of Clyde ventured north and west to the sprawling metropolis known as Omaha.  The Big O.  Ok, not many people know Omaha as the Big O.  But Omaha does think it’s a sprawling metropolis.  It’s really not.  We may have a tad more than 900 people, but sometimes I think I’d opt for the town of 900.    The thing is, today this group from Clyde was part of one body.  Joined together with folks from various churches, ministries and us.  Here in downtown Omaha.  The youth group from St. John’s Catholic Church in Clyde came and conquered.  Bags and boxes of stuff.  A 3 or 4 hour drive.  Smiles.  Love.  They came in abundance.  And it was a rockin’ good Sunday.  God once again delivered.  As He always does.  And we were able to celebrate that with this group of kids and some others from this awesome Kansas town.  I actually think it’s just over 3 hours from Clyde to Omaha.  There’s a definite connection between Clyde and Omaha.  It maybe didn’t exist a few short years ago.  But then we met a fellow named Wade.  I’ve blogged about him a couple times.  He left us way too early.  Met him down on that corner a few years ago.  Through that meeting and his passing, we met his family.  I’ve blogged about them also.  Great family.  Just great people.  They’ve been instrumental in helping us in various ways over the past couple of years.  The way our meeting came about is not something I’d dwell on.  It was tough.  But as He does, God can and will use any situation for His glory.  And He did that here.  I’m convinced of it.  No doubt in my mind. And today he brought a group to us that was a huge blessing to so many in this downtown community that we’ve grown to love over the years.  Amazing.

I met a fellow today and for once, I was stumped.  I saw him making his way down the sidewalk.  His name was Keith.  An older, African American fellow.  Tall and slim.  Graying around the edges.  And a definite anger about him.  I have no idea what his situation was.  But he’s on my mind.  Usually, when we come across folks on that corner that we’ve never met, even if there’s some sort of anger initially, it just seems like God has a way of working through that and things kind of settle down.  Not with Keith.  He asked a couple of times if he could talk to me. I told him absolutely, but I’d help him get something to eat and then we could talk.  Our entire conversation and interaction probably lasted all of 5, maybe 10 minutes.  He noticed the table with the bags of snacks and things from the Kansas folks.  He was sure it was a sack lunch.  I assured him it wasn’t and we actually had a hot meal for him.  He made sure to grab a bag as he passed the table.  It was almost like he didn’t believe that we had a bowl of chili for him.  I managed to get him to the table where the chili was being served.  He was very demanding and not real appreciative of the fact that we were there.  It was just weird.  After he got his chili, we had a few minutes to talk.  Now one of the “habits” I have when I talk to people is I tend to kind of put my hand on shoulders and backs.  I don’t know why I do it and most times I don’t even realize I do it.  I suppose it’s calming or something.  At least in my mind.  Well it wasn’t calming in Keith’s mind.  After we got his food and were standing away from the serving area, he was mowing through that bowl of chili like he hadn’t eaten in days.  I guess it’s entirely possible that he hadn’t.  Tough for me to imagine that in this town, but anything’s possible I guess.  I’m pretty sure I still have chili and bread chunks on my jacket from Keith.  So as he’s finishing off his lunch, the inevitable question comes up.  Especially from a guy I’ve never met.  “Do you have 3 dollars?”  3 dollars?  I calmly let him know that we don’t do cash.  Food?  Sure.  Clothing?  Whatever we have is yours.  A bar of soap and a little shampoo?  Absolutely.  But cash?  We just don’t have it.  That’s where things went a little south for me and Keith.  As I reached up to place my hand on his shoulder to assure him I’d certainly help him if I could, for whatever reason, he very angrily asked me to stop touching him.  I mean he was mad.  What was a fairly calm conversation just moments earlier, took a pretty weird turn.  He was angry and let me know it.  I imagine if I’d given him the 3 dollars, things would have been ok.  But I didn’t and they weren’t.  Like I said, I’d never seen this fellow before.  And I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.  I watched him walk away through the crowd mumbling and looking back over his shoulder and his words to me were not so kind.  Honestly, I’m not sure what I’d done.  I guess it was probably more what I didn’t do.  He was angry that he was living at the shelter and no one was helping him.  He had no income and he just wanted a few bucks.  I saw him as we were leaving.  He was on the steps of the library across from where we hang out on these Sundays.  Again, his words were not nice.  At all.  Just a strange encounter…I guess it just was what it was.  I wish I had a do-over with him.  Maybe some other time.

But there were so many more great moments and there always are.  One fellow made a point of coming over and thanking us.  We get that so much.  And I try so hard to deflect that stuff.  It’s so important to me that we all realize that it’s God we should be thanking.  I’ve been humbled so much lately with personal stuff that’s going on in my own life that I realize that I’m absolutely no different than any person we see on that corner.  Or anywhere else.  I’ve always known it.  I’m just really getting it more lately.  God has so incredibly blessed me beyond anything I deserve and I just keep falling on my face.  And every time I do, He’s there to pick me up.  And I try so hard to convey that to our friends.  He loves us so much it’s impossible for me to comprehend.  And His grace and mercy are even more difficult for me to grasp.  And I know that God can use me no matter how many stupid mistakes I make along the way.  It doesn’t give me license to continue my stupidity, but it does give me hope.  I’ve had so many conversations with certain friends from downtown along these same lines and I think every once in a while God backhands me so that I remember it for myself.  I’m just convinced that we’re supposed to be on that corner for the long haul.  In some manner.  Be it once a month or whatever.  Maybe when we first started hanging out down there, I thought we were serving them.  As the years pass before us, I realize more and more that’s probably not actually the case at all.  I don’t know how it all ends up of course, but there’s one thing I want to be sure of in the end.  “Someday I’ll pass through the great sky above – And the first thing I’ll ask is how well did I love?”  (That line courtesy of Brandon Heath).  And I pray that I get an answer and that it’s befitting a God who first loved us.

So Clyde came and represented today.  Keith came and I somehow failed him.  That happens.  The enemy gets in the way lots of times.  But more often than not, love flows on that corner.  In so many ways.  Be it through a meal prepared with love.  Or a nice, hot cup of some of the best coffee in town courtesy of our great friends at Harvest Roasting/Scooters.  Or a simple conversation.  Whatever it is, it’s just all about how can we let these guys know we care.  And we love ‘em.  And more importantly, God loves them.  SO much.  Thanks to all the folks who served today.  Thanks St. John’s Catholic Youth Organization and their sponsors.  Thanks Southridge Church.  Thanks Eagle Heights.  Thanks to every church, organization or individual that showed up today.  Thanks to all the folks who show up almost every time we show up.  Thanks for not judging, but for loving in ways that are so impactful.  Truth be told, if there was more of that in this crazy world, maybe guys like Keith would be a little less angry.  I’d bet on it.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"  ~Isaiah 6:8

Make a difference…it matters.