Since the month of February, I have traveled through seasons of want and of plenty. There have been times to strive, to thrive, to fly and to dive, and I have dealt with my fair share of trials over the past 6 months. Let me give you a quick play-by-play.
December '12: I left a position as a Tech Specialist. I didn't think it would take about 8 weeks to find work again. Elena and I survived off of her 20 some hours a week and savings. She graduated from College and the prospect of loans coming out of Grace Period was all too real. I needed a job... and soon!
February '13: Landed a job as a team member at a local coffee shop. I was hired on beginning at around 30 hours a week which was just enough to pay the bill with Elena's job. Then things took an unexpected term. A misunderstanding and miscommunication between Elena and her managers led to her losing her job. In a matter of a week, we went from celebration to survival mode again.
March '13: Elena went almost a month without work, but she was able to find a similar position which paid more with a local cleaning business. We celebrated the Lord's goodness, but then things took another turn. Because of circumstances beyond our control, sales dropped dramatically which effected my hours. What was 35-40 hours dropped to 25-30, then 15-20, and for 3 weeks I endured less than 10 hours a week until sales finally picked up again in June.
June '13: Business picked up, and I was able to land a second job at a good restaurant in the MOA. We started talks with a church in Northern Minnesota which would potentially turn into an apprenticeship. Things are finally starting to look up. I have a guaranteed 20hrs at the coffee shop, Elena is keeping the same amount at her job, and we are in talks with a church! This was also the month of our big from living on-campus to being closer to work.
July '13: Elena and I now live minutes away from work. I took on more hours which by the end of the month got me working close to 60hrs a week! Elena is not only doing well at her new job, but she received a raise as well! Then things took another turn. The church we were talking with decided that they no longer desired to pursue the apprenticeship. Rejoicing turned to pain once again, but I wasn't about to give up. I sent an email communicating my desire to learn and experiment. After sending the message awaited their response.
Now Aug. '13: For the sake of physical health and my relationship to my wife, I have cut back on a few hours. I am working a manageable 40-50 hours and Elena has a stable job. I did actually receive a message back from the church stating they would like to continue considering the apprenticeship. Elena and I are now actually bringing in a small surplus which we will be able to put toward loans as well as invest a little more into our relationship.
What is the over all lesson learned from this? God not only cares. He fights! He not only sees. He intervenes on behalf of those who love him and are called to his good purposes. Co-workers at the coffee shop could not understand why I did not quit when my hours dropped to a mere 9.5 hrs/week. I would reply, "God is fighting for me, and he will provide." When anger flared up over my frustations with Elena's managers terminating her employment over their mismanaged situation, I told myself, "God is fighting for me; He will provide!" And when I received a message that the church was no longer interested, I took hold of that truth again, "God is fighting for me; he will provide."
Are you in a tight fix and wondering what God is doing? I know it is frustrating, but the reality is that we have very little knowledge when it comes to God's work in the cosmos. In the grand scheme of things, how many calculations, how many situations, how many possible outcomes does God have to think through before he comes through for you and me. The answer? Every single one of them! If it takes a little time, it is for our good. To strengthen us, humble us, and to help us become more... well Human (That is in the glorious way God meant it to be)... so that we may reflect on His name well. But it is not only for His good purpose, but for our good as well. God does not use to abuse. He uses to make useful that which has lost it's own sense of meaning and purpose in a world departed from Him. Is this not true?
I have no doubt that He continues to fight on my behalf, and I have no doubt that He will continue to fight for you too!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Reach Out and Touch Them!
Many of those reading this know what I refer to as "Downtown
Street-Corner Preachers." Others may remember the Facebook Post from
last summer after my first encounter with them. For the record, they do
seem to believe that they are on a mission from God. They preach a kind
of "in repentance... is your salvation," (See Isaiah 30:15, read it in
context!) but as many of us well know... even though the words they
preach seem like truth from God's word, it just doesn't sound quite
right.
It had been a long day at work and I, while disembarking from the light-rail station, decided to take a stroll through Downtown last week. Sure enough, there they were preaching the same, message as always. "God hates your sin!" It's a message they proclaim over a listing of select sins according to the book Leviticus. They wear this listing on themselves like those of a "LIQUIDATION SALE" sign on a poor furniture store employee. When I saw them, a kind of fire flared up in me -- don't get me wrong, it wasn't so much anger as a desire to set things right -- so I approached one of the preachers.
It turned out that a nicely dressed, older gentleman had reached the preacher just before me. He was calm, collected, and not especially bothered by this wild eyed instrument of God's judgement. I walked up beside them and decided to listen a while as I waited my turn. This is more or less how the conversation went:
"Hello, brother," said the businessman to the preacher, "how are you?"
"I'M OKAY!" shouted the preacher for all to hear, "HOW ARE YOU???"
"I'm doing well," the business man quietly, for I could hardly hear him myself. "Say, why do you shout all the time?"
"I'M NOT SHOUTING! I'M PROCLAIMING, more like PREACHING!"
"Well I see that, but it's coming across as a little offensive, do you think you could tone it down a little?"
"NO, I DON'T BELIEVE I CAN DO THAT. YOU SEE, These people's SINS need to be EXPOSED through the LAW! Is it offensive? YES, because GOD's WORD is offensive to this culture of PHARISEES! It's a kind of RIGHTEOUS anger."
"Pardon me, sir." said the businessman very politely, "I'm a brother in the faith--"
"OH, that's GOOD!!!!!"
"Yes... er... right, I'm a brother in the faith and I'm still working through some of the sins that your preaching against. I don't claim perfection yet, but I'm working on it. Anyway, I just think you need to tone it down and be a little more polite."
"WELL, even JESUS had RIGHTEOUS ANGER TOO!"
"I understand that... in certain cases, but I just think you are coming off as offensive. I have to go now--"
The businessman then looked at me and smiled as though to say, Your turn! I shook his hand, and he sped on his way.
I can't really give you a step by step relay of what went on after that. But suffice it to say that within the verbal boxing match which ensued, I was interrupted, misunderstood, and accused of being a "PHARISEE!" as well as one who "BEARS BAD FRUIT!" After about 2 minutes of trying to make sense of the situation, another preacher joined and the two proceeded to ram me with scriptures... which seemed to have no discernible Biblical context. One of these Scriptures in particular was Romans 2:8 which I will get to in a bit.
After about five minutes, they decided they had enough of me and said, "This guy doesn't know what he's talking about!" As they hurriedly left to cross the street, I decided not to give up just yet. "Hey!" I shouted and stretched out my hand, "Thanks for talking with me, I really appreciate it." The second preacher hesitated only a moment, "Yeah... uh, no problem," and he shook my hand.
Now the story takes another turn, because on the journey home I saw an older, disheveled, gentleman holding a sign which read, "Just Need Food." I felt compelled towards him (which doesn't happen very often mind you) and said, "Hi! How are you?"
"Eh? What did you say son?" He answered.
"I said 'hoooow... aaarrreee.... yoooouuuu."
"Oh! Doing well, doing well."
"Is there anything I can do for you today?" It was amazing how naturally I formed those words. Only a moment before I felt so flabbergasted that I could hardly get a word out. Wouldn't you know it? Maybe it's because I work in customer/food service! Just goes to show that one never knows when his/her trade will can be used for God's purposes.
"Oh, well it's just food that I need," said the man.
"Okay," I said motioning with my left hand, "Target is right across the street. Can I get you some food?"
His eyes brightened up and the sound of that, "OH! Yes! That would be great!"
"Do you have any dietary needs, sir?"
"Well, I have diabetes, you know. So any kind of fruit... er... um... BANANAS! I could use some bananas!
Sure enough, I found myself grabbing two bunches of bananas and a cup of coffee, "With cream and Sweet&Low!" After bringing him his food and drink, I asked if I could pray for him.
"Ah, now that would be great, thank you," he said, bowing his head. I laid my hand on him and prayed something like this:
"Dear Father in Heaven. I thank you for stopping me to help my friend today. I pray that these things would be nourishing to his body. Lord, I also pray that you would continue to compel people of Truth to help him. Surround him with these people. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!"
"Thank you, son. What is you name?"
"Jacob," I replied with a smile.
"Oh, well I'll remember that," he winked, "That's from the Bible!"
And it was true. What I did was from the Bible. In fact it was exactly what Jesus did in the Bible, and also what the real Pharisees refused to do: to see, to touch, and to provide for the poor in heart, health, and spirit... on a personal, day by day level.
Who are the real Pharisees of today? Well, Jesus described them as loud, burdensome, arrogant, deceitful, and overall hypocritical. Need I say more?
What is truly needed is people with sound conviction of the heart and mind to reach out and touch the people in this culture. For those of us with a heart for culture change, I think it starts right here with our touch. Did not Jesus touch the leper, and yet still retain his righteousness?
Now that you have trekked through this amazing journey with me. Read Romans chapter 2. Remember the preachers used Romans 2:8 to justify their wrathful, angry preaching. I actually chuckled when I read the first few verses. Can you tell why? Read the whole chapter and always, always test the way people use the Word by putting it back into the context of what was actually written!
Blessings!
It had been a long day at work and I, while disembarking from the light-rail station, decided to take a stroll through Downtown last week. Sure enough, there they were preaching the same, message as always. "God hates your sin!" It's a message they proclaim over a listing of select sins according to the book Leviticus. They wear this listing on themselves like those of a "LIQUIDATION SALE" sign on a poor furniture store employee. When I saw them, a kind of fire flared up in me -- don't get me wrong, it wasn't so much anger as a desire to set things right -- so I approached one of the preachers.
It turned out that a nicely dressed, older gentleman had reached the preacher just before me. He was calm, collected, and not especially bothered by this wild eyed instrument of God's judgement. I walked up beside them and decided to listen a while as I waited my turn. This is more or less how the conversation went:
"Hello, brother," said the businessman to the preacher, "how are you?"
"I'M OKAY!" shouted the preacher for all to hear, "HOW ARE YOU???"
"I'm doing well," the business man quietly, for I could hardly hear him myself. "Say, why do you shout all the time?"
"I'M NOT SHOUTING! I'M PROCLAIMING, more like PREACHING!"
"Well I see that, but it's coming across as a little offensive, do you think you could tone it down a little?"
"NO, I DON'T BELIEVE I CAN DO THAT. YOU SEE, These people's SINS need to be EXPOSED through the LAW! Is it offensive? YES, because GOD's WORD is offensive to this culture of PHARISEES! It's a kind of RIGHTEOUS anger."
"Pardon me, sir." said the businessman very politely, "I'm a brother in the faith--"
"OH, that's GOOD!!!!!"
"Yes... er... right, I'm a brother in the faith and I'm still working through some of the sins that your preaching against. I don't claim perfection yet, but I'm working on it. Anyway, I just think you need to tone it down and be a little more polite."
"WELL, even JESUS had RIGHTEOUS ANGER TOO!"
"I understand that... in certain cases, but I just think you are coming off as offensive. I have to go now--"
The businessman then looked at me and smiled as though to say, Your turn! I shook his hand, and he sped on his way.
I can't really give you a step by step relay of what went on after that. But suffice it to say that within the verbal boxing match which ensued, I was interrupted, misunderstood, and accused of being a "PHARISEE!" as well as one who "BEARS BAD FRUIT!" After about 2 minutes of trying to make sense of the situation, another preacher joined and the two proceeded to ram me with scriptures... which seemed to have no discernible Biblical context. One of these Scriptures in particular was Romans 2:8 which I will get to in a bit.
After about five minutes, they decided they had enough of me and said, "This guy doesn't know what he's talking about!" As they hurriedly left to cross the street, I decided not to give up just yet. "Hey!" I shouted and stretched out my hand, "Thanks for talking with me, I really appreciate it." The second preacher hesitated only a moment, "Yeah... uh, no problem," and he shook my hand.
Now the story takes another turn, because on the journey home I saw an older, disheveled, gentleman holding a sign which read, "Just Need Food." I felt compelled towards him (which doesn't happen very often mind you) and said, "Hi! How are you?"
"Eh? What did you say son?" He answered.
"I said 'hoooow... aaarrreee.... yoooouuuu."
"Oh! Doing well, doing well."
"Is there anything I can do for you today?" It was amazing how naturally I formed those words. Only a moment before I felt so flabbergasted that I could hardly get a word out. Wouldn't you know it? Maybe it's because I work in customer/food service! Just goes to show that one never knows when his/her trade will can be used for God's purposes.
"Oh, well it's just food that I need," said the man.
"Okay," I said motioning with my left hand, "Target is right across the street. Can I get you some food?"
His eyes brightened up and the sound of that, "OH! Yes! That would be great!"
"Do you have any dietary needs, sir?"
"Well, I have diabetes, you know. So any kind of fruit... er... um... BANANAS! I could use some bananas!
Sure enough, I found myself grabbing two bunches of bananas and a cup of coffee, "With cream and Sweet&Low!" After bringing him his food and drink, I asked if I could pray for him.
"Ah, now that would be great, thank you," he said, bowing his head. I laid my hand on him and prayed something like this:
"Dear Father in Heaven. I thank you for stopping me to help my friend today. I pray that these things would be nourishing to his body. Lord, I also pray that you would continue to compel people of Truth to help him. Surround him with these people. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!"
"Thank you, son. What is you name?"
"Jacob," I replied with a smile.
"Oh, well I'll remember that," he winked, "That's from the Bible!"
And it was true. What I did was from the Bible. In fact it was exactly what Jesus did in the Bible, and also what the real Pharisees refused to do: to see, to touch, and to provide for the poor in heart, health, and spirit... on a personal, day by day level.
Who are the real Pharisees of today? Well, Jesus described them as loud, burdensome, arrogant, deceitful, and overall hypocritical. Need I say more?
What is truly needed is people with sound conviction of the heart and mind to reach out and touch the people in this culture. For those of us with a heart for culture change, I think it starts right here with our touch. Did not Jesus touch the leper, and yet still retain his righteousness?
Now that you have trekked through this amazing journey with me. Read Romans chapter 2. Remember the preachers used Romans 2:8 to justify their wrathful, angry preaching. I actually chuckled when I read the first few verses. Can you tell why? Read the whole chapter and always, always test the way people use the Word by putting it back into the context of what was actually written!
Blessings!
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