HC: The big turn-around of repentance...

The word repentance was once explained to me as " stopping where you are, turning around and going the other direction with purpose and passion."

This weeks question has to do with the topic of repentance. Give an example in your life of repentance: how have you faced a hard truth about yourself and made a decision to go a better way.

What happened? Tell us your story...

For the last several weeks, a small group of friends have been meeting over lunch on a weekly basis to discuss and share their answers, questions and conversation in response to the questions found in the book, Holy conversations by Richard Peace.

Feel free to comment here or on the discussion page found on Facebook.

A little help please

Later this month,April 23-29, I will be attending the Princeton Institute of Youth Ministry at Princeton Seminary in New Jersey.

When I came across the information for this training, I was very excited as it is affordable in terms of continuing education opportunities and is much closer geographically to my home than many of the options I was considering.

There is one catch however in the final details of planning travel to get there in April. Due to registering later than earlier for this event, I will not be able to stay on campus for two of the nights of my stay and found it necessary to book a hotel. While my employer has graciously covered my tuition for this program, I find that I'm running a little short on some resources necessary during travel.

So quite honestly, I am asking you to consider supporting me in prayer and/or financially during my initial classes of April 23-29.

The specific prayer needs I have during this time are: traveling safety (my flight brings me to Philadelphia and I have to navigate to Princeton NJ); my mental comprehension (these are very intensive courses); and the peace to leave my family and my congregation for these few days.

Specific financial needs I have during this time are for expenses above and beyond the support I am receiving from my church: two nights in a hotel ($280.00); six meals ($120.00); and transportation between Princeton and the Philadelphia Airport ($60.00).

*NOTE: SINCE 3/31/10 AT 2PM, THE TRANSPORT COSTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED FOR. THANK YOU!

Thank you for any help you are willing to provide as I seek to learn and practice the best ministry for youth as possible. You may contact me via email or Facebook if you would like to make a commitment of prayer and support.

Waiter I am not

I'm not a very good waiter. No, I don't mean the fella dressed in black with a crisp linen towel over his arm - but that probably wouldn't work for me either.

What I mean, is I'm no good at waiting for news, when said news involves the people I love. On Sunday afternoon, my Dad called to tell me he is having heart problems again. Thirteen years ago he had a serious heart attack, and now his aorta valve is not working properly.

So today he has a heart cath and later we will know when his valve replacement surgery will be. Most likely it will be late this week.

I wish I was with my Dad today. He lives a ways away, I work at a church and it's holy week - that is what I think the busiest time of the church calender and schedule. I have waves of - it's only a simple procedure today and waves of "Hey, this is my Dad we are talking about."

Later this week, I'm planning on singing this song for Good Friday service...and today these words seem to fit perfectly. In all times I need to remember that..."I can say that I am yours (G-d) and you (G-d) are mine."

It doesn’t take much
For my heart to break
And you have done it
For what’s seems the millionth time

Whenever I hear
Of your saving grace
And how you gave your life
In exchange for mine

Sometimes I wonder why you even love me
And why you ever chose to call me child
Then I remember
It’s by your sacrifice
I can say that
I am yours and you are mine

It doesn’t take much
For me to shed a tear
And you have done so many things
To make me cry
Whenever I think
Of all that I’ve done wrong
And everything that you have done
To make it right

It doesn’t take much
For my heart to break
And you have done it
For what’s seems the millionth time

The reality of needs: a donkey?

Image from blog Brian Dennet here.

Matthew 21
The Triumphal Entry
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "[a]

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"[c]
"Hosanna[d] in the highest!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

The story of Palm Sunday was always one of my favorites as a child. As an energetic-tom-boyish-hard-to-sit-still-all-the-way-through-the-sermon kind of kid, I appreciated this Sunday where I could sing a little louder, wave a palm branch with all my might and work out some of my excess energy.

Today when I read this story, the words, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." , seem to stand out to me.

Jesus needed the donkey. Jesus needed the disciples to go get the donkey and maybe, just maybe, Jesus needed that celebratory moment of affirmation that day as he entered Jerusalem to help carry him through what would be the most difficult week of his life. As Christians work to care for the diverse needs of the people within our community, we can never underestimate what shape the needs of people may take.

A child may need a safe place to play or a family may need some groceries to get through to the end of the month. Someone may need to learn to read, improve their speaking skills, or they may simply need a word of affirmation or encouragement that they can achieve their goal of getting that new job. The needs are many, but God's resources and vision are limitless.

Prayer:
God help us to see beyond our perspective of what needs you can provide for. Help our vision to be your vision and help us to be bold as was go to find ways to provide for the "donkey" you are asking us to retrieve for You and your children.

Help Kristen get her donkey

This photo of Kristen was taken last month while in India by her friend Chanda.

Matthew 21:1-3 "As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

A few weeks ago, an friend of mine returned home from a photography/mission trip to India with more than the usual souvenirs you would expect from such an adventure. Kristen took hundreds of photographs, made some new friends and fell in love with the people of India. One thing she did not expect though was to contract Colitis while she was there. In fact, during her last few days in India, Kristen came into contact with a virus that began this infection when caring for some children she had met there. It became necessary for her to be admitted to the hospital for a strong dose of antibiotics and fluids the last week there.

Upon returning home, Kristen thought all her medical issues had been dealt with, but I'm sad to tell you that she had continued to have significant physical problems since she has returned home. To complicate the matter, Kristen and her husband Zack, do not have any medical insurance and don't qualify for medicaid. Zack and Kristen are a wonderful, creative and caring couple that pour their lives into those around them. They work in youth ministry in the same small city as I do, and I count their service and ministry a blessing to me as well.

In the wake of change in the area of the medical care in the U.S., I have heard many stories of people caught in the place or pre-existing conditions, overwhelming deductibles, and missing medical assistance because they simply can't afford it! Kristen's story is one more of many, but since she's important to me (and many others too) - I think it's one that needs to be told...until something is done and she can receive the medical care she needs.

There are many areas of need in people's lives, but the physical well-being of a person can impact the whole person. I feel its important for Christians - or try to live in the way of Jesus - to speak up, stand up and do what they can to help when a need comes to the surface in there neighborhood and beyond.

In the story of Palm Sunday, Jesus sents his disciples to get a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. He simply tells them that is anyone asks why they are taking the donkey to tell them, "The Lord has need of it." It may seem to be an odd line of reasoning, but I think there is something to this.

Kristen has need of health care. Kristen can't get healthcare on her own. As a fellow disciple, isn't it my role to go and find a way to help her get what she needs? I think so.

If you would like to visit Kristen's photography website or if you have some information that would help her find what she needs, please post a comment below. Let's help Kristen get her donkey.

HC: What is sin anyway?

When I first think of the word "sin" I think of some fire and brimstone sermons I've listened to over the years, I think of a list of offenses: murder, theft, anger, lust, pride, and more, but more and more when I think of sin - I think of it being the thing or things that can be a barrier to all the things that are listed as the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, humbleness, and self-control.

In the last year it seems I'm in the process of being realigned by the compass of Jesus words here in John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

When it comes to the matter of sin, I think much of it would be resolved if we, as in I, lived in the way of love like Jesus speaks of more and more on a daily basis. Sometimes I think it is easier to define what something, like sin, is with what it isn't - and sin isn't anywhere close to love.