Open My Eyes, That I May See

The words of this hymn by Clara Scott popped into my head just now as I pondered what lessons might be gleaned from the work this past week of the teen missions team from the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio here in Franklin in conjunction with Mustard Seed Missions.  St. John's Episcopal hosted twenty-three teens and six adults who gave a week's worth of hard work in hot and muggy conditions to help people they didn't know.  These teens came here to Franklin because their youth leaders could see value in the experience of being involved as teens with helping the poor and less fortunate.  It was not only useful work for us here, but an educational experience for each of these teens the affects of which will hopefully linger and influence them for years to come.  I know that at least some of this transformative power is at work because several of the teens are repeat volunteers, and I heard expressed by the end of the week a desire on the part of many to return and help out again next year.

So, what are the lessons to be learned?  The first lesson is that poverty isn't limited to third world countries.  Poverty in America certainly pales in comparison to the outright starvation and disease in many places in our world, but when one lifts the cover and pokes into the corners here in our own backyard it is shocking to those who have not witnessed it how much need is right here with us.  The many causes of poverty, from disability to divorce, from pestilence to poor choices and beyond, are not limited to any corner of the globe. 

The second lesson then is that poverty looks like us too.  As Americans, we perhaps can be lulled into a soft sort of racism that begins to view poverty as a problem for "those" people.  What the teens discovered while working on getting the Hope House renovated, (a new homeless shelter being opened here in Franklin where previously there was none) is that many of those who will end up using this temporary housing will be teens not much different than themselves.  That many of these teens have been blessed with stable upbringings would be the primary difference between themselves and the young man that was waiting outside the building on their last work day because he had heard that a shelter was available.  This young man was 18 and could have just as easily been a part of our work crew rather than a person in need of a shelter.  We tend to picture homelessness as old guys with dirty beards and a drinking problem; those on the front lines of trying to help those amongst us in desperate need know that there is no stereotypical homeless person; that tragedy comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

The last lesson is that making a difference isn't as far away as it feels.  The tragedy unfolding on the evening news or the latest live feed on the Internet, which is taking place on the other side of the world can give us a sense of inevitable helplessness.  What can I do about such a big problem so far away?  If I don't have any more money to give to an aid agency, what can I do?  Twenty-three teens learned this week that a short car ride from home can be the mission field.  That their effort, even without formal training, can make a difference.  Now that they've returned home, they'll look at the world with new eyes, eyes that see need where once it was overlooked, and eyes that see opportunity where once there was apathy.

"Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me....Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!"  Imagine if the whole Church opened its eyes, what would we see?

Sermon Video, "to win the prize" Philippians 3:10-14

Having just told the church at Philippi that his past life of self-righteousness is meaningless and his current state of self-sacrifice in the service of the Gospel is not a loss, Paul now explains to them that he has not yet reached the perfect state of Christ-likeness that he, and all of us, must strive for.
That the Apostle Paul admits to be less than perfect is welcome news to those of us who struggle to live up to the high standard of the conduct of Jesus Christ.  Not only does it allow us to be honest about our shortcomings, it keeps us from being judgmental toward others because none of us are, or can be, perfect until God finishes that process of transformation beyond the grave.
So what do we do now?  If we can't be perfect, does it matter if we try to be better?  Paul's answer is an emphatic, "Press on!"  We must strive and struggle toward that lofty goal of Christ-likeness, it doesn't matter that we can't get there because God has called us to be soldiers for the Cross, we too must take up spiritual arms and stand against evil, we too must stand with the weak, the outcasts, because we will then be standing where our saviour stood, with the people, that he might save the people.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Where are the thoughts?

I know that I haven't posted any new thoughts in a month, but the reason for the draught is a good one.  We've been making a lot of progress with Mustard Seed Missions of late and that work is eating into my time to read and ponder throughout the week.  I have several books on the shelf here at the office that I'm itching to get through, but when God is working amongst his people, as he is now through MSM, that's where my focus needs to be.

This week we have 23 teens and six adults from the Episcopal Diocese of Medina, OH here in Franklin working on MSM projects.  I've had the joy of meeting with these kids each morning as we get the multiple work teams on the road to their sites, and also the responsibility of making sure that MSM's project leaders and projects are running smoothly; and of course, the new MSM referrals keep coming in this week as well, five more already.

In years prior, when Nicole and I were back in Saranac, wondering and anxious about what God wanted us to do, hoping for an opportunity to work full-time in the ministry, and not sure where or when that might be; it was a steady prayer of mine that God would make me more useful to his kingdom.  As you know, don't pray for patience unless you really want to learn how to be patient, and don't pray to be used by God unless you're willing to get to work.  God brought us here, God put us to work, and we're loving it.  Right now I'm just thankful for the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here in Venango County and thankful to have so many wonderful Christians from all over the county who are willing to join in this mission to the needy in our midst.

Don't worry, I'll get back to writing commentary on books, news, and whatever strikes my fancy soon enough, for now, God's got me too busy.

Sermon Video, "that I may gain Christ" - Philippians 3:1-9

In this passage Paul offers advice to the Church at Philippi in the event that it proves necessary in the future.  He warns them about "dogs" and "mutilators of the flesh" who will try to impose upon them the requirements of the Law (in this case circumcision) in addition to faith in Christ.  Paul views such version of the Gospel, faith plus something else whatever it may be, with horror because he knows from personal experience that self-righteousness is a dead end.
Earlier in life, when Paul was known as Saul, he had every reason to expect that his strict observance of the Law would bring him to God, he was shocked into reality, however, when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and learned that he had in fact been fighting AGAINST God.  How can that be?  To do the right thing is not enough, God demands a right heart as well, and Saul's was full of self-righteous pride that left no room for compassion for the Lost.
Now, as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul knows that every church must be on its guard against the temptation to add any kind of works before faith (such as: Baptism, Communion, membership, etc.).  We do not work to earn God's favor, we work to celebrate God's grace.  The difference may seem slight, but it means everything.  Salvation is not earned, therefore, I must not stand in the way of anyone who might accept it, more than that, it becomes our duty to share the message of God's love with anyone and everyone we can.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video

Sermon Video: "the work of Christ" Philippians 2:19-30

Paul's letter to the church of Philippi now deals with the personal plans of Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the Apostle Paul himself.  Here we learn that Timothy is a rare type of worker, one who cares more about those he is helping than he does about himself.  Such people are a treasure, worthy of honor, but sadly lacking at times among those who represent the Church.  Likewise, Epaphroditus put his own life on the line to care for Paul's needs, a reminder that serving God is not a free pass against the trials and tribulations of this life; indeed, many who serve God do so in dangerous places, doing work that is itself hazardous.  Lastly, Paul's confidence that he will soon be released from prison to journey in person to Philippi reminds us that our plans are not God's plans.  If Paul, who had toiled for the sake of the Gospel for years, can have his own prayer answered with "no", then certainly we too must understand that God doesn't work for us, we work for him.  The will of God remains largely unknowable, we may get glimpses from time to time and think that we understand what God is doing, but ultimately our task is simple: trust and obey. 

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video