Fireman

It seems that work in this context could be compared to that of a fireman. No, we don't carry around hoses and ride around with sirens. But, we do put out fires...lots of fires. And because of those fires, other things just don't get done. And they are important things. But, are they more important than getting a person to work for the first time in two years? Are they more important than going to court for a person being accused of grand larceny? Are they more important than actually looking into the eyes of a hurting person that hasn't experienced a true listening ear in years? What is more important? Raising awareness about a really important church and ministry or actually participating in that ministry? I'm not sure I can pick between the two, but what I do know is that this fireman mentality is real and it causes great stress at times because as a "productive" North American I want to be able to look back at my day and see all of the things crossed off of my list. God help me. God help all of us who forget the things that really matter in life. To love people above all else.

What is Social Justice?

Had a chance tonight to go to something called "The Forum" at OKC First Church of the Nazarene. Every month or two they have a gathering of folks around a particular topic and they bring in "experts" from the community to talk about all things related to social justice. Tonight they actually answered the question, "What is social justice?" It was really good and I found it to be incredibly stimulating. I wish more churches would do this from time to time. Not everyone agrees with everyone, but the cool thing is that at the end people are encouraged to take The Eucharist together.

What is it, though? I'm still not sure I got a good concrete answer but we went a long way in trying. What I do know is that we are beginning to partner with a church in OKC First that is trying to do whatever it can to make a difference in the world. And, they are willing to make sacrifices and give their people expectations to help this become a reality. And guess what...the people are responding and getting excited about it. This is how the "not yet" becomes "the already." God's Kingdom is coming and is here and we're thrilled to be a part of it. Write more later this week.

Some Sammy video!

Food!

It's awesome to see people give so much. I got to go down to a local business to pick up a car load full of gourmet food yesterday. The business was...a horse auction? Yep, that's right. Apparently this giant place has like 5 auctions a year and they must have given us 400 pounds of food. Salmon, chicken, ribs, bbq beef, pasta, rice, vegetables. It was a sight to behold for the guys as I pulled up late last night in front of the fellowship hall door. Normally they aren't there at night but because of the cold temps we were letting folks stay inside the fellowship hall. They couldn't believe all of the food and the kind of food we got. This was all cooked food that could be frozen and heated up whenever we needed it. Normally, we get food from folks that is almost expired. Don't get me wrong, we're happy to receive it, but when we get this kind of food it is a special thing. I found out when I went to pick it up from the auction that one of the ladies working in the kitchen had been ministered to by OKC Compassion and wanted to give back! That's a pretty amazing thing and it is one of the great things to see in ministry. It's awesome to watch the guys in the kitchen. They decided that they were going to feed people three times a day over the next several days to make sure that the folks get the good stuff! Tomorrow's Sunday...better get to bed.

Snail's Pace

I had the privilege of helping a family today I hadn't met yet before. It was quite an experience, to say the least. They were really kind. Never have I been so amazed at the situations that people live in on a daily basis. The young man (23 years old) went to bed one night feeling fine and woke up the next morning paralyzed from the neck down. Unbelievable. He has a disorder called Transverse Myelitis. For more on this, check out this link: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm
I showed up at the house and realized that the family of four lived in an apartment above a garage. The steps up to the apartment were really old and weak. I thought I might fall through them. I walked in, met the family and we began the task of carrying Larry down the rickety, old stairs. His brother grabbed him under the arms and I got his legs. We went to a very interesting doctor's office where Larry was being treated for a UTI. The office was in the upstairs of the mall which meant we had to take the elevator...that was out of order. This meant carrying Larry up the steps again. Thankfully, the world's largest policeman worked security for the mall and pretty much carried Larry up the stairs by himself! He was huge! The doctor, and I hesitate to call him that, was not very helpful and really didn't do too much to alleviate the issues. It seems that folks in these situations have a hard time getting good, quality help. He is on Medicaid. We then made our way back to their home. Dad has emphysema and was given three months to live two months ago. Mom spends all her time taking care of the two men. Brother does what he can to support the family and helps in many ways. They are supposed to be moving to another house soon...but that was what they were told six months ago. Nothing happens fast, it seems, for folks who don't have the resources. I prayed with the family and asked God to intervene. Sometimes there's just nothing else to pray! I'm hoping to try and help as much as I can. We'll see how it goes. If you haven't caught things so far, let me stress again that this is a mission field in every sense possible. All for now.

Where Is the Line?

Had some very interesting moments today at the church. We are continually amazed at the way compassion is understood at Penn Avenue. It is like nothing we have ever seen before. It is almost insulting to us at first, but it isn't long before we begin to see Jesus in the process. I say this because it seems like there should be some sort of "line" or "balance" between enabling someone on one had and truly helping them on the other. Pastor is amazing at helping people and for giving them chance after chance after chance. This isn't to say he doesn't put a few boundaries in place for those he knows are taking advantage of him...it just means he never gives up on anyone...ever. This is truly refreshing to me and scary at the same time. I kind of felt today like I was having an out of body experience looking at myself from the other side of the room and shaking my head in disappointment at the "guy" who was trying to think too much like he already knew everything there was to know about compassion. The truth is, I know nothing. I have much to learn. I still think there is a balance somewhere but I'm not convinced I know where it is or even how to find out how to strike it. I suppose that will become clearer the longer we are involved. I am thankful for the examples in front of me on a daily basis.

We had a great meeting tonight with OKC First and really sensed God's presence among us as we met. We continue to be affirmed on a daily basis as we work, meet with people and discuss what we sense God has directed us to do. The church seems really on board and wants to help in significant ways. Unprecedented was the right word to use.

Mission Fields, Difficulty and Grace

We have decided that the only things different about the mission field at 10th and Penn from other places we have been to around the world is that we know the language (most of the time), the culture is fairly similar to ours and there is some familiarity with stores and the kinds of food we eat each day. (So far we have been to Mazzio's and the Hungry Frog Restaurant!) Other than that, this place is foreign. We don't always know how to relate to folks who can't imagine life without some sort of chemical in their bodies. Things are just difficult sometimes, too. It took an act of Congress yesterday to get something faxed. We went to get some keys made for various doors in and around the church and about half of them didn't work. Internet issues...that's a whole new post! All that to say, it feels very similar to some of the experiences we have had in places on the other side of the world.

Probably the best part of the day was getting to pray with "Tina." Tina is a lady that has been a fixture at Penn Ave. for many years. She has manipulated the leadership there for years and taken advantage of good and Godly hearts in order to continue her addiction to crack cocaine. Within the past six weeks, she has been "clean." She has been working at the church in a number of ways and you can truly see the transformation that is taking place. Jesus is alive in her life. One of the things I love about these folks is their brutal honesty. She entered the room today where we were meeting and asked for prayer. She told us of how she dreamed of crack the night before and woke up tasting it and wanting it so bad. In her earlier days she would prostitute herself just to make money for crack. To say she was addicted doesn't do her situation justice. We prayed for her and asked that God would give her strength to continue the battle another day. It was truly a holy moment and I'm better because of it.

Unprecedented

We have spent many hours the last two days discussing a partnership between two churches: Penn Avenue and OKC First Church of the Nazarene. In years of ministry I have heard of churches helping each other and that is always a good thing. What we have been talking about is somewhat unprecedented, I think. This partnership involves at least 10 items that can hopefully be shared in the future. Most of them involve OKC (and some other churches) giving significant attention to our children's ministry and allowing finding ways for each church to see the other as "their" people. How does that occur with two churches that find themselves in radically different settings, with radically different people, radically different incomes and radically different worldviews? Time. Lots of time. Good leadership and a vision that embraces the Kingdom of God in the world. Can it happen? I think so...if we allow God to lead and we put our own agendas off to the side. It's going to be a fun experience, I can tell you that!

Celebrate Recovery

It is becoming increasingly clear to us that we are to be involved in a ministry called "Celebrate Recovery." It's not a new ministry...in fact it was started back in 1996 at Saddleback Church in California. It's a huge church with a huge name with huge influence...and surprisingly a lot of that influence is really good. Rick Warren is the senior pastor. Maybe you've heard of him :).

At Penn Ave. so many of the people are living in the oppression of chemical addiction. The drugs of choice are crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Celebrate Recovery is an awesome tool that helps these folks get out from the oppressive cycle they are living in. Currently, many of our leaders are involved in step studies at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene. We have had some discussions with OKC First about helping us partner to start one on-site at Penn Ave. It seems that this would make the most sense as we have an enormous number of people battling everyday. Amy and I are hoping to start a step study next Tuesday night. We're really looking forward to it and believe that God will use the ministry to reach people. If you have friends or family that are addicted to drugs I highly suggest this program. It's not a quick fix thing...it can take up to a year to complete the program, but obviously it's well worth it.

Blog Title?

All but the theology nerds are probably wondering what in the world this blog title means--"The Already But Not Yet"? I'll admit it even types out funny! But, it points to something that gives foundation and meaning to everything that our family is about in these days. It's the reason we left some really good friends, a great job and a great church and a lot of comfort. The reason...we believe that the Kingdom of God is already here because God has come in Jesus Christ and is still here through the power of the Spirit. This radically affects everything. It gives incredible hope to all those hurting and living in oppression...they can be free in Christ. We can be free in Christ. The world can be redeemed in Christ. What about the but not yet part? Well, we must confess that the Kingdom isn't fully realized until Christ returns. When he does, the Kingdom will have full expression. Until that time, the Church as the Body of Christ does its work in the world to point people to the God that loves all of His creation with a transforming love. This is why we have chosen to do what we have done. It's why we believe that every day makes a difference. Every day we have a chance to participate in helping to bring about the redemption of the world...what a vocation! Guess what!? You do, too. And you don't have to leave your job and move away from friends...you can point people to Christ wherever you are right now. You can bring help bring "heaven to earth" by the way you love people today. But, if God calls you to move we could sure use you down in Oklahoma City! I'll try not to spend too much time on this blog theologizing, but from time to time I won't be able to resist.

"Welcome to Reality"

Hi everyone...sorry I missed writing yesterday. It was quite the day as I spent the day experiencing some "firsts." I witnessed my first live high speed chase. I confess I am a closet "COPS" fan (insert cheesy TV music here) and enjoy when the news channels break into regularly scheduled programming to show the crazy guy driving the wrong way down a one way street and running into trash cans with 15 police cars giving chase. I don't enjoy it when I have a front row seat and am sitting in the intersection when a cop car flies out in front of me and throws stop sticks down and points his gun at the oncoming car with 15 cops behind him. He was headed right for me and if the cop would have shot him he would have run straight into me! Needless to say, I thank God I didn't die yesterday!

I also had the chance to work with a guy named "Bill." I decided that I would never use the real names of the people we work with in order to protect them. Frequently, their names and the clothes on their backs are all they really have. Bill has been homeless for six years. He had been telling some of the workers that he had social security checks going somewhere but he didn't know where. We thought that if we could track down where those checks were landing we might actually be able to help him. What you don't know about Bill is that he is very nervous and literally locks up when he gets stressed. He couldn't even tell the social security worker his last name over the telephone. Luckily, it was my friend at the social security office and she was able to do some research. Come to find out, Bill had never even applied for social security, hasn't worked in at least twenty years and needs to apply. We set an appointment for February 1st--that was the earliest we could do it. Bill was thankful for our efforts...we'll see if he still wants to follow through.

Extra furniture...Dad and I loaded up our three year old refrigerator today along with a loveseat that Amy and I have owned since we got married. We took them down to the "Faith House" this afternoon and met several of the men who live in the house. They were so grateful and kind and genuinely seemed to appreciate what we had brought. The house is in bad shape and there is much to be done. That might be a place where I spend a lot of time in the future.

Where Do We Start?

Well, it's fair to say that there's plenty to do. We participated in our first staff meeting today and began the process of throwing ourselves into the work of OKC Compassion, the non-profit partnered with Penn Avenue Church of the Nazarene at 10th and Penn. It was quite an experience to sit around the table with three pastors, one social worker, and three four folks who have much to teach the rest of us. Patrick, Pam, Patti and Angie have all experienced the perils of drug addiction and are currently in recovery and serving God through many different efforts at Penn Avenue. Humbled is really the only way to feel after an experience like that. I think its fair to say that we feel privileged to work alongside these wonderful people. We have so much to learn.

The needs are as long as there are lines on the page(s). We need to put in a shower or two, repair a gas leak, replace some copper that was stolen off of the church air conditioners, raise some money for a salary, help people with social security issues, start literacy classes, ESL classes, coordinate volunteer groups, start a Celebrate Recovery group, and on, and on, and on. In the midst of all of that, it seems very clear to us that God has brought us to Penn Avenue for such a time as this.

I met Rick today. He's been in and out of jobs for the last several years. Just returned on a bus from Dallas. He seems like he might be hard to help. Not sure he really wants to be transformed, just helped from day to day. Jesus would help him, but I think He would also desire that Rick want to be transformed. I think he would desire that I would continue to be transformed as well. God is good. Peace.

Here we go!

Well, we have made the move to the great state of Oklahoma. Been in Edmond, OK for about two weeks now and it looks like we are finally beginning to get settled. Amy has been feverishly decorating the house and I have been checking things off of the lists she makes me daily. I just finished putting together an elliptical machine...we'll see if we use it. We've painted a good portion of the house and it's beginning to feel like our home. Sam is doing great and loves his new house. He's growing up and doing great and loves to be near his grandparents. They have already done a great job spoiling him.

Tomorrow is a big day for our family. We head for the very first time to Penn Avenue Church of the Nazarene to begin what we believe is the next step in our ministry journey. We will have an opportunity to work with the poorest of the poor in OKC and make a huge difference in the life of this faith community. There are certainly some reservations, however. For example...how will we put food on the table? Currently, there is no salary package. This we know--God will provide. He has already provided a great home to live in and neighbors that we have already begun talking to. I realized today that a guy I used to work with at A Chance to Change Foundation lives just a couple of houses down the street! It's a small world, but a world that desperately needs people to live out faith. God help us. Be back soon.