Saturday, December 30, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
On Wanting the Best for My Kids
Rarely do I cry; much less at a movie trailer. I haven't even seen the movie. Maybe it is because it is near Christmas. Maybe it is because I am a dad. Maybe.
Take two minutes and add value to your day.
Take two minutes and add value to your day.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Securing An Equal Start For Every Child
This post makes a base assumption that you are aware of Equal Start and what we seek to accomplish for inner-city education and poverty relief. On Dec 3, 2006, sixteen runners ran in the California International Marathon to raise awareness and funding for and inner-city school. For more information, visit www.equalstart.com
Proceed...
December 3, 2006
To say "I'm proud of the Equal Start runners" would cheapen what I feel. Words can't adequately explain what I feel. I overwhelmed with love, adoration, and anticipation of what is ahead for hurting and broken children in Sacramento's inner-city.
Last April I started running with a group. Their hearts were so open to tackling something less than 1% of North Americans has ever done; complete a marathon. Not knowing their full intent, I knew they would run the San Francisco Half Marathon in July of this year. Secretly, I thought this would be a huge gauge of whether they really wanted to do a full marathon of 26.2 miles.
On August 1, we started training seriously. Five days a week, at 5:30 AM, we ran. Rain, fog, and bone chilling cold greeted us most of the recent days.
Sadly, on Sept 27 my shin bone was injured. I remember sitting in the emergency room at the hospital, and hearing a doctor saying in broken English, "No more running!" My fear was that the team I had grown to look forward to meeting would be disappointed in me.
After hours of rehab, MRI's, multiple bone scans, and lots of anxiety, four weeks ago, I was cleared to start jogging again. Thinking I could gain back what I lost over six weeks was a long shot. But for the team, our goal was to finish. Regardless of time of completion, the key for us was completion.
On my last day of therapy, it was said to me, "Jason, there is something better than a personal best. It's seeing eight people, non-runners, finish."
To me, that was an impacting statement!
As the gun sounded this morning, a total of 16 runners for Equal Start ran with a common goal. ENDURE, and exchange our pain for a child's gain.
Though each of us had different times, one thing is mind boggling; all Equal Start runners finished.
The journey to the top of the summit is sometimes as good as the summit.
Proceed...
December 3, 2006
To say "I'm proud of the Equal Start runners" would cheapen what I feel. Words can't adequately explain what I feel. I overwhelmed with love, adoration, and anticipation of what is ahead for hurting and broken children in Sacramento's inner-city.
Last April I started running with a group. Their hearts were so open to tackling something less than 1% of North Americans has ever done; complete a marathon. Not knowing their full intent, I knew they would run the San Francisco Half Marathon in July of this year. Secretly, I thought this would be a huge gauge of whether they really wanted to do a full marathon of 26.2 miles.
On August 1, we started training seriously. Five days a week, at 5:30 AM, we ran. Rain, fog, and bone chilling cold greeted us most of the recent days.
Sadly, on Sept 27 my shin bone was injured. I remember sitting in the emergency room at the hospital, and hearing a doctor saying in broken English, "No more running!" My fear was that the team I had grown to look forward to meeting would be disappointed in me.
After hours of rehab, MRI's, multiple bone scans, and lots of anxiety, four weeks ago, I was cleared to start jogging again. Thinking I could gain back what I lost over six weeks was a long shot. But for the team, our goal was to finish. Regardless of time of completion, the key for us was completion.
On my last day of therapy, it was said to me, "Jason, there is something better than a personal best. It's seeing eight people, non-runners, finish."
To me, that was an impacting statement!
As the gun sounded this morning, a total of 16 runners for Equal Start ran with a common goal. ENDURE, and exchange our pain for a child's gain.
Though each of us had different times, one thing is mind boggling; all Equal Start runners finished.
The journey to the top of the summit is sometimes as good as the summit.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Heartbeat
Heartbeat: Originally Posted Summer 2005
After an exhuasting three weeks, I took a day off to just rest. I have been running and today was the day to just spend time with my boy.
As my daughter went to school we just laid there watching some cartoons together. Laughing. He got up and walked over to me. Simply climbing, he made his way up on to my laying body and laid smack dab on top of me. As I laid there, we were motionless, except for an occasional giggle from a wise crack of Jimmy Newtron.
With his head nessled into his fathers chest, his child size ear was buried against my pounding chest. Less than a minute passed and then he spoke.
"Dad, I hier yoy hart poundin, its loud."
I paused, as if I could control my beats...
He continued.
"Dad, it's tawkin to me."
"What's it saying?" I asked
"Your harwts, said that it wuvs me"
*****
At that point, time froze. Hear was a child in the arms of the father. Two people, one heart. One life. One love. One.
At that moment, I was overwhelmed. As the father, I would have done anything for him. His subtle and yet simple words froze me. Amazing how we are wired. When the child speaks, daddy listens.
By this I am encouraged. Not only as a dad, but as a child.
Do me a favor. Find Dad. His heart is screaming I wuv you.
Frozen in a moment with a child
Jharp
After an exhuasting three weeks, I took a day off to just rest. I have been running and today was the day to just spend time with my boy.
As my daughter went to school we just laid there watching some cartoons together. Laughing. He got up and walked over to me. Simply climbing, he made his way up on to my laying body and laid smack dab on top of me. As I laid there, we were motionless, except for an occasional giggle from a wise crack of Jimmy Newtron.
With his head nessled into his fathers chest, his child size ear was buried against my pounding chest. Less than a minute passed and then he spoke.
"Dad, I hier yoy hart poundin, its loud."
I paused, as if I could control my beats...
He continued.
"Dad, it's tawkin to me."
"What's it saying?" I asked
"Your harwts, said that it wuvs me"
*****
At that point, time froze. Hear was a child in the arms of the father. Two people, one heart. One life. One love. One.
At that moment, I was overwhelmed. As the father, I would have done anything for him. His subtle and yet simple words froze me. Amazing how we are wired. When the child speaks, daddy listens.
By this I am encouraged. Not only as a dad, but as a child.
Do me a favor. Find Dad. His heart is screaming I wuv you.
Frozen in a moment with a child
Jharp
Monday, November 06, 2006
Storm
Storms.
It seemed to be like any other day. They had headed across a little lake in the boat. As the waves pounded and blue skies darkened, panic must have set in.
The confused disciples scurried on deck. One of them abandoned the rest to search the belly of the boat. In the middle of chaos and confusion, lie a sleeping Savior. With a voice raspy from yelling commands of survival, the disciple screamed, "Master, don't you care? We are about to die!"
The Savior who never sleeps nor slumbers had need for a little R&R down below. Rising as a mystical power and ruler over barometric pressure Jesus spoke.
The silence from the Savior was broken. He said three words; “Peace be still.” The scary sky that formed a spider web of destruction was calmed. The waves flattened to a smooth sea of glass.
For the waves to ignore Jesus would be like the clay rising in rebellion against the hands of a skilled potter. This was the Cosmic Chemist who created H2o.
What storms do you face?
What waves and winds of destruction are pounding you?
Who is with you?
Call and he will settle the dispute.
It seemed to be like any other day. They had headed across a little lake in the boat. As the waves pounded and blue skies darkened, panic must have set in.
The confused disciples scurried on deck. One of them abandoned the rest to search the belly of the boat. In the middle of chaos and confusion, lie a sleeping Savior. With a voice raspy from yelling commands of survival, the disciple screamed, "Master, don't you care? We are about to die!"
The Savior who never sleeps nor slumbers had need for a little R&R down below. Rising as a mystical power and ruler over barometric pressure Jesus spoke.
The silence from the Savior was broken. He said three words; “Peace be still.” The scary sky that formed a spider web of destruction was calmed. The waves flattened to a smooth sea of glass.
For the waves to ignore Jesus would be like the clay rising in rebellion against the hands of a skilled potter. This was the Cosmic Chemist who created H2o.
What storms do you face?
What waves and winds of destruction are pounding you?
Who is with you?
Call and he will settle the dispute.
Storm
Storms.
It seemed to be like any other day. They had headed across a little lake in the boat. As the waves pounded and blue skies darkened, panic must have set in.
The confused disciples scurried on deck. One of them abandoned the rest to search the belly of the boat. In the middle of chaos and confusion, lie a sleeping Savior. With a voice raspy from yelling commands of survival, the disciple screamed, "Master, don't you care? We are about to die!"
The Savior who never sleeps nor slumbers had need for a little R&R down below. Rising as a mystical power and ruler over barometric pressure Jesus spoke.
The silence from the Savior was broken. He said three words; “Peace be still.” The scary sky that formed a spider web of destruction was calmed. The waves flattened to a smooth sea of glass.
For the waves to ignore Jesus would be like the clay rising in rebellion against the hands of a skilled potter. This was the Cosmic Chemist who created H2o.
What storms do you face?
What waves and winds of destruction are pounding you?
Who is with you?
Call and he will settle the dispute.
It seemed to be like any other day. They had headed across a little lake in the boat. As the waves pounded and blue skies darkened, panic must have set in.
The confused disciples scurried on deck. One of them abandoned the rest to search the belly of the boat. In the middle of chaos and confusion, lie a sleeping Savior. With a voice raspy from yelling commands of survival, the disciple screamed, "Master, don't you care? We are about to die!"
The Savior who never sleeps nor slumbers had need for a little R&R down below. Rising as a mystical power and ruler over barometric pressure Jesus spoke.
The silence from the Savior was broken. He said three words; “Peace be still.” The scary sky that formed a spider web of destruction was calmed. The waves flattened to a smooth sea of glass.
For the waves to ignore Jesus would be like the clay rising in rebellion against the hands of a skilled potter. This was the Cosmic Chemist who created H2o.
What storms do you face?
What waves and winds of destruction are pounding you?
Who is with you?
Call and he will settle the dispute.
Monday, April 03, 2006
"Gay Joe: The Lost Episode"
I have had quite a response to the podcast called "Gay Joe." Mostly positive. Yet many jumped on board mid-stream having only read bits and pieces of the puzzle. They had not heard the sub-plot of how the whole journey started. The podcast answered that. But in fairness to those inquiring minds, here is the original post with a couple edits.
Enjoy.
_________________
November 15, 2005
A Gay Day
It was a beautiful day. Saturdays are a great day for outreach. Yet even in that, I am tired of the typical theory Lets go witnessing. It is so cliche. How about a different matrix? How about, Lets witness as we go! Essentially, lets love people where they are, not only when they get to where we think they need to be.
My afternoon was filled with privilege. I had the opportunity to officiate a wedding for two friends. They had chosen a downtown church that was built in the early 1900's. Maybe earlier. The church had history and heritage woven into it's story.
As I finished the wedding and walked off the platform, I met Joe. The sixty year old man was the wedding coordinator. He had short white hair and was dressed well. He looked like he could have been the neighborhood postman in the Brady Bunch neighborhood.
Joe thanked me for the kind words of spoken blessing and then asked the question.
Have you ever had a question asked of you that just stunned you? Joe's stunned me.
It was packaged as an innocent inquiry, but there was more to it.
What it is like doing a wedding in a church that is so open and loving? He asked.
He was asking more than that. For me, having not given it much thought, he was implying two things. First, that I am not used to an 'open and loving' environment; Second, that Capital, the church I serve is not like this church. Not knowing how to react, my heart just responded.
"I love doing weddings at Capital. It's a great and loving place!" I stated.
I think it caught him off guard. I could tell he was perplexed and then inquisitive. His words painted that picture.
You mean Capital is open and accepting? He continued.
I saw for the first time what I have heard and even known. A great perception about Christians is that we are closed to loving people who dont think like us, look like us, or agree with us.
To some degree and with some people, it is true. But that is not Jesus. I am not. At least, I dont want to be. Mostly, it is a myth. A myth that the Gay Joe, the wedding coordinator believes.
With every lasting myth, there is a root cause that created perception.
What created Joe's perception? Was it some angry do-gooder who said "God doesn't love queers and fags!" Maybe it was a myth built by some angry preacher yelling on TBN that homosexuals are going to hell.
Who knows? Maybe it was me. I have made some stupid comments people, places, and ideas in the name of righteousness. I have made some bigoted remarks and packaged them as a stance of holiness.
This ignorant platform fails to see it's own blindness. It fails to see that potentially, ignorance and hatred for a fellow man is equally, if not more distasteful to the love of a Romans 5:8 God.
Yea, Joe was gay and in a ten-year long relationship. Maybe longer. But more than that, he was a person whose fate was paid in full by the God I serve.
I told Joe that...
Enjoy.
_________________
November 15, 2005
A Gay Day
It was a beautiful day. Saturdays are a great day for outreach. Yet even in that, I am tired of the typical theory Lets go witnessing. It is so cliche. How about a different matrix? How about, Lets witness as we go! Essentially, lets love people where they are, not only when they get to where we think they need to be.
My afternoon was filled with privilege. I had the opportunity to officiate a wedding for two friends. They had chosen a downtown church that was built in the early 1900's. Maybe earlier. The church had history and heritage woven into it's story.
As I finished the wedding and walked off the platform, I met Joe. The sixty year old man was the wedding coordinator. He had short white hair and was dressed well. He looked like he could have been the neighborhood postman in the Brady Bunch neighborhood.
Joe thanked me for the kind words of spoken blessing and then asked the question.
Have you ever had a question asked of you that just stunned you? Joe's stunned me.
It was packaged as an innocent inquiry, but there was more to it.
What it is like doing a wedding in a church that is so open and loving? He asked.
He was asking more than that. For me, having not given it much thought, he was implying two things. First, that I am not used to an 'open and loving' environment; Second, that Capital, the church I serve is not like this church. Not knowing how to react, my heart just responded.
"I love doing weddings at Capital. It's a great and loving place!" I stated.
I think it caught him off guard. I could tell he was perplexed and then inquisitive. His words painted that picture.
You mean Capital is open and accepting? He continued.
I saw for the first time what I have heard and even known. A great perception about Christians is that we are closed to loving people who dont think like us, look like us, or agree with us.
To some degree and with some people, it is true. But that is not Jesus. I am not. At least, I dont want to be. Mostly, it is a myth. A myth that the Gay Joe, the wedding coordinator believes.
With every lasting myth, there is a root cause that created perception.
What created Joe's perception? Was it some angry do-gooder who said "God doesn't love queers and fags!" Maybe it was a myth built by some angry preacher yelling on TBN that homosexuals are going to hell.
Who knows? Maybe it was me. I have made some stupid comments people, places, and ideas in the name of righteousness. I have made some bigoted remarks and packaged them as a stance of holiness.
This ignorant platform fails to see it's own blindness. It fails to see that potentially, ignorance and hatred for a fellow man is equally, if not more distasteful to the love of a Romans 5:8 God.
Yea, Joe was gay and in a ten-year long relationship. Maybe longer. But more than that, he was a person whose fate was paid in full by the God I serve.
I told Joe that...
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
A Go Giver
It wasnt supposed shake me like that. At least I did'nt think so. I walked in and my daughter was scribbling some notes like only a seven year old can. Concentrating. Focused. Deliberate.
Her upper lip gently bit down on to her lower lip as she got lost in a glaze looking off into the blank roof of her room. With her fingers tightly wrapped around her pink colored pencil, I broke her thought.
"Whacha doing?" I asked. "Making a Christmas list daddy."
I wasn't shocked, this is what kids do. As I glanced at her list, I noticed the toys and dolls listed were of things she already had. Why would she want to buy duplicates? My inner thoughts formatted a half puzzled questions of her.
"Baby, don't you have these toys? Why would you want more?"
Then she spoke. With the wisdom of Solomon and the sincerity and compassion of a seasoned Mommy.
"Daddy, these arent the gifts I want to get. This is the list of my toys that I want to give. Your outreach is coming and I am packing bags of my toys to give away."
I stumbled away in a web of my own emotion. I didnt know if I should cry, smile or do a combination of the two.
At that I moment I was so proud of her.
I grabbed the camera. I did'nt want to miss this.
She was learning.
She was living.
She was loving.
I snuck out and then back again. I wanted to capture it. I'm not confident my mind can remember all I am feeling.
Maybe she'll have a great goal. Rather than being a "go-getter", she'll be a "go-giver"
In love,
jas
Her upper lip gently bit down on to her lower lip as she got lost in a glaze looking off into the blank roof of her room. With her fingers tightly wrapped around her pink colored pencil, I broke her thought.
"Whacha doing?" I asked. "Making a Christmas list daddy."
I wasn't shocked, this is what kids do. As I glanced at her list, I noticed the toys and dolls listed were of things she already had. Why would she want to buy duplicates? My inner thoughts formatted a half puzzled questions of her.
"Baby, don't you have these toys? Why would you want more?"
Then she spoke. With the wisdom of Solomon and the sincerity and compassion of a seasoned Mommy.
"Daddy, these arent the gifts I want to get. This is the list of my toys that I want to give. Your outreach is coming and I am packing bags of my toys to give away."
I stumbled away in a web of my own emotion. I didnt know if I should cry, smile or do a combination of the two.
At that I moment I was so proud of her.
I grabbed the camera. I did'nt want to miss this.
She was learning.
She was living.
She was loving.
I snuck out and then back again. I wanted to capture it. I'm not confident my mind can remember all I am feeling.
Maybe she'll have a great goal. Rather than being a "go-getter", she'll be a "go-giver"
In love,
jas
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Who Am I?
Who Am I?
I tend to a be a complex, even a contradiction of emotion. I am tender, yet extremely calloused when dealing with those who propel injustice. I think to much. I talk too much. I type too much. I am loyal to a fault. Intentional. Calculated and strategic. Confusing and compassioned. Loving. Questing. Tenacious. Moody. I like salty food. French fries are clogging my veins. I write. I read. I talk. Occasionally I listen. Sometimes I hear. Ambient music moves me. My thoughts indict me. My actions convict me. My God rebuilds my broke down path. It's a pretty vicious circle.
Who I'd like to meet?
Bono. [u2.com] Nelson Mandela. [data.org] Jack Bauer. [fox.com/24] Steve Jobs. [apple.com] Billy the Kid. Al Capone. Abe Lincoln. Eminem. Charles Manson. Ganges Khan. Sun Tzu. Dahlia Lama. Cat Stevens. Patrick Nagel
I am a paradox.
I tend to a be a complex, even a contradiction of emotion. I am tender, yet extremely calloused when dealing with those who propel injustice. I think to much. I talk too much. I type too much. I am loyal to a fault. Intentional. Calculated and strategic. Confusing and compassioned. Loving. Questing. Tenacious. Moody. I like salty food. French fries are clogging my veins. I write. I read. I talk. Occasionally I listen. Sometimes I hear. Ambient music moves me. My thoughts indict me. My actions convict me. My God rebuilds my broke down path. It's a pretty vicious circle.
Who I'd like to meet?
Bono. [u2.com] Nelson Mandela. [data.org] Jack Bauer. [fox.com/24] Steve Jobs. [apple.com] Billy the Kid. Al Capone. Abe Lincoln. Eminem. Charles Manson. Ganges Khan. Sun Tzu. Dahlia Lama. Cat Stevens. Patrick Nagel
I am a paradox.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Masata
A Miracle For Sure...Masata
I met her at the FTH SCT Dinner Premier. I've met people like her before but something about her moved me. She told me with great excitement of how she and her 2 yr old son were moving from a shelter to their first ever government assisted apartment.
She did not ask me. I engaged her.
"How are things coming?" Great she replied. Her heart jumped at the response. I pressed. Do you have everything you need? She continued to smile and say, "No, but I have my first place." As if to repeat what she is embarking on.
She was thrilled, yet having nothing. I asked a third time. "I know you said you have nothing, but what do you have...?"
She pondered the list of what she had.
That's when Masata's words melted me. She said systimatically, "I have a blanket, a sheet, and a pillow... well it is a pillow from a couch.
I smiled and said "I am proud of you."
Sure. I was thinking the same things. How did she get there? What's her story? Is she working? But God interupted. At that moment it didn't matter. What mattered is that she was His princess. And a princess in need.
I told her I would call her next week by Tuesday afternoon (12/6). It was a promise I made. It's a promise I will keep. I am calling her today to tell her that one of my unchurched friends has offered a sleeper sofa. She will be estatic.
But what else is out there?
Is there a bed frame or matress in the corner of your garage?
Is there a 2nd or third fridge that you use to cool food in the garage?
Is there a dresser...maybe even a coffee table?
Think with me? I want to show Masata God's love in a practical way. I believe people can partner to do extra-ordinary things.
Be a part.
For Masata, it's impossible. Together, let's disrupt the impossible.
______________________________________________________
If you have interest in being part of the "Masata Miracle" email with the item and it's condition. I am committed toi given her good stuff, though it may be slightly used.
Thank you for loving. Thank you for listening.
Jas
I met her at the FTH SCT Dinner Premier. I've met people like her before but something about her moved me. She told me with great excitement of how she and her 2 yr old son were moving from a shelter to their first ever government assisted apartment.
She did not ask me. I engaged her.
"How are things coming?" Great she replied. Her heart jumped at the response. I pressed. Do you have everything you need? She continued to smile and say, "No, but I have my first place." As if to repeat what she is embarking on.
She was thrilled, yet having nothing. I asked a third time. "I know you said you have nothing, but what do you have...?"
She pondered the list of what she had.
That's when Masata's words melted me. She said systimatically, "I have a blanket, a sheet, and a pillow... well it is a pillow from a couch.
I smiled and said "I am proud of you."
Sure. I was thinking the same things. How did she get there? What's her story? Is she working? But God interupted. At that moment it didn't matter. What mattered is that she was His princess. And a princess in need.
I told her I would call her next week by Tuesday afternoon (12/6). It was a promise I made. It's a promise I will keep. I am calling her today to tell her that one of my unchurched friends has offered a sleeper sofa. She will be estatic.
But what else is out there?
Is there a bed frame or matress in the corner of your garage?
Is there a 2nd or third fridge that you use to cool food in the garage?
Is there a dresser...maybe even a coffee table?
Think with me? I want to show Masata God's love in a practical way. I believe people can partner to do extra-ordinary things.
Be a part.
For Masata, it's impossible. Together, let's disrupt the impossible.
______________________________________________________
If you have interest in being part of the "Masata Miracle" email with the item and it's condition. I am committed toi given her good stuff, though it may be slightly used.
Thank you for loving. Thank you for listening.
Jas
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Heroes
Two HEROES , One MOMENT
So about half way through a regular Sunday AM Presentation at Capital, I get this call on my Guest Service Radio. I carry the radio on Sundays to be in the loop re: the Guest Services process.
The radio squelched. "Uh we got a lady down in the S-11 Bathroom... Please advice. Over"
I moved quickly through the crowd, thinking, if she is in the bathroom, how can I get to her? I radioed for my Guest Services Director, a female, to get to her...hopefully. She was hunkered down at the other end of the lobby, making sure the free distribution of The Gutter book was going to work...who knows, maybe she just wasn't available.
Anyway, I arrived at the bathroom and one of our female attenders emerged with this death look on her face. "Jas, there is a severely handicapped woman down in the stall yelling for help. I went to help her and her colostomy bag is hurting her. She needs someone to help her...." [Pause and look up colostomy bag]
I was frozen. I stood thinking. What in the world do I do? Because adjusting the bag had internal consequence and she had fallen, maybe hit her head, we called 911 immediately. But now comes the tough part. How can we comfort her?
I asked a few 50 something woman to help as they walked by and they assured me "they could not do anything..." They said they were not “experienced in this area? They were not equipped.
Frustrated at what I originally thought was a lack of compassion, I realized I do the same thing. At times, I am called just to help…do something, but I feel so unqualified. I was in the middle of a possible God moment.
This God moment was draped in irony. As a church, we were jazzed about passing out over 1000 copies of The Gutter. But at the same time, there is a lady who had fallen on the bathroom floor. It were as if God were saying, "a person will never be ready to love in the world if they can’t love, help, and serve the ones already here. We have a moment primed to do the miraculous.
I saw one of my friends walk by. Her name is Lisa. She has incredible heart to love people. She sings at CCC. Hesitant because the other 50 something year old women had flat out rejected me twice to help, I ask Lisa to help.
She did not even pause....she just said Sure, where? As she went in the bathroom, she helped. I was not in there. I have no idea what she did. She was just there.
Four minutes passed.
A former student passed by. Elise; She is miracle in her own right. I asked if she would help Lisa who was already in there. Her response... Sure, where?
No questions, no assessments, no clarifications, no explanations needed. They just gave a good ol' fashioned, all American, SURE.
The ambulance arrived and the fallen lady was loved. We heard she will be fine.
But here's what I walked away thinking.
Lisa missed the ministry assignment to sing, but actually excelled by loving the lady where she had fallen.
Elise? She had about four ministry assignments on any given week. I guarantee she missed one. Yet, in a second, without hesitation, sat in the restroom floor and loved the needy.
In a place that society would call the grossiest of environments, a bathroom floor, my two friends loved.
***
Who do you know that has fallen?
What is covering them that make them hard to embrace?
What environment did God send you up to love in?
***
It might be a moment where the hero in you may emerge.
Much Love
Jas
So about half way through a regular Sunday AM Presentation at Capital, I get this call on my Guest Service Radio. I carry the radio on Sundays to be in the loop re: the Guest Services process.
The radio squelched. "Uh we got a lady down in the S-11 Bathroom... Please advice. Over"
I moved quickly through the crowd, thinking, if she is in the bathroom, how can I get to her? I radioed for my Guest Services Director, a female, to get to her...hopefully. She was hunkered down at the other end of the lobby, making sure the free distribution of The Gutter book was going to work...who knows, maybe she just wasn't available.
Anyway, I arrived at the bathroom and one of our female attenders emerged with this death look on her face. "Jas, there is a severely handicapped woman down in the stall yelling for help. I went to help her and her colostomy bag is hurting her. She needs someone to help her...." [Pause and look up colostomy bag]
I was frozen. I stood thinking. What in the world do I do? Because adjusting the bag had internal consequence and she had fallen, maybe hit her head, we called 911 immediately. But now comes the tough part. How can we comfort her?
I asked a few 50 something woman to help as they walked by and they assured me "they could not do anything..." They said they were not “experienced in this area? They were not equipped.
Frustrated at what I originally thought was a lack of compassion, I realized I do the same thing. At times, I am called just to help…do something, but I feel so unqualified. I was in the middle of a possible God moment.
This God moment was draped in irony. As a church, we were jazzed about passing out over 1000 copies of The Gutter. But at the same time, there is a lady who had fallen on the bathroom floor. It were as if God were saying, "a person will never be ready to love in the world if they can’t love, help, and serve the ones already here. We have a moment primed to do the miraculous.
I saw one of my friends walk by. Her name is Lisa. She has incredible heart to love people. She sings at CCC. Hesitant because the other 50 something year old women had flat out rejected me twice to help, I ask Lisa to help.
She did not even pause....she just said Sure, where? As she went in the bathroom, she helped. I was not in there. I have no idea what she did. She was just there.
Four minutes passed.
A former student passed by. Elise; She is miracle in her own right. I asked if she would help Lisa who was already in there. Her response... Sure, where?
No questions, no assessments, no clarifications, no explanations needed. They just gave a good ol' fashioned, all American, SURE.
The ambulance arrived and the fallen lady was loved. We heard she will be fine.
But here's what I walked away thinking.
Lisa missed the ministry assignment to sing, but actually excelled by loving the lady where she had fallen.
Elise? She had about four ministry assignments on any given week. I guarantee she missed one. Yet, in a second, without hesitation, sat in the restroom floor and loved the needy.
In a place that society would call the grossiest of environments, a bathroom floor, my two friends loved.
***
Who do you know that has fallen?
What is covering them that make them hard to embrace?
What environment did God send you up to love in?
***
It might be a moment where the hero in you may emerge.
Much Love
Jas
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Average Joe
We Met. Remember the guy I called Gay Joe. By own admission he had come to despise Christians. He was coordinating friend’s wedding that I had been asked to officiate.
After the ceremony, he asked me what it was like officiating a wedding at a church where people were accepted. He was referring to the church I was standing in, not Capital. His back handed inquiry bugged me.
I paused and said "I love doing weddings at Capital." He smirked and realized that I was serious about connecting to people beyond my comfort of Christian belief. The conversation faded as we both had responsibilities. Before he walked away I told him I wanted to get some coffee sometime.
I would guess by his expression that this shocked him.
Days passed, but we finally connected. I went and had coffee with Joe. It was a great hour of learning for me and understanding how so many Christians, with miss directed zeal, and had shunned the very ones that Jesus embraced. He embraced people despite their belief or struggle.
As we finished chatting, I slid a copy of The Gutter across the table and told him it was a manifesto for my life. I said it chronicled a new found friendship with a porn producer, a prostitute, a pimp, a prisoner, and a pastor.
Maybe that could be the next book...The Pimp and The Pastor.
He laughed.
I laughed.
Jesus smiled.
Get out of the box today and love.
jas
After the ceremony, he asked me what it was like officiating a wedding at a church where people were accepted. He was referring to the church I was standing in, not Capital. His back handed inquiry bugged me.
I paused and said "I love doing weddings at Capital." He smirked and realized that I was serious about connecting to people beyond my comfort of Christian belief. The conversation faded as we both had responsibilities. Before he walked away I told him I wanted to get some coffee sometime.
I would guess by his expression that this shocked him.
Days passed, but we finally connected. I went and had coffee with Joe. It was a great hour of learning for me and understanding how so many Christians, with miss directed zeal, and had shunned the very ones that Jesus embraced. He embraced people despite their belief or struggle.
As we finished chatting, I slid a copy of The Gutter across the table and told him it was a manifesto for my life. I said it chronicled a new found friendship with a porn producer, a prostitute, a pimp, a prisoner, and a pastor.
Maybe that could be the next book...The Pimp and The Pastor.
He laughed.
I laughed.
Jesus smiled.
Get out of the box today and love.
jas
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
