Category Archives: The Church

The Solution To Our Anger Problem

Faith, Life, Mental Health, Organizational Culture, The Church, Topics in Leadership, Work
photo credit kevin-gent-219197-unsplash

Love your enemies;
Love those who aggravate you;
Love those you have scorned;
Love those you envy;
Love those who disgust you;
Love those you think you are better than;
Love those you do not think work hard enough;
Love those you think use the system;
Love your political opponent;
Love your competitor.

Pray for your enemies;
Pray for those who aggravate you;
Pray for  those you have scorned;
Pray for those you envy;
Pray for those who disgust you;
Pray for those you think you are better than;
Pray for those you do not think work hard enough;
Pray for those you think use the system;
Pray for your political opponent;
Pray for your competitor.

If your enemy is hungry, feed them;
If the one who aggravates you is hungry, feed them;
If the one you scorn is hungry, feed them;
If the one you envy is hungry, feed them;
If the one who disgusts you is hungry, feed them;
If the one who you think you are better than is hungry, feed them;
If the one you do not think works hard enough is hungry, feed them;
If the one you think uses the system is hungry, feed them;
If your political opponent is hungry, feed them;
If your competitor is hungry, feed them.

Anger begets anger.

Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.

    Let my default position always be courage (my attempt at short verse).

    Faith, Life, The Church
    Photo-by-JOHN-TOWNER-on-Unsplash.jpg

    Lord,

    When life is full of uncertainty,
    When the word on the street is doom,
    When sickness and death are the prediction of the day,
    Let me be courageous.

    When I’m warned to hunker down,
    When pandemic is declared,
    When goods are rationed,
    Let me be generous.

    When I’m told to be concerned,
    When the threat is real,
    When others panic,
    Let me build others up.

    Not fear
    Not hoarding
    Not about me
    rather
    Rest [in you O Lord]
    Generosity
    Generativity.

    Amen

    Community: A cool cloth on a warm forehead. 

    Faith, Life, The Church

    This is a story of the healing  power of a supportive community.  About how the Creator works  through the care and  compassion of family, neighbors and friends.

    So this past week my wife, Jane, was diagnosed with both the flu (influenza b) and  pneumonia. She  was very sick. I had  not seen her this ill  in our 27 years of marriage. Her body was failing fast. Our family physician prescribed medications  but in the initial 24 hour period after seeing him she got worse. I was worried. This is when we began to experience the unseen hand of God through the care of compassion of family and friends.

    Family.  First, on Saturday, the day after seeing our family doctor, my sister-in-law, Gail, called. She had pneumonia a few years ago and was really worried about Jane. Because she had experienced pneumonia, Gail was able to tell Jane’s symptoms were reaching a critical place and she encouraged me to call for  more help.  I did and we wound up in our local emergency department (E.D.).

    Neighbors.  Because we live in a wonderful small town, the first person we see in the E.D. is our neighbor who is a nurse there. She settled us in and was able to get Jane set up with some ice and a warm blanket. The second person we encountered was the nurse who provided the rest of Jane’s care.  Wouldn’t you know,  she too is a friend. She volunteers at the local domestic violence shelter that is part the organization I work for. She set Jane up with fluids, blood work, and other medications as directed by the physician.  I am sure we would have gotten great care by anyone at our local hospital; however, as God would have it, it was provided by two people who knew us, and because of that, were able to make things all the more comfortable. After a couple hours of good treatment  at the E.D. Jane was stabilized and we were able to go home.

    Friends.  Because of my concern about Jane I had sent out an email asking for prayer  to our small group from the church we attend. I also told our neighbors from across the street, Tom and Patty,  who have become dear friends of ours.  Patty leads a   Bible study that Jane is a part of. Within a  few minutes of us returning home from the E.D. Tom brought over a hot meal for Jane and I to share. Within an hour of being home Jane’s Bible study group sent her a text saying the members where bringing us dinner every night this past week and outlined who would be bringing it. Our small group sent texts, calls, food and a novel for Jane to read while she was stuck on the couch. A coworker of Jane’s dropped off a meal. Our niece dropped off soup. Our daughter stopped by with cake and flowers. The entire eight days Jane was down we felt a daily portion of love, mercy, and grace from the Creator through people. We felt it not only from the gifts that met our physical needs but also from the prayers and words of encouragement that  filled us spiritually.

    Its been a  week. Jane is on the road to recovery. I have gotten to experience first hand the power of community. I read so often about how God works through people; about how love is the most powerful force in the universe. This past week I lived it. Because I have felt what a difference it can make, I am compelled  to pass it along.

     

    Dinner in the Circle

    Faith, Life, The Church, Work

    During the school year, on the first and third Wednesdays, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM , after I get off work, I help serve meals at a local church.  The food is great; things like homemade soup, spaghetti, baked potatoes with toppings, tacos, lasagna, and other wonderful dishes. They are served with a side, dessert, and drink. The cost is $3 for an individual and $12 for a family of four or more. The people who prepare the meals, serve the meals, bus the tables, wash the dishes, and clean up afterward are the best people I know. There are seven or so of them. They come from all walks of life. A teacher, a local election board employee, a medical  office manager, a steel worker, a director of nursing, a retired factory worker, and an accounting clerk. They serve food, handout drinks, and visit with the guests, There is a table of 80-90 year old widows, single mom’s thankful they don’t have to cook that night, grandparents helping to raise grand-kids, retired couples, families of all shapes and sizes. The atmosphere of the meal is like oxygen. People are smiling, laughing, and encouraging one another. The people serving work together like a well oiled machine.

    No matter how tired, grouchy, or worried I am when I  get there, I feel better by 7:00 PM. It’s kind of counter-intuitive but after the 90 -120 minutes of work  I am happy and my soul feels full. I have read that the evidence that God is in the midst of something is that is characterized by this: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. These are the words I would use to describe the meal and those I work with to put it on. I am thankful I get to be part of it. 

    Some Things I learned About Teenagers this Weekend

    Faith, Life, The Church

    My wife and I are just coming off spending MLK weekend with 100 teenagers at an outdoor camp in rural Richland County Ohio.  The area is surrounded by state park forests and private farm land.  The youth pastor of our church asked us to help out with the youth group’s annual  winter event known as “Snow Retreat”. Jane and I have always loved working with teenagers. I guess it makes us feel young. As the weekend wore on I started to notice a few realities about the teens there  that run may contrary to what we often think about today’s youth.

    1. Despite video games, virtual reality  and social media, kids still love to play real, authentic, live games  and have crazy fun doing so. All weekend long there were rousing games going on. Some were new generation games like hantis , gaga ball, and 9 square in the air;  some were old generation games like basketball and dodgeball; some were table sports like pool, air-hockey, and ping-pong; some were  table games like, euchre or Uno. The kids didn’t seem to miss their cell phones or complain they couldn’t get a signal. They were having to too much fun to realize it.
    2. Kids love being outside. I led a  hike up to a local summit. Not only did several kids sign up to go on the hike but they loved it. They seemed to be invigorated by the long, cold hike and were taking pictures at the top so they could  show their friends their accomplishment. Some of the younger kids had a blast rolling down the very tall peak we were on. They were also totally intrigued by the natural spring that provided a marvelous flow of clean water at the near the bottom of the peak.
    3. When given a safe space to do so, kids will share their story. There were three times we met in small groups with the teenagers  this weekend. The theme for the weekend was “Being Good Soil”. The speaker challenged to youth to consider what barriers they have that prevent them from being all that God has created them to be. In the small groups the youth supported each other as they talked about their lives and the struggles they have. It was such a privilege to simply be a listening ear to support them as they shared.
    4. Kids want to find a deeper meaning to their life.  Dan Perkins (2007)* identifies four questions that teenagers are wrestling through. Teens are asking  Who am I?   Am I normal? Am I competent? Am I lovable and loving? The many conversations I had the students this weekend reflected this quest. Teenagers want to live lives that matter and that make a difference in the world.
    5. Teens are not afraid of hard work. Throughout the weekend the teens at camp cleaned tables and moved equipment. On the last day they cleaned bathrooms, cleaned cabins, loaded trailers with heavy equipment, swept floors, and took out garbage. They worked together, and  had a good time doing it.
    6. Don’t judge a book by its cover.  There are always kids who stay in the margins. Who have trouble fitting in and then take on the “outsider” role. I had the chance to speak with a young man who fits this category. I asked questions. Listened to his story. Found out a lot about him. I found out this young “outsider” is really a sensitive, kind young man who has tremendous strengths. Several of us adults came up with some ways to us his strengths help him feel part of the group.
    7. God is at work. What often seems like problems are  really  God rearranging  the plan we came up with to replace it with his perfect plan. An example is that the main speaker for the weekend got sick and could not come. Our youth pastor stepped right in. He delivered the message that God had for the teens there this weekend.
    8. God is in pursuit.  Over and over this weekend I heard “God is really trying to tell me….” or “God is saying ….to me.” Though it may seem irrational to some, I witnessed a loving, comforting, affirming God reach out and speak to the young people he has so fearfully and wonderfully made.

     

    • Perkins, D. F.  (1997, 2007). Adolescence: The Four Questions. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. FCS 2117.   (http://moodle.ecampusalberta.ca/groups/file.php/13/the_four_questions.pdf)

     

    Glimpses of the Kingdom

    Faith, Life, The Church

    krista-and-friends

    This past week I saw glimpses of God’s Kingdom. What am I talking about you may ask? First of all it  had absolutely nothing to do with Republicans or Democrats. Nothing to do with commerce, tax plans, borders, boundaries, or talent acquisition. The glimpses I saw had to do with quiet, simple acts of kindness and generosity. Some of them happened in places no one was looking. Let me share four examples with you. Example one. Early this week we experienced a major clog in our kitchen double sink drain/disposal. It was my fault. I’d tried to flush down a huge pile of rice noodles. They got hung up in some grease on way down the drain. I plunged, took the under-the-sink PVC apart, plunged again, all to no avail. I called a locally renown appliance repairman. He happens to go to my church. I explained the dilemma to his wife who relayed the information to him. Based on his experience he thought it was a plumbing issue rather than the disposal malfunctioning. He told me to use two plungers. I only had one. He said “I’ll be right over.” He came over and in 10 minutes using boiling water, dish detergent, and bleach had it open. When I went to pay him he replied, “No charge. We love you guys.” Example two. I got an out-of-character text from a friend. He asked to meet me for lunch. I was a little nervous because his request implied something was going on and I wasn’t sure what it was. When we met he shared he had recently been struggling with panic attacks. In the middle of Wendy’s he bore his soul. He talked about his fears and stressors. I was able to encourage him and give him some resources to help cope. I’ll be following up regularly. Example three. For three hours  twice a month on Saturdays, fifteen or so people volunteer to hang out with children are physically handicapped so their parents can have time to recharge. These adults, all who could be doing other things, choose to  walk laps, paint pumpkins, play with sand, eat pizza, and whatever else it takes to help the kids have a great time. Parents return recharged and the children have a  great night with new friends. Example four. This week two Ashlanders relayed to me the account of how, for the past two years, they had  befriended a troubled individual in our town who was marginalized and distanced by others. These two Ashlanders determined, based on the leading of the Creator, to love this person rather than try to change them. They relayed that by doing this, even when it was difficult, they saw the individual slowly soften and begin to be more reflective and loving of others.

    There you have it. Four short instances in the span of seven days that are reminders that in spite of all that looks dark out there, God is regularly using everyday people to shine his light. My advice, be on the lookout and choose to participate.

    God is at work 

    Faith, Life, The Church

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    Despite the tempestuous ramblings, mudslinging, and doomsday forecasting, irregardless of which U.S. candidate wins the presidency, the Church is still the Church. It is alive in this world and at work. It works inside the world  like yeast or like salt. It is not political. It is not government. It is a community of disciples.  It is the love manifested first in Christ,  reaching out, loving others, worshiping God and serving. Bringing his kingdom to earth, one person, one neighborhood, one village at a time. Praise God.

    Tomorrow is Easter

    Faith, Life, The Church

     

    8

    Tomorrow is Easter. I don’t have a vocabulary adequate enough to describe what the resurrection of Jesus meant for the universe. If you have the time,  listen to the last 10 minutes or so so if this powerful sermon. You’ll get a glimpse of who King Jesus is. If you have 66 minutes to hear the full sermon you’ll hear some transforming truth about prayer, your life, and The King.

    Happy Easter. God bless.

    Jerry

     

    How BIG are your problems?

    Faith, Life, Mental Health, The Church, Topics in Leadership, Work

    Photo by Frank Wouters
    Photo by Frank Wouters

    Let’s face it, no matter what role in life you find yourself in, there are times your problems seem much bigger than the resources you have to solve them. If you are like me, when those perilous stretches of time are pressing in I don’t sleep well, I don’t eat well, and  I focus all my thoughts on how big the problems are and on how much power they have over me.   The more I obsess on my difficulties  the more dominance I allow them to have over me.

    A few years ago the senior pastor of my church taught me a very powerful truth about problems. The truth is found in this simple phrase that resonates in my mind when difficult circumstances start to seem like they are going to have the upper hand.  My pastor’s words of truth: “If you have a BIG GOD you’ve got small problems; If you have a small god you’ve got BIG PROBLEMS.” This simple phrase helps me move away from emphasizing the power of the predicaments in front of me and helps me focus on the resources I have around me and inside of me.

    As leaders when we see the threats in front of us we must reposition our fear and focus on the opportunities and strengths of our organizations. Concentrate on gathering the collective energy and creativity of our staff to find new paths forward. As parents we need to always be looking at our children’s many gifts, talents, and passions rather than their few hang-ups. Doing so helps them grow into their best selves. It also helps them see themselves through the lens of capability rather than inability.

    So friends, let’s be real here. Life is hard. Each day brings its share of trouble. But by God’s grace, and by focusing on the resources we have, we can move forward helping our organizations and families be overcomers rather than overcome.

    Blessings,

    Jerry

     

     

     

    6 Reasons You Seriously Need to Slow Down | RELEVANT Magazine

    Faith, Life, Mental Health, The Church

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    I don’t know about you but I can relate to “busy. It’s busy with good things… work, volunteering, watching my daughter’s cross country race, meetings at church, or keeping the grass cut.  If you are the kind of person who says “yes”  then maybe you can relate. The problem is that too much  busy pushes other important,  more  contemplative practices aside. This article by  Frank Powell gives some good examples of what gets lost when we fill our days and lives too full.
    http://http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/6-reasons-you-seriously-need-slow-down