A Moment of Wow

Each night of our 2004 Chicago Mission Trip we would gather in the common area of the bedless dorm we were sleeping in for some devotional time.  I would bring along my guitar and we would sing a song or two just for the fellowship- it was by no means a worship service.  We had no song sheets or means of projection; we had to sing songs we knew by heart.  By heart...that phrase would mean something completely different to me after our last night in the dorm...


We gathered that night and one of the students shared a devotional, and then I pulled out my guitar asked our little group if they had any requests.  They did.  We began to sing, and as we went through several of our favorite songs from youth group I could feel the Holy Spirit making itself known in the room.  I decided to wrap up our time by singing three of our favorites-  Sometimes By Step ("O God you are my God..."), It Is You (Newsboys) and Sanctuary - as a worship medley.  As we sang these very familiar songs the atmosphere in the room became thick with worship.  The team was completely absorbed in the songs.  I was still playing, but had closed my eyes and was no longer leading music- I was merely a vessel.  As was our tradition, we sang Sanctuary through a final time acapella.  Those 13 voices sounded like a heavenly choir.  We were no longer singing words- we were making a promise to God.  "With thanksgiving I'll be a living sanctuary for You."  The singing stopped and there was total silence.  I opened my eyes only to discover that I was no longer facing the group.  I had been spun around and was facing the wall, completely lost in that moment of pure worship.  We all looked at each other and said in a collective voice, "Wow..."


In the days that would follow we would try to explain that moment to parents, friends and even the rest of the church staff, but soon realized it was a "You had to be there" moment.  We all knew we had experienced - no, been overwhelmed by- the presence of the living God that night in a very powerful way.


I'll wrap up this trilogy tomorrow with some memories of our post-work adventures in Chicagoland.  


Because of Jesus,

Chicago Mission Trip 2004

Front Row:  Ross Hurt, Zach Wehr,  Ria Gonzalez, Brian Willeke
Second Row:  Alex Smith, Sarah Crudele, Nina Mock, Lexi Woods, Christine Gastler
Back Row:  Stephanie Greife, Cory Vetter, Carl Jones, Justin Overstreet, Sean Bell

In June of 2004 we headed out from Wesley Memorial UMC in Tampa with a 10 youth, 4 adult mission team (pictured above at the Sears Tower) bound for Chicago.  For the third time in 6 years my group would be partnering with the Center for Student Missions (CSM).  I was especially excited about this adventure as it would be my first trip to Chicagoland since having moved from there in 2001.  


One of the many great things about working with CSM is that the trip is much more that just work projects.  They provide you with authentic ethnic meals from the communities you serve.  Our first meal of this trip was at a Greek deli, and we were served gyros.  I remember Alexis Woods being horrified to discover she was eating lamb.  They also provide you with perspective.  At one point they broke us into small groups, gave us a very small amount of cash, assigned us a neighborhood to visit ( we had to take the bus) and told us we all had to eat dinner on that same tiny budget.  It gave us a real feel for what it was like to live below the poverty line in Chicago.


Another amazing activity CSM provides is what they call the Prayer Tour.  I had enjoyed the tour in both DC and Nashville, but the Chicago experience was something special.  Our CSM guide narrated our van ride, telling us (and playing audio recordings from people involved) stories about the plight of the homeless and the impoverished.  After each story we would stop at a location that was significant to our mission of service in the name of Jesus and pray.  It was truly moving.  Then before heading back to the campus of North Point University where we were being housed, we took a ride down Michigan Avenue, famous for its high priced stores.  We were barely removed from unthinkable poverty and were now surrounded by great wealth.  As we rode along, our guide played the great Caedmon's Call classic This World on our CD player.  It was overwhelming.  "This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything."  When it reached the lyric that says, "and the least of these look like criminals to me, so I leave Christ on the street..." - there were tears.  The CSM experience would be worth every penny if all you did was the Prayer Tour.


As with every CSM adventure, the actual work was varied.  We played with children and served meals at an after-school care center, discovering much to our surprise that these extreme latch-key children could whip us at video Jeopardy!  We also served and ate a creamed corn dish made with an enormous of mayo, which was surprisingly awesome!  We served meals to the homeless at a variety of locations, including the Good News Soup Kitchen where my Hinsdale group had servred monthly several years earlier.  But our primary task was helping to tear apart a synagogue.  A community that had for years been primarily Jewish had suffered "white flight" and been deserted.  A large number of African-American families had moved in, and a pastor had decided to use the abandoned synagogue for his place of worship.  There was an incredible amount of work to be done, and I was so proud of the way our team responded.  Working in terrible heat, we tore out some no longer needed fixtures from the worship space. We moved 600 pound trophy cases down flights of stairs.  We painted.  We cleaned. It was several days of brutal work, and in the end we accomplished much more that our host had hoped for.  I only have one complaint about that work site- our host took hundreds of pictures and was going to e-mail copies to me.  He never did.  So I can't prove we worked that hard...


But this trip was about much more than work.  It was about discovering the Jesus Revolution in each of us.  Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you how a little sing-a-along turned into one of the most powerful worship moments I have ever been a part of- before or since.  Be blessed, my friends!


Because of Jesus,

What Does the LORD Require of Us?

"But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,  what God is looking for in men and women.  It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously."  -Micah 6:8 (The Message)


I read those words and I think to myself, "What's so hard about that?"  In fact, it seems so basic that I decided I had better try the King James version and see if it wasn't really more difficult.  The KJV says, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Once I got passed the words "shewed" & "doth" I was pretty certain I still had a clear understanding of what Micah was trying to say.  So why, I asked myself, do we try to make our relationship with God so complicated?


What does the LORD require of us?  Treat people right, show mercy to others, and put God first.  What do we make our relationship with God all about?  Here's a partial list...

• Being in more small groups than that know-it-all Stan who teaches Sunday School.
• Taking at least one Dave Ramsey class.  It is much easier to be right with God if you know Dave first.  Or at the very least read Jon Acuff's blog.
• Pointing out the flaws in the theologies of others so that our own appears correct- especially if they have written books you have never read.
• Trying to highlight the sins of others while seeking to hide our own so that we can somehow avoid hell.
• Arguing with and alienating friends, family and neighbors on the subject of how the world began (When all we really need to know is"In the beginning GOD...").
• Spending hours trying to decide if the world will end in October 2011 or in December 2012, like the movie said (when all we really need to know is "GOD wins!).
• Trying to do enough good deeds that we somehow earn our way into heaven.

I could go on and one, but that would serve no purpose.  We know what is required.  So as you go through the day...JUST DO IT!!!  To whom do you need to show more love?  Who do you need to go to with more compassion and mercy?  And what do you need to do to put God first in your life?  And actually, it's even simpler that that.  All we have to do is remember that it is all about Jesus, and we WILL respond to people with love, grace, justice and mercy.  And that's what the LORD requires of us...

Because of Jesus,

Movie Deja Vu

My Twitter friend Martin Saunders, who is the editor of Youthworker Magazine (U.K.), started a hashtag the other day asking about movies you could watch over and over again.  We came up with several, and it started me thinking (uh-oh!).  If I could only have 5 movies to watch for the rest of my life, which ones would I choose?  Movies I could see repeatedly and never grow tired of and never stop enjoying.  After starting with a list of about 50, I have narrowed it down to this ( in no particular order):

• Young Frankenstein
• The Big Chill
• Die Hard
• Caddyshack
• Star Wars V- The Empire Strikes Back

I must confess that I had Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the list until last night when I watched with my son.  I realized then that I really have the whole thing memorized, so keeping it seemed a bit superfluous!  Just missing the cut were such classics as The Princess Bride, The Lion King, Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, Armageddon,  Field of Dreams, Toy Story 3, Pleasantville, E.T. and Anchorman.  A couple of guilty pleasures that also got strong consideration were Animal House and Airplane!  Strangely enough, if asked to limit myself to 3 movies, I would just take the Lord of the Rings trilogy and be done with it!


So there's my list- I would love to hear yours!  Have a great Saturday.


Because of Jesus,

Crumbling Pedestals

I've been thinking a lot about pedestals these past few weeks.  Since my public confession on this blog of my sin and failure, I have received several grace-filled notes from former students and old friends who had not heard my story expressing their shock at my actions.  Almost without fail these messages made reference to the high esteem in which they had held me in their memories, expressing feelings that they had come to believe that I was somehow "above" the temptations of this world.  They had placed me on a pedestal.  And that seldom works out well for anyone involved...


Recognizing someone for their gifts, abilities and accomplishments is a wonderful thing.  Placing them on a pedestal is something altogether different.  We live in a world where pedestals crumble before our eyes nearly every day.  Politicians, celebrities, pastors and people we hold in high esteem let us down, and we feel betrayed and hurt.  Just this week the news has been filled with stories of Rep. Weiner from NY and the dramatic crash of his pedestal.  Over and over again I have heard pundits say something like this: "He was a U.S. representative, and he should have known better."  And my guess is he did know better.  I know I certainly did.  But one of the things that happens when you have a group of "followers" is that they begin to expect you to be better- smarter, wiser, more responsible- than they are.  As a youth pastor, I loved that the students, their parents and quite often my Senior Pastor thought that I was "da bomb diggity."  I soaked up any affirmation I could get, and they gave me lots. I longed for a pedestal, and they built me one.  I am not alone.  People begin to build pedestals for leaders to stand on, and then we lift them on to it.  That is a mistake- because we know that "all sin and fall short of the glory of God."  People will fail, and they will let you down.  People do not belong on pedestals.  But there is something else that comes into play as the pedestal is built.  The person being lifted up (and I was one of those) begins to believe his own hype.  You want to be everything they want you to be- but you aren't.  You want to be worthy of being seen as "above the fray" - but you aren't.   You begin to believe that the recognition you receive is conditional.  The love would be there as long as I was the person they thought I was.  You may be seen as a man of God, but you know that you are a sinner just like all the rest. And here's where people like myself and so many others really screw the pooch- we decide to fake it.  We may not be who our "fans" think we are, but we can certainly pretend to be that person.  We start trying to be righteous on our own, and we quit counting on Jesus- a recipe for certain disaster.  As soon as the instinct kicks in that says "don't let them down, give them what they want,"  the pedestal starts to crumble. It's only a matter of time until people realize you may be a good guy, but you never deserved a pedestal.  And in our society today once there is a crash, crowds will gather to shoot the wounded- especially if the crash involves a Christian.  Everyone thought you were supposed to be some kind of different- and you weren't. You were a sinner just like them.  The thing about crumbling pedestals is that when they fall, they crush everyone- the person on top and everyone who is underneath it looking up.


Where am I going with all of this rambling?  Two places.  First and foremost, love your pastors, teachers and church leaders, but don't deify them.  Remember they are human, that they are tempted and that they will, on occasion, disappoint you.  Pray for them but not to them.  The only One worthy of a pedestal is Jesus.  People cannot fall off of a pedestal if you never put them on it.  Expectations are good; unreal expectations destroy.  And when those you love fail, respond with God's love, not with judgement and vindictiveness. Even if you think you are done with them, God is not.  Remember King David?  After killing Goliath and being crowned King, his pedestal was as tall as the Empire State Building.  Then he slept with Delilah (oops!) Bathsheba, had Uriah killed and found himself in a (as my Grandpa Jones used to say) "mell of a hess."  But God was not done with him yet.


To all of you who are rightly disappointed in my actions of 4 years ago, I again apologize.  My crash hurt so many, but I have to admit that I am much more comfortable back at ground level, and I have no intentions of seeking a pedestal ever again.  But know this: Despite my sin and my failure, I live with the knowledge that even someone like me can repent and through grace be known, like King David, as a "Man after God's own heart."  That is the only height to which I aspire these days.  Blessings to you all.


Because of Jesus,

Testify To Love

One of the longest running features of this blog has been to highlight classic Contemporary Christian Music on Thursdays.  After a brief hiatus, the music is back!  I hope you enjoy...


I have to admit that while I do like a wide variety of musical styles, I also have a bit of a musical prejudice.  I like bands.  I want to see people play instruments and sing at the same time.  Groups that just sing rarely earn my respect.  In fact, one of my biggest pet peeves is going to see a live act and discovering that they perform to a recorded soundtrack.  It may not be rational , but I just don't like it.  And don't even get me started on "Boy Bands..."


So armed with that knowledge, you may be surprised to learn that two of the CCM songs that give me the biggest goosebumps are performed by "groups."   The first is Avalon and is called Testify to Love.  This is simply an amazing song.  It has soaring harmonies, a killer key change and deeply theological lyrics, including a chorus that is a great profession of faith. 


For as long as I shall live I will testify to love
I'll be your witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breath I take I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live I will testify to love!


Wouldn't this world be a better place if all of our lives were a testimony to the love of God whose name is Jesus?  If you listen closely you'll even hear them work in a little "Give peace a chance."  The song still moves me every single time I hear it (which is often- it's on my Ipod!)- and yet it is the only Avalon song I can name.  So watch , listen, and enjoy the goosebumps.  I'll be back next week with a great song from (GASP) a Christian Boy Band...

Hall of Fame: Nina Mock

Nina and fellow Hall of Famer Adam Hill 
Myrtle Beach '02

When I think of my time at Wesley Memorial UMC I remember a lot of great students, but there is one name that usually comes to my mind first.  She was with me from the very first Sunday, through the first ski trip, both Myrtle Beach trips, the Chicago Mission trip and both New York trips.  She was always there when I needed her, lending support and leadership to almost everything we attempted to do with our student ministry.  She taught Sunday School for the little kids and sang with the youth Praise Team.  And she did it all with an attitude of love and service that was contagious.  There are a lot of my former students who have a place in my Youth Group Hall of Fame, but none of them deserve it any more than Nina Mock.


Nina and I shared a lot of adventures and a lot of conversations of over the 4 years I was at WMUMC and for another year or so after I left.  We talked about everything.  She was a young woman of great faith, and I was honored that she trusted me enough to share the joys and concerns of her journey with me.  So many of the younger girls looked up to her in a variety of ways, and they could not have chosen a better role model.  She also was our primary baby-sitter for Will in those early years, and we knew we could always count on her.  She was a part of our family.

Nina (far right), Justin & Stephanie
 discover their LIMO!!!  NYC '03

I have lots of favorite Nina stories, but one of the best happened one night at the Kado Japanese Restaurant.  It seems that Nina hated for the food on her plate to be touching, and when the Hibachi Chef put her rice too close to her veggies, Nina freaked.  It was absolutely hilarious, and nobody laughed harder than the chef.  That's just one of a million great memories I have of Nina- and it comes with a epilogue.  


I know that Nina was one of the people hurt and disappointed the most by my later actions and failures.  I cannot express how sorry I am that I failed her- and so many others.   Even so, when Kado went out of business last year, she took the time to send Marilyn a Facebook message telling us the news and thanking me for all the good times we shared there.  It is that kind of loving, grace-filled attitude that makes it an honor and a pleasure for me to welcome Nina to my Hall of Fame.  It was students like her who made my ministry a joy for me all of those years, and I do hope that someday we will be able to celebrate together again.  Until then, may God continue to bless her and her family.  


Because of Jesus,