Solitude. There are times when I crave it, never more than when I left for vacation back on the 10th of July. Being the husband of a wonderful wife, the father of three active daughters, and a pastor of a growing church leaves little extended down time.
We headed east about 1000 miles and met some of Melanie's family at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We had fantastic days on the beach with highs in the upper 80's and a 5-10 mph consistent breeze almost every day. The Atlantic's water temperature was perfect.
One morning in particular was bliss. Melanie had taken her mom out shopping, all three of my girls were body surfing with their Uncle Bob's family (everybody should have an Uncle Bob, by the way), leaving me all alone on the beach for quite a long time. I donned my headphones, started listening to some classical guitar music, and took a barefooted stroll in the surf up and down the beach in both directions.
One can't help but become reflective as one looks into the vastness of the ocean while listening to classical guitar music. I don't know how far I walked, or even how long I was gone. All I know is that I thoroughly enjoyed every second.
After I got back to my beach chair, I kept processing the thought I had written about a week before as I wrote about prayer. Three simple words kept ringing in my head: faith clarifies sovereignty. My father-in-law prompted my thinking with a discussion of land prices on Myrtle Beach. A friend of his had purchased a couple of acres many years ago that grew to many times its initial worth. "Hindsight is always 20:20," he said.
Hindsight is always 20:20, but the Christian version of that saying is essentially, "Faith clarifies sovereignty." You see, faith requires both foresight and hindsight. Foresight is needed to propel us into the unknown, to see what others cannot, to hope where others have yet to dream. But hindsight is also needed to build a substantive case that moves us with conviction to act on the things not seen (Heb 11:1). When I look back over the course of my life, I see His hand intervening on so many levels, protecting, encouraging, convicting, promising, sustaining me.
What do you see when you look back? Virtually every person can see the trail of His hand throughout their life if they'll only look for them. If you don't see them, put on the lenses of faith, and those things that used to leave you scratching your head in wonder will become the foundational building blocks of who God has shaped you to be today.
I look back, and I see everything that happened in my life coalescing around God's call in my life to be a shepherd of His people. It is crystal clear to me. Not one major life experience has been wasted in His patient, progressive revelation to me as His child. He is 100% efficient. All the good, the bad and the ugly were used to get me where He needed me to be. The exciting thing is that He's not done, God willing.
So keep moving forward. The more you step out in faith, the more clear His sovereign hand becomes behind you. Your faith will clarify His sovereignty. As my friend Bill Smith has reminded me, God gives us the privilege to stand at the side of the tapestry and peek around to see the finished side. As a pastor, I get a sneak peek of the beautiful tapestry that He weaves in so many situations. If you look, you can see them too; just look through your faith colored glasses.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Two Common Questions About Prayer ...
(These two questions about prayer were originally written for the 2009 CityFest Prayer Team email newsletter. We are forming a database of 1000 prayer intercessors for this Fall's Central Arkansas CityFest with Luis Palau that will serve the Body of Christ long after the festival is over. If you would like to join the database, please send an email to Judy Best at judy@prayeradventures.com. Thank you for praying!)
I. Why Pray if God Already Knows?
Many of us, if we were really honest with ourselves, have probably struggled with this question. The answer? God has sovereignly willed certain things to occur only when we pray. Events are ordained to happen because you and I simply ask Him. There are things He wants to accomplish in, through and around you, that will eternally affect your family, church, workplace and city ... all because we choose to pray. (James 4:2, Luke 11:9-13, James 5:17-18)
Another important truth to understand is that God, in His merciful wisdom, created prayer as one of the primary mediums of communication (in both directions) between His infinite being and our finite humanity. With Christ in your life, He expects a very real, dynamic, intimate relationship with YOU. Such a relationship will only grow so deep without proper prayer. (Ps 27:14, Ps 38:15, Is 50:4, John 15:7, 1 John 1:9)
So why pray if He already knows? Why talk to your children if you already know what they are going through? Why listen to their hearts if you already know their situation? ... Get the picture? In those tender moments, we, as the parent, are able to speak into our children's lives. Our Heavenly Father desires to do the same thing with us.
II. Why Didn't God Answer My Prayers?
We've probably all prayed earnestly for things that didn't pan out the way we desired. Even as a pastor, I have been left bewildered with many unanswered questions, especially when I see situations go the opposite way that I had been praying. Others still are left frustrated with God, and the unanswered prayer is used to form a wedge between them and God: a reason to doubt God instead of believe in Him.
I was reminded recently on several fronts why God allows these things to happen. I want to share them with you.
A seemingly unanswered prayer does not mean God is not working. I've seen recently how quickly God can change a despairing situation from one of hopelessness to one of hope. His sovereign hand continues to work long after my last prayer has been prayed; a lost sheep comes home, a heart breaks and runs to those that have loved them well, a phone call or a letter from someone unexpected that changes everything. Things can change on a dime because God is at work, even though we can't see it. His timing is simply not our timing. (Col 4:2, 1 Thess 5:17)
His glory is always first, our comfort second. God continues to use His children in the worst of circumstances, so that others will sit up and take notice of the hope that is within us. Someone understands their need for Christ through a tragedy; others want for themselves what they have seen in the life of the one who believes; the gospel is sown in the life of an unbeliever through a powerful testimony of faith through adversity. Faith exhibited in the midst of trials is like a magnet to those who possess no hope, and many times that is the answer to our prayers. (Matt 5:14-16, 1 Pet 1:6-7)
He uses those times to deepen our faith. When we trust Him through those times He doesn't appear to be working, and then see the power of His sovereign hand in the end, our faith is dredged out into a deep channel of trust. Our faith is refined to a high degree of purity on the other side of perseverance. (James 1:2-4)
God weaves the tapestry. From the other side, all we see are disconnected threads starting and stopping at random places; questions unanswered, mysteries yet to be revealed. But from Heaven's side, God sees the beautiful, big picture and wants us to keep praying, believing, trusting, and hoping in Him. Our faith clarifies His sovereignty, because as you look back in time, you can't help but see His righteous right hand at work. Allow those mysterious times to be used to draw you toward Him instead of away from Him, to push you towards hope, instead of away from it, towards life instead of death. You won't regret it. Keep praying!
I. Why Pray if God Already Knows?
Many of us, if we were really honest with ourselves, have probably struggled with this question. The answer? God has sovereignly willed certain things to occur only when we pray. Events are ordained to happen because you and I simply ask Him. There are things He wants to accomplish in, through and around you, that will eternally affect your family, church, workplace and city ... all because we choose to pray. (James 4:2, Luke 11:9-13, James 5:17-18)
Another important truth to understand is that God, in His merciful wisdom, created prayer as one of the primary mediums of communication (in both directions) between His infinite being and our finite humanity. With Christ in your life, He expects a very real, dynamic, intimate relationship with YOU. Such a relationship will only grow so deep without proper prayer. (Ps 27:14, Ps 38:15, Is 50:4, John 15:7, 1 John 1:9)
So why pray if He already knows? Why talk to your children if you already know what they are going through? Why listen to their hearts if you already know their situation? ... Get the picture? In those tender moments, we, as the parent, are able to speak into our children's lives. Our Heavenly Father desires to do the same thing with us.
II. Why Didn't God Answer My Prayers?
We've probably all prayed earnestly for things that didn't pan out the way we desired. Even as a pastor, I have been left bewildered with many unanswered questions, especially when I see situations go the opposite way that I had been praying. Others still are left frustrated with God, and the unanswered prayer is used to form a wedge between them and God: a reason to doubt God instead of believe in Him.
I was reminded recently on several fronts why God allows these things to happen. I want to share them with you.
A seemingly unanswered prayer does not mean God is not working. I've seen recently how quickly God can change a despairing situation from one of hopelessness to one of hope. His sovereign hand continues to work long after my last prayer has been prayed; a lost sheep comes home, a heart breaks and runs to those that have loved them well, a phone call or a letter from someone unexpected that changes everything. Things can change on a dime because God is at work, even though we can't see it. His timing is simply not our timing. (Col 4:2, 1 Thess 5:17)
His glory is always first, our comfort second. God continues to use His children in the worst of circumstances, so that others will sit up and take notice of the hope that is within us. Someone understands their need for Christ through a tragedy; others want for themselves what they have seen in the life of the one who believes; the gospel is sown in the life of an unbeliever through a powerful testimony of faith through adversity. Faith exhibited in the midst of trials is like a magnet to those who possess no hope, and many times that is the answer to our prayers. (Matt 5:14-16, 1 Pet 1:6-7)
He uses those times to deepen our faith. When we trust Him through those times He doesn't appear to be working, and then see the power of His sovereign hand in the end, our faith is dredged out into a deep channel of trust. Our faith is refined to a high degree of purity on the other side of perseverance. (James 1:2-4)
God weaves the tapestry. From the other side, all we see are disconnected threads starting and stopping at random places; questions unanswered, mysteries yet to be revealed. But from Heaven's side, God sees the beautiful, big picture and wants us to keep praying, believing, trusting, and hoping in Him. Our faith clarifies His sovereignty, because as you look back in time, you can't help but see His righteous right hand at work. Allow those mysterious times to be used to draw you toward Him instead of away from Him, to push you towards hope, instead of away from it, towards life instead of death. You won't regret it. Keep praying!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Caught In The Middle Of A Legacy
Note: I found this article the other day, originally published in 2004, in the Asian American Reporter, a local Little Rock publication. The issue featured a front page story on my family history similar to the "The Family History," which I chronicled and posted here in July 2008. I followed up the front page story with this guest editorial. I thought it was appropriate as we head into Father's Day weekend. The family tree is provided. I'm highlighted by the circle five generations from the top (click to enlarge).---
Leg•a•cy, {lehg e see} n.; 1. Something immaterial, as a style or philosophy, that is passed from one generation to another.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading about a part of my legacy as it has been traced from generations back to the present day. I stand amazed at the significance of it all as the tapestry of events surrounding generation after generation is weaved over 150 years, six generations and two continents. It is indeed a wonderful masterpiece of which I am thankful to be a part.
There were so many pioneers in my lineage and many stories that need to be retold. Two of my great, great grandfathers on my mother’s side, Senn Wai Tong and Lee Wuen Juen, were some of the first converts to Christianity in rural China in the 1850’s. My great grandfather, Lee Tsai Leong, was one of the first Chinese church planters in the Bay Area in the late 1800’s, planting the Chinese Independent Baptist Churches of San Francisco and Oakland (both are still in existence today!).
My grandfather, Holt A. Cheng, was the first Chinese doctor licensed in the state of California in 1904. He later returned to China to found the first medical school that practiced western medicine, was administered and taught by an all Chinese faculty, and was the first to admit women. Each was a tremendous trailblazer and possessed great depth of faith in God even in the face of significant racism that existed in early 1900 America. Asian children were banned from attending white schools, and Asians were not even able to own land in California. Somehow, in the midst of such opposition, my forefathers were able to break the dividing walls that others had not been willing or able to conquer.
Each understood the value of giving up what seemed like a great amount for the greater good. Lee Tsai Leong gave up a medical practice in China to become a pastor in California. Holt Cheng never took a single penny of compensation for serving as the Guang Hua Medical School’s dean for over 20 years! They each counted the cost and discovered a cause that was greater than their own desire for material possessions, prestige or position, and even the need for security.
A famous Christian missionary once penned, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” As a pastor and a minister of the gospel of Christ, I fully believe that is a trustworthy statement. The pioneers before me denied themselves many things but discovered the importance of that which is eternal and lives from generation to generation.
Now it’s my turn, taking what was handed down and building on the precious gift that was given to me. I marvel at the orchestration of it all. How is it that such a legacy was left for me? Even more importantly, what will I pass down to the next generation or even the next? What will be said of me 150 years from now?
It puzzles a lot of people, Asians in particular, that I was willing to leave a comfortable and respected position as a university professor in a high demand field to become a pastor of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, a church committed to ministering to all people in the heart of the deep South; a church committed to breaking dividing walls. Hopefully, as you read about those who preceded me, not only will you only understand why I chose to become a pastor here in Little Rock, but you’ll be convinced of the responsibility we all have to affect and influence those who follow.
My hope is that my children’s children will have plenty of stories to tell about their grandfather.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Bruce Morgan Story
Bruce Morgan understands hardship. For over 10 years, he has been living and surviving on the streets of Little Rock. Since he started attending Mosaic, Bruce has given us perspective on trusting God to meet his daily needs.
“Though I am homeless, I know that I will always find another meal or a place to sleep at night. But what I find at Mosaic that is so difficult to find anywhere else, is a warm smile and friendly handshake,” Bruce says.
Not without tragedy, Bruce has suffered much loss, including his wife and his four year old son to a tragic car wreck in 1993, and a year later his 13 year old daughter to a rare blood disease. In 1996, Bruce was robbed, brutally beaten and left for dead. His cracked skull required 140 stitches and delicate brain surgery. The lingering effects from that attack still plague him today.
In spite of his physical needs, Bruce continues to challenge us all with his simple faith. One Sunday morning, after Mark DeYmaz challenged the men and women of Mosaic to live by faith in the midst of the economic turmoil, Bruce came forward and handed him $1.72, all the money he possessed. We were astounded as we witnessed an inspirational, modern day example of the story of the Widow’s mite found in the Gospels. A mite was the smallest coin back in the time of Jesus and represented all the widow possessed.
Scott Davis, a long time Mosaic, has helped Bruce seek medical treatment for a recent bout with pneumonia and an impending double hernia operation that will take place any day now. “I found out that Bruce is a Veteran. He served two tours in Vietnam,” says Scott. “We’re trying to determine if he has some VA benefits that he is not taking advantage of, but there’s a lot of paperwork that has to be tracked down.”
Bill Smith, Mosaic's Pastor of Counseling, relates a story in which Bruce excitedly approached him because he had found three cents in the parking lot. Bruce explained to Bill, “Did you know that you can get breakfast at McDonalds for 64 cents? When I woke up this morning, I had 61 cents, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just start walking to McDonalds and see what God does.’ And Jesus, Jesus, Jesus right there on the parking lot was three pennies. Just think of it—three cents, just what I needed—right there. Then when I got to McDonalds I met a guy I knew from Vietnam. He is going to pick me up and take me to Denny’s tomorrow for a Grand Slam breakfast. Isn’t God good, Bill, isn’t God good?”
Pray for Bruce as he undergoes his surgery and pray that the paperwork for his VA benefits would be completed and accepted.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
BLESSINGS FROM GOD ...
Who wouldn't want God's blessings! Here are the results of my study this week on 'blessed are those are who {FILL IN THE BLANK}', listed in order by the number of times repeated. The most repeated blessing (Who comes in the name of the Lord), is directly referring to Christ. After that, however, is a rather long list of things we can and should do to be on the receiving end of His blessings!
BE BLESSED!
--
BLESSED ARE THOSE:
WHO COME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD (7 refs)
Ps. 118:26, Matt. 21:9, Matt. 23:39, Mark 11:9, Luke 19:38, John 12:13, Luke 13:35
WHO OBEY (6 refs)
Prov. 8:32, Ps. 119:1, Ps. 119:2, Is. 56:2, Luke 11:28, Rev. 1:3, Rev. 22:7
WHO ARE READY WHEN HE RETURNS (5 refs)
Matt. 24:46, Luke 12:37, Luke 12:38, Luke 12:43, Rev. 16:15
WHO TRUST IN THE LORD (4 refs)
Ps. 40:4, Ps. 84:12, Prov. 16:20, Jer. 17:7
WHOSE SINS ARE FORGIVEN (4 refs)
Ps. 32:1, Ps. 32:2, Rom. 4:7, Rom. 4:8
WHO ENTER HEAVEN (4 refs)
Luke 14:15, Rev. 14:13, Rev. 19:9, Rev. 22:14
WHO FEAR THE LORD (3 refs)
Ps. 112:1, Ps. 128:1, Prov. 28:14
WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE (3 refs)
Matt. 5:10, Matt. 5:11, Luke 6:22
WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM (2 refs)
Ps. 34:8, Ps. 2:12
WHO ARE RECEPTIVE TO CHRIST (2 refs)
Matt. 11:6, Luke 7:23
WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD (2 refs)
Ps. 33:12, Ps. 144:15
WHO ARE HUMBLE (2 refs)
Matt. 5:3, Luke 6:20
WHO ARE BROKEN (2 refs)
Matt. 5:4, Luke 6:21
WHO HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 refs)
Matt. 5:6, Luke 6:21
WHO ARE MEEK
Matt. 5:5
WHO ARE MERCIFUL
Matt. 5:7
WHO ARE PURE IN HEART
Matt. 5:8
WHO ARE PEACEMAKERS
Matt. 5:9
WHO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIAL
James 1:12
WHO AVOID BEING TAINTED BY THE SIN OF OTHERS
Ps. 1:1
WHO HELP THE HELPLESS
Psa. 41:1
WHO ARE CHOSEN OF GOD
Ps. 65:4
WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN HIM
Ps. 84:5
WHO ARE DISCIPLINED BY GOD
Ps. 94:12
WHO HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN
Ps. 127:5
WHOM GOD HELPS
Ps. 146:5
WHO FIND WISDOM
Prov. 3:13
WHO BLESS GOD
Num. 24:9
WHO DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
Ps. 84:4
WHO KNOW HOW TO WORSHIP
Ps. 89:15
WHO KEEP JUSTICE
Ps. 106:3
WHO ARE THE SONS OF THOSE WHO WALK IN INTEGRITY
Prov. 20:7
WHO LONG FOR GOD
Is. 30:18
WHO HAVE FAITH IN JESUS
John 20:29
BE BLESSED!
--
BLESSED ARE THOSE:
WHO COME IN THE NAME OF THE LORD (7 refs)
Ps. 118:26, Matt. 21:9, Matt. 23:39, Mark 11:9, Luke 19:38, John 12:13, Luke 13:35
WHO OBEY (6 refs)
Prov. 8:32, Ps. 119:1, Ps. 119:2, Is. 56:2, Luke 11:28, Rev. 1:3, Rev. 22:7
WHO ARE READY WHEN HE RETURNS (5 refs)
Matt. 24:46, Luke 12:37, Luke 12:38, Luke 12:43, Rev. 16:15
WHO TRUST IN THE LORD (4 refs)
Ps. 40:4, Ps. 84:12, Prov. 16:20, Jer. 17:7
WHOSE SINS ARE FORGIVEN (4 refs)
Ps. 32:1, Ps. 32:2, Rom. 4:7, Rom. 4:8
WHO ENTER HEAVEN (4 refs)
Luke 14:15, Rev. 14:13, Rev. 19:9, Rev. 22:14
WHO FEAR THE LORD (3 refs)
Ps. 112:1, Ps. 128:1, Prov. 28:14
WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE (3 refs)
Matt. 5:10, Matt. 5:11, Luke 6:22
WHO TAKE REFUGE IN HIM (2 refs)
Ps. 34:8, Ps. 2:12
WHO ARE RECEPTIVE TO CHRIST (2 refs)
Matt. 11:6, Luke 7:23
WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD (2 refs)
Ps. 33:12, Ps. 144:15
WHO ARE HUMBLE (2 refs)
Matt. 5:3, Luke 6:20
WHO ARE BROKEN (2 refs)
Matt. 5:4, Luke 6:21
WHO HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS (2 refs)
Matt. 5:6, Luke 6:21
WHO ARE MEEK
Matt. 5:5
WHO ARE MERCIFUL
Matt. 5:7
WHO ARE PURE IN HEART
Matt. 5:8
WHO ARE PEACEMAKERS
Matt. 5:9
WHO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIAL
James 1:12
WHO AVOID BEING TAINTED BY THE SIN OF OTHERS
Ps. 1:1
WHO HELP THE HELPLESS
Psa. 41:1
WHO ARE CHOSEN OF GOD
Ps. 65:4
WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN HIM
Ps. 84:5
WHO ARE DISCIPLINED BY GOD
Ps. 94:12
WHO HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN
Ps. 127:5
WHOM GOD HELPS
Ps. 146:5
WHO FIND WISDOM
Prov. 3:13
WHO BLESS GOD
Num. 24:9
WHO DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD
Ps. 84:4
WHO KNOW HOW TO WORSHIP
Ps. 89:15
WHO KEEP JUSTICE
Ps. 106:3
WHO ARE THE SONS OF THOSE WHO WALK IN INTEGRITY
Prov. 20:7
WHO LONG FOR GOD
Is. 30:18
WHO HAVE FAITH IN JESUS
John 20:29
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Most Poignant Illustration ...
The names of the homeless were changed in this story.
Steven Weathers, one of Mosaic’s Teaching Pastors, and I pray regularly with a congregation of homeless men and women that gather daily in our parking lot. Many attend Mosaic regularly and have name tags awaiting them each Sunday; others come in for food and clothes, offered twice weekly. Cesar Ortega, our Pastor of Community Development, has really led the way in developing good relationships with those in the community, by providing a welcoming environment for those seeking help in a variety of areas.
About six months ago, we started engaging the parking lot group through prayer and have since come to know many of the members of the homeless community living around our church. On most days, a half-dozen or more men and women hang out under a sliver of trees on the edge of our property. Usually, as we approach, the group scurries to shuffle bottles, cans and other questionable items out of sight from "the pastors."
Slowly but surely, we have seen God at work in their lives. They have become more and more receptive to the truth of the gospel and the realization of their own lost condition. Each day, we pray that God would continue to draw them to Himself.
As I was about to leave Mosaic on Monday, I stopped by and greeted three men and two women. One of the guys had a large, tattered Bible by his side and upon seeing me, pulled it out and started flipping through the pages.
“What are we going to read, Pastor?” Mike asked. “I brought my Bible with me today because I knew you would be coming out to pray with us.”
I hadn’t thought too much about a passage to teach. Steven and I printed out an outline of all the stories that Jesus told in the gospels and taped it up on the outside of his cubicle. Our plan was to go through them one by one, but it's usually hit or miss on how closely we actually follow it. I just blurted out, “Turn to Matthew chapter five, Mike.” The Sermon on the Mount continues to be one of my favorite passages of scripture. God has used this passage over and over throughout the years as a passage that communicates the gospel with clarity.
Mike had a little trouble finding it, but with a little help, began reading the first ten verses. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
“Stop right there, Mike,” I interrupted. “So what does it mean to be poor in spirit and why do you think Christ said that you would be blessed?” We bantered around some answers and had some fairly good discussion. They understood that it meant not thinking too highly of oneself. I told them I would explain why someone would be considered blessed in this condition after we finished with the list.
And on it went ... “Blessed are the those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who are meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” However, with each beatitude, the discussion degenerated and became more and more disjointed. They were quickly losing focus. Asking philosophical questions to a group of hard-living, street men and women resulted in a swarm of opinions and stories. Getting everyone to focus was a lot like herding cats!
There were many interpretations about meekness and how life on the streets made it difficult to be gentle. 'Blessed are those that mourn' had little connection with conviction or brokenness and instead was thought to be associated with the sadness one felt because of the harshness of life. I was beginning to think that I had been a little too ambitious in teaching the deeper meaning of the beatitudes, at least on this day, to these guys. I was about to give up, when it happened.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” read Mike. How was I going to explain that one? I struggled to think of a way that wouldn’t lead to any more self-philosophizing, bunny trails.
Just then, one of the ladies brought out a bottle of hard liquor wrapped in a nondescript paper bag and started to drink it. “Tammy,” another in the group berated her, “Don’t you know better than to drink in front of the pastor?!” She paused in mid-sip and out of the corner of her eye, looked at me rather sheepishly.
I appreciated the respect with which Mike saw my position as pastor, but replied, “You don’t have to hide things from me, Tammy. Don't worry about it." And just then, the inspiration came to me.
“Do you guys understand what the previous verse said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness’? What it means is that just as Tammy thirsts for what’s in the bottle, God wants you to thirst for Him; desire Him. The craving that Tammy's body has for the alcohol in her hand, is the same craving God wants you to have for Him and His righteousness.”
There was no discussion on this point. Everybody understood it with great clarity. The group grew strangely reflective, especially, Tammy. I then went on to explain how the beatitudes simply described a person who would readily accept Christ; and that Jesus was the only way that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness could be satisfied. I started to explain one more beatitude, but knew it was time to quit. God had given me a most poignant illustration for the day. There would be another time.
As we normally do, we gathered in a circle and all held hands for closing prayer. I prayed passionately that God would reveal the truth of His word and that each would become dissatisfied with their life until they became desperate to know Him. And then I walked away knowing that God had brought them yet another step closer, all in His perfect timing.
Keep praying for those guys if you think about it. God is at work, indeed!
Steven Weathers, one of Mosaic’s Teaching Pastors, and I pray regularly with a congregation of homeless men and women that gather daily in our parking lot. Many attend Mosaic regularly and have name tags awaiting them each Sunday; others come in for food and clothes, offered twice weekly. Cesar Ortega, our Pastor of Community Development, has really led the way in developing good relationships with those in the community, by providing a welcoming environment for those seeking help in a variety of areas.
About six months ago, we started engaging the parking lot group through prayer and have since come to know many of the members of the homeless community living around our church. On most days, a half-dozen or more men and women hang out under a sliver of trees on the edge of our property. Usually, as we approach, the group scurries to shuffle bottles, cans and other questionable items out of sight from "the pastors."
Slowly but surely, we have seen God at work in their lives. They have become more and more receptive to the truth of the gospel and the realization of their own lost condition. Each day, we pray that God would continue to draw them to Himself.
As I was about to leave Mosaic on Monday, I stopped by and greeted three men and two women. One of the guys had a large, tattered Bible by his side and upon seeing me, pulled it out and started flipping through the pages.
“What are we going to read, Pastor?” Mike asked. “I brought my Bible with me today because I knew you would be coming out to pray with us.”
I hadn’t thought too much about a passage to teach. Steven and I printed out an outline of all the stories that Jesus told in the gospels and taped it up on the outside of his cubicle. Our plan was to go through them one by one, but it's usually hit or miss on how closely we actually follow it. I just blurted out, “Turn to Matthew chapter five, Mike.” The Sermon on the Mount continues to be one of my favorite passages of scripture. God has used this passage over and over throughout the years as a passage that communicates the gospel with clarity.
Mike had a little trouble finding it, but with a little help, began reading the first ten verses. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
“Stop right there, Mike,” I interrupted. “So what does it mean to be poor in spirit and why do you think Christ said that you would be blessed?” We bantered around some answers and had some fairly good discussion. They understood that it meant not thinking too highly of oneself. I told them I would explain why someone would be considered blessed in this condition after we finished with the list.
And on it went ... “Blessed are the those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who are meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” However, with each beatitude, the discussion degenerated and became more and more disjointed. They were quickly losing focus. Asking philosophical questions to a group of hard-living, street men and women resulted in a swarm of opinions and stories. Getting everyone to focus was a lot like herding cats!
There were many interpretations about meekness and how life on the streets made it difficult to be gentle. 'Blessed are those that mourn' had little connection with conviction or brokenness and instead was thought to be associated with the sadness one felt because of the harshness of life. I was beginning to think that I had been a little too ambitious in teaching the deeper meaning of the beatitudes, at least on this day, to these guys. I was about to give up, when it happened.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” read Mike. How was I going to explain that one? I struggled to think of a way that wouldn’t lead to any more self-philosophizing, bunny trails.
Just then, one of the ladies brought out a bottle of hard liquor wrapped in a nondescript paper bag and started to drink it. “Tammy,” another in the group berated her, “Don’t you know better than to drink in front of the pastor?!” She paused in mid-sip and out of the corner of her eye, looked at me rather sheepishly.
I appreciated the respect with which Mike saw my position as pastor, but replied, “You don’t have to hide things from me, Tammy. Don't worry about it." And just then, the inspiration came to me.
“Do you guys understand what the previous verse said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness’? What it means is that just as Tammy thirsts for what’s in the bottle, God wants you to thirst for Him; desire Him. The craving that Tammy's body has for the alcohol in her hand, is the same craving God wants you to have for Him and His righteousness.”
There was no discussion on this point. Everybody understood it with great clarity. The group grew strangely reflective, especially, Tammy. I then went on to explain how the beatitudes simply described a person who would readily accept Christ; and that Jesus was the only way that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness could be satisfied. I started to explain one more beatitude, but knew it was time to quit. God had given me a most poignant illustration for the day. There would be another time.
As we normally do, we gathered in a circle and all held hands for closing prayer. I prayed passionately that God would reveal the truth of His word and that each would become dissatisfied with their life until they became desperate to know Him. And then I walked away knowing that God had brought them yet another step closer, all in His perfect timing.
Keep praying for those guys if you think about it. God is at work, indeed!
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