Generous “George”
Posted: Saturday, March 13, 2010 Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, divine appointment, generosity, missionary, obedience, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights, Urban, youth retreat 1 Comment
Richmond - Downtown
After a few days of posting on other stuff…let’s get back to the story….
Back at work downtown and on the road, divine appointments were occurring on a regular basis. At this point, I was beginning to expect them…to actually look for moments that God was orchestrating. I was beginning to wonder were these opportunities there all the time? I had been just missing them? Some…I didn’t even know they were occurring until much later.
There was this one time…when I received a call from a work colleague from several states away. This was not unusual because I worked with people all across the nation and talked to them daily. But, this call was different. I really didn’t know the person, but he acted like he knew me. I haven’t talked to him about this post…so I will just call him “George”.
So…George calls me to tell ME a story. It was not unusual for people to ask ME to tell them a story…something that had happened in my community. But, he was going to tell me HIS story. George was calling to see how he could help my “kids”. He had gotten a significant bonus and wanted to share it. After giving George the name and address of Commonwealth Chapel, he promptly wrote a check to my church, designating it to m2h (Miss Marti’s House). He had remembered hearing my story about the kids at one of our company gatherings and wanted to give back. I was really shocked, surprised yet grateful, because I, for the life of me, could NOT remember who he was.
Months go by and it was time for me to attend a regular dinner meeting for work, where lots of people come from all over. Work was demanding my attention that evening and I ran a little late, so I stood at the door waiting for the opening remarks to conclude and checking out the full room for empty seats. After quietly slipping in and dinner started, I met the people around me. Go figure…who did I sit next to, but GEORGE! It was crazy…in a good kind of way. We continued our conversation from the previous phone call.
I confessed that I was embarrassed to admit that I had NO remembrance of meeting him or telling him about my kids, as I attended many corporate functions. George then said, Marti…you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. I am the embarrassed one. After we figured out where we had been and who we had been with, he stated…that he had WAY too much to drink that night and could remember very little from the evening. Very little except meeting me and hearing about what I was doing in SBH. At work, I couldn’t actually say…How God was moving in SBH, but that is what I alluded to when I talked about my calling.
George went home, touched by what he had heard and decided to give back to the community. He started to volunteer and give of his time, but soon realized that this wasn’t what he thought he should be doing. He then felt called to go back to church and went to Mass for the first time in years…or decades. George picked up the Word and it leapt off the page. At one point it felt like he was being literally pushed in the middle of his back…to go and do something. Being pressed so hard in the back that he turned around to see who was pushing him, and no one was there.
kids chillin' at Willow Run Retreat
George felt this overwhelming urge to give of his finances and that is when he called me. The timing could NOT have been more right. The youth group was planning their first youth retreat and my kids couldn’t afford to go. But, the money that George provided was the PERFECT amount to cover every kid! Only GOD can provide like that. I’m so thankful for George and his timely provisions that came several more times after that. May God richly bless him for his generosity and obedience.
This wasn’t the only time that God was at work on my job. There have been so many times when I ran into people “for such a time as this”…where I could encourage and bring hope. I can think of distinct times on flights, in the lunchroom, on the phone, and outside a courtroom. Work isn’t the easiest place to openly share your faith, for fear of being accused of religious discrimination. I was faced with that at least once and again, it was unfounded.
I don’t push my faith on others, but it IS a part of my life. So, when people ask why I wasn’t moving to StL or why I lived where I did, I can tell them. It was great to have like-minded colleagues to talk to at a time when the market was crashing, financial companies were folding, and times were scary for many people. But we knew…Who sat on THE throne.
I am reminded that we ALL need Jesus! Regardless of what our status is in life. I realized that I had (or have) 2 mission fields…at home in SBH and at work (until further notice, anyway!). Both…the spiritual “least of these”.
In addition, I learned that if God can use a snake, a donkey, a burning bush….He can certainly use ME! I just have to be open…and willing…to be used. There really seems to be a theme in the posts, doesn’t it?
Listening…
Obedience…
Risk…
Willingness…
Change…
Inconvenience…
Do you recognize any other themes I might be missing? And…what themes do you track in your OWN life? Is God trying to tell you anything?
New Stuff!
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 2 CommentsHey…just want to bring your attention to a couple of changes I made on the site!
- Added a new page at the top “PRAY!!” where I will list prayer requests for SBH. Join me in praying!
- Added a new page at the top “PRAISE!!” where I will list praise reports! Join me in praising God for meeting the needs for SBH. COMING SOON!!!
- Added a new page at the top “OPPS” where I will list the volunteer opportunities and needs for the community. COMING SOON!!!
- Added a new page at the top “Wanna Help?” This list how you can help. Know that any financial resources will flow through my church, Commonwealth Chapel.
- On the side bar, I also added a “Grounds 4 Good” section as well. Check out the new way you can assist us by buying fair trade coffee and having delivered to your home! Wake Up….Do Good. Be sure to select Miss Marti’s House as your Cause!
More changes to come!!! If you have any ideas or suggestions…send them my way!
Missional Church – Simple
Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: Commonwealth Chapel, Evangelism, missional, missional church, witnessing 2 CommentsSome of you might ask….Marti…what exactly ARE you doing in this community? or you may have seen or heard me talk/write about being “on mission with Jesus”.
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commands:
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is referred to as the Great CO-MISSION, because you are CO-laboring or CO-missioning WITH Jesus. But, you may say….I don’t know how to or I’m scared. But let’s take a look at Acts 1: 8. It states:
8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
You are NOT alone!!! All you need is the power of the Holy Spirit. Look at what happens…YOU will be witnesses. “Witnessing” has gotten a bad wrap for sooo many reasons! It has been done poorly by a lot of people, including ME! But, let the Spirit guide you in your conversations and remember there is NO condemnation!!! For we have ALL fallen short…and frankly, I fall short every day….EVERY day!
This quick, short video explains what a Missional Church looks like. Imagine if EVERYONE at my church, Commonwealth Chapel took this approach! Imagine if EVERY church was a Missional Church! Imagine if ALL of us were “on mission with Jesus” in our everyday lives…work, home, PTA, gym, dog parks, etc. Imagine…
Where can YOU be Missional today?
I pray that the Holy Spirit will “come on” you, Southern Barton Heights, and the City of Richmond in a powerful way, equipping you/us for your/our personal mission(s) with Jesus. It doesn’t have to be in SBH…that just happens to be mine…and now Louis’.
Blessings.
A View from the Porch
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, 2k9, Louis and Me! | Tags: being missional, building community, front porch, missional, Richmond, simple, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Life 2 CommentsLouis and I have a couple simple ministries to build relationships with our community…that cost virtually NOTHING! Since there is a lot of foot traffic in SBH these are great ways to meet our neighbors. Living on a corner lot has its advantages!!! Join us any time!!! We do this with intentionality in warm weather months!
Front Porch Ministry/Chillaxer
Front Porch Ministry or Porch Chillaxers – We grab something to drink and a snack and just SIT on our front porch. We meet more neighbors this way than any other. Some will even come and sit on the porch with us.
Fire Pit Chillaxer with our Missional Community
Our neighbor Brian (from Camaroon, West Africa) eating his first roasted marshmallow!
Fire Pit Chillaxers – We grab some marshmallows and build a fire in the fire pit welcoming our neighbors to join us.
What’s the view from your front porch?
Here’s ours.
Isn’t it the BEST ? ! ? ! ? !
Urban:Suburban Challenge
Posted: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: church, Evangelism, missional, missionary, Northside Missional Community, short-term missions trip, Urban 5 CommentsLast night, Louis had a committee meeting at his church, which left me home alone. I decided that I would take time to get ahead on postings…do a little planning on what stories I would tell and when. I thought I had it all under control when I went to bed last night. But, I woke up this morning at about 5am which is VERY unlike me! There’s nothing better than sleeping in! Knowing that, I believe the Lord takes great JOY in waking me up early to have a little discussion with me. This is hard to put into words as I grapple with it through my tears and fears. I’m still processing. But, I am going to give it a shot…
Where Louis and I Live and Minister
I have been challenged this week, when I received an email from the director of a local urban ministry. He contacted me to tell me that there was a local suburban church who was looking for a 1-day mission project in a couple of months. Thinking of me and SBH, he gave me a call to see if I could come up with a project for them to do.
Initially, I was THRILLED!!! WOW! Am I an official ministry now?!?!?! That people want to come and help for a day?!?!? But, something just wasn’t sitting right with me. For a couple of days now, I have been thinking…what could they do? I even went on the internet and started looking at what other organizations have done. Asking myself, what does SBH need? What could we do? I couldn’t think of anything that a 1-day trip could accomplish. Then, I was mortified. I started beating myself up! Surely there was SOMETHING!!!! Lord, what was it?!?!
Well, He woke me up with an answer. There may be NOTHING. (Stay with me! I said MAY!!!) There may not be a THING that a 1-day missions trip could do to help my community. Am I trying to force it? This church, I am sure, is full of well-meaning people of God. I know this will sound completely OUTLANDISH to many of you reading this, but could there possibly be more harm done in that 1 day than there will be good?
Let me explain why….
I first thought of odd jobs they could do around the community – yard work, painting, etc. But, then it hit me….How would my friend Everett make his living? Everett does odd jobs at an affordable price for folks around the community. Cutting grass, mulching, planting, washing cars, etc. How would Everett then buy what he needs without that income?
Would we offend people by offering FREE services? The last thing I would want to do is offend the people I have grown to LOVE. No one has come to me with a need that needs to be met. But, I am now asking the right local people for their help.
Then, I thought of “picking up trash”. Well, that would take a few hours. But, wouldn’t it be better if we rallied the community to do that? But, it takes a relationship to rally people. Does this well-meaning church have a relationship with the people to rally them? The simple answer is no, but we do.
I once heard a story about a well-meaning American church who went to a foreign country to build a well in a dry place where the locals had to walk for miles and miles to get clean water. Certainly a worthy cause! The Americans built the well on their own, then went on home to the USA. Then..the well broke down. No one knew how to fix it and the parts were too expensive. So, the people were STILL thirsty, but also frustrated!! They had a taste of what it meant to get water without walking for miles….now it was more difficult than before.
What I realized this morning is that we need those and other well-meaning Christians to INVEST in the urban community. Not just a 1-shot deal. We need folks who understand the impacts and the nature of being poor and are willing to walk along side someone or a family. We need someone who is willing to practice the art of being “present”….of just being there.
Yes, SBH may have people who don’t have a lot of money, but are RICH in spirit. Most of the folks in SBH are hard-working dedicated people. Many people look into SBH and all they see are the prostitutes, the dealers (and their clients), the trash in the street, the homes in disrepair, etc. But, that is what they see from the outside looking in. You need to BE there, PRESENT to see the inside…the many assets of SBH, the pride, the history, the commitment of the pioneers that have been through so much for so many decades…but continue to stick it out.
So now…I need to explore with this church and others. Knowing I can not discount short-term missions trips altogether, I realize that many long-term missionaries and volunteers are born out of 1-day and other short-term missions opportunities. But, I owe it to myself and to my community to do a little investigating first. The last thing I would want to do is bring unintentional harm to SBH or the servants. Is this the beginning of that relationship? How can I partner with this church (and others) without hurting them or SBH at the same time?
A few questions to ask now (albeit not an exhaustive list)…
- Can we come up with a project that will help SBH or someone who lives here? There must be something! I’ve put the word out in the community this morning. Lord…show us the need that we can meet!
- How can I provide the kind of experience for the servants/missionaries where they truly experience the community and learn/benefit from the day? I know it is cliche, but how would Jesus do this?
- Is the CHURCH (the church at large….the Body of Christ) willing to commit…to invest…their time and/or resources to walk it out on the long-term?
or
is it a box to check?
served a poor urban community in 2010. Check!
I am reminded of a book that friend Don Coleman suggested to me When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor or Yourself. I’ve used it as a resource, but now it’s time to dust if off and give it a good read. If anyone wants to explore this book WITH me, let me know. There are great exercises and probing questions to ask yourself in a group or individual study.
Just for my friend, Jeanine…
Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Filed under: 2k7, Louis and Me! | Tags: bible study, Faith, Jesus, missionary, needle's eye, NEM, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights, Urban 4 CommentsI have to admit…I have been very preoccupied the last couple of days. I typically write the first draft of my post a day or 2 in advance….and then tweak it as the “due date” looms. Well…due to distractions that regular life has brought me AND the recent funeral today plus the death of my neighbor’s grandson…I’m doubly distracted and not processing very well. So, I’m picking an easy (and welcomed!) topic today! Back to Louis and Me!!! YAY!! I can hear my friend Jeanine cheering! She encourages me to write more…and not to leave her hanging because she hasn’t heard the story before! So, Jeanine…this is for you!!! Thanks for your encouragement!! I need it! btw – check out her beautiful photography blog by clicking her name anywhere in this post!
Ok…so I left off with praying for the other ½ of my pair and Don telling me about a guy who never calls….right? If you need to catch up….click Louis and Me! in the sidebar to the right…
Our 3 Lists Written in 02.07. 1 down...2 to go! (Yes...out of focus on purpose!!!)
Marc continued to come into work…encouraging me…and telling me that he had been “puttin’ in knee time” for me! I still had my own copy of the list that I was praying over…along with my 2 friends’ lists (who I am STILL praying for!!!!!).
The work merger had been announced in the spring…and we were alllll wondering…whether our jobs were moving to St Louis (StL). That fall, the word came. Yes, my team’s jobs were moving. I was a leader of about 40 people in 2 locations, Richmond and StL….with about 25-30 people in Richmond…and they were deciding that all the jobs had to located in StL. I was praying for my team and me…for good decisions. (btw – some of them are still looking for jobs if you know of any open HR/Recruiting gigs in Richmond!!!)
I spent a many many night on my face asking the Lord if I should move to StL. I said…if that is what you are asking, then that is what I would do. I asked Him if I would meet my other ½ in StL? But that just never landed on me right. The Lord had said I would meet the other ½ of my pair to serve SBH. So how could I move, right?
But, I prayed for confirmation. And received it. I told my manager that I would NOT make the move. No amount of money or job position could convince me to move. But, fears set in. How would I make a living? Where would I get a job, etc? It was definitely a faith building time for me! I had to trust the Lord.
Meanwhile, I was sooo sure that I was going to meet the other ½ in December 2007, I stopped praying for it! Yes….let me repeat, I stopped praying for it to happen. I even told Marc to stop praying…but he insistently prayed although I said that God had already answered. (Love me some Marc Lundy!!
Before long, I joined a short 6-week Bible study at Needle’s Eye Ministries on Faith. It was now October-November 2007…coming up on the December date the Lord gave me! Figuring…if there was anytime I needed faith…I needed it now. This group of about 25 women gathered every week for 6 weeks at their office. I barely knew a soul!!! After Susan led us in our study, we always closed in prayer. I shared my story and asked them not to pray for my other ½ in the same way – that he would show…but to actually pray FOR him to prepare him. I often wondered if he knew what he was about to get himself into. So, the ladies agreed to join me in praying FOR him. I thank God for these ladies, whose names and prayer requests are in that journal! As I look down the list this evening, I wonder what other prayers have been answered?!?!
But, allow me to remind you…nearly 2 years had gone by since I prayed for the “bone” in December 2005. I had been praying for God to send me a husband. Over the following year, 2006, the Holy Spirit had used many situations, Don Coleman and Luke 10:1-7 to change my desires and my prayers. In early 2007, I had started praying for the other ½ of my pair in ministry to SBH. I had begun praying the will of God instead of Marti’s.
Learnings for me,
- Take prayer requests seriously. If you say Yes to pray for someone, be sure to do it. Don’t take it lightly. It’s serious business!!
- Be careful what you pray for….you just might get it!
- I’m often astounded at the sheer number of people God uses in this story. He doesn’t need to use us, but it is sooo fun when He does. At any point, if someone said “NO! Lord!”…the story may have turned out differently. Just like the story of Marcellous. If Marc, Emmanuel or I had said “NO! Lord!” at any point…the results might look different.
- These stories consistently remind me of the importance of listening and obeying. We are robbed of the blessing of being used by God when we say “NO! Lord!” Like the Nike slogan….”Just do it!” comes to mind!
Jeanine…sorry, I am going to leave you hanging…..AGAIN! Hugs to you!
Miss Marti's House 