3 Boats Sited in Southern Barton Heights
Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: bob lupton, God's Will, Lord's Prayer, Luke 5, Miss Marti's House, mission, missional, missional church, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, urban ministry Comments Off on 3 Boats Sited in Southern Barton HeightsOk. After reading the last post “it’s a dangerous thing to let Jesus use your boat.” Bob Lupton, you may be wondering…what is my boat? I don’t have a boat. YES, you do!!!
Let me share with you a story that happened just this week that demonstrates Jesus using boats right before our eyes! We have been praying for a computer that the kids and community could use. Miss Marti’s Kids don’t always have access to a computer/internet to use for school projects, homework and research. In addition, there isn’t readily available access to computer/internet to look for and apply for jobs.
Resources
This week, Michael Fletcher and his family used their “boat” called resources and willingly donated their family’s used Dell Laptop (following an upgrade to a new computer) to Miss Marti’s House!!! I was THRILLED! But, it came with a slight problem. It wouldn’t charge. Thanks be to God! And thanks to the Fletchers for being willing to let Jesus use their boat called Resources!
Time
Well, those of you who know me…know that I am NOT very tech savvy. I know how to use a computer just fine, but don’t ask me HOW or WHAT makes it work! That…I have no clue. Enter…Mario Garza, a new member to our Missional Community. Mario and his brother Fernando took the computer home to see if they could diagnose the problem. Mario contacted me today and let me know the solution was simple. It needed a new power cord. So, one has been ordered and upon arrival, Mario will not only ensure it is up and running, but is also going to scrub it and download fresh anti-virus protection (which will be MUCH needed!!!) and Windows XP, etc. Thanks be to God and the Garzo’s for allowing Jesus to use their boats called Knowledge and Time!
Knowledge
So I ask again…What’s your boat called? ALL of us have something to offer. Are you using yours to bring glory to God? Are you fishing for men? To carry this analogy possibly too far…when we let Jesus use our boats…our nets are HEAVY with fish. When we try to do it on our own…we bring in empty nets. When we aren’t doing a thing…the boat’s just rottin’ at the dock and needs a little work.
If you don’t know what your “boat” is, I pray the Holy Spirit will be your lighthouse and guide you through the fog to safe landing at the feet of Jesus. We often look for the “big mission” or “God’s will” for our lives. Well, what about God’s will for today or this minute…this hour? God has a will for every moment of our life. Are you in God’s will right now as you read this? I dare say yes. You were meant to read this at this very moment. As we pray like Jesus taught us….Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. So, what will you do now? Will you let Jesus use your boat to do His will on Earth?
What is your boat called?
Victory Reading Program
Posted: Friday, June 11, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements, One Church. One Richmond. | Tags: Gilpen Court, missional, Richmond, RVA, STEP, Strategies to Elevate People, Tutoring, urban ministry, video Comments Off on Victory Reading Program
Check out the new STEP video. STEP is a ministry that I work with that serves Gilpen Court in downtown Richmond, VA. We recently celebrated the end of another year of the Victory Reading Program. We are so proud of the children and thankful for the parent participants and the volunteers. Check out what parents had to say.
We are looking for funding and volunteers to support our summer programs and would greatly appreciate your help! See below for more information.
Thanks sooo much for watching, listening, reading and considering!
OH.HAPPY.DAY.
Posted: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: Aaron Ivey, Faith, Hold My Mule, Matthew 6:33, missional, Oh Happy Day, pastor's wife, retreat, seek ye first the kingdom, Shirley Caesar, urban ministry, Verge 2010 3 CommentsDo you ever have some days that are just better than others? I guess we all do! When Louis and I were in Austin for Verge 2010 we learned this song by the Aaron Ivey Band…Oh Happy Day! It’s not the Oh Happy Day that we have all heard before…but a new and different one.
Celebrate! Jesus is alive!
The quality of the video isn’t the best…but take a listen….You will get the drift of it! While in Austin, we found ourselves jumpin’ up and down just like these kids were!
This is how I feel today! So, you are probably wondering why. I’m not quite sure, but I am going to process it here for a minute. I was just sittin’ here taking a break from work for a moment…looking out the window of my office and was filled with this sense of peace and joy.
My View from the Office
My New Birdbath..and the Birds enjoying their feed!
Louis and I had scheduled our 2nd retreat for yesterday evening, which didn’t turn out quite like we thought it would, for we had planned to go back to Richmond Hill. But our friend, Marc came by for a visit, which turned out to be a wonderful gift from the Lord! As we sat and talked for hours, the Lord revealed much to us. Later, Louis and I decided to review our list of questions from our previous retreat (which can be found in Enjoy the Journey), and we had received answers or confirmations to many of our questions.
In a nutshell….our answers were centered around the verse…Matthew 6:33:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.So…today, as I reflect on yesterday’s conversation, I look out the window and see how the birds are provided food and water. Sometimes the Lord uses nature to feed those birds…where the birds have to work and work hard for their keep. Other times…there are people like me who provide it through a feeder and a birdbath…making it really easy for them. Regardless, the birds…they get some food and water.
So, with Louis going half-time and my job coming to an end some time this year, questions come up like…how are we going to make money and pay the bills? Sometimes there is a slight panic (or not so slight panic!) that Louis needs to hurry up and find something to earn additional money. But, we have been sensing… “not yet”. Then, yesterday…the answer became clear! Seek ye first the kingdom! We need to do what the Lord has called us to do to seek the kingdom…not seek money or jobs…but the kingdom. Then Lord will provide when the time comes. We need to keep our priorities straight.
This thought then led me to when God provided manna from heaven for His people when they wandered in the desert. As Louis and I had our retreat in our own home, we listed the times just recently that our Lord provided for us in many ways….in surprising ways…to meet our needs….our “manna from heaven”.
Some folks like to say that the Bible isn’t relevant today…or that miracles don’t happen in modern times. But I am here to encourage you….THEY DO! We just have to be open to seeing them!
Marc, Louis and I were talking just yesterday….that our journey of faith holds many levels. First…we READ stories of faith and provision in the Bible…stories of those who have gone before us. Then, we HEAR the stories of our friends and families who tell of their faith journeys. Then…the sweet spot…the best…..is when you have your own stories to TELL!
If that isn’t worth shouting about…I don’t know what it! As Shirley Caesar and Marc taught me…”Hold my mule. I’m gonna shout right now!…That’s how I feel right now!…I feel like praisin’ Him!”
My Sabbath
Posted: Sunday, April 11, 2010 Filed under: 2k8, Frank, Louis and Me! | Tags: Bible, Commonwealth Chapel, Lost Sheep, missional, missional church, pastor's wife, Richmond, Sabbath, Southern Barton Heights, Sunday Morning, urban ministry, worship Comments Off on My SabbathFor the last few months, I have been attending my church and Louis’ church. This morning was my first Sunday off from church since Lent started. It really got me thinking about the meaning of taking a Sabbath. Although I am so glad I went to church with Louis each Sunday, I learned that I missed my Sunday Sabbath tremendously.
When Louis and I first started dating, I did not start attending his church. As we got more serious, we also talked about what would happen once we got engaged and got married. The last thing I would want to do is offend him or his congregation. I was (and am) heavily involved in my church, Commonwealth Chapel. In addition, they have a Saturday night service. Since this service started, I quickly drew fond of the time and it became my regular worship time. It was the beginning of my Sabbath. My Sunday mornings became a precious time between me and the Lord.
After much discussion and prayer, Louis and I decided that I would continue to take Sunday’s off of traditional church. I know many of you might judge me saying…”You don’t go to church with your husband?” and “You’re a pastor’s wife?” “Bad wife!” That’s ok…judge away! :o) But, my Sunday mornings were a form of worship, not just in the way most people would look at it. I am so grateful for our church family at Louis’ church for understanding!! And, we get to see each other about once a month when I attend there and we often do visitation together.
Knowing that I am home on Sunday mornings, Everett (the Gardna) started to visit with me as well. We would cook breakfast together, read the word and watch some Bobby Jones Gospel together on TV. We had “church” together just about every Sunday morning. (I am NOT advocating doing this as the only form of worship for any length of time. Yes…you CAN meet with the Lord any time…day, night, weekend, but there is nothing that replaces the fellowship of gathering together for worship!) Everett would eventually fall asleep on the couch, and the Lord and I continued on together. Sunday’s totally rocked! A true day of rest. In retrospect, it reminds me of the parable of the Lost Sheep. The shepherd left the other 99 to go after the 1. I was going after my 1….Everett. Then, my Sunday’s changed.
After Frank progressed out of ICU, Frank and I mainly spent Sunday mornings together. This allowed Vicky a morning off and Geraldine could worship at her church. Thankfully, Commonwealth Chapel has Saturday evening services. But, even if they didn’t…I wouldn’t have changed these moments with Frank for anything! It was just the 2 of us…no distractions. The first morning I went, Frank said something like it’s Sunday, are we doin’ church or what? So, each Sunday morning, Frank and I would spend time reading the Bible and discussing what it meant. Sometimes he would ask me to help him bathe, clean the blood out from under his nails, assist him in going to the bathroom….all kinds of personal stuff.
For some reason, he would rather me assist him than his nurse. Although it was awkward for me at first and I would resist big-time, the Lord would hear NONE of my excuses (and neither would Frank for, that matter), and I was reminded of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. I learned to perform these tasks with joy and love, and it became an intimate and bonding time for us. I learned what the Lord was modeling that day….service.
We talked about all kinds of things…getting real. Our pasts. Our lives. Our hopes. Our dreams. It wasn’t long before Frank was asking me about what was going on with Louis and me. I often wonder if he just wanted to get the subject and focus off of him and onto someone or something else. So, he too could see that Louis and I were “meant to be”. He also came up with my nickname…”Angel”, short for Guardian Angel. Through our talks and his conversations with others, Frank began to learn what God had done for him….how much God loved him and had a plan for his life.
As much as Frank understood and had truly accepted what the Lord had done for him, we talked about how life outside of the hospital would not be easy. When Frank finally got out, the pull of the street and his past and the realities and struggles of living a righteous life was strong. I have heard time and time again, that if you want to make a change…then you have to change your people, places and things. If you don’t…it is nearly impossible.
Well, we would learn what would happen when Frank didn’t change his people, places and things…
Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!
Posted: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, One Church. One Richmond. | Tags: church, missional, missionary, Rev Ben Campbell, Rev Dr Anthony Hunt, Rev Dr Roger Gench, Richmond, Theology on the Ground, Union Theological Seminary, Urban, urban ministry Comments Off on Theology on the Ground Reminder – TONIGHT!
REMINDER….this is tonight! Hope to see you there!
Urban Ministry Forum
“Theology on the Ground”
Wednesday, April 7th from 7-9pm
Union Theological Seminary
You will hear from urban ministers, whose work in Baltimore, DC, and Richmond are truly rooted in building community, empowering the marginalized, and helping people at their point of need.
- Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will be discussing how he’s been creating ’shalom’ zones in some very poor parts of Baltimore;
- Rev. Dr. Roger Gench will be discussing what it’s like to be an urban parish minister and how collective action among churches can accomplish change; and
- Richmond Hill’s Rev. Ben Campbell will describe how spirituality and prayer create ecumenical bonds which then forms concrete social action to help transform this great city.
Union understands that effective ministry means opening one’s doors, offering radical hospitality, and creating relationships to develop the ‘beloved community.’
See the attached flyer for more details>Theology on the Ground and refer to their website Union Theological Seminary.
Enjoy The Journey
Posted: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: Chartres Cathedral, labyrinth, missional, pastor's wife, pilgrimage, Richmond, Richmond Hill, The Jerusalem Mile 2 Comments
The Jerusalem Mile
Part 2 of our retreat…following The Call to Action.
Based on the pamphlet provided by the Richmond Hill Community, “The Jerusalem Mile was the name given to some labyrinths used for mediation and built in the Middle Ages. The concept was the pilgrims who could not make the journey to Jerusalem during their lifetime could pray and reach Jerusalem in the spirit by walking this labyrinthine path.”
“Richmond Hill’s installation of a copy of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral, itself a center for pilgrimages, is called the Jerusalem Mile in honor of this tradition. This example of the widest accepted prayer labyrinth in the Church has eleven circuits, which are spread through four quadrants, and is symbolic of Christ’s cross. Grace is symbolized by the never-ending path to the center and back, allowing the pilgrim to walk the path at his or her own pace and to stop for prayer and meditation as needed.”
While walking The Jerusalem Mile on our retreat, I heard from the Lord…confirming a message that I had received from a friend following the Maundy Thursday service the night before. She had told me to “enjoy the journey”. The Lord confirmed that the next day…while walking the path. I found myself weaving my way through the labyrinth…not knowing where exactly I was heading, when or how I was going to get there. The path twisted and turned.
I found myself singing an old school hymn as I walked, meditated and prayed.
Thank you, Lord for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord for making me whole. Thank you, Lord for giving to me…. Thy great salvation so rich and free!
It was like the Lord guided me…telling me when to turn and which way to turn. He spoke to me that day that He will guide us in our decisions…telling us when to go and when to stop, when to turn right and when to go left. Until…we reach the center…the sweet spot…the destination…the center of God’s Will.
So…add this to the theme of The Call to Action I wrote about yesterday…and I was asking myself…what do you get?…what does this all mean?
I am thankful for a clarifying conversation we had with Ben Campbell, from Richmond Hill. Action doesn’t necessarily mean that we will know what the center holds….or when we will arrive there…or how we will get there. But, action DOES mean, to move…even if it is one small step at a time….in faith at the urging and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
So, Louis and I didn’t get answers to all the questions we came with. But, this was the only answer we truly needed at this time. Following our morning together and our time with Ben at lunch, we spent a little time in silence, read a chapter of Crazy Love – Profile of the Obsessed – which again confirmed all that we had heard from the Lord. We then made a list of specific questions we need answers to. Answers that will come in time as we pray and spend time with Him on future retreats.
- Since Louis went part-time last week, should he get another job immediately? Or does God have other plans for him?
- When should Louis act on a message that the Lord gave him years ago? Is it now?
- Our Missional Community…what should we be doing now? What should we be studying and how should we be serving?
- Since my job comes to an end sometime this year, what is next for me? What, if anything specific, should I be doing to prepare?
- Is there a local church in SBH that we could serve with? What are our roles in facilitating cooperation between the local churches to serve SBH?
- As we prepare to attend Exponential Conference in 2 weeks, what does He want us to hear? Who does he want us to meet? Why are we going to be there?
- While we vacation following the conference, is there anything we should specifically plan for? How should we specifically seek God during this down time?
- What is our next step as a couple? as individuals?
- What should our daily Bible reading and study be focused on as a couple and individually?
- Who should we intentionally seek to be in relationship with?
- How should we be spending our time? What should we Start, Stop, Continue?
- How often should we intentionally retreat? When is our next one? (By the way, we scheduled it for May 3rd.)
Enjoying the journey
and
embracing
the
call to ACTION
in our wonderful City…
Richmond, Virginia
A Call to Action
Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: Bible, Call to Action, Commonwealth Chapel, Embrace Richmond, Enoch, Feet of Jesus, Good Friday, John 13, John 5, Jude, Lent, Luke 22, Matthew 25, Maundy Thursday, missional, pastor's wife, Richmond, Richmond Hill, urban ministry Comments Off on A Call to ActionThere seems to be a theme. This is a summary of what the Lord has been speaking to me at the end of Lent…
FIRST >
Thursday night…Maundy Thursday…Joe Torrence from Embrace Richmond spoke at Commonwealth Chapel on the scriptures around Luke 22 specifically ~ Do this in Remembrance of Me.” What are we suppose to remember? Remembering requires ACTION! Then, He washes their nasty, gnarly, yucky, dirty, stinky feet! Even to the point of washing the feet of the guy who He knows is going to betray him. He models for us what to do…and how to serve. So the question is…WHO are you going to serve and how? John 5 speaks directly to this…v.20 – For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. So, we are to do what Jesus has done…which is what the Father has done….think about the adulterous woman, the lepers, the Samaritan woman, the prostitutes, the thieves, etc.
So, how do we respond to that? In John 13:34-35 Jesus states that our new mandate/commandment to love one another as HE has loved us. So that all will know we are HIS disciples.
A Call to ACTION…Love
So…I’m thinking…who do I love on and why? What is my motive? What am I remembering? Do people know that I am HIS disciple?
SECOND >
Louis and I started our retreat day Friday…rushing around trying to be “on-time” for our retreat. Although we decided that we’d aim to be at Richmond Hill @ 9am, it didn’t take long for us to chill. It wasn’t an appointment we were late for…it was a Sabbath Day….a getaway. So, we slowed down and took our time. The Lord obviously was still going to be there if we were an hour later than what we had planned, right?
At the corner of Broad and 18th there is a Mickey D’s where we stopped for a breakfast sandwich. You wonder WHY things happen like they do. Why we run late….and why the line was long. And why Louis just ran inside instead of waiting in the drive-thru line. On his way out, a 54 year old veteran man (who looked about 70) asked Louis for some money to get something to eat. Most of us are like…yeah right…..and look the other way and ignore the person. Roll the window up. Pretend like we don’t see or hear him. Whatever. But, on this day….this Good Friday…we took the time. Louis explained that we don’t give money out, but we’d be happy to buy him something to eat. Louis and Jerry Lewis (or wonder if it was Louis?) Martin (yes…that is his real name) were able to chat a few minutes.
So, our day started with me thinking about…Matthew 25:31-46…the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats…specifically when Jesus says…
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
A Call to ACTION…provide food and drink, invite the strangers in, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit the prisoners.
THIRD > (but not the last, I am sure!)
Then, we found ourselves sitting in the Garden of Richmond Hill.
Our Morning Corner of Richmond Hill
We started our day with reading Jude. Specifically, vs. 17-23 – A Call to Persevere.
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Call to ACTION…Persevere
Jude - The Call to Persevere
Jude also refers to Enoch in v. 14. There’s not a lot in the Bible on Enoch, but I sure do like the sound of him. Genesis 5 reviews the long lineage of Enoch. The only other scripture I can find other than is lineage is in what is known as the Hall of Faith – Hebrews 11.
5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Now imagine that…the only thing you were known for…the only thing that truly ever mattered was “he was commended as one who pleased God.” It really puts it all in perspective.
Call to ACTION…Please God.
It begs answers to the following questions…
Can this be said of me? What in my life is pleasing to God? What am I willing to do to please God? Am I ready to go ALL out? Am I ready to accept the Call to Action?
These are the feet of Jesus…belonging to a pastor and his wife…willing to serve…willing (and WANTING) to please God.
Where shall You send thee?
STEP = Strategies to Elevate People
Posted: Saturday, March 27, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, Community Announcements | Tags: church, missional, missional church, Richmond, STEP Richmond, Strategies to Elevate People, Urban, urban ministry Comments Off on STEP = Strategies to Elevate PeopleIn January of this year, I was nominated for and accepted a board member position with a non-profit ministry serving Richmond’s inner city called STEP (Strategies to Elevate People). If you are interested in learning more about, serving with or giving to this deserving organization, check out their newsletter by click this link > STEP March Newsletter.
Here’s a little more info about STEP….
Mission Statement
Develop strategies to meet the needs of the urban poor in Richmond.
Vision Statement
Defeat poverty in the lives of our urban neighbors.
Our Goals:
Build vital relationships through effective Christian community and
Mobilize resources of the church to serve the poor in the City and
Empower organizations and ministries seeking to reach our urban neighbors in order to
Minister to the urban poor by sharing the love and hope of Christ
Our Core Values:
The Church
We serve as an arm of the Church, upholding its role in ministering to the needs of the poor (Eph. 4:11-12)
People
We believe that every person has a valued place in the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-15, Ps. 8:4)
Relationship
We are called to be in community with other believers to support God’s Kingdom work (Heb. 10:24-25)
Education
We enable others to be educated in order to produce opportunities and enable them to more effectively steward the gifts with which they have been entrusted (Prov. 23:12 & 24:3-4)
The Work
We enable others to work so that they can in turn give to others (Titus 6:17-19)
Thanks for reading and considering.
Miss Marti's House 