Smiling Barn

The car whirred past the barn. I just caught it out of the corner of my eye. I think it was smiling at me. I stopped the car. I really needed a smile. I turned around and went back and pulled the car to the shoulder. The barn was ready for the picture. Its eyebrows raised and mouth wide open.

I flipped back through my pictures of the week and came across it. It made me smile again. I assume the person who owns the land knows what a special barn he has. All day, every day it wishes travelers a good journey.

I needed a smile because I was so sad. I had sat all morning with a friend in divorce court. We had watched group after group approach the bench and tried not to look as the judge dissolved the unions. It was painful to behold — one the saddest rooms I could ever imagine.

I listened as hearts broke and bitterness boiled. There were tears of grief and smiles of relief. There were slouched shoulders and lifted eyes. Then it was my friend’s turn. It was excruciating. We left. We cried. Eventually, I had to head home. It was a long drive.

The rain hit the window sporadically. The clouds hung low and dark. It mirrored my face and my mood. I would wipe tears from my eyes like very slow windshield wipers. I just wanted to get home. I wanted the clouds to lift. I wanted the sun to shine. I wanted to wake up from this really bad nightmare, but I didn’t, it was real.

I meet with lots of couples getting married and too many couples getting divorced. There has got to be a way to help reduce the number of unhappy marriages, unfaithful spouses and unresolved conflicts.

I have seen marriages get near the end and then do a 180 degree turn. I’ve seen people get reconciled and go on to live happy, healthy and rewarding marriages. What makes the difference? Grace. I’ve never seen reconciliation happen outside the realm of grace and forgiveness. It takes two people working hard in the process. My heart drops when I hear that one spouse is willing to work, but the other is uncertain, uncommitted, or unwilling—at that moment, the outcome is already determined.

I keep thinking of that barn. It doesn’t have to sit with a sick friend or go to divorce court, but we do. We need each other so much because the real world is full of pain and sorrow.

Some days you get to smile and other days cry. Some days you get to be the barn, other days the guy with his head on the steering wheel and tears in his eyes.

Looking for the rays of the son,

Summit Sunday

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Today is Summit Sunday.

We have great worship planned featuring a message by Bill Hybels. It will be followed by the Lord’s Supper. Tonight, small groups will process the last of our Summit Sunday Nights.

We will watch three videos. One is from the Summit and the others are from our church.

Make sure you watch the one about Hope Springs Water. Ted and Steve  met with Brookshires on Thursday April 29, and it appears that the water will be on the shelves soon!

READ

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again.

14 Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”

Jn 4:13-14

REFLECT

Discuss with your small group:

Interview with Jessica Jackley.

1.  How do you respond to: “people in need, need something from you”?

2.  What does “holy discontent” mean for your life?

3.  How do you respond to Jessica’s suggestion that “people want to do good”?

4.  How does the term “co-creation” apply to your group?  The church?

5.  How can we break the cycle of cynicism regarding doing good?

6.  How could your leadership pathway (talk 1) coincide with your passion and vision for doing good?

New

Saturday, May 1, 2010

READ

2 Corinthians 5:17 TNIV

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

REFLECT

God wants to do new things. He wants to do new things with you, and with me. It is part of the incredible joy of life to participate with God in creating new.

On Sunday we are going to hear about three new things God is doing. One, the story of Jessica Jacklie and KIVA. Then Hope Springs Water and Micro-finance in Ethiopia. God is up to something. I wonder what new thing God wants to do in all of us.

Saturday morning is Beautiful Day. 8:00 AM at the ROC. We are going to make a push for good. We need everyone. Sunday will be Summit Sunday. We have 69 people signed-up from our church. Our minimum goal is 100.

PRAY

Blessed are You, O Lord, who has nourished me from my youth up, who gives food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness. that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom to You be glory, honor, might, majesty, and dominion, forever and ever. AMEN.

- The Clementine Liturgy