Glimpses of God's Sovereignty

With God's ordained hand on all the functions of this universe, it is humbling when He allows you to be in tune with His sovereign hand in the microcosm of your own life.  The past couple of days have proven to be such an experience for me.

My job allows me to spend much time in the community meeting other leaders who are interested in seeing our city flourish.  In the Southside community, there is a coalition that is forming of like-minded folks who want to work together to see the neighborhood thrive.  One of those coalition members is a group called "Anthony's Plot," a missional community invested in Southside.  While I have met with folks from Anthony's Plot for months, I haven't had the opportunity to visit their home until Thursday when they hosted a meeting about creating activities for Southside children and youth during the summer months.  Being a gracious host, Russ showed me around the house mentioning that there were four people currently living in the house and that they kept one bedroom open for neighbors who found themselves without a place to spend the night.  I was briefly humbled by this notion and then quickly consumed with the meeting agenda and then quickly consumed with life beyond the meeting.

The following day was busy with meetings and to-do lists and incoming interns, etc.  The craziness was set to continue into the night with our weekly Friday night softball game.  With a heavy 5:30 pm rain storm, our 6:30 pm game was cancelled.  Ron and I found ourselves with a free night - a great treasure for us.  Ron suggested we go to Macaroni Grill, one of my favorite restaurants.  I was excited to have a leisurely dinner with him and our good friends, the Mocks. 

After dinner Ron glanced behind the restaurant and saw Barnes and Nobles.  Being a book and magazine lover, he suggested we go and peruse the inventory.  On the way to the store I noticed that my friend Rachel B. had called me.  I thought it a little strange as we didn't have plans to hang out and there was really no reason for her to call me.  I called her back before walking in the store, but it went straight to her voicemail.  Leaving a message, I assumed she'd call me back if it was urgent.  We walked into Barnes and Nobles ready to spend some time getting lost in reading when the first person we see is Rachel B.  How ironic! 

When we saw Rachel she was on the phone with another friend of ours and had a woman to her side.  She quickly hung up the phone and introduced us to Shamia (not her real name).  Shamia had approached Rachel in the parking lot asking her if she knew of any churches in the area.  She explained that she did not have anywhere to go tonight.  Her mother in prison, her dad absent, her grandmother who raised her dead, her cousin who was allowing her to stay with her kicking her out, at the age of 21 she found herself homeless.  She had spent several days at The Bethesda Center for Homeless.  Leaving the shelter with a guy who promised to let her live with him and being kicked out of that house because of an angry ex-girlfriend, Shamia found herself with no options.  She couldn't return to The Bethesda Center.  The Salvation Army was full.  She was literally homeless with no place to lay her head that night.

Going into community ministry mode I quickly got on the phone and started making some phone calls.  I called some friends who are intimately connected with the Salvation Army; no answer.  I called The Bethesda Center; an impatient woman confirmed that if Shamia had been asked to leave for 30 days it was because she did not follow protocol and there were no exceptions.  I called The Salvation Army shelter and they confirmed that they were out of beds.  Our options were dwindling and I could tell Shamia was rightly anxious about where she would spend the night.  Suddenly I remembered my tour of Anthony's Plot and Russ's words of setting aside a room for neighbors who have nowhere to spend the night.  I didn't have Russ's number, so I texted another friend who gave it to me.  I called Russ and explained the situation to him.  He got information from Shamia and made several phone calls.  Finally he said he and the rest of his house mates want to come meet with Shamia.  They wanted to share how their house functions and see if she would feel comfortable staying with them.  I think Shamia, Rachel, and I were all in shock.  Could people really be so gracious? 

While waiting for Russ and co. to meet us, Rachel and I had a great time with Shamia.  Rachel told us about the no-tardy dance party at her school that day and how she was learning all these new dances.  Shamia quickly got on my phone and looked up the videos to the songs letting us see the "professionals" bust their moves.  I think our favorite was the "cat daddy."  The basic move imitated rolling yourself in a wheelchair.  You think I'm kidding?  Look it up.  We laughed and laughed about this dance.  Shamia was hungry so we went and got some Chick-fil-a.  By the time she ate and we looked up some more dance videos, the folks from Anthony's Plot arrived.  Rachel and I excused ourselves, and they talked to Shamia.  I didn't hear much of the conversation, but I know they were explaining how their house functions and asked her if she had any questions.  Her one question was if they were safe.  Great question for a single 21 year old woman anticipating the prospect of spending the night with four strangers.  They assured her that they were safe.

The Anthony's Plot folks went off to talk amongst themselves and so Rachel and I joined Shamia.  I could see the relief on her face.  The Anthony's Plot people were gentle and kind and warm; that was obvious.  It was looking like she would be able to stay with them at least for a night.  They came back and offered her an initial week at their house.  They explained that they have a flow to their house and that they would want her to enter that flow.  They started their day with prayer, they ate meals together, they served together, they had different tasks around the house; she was no exception to this flow if she moved in.  With several questions and a gentle hesitant smile, she agreed.  One of the AP guys asked if she was hungry.  When she said yes, he replied by saying, "you will go to bed full tonight."  They said they wanted to not only take care of the obvious physical needs she had, but also help her get connected to organizations and ministries that will help her get on her feet.  They wanted to see her thrive and, for as long as she was part of their house, use her gifts to bless the house and neighborhood.  As the AP folks prepared to leave, I said to Shamia, "Remember that these are Christians, this is the Church, who is caring for you.  These are people who love Jesus."

Both Rachel and I were teary eyed.  So many thoughts and scripture passages flooded my mind as I reviewed the night.  I had to acknowledge my internal wrestling of mistrust and of selfishness versus a deep compassion for Shamia and recognition that God had hand led us to her.  I thought of Matthew 25 where Jesus equated feeding the hungry with doing it unto Him.  I thought of Isaiah 58 where God described genuine religion as one who provides the poor wanderer with shelter and is the rebuilder of broken walls.  I thought of the the Good Samaritan.  But most of all I thought of Jesus who had been compassionate unto death for the sake of a poor hopeless sinner like me.

Morgan and I drove Shamia to retrieve her bags that she had stored at the bus station and a stranger's house.  While she was getting one of her bags, Morgan explained to me that they had been praying for God to bring someone just like Shamia to them.  They so badly wanted to take in neighbors who had no where to go and help them get back on their feet.  Shamia jumped back in the car and we headed to Anthony's Plot.  We arrived and Shamia walked right on in.  She had her own room.  She had people around her who were going to share life with her.  She had a smile on her face.  With a hug and a commitment to keep up with each other, I walked downstairs and prepared to leave.  Russ was on the front porch swinging on their porch swing.  I thanked him for his gracious hospitality.  I told him he and his companions looked a lot like Jesus.  And I left.

What a night and what a gracious God I serve!  Pray for Shamia and for Anthony's Plot.  And pray that God's Kingdom would come in Winston-Salem as it is in heaven.

A Heart for the Poor

I am grateful that God fashions our heart with specific passions.  As Christians, we should all have a general care and concerns for that which God cares and is concerned about.  But it does seem that some people are specifically passionate about one area or another, be it sharing the verbal message of the gospel, discipling the maturing Believer, reaching the nations, the in depth study of God, etc.  For me, I cannot deny that God has fashioned my heart with a specific passion for the poor. 

My heart preceded my theology.  For years I knew my heart bent towards the poor and oppressed, but couldn't really lay out from Scripture why this was important.  God has graciously made that clear throughout the last several years.  

This morning I was reading The Gospel Primer, by Milton Vincent.  This book was a gift from my sweet sister, Rachel, whose friendship continually points me to Jesus.  As I read through various parts of the book, I came across a section entitled, "A Heart for the Poor."  This section was a beautiful encapsulation of the theology of my heart for the poor.

Vincent says:

"Like nothing else could ever do, the gospel instills in me a heart for the downcast, the poverty-stricken, and those in need of physical mercies, especially when such persons are of the household of faith.

When I see persons who are materially poor, I instantly feel a kinship with them, for they are physically what I was spiritually when my heart was closed to Christ.  perhaps some of them are in their condition because of sin, but so was I.  Perhaps they are unkind when I try to help them; but I, too, have been spiteful to God when He has sought to help me.  Perhaps they are thankless and even abuse the kindness I show them, but how many times have I been thankless and used what God has given me to serve selfish ends?

Perhaps a poverty-stricken person will be blessed and changed as a result of some kindness I show him.  If so, God be praised for His grace through me.  but if the person walks away unchanged by my kindness, then I still rejoice over the opportunity to love as God loves.  Perhaps the person will repent with time; but for now, my heart is chastened and made wiser by the tangible depiction of what I myself have done to God on numerous occasions.

The gospel remind me daily of the spiritual poverty into which I was born and also of the staggering generosity of Christ towards me.  Such reminders instill in me both a felt connection to the poor and a desire to show them the same generosity that has been lavished on me.  When ministering to the poor with these motivations, I not only preach the gospel to them through word and deed, but I reenact the gospel to my own benefit as well."

I hope this encourages your heart!

The Royal Wedding

I was totally captivated by the royal wedding.  It was hard to not be captivated by the seemingly constant coverage of the engagement, preparation, and orchestration of the wedding.  My husband was unwillingly captivated, while I was ever so willingly swept away by the royal matrimony.    Maybe it was because of my British father who loved the monarchy.  Or perhaps it was my 7 years spent living in England frequently passing Buckingham Palace.  Or perhaps it was simply the fairytale story of a beautiful "commoner" meeting her prince charming and transforming into a royal princess.  Whatever the reason, I didn't think twice about waking up at 4 am to catch every minute of coverage.  What guests came to witness the wedding?  How many thousands of people would wait on the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal family and particularly the bride?  What would the royal family be wearing?  And perhaps most anticipated, what would Kate's dress look like?

The Royals had the schedule down to the minute.  With each new arrival, Westminster Abbey increasingly filled.  The closer to the wedding hour, the more prestigious the guests.  From celebrities to dignitaries to friends to family to all the monarchs and finally Kate and her proud father.  As the anticipation was realized, the world looked on at Catherine.

She was stunning!  She looked like a princess.  And in a matter of an hour she would go from Kate Middleton to Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.  Not before a hugely significant ceremony.

With all the pomp and circumstance of the royal family, it's easy to forget that the queen holds the title of "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England."  In theory, it is the monarchy that upholds the Church.  It's easy to question to legitimacy of the monarchy's role in the church.  It's easy to imagine them setting aside the pillars of a Christian marriage ceremony for sake of being politically correct and not offending their religiously diverse guests.  But as I watched the service, I was surprised by the stated picture of marriage being an image of Christ and His Church.  I was thrilled for how many times the name of Jesus was lifted up.  Of the billions of viewers, they heard the name of Christ and they heard from God's word.

Several notable parts of the service that are worth reading:   
 

THE HYMN  

Love divine, all loves excelling,

joy of heaven, to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling,

all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesu, thou art all compassion,

pure unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation,

enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,

let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return, and never,

never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

serve thee as thy hosts above,

pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,

glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,

pure and spotless let us be;

let us see thy great salvation,

perfectly restored in thee,

changed from glory into glory,

till in heaven we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before thee,

lost in wonder, love, and praise!

The reading from a significant portion of Romans 12.

The congregational prayer:
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, which art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done,

in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive them that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil. Amen.

O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid;

who put their trust in thee.

O Lord, send them help from thy holy place;

and evermore defend them.

Be unto them a tower of strength;

from the face of their enemy.

O Lord, hear our prayer;
and let our cry come unto thee.

Amen.Amen.Amen.Amen.

O God of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that

whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same; that

so, obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, they may abide in thy love

unto their lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O merciful Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; bestow, we

beseech thee, upon these two persons the heritage and gift of children; and grant that they may

see their children christianly and virtuously brought up to thy praise and honour, through Jesus

Christ our Lord.

O God, who hast taught us that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by

Matrimony hadst made one, and hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent

mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ

and his Church: look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife,

according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving

and cherishing it even as his own flesh), and also that this woman may be loving and amiable,

and faithful to her husband, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and

godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, pour upon you the riches of his grace,

sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy

love unto your lives’ end.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation,

to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate,

instituted of God himself, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his

Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle

that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee, and is commended in Holy Writ to be honourable among

all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or

wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes

for which Matrimony was ordained.

First, It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God, and that children

might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy name.

Secondly, It was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God,

should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are called of God to this holy estate,

should continue therein in pureness of living.

Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of

the other, both in prosperity and adversity.

Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

Just imagine, a fourth of the world heard the gospel through the covenant of marriage.  The Archbishop of Canterbury did not mince words: "Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh."  Prince William and Princess Catherine became the most visible picture of the gospel!

As I gazed enviably at the newly dubbed Princess Catherine I was struck by two thoughts.  First, I have my own prince whom I recently married.  Together we have the honor of displaying the picture of Christ and His bride to those around us.

                                                                     

Second, in Christ, I am part of a "chosen people, a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (I Peter 2:9)

At some point the picture will be reality.  "Hallelujah!  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has mader herself ready." Rev. 19: 6 - 7

 

Christ, have mercy upon us.