Where Comes Contentment?

This came up during my daily Bible reading recently. We have the privilege of inviting lots of volunteers, in-kind donors, and financial supporters into ministry. And we have the privilege of knowing, loving and serving our clients. In some sense, we get to go between these two radically different worlds.

Our clients often are unhappy with their current circumstances when they are able to be vulnerable and real. But frequently they possess something we wish we could somehow transfer to our volunteers and donors. Our clients are often happy with what they have in terms of material possessions and wealth. Our clients are often aware of the great treasure they have around them: their street family and friends.

1 Timothy 3:6-10 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

6 An elder must not be a new believer. It might make him too proud of himself. Then he would be condemned for his pride the same as the devil was. 7 An elder must also have the respect of people who are not part of the church. Then he will not be criticized by others and be caught in the devil’s trap.

Special Servants

8 In the same way, the men who are chosen to be special servants must have the respect of others. They must not be men who say things they don’t mean or who spend their time drinking too much. They must not be men who will do almost anything for money. 9 They must follow the true faith that God has now made known to us and always do what they know is right. 10 You should test them first. Then, if you find that they have done nothing wrong, they can be special servants.

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3%3A6-10&version=ERV

You may see us asking for help frequently in our ministry. It is not because we are desperate. It is because we never tire of inviting people into ministry with us. We want to share the great blessing and joy which is to serve our clients. We believe our clients will become a great blessing to you!

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

17 Give this command to those who are rich with the things of this world. Tell them not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not their money. Money cannot be trusted, but God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy. 18 Tell those who are rich to do good—to be rich in good works. And tell them they should be happy to give and ready to share. 19 By doing this, they will be saving up a treasure for themselves. And that treasure will be a strong foundation on which their future life will be built. They will be able to have the life that is true life.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6%3A17-19&version=ERV 

It is a great privilege to know, love and serve out clients. 

A street youth in Guatemala

I recently went on a vacation. I've always taken vacations, but this was was important not only for my health but also for the health of the ministry. By going away, I allow lay leaders to step up and exercise their own leadership of our events. This time, we managed to execute half our events without my presence. Next time it will be closer to 100%! While away, here is a true story of what happened to me on the first day of vacation!

 

I arrived in Antiqua late in the evening. I was delivered right to my little hotel. It was not amazing but it would certainly do. I was, however, hungry. So I went outside in search of food. I didn't have any local currency yet but had a handful of small US bills. I found the equivalent of KFC, called Pollo Comapanero! "The flavor has arrived!" was the slogan. It was a Sunday night, and there were lots and lots of local youth in the very large eating area. They were youth groups from some of the churches. You could tell the sponsors from the kids. They were having a good time. I watched all this until my smoking-hot chicken arrived. It was very tasty in deed!

 

When I left, it was about 11:00 at night. I exited into what would have been the market area during the day. There was a taxi stand nearby and a few merchants still putting away their wares for the night. I crossed the street to a big median, with plants and benches. Up came someone who said, "Hello, friend!" They actually address an unknown person as "Hola, amigo" so that wasn't so strange.

 

The person was a young man. His English was perfect. He staggered a bit so I knew he had been drinking. He came too close, so I knew he was drunk. I could smell that too-sweet alcohol smell that comes from frequent drinking.

 

"What's your name?" he asked. I told him. "Where do you come from?" I responded. He was too touchy and too close for my comfort, but I gaged that he wasn't a harm... just too friendly. I asked him how he learned such wonderful English. "I am a tour guide at the volcano," he said. (The same volcano that exploded 3 days later, BTW.) "How do you like to have fun?" he asked. I answered that I was simply on vacation.

 

He awkwardly found a way to ask me if I wanted to do drugs together. I declined. Then he sheepishly asked me if I wanted to have sex, saying, "I've never been with a man before, but I will if you pay me." I pointed to my ring and said, "Married. No thanks." I asked him, "Do you have a house to live in?" He said, "No. I sleep in the park." To change the subject, he asked, "What do you do in Texas?"

 

I told him. His reaction was stark and immediate. As if someone had cut the strings to a puppet, he collapsed to the ground. He sat there and looked up at me. "You're a pastor?" "Sort of," I replied. Then he said, with great pain, "I need a 'papa' to kick me in the [butt] for all the bad things I've done."

 

I stared at him for a moment, and said a silent prayer. Then I asked God, "Really? On my vacation? Is this how it's going to be?"  And then I decided.

 

I sat down with the young man. I asked him how old he was. 28. I asked him if he believed in God. Yes. I asked him if he knew Jesus. I don't think so. I explained the Gospel to him. I listened as he confessed many things he has done. I listened to his confusion and agony over why life would be so meaningless to him and so hard for him. I consoled him that this was a normal and even good question, provided he will look into the Bible for an answer. He doubted it would help, but promised to try. I prayed with him for wisdom and revelation and to come to know Jesus personally. I asked him to try to understand that wisdom doesn't come in a bottle, in a pipe, or a needle. It comes from getting to know the one who made you, who knows you all the way, who loves you because of and in spite of who you are. And when he understands that, he will know peace. Life might not be easier, but he will know peace. He said he surely hopes so. And with that, I left him.

 

I pray he was safe from the volcano. I pray he does read the Bible again. I pray he does come to know his maker personally. And I pray he knows the peace beyond understanding.

 

"To know, love and serve street dependent youth."
Who We Serve   What We Do   Get Involved  Support Us   News  Publications  Ministry Needs   Speaking   Service Projects   Sign-up

 

 

 

Venting to God

I met one of my dear friends on the street this week. "Joe" has remarkably changed his life the last three week. Joe has become sober from multiple substances that he was abusing. He has gotten a job. He has moved into a stable housing situation. He has begun attending sober meetings and working the 12 steps. Everything Joe told me was great, but it suddenly, but as I listened to him I realized that his words were saying one thing and his voice was saying another.

I interrupted Joe, "Can I stop you and just ask you a question?" He said, "Sure. Anything." I continued, "You are telling me all these wonderful things, but your voice sounds frustrated and stressed. What is up?"

Joe looked at me for a while and then began venting. He was frustrated because the stable living situation that he could find was a boarding house that is also a sober house. "They expect me to do 20 hours of community service every week. They expect me to give them 48 hours notice if I'm going to be out after 9. I can't do that stuff. If I'm not working, I'm at a meeting or with my sponsor working the steps. They just don't understand!" His voice got more and more angry. I let him vent.

Joe suddenly stopped, looked conflicted, and said, "I know I need to be grateful. I should be grateful. Really I am grateful, but I didn't sign up for this sober house. I thought I was just getting into a boarding house. I feel like just taking my next check and running away and saying 'Screw this!'

"I'm sorry. I need to be grateful. I'm sorry."

I thought about what to say and what to do next. I asked, "Do you have a Bible? Are you reading scripture through all of this?" He said, "Yes and no. I'm reading the Bible but I don't have one of my own. I'm using my sponsor's." I knew this was something that I could fix, but I continued with more questions.

"What are you reading" I asked. Joe opened his diary and showed me passages that he had written down. Psalm 25. (To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me....) Matthew 4:1-11 (...Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.). Joe told me why he loved these passages and then added, "And I love reading Job."

I responded and asked him, "I love reading Psalms. Did you know that a lot of the Psalms start out with intense anger and frustration being directed at God! Some of the psalmists really let God have it: 'Why have you forsaken me? Where the heck are you? Why are you letting the bad guys beat me up like this? I hate this! And I'm pissed at you!' And then they end with things like: 'But... you are my God. I will trust in you even now. I will put myself into your care. I have no other hope, so I will count on you.'

"I am noticing that you are angry but that you feel like you have to be 'sweet' with God. I suggest that you approach God on your knees but with all your emotions intact. Let him know how hard it is. Let him know how betrayed you feel. Let him know how scared you are. Don't just share the grateful side of you with him--although it's wonderful that you can be humble and grateful. Dare to share your whole self with God.

"My favorite character from all the Bible is in Job. Elihu is his name. He's a young man your age. He sits and listens to Job. He sits and listens to the old men who are supposed to be wise. Job cries out from the pity pot of life. The three men offer him sharp rebuke in the disguise of friendship. When Elihu has heard them out, he tells them, 'I have waited because you are old. I have listened because you are supposed to be wise. But you have totally missed the point!' And then he tells them the truth. I love that! And I can't imagine how God must have smiled during his speech to Job and his three 'friends.'

"And while we're talking about Job. Remember that Job totally loses his temper and self control in the last chapters. He cries out, 'You have forsaken me... I want to see my God and my accuser and my judge right here... right now... right before me.' These are angry and frustrated words. And God listens... and God shows up. It's horrifying and humbling. Job immediately falls to his knees and says, 'I am nothing. You are everything. I'm sorry, and I was wrong. Forgive me.' God does. And God restores him fully... better than ever, in fact. But notice that Job didn't get there by being sweet or even by being grateful. He got there by being real with God. And I think it's OK... I think it's necessary... for you to be real with God, too."

We prayed together. Joe also needed to tell someone here on earth (a case worker) that he is frustrated with the current living solution. We practiced doing that until he could do it authentically but not hurtfully. When he was ready, Joe used my cell phone to call the human he was angry with to be real with him as well. It was frightening to Joe, but he did it.

We walked together back to my truck, and I gave him a Bible. I wrote these words in it and presented it to him in the parking lot:

"I believe in you. You are a beloved child of God. In you, He is well pleased. Be blessed by this Word and become a blessing to others. In love... Terry."

He read the words, looked at me, and said, "Thank you. This really means a lot." We hugged. And he went to his job and to his meetings and to the next hour of his new life.

May God bless Joe today and every day. May Joe grow in his authentic relationship with God. May we all grow in authentic relationship with God, so that we can fulfill God's purpose for us: enjoying God today and tomorrow and forever and becoming a blessing to all nations.