Lessons on evangelism learned while making coffee

I am writing this while on break at Starbucks… Yes, my iPhone enables me to do crazy things. Last night at High School Bible Study, we discussed the spiritual discipline of evangelism. We talked about how many times we have opportunities in the most familiar of places – school, work, etc- and how many times we don’t take them. I challenged each of the girls with a measurable goal for the week in terms of evangelism. Some said they would look for opportunities to talk about God and/or pray for people. We talked about how many of us struggled with judgemental attitudes that stopped us from evangelism and how many times we forget how much the people around us are hurting and that is why they act the way they do. So some us determined working on our snap judegments would be part of our challenge.

Well, within just a few short hours of the sun being up, those opportunities we discussed came strolling in he front door and up to the counter to assertively order their coffee. I had spent the early morning talking with one of my coworkers about her daughters struggling with her faith and encouraging her. Then a woman, whom I learned is named Jean, started complaining almost as soon she got to the counter. She was upset one of he usual baristas wasn’t working and made a comment referencing the fact that her drink may be so using for “new people” – she was referencing me. I politely informed I was nowhere near new- 6+ years to be exact. She mumbled something to the other bariata at the counter about “me not likin her already”. I realized in that moment my tone must have offended her – oh great, I already have to backpedal and it’s not even 9am. My stupid pride.

I apologized and she proceeded to sit at the bar near me to wait for the next Barista. She struck up conversation with me. Where I came from, why I moved, and so on. I told her I grew up and went to college in South Florida. She asked what I studied in… “great, I was rude and now I have to explain I got a degree in Ministry,” I thought. I explained an almost immediately she blurted out, “can you pray for me?”. My heart smiled and I immediately assured her, “of course, I would be happy to!”. She continued to explain that she had lost her husband to sickness only 5 weeks prior. She talked about how she needed stronger faith and how she would appreciate the prayer.

During that time another set of customers walked in and ordered their “usual”. I heard one of the women murmur to the other that she didn’t want to go to the other end of the counter because the woman, Jean, was usually very mean. It registered with me that this new customer had no idea the pain Jean was in and why she may have been rude lately. I thought they would avoid each other but the new customers went to join in the conversation with Jean. In just a moment they were discussing their similar grief and mourning.

I realized in just a matter of a half hour how often God opens opportunities to share the Gospel and encourage other believers, who may even be strangers. I saw the kindness of a woman who decided to move past her judgments and invest in a stranger. I realized just how far I have to go in evangelizing. Praise God for low pay and coffee!

I’m back…

It’s been a while… I guess I think that sharing my thoughts on here have to be long and drawn out to be worth it – I think I had the wrong idea. I felt like a hypocrite this past Sunday night when I explained to the girls in the small group I help lead that journaling and/or writing your experiences somewhere is helpful to the soul. I explained I hate journaling – my hand moves ten times slower than the thoughts in my head – so I can never get down what I am actually thinking. Now, while I won’t be sharing my deepest and darkest secrets with the world through a blog I can at least share some.

Right now, I feel like I am standing on a precipice. Wait, let me give a little back story… I have never done well with change – it makes me nervous and makes my thoughts race. For someone who needs to be prepared for all things, change can be unnerving. I moved to Orlando to try to begin to move past my uneasiness with change. I forced myself into something new, knowing that dealing with the changes would be good for me.

Well, I just started to get used to things and many things have changes again – hence the precipice. I have a job offer (which, duh, I am taking) to work with S.L.U. – Student Leadership University (www.studentleadership.net – check ‘em out). SLU is a Christian organization that teaches leadership skills and invaluable knowledge and wisdom to thousands of students across the country. They take them all over the world to do it too – Orlando, Washington D.C., Europe and Jerusalem! Not only do they impact students directly but also hold wonderful training opportunities for Youth Pastors across the country – Youth Pastors Institute and Youth Pastors Summit. It’s my dream job!!! I feel like God has built me to do this job – administration, relational skills, servant leadership and working with students! Needless to say, I am ecstatic.

Here’s the thing…. my start date keeps getting moved back (budget stuff) Early Fall, Middle of October and now the beginning of November. Have you ever felt like you knew what was coming next and you were just waiting to be allowed to start? Don’t get me wrong, starting later doesn’t make me want the job any less – it just makes me a bit more antsy.

Alright, so the job front has changed and we also just launched our first service for The Ascent (www.theascent.com). It was wonderful! On this past Saturday night, I watched a community of believers act like the community Jesus intended for His Church. I was touched and blessed to have been a part of and to get to be a part of what is to come.

I have also begun a new aspect of ministry. In nature it isn’t new – high school girls. But the faces, personalities and dynamics are new. The Youth Ministry at Windermere Community Church is also shifting into new gears – it’s going to be exciting and amazing.

On top of all that, the new relationships I have begun and old ones I have grown have been the biggest blessing. In this season of my life, my relationships have been taught and encouraged me more than ever before. There are so many people in my life that have become teachers, friends and heroes.

All these changes are wonderful blessings – they’re just that though, changes. While I am joyed to be in the middle of them, I am still uncomfortable with the unfamiliar. I feel like I am in the middle of a dream I’ve had before – I walk into my life and there is everything I have asked for. All I do is spin around taking it all in and am stunned to silence. I shake my head in disbelief because I know I don’t deserve any of it. I feel like I should leave – like it doesn’t all belong to me.

I am in a grateful state – realizing that none of the blessings in my life are those which I have earned or deserved. God has showered them all on me because of His love and grace. It’s a wonderful feeling.

my Valentine

As this day comes, there is many times a sense of dread. I don’t know about most, but I can’t stand all the pink fluffy animals, the needless plethora of high-caloric chocolate, and the cheesy cards of which many now have additional music. And hey, there’s even E-Valentines… “I will express my love but only have time to send an email.” Either way, it all seems out of place to me.

Since becoming a Christian and as I continue to fall more in love with Christ, I pull farther and farther away from the day we title Valentine’s Day. I did some research about the origin of the day and this is what I found:

The Legenda Aurea of Jacobus de Voragine, compiled about 1260 and one of the most-read books of the High Middle Ages, gives sufficient details of the saints and for each day of the liturgical year to inspire a homily on each occasion. The very brief vita of St Valentine has him refusing to deny Christ before the “Emperor Claudius”[9] in the year 280. Before his head was cut off, this Valentine restored sight and hearing to the daughter of his jailer.

Now, that’s a day I can honor- representing the love of Christ!

Well, as the day neared this year, I was in prayer about the whole deal and was convicted to see God’s glory in the intention of celebrating love. Now I know that sounds simple enough, but keep in mind that I did not suggest finding glory in celebrating romance, sex, affection or beauty. To celebrate Valentine’s Day the way Christ would, we are challenged to define love on God’s terms.

It may be because I am presently (and have been on every February 14th) single, that I can fully take hold to Christ as my Valentine above all others (that wasn’t me complaining, don’t get that wrong). As I walked through the store yesterday I saw all the balloons, flowers and cards. I tried not to roll my eyes as I walked past the little girl buying Valentines. In that moment, one of seeing joy on her precious face from having the chance to show someone love, God spoke to me. Well actually he whispered softly, “Can I be your Valentine? Can you find joy in loving me like that little girl does for whoever those chocolates are for?” At this point, my eyes definitely reacted; there was no rolling, but a small welling of tears. (Yes, I am softy…shh)

As I got in the car and watched the same little, awe-filled, girl carry out heart-shaped balloons, I was overcome with all that my heart knows of the love God has for me.

“4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

” 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

“16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

As I sat in awe and wonder at the love my creator has for me (and for you), I remembered that unlike the love anyone or thing in this world can offer, God’s love for me will never change!

“35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8: 35, 37-39

God whispered to me again, “Because I have loved you, will you love me? Beyond that, will you love my people?” More of the Word came to my thoughts.

“19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” – 1 John 4:19-20

“47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” – Luke 7:47

“10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10

“[Jesus said…], 34 ‘A new command I give you: Love on another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ ” – John 13:34-35

“[Jesus said…], 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’ ” – John 15: 9-12

“37 Jesus replied, ‘ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” – Matthew 22:37-39

As I carried throughout the rest of the day convicted, God showered grace and showed me that in addition to the blessing of being loved and being able to love, he promises more.

“17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” – Proverbs 8:17

“21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” – John 14:21

” …37we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37

” 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:17-18

“12… but love covers over all wrongs.” – Proverbs 10:12

As the day has arrived, I am inundated with joy and affection for my Valentine. He loves me more than anyone else can or could. He loves me so much that he died for me. He comforts me in a way no other could. He shows me beauty that no one else or no other thing could. He romances me in a way that will never have comparison. He holds my heart and will never let it go. What’s more, is he loves you that way too.

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day as you reflect on Christ who died for you, forgave you and healed you. May you fall in love with him today like you never thought possible.

spackle and scars

While I have already moved to Orlando, my parents and I are still waiting for the house in Jupiter to sell. I went there today to get some more things to bring to my apartment and to make sure it
was orderly and clean.

A side note to mention – which is still relevant – is that like many women, I have way too many clothes, shoes, and purses. While my closets equal about the same size as my closet in the old house, I don’t have as much drawer and organized space as I did before. So… I decided I could take the metal closet organization “things” from the old house to bring to my new apartment. I proceeded today to use my handy-man skills (I do have some – just not enough, apparently) to take the metal shelving things off the wall in the closet. It took me forever to unscrew all the screws out of the wall – they each had to be at least 3-4 inches long. After a couple of them, I started to hear things drop “inside” the wall. I realized soon after getting the screws out of the wall that there were now 8 1/4-inch holes in the wall from the anchors that WERE holding the screws. Those anchors were now in the bottom of the wall – no way I am ever getting those back.

Back to the holes. 8 of them. There was no way I could put the thing back on the wall – the solution was to find the spackle in the garage and fill the holes. I have never completed such a task but I was confident in my ability to make it work. Okay, so you remember the length of the screws, right? That means these holes went DEEP. I went through a good amount of spackle for such small holes (at least in my opinion) and it took a good amount of time – around an hour.

The spackle just kept going deeper into the holes and failing to make them look filled – so I stood there feeling idiotic and defeated. This was the kind of moment that usually gets me thinking… these kind of moments are the ones that I realize there is nothing I can do to take whatever mistake I made back and should take the chance to figure out what lesson God could be using this instance to teach me.

So here is what I gathered in my mind as I stood filling and filling and trying to make it look as neat as possible…

I thought of how often I had done just what I was doing to the holes in my life. I realized how often I have I tried to fill the gaps (whether I made those holes or not) in my life with whatever I could find. I have so many times then tried to smooth over those filled holes as best I could – trying to make it appear as if there were no holes at all.

However, just like the wall at the house ended up looking – it looks okay, but if you look close enough you can tell that there are, in fact, filled holes… HOLES, YES THERE ARE HOLES. Even with filler, the fact remains that are holes.

I thought about how my being saved by Christ and made into a new creation affected those holes in my life. My question was the “logistics” of the holes – has Christ filled the holes or has He made it as if the holes never existed?

As I stood there twist after twist while I unscrewed everything and thinking about the “logistics”, the scars on my arms happened to catch my attention. Now, I have many different scars from over the years – some cuts and some burns. A correlation between the holes and scars emerged (I connect everything, what can I say… I am a woman – think “plate of spaghetti”).

I came to the conclusion that just as my scars remain, so do the holes in my life – here is the key… After Christ was resurrected from the dead, his scars and holes remained. Remember the disciples touching the open wounds in His hands? Those holes stood to show Him as the Wounded Healer. My healed scars and filled holes remind me of what Christ has done in my life – In my broken and wounded soul, Christ has healed me and made me whole.

a home full of Ebenezer Stones

Alright, so I have lived in the same house for the last 13 years. I have even lived on my own there for the past 3 years. It was familiar, comfortable and safe. While this is doubtfully a new fact… I have a new home. I thought that calling a new place home would be horribly strange to say. But less than two days after moving… I was away from my new place and felt like I wanted to go “home” – my new apartment in a new city.

I thought long and hard about what it was that made such an unfamiliar place seem so familiar – seem like home. I guess it was knowing that all of my stuff – all of my objects, possessions and things holding memories were in this new place.

So if home is where the heart is, does that mean that my “heart” is connected to all of my stuff? And what does that say about my relationship with God… a lot I think…

Now, bear with me… this may not connect for you as it did for me…

I have come to a place in my life – finally – that I am content with who I have allowed God to make me. I know that I do and will always have traits, flaws and weaknesses that God will need to change in me, but I am utterly grateful for who He has made me into thus far. So how do I feel at peace with who I am – how do I feel “at home” in my own skin?

No matter where I am or what I am going through, I am home as myself because of two things – in order of importance:

One – I have a relationship with my Creator, the author and finisher of my faith, and the one who has promised to finish the good work He started in me.

Two – I have everything God has allowed me to keep in order to make me who I am today… every pain, every joy, every tear, every laugh, every smile, every wonderful memory and many of the horrible ones, every relationship He has put in the life, all my lessons learned, all the things I have yet to learn, all the gifts He has given me, all the weakness He has allowed me to keep, all my failures, all the times people have failed me, all my successes, all my blessings and all my burdens. Now I do not bear these things alone – Christ bears them for me – but all remain in my life to remind me of God’s sovereign hand in my life and His love for me…. these are my Ebenezer Stones.

In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel raised up a stone to remind the Israelites of God’s help in their battle against the Philistines. He raised the stone and named it Ebenezer – meaning “stone of help”. So it is this move that has reminded me that no matter what circumstance and place the present and/or future holds, it is the past of our lives – all those Ebenezer Stones we have raised up along the way – that remind us of all those times that God has proved himself our wonderful God of Help.

I pray you spend time raising Ebenezer Stones in your life – either journal or place something in your frequent vicinity that will remind yourself of God’s help in your life.