What does “Leaving the Building” really mean? It’s not just a day of good deeds. It’s not just a day of charity. It’s certainly not a replacement for worshipping God. No. What it is is a day to follow one of the most important commands that Jesus gave us. We are to share the good news of Jesus Christ with as many people as we can. Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
If we become so structured with our faith or so rigid in our belief then we put ourselves into the same position that Christ argued against when he walked the earth. We find ourselves so tied to the laws and the rules that we miss what is most important. And that is love. Leaving the Building isn’t a plan to forgo worshipping God. It’s a way to remind us that there are so many out there that don’t know him right now.
I was part of a service last week in which there were a number of brothers and sisters that were struggling with addiction. One of the women, almost a child in my eyes, gave an incredible testimonial from her heart. She spoke of her struggle with addiction, her alcoholism and even a plan for suicide. But then somebody gave her the only chance at healing that could work. Somebody explained to her that Jesus loved her. And since Jesus could love her then there must be a reason for her to love herself. And if there was a reason for her to love herself, then there was probably sufficient reason for her to love others. At the end of that service, about seven people came forward to either accept Jesus as their Savior, or to re-commit themselves to him.
That is what “Leaving the Building” means to me. It means that I have the opportunity, no, the blessing, to do my best to share with others what I have learned. And that is that Jesus is there for me, and you, and for everybody else out there, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. That he loves us, and that all he wants is for us to ask him to come into our hearts.
Don’t stop here friends. Reach out as often as you can. Through ministry, through mission trips, or just with conversations with friends. Share the good news with whomever you meet. Then go to service and thank the Father for what he has done for you.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
GOD WINKS
God winks. These are daily reminders that God is here, with us, as we lead our lives day to day. I used to call these coincidences and figured they were just random occurrences. However, as I grow in my faith I have come to realize that the odds of some of these “coincidences” happening were too great to be shrugged off. Last night into this morning was another wonderful example.
Bob, Andrew, Dale and I went into CFCF for our weekly service. Bob gave the message and was focusing on passages in the books of Deuteronomy & Joshua. The main topic of the message was obedience to God and to his word. Time and time again he pointed out that word in the passages he read. To paraphrase something Bob said (and I may really mess this up), “We don’t decide to be obedient so that we can get God’s favor. Rather we receive God’s favor because we are obedient”. It seemed to say the same thing, until I thought about it a little.
And then, just in case I didn’t get it – or maybe because God doesn’t want me to forget it, today’s daily devotional from Woodside’s “Living Inside Out” series just happened to focus on…Anybody want to take a guess? Just check out the passage below that Peggy just happened to select.
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October 19 | Luke 11:14-36
________________________________________
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 11:28
Throughout the Bible we are told to obey God's commands, that His Word (the Bible) is a living, breathing voice for us to listen to, understand, trust and obey.
Those of you who know me, know I'm a doer and some times I've been told to slow down, I can't. Words can't describe the feelings that I get when I've worked on a Code Blue night, helped serve dinner to those in need, visited the sick, sent notes or made calls to those who need cheering up. God keeps blessing me and giving me strength to do His work right here in Bucks County.
He is waiting to bless you as well. Talk with those who have gone out and done His work, see the light of God in their lives and hear the joy in their voices. Don't be afraid to step out and do God work and see and feel the blessings He'll shower on you.
God is waiting for us to follow His Word, obey His commands and receive all the blessings He has waiting for us. Friends, try it....you'll never know how great you can really feel until you do.
Action Step: Obey God's word, live your life to please Him and His glory and power will fill you and you will be showered with abundant blessings.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the sweet shower of love and blessings You give each day to those who trust and obey You. Amen
Peggy Wilson
Woodside Church
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Father. Thank you for being there for me and for reminding me of those things you want from me. Sometimes you do it with a sledge hammer, and sometimes – with a simple “wink”.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Bob, Andrew, Dale and I went into CFCF for our weekly service. Bob gave the message and was focusing on passages in the books of Deuteronomy & Joshua. The main topic of the message was obedience to God and to his word. Time and time again he pointed out that word in the passages he read. To paraphrase something Bob said (and I may really mess this up), “We don’t decide to be obedient so that we can get God’s favor. Rather we receive God’s favor because we are obedient”. It seemed to say the same thing, until I thought about it a little.
And then, just in case I didn’t get it – or maybe because God doesn’t want me to forget it, today’s daily devotional from Woodside’s “Living Inside Out” series just happened to focus on…Anybody want to take a guess? Just check out the passage below that Peggy just happened to select.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 19 | Luke 11:14-36
________________________________________
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 11:28
Throughout the Bible we are told to obey God's commands, that His Word (the Bible) is a living, breathing voice for us to listen to, understand, trust and obey.
Those of you who know me, know I'm a doer and some times I've been told to slow down, I can't. Words can't describe the feelings that I get when I've worked on a Code Blue night, helped serve dinner to those in need, visited the sick, sent notes or made calls to those who need cheering up. God keeps blessing me and giving me strength to do His work right here in Bucks County.
He is waiting to bless you as well. Talk with those who have gone out and done His work, see the light of God in their lives and hear the joy in their voices. Don't be afraid to step out and do God work and see and feel the blessings He'll shower on you.
God is waiting for us to follow His Word, obey His commands and receive all the blessings He has waiting for us. Friends, try it....you'll never know how great you can really feel until you do.
Action Step: Obey God's word, live your life to please Him and His glory and power will fill you and you will be showered with abundant blessings.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the sweet shower of love and blessings You give each day to those who trust and obey You. Amen
Peggy Wilson
Woodside Church
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Father. Thank you for being there for me and for reminding me of those things you want from me. Sometimes you do it with a sledge hammer, and sometimes – with a simple “wink”.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Monday, September 12, 2011
GOD IS GOOD
As my anxiety faded, along with the floodwater projection, I sent some text messages out to friends who had either helped move our belongings from the basement to the first floor, or had been praying for us. I thanked them and let them know that the latest river crest projection was a good four feet lower than the earlier forecast that projected another major flood much like the 2005 and 2006 floods. Replies came back indicating their genuine relief at our near miss.
There was another recurring theme to the replies as well. This included praises such as "God is good!” As I thought about that a curious idea came to mind. If you say "God is good" when bad news does not come out of a difficult situation, are you implying that "God is not good" when the circumstances go against you?
I guess it depends on what you’re basing the statement on. If you are making a prayer and are using the results of that prayer to determine whether God is good or not than you have put yourself into a position of judging God, and are making the assumption that you know better than God.
We pray for things that we think we want and assume that if it doesn’t turn out the way we wanted, or expect, that God didn’t hear our prayers. But what if God had other plans? Or is answering them in a way that we don’t understand? Let’s take the river scenario.
In 2005 & 2006 many of us prayed that the river did not reach the flood stage levels that were initially projected. It did flood however, and many people suffered losses of property and enormous costs. However, what if God had a plan for somebody during one of those floods? Let’s consider a possibility where an individual, for whatever reason, was led to Christ during the flood of 2005. Wouldn’t the salvation of just one person be more important than my basement staying dry? Wouldn’t that salvation even be more important than the major flooding that occurred in homes of friends of mine further north?
Consider another possibility as well. How do I know that the prayer I am making isn’t being answered? Maybe God is answering my prayer, but in a way that will ultimately be much more beneficial to me, and others, than a short term dry basement. The flooding I received in 2005 & 2006 led me, along with others, to create the residents group RAFT (Residents Against Flood Trends). I’d like to think that our group has become a benefit and a blessing to some people out there. Perhaps God answered our prayer in such a way to nudge us toward doing just that.
Over the past couple of years I have changed the way I pray for things. I still pray that the river doesn’t flood. I still pray for the safety and health of family, friends and even strangers. But I always try to add a little something to each prayer. I try to ask that God gives me the strength and courage to get through difficult times, if his will doesn’t coincide with what I think I need. I ask God that if it is time for somebody to be brought home to him, that peace and comfort is given to that person during their struggles at the end of their life. I ask that family and friends can understand the love that you have for each and every one of us. I am trying to follow Christ’s lead when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It is his will that is important, not my desires or even needs. So in the end no matter what the final situation, the phrase can, and should, remain the same.
No flooding – “God is Good”.
Minor Flooding – “God is Good”.
Major Flooding – “God is Good”.
It is a statement, not a judgment, a ruling or a scorecard. It is statement acknowledging that God is in fact, good!
Say a prayer for somebody today.
There was another recurring theme to the replies as well. This included praises such as "God is good!” As I thought about that a curious idea came to mind. If you say "God is good" when bad news does not come out of a difficult situation, are you implying that "God is not good" when the circumstances go against you?
I guess it depends on what you’re basing the statement on. If you are making a prayer and are using the results of that prayer to determine whether God is good or not than you have put yourself into a position of judging God, and are making the assumption that you know better than God.
We pray for things that we think we want and assume that if it doesn’t turn out the way we wanted, or expect, that God didn’t hear our prayers. But what if God had other plans? Or is answering them in a way that we don’t understand? Let’s take the river scenario.
In 2005 & 2006 many of us prayed that the river did not reach the flood stage levels that were initially projected. It did flood however, and many people suffered losses of property and enormous costs. However, what if God had a plan for somebody during one of those floods? Let’s consider a possibility where an individual, for whatever reason, was led to Christ during the flood of 2005. Wouldn’t the salvation of just one person be more important than my basement staying dry? Wouldn’t that salvation even be more important than the major flooding that occurred in homes of friends of mine further north?
Consider another possibility as well. How do I know that the prayer I am making isn’t being answered? Maybe God is answering my prayer, but in a way that will ultimately be much more beneficial to me, and others, than a short term dry basement. The flooding I received in 2005 & 2006 led me, along with others, to create the residents group RAFT (Residents Against Flood Trends). I’d like to think that our group has become a benefit and a blessing to some people out there. Perhaps God answered our prayer in such a way to nudge us toward doing just that.
Over the past couple of years I have changed the way I pray for things. I still pray that the river doesn’t flood. I still pray for the safety and health of family, friends and even strangers. But I always try to add a little something to each prayer. I try to ask that God gives me the strength and courage to get through difficult times, if his will doesn’t coincide with what I think I need. I ask God that if it is time for somebody to be brought home to him, that peace and comfort is given to that person during their struggles at the end of their life. I ask that family and friends can understand the love that you have for each and every one of us. I am trying to follow Christ’s lead when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It is his will that is important, not my desires or even needs. So in the end no matter what the final situation, the phrase can, and should, remain the same.
No flooding – “God is Good”.
Minor Flooding – “God is Good”.
Major Flooding – “God is Good”.
It is a statement, not a judgment, a ruling or a scorecard. It is statement acknowledging that God is in fact, good!
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
An Important Reminder
I think sometimes that I forget where we are. I mean I know that we’re at CFCF, but sometimes I forget that CFCF stands for Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. We go there and lead a worship service for the guys so often that it has become a second church for me. The way that the Spirit finds it’s way into that room every week has blessed me and everyone else that has visited and served along side of us. But then a week like this past one is a stark reminder of where it is that we are serving.
Our services on Tuesday nights are rather unstructured. We praise God, we share testimony and we pray. The message is delivered by one of about 10 different people. Depending upon what happens earlier in the service the message ranges anywhere from 15 minutes to 45. We often just let the spirit guide us. The one constant that we try to follow is that in the last 15 minutes that we are there we have an altar call. This is an invitation that we give asking that any person who wishes to come forth and accept the Christ Jesus as his Lord & Savior to do so. Some days there seems to be a flood that comes forward and sometimes nobody is ready. Those times we ask for the opportunity to give prayer or ask for guys that want to recommit.
But Tuesday night I had just finished delivering the message and was asking the guys to stand up when Officer Harris came into the room. He quickly let the 11 of us know that he wanted us out of the room. I can’t imagine that more than a minute went by from the time he ordered us out and the time we got into the hallway, but it wasn’t quick enough for him. He took us into the room next door and locked us in. Five minutes or so later the door was opened and we were led back through the halls and towards the exit. A couple of years ago Michael and I experienced much the same, however that night ended up being a drill. The number of Correctional Officers (C.O’s) that we encountered on the way out this night indicated that this was no drill.
It wasn’t until the next day that we found out that there had been a fight that ended with four inmates stabbed, one fatally. While we never appeared to be in any danger, in this situation the C.O.’s primary responsibility is to get all civilians, us, to safety as quickly as possible. This they did admirably, and it reminded me of how important the C.O.’s jobs were. I came away that night with three takeaways.
My Growth as a Christian
I have to admit that I used to look at Christians differently and at Christian Missionaries as lunatics. I wondered why somebody would put themselves in dangerous situations to tell people about the story of Christ, especially when it was such accessible news. Five years after turning my life over to Christ, and three and a half years after beginning to participate in the prison ministry, I now understand. I understand, not because I’m anything special, but because God has placed this ministry at my feet, my mind and my heart.
The Mission of CLPRM
Being reminded of the potential for violence behind the walls of CFCF highlights how important it is for us to share the Gospel there. It made me wonder if the guys involved have accepted Christ, whether through us or some other ministry. How tragic it would be if we decided that we couldn’t answer God’s call anymore and continue to worship with them. We have to accept that sometimes God sets our feet in places that we aren’t always 100% comfortable.
Our Leader is Always with us
At the end of the night, when we were being escorted out, we realized something amazing. Our Leader, the Holy Spirit (not Bob) had stepped in and organized the service so that his will could continue. Earlier in the night Bob had shared a story and the room had been captivated. Feeling something special happening he asked Michael to play quietly on the keyboards. He then did something that we have rarely done and called for a mid-service altar call. The response was fantastic. Five men came forward and in a moment heavy in emotion, gave their lives to Christ. Due to the incident and the resulting lockdown, we were not able to make an altar call invitation at the end of the service, but God had it covered.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Our services on Tuesday nights are rather unstructured. We praise God, we share testimony and we pray. The message is delivered by one of about 10 different people. Depending upon what happens earlier in the service the message ranges anywhere from 15 minutes to 45. We often just let the spirit guide us. The one constant that we try to follow is that in the last 15 minutes that we are there we have an altar call. This is an invitation that we give asking that any person who wishes to come forth and accept the Christ Jesus as his Lord & Savior to do so. Some days there seems to be a flood that comes forward and sometimes nobody is ready. Those times we ask for the opportunity to give prayer or ask for guys that want to recommit.
But Tuesday night I had just finished delivering the message and was asking the guys to stand up when Officer Harris came into the room. He quickly let the 11 of us know that he wanted us out of the room. I can’t imagine that more than a minute went by from the time he ordered us out and the time we got into the hallway, but it wasn’t quick enough for him. He took us into the room next door and locked us in. Five minutes or so later the door was opened and we were led back through the halls and towards the exit. A couple of years ago Michael and I experienced much the same, however that night ended up being a drill. The number of Correctional Officers (C.O’s) that we encountered on the way out this night indicated that this was no drill.
It wasn’t until the next day that we found out that there had been a fight that ended with four inmates stabbed, one fatally. While we never appeared to be in any danger, in this situation the C.O.’s primary responsibility is to get all civilians, us, to safety as quickly as possible. This they did admirably, and it reminded me of how important the C.O.’s jobs were. I came away that night with three takeaways.
My Growth as a Christian
I have to admit that I used to look at Christians differently and at Christian Missionaries as lunatics. I wondered why somebody would put themselves in dangerous situations to tell people about the story of Christ, especially when it was such accessible news. Five years after turning my life over to Christ, and three and a half years after beginning to participate in the prison ministry, I now understand. I understand, not because I’m anything special, but because God has placed this ministry at my feet, my mind and my heart.
The Mission of CLPRM
Being reminded of the potential for violence behind the walls of CFCF highlights how important it is for us to share the Gospel there. It made me wonder if the guys involved have accepted Christ, whether through us or some other ministry. How tragic it would be if we decided that we couldn’t answer God’s call anymore and continue to worship with them. We have to accept that sometimes God sets our feet in places that we aren’t always 100% comfortable.
Our Leader is Always with us
At the end of the night, when we were being escorted out, we realized something amazing. Our Leader, the Holy Spirit (not Bob) had stepped in and organized the service so that his will could continue. Earlier in the night Bob had shared a story and the room had been captivated. Feeling something special happening he asked Michael to play quietly on the keyboards. He then did something that we have rarely done and called for a mid-service altar call. The response was fantastic. Five men came forward and in a moment heavy in emotion, gave their lives to Christ. Due to the incident and the resulting lockdown, we were not able to make an altar call invitation at the end of the service, but God had it covered.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Goodbye Charlie
About twenty years ago, I began my accounting career. I was working for Rudolph, Palitz, a regional CPA firm in Plymouth Meeting, PA. I learned a lot of accounting in my six years there, but I also learned a lot about working for, and with, others. Personalities and style varied. Co-workers and bosses were found in many shapes and sizes. Hard-nosed and easy going; flighty and down to earth; serious and carefree; professional and, well, not so much. When I left after six years I realized that while there were people that I wouldn’t miss at all, there were others that left a positive impression on me. Charlie Martini was one such guy, and while I didn’t see much of him after we parted company, I thought of him often.
Last December I got a chance to think about him again, although not in a way I would have wanted. I found out that Charlie had lost a seven-year battle with cancer and it was time to say a final farewell to him. Leading up to, and following, the service I spent a good deal of time thinking back to the 4 or 5 years I actually worked with him. He was one of those people that always seemed to be glad to help out. Always available to lend a hand and kick in where needed. And there was always that “Charlie smile”, and of course that perfectly sculptured head of hair. Hair-boy we called him. But while some nicknames were given as put downs, “hair-boy” was just a description, and it never seemed to bother him at all. As I thought about Charlie, I remembered two moments in particular that, to me, defined Charlie.
The first one was probably some Thursday night during tax season. Back in those days we often worked until 10, or 11:00, putting in 14 or 15-hour days, sometimes longer – but that’s another story. However on most Thursday nights a group of us usually broke a little early and went out to relax and have a few drinks. This one night we all went to a place called Gavin’s. As the night got older, I was beginning to think it was about time for me to go home. Charlie seemed to think that I might have had a little too much to drink. He was probably right, although I do remember that I spent the last hour sticking to soda and coffee. As I started to get ready to leave he somehow got a hold of my keys. He got into my truck, locked the doors and smiled at me while he waived the keys back and forth by the window. What he didn’t know was that the rear side window lock was broken. I slid the window open, unlocked the front door, and yanked Charlie out of the truck. I then convinced him that I was fine to drive and shortly thereafter drove safely home.
The other night I remember was June 28th, 1993. Our firm had a softball team in the Philadelphia area CPA League. We were playing a game at Roxboro High School that night. Now Charlie didn’t play a lot. He almost always came to the games, and played when we needed an extra player, but he didn’t have the fire some of us had. At one point during this game I scored a run, and, after crossing the plate Charlie told me that he thought my beeper might have gone off. Now back in the early 90’s, if you had a beeper it was either because you were a doctor, a drug dealer or an expectant father. (I’ll give you a few minutes to figure this one out). I went over to check and sure enough the number of my wife’s obstetrician was showing. We had beepers back then because cell phones weren’t in use yet. A few people had what were referred to as bag phones. Huge monstrosities that you carried around in a bag and could hook up to your car to use. Charlie was one of the few non-partners that I knew who had one. He offered me the use of it so we ran up to his car and I called the doctors office. They told me that they had sent Michelle to the hospital and that I should meet her there. I ran back down to the field and began to take my spikes off. Right when I sat down somebody yelled, “Scott, you’re up”! I thought for a second, jumped up, grabbed a bat and went up to the plate. Fortunately this field had a really short right field fence that fly balls became ground-rule doubles. I swung at the first pitch, popped it over that right field fence, ran to second, called time out and asked for a pinch runner. I actually believe that Charlie was the one that ran for me. I raced off, drove to the hospital and 24 hours (or so) later, was blessed to be present for the birth of my daughter. I will point out that I was real lucky that it wasn’t a quick labor. I’m pretty sure this story wouldn’t be as funny if I had missed that.
Both of these stories highlight one major point: that Charlie Martini did his best to help those around him. I have learned that even his battle with cancer led to some new insights and treatments that will help others now that he has left us. Sometimes we wonder where people go when they have left us in this life. I have no doubts that Charlie is right now looking down on his wife and children, smiling and waiting for that future time when they’ll be together again.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
Last December I got a chance to think about him again, although not in a way I would have wanted. I found out that Charlie had lost a seven-year battle with cancer and it was time to say a final farewell to him. Leading up to, and following, the service I spent a good deal of time thinking back to the 4 or 5 years I actually worked with him. He was one of those people that always seemed to be glad to help out. Always available to lend a hand and kick in where needed. And there was always that “Charlie smile”, and of course that perfectly sculptured head of hair. Hair-boy we called him. But while some nicknames were given as put downs, “hair-boy” was just a description, and it never seemed to bother him at all. As I thought about Charlie, I remembered two moments in particular that, to me, defined Charlie.
The first one was probably some Thursday night during tax season. Back in those days we often worked until 10, or 11:00, putting in 14 or 15-hour days, sometimes longer – but that’s another story. However on most Thursday nights a group of us usually broke a little early and went out to relax and have a few drinks. This one night we all went to a place called Gavin’s. As the night got older, I was beginning to think it was about time for me to go home. Charlie seemed to think that I might have had a little too much to drink. He was probably right, although I do remember that I spent the last hour sticking to soda and coffee. As I started to get ready to leave he somehow got a hold of my keys. He got into my truck, locked the doors and smiled at me while he waived the keys back and forth by the window. What he didn’t know was that the rear side window lock was broken. I slid the window open, unlocked the front door, and yanked Charlie out of the truck. I then convinced him that I was fine to drive and shortly thereafter drove safely home.
The other night I remember was June 28th, 1993. Our firm had a softball team in the Philadelphia area CPA League. We were playing a game at Roxboro High School that night. Now Charlie didn’t play a lot. He almost always came to the games, and played when we needed an extra player, but he didn’t have the fire some of us had. At one point during this game I scored a run, and, after crossing the plate Charlie told me that he thought my beeper might have gone off. Now back in the early 90’s, if you had a beeper it was either because you were a doctor, a drug dealer or an expectant father. (I’ll give you a few minutes to figure this one out). I went over to check and sure enough the number of my wife’s obstetrician was showing. We had beepers back then because cell phones weren’t in use yet. A few people had what were referred to as bag phones. Huge monstrosities that you carried around in a bag and could hook up to your car to use. Charlie was one of the few non-partners that I knew who had one. He offered me the use of it so we ran up to his car and I called the doctors office. They told me that they had sent Michelle to the hospital and that I should meet her there. I ran back down to the field and began to take my spikes off.
Both of these stories highlight one major point: that Charlie Martini did his best to help those around him. I have learned that even his battle with cancer led to some new insights and treatments that will help others now that he has left us. Sometimes we wonder where people go when they have left us in this life. I have no doubts that Charlie is right now looking down on his wife and children, smiling and waiting for that future time when they’ll be together again.
Say a prayer for somebody today.
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