Numb, but not out of it

I had a filling replaced today. And I don’t like pain. So I was glad when the dentist used a topical anesthetic to blunt the sting of the needle before the real pain killing stuff! I can’t eat anything yet and the dull ache in my head is making it a little difficult to concentrate.

Does anyone really like pain? I remember the one time that I spanked my oldest daughter when she was young. She had openly defied her mother and I and knew the consequence of such direct disobedience. And she started crying before my hand tapped (and it really was a tap) her thick, diaper-padded bottom! And it was a bit humorous, that she would cry before the ‘pain’ was inflicted. Yet her crying matched my response to the prospect of pain at the dentist quite similarly.

This is an odd thing. Pain is painful and finding healing from the pain – is painful! The toothache hurt and so did the remedy. My daughter anticipated her bottom a bit sore but would have realized greater pain as an adult knowing only parenting without loving boundaries! Is it possible that pain whether inflicted or chosen can cause us to grow in character?

As we experience pain in life here is the reassurance for those who follow Jesus, the Suffering Servant: In times of our deepest pain, God can provide comfort adequate with the suffering. As another has said, ‘Jesus will go through our pain with us.’ May our pain encourage us to grow deeper in our relationship with this One who knows and understands!

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Learning to be responsible...

Learning to be responsible can be difficult. Once you have learned this, change isn’t hard. Water Street Rescue Mission absolutely teaches change. It’s available, if the individual wants it. Adapting to change & structure is the model. Succeeding is what everyone should aim for. Once learning to trust the Program Staff & Counselors, dealing with the day’s situations becomes easier. This is not to say that everything is always smooth. Life here has its “moments”. This is when you learn to have a high tolerance level.

One of the biggest issues that God stresses is being humble. This being a Christian organization, devoting yourself to Bible studies during your stay here is a part of what we do. This can pick you up on the sad days and even make you think about life in a different way. Having faith will give you hope. Wanting something and having a group of people supporting you makes it possible to give your life to God.

All of the pain does not leave over night. Patience is a learning process, here. Healing is a learning process, here. And, we learn because we want to learn. I was looking for change so I came here. Blessing is in it for me. I’m close to the Staff. I finished my time here and chose to come back to finish the Learning Center and for Bible Study. I can say that I’ve received help from the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Dominai (Learning Center Student)

A wild ride

Our shelter devotions this morning, from Chapter 25 of the Purpose Driven Life, dealt with God’s authority over everything that happens to us and His promise to make all of it work together for good when we belong to Him. I put that promise into practice personally when I left work last Friday evening – in a blizzard.

In my younger days, I was not so concerned about bad weather. As a matter of fact, snow was an occasion for celebration as my children and I took our sleds to Buchanan Park and raced each other up and down the hills. Now that my sledding days (and a few unwanted pounds) are behind me, I look at snow through different eyes. I must admit to being fearful of traveling in it. (Maybe “terrified” would be a better word.) While my heart tells me, “be not afraid,” my mind says, “you might break a bone or lose your car, and then what would you do?” and I want to watch it through my living room window rather than shovel it or drive in it “up close and personal.”

Before I left the mission Friday night a little after 10 p.m., I gave my safety to the Lord. And, as I traveled through the slippery streets of Lancaster, He was along for the ride. I thanked Him for the empty seat beside me where I knew my guardian angel was in residence, working overtime on my behalf. As I slid through the city looking for a path from shelter to home, (experiencing what it must be like to steer a toboggan over rough terrain), I went with a song in my heart. Actually, I think I made up about a dozen new verses to “God is So Good.” And indeed God was good. I made it home safely and found a son and grandson inside to welcome me.

It took slightly less than an hour to make the five-minute trip home. Yet the confidence that God would deliver me, no matter what, cast out all fear. I thanked Him again and again upon arriving home, but had to ask myself. Would I, could I have thanked Him again and again if my ride had not ended so well? Oh, I hope so. Would God have been any less good, had I slid into another vehicle on my way home, or not been able to stop at an intersection? Would I have questioned His faithfulness if I had awakened in Intensive Care?

Lord, I thank you for your unfailing faithfulness. May I be faithful right back, especially when things don’t go my way. What a blessing to know that your plan for me is perfect, no matter what it includes. I see the present clearly, but you know the first from the last. So, when I can’t understand, when I can’t see your hand, help me Lord to trust your heart.

- Vicki Bollman, Women’s Ministry

Finding Favor

One of my favorite Bible characters is Queen Esther. I suppose the fairy tale like image of a quiet little Jewish girl capturing the heart of the great king and becoming his queen would appeal to most people. We probably all long for the sudden rags to riches moment in our own lives, especially on those days when it seems like our own little world is falling apart around us.

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to study the story of Esther in greater detail and I have just begun to discover what it was that made her such a great person. Through reading and studying the book Finding Favor with the King by Tommy Tenney, I’ve been discovering the secrets of her success! Hidden among palace protocol is an in depth look at the purpose of the Bible – access to the very presence of God. The book of Esther holds the secrets to developing a relationship with God that leads us in to the very presence of the King Himself. Esther spent a year preparing herself for one night with the king in the hopes that she would find favor with him and become his queen. That year of preparation led far beyond her expectations to the point that put her in a place to save an entire nation from total annihilation.

Esther lived in the palace and studied the king during her year of preparation. She made it her goal to know his likes and dislikes. She was more concerned with knowing what would please him than she was with knowing what the kingdom had to offer her. In the same way we need to worship God for who He is and to bring Him honor rather than concerning ourselves with what He can do for us! We need to study our King in order to enjoy the intimacy that comes from spending time with someone we love. The greatest lesson we can learn from Esther is to fall in love with the King! Coming to God through a heart of genuine worship and praise brings us into the very presence of the King and we can enjoy His favor. Who knows what great thing being in the presence of our King will come from His favor. What is God preparing you for through an intimate relationship with Him?

It only took one night with the king to turn the peasant girl Esther into a princess. One moment in the presence of God can change our lives forever. So don’t worry about your future. Instead spend time preparing for your moment of favor. Intimacy with the King can change everything!

-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club

(Ironically, not knowing that Lorraine's post would be about Esther, my 5 yr-old daughter just drew the picture above, "Esther visits the king," for me to bring to work -- Jack C, Teen Haven)

Identity

The following was part of a letter I am sending to Teen Haven donors this week (since writing the letter, another teen was shot and killed at a party in Lancaster in the last week - 2 others shot in the same incident as well):

Recent local events have increased the sense of urgency around the issue of gang violence.

Within a two hour period, four separate shootings occurred in Lancaster City leaving several individuals hospitalized. Days later a seven-year-old girl was shot in the crossfire of rival gangs while walking to the store with her mother.

Police estimate that as many as 20 organized gangs operate in Lancaster City, totaling 600-2,000 members.

Lancaster is not alone. York and Columbia have seen similar gang related crime affect their neighborhoods. And in Philadelphia last year, police documented more than 1,800 shootings and 406 murders (more than one per day). Police estimate that more than half of these shootings involved young street gang members (under 20 years old).

When urban teens struggle to define who they are or who they want to be, and when their family or church is unable to provide a sense of self and belonging, a street gang often fills that void.

Interviews with gang members and former gang members prove the same: Teens are looking for a sense of identity and belonging. Teens often refer to their gang as their family.

Teen Haven is a part of the community-based conversation determining how to address the rise in gangs and violence in our community. One thing remains clear to us though, even in the midst of these discussions: Programs only provide a viable alternative to street life if they can help a teen understand who they are and how they belong to something bigger than themselves.

Every day through camps and city programs, Teen Haven is helping kids find their identity. In January alone, 27 teens decided to join Christ’s family by accepting His gift of grace and committing to follow Him. Hundreds of kids are being nurtured in their faith and prepared to walk with Christ in the face of all the trials and temptations of the city through our discipleship programs.

This is the core of what Teen Haven has been offering inner-city teens for over 40 years. When a youth connects with Teen Haven, they learn they are a child of the King and can be a part of the greatest family in the world. When someone truly grasps all that it means to be a child of God and to be loved by Him, when they experience the fellowship, selfless love and support that can only be found in the Body of Christ, the allure of a gang is greatly diminished.

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

More random thoughts … to follow Jack’s example

• I sure enjoyed seeing the movie, Amazing Grace, this weekend with my family though I’m glad the director didn’t graphically portray all that the African captives had to bear on the trip over. It was a bit easier on my conscience not to have to linger on the great suffering those on the ship endured. And it was striking to realize how long William Wilberforce labored to see slavery abolished. May we be as persistent in doing right.
• Yesterday, I was able to speak to a young female resident in a way that I would speak to my daughters. I was amazed at how she was riveted to my words as I spoke. I can’t think what I said was terribly profound. But what a great opportunity - in some small way – to fill the void left by a father who wasn’t there with hope that she might better know the Father who is always there.
• I felt sad at the Monday press conference announcing the guilty in the latest two shootings in Lancaster. Sad for a little girl – who is thankfully headed toward full recovery, sad for a young man who is dead, sad for turf wars and the presence of drugs in our community. Sad for young people out late at night groping for a manhood or womanhood they find elusive. Sad for those with a seared conscience to use the phrase of one state official. Sad for the role models of the day that champion bluster and self-interest.
• I guess Senators Specter and Casey can get some more bucks into our community and agencies can keep talking and partnering – which is all good. But who’s raising our children? Who’s there to build a sense of self, to provide loving boundaries when the kids are young, to model walking through tough times in a way that encourages the development of character and perseverance?
• Did you notice how the white snow by the side of the road so promptly turned black from the fumes of the cars and trucks that passed by? It kind of reminds me of how the world started – pristine and untouched – and how we quickly spoiled God’s creation with the dirt of pride and a consuming self-interest. And I remember G K Chesterton’s quote, "Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved." Sad, real, and profound. See above.

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Least of these, Pt 5

The final installment in our study about responding to the needs of the "least of these."

Why do we respond?

• 1 John 3:16-18
• It is really quite simple – I respond because God loves me and as a result I love Him. That’s it in its simplest form. Anything else is window dressing. Its His love for me that drew me to Him, That even allowed for Him to desire to seek me, and to send Jesus on a mission for me. I respond – because its not about this world – and its not about me – its about God, His kingdom, and His desire that none should perish. Imagine using me (and you) so that none should perish.
• I respond because it is the evidence of my love for my Creator and His abundant love abiding in my heart. Oh, that I would get it right more often ….
• Father, “let me not love with word or tongue, but in deed and truth” …. Amen.

- Rick Rutter, former Director of Outreach Ministries (now owner of Bubba's Breakaway)

Integrity

Integrity: courage to meet the demands of reality

Recently I heard a definition for integrity that really struck me as profound: Integrity is the quality of character that has the courage to meet the demands of reality.

As I considered this definition in the light of the recovery process I had one of those "aha" moments. One of the things that have gone wrong in the addicted life is the loss of courage to meet the demands of reality (life).

Those of us who know Jesus and (are beginning to) understand his ways and means know that he promises to never give us more than we can handle. We also know his agenda for us all is growth toward maturity, and His favorite tool for helping us grow is hardships.

Trusting these facts we can embrace the difficulties of life (reality) with a courage that sees us through the event. This perseverance brings with it maturity and strength of character (integrity).

Those who have been damaged in their upbringing and who do not yet trust that the Lord loves and cares for them are often anxious (terrified?) by the demands of life. Our task for these ones then is to encourage them, or put the courage back in them.

We need to make certain that any assistance we provide is crafted to put courage into them that will help them meet the demands of life. Often the easiest assistance for us to give is the worst for them to get. Giving a man a fish is good, but if we never instill in him the courage to fish on his own –we have simply made him dependent upon us.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Random Thoughts: snow, coffee and conversation

• Man, I'm feeling sore. I spent a couple of hours today shovelling and my body is not used to it. It makes me long for the days when I worked hands on with the kids at the youth center and exercise (in the form of basketball, dodgeball, "monkey's run", roller skating, tag, etc) was part of my daily ministry. Now I spend most of my work time sitting (at my desk, in the car, at meetings, etc).


• Although the petty soreness I'm feeling as I type this doesn't compare to the pain he discusses in his books, I am reminded of how Dr. Paul Brand discusses pain as a gift from God. Check out his books if you get the chance. Today I can be grateful for a body that functions well enough to become sore from physical exertion and work.


• After my last bout of shovelling today, I spent a little time warming up with coffee and conversation at the youth center with one of our youth staff, Michael. 40 minutes of conversation about movies, biblical interpretation, sports, marriage (what percentage of the time our wives are correct and we are wrong- somewhere between 85 and 99.9%), exegesis vs. eisegesis, the kids we work with, rules of dating from our college days, and desert island dvds. I think the fellowship and conversation served to warm my body and soul more than the coffee ever could. As much as I like a good cup of coffee, it is the conversation that make a coffee house an inviting place isn't it?


• Shovelling also reminded me of a conversation I had at church on Sunday. A woman in my church who lives right behind the youth center came up to me to share how grateful she was for our Teen Haven youth. After the nasty storm on Valentine's Day, she wasn't sure when she would ever get her car free from the piles of ice and snow that the snowplows had buried her car behind. As she was beginning what she thought would be an interminable process, some young men from the youth center came to her rescue. They took over the work and stayed until her car was completely free. What a testimony of love and neighborly concern.


• Snow provides a visible reminder of God's creativity and power, and an opportunity for us to demonstrate his loving concern to our neighbors (if we'll only take advantage of it).

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Least of these, Study pt 4

What happens when we respond?

• Acts 2:43-47
• Why do we worry so much about revival and filling our pews and yet neglect those outside the doors of our churches in the communities that God has placed us in. Why do we drive for miles to find the perfect church so we can get in, get our worship on, and get out, without ever having to engage the people around us … including our neighbors? Oooops, sorry. I didn't mean we, I meant why do I!
• Let’s see, people devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer – and the church grew. People ministered to the needs (without shooting the wounded) of the poor in their midst – and the church grew. Evangelism occurred as people noticed a faithful response by God’s people to God’s people – and the church grew. Hmmmm, I wonder … what might happen if I was that devoted to God and my brethren? What about you? Just a thought…..
• Father, may your Spirit challenge me to be devoted in all areas of my life and relationship with you – that your kingdom would be glorified and grow because of the heart and relationships among your people… In Jesus’ name … Amen.