Where Am I with People?

A few of my thoughts from my message yesterday entitled The Habit of Relationships leads to the Discipline of Evangelism. Text from the life of Jesus and the Women at the well in John 4:1-42.

• Jesus takes the initiative to engage the woman - v. 7 Jesus found a common connection to create a conversation starter....water
• Despite his circumstance, Jesus still engaged the woman - v.6 -Jesus was at the well to rest and was weary, yet he put his needs away to meet hers.
• Jesus took a chance. He crossed the cultural norm - v.9 - Knowing that Jesus, a man and Jew, was not supposed to talk to her, he took the chance for the purpose of sharing his story. How often do we take a chance on people despite what others may say or the barriers we create about people based on our views, hurts, prejudices, etc.?
• Physical needs always lead to spiritual needs - v.10-11- Relationships allow us to meet people where they are. When we engage in a genuine relationship, we begin to see the physical needs people have that allows for the openness of of their emotional and spiritual needs.

Jesus was about people. He was about relationships. Where in your life are people?

Bistro Du Coin and Rob Bell

Saturday night I, along with my wife and two other couples, had the opportunity to go to Washington DC for a night of fine food, fellowship, and a great discussion topic.

After reading several books by Rob Bell, Pastor in Grand Rapids Michigan, we headed up to hear him speak on his new book - Drop Like Stars. Not really knowing I was there for two hours of discussion, Rob unpacked our thinking process in how we view suffering and persecution in our lives. He creatively invited us into the discussion through video background, bars of soap for sculpting, and golf pencils to be used for writing with the opposite hand. Through each of these elements, we, the crowd on the campus of George Washington Univ., grasped a better understanding of how suffering and pain can be used to shape our lives and share our story of God's love with those right beside us.

The discussion was great! But the food..oh the food was awesome. We began our night at the Bistro Du Coin - a french restaurant located in downtown DC. There I enjoyed the fine food that consisted of smoked mackrel with salad, moules rouqefort, and duck breast with gravy and flan. Being the want-a-be chef I am, it was amazing. And to think after all that, I stayed awake to be inspired.

Relational

I've been working on a sermon message for this week entitled The Habit of Relationships leads to the Discipline of Evangelism (the title is actually longer than the message). It is part of a continuing series we are doing about creating space for the spiritual disciplines.

This is probably my favorite topic. I am a relationship kind of person. I'm interested in people and enjoy people watching and learning about people. In this message, on Sunday October 11,(if you can not come check it out online at www.coolspring.org) I will be showing the importance of relationships through the life of Christ.

Recreation and Sports is relational. It creates opportunities for us to meet people where they are and interact with them in a common way. It provides us the opportunity to be transparent, real, and genuine as we play, work, and spend time with others through recreation outlets. It also provides us insights into the lives of others as they reveal their strengths and weakness through their particular outlet (just this week our team dealt with an over abundance of confidence in one adult player that led to frustration for another). We can also begin to learn of their physical needs as well as their emotional needs. It's then we are able to share the Christ life experience with them.

So, whatever recreation activity you participate in, take time to be relational with someone. It's a discipline that will be rewarding....for you and the other person!

Call It

The compliment for any ref or umpire would be to be told, "I didn't even know you were out there." Good officials know that there job is to keep the game in motion and create as little distraction or attention to themselves as possible. Despite the wave of emotions that are handed to them by the unstable fans from play to play, they must remain confident and secure in the task on the playing surface. As a baseball umpire for over 10 years, I have always said that any coach would become a better coach if they would officiate for one season.

In our Upward sports leagues our officials are volunteers. Yes they are provided training and direction specific to the league rules and purpose of our league. We strive (with continual need for improvement) to be sharp and crisp in the the way they interact with the coaches, players, and other participants. An official needs to make the call with confidence and clarity. It is their job to ensure that the game stays in motion and they make the proper calls that allow that to happen. But it is also part of their job to work with the kids on the field: to encourage and assist them in their sport development. While the coaches will have an impact on the child throughout the season, we also realize that in one moment on the field an official can motivate a child "to give it another shot, step it up, or comment on their great play or speed." Making sure your officials know their role and task is part of communicating to others that you take their child and their child's experience serious. It's another part of impacting someones life.

Great job to our officials for giving of themselves each Saturday to invest in the lives of others.

(The above model in the picture sporting our ref shirt is one I heckle and jaw with. And make no mistake about it, she throws the flag on me in a hurry)

Cost of a Bathroom Experience

Over the last week I have had the opportunity to attend the Va State Fair and travel to South Carolina. In each of these two events, I have found a similar theme..the cost of a bathroom experience.

Between the years 2001-2005, my family and I lived overseas and traveled throughout several countries. What I learned about living outside the U.S. was that it cost to use the restroom! Every time I entered the "WC" or washroom, I would have to leave a tip to the person sitting at the entrance. I was never really sure they were cleaning the facility, but they were employed...by me and others needing to desperately hit the "WC."

Well four years later, the trend has hit the U.S. At the state fair and in the Charlotte Airport I was hit by the urge. So, in both locations, I walked in and there it was - the cost of a bathroom experience. An elderly man in one location and a young man in another. I began to debate this in my mind as to whether I should tip or not and reflected of how it was overseas. My bathroom experience has now moved to the side of anxiety as to how will I face the men waiting for me to leave. Finally, after much debate, I walked out with my head up strong while greeting the two men knowing that I had given financially to the cause (still not sure what they do).

I guess we are just getting closer to a universal world. We have now taken up the habits of other countries. But, on the positive in this financial hardship, I have to give the guys props for finding a way to make a living. And I found joy in supporting their ambition.

IMAC

Out at the Mac store watching my oldest son purchase his dream - a MacBook Pro. He has worked hard over the last 6 months in terms of research and jobs and is ready to take the plunge. He has learned the value of hard work, patience, and how fast HIS money can spend!

Good Meeting

I know you think I've lost my mind, but I love a good meeting. A good meeting consist of a well planned approach, the right people involved for the meeting, and no rabbit chasing. That's what my time at Upward Unlimited consisted of... A Good Meeting.

The discussion was open between Recreation ministers (like myself and others from the east coast to the west coast) and the Upward staff, to the President of Upward and the people responding to our daily needs to develop a league. When you know how to ask the right questions and address the hard issues, as well as celebrate the good things, you can have an effective meeting. And good leaders know how to incorporate both aspects.

Upward continues to be a well run organization that impacts local communities across the United States. They need to be commended for their mission to introduce children to Jesus Christ and their work ethic to ensure they are producing the best leagues possible within their mission.

For more information visit www.upward.org.