It was Valentines day and we wanted to go visit the people that may have a life long friend and spouse who was no longer here to celebrate with them. We took a hundred cards and a few willing hearts to the Canton Christian Home anticipating that God would use these young people to bring hope and joy to hurting people in our community. He did that, and so much more.

After about an hour of visiting with the residents we left and returned to the lobby to debrief with the students about what they had just experienced. We spoke about the heaviness and stories of the residents who missed loved ones. The students were processing through their conversations and able to share with each other what God seemed to do in and through them. A group of ladies playing cards were prayed for by one of our students. Morgan described how overwhelming it was to hold the hand of the woman as she prayed. Other residents spoke about the years they had spent there and how some were just waiting to die. God used these students to inject hope, joy, and love into the residents lives. It was truly overwhelming and encouraging to watch.

As we sat and debriefed I had the opportunity to bring the conversation full circle. Jesus sent out his disciples in Matthew 9 with minimal direction. “Here’s authority from God, you don’t need anything else have fun, see you in a bit!” to paraphrase the Lord. I imagine the disciples looked back at Jesus saying with their eyes, Jesus don’t make us do this alone. The kairos (teaching) moment for our students and for me was that much of going on mission to where God is sending us is not knowing all the details and how to respond to every situation; His intention is to take us completely out of our element so that we rely wholly on His leading and His Spirit.

May you find yourself somewhere today completely out of your element so that the only place you can turn is up; and may you experience the God who is ever there waiting to pour into and out of you.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Hi,
During my normal quiet time, this morning, God whispered something to me regarding how important it is to bring our sins to light. He was talking to me…but I will share this here as it may help you as well get to that point of confession and cleansing.

When we fall, we are in the best position for an “Up” relationship with God because we are on our knees.

When we fall, we are in the best relational position for an “In” relationship with others because to confess we have to be transparent and open with others. Others see themselves in us and walls come down.

When we fall, we are in the best relational position for an “Out” relationship with those we want to serve because we have been humbled and are recipients of Grace. We can better relate to others since we too have been on the receiving end of kindness and love. It is then possible to serve without demeaning the other person or diminishing their self respect.

God bless,
Scott Gressel

to read more from Scott and the ministry that is happening at Sandal Place click here.

Challenging thoughts from the 3dm team.

The thing that I picked-up was the example of the little “snoodle” guy that kept being given pictures of how stupid he was as viewed by other people. He carried those around on his back and accepted every one of them without objection. I began to think…why does he do that? Why does he accept the opinions of others as accurate rather than his opinion of himself? He accepts them and then carries them around everywhere he goes.
I heard a saying once that says “Opinions are like belly-buttons…everybody’s got one.” One thing I had to learn was to respect others’ opinions…but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with them. I have a very select group of people whose opinions I actually take to heart. The rest need to work a lot harder to convince me. The problem comes in when we just accept the bad opinions along with the good ones out-of-hand without reflecting on what we are agreeing to.

This is when I remembered two illustrations about guarding what thoughts go into your mind.

1st. Illustration:
If someone rang your doorbell, you opened the door and saw a total stranger standing there with an open bucket of red paint asking to come into your house to redecorate it, would you let him in?
“Sure! Come on in!”…to which he would run frantically around your entire house splashing red paint everywhere until it was all used…and then he would leave. Does this sound like a wise thing to do? So why do we do it with people’s opinions and advice? We let them into our minds and give them free reign there.

2nd. Illustration:
What would happen if a total stranger put strychnine (poison) in your coffee.
Answer: Well, you’ld be dead. Correct.
What if they put it in your coffee by accident?
Answer: Well…you’ld still be dead.. Correct.
Conclusion: It doesn’t matter under what circumstances you get the bad stuff- It will still affect you just the same.

What would happen if even your best friend (not even a total stranger) put stricknine in your coffee? Answer: You’ld STILL be dead. Correct.
Conclusion: It doesn’t matter who gives you the bad information, it can still have a devastating effect on your life or on your bank account…whatever the case may be.

…So…watch your coffee…

His words struck me to the core, I was hurt, offended, and discouraged. Little did I know the gift that he had given me that day.

You may ask what does this have anything to do with church or missional communities for that matter? The answer to that is simple. It’s easy to talk about discipleship, church building, and all of our other great growth philosophies. However, somewhere along the line if we are trying to portray a reality that we really haven’t experienced, we need a voice like Tom’s to come along and say the tough thing.

act like you’ve been in the end zone before.

Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Disciples didn’t just know the the information or “theology” of their faith to be able to talk about it; but the very nature of their live’s, lived in community, reproduced disciples like themselves. Reflecting the same model that Jesus demonstrated for them.

He’s calling us to do the same.

I remember how uncomfortable and exposed I felt as a young boy after hearing those honest words. I believe the Holy Spirit desires to lovingly, and almost certainly painfully, speak to us in a similar way. My encouragement to all of us is this: Ask the Holy Spirit to speak deeply into your heart. As the great Physician, expose in us any falsehood. Help us to reproduce disciples as a natural flow of our lives, coming straight from the life we have in You. 

It is no mystery that the a modern day comparison can be made of single mothers raising their children in fatherless homes. Our world is being completely assaulted with this type of situation, and regardless of the circumstances that create them they break the heart of the Father. It’s said that this generation will be called the fatherless generation.

Last Wednesday our students went out and met a very tangible need for one of these mothers, and their child. We were able to build a retaining wall that was needed on the side of their property. While the project was being finished some of the students went on a walk lifting up the community in prayer. We later sat and listened to Chante’s story and struggle to make ends meet to provide for her son. She spoke of the progress that she has made on her own, and expressed deep gratitude for the help she received from us. We all sat there feeling connected to her story, and felt that our efforts were only a shadow of what God desires to do in her life. She is a courageous woman of faith fighting to make her son’s story reflect a sense hope and destiny.  We will be following up with her soon, so stay tuned!

transparency

     grace

          love

               forgiveness

                    strength

                         justice

                              patience… to name a few.

I would also use these words when trying to define what we saw within our community the night that we took serious the words of God in 1 John 1:8-9. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Students and leaders stepped into an act that took courage by confessing their sin and fears in front of their community of faith. They were able to write down what they felt entangled them and then nailed it to the cross.The imagery and power of this act was unreal, they then washed their hands at the foot of the cross. We watched as students and leaders from different backgrounds; some raised in the church confessing their judgment of others, then others confessing their only escape from problems is to plunge themselves into alcohol and drugs, now plunge themselves into the deep waters of mercy. The grace of God was tangible in that room, we went on to share in communion and celebrated the walls that began to crumble as we experienced a truer sense of unity. May God continue to grow our hearts’ closer to Him and each other for His glory.