Our Forgetful God

What a great day! I thoroughly enjoyed church today. We had low attendance two weeks ago, and then had to cancel the service last week, all because of the weather. And the weather didn't really improve much before Christmas Eve, so our service was... I can only say intimate. All that made today even better. We had everyone back, and the enthusiasm was contagious!

As much as I enjoy our worship every Sunday, I really got into putting together and leading worship this morning. Since I'm not leading worship regularly, my throat is really out of shape. During rehearsal, it felt tight and I couldn't reach some of the notes. But what a difference 90 minutes and the presence of the Holy Spirit makes. I felt like I could have sang all day.

I had also felt like I'd left something unfinished, since Christmas was three days ago and I still hadn't preached part four of our Advent series: Christmas Grace. Well, it's not unfinished any more (is that a double negative?). This morning's teaching, only a week late, was Christmas Grace Means God Won't Forget Us.

We read in Isaiah 49:14-16 - Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

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"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget [as unlikely as that is], I will not forget you. See, I have [carved] you on the palms of my hands."

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But God is forgetful about one thing.

I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)

God forgets your sin, but he'll never forget you!

Meet Lawrence

This is Lawrence. Lawrence is part of our church family, and he is an exceptional person. While this isn't really my story to tell, Lawrence gave me permission to share.

During the week leading up to Christmas, Portland endured its worst winter storm (actually a series of storms) in 40 years. Most of us hunkered down in our homes, keeping warm and venturing out as little as possible. Some didn't have a home in which to hide, so the local homeless shelters received as many people as they could.

There were, however, some who were turned away from the shelters. The Union Gospel Mission had room for people, but not for the pets belonging to the poorest of the poor. While they would have been happy to give beds, they had no means of housing animals. Unfortunately, taking their pets to the animal shelter would probably mean losing them forever. Anyone needing shelter who was not willing to abandon his/her pet, had no choice but to remain outside in the coldest weather in 5 years.

That's where Lawrence enters in. While most people weren't aware of the problem or, if they were, just put it out of their minds, Lawrence put love into action. Remembering 3 homeless men who died from exposure during the winter 0f 2007-2008, he contacted PetSmart's national headquarters, made them aware of the problem and asked them to help. PetSmart very graciously donated 8 pet crates, food and pet accessories (collars, pet toys, etc.). On Tuesday (December 23rd) Lawrence enlisted some help to pick up the crates and supplies and deliver them to Union Gospel Mission.

As of early evening, the mission had already received three homeless men and their dogs. If it hadn't been for Lawrence's intervention and PetSmart's generosity, these guys would have slept outdoors in the freezing temperatures. If you haven't yet figured out the magnitude of Lawrence's choice to make a difference, you need to know that a Eugene, Oregon homeless man died that same evening, from exposure to the elements.

He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker. (Proverbs 17:5) The church cannot rest while the poor are freezing to death. The church has to do something, and this week Lawrence reminded me that I'm the church.

What are you going to do about it?

We Christmas Eved

We had a low turnout for our Candles, Carols and Christ service tonight, but I'm glad we went ahead with it. The roads were rutted with ice and slush, and the side streets were still snow covered. But those present really appreciated it. We even had guests! A mother and her approximately 9-year old daughter, who normally attend another church, came to our Christmas Eve service because their's was cancelled. I'm glad we were there for them.

To Christmas Eve or Not to Christmas Eve

Hey, guys, we have a winter weather advisory until 10 p.m., and a winter storm warning until 9 p.m. From what I understand we're supposed to get 1-2 more inches of snow today, before giving way to rain.

I'm trying to decide if the weather warrants cancelling our Christmas Eve Candles, Carols and Christ service. It's supposed to stay above freezing long enough for people to get home, but even rain on top of all this snow and ice can be treacherous.

I take this call very seriously. I'm raring to go (or is it rearing to go - someone has to tell me the derivation of that phrase), but I don't want anyone getting hurt trying to get there, or while they're driving home. I hope things are clear cut enough that I can make the call by noon.

I'm planning to take communion to some of our seniors this afternoon. I really enjoy doing that. Here's hoping the weather cooperates!

Snow Day (Week?)

We're enjoying a snow day. Actually my kids had 5 snow days in a row last week, making their Christmas break three weeks instead of two. On Sunday the 14th, it started snowing at 7:30 a.m. cutting our attendance in half. Then it basically snowed all week long, and we really got dumped on this past Saturday and Sunday. I'm always reluctant to cancel church, but in this case it was basically decided for me.

We woke up this morning to somewhere around 8 inches on the ground, with more coming down. Final total would be about 9 inches. That's my best guess anyway.

Chains or studded snow tires are required everywhere in our county. I thought that meant that I could drive as long as I didn't get stuck, but I've been warned that the police could pull me over just for driving. Bummer. It's kind of fun driving in this stuff... not that I would know that.

This is good weather for catching up on some reading, and for cleaning off the DVR. If the Steelers had just won yesterday, I wouldn't have a thing to whine about.

Woo Hoo!

Okay, I can't say that; it makes me feel like a chick. Just let it be known that I'm jazzed! Actually that's not much better... about two things!

First, I shared about getting my laptop worked on a few months ago. I was pumped at the time, and had great expectations for better performance. What I didn't realize was that somehow in the process, the computer tech apparently deleted the driver for my wireless card. I'm not a computer geek, so I might be saying this all wrong, but whatever the reason, I haven't had wireless access since. At work I can plug in to a DSL line, and I'm fine, but at home my only choice was wireless, so I just went without.

Today a friend started poking around in my computer, diagnosed the problem, downloaded a new driver, and (since we're snowed in) here I am, sitting in my easy chair, blogging. How cool is that? I've moved into the 20th century! As they say, one century at a time.

Second, I'm starting a new blog: 365 Forum! 365 Forum is geared toward Aloha Church of God members, but we're not limiting participation to just members of our church. This is a through the Bible type group study. Everyone from ACOG has been (or will be) given a The Bible in 365 card, which gives us all a framework for reading through the Bible in one year. Follow the above link to learn more. If you're not a part of ACOG, email me, and I'll send you a reading schedule.

365: 1 Thessalonians (Day 345)

You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

I guess it's natural as the year winds down and Christmas approaches to take personal inventory. This year, more than anything, I'm catching visions of people from my past... people who have made a difference in my life, and some for whom (hopefully) I've made a difference in theirs.

I think about Evelyn Musolff, who was my Sunday School teacher when I was probably about 8 years old. I will never forget her. Or Larry Best, who was also my Sunday School teacher when I was a pre-teen, and who took me and a friend trout fishing on opening day. I think of Beverly Kerstetter, my piano teacher, who confessed to me years later that she sat next to the piano bench every week as I played, praying that God would use my music for his kingdom. And of course there was my mom and dad. From my mom I learned a subtle lesson of how to persevere when things aren't going my way, and in a more overt way, my dad was the greatest spiritual influence in my life.

This Thessalonians passage reminds me that bank accounts, fancy cars, media broadcasts and publishing deals are not how I measure my impact as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I stand before God, my reward will be Christ, and the changed lives of those connected to him because I was available when God called me, and when they needed me.