Wells for Africa: Coins Edition

Last weekend my church ended a four-week season of thinking about, praying for, and donating money towards the building of our 9th freshwater well in Africa. The weekend was highlighted by two events. On Saturday we invited friends and neighbors and enjoyed an outdoor benefit, "Concert in the Courtyard," with live music and tasty BBQ'd burgers with all the fixings you can imagine. And the children got a bonus of playing on an outdoor playground and zip line.

And then on Sunday our church gathered for a big Wells for Africa Celebration, highlighted by worship music, teaching and the bringing of all our coins to drop in the "Wells for Africa" water jug. Coins came from everywhere--underneath sofas, in cars, in dresser and kitchen drawers, inside Tupperware containers and piggy banks (see picture).

The Sunday celebration will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable weekend services in our church's history! I will never forget the joy on every child's face as we filled the large water jug full to overflowing with coins for the digging of our 9th well. (In coins alone, we raised just under $1,000.) And I will always be grateful and strengthened in my faith when I remember the moving experience of singing "How Great Is Our God" alongside so many friends, as we celebrated God's goodness and his undeniable presence among us that day.

I know Halloween is still a couple days away, but it feels like we got an early jump on the Thanksgiving season!

I Found An Acorn

I found an acorn on the ground a few days ago. It was a perfectly formed acorn, olive-green with its “hat still on,” as my daughter put it. I looked at it for a few moments and then put it in my pocket. I’ve paused to look at it many times since the day I found it. There is something about that acorn that reminds me of God’s perfection, his love of beauty and his love for me.

And it reminded me that if we’ll stop and notice, there are signs of God’s love and perfection everywhere…
• In a smile.
• A hug.
• The fresh breeze that undeniably hints of autumn’s arrival
• Two scoops of Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.
• A pine cone.
• A freshly washed and waxed red sports car.
• A clear, blue sky
• The night sky
• A U.S. Open tennis match…the athletes, the New York night, the crowd
• The smell of freshly cut grass
• A firm, sweet strawberry
• A hot shower
• A glass of ice water, especially when you're really thirsty
• A bird, a squirrel, a deer, a butterfly, a dog and even a cat
• A soft pillow
• A firm handshake
• Laughter
• A campfire
• In an olive-green acorn with its “hat still on”

The list is endless. Have you stopped? Have you noticed?

4 Days, 4 Books, 1 Story

I've spent time, each of the last four days, reading the Gospels—Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. Four books, one story.

But rather than critically examining each verse or dissecting the message of a particular chapter, I chose to read one gospel each day, in one sitting. In addition, I tried to do so NOT as a pastor, and NOT even as a Christian, but from the perspective of someone who knew nothing about Jesus. I wanted to meet Jesus for the first time.

After reading the last gospel, I jotted down a few conclusions from my four-day adventure. I share them with you below.

1. Salvation is more about a life lived now than about a destination in the future.

2. Jesus’ call to us, that we follow him, is crystal clear. And he wants all or nothing. For someone to call him- or herself a Christian without desiring to actually be a devoted follower of Christ in daily practice is completely ridiculous.

3. The gospels offer you and me fabulous and credible hope.

4. Jesus is smart.

5. Jesus is humble.

6. Jesus is relentless in the pursuit of his calling.

7. Jesus loves me……more than I’ll ever understand.

Would you do this? 4 Days, 4 Books, 1 Story.

Not Just Fireworks, Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie

Several years ago I traveled with my family to Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington D.C. We took in all the familiar sights, tracing much of the history of the American Revolution.

I was reminded of that trip this week as I read the book Patriots: The Men Who Started The American Revolution. It’s a good, fairly fast read. And this weekend I am moved and inspired, again, by the hearts and minds of our founding fathers.

I believe that when one reads about and remembers the vision and sacrifices of those who gave so much to guarantee our freedom, it does great things to that individual's heart, mind and will.

So this weekend let’s enjoy the fireworks, baseball, hot dogs and apple pie. But let’s also remember the freedom we enjoy and the sacrifices of the men and women, the Patriots, who were authors of the American Revolution and of our nation.

Don’t let the weekend pass without at least re-reading the Declaration of Independence or “google-ing” one of these names/words that evoke so much emotion and inspiration:

John Adams

Ben Franklin

Samuel Adams

Alexander Hamilton

Thomas Paine

Thomas Jefferson

Paul Revere

Patrick Henry

George Washinton

John Hancock

Richard Henry Lee

The Boston Tea Party

Lexington and Concord

Bunker Hill

Battle of Saratoga

Valley Forge

Battle of Yorktown

From our Declaration of Independence

“We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness……For the support of this Declaration with the firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

And finally, this weekend I am reminded of the words of Ronald Reagan, our 40th President…

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

Satisfaction!

There’s a prayer that I’ve started praying recently. It’s from Psalm 90:14.

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

Now if the text started “Satisfy us in the morning with ______________”, and there was actually a blank for me to fill in, I wonder if I’d finish the prayer the same way the psalmist did? I mean, I can see myself praying, “Satisfy me in the morning with more money so that I may sing for joy and pay off my bills without stress.”

OR

“Satisfy me in the morning with deeper friendships so I will sing for joy and have someone I can always depend on.”

OR

“Satisfy me in the morning with more success so I will sing for joy be glad all the way until I cash out my 401K and retire in Florida.”

OR

“Satisfy me in the morning with a stronger, leaner body so I can sing for joy and others can admire me when they see how ripped I am.”

But the text is NOT left blank. It goes on. “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love” the psalmist prays.

I’ve been praying that prayer because I believe that even though sometimes I think I’d like other things more (and much of society would have me believe I need other things more), there is truly no greater need in my life than to be filled up with and satisfied by the unfailing love of my Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And I believe that the psalmist is right, too. If I am filled up with God’s unfailing love for me, then I can sing for joy and be glad all my days. If I am satisfied by God’s love for me, then I don’t have to seek approval and satisfaction elsewhere. If I allow God’s unfailing love to quench my deepest thirst, then I don’t have to spend my days managing others’ impressions of me or living up to someone else’s expectations of me. I’m already fully and satisfyingly loved.

And when that happens, there is a beautiful consequence that extends beyond me. Not only am I satisfied, but I’m able to give the best of myself to my spouse, my children, my friends, my neighbors, my co-workers, my classmates, and everyone else I encounter throughout my day. I’m able to give my best because those relationships aren’t junked up with other motives and false hopes. I’m already overflowing with God’s love for me, and so I’m free to let God’s love spill out of me and onto those around me.

I love that prayer!! And if I could give you any gift today it would be the gift of knowing and living from the satisfying joy of the Lord.

I hope it's your gift. I hope you know God's love really, really deeply. I hope you ask him for it this day--and every day.