Welcoming Angels

¹ Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

~ Hebrews 13:1-2

I had one of those experiences on Sunday that made me so proud to be a pastor at the ROC. I just had to take a moment this morning to brag on my ROC Flock.

Early Sunday morning, as people began to trickle in for Sunday School, one of our members found me and said, "We have a special guest and she needs some help." It is not an uncommon occurrence to encounter people seeking some kind of help at the ROC. It is a blessing to give, to be sure, but I have to admit that being known in the area as a giving place can sometimes drain one's energy and resources. There is so much need. And yet, as the Body of Christ, we didn't come to be served, but to serve and to give our lives away for Him - as Jesus modeled for us. And as we step out, He sustains us.

I simply said of course... where is she. As I approached Teresa, it was obvious that she lived in poverty. Suffering and hardship had taken its toll, leaving their marks all over her face, hands, feet, and clothes. Her downcast demeanor and broken body were clear witnesses of the oppression and brokenness of this world. My heart began to break for her.

I introduced myself and talked to her for a moment. It was obvious that she had a gentle and sweet spirit, in spite of her suffering... maybe it was because of all she had been through and not in spite of it. She told me that her family was moving to another part of the city and they wouldn't have heat for some time this winter, and they needed some blankets to keep warm. She has several grandchildren living with her and didn't want them to get sick over the brutal winter months.

I thought to myself, "I can't believe that we don't keep any blankets around here, but how can we say 'no' to such an honest, humble request." I said, "Let me see what we can do." As I asked around, I found out that Pastor Beckie had recently purchased about 7 or 8 new blankets to give away. Every year, as the weather changes and it starts to get cold over night, Beckie and a few others from our fellowship buy blankets to hand out to the homeless. It just happened that they had not gone out to give them away yet, and they were still in the trunk of her car. Coincidence?

Theresa stayed for Bible Study and worship. She was able to gather some bread that we offer for the community to take home for her family. And after the service, she spoke to me. She was in tears and simply said, "I wish I had found this place sooner. Everyone treated me so special here. They were kind and loving. I have been to churches where I was looked down on and treated poorly because of my appearance. This is a beautiful place." She asked if there was a church like this where she was moving. I gave her the contact information of a church like us that will be near her - I'm friends with their pastor and I know they will treat her well.

I believe that she found more than blankets and bread that day - I think she encountered the Bread of Life who can cover her and her family with the warmth of His presence. I can't think of anything that touches a pastor's heart more than a story like this.

Our fellowship truly embodied the beautiful prayer that I heard while working at a homeless shelter in Kansas City. We had different church groups come through to serve dinner each night. I would usually have someone from the group pray before we prepared to serve the meal. One evening an elderly African American lady offered a prayer that I will never forget. She simply said, "Lord, we know You'll be comin' through the line today. Help us treat you well. Amen." I try to remember that pray every day. "Lord, I know that I'm going to encounter you today. Help me treat you well." I wish I could say that I live up to that all the time... but I don't. And, yet I know that He hasn't given up on me... as we sang on Sunday - You never let go.

I absolutely love leading people who "get it"... who understand that we learn to love God by loving others... that whatever we do for the least and lost, we do for Him. And as we pour ourselves out, living as expressions as His love, His grace and His peace... we receive the Kingdom of God.

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

~ Matthew 25:37-40

Thank you ROC Flock! I'm proud of you! Let us continue to love one another for God is love!

Justice in the Morning

Bart Campolo (founder of Mission Year and son of one of my favorite writers and speakers, Tony Campolo) shared this story. It moved me and reminded me why we are here. I thought I would pass it along:

Dear Friends,

It was late when Karen came over from next door with her cell phone. On the line was Emily, a young school teacher who moved here with her husband to be part of our fellowship, and who has been especially good to Jamilla, an against-the-odds teenager on her block. Karen put Emily on speaker, and suddenly we were all together in the middle of a post-modern teenage nightmare.

With part of her disability check, Jamilla had gotten herself a high-status cell phone that connects with internet, and recently she had been experimenting with ‘Urban Chat,’ a sleazy local website where teenagers flirt with each other online. A few hours earlier, an attractive guy from that site had convinced her to send him a nude photograph. Now he was telling her that unless she paid him $60, he was going to forward that photo to every kid he knew at her school. According to Emily, Jamilla was frantic, embarrassed, and very much afraid.

The ensuing conversation ranged from the new dangers of technology to the old vulnerabilities of adolescent insecurity to the unique blind spots of kids in poverty, but it kept coming back to the problem at hand: What should Emily tell Jamilla to do? For good reasons, Jamilla was terrified to tell her family, and it didn’t take much research to discover she could get into big trouble for sending the photo in the first place. In the end, we told her to agree to pay off her blackmailer the next morning, in person, on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Of course, we had another plan in mind.

Jamilla and I parked near the meeting place early. She walked there alone, while I stood across the street, pretending to talk on my cell phone. Both of us nervously scanned the face of every young man on the sidewalk, looking for the bad guy. When he finally showed up, he walked towards Jamilla with a confident smile. Before he could say a word, I stepped between them.

“My name is Bart Campolo and I’m Jamilla’s pastor,” I said calmly, as his smile disappeared. “I’ve spoken with our lawyer and also with a police officer in our fellowship, and both of them tell me you’re not in any real trouble yet.” I paused for a moment, hoping he wouldn’t run, but he was frozen in place. “Now first of all, I need to watch you delete that photograph from your cell phone.” Wordlessly, he complied.

“Of course,” I continued, “you might have a copy of that photo on your computer, but I’m here to tell you that if it goes anywhere, I will personally see to it that you go to jail for at least a year and that your family pays out a great deal of money. Do you understand me?” He nodded, as I held up my camera and pushed the button. “Now I have your photograph and your telephone number and I know where you go to school. Son, what you did to Jamilla was ugly and cruel, but I’m going to let you walk away from it. But I promise you, if we ever hear from you again, the wrath of God will come down on you. Again, do you understand me?” He looked me in the eye for the first time. “Yes sir,” he said. I stepped back. “All right then. You may go.”

As he walked away, I put my arm around Jamilla, who still looked very afraid. Honestly, I was a little bit weak in the knees myself. I’m not a natural tough guy, after all. “Do you really think it’s over?” she asked quietly.

“Yes I do,” I replied. “That boy is terrified, and he ought to be. Do you know why?”

“No.”

“Because I wasn’t bluffing. I meant every word I said.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

On our way to her high school, I gave Jamilla just the kind of fatherly talking to you would expect, about trust and men and self-respect, and Jamilla gave me just the kind of relieved, grateful attention you would expect after an ordeal like that. Over and over, I tried to communicate to her just how precious she is to us. Jamilla teared up, and told me how much it meant to have a caring grown-up friend on her block. Without Emily, she said, she didn’t know where she would be.

After I dropped her off, I called Emily and Karen and Marty, so they could stop worrying. Then I gave thanks for women like them, who live out their love in the most natural ways, and make safe havens for girls in trouble. And then I treated myself to a greasy diner breakfast, during which I reflected at some length on the peculiar exhilaration of utterly overpowering a mean, abusive person in the name of Jesus.

It doesn’t happen nearly often enough, but I do love the smell of justice in the morning!

Keep the faith,

Bart



You can see the original post here

A Psalm & Reflection

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

It has been my observation that all great praying men are simple, relaxed men. Mrs. Thomas A. Edison once said to me, "Mr. Edison's methods are just like yours. He is always perfectly natural and always perfectly relaxed. He feels that all his discoveries have 'come through him,' that he is but a channel for forces greater than himself."

Always natural, and always relaxed! I do not like to see men work too hard at their prayers. Beware lest the zeal of thy house eat thee up. When one strains and labors over his dream he is too often carving ivory and not polishing horn. Don't cut too deeply, don't carve too hard, don't paint the picture too much yourself. Get still awhile, and let God paint it through you. Wrote Gutzon Borglum, "When I carve a statue, it is very simple. I merely cut away the pieces that don't belong there and the statue itself presently comes into view. It was there all the time."
~ From I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes by Glenn Clark

Get still a while, and let God paint through you.

Another Letter

Evil is a word used to describe the absence of good, just as we use the word darkness to describe the absence of light or death to describe the absence of life. Both evil and darkness can be understood only in relation to light and good; they do not have any actual existence. I am light and I am good. I am love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because, apart from me, you can draw only upon yourself. That is death because you have separated yourself from me: Life. ~ The Shack

Man bro, I read that and was like WOW! In fact, I said the exact same thing as the man God was speaking with. I just hadn’t read far enough to know his response.

How are you? I’m well bro for real. God is good and I praise His Holy Name for everything He’s done. Grace and Peace indeed! We’ll get to a few of those things here in a minute, first things first.

How’s Sara and your son? Miss you guys, man. Been a while since I’ve had people like you two around. Two of a kind I’m sure of it. Lil guy is getting big huh? I’ll meet him soon. God’s got something planned for me.

How’s the church family? Can’t wait to come home man. Feel like this is training camp or something. Been burying myself in books and different things to give me a better understanding of my Father. I actually started VBC – Victory Bible College – last Sunday. 30, 16 hour courses, nothing major but I will get and use the opportunity to further my growth in Christ.

Man bro, I can’t shut up about God! I’m on the yard talking about God. I thank my Father for his grace. Bro, I’m actually happy! Been a long time since I’ve been happy. So many tears, frowns and painful nights. I feel as if I’ve seen a portion of hell, but through the dark, Abba Father got me and held me close. No more darkness. I was witnessing to a brother today. Showing my battle wounds and scars. I know where I’ve been, I know where God’s brought me from. And through it all, He still loves me. Everyone needs to know about this Love.


I told you that I’ve hooked up with a few other men of Christ. We do our best to keep each other’s spirits up and help each other out. I’m kind of a solo individual though. But these are my bro’s, nonetheless. Four of my favorite guys to be around are Tapia – he looks like a Mexican Doug from the show “King of Queens.” Only short. Strong in faith. The guy is a blessing to anyone he comes in contact with.


Then you have Pollywood – at first glance, you’d see ‘all business, no nonsense strait to the point type of guy.’ And at times he is, but Pollywood is a blast to be around. He has an I’ll tell you the truth, so if you can’t handle it don’t ask’ type of character about him.


Man of God. ‘Papa’ – Bobby Sanders – He’s the one who is about mid-50’s, but beams as if he’s 10 years old all the time. Keeps us all laughing and has so much knowledge and wisdom, Richard. This guy is amazing and such a blessing to be around. His testimony is amazing bro. All these guys have extraordinary testimonies, but ‘Papa’ sticks out the most to me. This guy shines so bright with the Holy Spirit bro. I touch him every day to get a piece of his happiness to go along with my own. You’d never think he had all the time he has. God is evident in El Reno Federal Correctional Institution.


Last is Santiago, as much as I’d like to consider myself a soldier, this would be the guy who has been in and out of battle so many times he lost count of all the victories. My brother, man. He reminds me of me so much. He’s done and been through enough to realize that he’s truly blessed to be alive and still have an out date one day. And now, he is a warrior of the Father and pushes the line on Satan, helping us all with our walk as we do him. Powerful soldier of God and you know what? He reminds me of you. He helped me take those first few steps back in the faith. And showed me how to really trust God. Like I said, God is here bro. We are holding it down and leading by example. Pray for us man and know that the Squad is strong as ever here at El Reno. I’ll send you pictures soon.

I’ve talked to my sister, she’s doing better. Man, I wish I were there with her. Miss her and want better for her. Thank you for hooking her up with Nancy. True blessing. Our Father moves, doesn’t he?

I wanted to ask you about John Chapman. Did he ever become a pastor? And how is he? Good man, right there, Richard. And Nathan Holloway and Chris? Let me know how they are and to be honest I’d like email addresses to put on my mailing lists. It’d be cool to speak to those guys again. Let me know about that.

I have my mother’s picture sitting up on my bed. She’s smiling at me. I know she’s proud and really smiling at her son now. Took a while but I’m not running from my responsibility any longer. “Son of a Soldier.” Miss her, but I’ll see her again one of these days. God has some things He wants me to do. I believe those things are great.

Oh year, before I forget, these guys at church don’t know ‘Shout to the Lord.’ You think someone could send me the music and lyrics for the praise team band? Get with me on that. Please let them know I appreciate any other songs they would like to send as well. Just try and send the music as well.

Well, it’s getting late big bro. I gotta get some sleep. Up early breakfast is the best of the week on Wednesday morning. Love you bro and please tell Sara I’m happy to be an uncle. Stay up Richard and since everyday is a struggle, pray for us as I pray for you and my church family. Kind of don’t want to end the letter, feel as if I’m talking directly to you over a cup of coffee. Soon enough, right? God already told me, I’ll be home sooner than what these people say. Pray for my family and sister. And pray that the Judge finds it in his heart to grant me another chance.

To my brother and Pastor
With love of a younger brother
And solider in Christ!
~ Tori

P.S. Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around. You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were un-loved is a limitation, not the other way around. Living unloved is like clipping a bird’s wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you. ~ The Shack

Sometimes we hurt so bad, all we see is our pain. Sometimes we lose sight of God. But I know now, my Father never left me. Was there the whole time. Go in love, grace and peace Bro.

I Am Second: Bradford

St. Louis lost their season opener, but look like they are going to be a strong team this year. I imagine that several OU fans will now become Rams fans due to the Bradford effect. He is extremely talented and it looks like he will have a truly successful NFL career. But I don't like him for any of those reasons. I like Bradford because he seems to be a young man with great character. After I watched this video, my intuitions were confirmed... so I think I'm going to follow the Rams a little more closely this year.

Seeds

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
~ Galatians 6:7-10

We reap what we sow. If we sow apple seeds, we’re not going to get grapefruits. And if we plant tomatoes, we won’t receive watermelons. Some folks call it Karma and may understand it in different ways, but we know it as this Biblical principle. The Lord ordered this relational world in such a way so that we reap what we sow.

We are in the farming business. We are in the seed planting business. And those seeds take time to germinate, grow roots, and develop before they begin to produce fruit. After sharing these things on Sunday, I received a powerful letter from my friend Tori this week that confirmed God’s word. Tori was involved in the youth ministry and his family were some of the first and most faithful members of our congregation. Sadly he drifted from God, made some bad choices and ended up in prison. We have recently reconnected and here is the letter I received this week.

8-30-2010


Pastor Richard,

Sup bro? How’s the wife and son? Once again, congratulations on your upcoming new edition as well. Would love to be there, but God has something He wants me to do right now. Feels like training camp or something around here. Maybe it is… Doing time isn’t easy but I’m alright, really.

How’s the church doing? I’m sure they congregation has exploded now that you’re back. Wish I were there to catch your sermons, man. You know, I’ve been away since ’07, and honestly, every time I think about peace, I see New Life (ROC) and our friends. Smiling faces fill my thoughts and that’s when my day becomes cool. That’s what made me ask for some pictures. I hope I wasn’t asking for too much, if so it’s cool bro, really. Get me when you can.

God’s been taking care of me. After all this time, I’m still in His favor, man. You know how that makes me feel? Like I shouldn’t have ever turned away. But Pastor Richard, I was a coward. A true coward who ran from the path God set in front of me. That’s what happened man. I ran from the responsibility of being on the frontline 4 God. I’m sorry man. When Satan came at with guns blazing, I ran. Ran to the money, the women, the violence. And when my mother passed, I felt that God was turning His back, so I literally turned my even more. Went deeper into my wayz. Cowardess. I was so angry at God man. I was hurt. And when someone hurts you, instinctively your flesh wants to hurt them back. I didn’t want that, I just wanted to get away from the pain I was feeling. I got deeper into the life of the streets. They comforted me in a way. You know, they have a warm embrace for a short time. But one thing I learned was that the streets are loyal to no one. They love no one. The sad thing about it, some people never realize this and continue to 4give her trespasses. Even me. I’ve been robbed, stabbed, shot at, and beat within an inch of my life, literally. And that’s barely tipping the iceberg between my actions toward others. I didn’t realize God wanted me to come back all this time.

I think I’m here because God wanted to slow me down long enough to show what’s real. You know what I realized about the last time I was in His embracing arms? I wasn’t grounded in the word. I realize now that the word is vital to being a true child of God. So when the storm came, I fell… Not now though. I’m finally for the first time ever, actually studying. I’m 4real walking with Pops. Pray for me to stay strong, please. Pray for my sister as well. And if you get a chance have Sara, Allison call her 4 me, please. I want her to have positive role models like she used to have. Someone strong in the word and a genuine good person, Sara has always been the best example and Allison is right beside her. Please don’t 4get about us Pastor. I’m asking you to recognize us as lost sheep right now.

Well, I have to write my sister. Please stay strong and confident that you reach us. Those seeds you and the others planted in our hearts has finally sprouted and have begun to grow. One day we will bear fruit and continue the cycle until God calls us home. God is good and to Him, all praises are due, man. Maybe one day soon we’ll be side by side on the field again.

Last summer a friend asked me over the phone what I wanted out of life. What I was looking 4? That question rings now as I write this letter. I want to commit myself to doing the will of my Father, He who I now have my missing piece. In whom I now have my peace. Thanks again, man.

Sorry, I get enthusiastic when on this topic. Seems like its so much to tell you and 15 minutes on the phone is nothing. I know you’re busy but when you get a chance, slide up here bro, come holla at your old friend. Better yet your little brother in the feds. Give the church my love and pray 4 me to stay focused.

Always and for sure,

Tori

P.S. I’ve been thinking about the old crew, Nathan, John and Jennifer, Lacy, Nancy, Trevor and Jamie. How’s everyone doing man? If you speak to them, tell them I said “Hello”. Man I keep thinking about you all. I’m sure everyone is graduated and on with their lives, so just tell them all I’m proud of them, alright? Talk to you later Pastor.

ROC Flock ~ 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Final Instructions Before Departure

If you have traveled much you know the drill. Just before departure, your flight attendants will stand at the front of the cabin giving you the most important information you need to know as a passenger. Of course, the majority of us aren’t paying attention because the material is basically irrelevant as long as the flight is a smooth, crisis free.

Life is never a smooth, crisis free flight - that is one thing I’m pretty certain about. We will experience turbulence, engine failure, pilot error, technology breakdowns, hostile takeovers, rough landings, and sometimes we’ll even nosedive and crash. We need to pay a little more attention to those final instructions before departure. They tend to come by way of those "life attendants" who have been on the journey for some time.

What would you say if you knew it was going to be your last conversation? What would you write if you knew it was going to be your last letter? What would be the last thoughts and life lessons you would want to leave for your family, friends and others? What would your final instructions be?

These kinds of questions reveal our core values, purpose and passion. They remind us of what is truly essential – how we should spend our time, energy and resources. It is important to reflect on those questions now because most of us will never know when that final communication is going to come. And those who live according to their core values inevitably leave a lasting legacy.


Computer Science Professor Randy Pausch had an opportunity to reflect on these questions. On September 18, 2007 he stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver his last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told of the cancer that was devouring his pancreas and would claim his life in a matter of months. His lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come.

Randy wasn’t approaching this lecture from a Christian perspective, but he still has a great deal of wisdom to share. You can watch the entire lecture below. Join us Sunday as we look to Hebrews 13 for wisdom and talk about Final Instructions Before Departure.

Shaken

Pursue peace with all and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. ~ Hebrews 12:14

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’ ~ Hebrews 12:28-29

Have you ever been in an earthquake? I never have, but I can imagine that a major earthquake is one of the most terrifying experiences one could go through. What was once solid and stable is violently shaking under your feet and everything on the surface of the ground could come down.

Even though I have never been through an actual earthquake, I know what it is like when my world is shaken and it feels like everything is falling down around me. It is in those moments that we realize that our foundation isn’t stable. There is only one solid foundation on which to build our life, as the Psalmist writes: As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? ~ Psalm 18:30-31

Gather with the ROC Flock this Sunday as we pursue holiness in light of our all-consuming God that we may receive a kingdom that can never be shaken. When your world is rocked make sure you plant your feet firmly on the Rock!

Legacy

On Monday our entertaining, larger than life bus driver shared some of the significant land marks and history of Dallas with us. As we neared our destination, she then regaled us with an inspirational tale.

In 1963 a southern lady in Dallas area went into a local bank and asked for a small business loan. We would not think much of it today, but in those days, especially in the south, women were limited in their employment options. They were told that they were welcome in the kitchen, laundry room and bedroom, but not the board room. The loan officer, in a "professional way", declined to offer her the money. The bank wasn’t willing to take a risk on this woman with "their" resources.

Undeterred, she came back the next day near lunch time, took off her shoes and refused to leave this banker’s office until he offered her the loan she needed. Knowing that she meant business, he finally relented. She took the money, and not only did she pay back the loan, but turned a few thousand dollars into a worldwide multi-billion dollar corporation. Of course, that southern lady was Mary Kay Ash.

For a few days now, I have been surrounded by 6,000+ Mary Kay women. I came to support my wife, Sara, as she was recognized this year on the main stage as a new Directory in the organization. This is one of their final summer seminars. For the last five weeks over 30,000 women from around the world have gathered in Dallas to be recognized and receive encouragement and training as they continue to expand their business. I have to be honest; being around this much estrogen is almost too much for one supportive husband. But, I am so proud of my wife and her accomplishment, and I would endure thousands more screaming women to show her my support.

Mary Kay has an amazing story and has left a powerful legacy. However, it is not the growth of one woman to millions of consultants or a few thousand to billions of dollars that is the most impressive. It is the culture she created that has left a lasting impact. She developed a business where women could keep the right priorities – “God first, family second and career third.” She emphasized those priorities throughout her life and modeled them in the way she lived. Mary Kay developed a corporate culture based on the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” She advocated “praising people to success” and encouraged millions of women to dream big dreams, set goals and to achieve them. She was a visionary and woman of great faith.

I have to say that all of this has been instilled in the DNA of these women. They are the most encouraging, positive group of people that I have ever been around. They honestly want to see others achieve their dreams and be the best that they can be. They keep the right priorities and follow the Golden Rule. Through their organization millions of dollars have been donated to charity and they seek to see positive changes happen in their communities. What a legacy.

What kind of legacy are you leaving? This Sunday we are going to be talking about the Faith of our Fathers – leaving a faith legacy. You won’t want to miss it. Join the ROC Flock for worship this week and lets learn together how to leave a lasting legacy of faith for our family. As these Mary Kay ladies would say - let's pass it on.

ROC VBS

As I watched the children recite John 3:18 by memory this morning: "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth," with motions and all, I was taken back to my own time attending Vacation Bible School. The simple truths that I learned there have become a foundation holding me together when the storms of life threaten to tear me apart. Those lessons have guided me through some dark and difficult situations. And I am so blessed to be a part of passing those life giving lessons on to another generation.



We are talking with these children about a God who can custom build our heart to love him and serve others... that we love because He first loved us as 1 John 4:19 tells us... that we can resist temptation and evil, just like Jesus to do what is right all the time... but if we do mess up, we can come to God and ask for forgiveness and He removes the barrier of sin from our life.


Continue to pray for our ROC Kids this week, that God would plant these seeds deep in their hearts so that they might live good and fruitful lives. If you would like to see more pictures of our ROC VBS 2010 just click on this link.

Making Headlines

One of our ROC Kids, Ezekiel Wilson, will soon be highlighted by the OK Blitz, which is the sports section of News Channel 9.

Here is a link to the story online

"Local 10 year old, Ezekiel Wilson, qualifies for HERSHEY NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD GAMES, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Ezekiel is a first time participant in the HERSHEY GAMES and will be competing in the Softball Throw event in the NORTH AMERICAN FINAL MEET. Ezekiel is an A - B student at Tulakes Elementary School and is being raised by his single grandmother with two siblings.

Ezekiel entered the Hershey competition, won state and set a record for Softball Throw (138.5 ft) for his age category (9-10) and won the whole region, which includes (OK, TX, NM, AR, LA, MS) and qualifies him for the national level of competition. He plays baseball for the PCO Wildcats and was also awarded the Kamesha Stevenson Award for the 09-10 school year.

The family attends the ROC Church. They would appreciate and would be greatly blessed by any donations that would help them attend the Nationals in support of Ezekiel. All donations can be made to any Bank of Oklahoma by 8/4/10."

Ezekiel - We are proud of you! Keep reaching for the stars.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Look for Ezekiel's story on News Channel 9, coming soon.

Impressions

The ROC Church tends to leave an impression. It is sometimes positive and sometimes negative, but you won't walk away without being impacted.

Dr. Howard Culbertson, Professor of Missions at Southern Nazarene University, recently sent me this message of the impression ROC Church made on a college student from Russia.

Right now I'm teaching a section of Ministry, Church and Society online. Last week one of the students, Olga Kozhevnikova, mentioned the ROC church in one of her posts. I asked her permission to share it with you and she agreed I could do that:

"I agree with pastor Mark that church is not just a building, but a group of believers. When I went to ROC Church of the Nazarene in Bethany district I was surprised that a [airplane] hangar outside is a church inside. In my mind were the following words: "This metal construction cannot be a church, the church should be beautiful". But when I sat down and the service began, I realized how wrong I was. All people, rich or poor did not care about the look of the church. They came here to be with Christ and other Christians and it seemed that they did not care about the look at all. I did not hear any complaints about reconstructing it into a "real" church and make it nicer. People, that is what matters in church. The building does not mean anything."

One of the founders of our Nazarene tribe, Phineas Bresee, once said:

What must He think of His people today, spending their time and strength and the money which would feed the hungry and clothe the naked and send the gospel to the unsaved, in placing stone upon stone, building massive towers, carving forms of beauty, adding elaborate and expensive adornments, putting thousands of dollars into grand organs, and all tending to drive the poor form the portals of the so-called house of the Lord.

and: We want places so plain that every board will say welcome to the poorest.

and: Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and wipe away the tears of sorrowing and gather jewels for His diadem.

The impression that Olga was left with was that the church is not a building. I hope we never forget it is not about the building... it is all about His mission... it is all about people - People! May we stay true to those roots.

God is for us!

Have you ever had one of those moments when it just seemed like God was trying to get your attention... the same thing comes up over and over again in all kinds of contexts. That happens to me often. I guess the Lord has to do a little extra to get His message through my thick head, at least my wife would agree with that.

Our associate pastor said something in her welcoming comments that was encouraging and stuck with me. She said, “No matter what we are going through… no matter what we have done, God is for us!” What a promise. As I settled into the crazy cacophony of noise and the hectic pace of this week, I would have probably quickly forgotten this powerful promise. But then I read this in my morning devotion:

9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant';
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9-10

I think the Lord wanted me to dwell a little while on the reality that He is for us... He is for me! And I was reminded of that powerful passage in John 15 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.

It has nothing to do with us – who we are, what we’ve done, where we come from. It has everything to do with Him! God’s character is holy love… love that is not conditional or changing, but constant and for all. And Jesus is the ultimate sign that God is for us. Through His call He says, “I choose you.” On the cross He says, “I am for you.” By the power of His resurrection He says, “I am with you, always!”

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39

Inadequacy

I want to give you a gift. It is an important gift, maybe the most important gift you will receive this week. I give you the gift of inadequacy.

You are inadequate. Recognize it. Embrace it. It is the kind of truth that can set you free from the drudgery of a “works” mentality. None of us are adequate – and yet, God accepts us, loves us, works in us and through us despite all of our brokenness and dysfunction. He is more than adequate.

As my morning devotion reminded me, we should all take a moment to laugh at ourselves today. “Laughter is the purest form of our response to God’s acceptance of us. For when I laugh at myself I accept myself and when I laugh at other people in genuine mirth I accept them. Self-acceptance in laughter is the very opposite of self-satisfaction or pride. For in laughter I accept myself not because I’m some sort of super-person, but precisely because I’m not. There is nothing funny about a super-person. There is everything funny about a man who thinks he is. In laughing at my own claims to importance or regard I receive myself in a sort of loving forgiveness, which is an echo of God’s forgiveness of me.” ~ From Tensions by H. A. Williams

Embrace your inadequacy, laugh at yourself and marvel at God’s love for us all!