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VBS was changed in a major way this year!  Paul did a wonderful job of describing the numerous volunteers who put in countless hours on so many various tasks to successfully make a virtual VBS happen for MCC this year.  Despite social distancing, God remained faithful to move in the hearts of so many of the precious children of our church and community.  The basic messages of Biblical truth are so very evident in the themes, songs, and stories.  As a group leader this year, I was blessed to enjoy a front row seat to hear from my group of kids.  Their joy over the singing, dancing, and crafts was obvious.  Their interest in mission work of Genesis of Hope in India was inspiring. Despite the changes to VBS this year, these kids still grew in their knowledge of the Bible and their experience of faith.  What a joy to hear their comments and answers to my questions while displaying their love of Jesus!  Psalm 96:3 states, “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”  God’s marvelous deeds and glory were most assuredly declared!

The most surprising aspect of changed VBS this year has been how VBS changed me.  Several people commented to me that volunteering for VBS “sounded like a lot of work.”  While VBS is a commitment of time and energy, God has moved yet again this year to allow me to be on the receiving end of blessing from VBS that far surpasses what I put into it.  The sweet voices of the kids in my group discussing such simple truths like “love God, love people” refreshed my soul during a time when I felt surrounded by discouraging messages and negative voices.  More so than any other year with VBS, I distinctly heard the voice of God in my call to serve and felt His presence in every aspect of every day last week.  So much peace filled my heart as I rested in the comforting knowledge that I was where God wanted me to be, doing what He wanted me to be doing.  I have been inspired by the words of God through the prophet Isaiah (43:19), “See, I am doing a new thing!”  While not generally a fan of changes, I can tell you with confidence that I am different and changed after experiencing VBS in a new and changed way!

I remember having a conversation with Pastor Frank in April. I predicted that the Pandemic would be over by beginning of June and the first big event that would bring MCC together would be VBS in mid-July. 

(waiting for the laughing to stop…. waiting)

I was so wrong.  And so right. 

We considered not having VBS. But God is bigger than man’s reasoning.  And He thrives in the areas where we want to give up. It is in those areas that we are most transformed. It is in those areas that He is most glorified.

How were the kids transformed?  It starts with the Life Application of the FOCUS curriculum:

Faith is ‘Trusting in what you can't see because of what you can see’. These are the daily lessons:

• Focus on what you can SEE (God shows himself in His Creation)
• You can HEAR from God
• You can TALK to others about what you believe.
• You can PRAY anywhere, anytime, about anything.
• And, you can LIVE for God by loving others.

These lessons were reinforced by the daily videos, lessons, songs, crafts and small group discussions.  Parents had cue cards to lead family discussion.  The participants were challenged daily to create Flip Grid videos for each other, answering daily questions, or sending messages to India. 

Kids were also transformed through mission lessons about Genesis of Hope, and the people of India. Through the efforts of Emily Gray and Donna Cura, the kids learned a ton about India, had someone in India they could pray for by name and photo, and developed a heart for our friends in India.  They also sent messages to a classroom of kids in India, two who participated in VBS.  (That would not have been possible in previous years!)

How was our body and community transformed? God led 67 volunteers to be creative, to take chances on new ideas, to trust Him, to be fun, and He rewarded their faithfulness.  Families participated together in watching the videos, creating Flip grid videos, creating crafts, and responding to other families.  We learned that we could work together, even if we were socially distant.  Many volunteers had new, challenging, even uncomfortable roles, and were fabulous.  They were able to witness God at work in our community.

How was God glorified?  He was glorified by the volunteers, who exemplified the last lesson: They showed that they LIVE for God by loving others. The kids and their families saw that.  They saw the smiling faces waving signs when the picked up their supplies. They saw that love when the dance team was made up of people they know and recognize. They heard it in the sound effects on the videos. The kids, their families, our body and our community saw people loving others in new ways, because it was the way to show that love right now.

Today is the last day for most of the 71 participants. "Most" because some families are doing it at their own pace, and will finish in a week or two. This flexibility has not been possible in the past.  "Most" because we have two participants in India and they are on a different time schedule there. 

What will God do with this transformation?  How will He use this virtual VBS to further the Kingdom, to spread the Gospel?  What will He do with all that we have learned?

I can’t wait to find out!

This thing happens to me sometimes where I wake up deaf in my right ear.

It’s annoying.

It’s a strange occurrence where, though I use those freaky earwax candles that you light on fire to keep excess wax at bay, I end up with tiny amounts of wax stuck right to my eardrum.  I can’t hear ANYTHING out of that ear until I go see the doc and get it removed.

It happened to me just a couple days ago, and it was a bit embarrassing.  I couldn’t hear most of what my family said to me all morning, even though my left ear was totally clear.  I went to the Minute Clinic at a local CVS.  When I walked in, an employee greeted me, but I couldn’t tell where her faint “hello” was coming from.  She kept on greeting me as I looked around and around, but I never did see her.  I walked to the back of the store and checked in at the electronic kiosk.  I stood to the side as I waited to be called back.  Soon enough, the doctor came out and walked right in front of me, obviously a little annoyed that she had to come all the way out of the exam room to get me.  She had been calling me in…I just couldn’t hear her.

All of this made me think that being deaf in one ear is pretty close to just being deaf period.  We were made with two ears, not so we’ll have an extra when one goes out; but because we need both to hear correctly.

Go with me to a different subject entirely.  I promise I’ll connect the dots.

I know you’ve been watching the insanity…your friends and family ripping each other apart over issues like mask wearing and racism.  Heated, angry words are being thrown around as easily as we used to throw around funny memes.  The division between people seems to deepen with every Facebook post.

I’ve noticed, as I’m sure you have, that the majority memes, videos, and articles we are reading and sharing around are overwhelmingly divisive.  It’s hard to know what to even believe anymore…everything seems to have a slant of some kind.  I’ve found myself wondering where the peacemakers are.  Where are the unifiers?  Whatever happened to, “United, we stand.  Divided, we fall”?

I had a hunch.  It sounded something like this:

“We are all so very passionately divided right now on so many issues.  I’ll bet that, deep down, we’re all actually worried about the very same things.”

I surveyed 70 people…some friends, some strangers.  I asked one question:

“What are you most worried about in our nation’s current state?”

I gave survey participants the following options, along with the option to select “other” and fill in their own answer:

-   My/my family’s safety

• My voice won’t be heard
• My way of life will be/is being negatively impacted
• I will be made to do things I don’t believe in
• People whom I do not wish to come into power will come into power
• Nothing will change after the protests are all over
• I won’t be able to rebuild my life after so much chaos
• Our country will uphold values with which I disagree
• Innocent people will suffer/are suffering

Here are the results:

Only 2 people wrote in their answers, and they were quite thoughtful.

As you can see, 71% of the participants expressed concern over 3 main issues, in the following order:

1. The suffering of innocent people
2. Their own safety, or that of their family
3. Nothing will change after the protests are over

What does this tell us?

It tells us that the person I am heatedly arguing with most likely shares my concerns.  It tells us that it is highly likely that the person who keeps sharing those memes that just grate on me is likely fearful that nothing will change after this is all over…and it will have all been for nothing.  It tells us that, though we may disagree on the mode by which the major issues we currently face ought to be addressed, we agree on the essentials.  We ALL want to end needless suffering.  We ALL want to ensure the safety of our families.  We ALL are desperate for change.

Like me, I am sure you have had ample opportunity to listen to people with very different viewpoints than you lately.  I’ll bet you’ve been surprised to find how seemingly angry or even frantic your friends have been about certain issues.  I guarantee you’ve run into ideas that have struck you as completely outlandish and unreasonable.  So here’s my question…to myself and to all of you:

Are we willing to listen with both ears?

Am I only willing to listen to and consider viewpoints of people who agree with me?  Am I dismissing information that runs counter to my current ideas?  Do I believe that my experience of life in this world is the only valid one?  If so, I’m listening with only one ear.  Listening with one ear means I’m half deaf.  And as I said before, half deaf is pretty close to deaf.

A half-deaf person notices less, experiences less, understands less of what is happening around them.  Trust me…I know.  Physically and figuratively.

How can we open up that other ear?  I think our survey results may help direct us.

When someone expresses an idea that runs counter to my views and elicits an emotional response in me, I can:

1. Assume the best about the other person. They are not out to ruin me, my family, or the world with their opinions. Their intentions are good.  I would want them to assume the same about me.
2. Realize that they are likely worried about those top 3 things listed above (and so am I….so, you know…I get it)
3. Ask genuine questions to gain understanding of why they feel the way they do
4. Genuinely consider their viewpoint, knowing that it really doesn’t threaten mine. I’m just seeking information and understanding.
5. Find good points they’ve made and acknowledge them, even if I still disagree.
6. Thank them for sharing their view

I’ve had a lot of conversations lately in which I did NOT employ these actions.  They did not go well.  I wish I could re-do them.  However, when I have employed them, the result has been the achievement of greater understanding for both myself and the person I’m discussing things with, de-escalation of emotion, and sometimes, new friendships.

We have nothing to lose by opening up the other ear, and SO much to gain.

Additionally, my Christian brothers and sisters, we have such immense opportunity to love our neighbors well right now.  Our willingness to be what love is…patient, kind, not arrogant, not self-seeking, unprovoked, and forgiving (from 1 Corinthians 13:4) will recommend Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs Him.  This opportunity is far more valuable than any satisfaction we might get from “winning” an argument or posting a divisive meme. 

We were made for more.

I’ll leave you with this scripture I’ve been pondering this week, also from 1 Corinthians 13.  We can say and do all the right things, have all the right viewpoints and read all the right stuff…but if we don’t have love?  We’ve got nothing.  We fail.

On the other hand, as you know, love never fails.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” -1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I need Sunday morning at church; in person or watching at home. Every week it refreshes me and reminds that I can be my best self, but I can’t do it on my own. Through the Holy Spirit, bit by bit, He continues His sanctifying work. It’s not nearly as fast a process as I expected when I gave my life to Christ!

Seems that most Sunday mornings we barely make it out the door on time. God willing the kids are wearing something presentable, their hair is combed, they all have shoes on and now in this season, we each have a mask. More importantly though, I hope I haven’t been too cranky getting them out the door? The first of these we can usually manage. My kids are old enough that they can get themselves ready on their own. My attitude on the other hand, is far less predictable. In truth, too often I am the one who gets short at the least offense, because we might be late, or someone can’t find their coat on the way out. Surely there are other parents out there who feel the same way!

But somehow, once we sit down, whether it’s in the sanctuary or the parking lot in our camp chairs, I feel myself relax. It’s not that we made it on time or all look the part, I know that here I will be reminded that being a mama, wife, friend, sister, colleague, and neighbor matters as I bear the witness of Christ. And it matters BIG.

When I’m brought back to Christ’s feet in worship, communion, prayer, and the teaching of God’s Word, I’m reminded that how I show the world my hope in Christ is the most important thing. How I live the gospel daily, cannot be overlooked. Sunday morning puts me in that state of mind like nothing else. Yes, I read my Bible at home, have a daily devotional I study, we listen to worship music, and pray as a family and individually but for me, it is not the same as sitting with other believers. They are as messy as I am, and I am SO grateful.

This past Sunday morning as I attempted to juggle my sweet preschooler, Bible, sermon notes, that sweet preschooler’s snack, my coffee, pencil in my lap while all while holding an umbrella and taking notes on Pastor Frank’s sermon, it seemed nearly laughable! But this is the truth, being at church is just the reminder I need every week and those little annoyances are okay. Sitting under God’s word and worshipping with others, being reminded that we are to be the aroma of Christ to others, knowing that we are all sinners who struggle TOGETHER, that we are not in this alone, knowing that God’s grace is enough for me; that’s what I need again and again.

Being in church this season feels weird; watching a streamed service for many of us, for others wearing masks around the people you love, not getting to hug them, struggling to hear what they are saying through said masks, keeping your kids from getting too close to everyone and the countless other things that make church look different right now, they are irritations but, God willing, they are only for a season.

Let’s ask ourselves how can we continue to show our brothers and sisters in Christ, our friends and neighbors, family, and colleagues the hope we have in Christ this week? How will you and I live out the gospel in every area of our lives? Even when it’s hard. Even when you are juggling a million things and emotions are high.

I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful for Sunday mornings at church, whatever they look like. I hope that you are joining us either on-line if you are social distancing, or in-person with masks on. It is the one thing that always sets me back to center and in this season I need it more than ever!

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When I think back over the past few months and reflect on how God has worked in my life during the pandemic I honestly do not know where to even begin. I can think of all the days that God carried me through loneliness, uncertainty, anxiety and loved me even when I allowed these emotions to bring out the worst in me. I can think of the days I was filled with gratitude, especially when my eyes were opened to the deep pain and suffering of others while I sit safely with my family on our couch. However, if I had to really break it down, I think the work God has been doing in my life during this Pandemic really began many months ago, maybe even years.

My background is in marriage and family therapy. I chose that profession mainly because of one speaker at a conference in San Francisco. I cannot remember her name to give credit, but her entire talk was built around this:

When we have a safe and supportive family we are free to go out and be the best versions of ourselves. When our family unit is broken, we are paralyzed and unable to fully be the people God created us to be. I have realized through finding a church family and just a few months later entering the Covid-19 Pandemic, that this is not only true for immediate, biological families, but for church families as well.

The work God has been doing in my life during this Pandemic begun long ago when I first prayed for a church home and a community to authentically do life with. God answered when he drew my family to Mountain Christian Church. After attending for just a few weeks we not only felt welcome but like our presence mattered.

A month later I joined a woman’s bible study and was welcomed with open arms. Following this we joined a home group with whom we have laughed and cried and prayed with. This home group in a span of a few months became a second or third family. God then blessed us with an amazing realtor that we met through church and she journeyed with us as God provided the perfect home with the best neighbors. Through beginning a Titus 2 woman’s study I have also found woman to encourage me to live out of joyful obedience to the call God has placed on my life (actually all of our lives) to live in such a way that brings Him glory.

Because God has answered a prayer and because He is faithful even when I have no idea what he is up to-I have found a place to call home that is safe, secure, and healthy. I have found the kind of home that is not contained in a building but in the people who utilize it. I believe with my whole heart that when we have a safe place to grow, we truly have no choice but to be transformed. I still struggle with feeling anxious or lonely at times during social isolation, but the emotions are fleeting, and God’s amazing gift of community has been the gift that keeps on giving.