LifeStation Communities

            In our last two posts we have talked how sometimes our faith and the way we live our lives are a bit disconnected. Much of this is a result of living in a distant society where we don’t know how to interact with others. We then looked at the life of Paul and find that He was able to develop relationships where he was real, because his life focused on pleasing God and not man. This led him to love others, so much that he was willing to sacrifice, to share his faith and life with them. What does it look like to develop this real, practical, sacrificial love for others?  I have to be honest I have not been doing this well lately, so I am going to share with you a few stories of people who I see living this out.

            At first Jade seems like an ordinary guy, that one would love to be friends with, but as you hear Jade’s story, you realize that he is a modern-day Paul. Several years ago, Jade started a landscape business to provide for his family. Before he knew it, his landscape business became an opportunity for him to love and care for others. As he mowed lawns, he heard stories and he found out about practical needs. Because of his faith, he felt a need to respond. He has provided jobs for those struggling with money. Working alongside of Jade then inspired them to want more. Many of these people eventually moved on to jobs that fit them, their lifestyle, and their dreams. He has done household repairs, sometimes along with the homeowners help, because they could not afford to pay for it all to be done by someone else. By being present in the community Jade developed a love for the people. For years he has volunteered his time in the community. Today, he works his job, and serves as a Pastor on Sunday mornings. Teaching the community that he has grown to love about his faith and the ways of Jesus.

            If you have the opportunity to get to meet Deb, you will fall in love with her joy for life and care for people. Life is not easy for Deb, but man does Deb loves kids.  She is always volunteering to care for kids. And she is always looking for ways to support and encourage the parents of these kids. She volunteers her time at our local church and is pretty much involved in everything there. She gives teenagers rides home from youth group. She offers meals to those who are sick and in need. She often volunteers to cook food at events. Last spring, in the midst of the Pandemic, she asked my preteen son to volunteer with her, for several weeks, because my wife was overwhelmed having to teach four kids at home. She works at a local college and has an open-door policy with students, where they come to her, when they simply need a friend and encouragement. Miss Deb is constantly caring for others and let me tell you, people are so thankful for the way she lives her life. Miss Deb simply believes she is doing what God has called her to do.

            Tim the electrician. Honestly, I don’t know if I have ever met a man that is so full of life and encouragement. Tim always seems to have a positive outlook on life. He is always asking how others are doing and then he actually listens. Tim’s father modeled a “friend to all” mentality and I believe that Tim lives this out. He is constantly looking to invest into the lives of others. Through a series of events, Tim and his brother Geoff were inspired to start a group called “Minute Men United.” They want to see people become “dedicated to giving our full selves to relationship and ready to meet people where they are – celebrating their journey and calling them to more.” They simply want people to know that you are not alone and there is always someone to call when you need a friend. Their desire was to have gatherings where they would inspire one another to be willing to be real and reach out to others. The pandemic has changed some of their plans, but know they host a weekly VLOG where they interview people who are helping others to know they are not alone. Daily Tim continues to meet and call people as he models this “friend to all” mentality. Ultimately, Tim sees that God is at work in the lives of others and he wants to celebrate what God is doing while inspiring those who are down and out to have hope.

            SMG (“See More Good”) is an organization that was started by a group of college-aged guys from York City. They grew up loving basketball and realized that it is tough growing up in today’s society. They have seen many people make their fair share of mistakes in life and they developed a desire to help others “escape violence, negativity, financial illiteracy, and division.” They want bring their community “light, happiness, and fun while allowing everyone who comes in contact with their organization “to see the good in life.” These young guys are investing into others. On Christmas morning they delivered t-shirts to kids that they have been spending time with. They are sacrificing their time to help kids play basketball, but actually they are bringing hope and encouragement to their community.

            Do you see it? The way to share faith and life with others is by being willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. The way to break down a distant society is through reaching out to others. So, what do we do with these stories? What do we do with the Scripture and the example of Paul? In the next two posts I am going to try and give some practical thoughts.

How does one develop the type of relationships where they can be real, so that no matter where they are in life, they are always sharing both their faith and life with others? We have a tendency to think that our day and age is unique. We say things like “there has never been a time like this in history.” While many of our circumstances are unique, I believe we actually have a lot in common with those who have gone before us. We can learn from the success and failures of previous generations and societies. In the Scriptures, we find a letter written by the apostle Paul, to the people of Thessalonica. I believe that Paul sets us a great example to follow. I believe Paul models for us how we are to live and the type of communities we should be looking to help develop.

            So, what do we know about Thessalonica?  In its day, “Thessalonica was the largest and most important city of Macedonia, in Roman time,” (Wanamaker 1990). Thessalonica was a city filled with ethnic, religious, political, and business diversity. Some believe that Thessalonica was made up of 25 villages (Lexham Bible Dictionary). This city was important, and with business booming I am sure life was busy. It sounds a bit like one of our modern-day cities or towns.

            In 1 Thessalonians we find Paul reminding the people of Thessalonica about a visit that he and some of his friends had with them. Paul mentions how thankful he is for them (1:2-3.) He then goes on to describe a difficult situation in his life that was filled with suffering, yet in the midst of it, he courageously chose to come to declare the good news of God to the Thessalonians. He very clearly states that his motives were clear in coming and that his aim was to please God and not man. How do you develop real relationships? You focus on pleasing God, not man. Paul’s motives were being questioned by man. Others were accusing him, but Paul states something that is so powerful. He says to the Thessalonians that he came to declare the good news of God to them, but not just that, he came to share his life with them, because of the love that he had for them. After a time of suffering, Paul and his friends come to visit this group of people that he developed a deep love for. And as he came, he could have requested that they allow him to rest. He could have looked to be pitied. But instead Paul talks about how hard he worked, while with them. He says, “Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News,” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Somehow, Paul developed such a love for these people that he was willing to work a long hard day, and then spend time sharing faith and life with the Thessalonians.

            The interesting perspective that we learn from Paul is that he cared so much about other people that he sacrificed for them. He states, “we pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and Glory.” Paul encouraged people to live life with heavenly perspective, and I believe that he then tried to set them an example to follow.  He was not just talking about his faith, but he was trying to live it out in front others. The interesting thing is, Paul explains that after this time of sharing faith and life with the Thessalonians, he leaves and they become separated. He then wanted to come see them, but it felt like Satan was preventing him, (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Paul’s season of sharing faith and life with them had come to an end, but he reassured them that their faith in Jesus is what keeps him going. He believes that their faith and presence in before the Lord is worth living and sacrificing for. He made the effort to develop real and authentic relationships of love because of his faith in God. So, where he went, he was looking to please God as he loved and sacrificed for others.

            What does practical love look like in a society that feels so distant? What does it look like to share your life with others? What does it look like to share your faith? These will be the questions that we continue to wrestle with over the next few days. Check out the next post!

Taking it Deeper:

• https://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/2-8.htm

Resources:

Wanamaker, Charles, A. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Copyright © 1990 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503. All Rights Reserved.

            For the past eight years, I have been on a journey trying to figure this out. Eight years ago, it seemed to come easy. My family and I experienced one of the best seasons of our life as weekly we met with friends and neighbors in our homes to share a meal, to talk about life, and discuss faith. This community of people were committed to one another. Many of us not only gathered in one another’s homes, but we also gathered weekly to specifically focus on our faith. This community of people attended one another’s special events like birthday parties, sporting events, and were often found serving each other, and others in need. To all those involved, it felt like we had a large extended family, we knew we had others who were supporting us, and we welcomed others to join us.

            Then life changed. Some people moved, others got new jobs, and ultimately our commitments shifted, and the community slowly dissolved. Some of us still talk. Others I have not spoken to for years. For me and my family, this community was as real as it got. Friends and neighbors truly being real with one another, as we shared faith and life. Wow….I confess that I miss it.

When you think about your life, is there a separation between what you believe about God and the way in which you live? Do you develop relationships with other people? When you engage people, in the day to day, do you engage them based upon your job title or responsibility, or do you engage them as a person of faith? Is it possible to live in such a way that there is no separation between your faith and life? Is it possible to develop relationships with people where you can be a person of faith, who happens to have certain responsibilities in society? Is it possible to develop relationships where you are able to be real and share both your faith and life, with others?

            Fast forward to the present, and as a result of COVID, social distancing and isolation are the new normal. Honestly, right now we are unsure how or if we should interact with other people. Yet I believe that we are meant to share faith and life with others. And as I say that, I think about how separate my faith and life currently are. I go to work, do my job, and come home. At home I take care of my family responsibilities, but I don’t interact much with the neighbors. Our kids are engaged in sports, so we attend their events and come home. We attend a worship gathering at a local church and then we come home. Is this how it is supposed to be? Does anyone else feel isolated? Does anyone else feel alone?

            Is it possible to naturally bridge the gap between your faith and life and develop relationships with those who you live, work, learn and play with, to the point that the type of community where faith and life can be shared, is developed? Over the next few days I am inviting you to think with me, about what it could look like to overcome this feeling of living in a distant society, and begin to dream about what it could look like as you share your faith and life with others.

Last night my wife and I stayed up until 1:00am (so excuse my grammatical errors) listening to a school board meeting as the school was voting on Brick and Mortar, face to face, or virtual learning. We heard from parents, teachers, community members, the administration, and the board. The thoughts and opinions of people were so different from one another. The stories on both sides were heart wrenching.

THESE ARE DIFFICULT DAYS.

We listened to the board debate back and forth. They gave passionate speeches hoping to be heard. The decision was tight and leaning one direction. More passionate conversation and frustration. One man said something like this “I know I have said “this” and some will say I am wishy washy, I will offend some and I am sorry, but I have been sitting here and I have been praying. I have decided to follow my heart and I am sorry but I must change my vote.”

You could hear the struggle in this mans voice. You could hear the tension. These people understood the impact their decision was making. No matter what, people are going to disagree with the outcome. This man chose to follow his heart and then something remarkable happened.

THIS is my prayer for our county, nation and world.

The superintendent said something like this: “It sounds like my recommendation is going to be overturned, I understand your perspectives! Be aware of the red flags that I have given, be aware of the risk, be patient with us as we navigate forward, support us, and our team will do our best to move forward with your decision.” Board members then stepped up and essentially told one another even though we disagree we will support the decision that has been made. Those whose vote won, said we heard you and will work together to come up with solutions for the issues that have been addressed! I ended up falling asleep, so I didn’t hear it all, but what I heard is EXACTLY what our nation and world needs. People willing to LISTEN and STAND together despite differences of opinion.

Dallastown School Board “we may not agree, but I will support you!” Thank you for being leaders in a difficult day. Dr Doll I applaud your humility and strong leadership presence that is willing to lead and take on a challenge that has been given to you despite your strong recommendation, the other direction. I hope my kids will one day be able to lead like that!

Dallastown BOARD: Thank you for teaching our COMMUNITY that decisions are not easy, lives will be impacted, but together we can choose to move forward into the wild unknown, with hope!

Together we are STRONGER!

We are living in difficult days, yet this morning as I read the Scriptures my heart is stirred by the attitude that many “followers” of Jesus are taking. Many have taken sides on issue that are not so black and white. Not only have they taken sides but they are standing on their side proclaiming I am right and you are wrong. They are basically saying I am smarter than you!

The reality is followers of Jesus are not called to take sides on issues that the world is fighting over. We are called to follow Jesus. To be like Him in the world. We are not to fight with our brothers and sisters. We are called to be peacemakers. We are called to represent a different way.

Don’t get me wrong. I have my opinions and I have spoken them in both conversations and social media, but I choose to not allow my opinions to become a place of division and hate. I can respect ones thoughts and opinions in regards to issues of politics, mask or no mask, hybrid or in person learning, sports or no sports. I may not agree, but I can choose to respect. I can choose to love and listen to your unique perspectives on the situations. I can choose to learn about YOU and what has shaped your opinions and perspectives. Just because I don’t agree does not mean that I am smarter than you.

Follower of Jesus, please read how Jesus handled himself. Please read how the disciples handled themselves. They too lived in difficult days, but their focus seems a little different than ours.

I have been thinking a lot about how I respond when I feel like I am being pushed to my limit. If I am honest, I have a tendency to stress eat. Many things can trigger stress.

Work, kids fighting, finances, politics and now Corona and the thought of kids only being in school two days a week, at most.

This morning as I was reading the scriptures this little phrase stood out to me. “In my distress” and I immediately thought “in my stress”….in my stress how do I respond?

Throughout the scriptures we find several places where in their stress people turn to God and God hears them. They don’t turn to their social circles. They don’t turn to food or other things to distract them. They don’t turn to worry or doubt. Check our this statement.

7 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. 19 God, who has ruled forever, will hear me.. Psalm 55.

This my friends is how I want to learn to live in times of stress. I want to learn to turn to my God who hears me and to trust that no matter what God will guide me through these difficult times.