How Cool Is That!

Awhile back, on a Saturday morning, I decided to go to a Group Ride class.  Group Ride is alot like a spinning class.  The class was fun but...of course...alot of work!  After class, I was waiting to talk with an instructor and a gal jumped off her bike and very quickly hopped by me.  Yes, I said hopped!  She only had one leg and she was making her way to get her crutch.  I was impressed with how fast she could actually move.  As she went by me, I prayed for her.  It always blesses me when I see someone with an infirmity and they don't sit around worrying and crying about it...they just move on with life!  In her case, she was really moving.

Later in the locker room, I was still thinking about her.  As I was getting dressed, I glanced up and saw something on top of the locker.  At first I thought it looked like a body on top of the locker but realized it was the girl's prosthetic leg with a shoe inside a pair of pants!  I again prayed  but this time prayed that God would make me more like her!  Brave...pushing forward...even though she only had one leg.

After I left the locker room, I went out to get some ice.  As I was waiting, I noticed a young man coming toward me.  He had a pronounced limp and held his left arm close to his chest.  He smiled and said hi to me.  He recognized me from earlier in the week and  asked me if I was a tennis player.  I said that I was and asked him if he played.  He said "No, I had an accident that hurt me real bad...I can't do alot of things anymore."  He preceded to tell me that he was hiking with a friend on Eagle Creek Trail and fell down a ravine.  He was life flighted to OHSU and ended up being in a coma for a long time.  He patted the table and asked me to come and sit with him.  After I sat down we introduced each other.  I wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere and found him to be really interesting.  We talked for quite awhile about his difficulties.  He seemed very sad and frustrated.  After a few minutes, a guy came over to our table and began talking to him.   I could tell that he was a very caring person just by the way he talked to him.  Kevin introduced Dustin to me.  As he was leaving, he smiled at Kevin and said "I have been praying for you and I will continue to pray for your healing".

When Dustin left, I asked Kevin if he knew Jesus.  He said before his accident he used to go to church alot.    He said many things in his life had changed and sometimes just being in social situations was hard on him.  We talked about brain injuries and how it affects so many different things.  He seemed so sad and lonely and it was hard for me not to feel that same sadness for him.  I decided the only thing I could do for him was pray.  I asked him if I could pray for him and would it be okay if we prayed right there in the foyer.  We joined hands and I began to pray.  I prayed that he could reconnect with God and that the physical therapy treatment he was taking would start working so he could move on with his life.  After the prayer, he asked me a question. "What was I supposed to do while you were praying?"  I said, "Just saying...yes Lord...just agreeing with me."  I explained I was praying to God for him.  He smiled and thanked me.  He said "That's what I was doing but I didn't know if I was supposed to. I need the things you prayed for."  As I left I felt so blessed to see how God works.  Circle church is anywhere I am!!!

I left the club and decided to go to Starbucks to get a latte.  When I was waiting for my drink, a man with a cane came in.  He was smiling and it was obvious that everyone working at Starbucks knew him.  They shouted a greeting to him and informed him they would order his usual.  Directly behind him, a man in a wheelchair came into the shop.  Again, the Starbucks people greeted him and asked if he wanted his usual.

He smiled and said yes but also he wanted a muffin.  They immediately got him his drink and led him to a table.    I pulled up a chair across the room and was enjoying my latte.  My mind was full of the events that had already occurred at the club.  I looked across the room and noticed how much the man was enjoying his huge cup of coffee.  A few minutes went by when I noticed he never got his muffin.  I got up and went to him and asked if he had ordered a muffin also.  He smiled and said he did but it was okay.  I told him I would go and see what happened to the muffin.  Later, they brought him a breakfast sandwich.  He smiled hugely and started digging into his breakfast!  He shouted across the room and said, "Hey, can I call you my new special friend?"  I laughed and said, "Sure".  He shouted hello to a couple of men next to him.  They seemed nice but you know...the kind of nice that says...we will be polite but that's about it!  He looked over at me and patted the table and said "Hey, will you come over and talk to me?"  Whoa!  Didn't this just happen about an hour ago at the club?  I came over to his table and met Don. Because I felt God called me over to meet him...I laughed and asked Don to tell me all about himself.   He lives in a Foster Care Home and rides a shuttle every Saturday morning to Starbucks and has since the first day it opened.  He was pretty proud of that!  He asked me if I would like his address and phone number.  I wasn't really interested in that but I didn't want him to feel bad.  He pulled his wallet out and directed me where to find the information.  I noticed there were only three things in his wallet... three cards...an identification card with his name, address and phone number...the card from the Care Home and a Starbucks card.  I jotted down his address mostly because he was determined for me to do that.   He told me I could come visit him anytime. My heart broke for such a lonely soul.  I wasn't at his table long when a man came to the table.  He asked Don if everything was okay and of course he said "yes".    Dennis introduced himself to me as Don's friend.  We shook hands and as Dennis turned to leave I used this time to say my goodbyes to Don.  I followed Dennis to his table.  I was curious about his relationship with Don.  He told me that he and his brother make sure Don has a full Starbucks card!  Evidently, Don used to ask other people to help him out if he didn't have enough money and  Starbucks was worried about their patrons.  Dennis and his brother thought this would be a great ministry...to show love and kindness to someone who would appreciate it.  He said, "When I asked Don if everything was okay...that was to find out if he still had money on his card!"  I glanced down and saw a Bible on Dennis's table.  I smiled and said "You are a believer, aren't you!"  Dennis responded with a hand shake and smile.  God is good.  What an incredible experience.  I felt like I went on a God journey...watching God work through people.  How cool is that? 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Hebrews 13:2

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.  I John 3: 16-18 

   

I DIDN'T DESERVE THAT!

I was on my way to my client's house last week when I found myself not concentrating on where I was going.  I ended up driving by the road I was supposed to turn onto.  I didn't want to turn around so I figured out another route.  I convinced myself that this way was just as good as the other.  As I turned onto the new road, I had not driven far when my cell phone went off.  My contractor, Mike, was calling me to tell me he was lost.  He was giving me names of roads and asking me if he was in the area of my client's house.  By the description he was giving me, I really thought he was not too far away from the destination.   I was feeling bad because it was my fault he was lost.  Earlier, he had asked me for an address and I didn't give him a full address.  His GPS would have gotten him to the job, no problem.  While I was talking to Mike, I noticed a school to my right.  I also noticed a police car sitting in front of the school.  I did not see anyone in the car and assumed the police officer was in the school.  As I was going by the police car, the lights went on.  Great!  I could not believe what was happening.  I knew right then...I was in trouble.  I had not been paying attention.  All of my thoughts were going to figuring out where my contractor was.  What an idiot!   No...not my contractor....me!  

When the officer came to the car, I rolled down my window and I handed him my license.  He smiled and said, "Mam, I clocked you at 34 mph in a school zone".  I couldn't say anything in my defense because I had no idea how fast I was going.  My heart was in my throat.  I mumbled to him I wasn't even supposed to be on that road and I wouldn't have gone by a school.  I said, "This is not a good time for me to screw up."  I told him business is really slow and the social security office has messed up my husband's checks and we were not receiving anything.  Of course, our financial difficulties have nothing to do with my speeding issue!  I was totally distraught.  The officer continued to be very kind to me.  He asked me for my insurance information and I handed him what I thought was the right one.  He looked at it and said, "This is last years information...look some more."  I started getting increasingly upset.  My hands started to shake, my eyes became blurry with tears and I was wildly digging through the glove box basically handing him every piece of paper in there!  He gently touched my shoulder and said, "Why don't you take a deep breath and relax while I go back to my car and check your license information."  After he left my car, I bowed my head and prayed.  "Lord, I have really messed up.  Please have him give me mercy."  Not really believing anything good was going to come from this horrible event, I hung my head down waiting for the bad news.  I was waiting to receive a huge ticket for my misbehavior...calmly awaiting my fate.  The officer came back to my car and said, "Mam, I am only going to give you a warning this time.  Your record is very good!"  I was shocked!  I had to make myself close my mouth.  I said, "Really?"  He touched my arm and said, "Now, go home and find your insurance information and put it in your car."  I stuck my hand out the window and shook his hand and thanked him profusely!  I could not believe what happened.  "Thank you Jesus!" is what came out of my mouth.  

Recently, I have been studying about mercy.  In Psalm 103:10 it says that God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.  Mercy means,"You don't receive the punishment that is rightfully yours". 

I didn't deserve that!  I didn't deserve mercy.  I deserved a ticket.  I am glad I missed the original road.  This road took me to a new life lesson personally showing me what mercy looks like.

CIRCLE CHURCH

In recent weeks, I have been reading some books and articles that have tweaked my thinking on what "Church" looks like.  Some of the books I have read are "Organic Church", "Organic Community" and "So, You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore".  I like reading things that challenge me to think outside of the box.  Church is happening everywhere...dorm rooms, homes, coffee shops...really, everywhere!  I recently had a dream.  I dreamed I was at a coffee shop and I was surrounded by a group of people and we were "doing Church".  The next day, I told my husband and a friend about my dream.  I laughed and said, "When I am at a coffee shop, should I make a sign that says CHURCH"?

  All stories that I will tell will probably have an element of transparency in them.  I sometimes am not proud of how I do life but thankfully God seems to work with us anyway, doesn't He?!  Here is another God story...

One morning, not long ago, my husband and I had a disagreement.  (I am positive none of you ever have those in your life!!!  LOL)  As per usual...he went silent and angry and I went to tears.  I decided I would get up and get around, since obviously...there would be no more sleeping.  I got up and decided to get coffee at a favorite coffee shop.  I got dressed, washed off my tears and pulled down my hat low on my forehead.  As I was leaving, I ironically, picked up my bag that had my Bible Study lesson in it and grabbed a cd that a gal from Bible Study had given me a couple weeks earlier.  She had given me the cd telling me that the worship on it reminded her of how I lead.  To be honest with you, I was afraid to hear it so I left it on my counter!!  That had nothing to do with the person who gave it to me...it had all to do with my own insecurities.

As I started driving, I immediately burst into tears.  I preceded to be angry with God.  I kept telling Him how I didn't understand what He was doing.  I asked Him why He allows certain things to happen even when I have been praying for an answer for a problem for years.  I continued with my rampage against Him.  I told Him I was angry that He gave songs to me.  "You will NEVER use me!"  "I am broken!" "I am so frustrated!"  These were the lovely sentiments I was telling God as I was crying my way down the road.  I put the cd in the stereo...I don't know why...because I was not in the mood to worship.  When the music came on, I had to admit it was soothing.  But, I was not going to sing with it...that is until the singer repeated the same phrase over and over and over and I finally found myself singing with him.  "The Lord is Good ........His love endures.....".  I finally stopped crying and admitted to God that I was sorry and of course I know He is good.

As I parked the car, I wiped the tears from my face and again adjusted my hat low.  I was hoping that this action would send a signal that said "Today, I am unapproachable".  I found my perfect place in the coffee shop.  I got the closest chair to the fireplace.  I turned the flames on and left my jacket and bag to "mark" my territory.  I went to order my coffee, uncomplicated as usual, a caffeine-free sugar-free vanilla latte skinny extra-hot.  Luckily, I don't have to say this anymore.  They say, "Hi Naomi, your usual?"  I say, "Yes, thank you!"  That particular day was a good day for that because in keeping with my goal...I did not want to converse with anyone.  I went back to my seat and dove into my Bible study.  As unemotionally and task oriented as possible, I answered the questions as best I could.

Later, a friend came into the Coffee shop.  We both smiled and waved and after he ordered his coffee, he came and sat next to me.  He has recently started pastoring a small church.  We talked about how things were going for him and his congregation.  I shared with him the new insights I have been learning about new ways of "doing church".  We chatted for a while and before he left, he squeezed my hand and said goodbye.  As he was leaving, I promised to pray for him and the church.  After he left, I thought maybe that was why I was at that place...at that time.

 

I cuddled up in my own aloneness.  I kept my protective hat low and continued my study.  It began to get very busy.  I could hear lots of talking around me but of course did not want to engage.  After awhile, it was impossible for me not to engage.  I realized that I was encircled by people.  They had come into MY space, uninvited, I might add.  I could not concentrate anymore and decided to look up and listen to what they were talking about.  There was only one chair empty.  It was directly to my left.  A gentleman came in last ( I am going to call him Joe...).  Everyone obviously knew him and were concerned about him.  They all started asking him how he was.  He looked extremely depressed!  He asked everyone, "How am I supposed to feel...my life is a wreck...my wife is dying...I just put her in a home...someone just stole $40,000 from me in a car scam...and this week, I am taking out bankruptcy!"  Okay, he definitely had my attention!  One guy patted Joe's leg and as best as he could, came up with these comforting words..."You will feel better in a week or two." Another person wanted to give comfort in another way.  Jokingly, he asked if Joe had found someone to be with.  My head spun around so fast I am surprised it didn't fly off and roll across the room.  I am sure my look did not make him feel very good.  He smiled a timid smile and said, "What?!  Everyone needs someone one!"  That is when I heard God say...look up and around you.  I knew at that moment, this was the dream.  I stood and put my hand out to Joe and asked him to sit next to me and tell me about himself.  He began to tell me his sad story.  He told me the week before he wanted to kill himself.  He drove by a church and decided to stop and see if someone could help him.  They reached out to him and he decided to rededicate himself to Christ.  I was so blessed to hear that!  I told him that his circumstances would probably not change overnight.  God wanted him to focus on Him.  God is in control of his circumstances.  I explained to him that I write music and wanted to share the idea of a song I wrote.  The song is "Sing Over Me".  I began to remind him of a scripture in Zephaniah 3:17...which says God sings over us.  Immediately after I told him the words, a woman across the circle said, "I don't get this".  I said, "You don't get what?"  She said, "This...this ...you know, support".  She said, "Will you say the words of your song again?  Not for Joe, but for me...and my life."  After I repeated the words, she smiled and thanked me.  Now, I felt compelled to pray for Joe.  Oh Man!  I am in the middle of a Coffee Shop!  Yes, I followed through.  I told the group I didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable but I felt I needed to pray for Joe.  One gentleman jumped up and mumbled....uh....prayer....uh....A woman stood up and said, "Trade places with me then, because I believe in prayer!"  He happily switched places with her and I prayed a short prayer for Joe and his family.  When I went to leave, I hugged this perfect stranger.  I gave him a business card and told him to call me anytime.  I knew in my heart...THIS is "Church".

As I got into the car, I burst into tears.  WHAT WAS THAT?!!!  I told God I was so sorry that I said the things I did. I know God knows me as a broken person but He showed me He can use me best when I am broken.   God is a powerful God.  He is in control.  The cd started playing again...the same phrase...God is good.....His love endures...This time I sang and cried and worshipped!  The week before in Bible Study, I had given my very first testimonial.  At the end of it, I had described my life by a picture.  I felt like I was a beautifully colorful balloon ready to fly but tethered.  As I was driving home, I was reminded of that.  I heard a small still voice say, "that is what it looks like when you are untethered".  

(Incidentally, the cd that played such a large part in this story has never been listened to since.  I did not want to spoil the sweetness...the powerful redundant message of God's love and steadfastness.)

     

ANGEL'S WINGS

Last summer, I had the honor of being able to attend a Songwriter's Conference at Mt. Hermon Conference Center in the mountains just outside of Santa Cruz, California.  Bob and I drove down and he stayed with my brother in Lost Gatos.

When Bob dropped me off at the conference center, I felt like a little girl being dropped off to kindergarten...first day of school.  I did not know anyone at this conference.  I sat in my room near tears when I decided this was a good time to pray.  My first comment to God was..."What have I done to myself?...I don't even know my roommate!"  I slowly got control of my panic and asked God to take care of me.  I asked Him to send me someone nice!!  Shortly after I prayed, there was a very energetic knock on the door.  I opened the door to find a bubbly vivacious personality who preceded to hug me.  Hug me!!  She said, "I am so excited!  I have been praying for you!"  I was stunned!  Within a few short minutes, I knew she was going to be my new BFF.  We laughed, talked and sang just like we knew each other from our past.  Isn't God good?!  I soon found out that she was a "who's who" in the Christian music world.  She was connected with the the "big names" that came to the conference.  We would be walking along and people like Don Moen, Director of Integrity Hosanna or Paul Baloche, Singer, Songwriter and many more would shout her name out and she would immediately introduce me to them calling me...her new very special friend!  I would tease her after the people would leave.  I would grab her garment and pretend that I was gleaning fame from her!!  It was fun.

I am writing this story not because I want to tell you about the great classes, awesome worship or fabulous solos.  I am writing this to tell you a story that has changed my life.

The last night of the conference was powerful.  The worship and the speaker was very moving.  Paul Baloche came in later to talk about his music.  He would tell how and why he wrote them and people that helped him write them.  After he did that we started worshipping with the songs he wrote.  It was an exceptionally moving worship time and no one wanted to stop.  Paul asked the keyboard player to continue playing and asked anyone who wanted to leave, to leave quietly.  No one left.  People started praying all over the building.  There were people in the aisles on their knees, people prostrate on the floor, people standing with arms raised singing...the air was palpable.  People began praying with each other...some were total strangers.  I started reaching out to people I didn't know.  I prayed for a young girl in front of me who was all alone.  God was dealing with me with some things that have plagued me for years...He told me to breathe in deeply and I did.  He told me I was breathing in "faith".  Then He told me to blow it out and told me that was "fear".  Between praying, crying, singing...I whispered to my roommate that I felt there was a much bigger plan for us besides "building our songwriting skills".  We were to be there to experience  God in a great way!  I started sensing something even more awesome.  I envisioned that angels were covering the amphitheatre.  Their wings were locked together...like a blanket of wings.  It was like a "spiritual lockdown".  He did not want anyone to leave until all experienced Him.  I leaned over and told my friend what I was envisioning.  Her eyes got huge and she smiled and nodded.  Later, I found out right before I told her that, she was praying that God would show her what other's were experiencing.  This amazing experience was still going 45 minutes after Paul had left the stage.  When we left, there were many people still worshipping.  While we were walking out...I felt like I was floating.  Outside the amphitheatre, many people were quietly whispering about what transpired earlier.  I shared what I had envisioned with a gal from one of our classes.  She asked me if I had talked with the man with the white shirt.  I looked surprised and asked her, "Why would I?"  She said he was going around trying to find out what people experienced.  The next thing I knew, the man was right next to me and said, "Did you hear them?"  I said, "What?"  He said "Wings!"   I told him I didn't hear anything.  He asked me what I envisioned and I told him the story of the angels.  He smiled and said..."That is what I heard!"  He was sitting in the back of the amphitheatre where it is open to the sky.  He said he heard wings...lots of wings.  He looked around both sides of the amphitheatre and saw nothing.  He then envisioned there were angels and he sensed that they were covering the amphitheatre like a blanket.  I looked surprised when he told me that.  I think he thought I didn't believe him because he pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket and read it to me.  The paper only had a few words on it...sound of wings...angels...blanket.  I was amazed!  He hugged me and said, "I love you".  When I turned around, he was gone.

As I layed in my bed that night, I still felt like I was floating.  It was a strange feeling really...I felt held and comforted.  The words to a song came to me..."I Will Never Be The Same Again".  The last thing I said to God was "I won't...I promise".