Sunday Recap August 29, 2010

For three years now, we've been part of the Sole4Souls team of people who are working to make sure everyone has shoes. Such a simple thing to any of us - need shoes, go to the closet. Want new shoes? Go to the store. But for most of the world on an everyday basis, that's not reality. And for people after disasters who have lost everything - the same is true. So New Hope stepped forward again this morning and gave. To overflowing.

Never known a more generous group of people. Ever.
Never known fewer people to do more to change the world.

My prayer, my several times a day, everyday of my life prayer...
is that more people would experience the joy of serving among people like them.

So, about today....
People still buzzing about the "New Hope Jeopardy" we played at the church social last Sunday night. Oh yeah, I'll be sharing some of the wacky answers in coming weeks. But seriously - love getting to know more about the people I serve with.

- Youth - I haz dem. :) I'm getting a chance to teach the HS youth for a couple weeks and I love it.

- Worship - from the announcements on - it rocked. The full belly project video was really enlightening and inspiring. The Child2Child girls did a great job. And John Anderson really put it all in context. Again,if you want to change the world - no better place to do it from than New Hope Valparaiso

- Music - Probably the best worship music set we have ever done. It was like the Dove awards or something. *Everlasting God, *Mighty To Save, *Revelation Song - I saw people raising their hands in praise IN A BAPTIST CHURCH!!!

-Message - continued in Colossians


Wasn't happy with it. Trusting that the Holy Spirit used it in ways I couldn't see.

Barefoot Sunday Is Coming

Sunday, we'll be trying to help God change the world, one pair of shoes at a time. There are people in this world who have never had the luxury of choosing which pair of shoes to wear each morning. People who contract illnesses and parasites due to their lack of something so basic. We can't change the whole world from the corner New Hope sits on, but we can "Do Something! - and for the third year, we are.

If you want to come and be a part of what God is doing, show up Sunday at 10:45.

What Lasts

When it arrived today, I was almost afraid to open it. After over 80 years since it was carried home by a high schooler, I wasn't sure how it had held up. The outside seemed in fairly good shape, though the unmistakable smell of a back that's been packed up for a while was immediately evident. Yet when I opened it, the window into another time in my home town immediately allowed me a glimpse into how it was in 1918.

The building in this picture has gone through several lives since the time this picture was taken. It served as the vocational school when I was growing up. It wasn't until later that I learned it had been the original Lanier High School. It still stands, mute now as to what happened to all those young people who passed through its doors. Who now have all passed away.

When I looked at the names, having grown up in Macon and lived there most of my life, some were very familiar. Some went on to be educators and schools are named after them. Others were successful in business - there are still stores and restaurants bearing their names. But most of the names in that book are emblazoned on no more than tombstones. And eventually, all of the memories, the successes and failures will be gone. It's the way of this life.

So what lasts? What is it that any of can do that lives on?

Those acts which bring glory to God - that affect eternity.

The thing is, we don't always know what they are. It could be a cup of cold water. It could be a smile. Or letting someone know that Jesus loves them.

Or even a pair of shoes.

We're participating with "Soles4Souls" Sunday in what they call "Barefoot Sunday." We've been collecting gently used shoes for a few weeks, and at the close of the worship service Sunday, we are going to leave barefoot - giving the shoes we wore into the sanctuary into God's hands as He cares for those who have no shoes - through us.

Someone across the world will get a pair of shoes that were once on our feet. Maybe they'll wonder why anyone would do that. Maybe the Holy Spirit will tell them.

A lasting impression. A small thing, but done with great love.

Might last.

When God Smiles

Had some things happen at New Hope yesterday that I know made God smile. Theologians tend to get a wee bit anxious when you start assigning human traits and actions to God, but there are numerous references for people pleasing God, and I've got to believe that He wouldn't sit there like a Baptist with a sour pickle face. When things happen here that change a person's eternity - God smiles. Like when a person decides to follow Jesus - to come home.

5 When you see them coming you'll smile—big smiles! Your heart will swell and, yes, burst! All those people returning by sea for the reunion, a rich harvest of exiles gathered in from the nations!
Isaiah 60:5 (MSG)

Awesome to see that happen. And then to hear about a need in our community and the instant and passionate pursuit of a way to meet that need? As a pastor, combine someone getting save with others getting busy serving the "least of these" and it's an incredibly encouraging moment. Then there's next Sunday - our third annual "Barefoot Sunday" where we'll end our collection for Soles4Souls and some of us will leave barefoot to experience even for a little while, just what people without shoes do all the time.

There's more going on in this smaller church than anyone riding by would ever know. We've got to let them know.

Hey - now you do - so go tell someone!

Barefoot Sunday @ New Hope 7 Jun

This Sunday we'll participate in "Barefoot Sunday" along with others within the Church. (Big "C" for church meaning across denominations and distance)We're going to challenge people to leave worship barefoot, leaving their shoes behind as an offering to God for the poor.

Shoes? Why shoes?

Here's the deal. Half the people in the world do not own a single pair of shoes. This includes 300 million children. They are forced to walk around barefoot, often in unsafe—even life-threatening—situations. Many of these are children.

If I want a pair of shoes I go to my closet.

So we're helping a ministry called Soles4Souls to get what God has placed here in excess to those in distress.

You have shoes.

Give.

Do something!

Soles4Souls

Great upcoming opportunity for the people of Valparaiso and Niceville to bless those in need. Soles4Souls takes those shoes that have been sitting in your closet and ships them around the world to people who may not have any.

The collection boxes will be spread out around Valparaiso, and we'll collect them at our next movie night (August 23rd) as well. But here is your pastor's challenge. Show up for our worship gathering on Sunday morning August 24th and leave either barefoot or in your stocking feet. That's right, leave your shoes behind.

We can make a difference and inspire others to do the same. Here's more about Soles4Souls.