Sure enough, at the appointed time a quiet line formed under the I-5 bridge at Cherry Street in downtown Seattle.  It’s a parking lot with a section fenced off and well lit for people to gather safely and have a hot meal.  On a cold and damp night a hot meal was served, greetings were offered, along with smile – brand new athletic socks were given away and Gideons came and offered New Testaments to anyone who wanted one.

Baby, it was cold outside; however, God has placed a flame in the hearts of His people to serve the disadvantaged, marginalized and at risk among them.  These homeless men and women, down on their luck and living in the cold, each have a story.  What brings them to this meal is between them and God.  What brings us to serve them is equally between the servers and God. 

Jesus left the glory of heaven and the presence of the Father to come to the earth – take on humanity’s frail nature, suffer and die in order to fulfill His mission to serve and not be served; to redeem mankind and eventually restore creation.  Jesus left us an example of servitude.  Jesus left us an example of perseverance.  Jesus’ life bids us to more than dine with Him – but to serve with Him.

He called Himself the light of the world and turned to His disciples and reminded them – they were the light of the world and in time, we pick up the mantle and are to this generation – the light of the world.

Last night a small band of determined people – put on the mantle of Christ and endured the cold to serve people who could only receive.  They loved the world last night.  The world that they loved came in layers of clothing, clutching their belongings and shivering.  The world is people.  For God so loved people that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in His should not perish but have eternal life. 

Last night in the cold and shadowy confines of a city designated meal site – the world saw the God that loves them in the eyes, hands and hot food of our servers.  Praise God!

Don’t miss your chance to journey through Africa with the Ugandan Orphans’ Choir.  The choir, composed of 10 children ranging in ages from 9-14, are from Ssese Islands located on Lake Victoria, Uganda.  All 10 children are orphans who were rescued through Childcare Worldwide’s sponsorship program and now they help other children through this unique and powerful ministry.

The children sing, dance and perform their music in colorful traditional costumes accompanied by authentic African drums and other instruments.  The songs they sing are in their native language as well as song they have learned in English.  You will not only enjoy this musical treat, but also be truly blessed by these talented children’s lives.

For more info on the Ugandan Orphan’s and Childcare Worldwide click HERE.

As a church we seek to Love God, One Another and the World.  Through the ministry of Childcare Worldwide and their sponsorship of the Ugandan Orphan’s Choir – we have the opportunity to reach across the ocean and participate in God’s sweeping plan of redemption.  Helping and caring for orphans comes directly from God’s heart.  Jesus reminded His disciples that while He would leave them – He would not leave them as orphans, He would send the Holy Spirit to indwell and be ever present with them.  Reflecting the heart of God – we can not flinch from the call to care for the orphan, widow or otherwise marginalized in our world.

                  Loving God       Loving One Another       Loving the World

As Christians, we have been blessed by God in so many ways – most of all through Jesus Christ with our salvation.  In Christ, we have been redeemed – body, soul and spirit!  The New Testament writer Paul exhorts Christians to imitate God as beloved children (essentially walking in His footsteps).  Jesus fed 5,000 and gave water to the Samaritan woman at the well.  Join us as we take time out from our ever so busy schedules to prepare and serve hot nutritious meals and offer a drink of water to the folks of Tent City 4.

Following Jesus’ lead – we’re seeking to love the world.  Talk is cheap – we say we love – let’s show it.

For more in Tent City 4 and the their time in Kirkland click HERE.

Schedule:  Mondays:  Feb 27, Mar 26 and Apr 16

How you can participate:

1.  Purchase Food (Anytime in advance and stage in the church kitchen)
2.  Cook Food:  Show times – no later than 5:00 pm at FBC Kirkland (also clean up pots & pans)
3.  Serve Food:  Show times – no later than 5:45 pm at FBC Kirkland (also clean up serving items)

* Space is limited in the kitchen and at Holy Spirit Lutheran.  If you want to do one thing – great.  If you want to do both cooking and serving – great!  Please email Chase and let him know what you want to do or stop by the church and sign up in the main foyer!  This way we can organize our people and not have people standing around.

You can also sign up and remark what you want to do by going to the Facebook event page here.

For details:  Contact Chase Armfield at charles.armfield@yahoo.com.

I’m All For A Good Story, But…

I’m all for a good story; however, I am not for rummaging through trash to get it.  I don’t understand it.  Our society decries the abuse of women on a wholesale level – even in the church – human trafficking is a blight we loudly stand against and yet – will Christian men and women drop $10.00 to sit in a room and watch a woman violently and graphically raped?  I have a friend who is an atheist and wrote on his Facebook page recently that the movie’s story was good but the rape scene was too much.  For the first time in his life he nearly got up and left a theater.  He wondered why this was rated “R” and not “NC-17″ or even “X.”  This coming from someone who does not acknowledge that we (including women) are created in the image of God.  Isn’t that philosophical point of view embraced by Christians?  What business do I have pulling up a chair and watching something like this?  Does it advance the protagonist’s position, create empathy for the heroine or hatred for the antagonists?  Sure it does; however, do I really need to pull up a chair with my popcorn, Milk Duds and coke and actually watch it?  Is my imagination so dull that I can not understand a verbal description or even a well crafted and emotional scene in which the event is revealed to a sympathetic character and hence the audience?

Where are the women’s rights groups when this sort of thing is being passed on as art?  Women are being objectified left and right in our culture – degraded on a level and at a speed that boggles the mind.  Where is the out cry against such stuff?  Don’t misunderstand me… I am not calling for a boycott of the movie or anything like that – I am writing and asking for people to show discretion and protect their hearts and minds.  For people who call themselves Christians to seriously think through their “entertainment” choices.

The Naive Exercises No Discretion

The ancient wisdom literature of the Book of Proverbs confronts the naive who blithely stumble along and raise their glasses filled with arrogance and proclaim their maturity to stomach such evil.  They are confronted with the desensitization of their very souls.  We have freedom in Christ – but we should not use our freedom as a cloak from which to wallow in sin under.  When we fill our minds with such violence and sexual perversion (Yes, I used the word perversion) and sign it off as art and kid ourselves into thinking it doesn’t affect us we’re playing the fool of Proverbs.  No where in the Bible is this type of “entertainment” condoned nor encouraged.

Men should be appalled and feel a sense of outrage at the sight of a woman being raped – not entertained.  Woman should be equally appalled and feel betrayed by the man that would subject them to such entertainment.

This is plainly not the place for Christian men and women to be entertained.  This is the place for the Christian to make a statement with their lives.  Maybe you’re reading this and have seen it.  Speak out regarding the crass and blatant use of another human being the likes of which this movie throws in your face.  Speak out and be a voice against violence against women and their exploitation.  If we, as Christians, cannot live for what is plainly right and stand with God’s agenda regarding justice – what on earth are we doing?  I’m afraid we’re guilty of playing church at best and hiding our heads in the sand at worse.

Wisdom calls, she sets her table and calls those who would be wise – come and dine.  The fool waves his hand and blows on by.  My friend, it is not art nor maturity to be able to sit down and stomach the violent and graphic rape of another human being – it is just plain wrong.

What Can I Do?

Like I wrote, I love a good novel or movie.  I take the time to read reviews – Christian sources such as www.pluggedin.com or www.christianitytoday.com or even secular sources such as www.imdb.com (See Parental Guide).  Be wise, be informed – don’t just stagger up to a movie theater and gulp down whatever is on the menu – no matter how appetizing it may look.  Guard your heart!  “Do not be wise in your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him (the Lord) and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 6.

Reviews of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568346/parentalguide
http://www.pluggedin.com/movies/intheaters/girlwiththedragontattoo.aspx
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2011/dragontattoo.html
http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/movies/the-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-movie-review.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-matlack/can-dragon-tattoo-help-re_b_691979.html

Poetry in Motion

To watch a guy who knows his way around a tool box and car engine is like watching poetry in motion.  He can size up a problem, reach into his tool box, apply the proper corrective adjustments and the engine hums.  When I worked construction, I was always impressed with a skilled carpenter.  He could size up an angle, make quick and accurate cuts and fit a joint together with relative ease.  It was beautiful to watch.

I enjoy watching people dance.  I’m not talking about dance central and the funky gyrations you’re likely to encounter at a wedding to the beat of YMCA – I’m talking about a waltz – when executed with skill and precision – it is beautiful.

Can not our interactions with one another be likened to a dance?  Can not our attempts at relationship be likened to a skilled (or unskilled) craftsman – piecing together two lives in a marriage?  We need skill in all these areas.

Raising my kids (which I understand is a life long relationship with various stages and dynamics) has been a, sometimes, rude awakening to my lack of relational skills.  My dealings with my wife (of 25 + years) has also been a wake up call to the fact that I need skills!

Ageless Wisdom with an Important Context

While the wisdom literature of the Bible carries and incredible amount of common sense feel to it… it is set in a particular context.  The context of wisdom literature in the Bible is the acknowledgement that we live and operate our lives under the watchful eye of our creator – God.

With an understanding that He is the creator – He is the ultimate source of wisdom for how to live this life.  The beauty of common grace is that it is applicable to believer and non-believer alike; however, to the believer – we are very unwise and even foolish to flippantly pick and choose what we will regard in wisdom literature.  We above all people should realize that decisions have consequences and that we will ultimately be held accountable for those decisions by God.

That is why we need Proverbs.  That is, if we want to honor God with our lives and inflict (and gather) as few scars as possible as we live out our days.

Come out and join us in cook, serving or both cooking and serving – you will be blessed as you bless others!  Socks have been collected for distribution by First Baptist Church of Kirkland, Webelos Den 6 and the Kirkland Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club.