Quickly Approaching

Greetings! To everyone who has been toying (pardon the pun) with the idea of getting involved with our Christmas party and toy drive this year, the time has come. There are still tons of kids and families to get presents for, and we could use everyone's help. Tell your friends and neighbors and church members and coworkers and anyone else you can think. We need to know by Friday, Dec. 10, how much you want to donate and whether you want to send money for us to shop or if you want to receive information about kids and families for whom you can then shop yourself!

Thank you so much for helping out with this! God is doing great things, and so many new relationships are springing out of this experience.

The Joy of a Life with Children

Today started out in a really challenging way. I spent the morning trying really hard to focus on God’s word in John 3, but for some reason, I just couldn’t seem to get my mind around a lot of it. The more I tried to grasp at it, the farther away from the Lord’s presence I felt. I even tried walking around ACU’s Lunsford Trail while worshiping and praying. Even though it reminded me of a different side of God I hadn’t experienced in a while, ultimately, I was just begging god to help me feel valued, connected and loved.

Fortunately, Jesus granted me the desire of my heart, very shortly after. Initially, that prayer was answered when I got invited to spend some time with Merissa Marlof, a close friend who God’s been drawing my heart deeper and closer to, recently. Later, though, God started answering my prayer in a very different way.

After hanging out with me, Merissa drops me off at Allelon Community’s house, and I’m telling you guys, pure joy awaited me within the walls of this house. Within a split second of my opening the door to the house, Ana and Donavon yell my name at the top of their lungs, leave everything behind and start jumping on me, clinging to me like their lives depended on it. Ana was so stinking excited to see me that she made me feel like the most valuable person on this planet. As soon as she was done hugging me, loving on me and telling me how happy she was to be with me, she passionately launched into explaining to me her and Kristen’s exciting plans to go into the woods and “hunt horses”. Even though there were going to be many colors, she explained, her favorite was going to be the big white one. She absolutely insisted that I join her and Kristen on this wild escapade of theirs. As it turned out, Kristen couldn’t make it, but Wes and Donavon joined Ana and I in trudging down the well worn pathway behind the house, through the field of tall, dead plants. Even though I was excited to see the older guys and girls in the community, my mind and heart were truly sold out to loving and focusing on these children. Between “watching out” for snakes, protecting ourselves with sticks, having Ana lead us all to the horses, desperately trying to calm the kids down so that they wouldn’t run down the hill at 60 mph, singing “old MacDonald,” looking for Ana and Donavon as they pretended to blend in and become one with the shrubs, and finally, hunting imaginary rabbits, Wes and I were trying to love on them and teach these two precious children about what it meant to be obedient and loving, what it looked like to be a noble leader (since Ana was our leader) and what it looked like to look out for each other. Even though we never found the horses or got to hunt them (thankfully), we all had so much fun.

Honestly, it was the highlight of my entire weekend. There’s something about being loved on by children that allows me to feel more joy and affection than I could ever try to relay. One of the things I love most about being a part of the Allelon Community is that I always get to observe the older members of the community handle children, discipline them in the way of the Lord, love them genuinely and teach them wisely. If I am super lucky, I get to sit back and intently observe how the boys try to love and correct crazy Donovan as he runs wild, and actually succeed in doing it, through raising him in the love and wisdom of the lord. My heart really soars, though, when I then get a chance to model what I learn, through getting to handle the children and deal with their mistake or weaknesses, and succeed in showing them love while teaching them about respect and obedience.

If you have any idea what the house is usually like, you’d know that I get that chance a lot, since there are almost always children over there. I’m not a pro at bringing children up, but I am receiving a tremendous amount of joy and love through succeeding at playing with the kids and having them enjoy their time with me, through succeeding at holding them and showing them that I love them, through watching them actually do what I say without any anger or frustration entering the situation and, most of all, through watching them model Christ through their every day actions. For example, I got to see Donavon trying to share his little bit of lunch with Cody Terry today – it is most definitely an image that will linger in my mind for a long time. It’s during times like these, when I get to see the kingdom of God manifest itself within the lives of little ones, that I cannot help but give honor and praise and Glory to our lover and creator.

Being a part of this community has also taught me how much value children really have. They are NOT bothersome nuisances that should be ignored. They are the most life-giving, precious creations on this earth. They desperately want and need love, respect, attention, wisdom in the lord, and most of all, they DESERVE to be taken seriously, not just made fun of or shrugged off. We truly don’t realize how much influence we have in young children’s lives. They are so impressionable, that the most insignificant acts of love and kindness (in our eyes) will still be imprinted within their minds and actions for long times to come.

It was upon sitting down and reflecting on my day at the house that I discovered something: spending time with Kids is becoming one of the primary ways I receive and show love. It’s also becoming an essential part of my growth and maturity process. Thanks to the incredible role models I have at the house, I have started taking children very seriously, giving them a part of my heart and allowing myself to get attached to them. Walls that society teaches us to have built around our hearts to distance ourselves from the hearts of children, are being passionately torn down through community with the guys who are teaching us all to value children. Not only do I allow myself to get attached to kids, but taking them seriously allows me to be intentional and genuine about bringing them up in the ways of the Lord. Also, these creations are taken so seriously by me that they have the power to overwhelm me with love, joy and value when no one else could. Even though having children is not even in my field of vision, I feel so privileged to already be receiving rich, wise and intensive training in raising them with the Allelon community.

Christmas Time is Here!

That's right! The time has come for our second annual Stevenson Neighborhood Christmas Party. Last year's party was a huge success, even though it came together in an impromptu way. It was only ten days from the conception of the idea to the actual party, during which time God provided multiple presents for over ninety kids, as well as an awesome event consisting of games, crafts, face-painting, caroling, and, of course, gift-giving! God is so faithful. You can read all about last year's Christmas party HERE.

This year, we have gotten a bit more of a head start. We began initial preparations over three weeks ago, and we have adapted our system to be more organized, with Family Information Forms and more opportunities for adults and children in the neighborhood to help with the planning and putting on of the party. We are so excited about all the new relationships that will be formed through the whole experience.

We already have over 130 kids signed up for this year's party, and we expect even more before it is all said and done. For those of you who are interested, there are several ways you can be involved with this year's party:

1) If you are in town or feel like coming to town, we would love for you to participate with planning, present wrapping, shopping, cooking, and the actual party itself! Please let us know if you want to be involved in this way. There is a meeting this Sunday, Dec. 5th, at 4:00pm at our house to talk about everyone's roles as the big day approaches. Even if you miss that meeting, let us know, and we will get you plugged in.

2) Please cover the event and all the preparations in prayer. Pray for safety for everyone involved, for God's provision for presents for kids and all the food and supplies for the party. And mostly pray that this will serve as a catalyst for relationships and greater community - life-giving community - will grow in the midst of our neighborhood.

3) You can also help provide presents for the kids or help meet some of the needs of the families during this Christmas season. If you are in town, you can bring toys, games, stuffed animals, clothes, books, CDs, and pretty much anything else that would make a good present for kids ages infant-16 to our house (465 Cockerell Dr., check out the "Come and Visit" page for directions). For friends in more distant places, financial contributions and gift cards would be a huge help! We are partnering with a local church just like last year, so if you would like the tax-write off, you can make checks payable to St. John's Baptist Church. Please send contributions to 465 Cockerell Dr., Abilene, TX 79601. Any excess funds will be used to help restore the abandoned community center in our neighborhood.

We are so excited to see God provide once again this year. Thank you for your prayers and support and for considering how you might be involved!

Children decorating ornaments at the 2009 Christmas party.

Common Prayer Release Party

Hello everybody! We have three very exciting events coming up!

First, this Sunday, Nov. 21 at 4:00pm, we will be having our Thanksgiving potluck. We will handle the meat; everyone else just bring your favorite Turkey-day dish to share. If you can let us know in advance that you're coming and what you are bringing, that would be awesome as well! Go here for our contact info and directions to get to the house.

Also, our annual Stevenson Neighorhood Christmas Party is coming up in just over a month! I will post again in a few days giving you all the details about that and how you can be involved.

Finally, and most urgently, we are hosting a night of prayer, worship and communion to celebrate the release of Common Prayer: Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. It will be a sweet night of worshipping our Father and getting to use this awesome spiritual resource for the very first time - in community together! Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot!

Here is the info you need:

When: Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8:00pm

Where: Allelon Community House. Get directions here.

What to bring: A heart excited to be in the Father's presence. And if you want to buy the book at a really low cost, bring some cash too.

RSVP: If you are planning on coming, PLEASE RSVP by clicking here and filling out the short form. Those who RSVP will receive free copies of the book (until the free copies run out!)

For more information about the book, check out their website at www.commonprayer.net.

Living in the Sunset

It's seven-thirty on a Friday night, and the sun is beginning its nightly routine, slowly melting into the horizon and forming rivers of red, orange, and yellow. The late light flows through the power lines that run from our house into the distant sky and bathes our red-and-white, wooden frame house in hues that speak of longing and promise. Josh, Emily, and John are the first to feel the outpouring of the sky. They are sitting on the roof and watching that deeply spiritual phenomenon that is the end of a day.

Below them I sit on our home-made picnic table, surrounded by a buzz of activity. Out in the gravel lot under the power lines, kids are doing cartwheels and tossing around a football. Beside me at the picnic table, Anna and Donovan are finger painting with a couple of ACU students. Black and white hands become unrecognizable in the assortment of blues, whites, and greens as they leave hand-prints on construction paper and the hearts of those who are meeting God in the Other.

In the kitchen, Faith and Aaron are finishing up dinner, Lily is washing some dishes from a late lunch, and Conner is keeping his eye on the ice-cream maker, spinning away in its bucket of ice and adding to the din. Soon the artists' table will be returned to its original purpose, and the many miscellaneous conversations about life, love, faith, and struggle happening throughout the house will cease – better yet, will be joined as young and old, black and white, male and female, Christian and Sojourner, poor and rich join hands and give thanks for God's provision and love.

This sun will set, but we will continue to live in the sunset, for we are those called by God to live between the day and the night – citizens of the Kingdom that is here but still coming. When Anna sits on my lap and John learns to forgive his enemy; when I confess my sin to my brothers and from their eyes and mouths receive the forgiveness of Jesus; when Poon recites a poem and Kendrick returns my smile; when I look into the sky – I feel the weight of all God has done and a longing for all these signs around me to reach their fulfillment as God's kingdom finally and fully comes on earth as it is in heaven.

Gardening

Many, many moons ago, we all came to the conclusion that it was about time we started a garden. August came, and we researched some veggies that had a short yield time and did well in cooler weather, cleared a spot in the backyard, borrowed a tiller, and got to it. Kristen bought some great seed out of Vermont, and by September we had seeds in the ground. Lettuce, spinach, squash, zucchini, beets, and bush beans were on their way. All we had to do then was… wait.

I think one of our first thoughts was, “Why pay for ‘fresh’ vegetables when we could grow our own in the backyard, and pay relatively nothing for seed?” And probably right around the same time came the thought of, “How AWESOME would it be?” Aside from the monetary cost and the obvious cool factor that comes along with being a college kid that gardens, there is great value in using the earth that the Lord made and gave us dominion over to sustain ourselves. He made it so we would use it; and at the same time, we are called to take care of it – a point that we oftentimes forget.

So now we have this really cool, small, organic (duh), first shot at a fall garden and initial move towards becoming a little more self-sustainable, a little more simple, and a little more hard-working. We all take turns watering, weeding, and enjoying. Hopefully soon, we’ll have some really good vegetables to enjoy – minus the spinach and beets (they didn’t make it past the first big rain... and I accidentally picked the only surviving beet. Sorry, Wes.). There is something incredibly satisfying about growing something yourself, for you and some good company to enjoy for a meal later. Atleast, that’s what goal we have in mind. I could write for days about the spirituality connected with gardening, nature, and the earth, but instead I’ll let some scripture do it, and encourage as many people as I can to start their own garden.

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

In His hand are the depths of the earth.

The mountain peaks belong to Him; the sea is His –He made it,

and His hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:3-6

My friends Francis and Vladimir

I was sitting at the picnic table with Vladimir and Kyle while Josh, Faith and Aaron made fried rice and wontons in the kitchen. I've never met anyone who likes to talk about Jesus as much as Vladimir does. His theology is a little unorthodox sometimes, and it always challenges me; but I have never known someone quite as willing as Vlad to obey Jesus unconditionally.

Well, as we sat there together, tantalized by the smell of the delicious dinner in the making, Vlad began to talk about a book he is reading on the life of Francis of Assisi - one crazy dude. First, he sold a bunch of his father's textiles. Then, when his father took him to court, he renounced his nobility, considerable inheritance, and even the clothes on his back, and began to live a life of poverty and charity. He was known for his love of animals and nature, his life of poverty, and his unmatched generosity and compassion. It's like he took seriously the words, "One thing you lack; sell all you have and give it to the poor" or "Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but treasures in heaven."

Vlad said he appreciated Francis' story because of disagreements he has had with his own parents. Vlad and his parents both love the Lord with all their hearts, but they have often disagreed about giving money to the poor. Vlad, in his usual extreme fashion, has a habit of giving money away as soon as he gets it. It is like it burns a hole in his pocket, as if it does not truly belong to him as long as he knows someone is without food or shelter. For Vlad, good stewardship means giving as much money to the poor as possible.

His parents have often expressed to him the need for a little more discretion when giving away his money. You can give away your money, just not all of it as soon as you get it. They make a good point that the intention is wonderful, but that giving must be done with thoughtfulness, discernment, and wisdom.

This conversation raised some interesting questions in my mind. How is "good stewardship" defined in the Kingdom of God? How toxic is wealth for a believer? Can thoughtless giving be destructive? In a world of endless need, how is generosity defined? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Leave a comment. What do you think about these questions?

I will not attempt to answer these questions here, but I will make a few statements that will hopefully be provocative enough to spark some discussion.

Stewardship

There is a temptation to equate stewardship with good business sense or successful financial planning. The problem is, our ultimate goal is not a successful business or a prosperous 401k or even personal financial stability. In the kingdom, one is called to trust God for his/her daily bread, and money becomes a piece of paper, useful only insofar as we use it to advance the kingdom - loosing the chains of the oppressed, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming good news to the poor, ministering to Jesus in his most distressing disguises. I wonder who is a better Kingdom steward: Vladimir or your average elder, selected for his business success and management skills?

Toxicity of Wealth

The story of the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10) pierces right to the core of this issue. First of all, it is important to note that before asking him to sell his possessions or watching his response to that request, "Jesus looked at him and loved him." So Jesus' love for him is not dependent on his response. His entrance to the Kingdom, on the other hand, is. As much as Jesus loves him, he lets him walk away. Jesus does not call him back and say, "It's okay! Just give ten percent!" or "Wait, as long as everything you have is available for God, you can keep it." He lets him walk away, and he laments how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom (portrayed in this passage primarily as a present reality). When I talk about this passage with people, it is often drawn back to motivation. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," so as long as my heart is in the right place, it's okay. But what if Jesus meant, "Look at your credit card statement. Now, where is your heart?"

Of course, Jesus also says, "What is impossible with man is possible with God." But does this mean that God changes the rules of the kingdom so that rich folks can come on in and keep the party going, or does it mean that God is able to free people of the attachment to wealth that made the Rich Young Ruler walk away?

What is it that makes wealth such a barrier to Kingdom life, and why do we think we can enter with all our stuff when the Rich Young Ruler could not?

Harmful Giving

Jesus said, "Give to everyone who asks, and don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Okay, but seriously, Jesus, what if the guy is going to buy drugs? What if he is only asking because he lost his job due to irresponsibility? What if I know she is lying to me about her reasons for asking? Do I still give?

I'm not listing these questions in mocking way or to make some point; they are legitimate questions that I struggle with every day. There are a few ways to just avoid them entirely. We could just give to organizations that we trust to dispense the funds with wisdom. We could just not give to anyone, lest we accidentally fund someone's sin or enable their laziness. The problem is, I look in Matthew 25, and every act that Jesus uses for sorting the sheep and the goats is a personal act of compassions, mano a mano. Plus an impersonal act of giving has almost no transformative power in the life of the giver, whereas relationships that are formed across class lines are at the very heart of the kingdom in which the poor are blessed and the first are last.

But then common sense comes back in and says, "If you really care about helping someone and not just getting some spiritual high, you will put a little more thought into it." And that is true also. How can we be faithful to the call of Jesus, neither theologizing away its offensiveness nor taking it so literally that we work against its spirit?

These are hard questions. This is a hard tension. Perhaps in a later post, I will detail some of the things we do to try to manage these tensions, but right now, I want to hear what you think about it. How do you balance this tension as you try to follow Jesus?

Generosity in a Global Village

Do you know any kids in your neighborhood? Imagine that six year old boy down the street comes walking up to you one day as you are out watering the yard. His belly protrudes out from a shrunken frame. He hasn't eaten in six days. His muscles are atrophied from malnutrition. If you don't help him, he will starve. In this situation, would there really be any question about whether you should help him or not?

So then, when our world has shrunk to the point that all we have to do is flip on the TV and suddenly we are aware of millions of neighbors who don't have food or clean water or shoes or homes - when we live in a global village, what does it mean to love our neighbors? Shane Claiborne says, "True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors."

There is a lot here! I would love to hear your comments, questions, insights and stories.