To Heal - Christmas 2011

Tonight I sat in service, yes its the 23rd ... but tomorrow is going to be PACKED so, I caught service tonight so I can focus on the hundreds of kids and families that will come through the doors tomorrow.

I was partially distracted.  Not because I had volunteers and kids in the wing on the opposite side of the building, but distracted by this past year, by the hurts, the transitions, the craziness and reality that things today aren't the way I pictured them a year ago.

Last Christmas was HARD ... as in funeral hard on December 23rd.  Compared to last year, today looks a lot different, although I won't say its all better.

You see, there's a reality that Christmas IS about Christ, but its also that yearly reminder that life isn't how we think it should be or the way it should look - our plans aren't our own, they are His. 

So tonight, admist my distraction and wandering mind I saw four words on a massive screen...

He came...

...to HEAL

Yes, Jesus came not only to love, to save, to reconcile, but He came to heal, and not just physically heal, but emotionally, relationally, and any other way that we need healing - if only we seek Him.

It was in that moment that I realized that I've spent this past year thinking that my problems are too small, too silly for God.  That He doesn't care about my family - that its just the way it is.  So, as I move forward into 2012 I am reminded that Christ cares about every detail of our life.  And that no problem is too small, or too complicated, or anything else - because of an infant and a stable and a starry night thousands of years ago - He came to heal.

As you celebrate this Christmas Season remember that for many this season brings about a lot of grief and a reminder that life isn't the way they pictured it.  Their family isn't what they dreamed of.  They're missing loved ones who are no longer here.  They have  broken relationships.  Whatever it may be - He came to heal. To heal not only the physical, but the emotional, the relational, the very details of our life that sometimes seem like a bother to God - HE CAME TO HEAL.

Tomorrow

There is an image that keeps replaying in my mind.  An image of one of our volunteers in our ministry at the services for one of the kids in our ministry who passed away. 

That was 12 days ago.

Tomorrow, we'll gather once again, but this time we'll be saying goodbye to one of our volunteers, and the son of the volunteer who attended the services, 12 days ago.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the death of a child and now the death of a volunteer.

Had you told me two weeks ago that we would be gathering for a funeral exactly two weeks later I would have never believed you.  But I do know that God's plan is greater, stronger, and bigger than the things that we can understand.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, that has been so evident this past year as we have walked through tragedy after tragedy ... tomorrow isn't guaranteed.  So live ... life fully as God intended you to ... chase dreams and just live!

Well Done

This week has been tough.  Wednesday evening, Jake went home to be with Jesus.

I'll never forget hearing his mother say during his final hours ... "Jesus is going to say, well done my good and faithful servant" ... it was a powerful moment and so true of the person Jake was during the past seven years.  Jake has ministered to thousands through his dream of giving Pillow Pets to sick children.  He didn't let his age stop him and became a spokesperson for sick children.

Over the last several months there have been so many amazing and painful moments. But, as things came to a close this past week  I've reflected on the things I've learned this past year and the ways the Jake has impacted my life.

Ultimately, Jake and his family has taught me to live life ... to go to the store and get ice cream just because, to take a vacation even when you don't have the time or money, to go home and spend time with family, to be with friends even when you don't have the time, to do the things you enjoy ... to simply live life and not let the limitations of money, time, people, etc stop you!

Jake ... I'll miss you, I'll miss your heart and the way you genuinely loved people and animals, I'll miss you hanging out with me in the hallway during the 11a service when you didn't feel like being in your class, but still wanted to be at church, I'll miss your stories about frogs and bugs and your love for life.  You are an amazing kid!

Hug your kids tonight!

Influence

"the stage just blew over" ... those were the words I read on Facebook almost a week ago as the Indiana State Fair Stage collapsed just prior to a strong thunderstorm. 

While I had many friends at the concert that night, I myself was out of town ... knowing I would have been there, maybe not in the grandstand, but just outside listening just like last year had I been in town. 

As I walked the streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee ... I quickly saw the power of social media.  Word spread quickly, I knew my friends were okay and stories of pure heroism emerged quickly through tweets, photos, and posts.

There was no waiting for the "breaking news" anymore ... my friends were reporting the event there in my newsfeed. 

As I returned home a few days after the event I began to talk to friends about the stage collapse and quickly gathered that some of them didn't have the same opinions I shared on the event.  As we talked I began to learn that their opinions were coming from their friend's posts on Facebook and Twitter.  I began to think about how we allow others to influence us ... both good and bad. 

We are no longer influenced by the crowd we run around with, but instead by the crowd that is constantly in our newsfeed each time we log on ...

so who are you allowing to influence you?  Is it a Christ-like influence?  Who are you influencing?

Silence

It is in the silence where I find myself truly connecting with God.  Our everyday lives are busy ... I mean BUSY, but I have been challenged this week to find times where I can be silent, alone, and reconnect with God.  It is something I need to do.

This morning I read this verse in 1 Peter 4:7 ... "The end of all things is near. So keep a clear mind. Control yourselves. Then you can pray"

The words "keep a clear mind" weighed heavy on my heart as I realized that the busyness of life clutters my mind and my heart - it keeps me from connecting with my Creator. 

I've spent the past few days in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.  There have been moments of quiet, but people always seem to be around.  Then yesterday, I got on my bike ... no radio, no talking, no noise ... and I rode part of the Cade's Cove Loop (truth be told I think I could have done all 11 miles, but that's for another day).  There was no noise, but me, the wind, and the bugs and it was in the moment when I was challenged that in order for me to truly connect with God in the deep way I long for I must get away from everything.  I must plan times to go into the open country and just be alone.

Time

A few nights ago I found myself sitting with a friend, holding her newborn daughter, talking about the tests and appointments that are ahead due to a syndrome she has.  It was late and as we talked the baby's grandma said "I remember getting those pj's for her, it was so hard finding something "gender neutral", but I wanted to get the baby something for Christmas" ... as she finished my friend said ... "wow, Christmas, we had no idea we'd be finding out the baby was a girl two weeks later ... and eight weeks earlier than we had expected".


As those words rang in my ears, I thought back over the past year and how so many who are close to me are in completely different places than they expected to be just a year ago.  Facing challenges and joys they only read about in other peoples stories.

This past week I watched as another friend watched her three children chase lightening bugs in the church parking lot.  As I walked to my car I stopped to watch, knowing that this time next year (without a miracle) she'd only be watching two kids chase lightening bugs.  Yet, a year ago the word cancer had never crossed their lips.

None of us know what lies ahead, we can only live in the present, which is why I feel more strongly than ever that we must live as God intended us to live - joyfully with hearts and minds that long for HIM and hands and feet that do HIS work.

There's been a lot on my heart and mind lately.  While life's been busy, there's been some tough lessons, some beautiful insights, and some amazing intersections throughout the last several months.

I challenge you to live for today, to seek after Christ, and to LOVE as He loves ... you never know what lies ahead.

"...be filled WITH LOVE that comes from a PURE HEART, a CLEAR CONSCIENCE, and SINCERE FAITH."  1 Timothy 1:5

Music Monday

This is "Tunnel" by Third Day ... it is a song they sang last week while we were at Riley.  What I loved about the 2 songs they sang ... in addition to the Third Day Classic "Old McDonald"... was that they really thought through their song selection and sang two songs that that were so appropriate to the feelings of the families there in that lobby.  This is one of the two they sang.

Speechless

Now that I've begun writing this for the third time I'm going to be honest ... I'm speechless and in complete awe of a Maker who knows every detail of every situation.  The past four months haven't been easy.  We've been walking the road of Childhood Cancer with two kiddos in our ministry ... two kiddos who were diagnosed the same week and two families who in a moment their lives were changed forever.

Throughout this journey there have been moments that seemed hopeless, but in those moments we've seen God move in mighty ways.

One of the things that has happened over the past month has been a simple Pillow Pet Collection.  It began with a 7-year olds dream to give 1,000 other kids at Riley a Pillow Pet ... the same toy that he himself loves to play with and then snuggle during his own treatments.  As I put together the flier to promote to our families that we would be collecting the Pillow Pets I remember thinking "I hope we can help him get to 1,000" ... "wonder if anyone will bring these in" ... "when we collected Build-A-Bears for a local children's shelter we got 75 ... hopefully we'll get at least that many".

I shouldn't have put God in such a small box.

It wasn't long after that day that I was being pulled from our Children's Staff Meeting to speak with a rep from KLOVE (headquartered here in Indy) - as I sat there with another co-worker she explained to me how they had heard about the little boy and the collection, called Applebee's and wanted to know if we would be okay with them helping!


Sure ... why not - it sounded great ... a radio ad here in Indy and then the day after the concert they would talk about Jake and the Pillow Pets and share his story nation-wide on the morning show.

The following Monday I had a txt from my brother in Columbus, Ohio telling me he heard about the little boy from the church ... that was the moment I knew God was going to do much more through this little boy and some Pillow Pets than we had ever imagined.

See what God does in tomorrow's post!

Music Monday

Powerful words to this song ... don't just sit and let others serve ... jump in and get involved!

Jake Update

So, you might have seen this post a few weeks ago ... "Jake" ... well, what began as a small, simple way to help a few kids here in Indy seems to be inspiring a nation.  Over the past few days I've been blown away by the people who I've heard from all around the United States!  People starting their own collections for their local children's hospitals, shipping Pillow Pets for distribution, and just being inspired to love others.  It is a story that ONLY God could have ever created or imagined!

Today Jake was featured on local TV here ... http://www.theindychannel.com/news/27052979/detail.html

And on the Pillow Pets Blog here ... http://mypillowpetsblog.com/please-help-our-friend-jake/

And on KLOVE here ... http://www.klove.com/events/detail.aspx?i=148865

Like I said ... only a story God could create.  I don't know why God chose Jake to tell HIS story, but He has and the past few months a simple little boy from a small town has changed my life and reminded me what's truly important.

Who's Problem?

The post below arrived in my inbox this morning from "The Inclusive Church" Blog and I think it nailed some of the frustration that I sometimes feel, but have never seemed to be able to find the words to explain. 

The "it's not my problem" attitude is one that can creep into our lives at any point and in any circumstance and is one that we must constantly keep in check, search our hearts for, and ask God to help us be truly compassionate for those whom we serve. 

Special needs, circumstances, etc isn't the "problem" of the person who holds the job title of the position ... we're all called to love and serve those in the local church and in our community - NO ONE is anyone's "problem" - they're all people created in God's image and no matter what position you hold or what the title that follows your name says it's about loving everyone, serving everyone, and making a difference in the lives of people whom God has created. 

Enjoy the post below, check your heart and wrestle with the information and discussions that it brings to mind.


"Embracing a family affected by special needs and intertwining them into the fabric of a congregation often occur because of a shared ownership between any set of ministries or staff members.  Conversely, if the “not my area of responsibility” mentality creeps into the mindset of any single staff member or lay leader, efforts to include children with special needs are poised to fail."

Check It Out

Here's a Guest Post I wrote @ Empower Families ... go check it out!

Jake

This is my buddy Jake. 

Last June, God began to cross my path and his mom's path through a simple conversation about his younger brother.  In July, God crossed another path with another coworker at church.  By October I was standing in our children's ministry hallway looking into the eyes of parents who had been dealt an unimaginable blow.  Jake has cancer.  Without a miracle, Jake's time here on earth will be short.

Through the pain has come perspective.  A perspective on life that I began to peer into four years ago when I found myself holding a four year old in his mother's hospital room as she slipped into the arms of Jesus - it was a time when I began to truly grasp the effects of cancer and the reality that we aren't guaranteed eighty years.  In fact, we aren't guaranteed the next eighty seconds.

Sometimes, I find myself thinking "Jake probably won't experience next year's Christmas, next year's super bowl, etc", but do any of us really know if we'll experience tomorrow?

As I've spent time with Jake and his mom and dad and siblings over the past several months I've not only walked along with them through their journey, but also seen the reality and effects of cancer on many families and many children at Riley.  The 5th floor is the cancer floor - it is a floor that you hope you never have to press the elevator button to ... and when you do, everyone looks at you with a sadness, knowing that you are somehow connected to a child with cancer.

Yet, through the ashes is beauty.  Jake has a heart that is impacting others and helping other children at Riley.  Even as he undergoes his own cancer treatments, he spends a little extra time at Riley handing out Pillow Pets to kids in the hospital, undergoing the same treatments he is.  Not thinking about his own situation, but instead loving and helping others - knowing first hand how each of these children are feeling.

This past weekend on the Northview Blog there was an incredible article posted about Jake and his servant's heart.  He and Northview will be collecting Pillow Pets over the next two months for the kids at Riley - the goal is 1,000 of the plush pillows - so far he has nearly 200! 

As Jake walks this road pray for him, pray for healing, for understanding, and for comfort.  Pray that he has the strength to visit family in Florida in a few months and that others are impacted by his story.

You can read Jake's article here: Jake's Compassion

And if you would like to help, Pillow Pets can be dropped off at Northview.  There is also a fund at 5th/3rd Bank for donations - "Jacob McConahay" is the account name.

Jake's Caringbridge (follow Jake's story here!)

The Most Un-Free, FREE* Word

Prayer. That single word can make the entire room go quiet at the end of my life group ... well admit it - it probably happens in your life group too.  There's something unknown about prayer - will I have to pray? outloud? does God hear me? what if I don't use the right words? will others look down on me?

Now, add Experience to that simple word and well, those thoughts and feelings can be amplified.

BUT, who said prayer has to be scary, that you have to have it all together, that God cares about the words you use ... because in reality, it's not, you don't have to, and He just wants to hear from you!

I entered the Prayer Experience last Wednesday, not quite sure that God had much to say to me.  I have been getting a lot out of FREE*, BUT I entered the time more as a "let's check this off the list" than a "let's meet with God".  It had been a long day, on top of a long week and I just needed to "get it done".

God had other plans though.

As I entered the first area I found myself in another world, relaxing, forgetting about all the things I had to do.  I sat there for awhile, with no real purpose - just taking in the sights, the people, and the music playing on the small mp3 player.  God gave me a word, a picture of freedom - yet - I didn't know how that word had anything to do with freedom ... boundaries???  Seriously... that's the most "un-free" word I could think of.  But, I went with it and I began to move along the path to the upstairs hall.

I moved through several elements and then I came to a room decorated for the holidays with packages all around.  The words played in my ears - saying "these packages are filled with gifts God has for you ... will you receive them?"

I paused for a moment and then approached the packages - there were many to choose from, all with a different "gift" inside.  I took the first one off the shelf and the word inside was REST - what an incredible moment that was.  I knew that God had met me right there at that time, with just a subtle reminder that He knew I was tired, stressed, and wondering how I was going to get through the next few days and weeks with a busy schedule coming up - HE KNEW - and for me that made the entire experience worth it.

I finished the experience, moving from room to room - praying for others, praying for myself, but in it all meeting God in a different way - a way I normally don't experience Him. Through quiet, words, surfaces, and thoughts the Prayer Experience became less about prayer and more about experiencing God - a God who loves each of us and wants the very best for us ... even when He has to literally put things right in front of you!

As I made the drive home that night, I knew that my original picture of freedom made a little more sense and that God was speaking to me through it all.

This post can also be read here on the Northview Blog.

Something Bigger

Title Package: "I Love My Church" from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Here's a little video I found a few days ago from NorthPoint ... it captures so many of the opportunities available in churches across america during the weekend services!  Love your church ... and get involved :-)

Fostering

Reaching children is a passion of mine, however I truly believe that a child can not be ministered to until their basic needs are met.  These basic needs include shelter, safety, food, clean water, and love.  Fostering and adoption are two things that I have a HUGE interest in and hope that one day the Lord will allow me to make both of those things part of my life.

Today I saw this video and was deeply moved by it - especially knowing that I one day want to foster and adopt children it shed a whole new light on what that child goes through and why the church can be and is the answer to the foster care crisis in America.

I hope you'll be inspired as you watch this...


Fostering Together Launch from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Well, you'll actually need to click here to see it since it is only available for embedding with the subscription to Vimeo!

Hand in Hand

Each quarter we gather our families together and serve.  The projects range from things around the grounds of the church to our urban church on the near-eastside of Indianapolis.  But, no matter where the project is, its guaranteed to be kid-friendly and an opportunity for families to engage with one another for three hours in a setting and situation that is different from their "normal".

Saturday, was no different than any other Saturday, except that a group of 60 people ranging in age from 2 years to 60+ gathered in Noblesville at Janus Developmental Services to serve alongside the employees there and complete many projects.  Ranging from gardening and organizing to painting and washing windows and walls.  All over the property families were serving alongside one another.

And since I love photos, I think these are the best way to truly communicate the power of families serving alongside one another, so sit back and enjoy...

Growth

Below is a post I wrote for the blog that my church/employer runs ... it basically outlines the changes that have taken place over the last few months, that resulted from a 200+ family growth in our ministry over the last 6 months.  You can read it below, or here on the Northview Blog (and maybe somewhere in this post you'll figure out why I haven't been blogging ... there's a "summer recap" coming soon!)



Take a leisurely stroll through Studio 6.7 and you’ll find that it can turn into more of a hike, involving all three floors and fifteen different rooms!

Photo by JoanettaHendel

With this past August’s promotions, Studio 6.7 opened a new Early Childhood classroom and re-organized the layout of the Elementary Ministry. 

In Early Childhood, children now can be found in nine classrooms; seven on the Main Floor and two on the Upper Floor. Children from birth through about three years of age are in still in the original Studio 6.7 Classrooms on the Main Floor; however the 4 and 5 year olds have moved upstairs to the Attic, which opened in August 2009, and the Loft, opened August 2010.

In Elementary, children have moved from the original two Elementary Classrooms (Studio and Stadium) into five rooms.  Kindergarteners now meet in the Stadium, having both their small group and large group teaching and worship in this classroom, while the Studio is used as a Large Group and Worship Area for the other four grade levels.

Photo by JoanettaHendel

First to fourth graders meet in four grade-level specific classrooms in the Lower Level. This gives children in these grade levels the opportunity to connect with peers who are their same age and with their small group leaders in a more intimate setting.

The Studio 6.7 Team has spent a good part of this past summer preparing for these changes.
Volunteers have moved to new classrooms, and supplies have been re-divided so that all children and volunteers have the things they need during services.

The changes have been exciting as each area has seen many months of preparation come together to create a fun-filled learning environment for all the children in Studio 6.7.

Ultimately, as Studio 6.7 prepares for additional growth and manages the growth that has been experienced over the past year, these classroom changes have been positive -classroom sizes in all age groups have been reduced, and volunteers now have a greater opportunity to connect with children and families, and yet, it has also allowed Studio 6.7 to prepare for the future.

Veggies Video

This is a beautiful song about adoption and the video is filled with many "gotcha day" photos and videos - VeggieTales new movie is all about adoption ... enjoy!

Compassion International

You may, or may not, be aware of the ministry called Compassion International - more than likely you know them for their Child Sponsorship Program, which enables thousands of people around the world to support thousands of children ... making the world a little smaller by connecting those who have, with those who have not.

But Compassion does more than just enable thousands of people to sponsor thousands of children.  In addition to the orphanages, food programs, schools and countless other things they are involved with, Compassion works to bring a voice to those who aren't heard.  They work right in the heart of the need and enable those who otherwise would have no voice, to be heard ... around the world!

In less than 48 hours a team of seven will leave for Guatemala with Compassion International.  While there, they will work right alongside those using the money from Child Sponsorships, meet children who are sponsored, maybe even meet the child they sponsor, and see life with sponsorship; and life without.  Each night they'll post their stories and pictures - their thoughts, ideas, and in the end, give those who have no voice ... a voice and share it with the world.

You can follow each of their stories and hear from those they meet at the links below...

Amanda Jones ::: Baby Bangs

Lindsey Nobles ::: I'm Just Sayin


Ann Voskamp ::: Holy Experience

Lisa-Jo Baker ::: The Gypsy Mama

Compassion International