Who ya gonna call?

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“But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3: 17

There are earworms and saddle burrs that I can’t shake this week.  Both of them are a result of things that our friends from Servants Inc shared with us – little bits of information heading into our upcoming DAY OF ACTION.

The first unshakable is that Servants is a 100% pass through charity.  Many of you may have already known that – but honestly – it impressed the heck out of me!  What that means is that if you donate $100 to Home Helps (Servant’s local based ministry) – $100 ENTIRE dollars go directly to help your neighbors in need.  Little dollars don’t get directed to advertising on billboards…..ten dollars don’t go marching off towards a contest to get more donors…..ONE HUNDRED TOTAL dollars go DIRECTLY to help someone who is taking a cold shower with a garden hose.

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord and He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17

Which brings me to the next thing that has been rubbing me the wrong way – like the proverbial burr under my saddle – how can we possibly allow such need to exist right in our own back yard?  What struck me the most was when Chris Gohn said that the homeowners that we will be serving have no where else to turn.  They have tried making repairs on their own, they have asked for help from government organizations, they have turned to friends and neighbors …….and Home Helps – is their last desperate call.

Cue the sound track from Ghost Busters……the earworm that has been plaquing me all week…..Gang, I want to be the FIRST place where people in need turn.  I want them to remember things that actionchurch has done in the community and I want them to pick up the phone and dial 1-800-ACTIONCHURCH. That’s what the Christ followers did. That’s what the early church was. They were a group of dedicated, compassionate individuals who banded together to help one another.  It’s time that the church – that we as individuals – start to rise up and actively seek to aid those who are less fortunate.

If we continue to be THAT church – the one that gives, and gives and gives.  The church that goes out of their way to help a neighbor….in the end – the people that we serve will come to realize that it isn’t actionchurch that is their savior.  They will come to understand that there is a true savior – someone who was willing to sacrifice not just a sweaty, hot, dusty Friday to help them get their shower fixed – but someone who was willing to give their life for them to spend an eternity in heaven.

So – this week – let’s be THAT church.  Be the people I know who can pack the lobby with so much paint, hammers and nails, plywood, drywood, lumber wood, Gatorade and water that we will need a moving van to get it all delivered.  If you want to know the greatest need for Home Helps, call Steve Fowler ( he is the crew leader for Home Helps 717-378-0336 ) and ask him what they need.

Then head out to Home Depot – grab a shopping cart – dance down the aisle to the Ghost Busters theme – and load up for Home Helps!

“And look out for one another’s interest, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians  2:4-5

The Mom Squad

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“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me ,and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

 

Come one!  Come all!  EVERYONE has a role to play in our upcoming DAY OF ACTION!  This includes moms…..who are usually the ones who get up before everyone else and are the last ones to bed.  Moms have their hands full of toddlers and their calendars overflowing with commitments.  BUT – moms are also some of the most dedicated, over-achieving, “give until it hurts” people I know.

Case in point:  I got a message from one of our young moms who told me that there are several action-mommas that want to be a part of our Day of Action – but have young children who come first…..Well – obviously the kids come first!  But that doesn’t mean the moms can’t participate.  Let’s get creative and think outside the box.

Moms with teens:

Bring them along!  Servants is one of those organizations that I love working with because of their flexibility.  We believe that families that serve others together learn compassion and empathy…..AND they might even learn some new hands-on skills.  Heck!  We had the Burr girls laying roofing shingles before they were out of middle school!!  Kids can paint, they can sand railings, they can help with landscaping or even inside chores like cleaning areas that might be harder for older or disabled homeowners to reach.  The teens could even offer to babysit some of our actionkidz to give our younger moms an opportunity to serve without carrying a diaper bag!  There are so many opportunities I can’t even begin to list them all.

Moms with elementary age kids:

Same as above…..just more one on one supervision.  Kids at this age would be perfect for washing cars, organizing tools, sweeping, raking, cleaning basements/garages – At this age they LOVE being a part of projects that benefit other people.  If you can’t make it to the job site – you can make cards for the homeowners or decorate the lunch bags that the crew packs their lunches in…..anything to make the volunteers and the homeowners feel loved and appreciated.

Moms with wee ones:

Even the teeny tiniest can come along for the ride.  Most toddlers and babes fall asleep as soon as they hit the car seat.  What if you volunteered to go to the job sites in your air-conditioned car and make sure they have plenty of ice and beverages?  You and your toddlers could surprise the crews with frosty freeze pops on a hot day.  Most older people I know LOVE to hold babies.  What if you were the person who just sat and talked to the homeowner and left them coo over your baby?

Working Moms:

Each evening during the week the volunteers return to Logos Academy for dinner.  Could you make a casserole or provide a dessert?  Would you have time to do the dishes or  clean up after dinner?  How about going in early and prepping for breakfast before you go to work.  You could offer to help Alisha return phone calls or order supplies.

Moms with grown kids and empty nests:

What if you all got together and offered to play with the actionkidz during the day so that our younger moms could actually be a part of the job site crews!  Wouldn’t that be an amazing way to love on our mommas?  AND you could glitter and glue in an airconditioned room while feeding the kids LOTS of snacks!!  Now THAT is a volunteer position with some perks!

 

I am so thrilled that we have moms who are eager and willing to add more to their already hectic, crazy busy lives.  I am so proud of them for wanting to demonstrate by example to their children how to love God and love others by taking action. WAY TO BE – Mom Squad!!

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”  Proverbs 31:20

We Need YOU!

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One of the best quips I heard recently regarding our DAY OF ACTION was when Raphael said something to the effect of “Even if you are a nerd like me and can’t do construction – I heard we were going to be serving food!”  So, so, so hilarious and so very true!!

And once again it just goes to show that we need every single one of you to be a part of this event. Specifically – I need all you computer nerds, facetime freaks and gizmo geeks to band together and get the word out about the serving opportunity available the week of July 9-13th.

“Ye Olde Persons” – me in particular – have no idea how to promote events in this age of social media. So, if you happen to love twiddly tweets, or you are great at snapping and chatting while chewing gum, or simply like to Face-Brag……NOW is the time to do it.

We need to get the word out to everyone who wants to be a part of the DAY OF ACTION to get on-line and fill out an application with Servants, Inc.  This is the group that is organizing the week of service in York City – we are partnering with them because they have the expertise (that I lack) to get the right tools and equipment to the right job site!   Their website is Servants.org and they just need information related to your skills and the times that you might be available so that they can coordinate and organize the activities for the week.

And the rest of you…..those whose skill set with technology is as extinct at the dinosaurs….I need you to pray.  We need you to lift this project up in prayer and ask God to bring us together in a big way as we serve our neighbors in need.  I can’t think of a better way to show York that we can make big changes when we Love God, Love people and Take action.

“Lord, teach me to be generous.  Teach me to serve you as you deserve.  To give and not to count the cost.  To fight and not to heed the wounds.  To toil and not to seek for rest.  To labor and not to ask for reward.  Save that of knowing that I am doing your will.”   Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Day of Action

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I’ve been sitting back, waiting for my turn to tell you all about the upcoming – first ever –  “Day of Action”.  I kind of get a chuckle out of the pre-announcements and “sort of” announcements and the information that is floating around about this event. What I can tell you right now is that you are not going to want to miss being a part of something that can change how you look at your world.

Here are the basics. The event is being held during the week of July 9-13.  You can volunteer any day or time during that week –  however, the focus for us as a church is going to be Friday the 13th– some people’s superstition – our DAY OF ACTION!   Beginning early in the morning we will be gathering at the Logos Academy on West King Street in York to prepare and serve breakfast for all the volunteers.  Then we will be going to individual job sites to help our neighbors in need with all sorts of home repair.  At the end of the day – we will be providing the evening meal for all the volunteers and homeowners, as we gather together to recount the amazing ways God was moving among us as we took action by serving others.

The group we will be partnering with is called Servants, Inc.  They have fantastic information on their website – be sure to look them up. Basically they are a local organization who come alongside homeowners to provide home maintenance and repair services to the elderly, the disabled or the needy who are unable for whatever reason, to do the work themselves and are unable to pay professionals to do the work for them.

But here is the beauty of this project – you DO NOT need to know how to operate power tools.  You don’t even have to LIKE power tools.  You just need to have a willingness to serve. Throughout the coming weeks I will be detailing all sorts of ways that you can be a part of this amazing event!

Today – I want you to physically pick up the phone and either call or email Alisha Crooks. Yes!  Right now!  Even before you finish reading …..just pick up the phone and call.    Alisha is one of the sweetest people I know and I want you to overwhelm her with phone calls!😊  I want you to leave so many messages that she has to hire an assistant to return calls. I want her to get sick of hearing “Hi! I’m from actionchurch!”

Alisha Crooks

Ph:  (717) 378-0336

Email:  alishacrooks@servants.org

Even if you don’t have a clue how you can help – call Alisha and tell her who you are, what you like to do, what you think you are good at (or bad at) doing and I guarantee you she WILL find a way for you to be a part of the event.  If you are interested in being a part of an actual work crew on a job site you will have to get in touch with Servants – BEFORE Friday !  They need to get an idea of skills and available volunteers so they know how to organize for the jobs that are the highest priority.

Get ready gang! Actionchurch is going to love God, love others and take action in a big way during our first ever DAY OF ACTION!

Evolution

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17

I believe in evolution. Before you click out of this blog and scorn me as a Darwinist…..hear me out.  I’m talking about our personal evolutions.  How we as individuals change over time to become who we are.

Recently I had major back surgery.  It left me with a 12” scar along my spine and a big hole in my self-esteem.  I had to re-learn how to walk correctly and it severely limits my stamina.   It affected not only my physical health, but my mental well-being.  My injury distressed my family, our hobbies, our finances and my career. Those of you who know me – understand that I am not the same person I was a year ago.  Many of the traits that I valued – those things that I thought gave me self-worth – were gone overnight.

It wasn’t until just recently that I gave myself permission for that to be OKAY.  I have changed.  I have evolved.  I didn’t come to this conclusion on my own….and it certainly didn’t happen overnight. I now have a wonderful physical therapist/sadist who has been through some major life crap herself.  She constantly tells me – “That is who you were before.  Forget about that and move on.”  (By the way – she has this unbelievable Russian/Swedish funky accent that makes everything she says seem more exotic yet brutally painful if that is possible!)

My response to her for the first week or so was….”yeah, but – “  and she would quickly cut me off with a curt “Move on.”  But you don’t understand, I would lament “I used to…..” and again she would reply “That’s the past.  Move on.” She was using the wisdom she gained through her own experiences to help me move forward; to evolve.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it.  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43: 18-19

“Move on”.  Let it go. Forget the past.  Yesterday is over.  Evolve and become something even better.  Different – but better.  It will all work out EXACTLY according to God’s plan…..All those things that my heart knew, but my head wasn’t hearing.  Listen friends – God knows your hearts desires and he fully understands your limitations.  No matter where you are physically, mentally, financially, emotionally – God has a purpose for you.  Keep moving on.  Keep evolving.

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaven ward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14