Sunday Prayer: Becoming More Bold

I was attending a clergy meeting many years ago and was asked by one of my friends: “How are you?”

My usual reply, like most would be to say, “Fine!”

But this day for some reason, I wasn’t feeling fine and I told him so. For a few minutes he listened intently and then he said something almost all of us will say when hearing someone share something important or difficult. He said: “I’ll pray for you.”

I thanked him and started to walk away.

But he stopped me and said, “Wait a minute.” Turning to look at him, he continued, “When I said I was going to pray for you, I meant now.”

Did I mention that I was in a crowded room full of other preachers?

With that, he grabbed my two hands, leaned his head back and in a loud, clear voice said, “Oh Lord, it’s me again. Larry Davies is in trouble and he needs your help, right now.” For another minute or so, he went on describing exactly what I needed from God and claimed the miracle of answered prayer.

May I remind you, that I was in a crowded room full of other preachers?

While I turned three shades of red and wished the ground would swallow me whole, something happened in the midst of his prayer. Somehow I felt God’s presence and as hard as this is to admit: I felt somehow peaceful yet at the same time I also felt embarrassed. Is that possible?

Later that day and through the evening, I told everyone I what happened. Within the span of few days I likely told at least fifty or sixty more people about someone who boldly prayed for my needs. Another preacher touched me because he had the courage to be bold when I needed it most.

Boldness does not come naturally for me but the longer I am a Christian the more I realize that boldness is a major part of our witness.

Here are two great examples in one passage of Acts Chapter 3…

Bold Act Number 1: Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar - Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Bod Act Number 2: Peter Preaches in the Temple - Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.

The beggar was asking for a handout but Peter and John boldly asked God for much more. How did they know the beggar would be healed? They didn’t. That’s the risk of being bold.

When people became excited, Peter boldly addressed the crowd and preached about Jesus. But the crowd could have turned on Peter? How did he know they would listen? He didn’t. That’s the risk of being bold.

I expected someone to politely listen to me, but instead received a bold act of prayer. How did he know that’s what I really needed? He didn’t. That is the risk of being bold.

Sometimes being bold doesn’t work right away. Sometimes being bold results in failure at least on the surface. But if the Spirit of God is prompting you or me to do or say something bold then something of God will follow. For me, that is what it means to “walk in faith.”

Soon you will be getting ready for church. Admit it. For most, attending church can easily become routine. Our expectations are not all that high. We aren’t hoping for a life changing miracle as much as we’re hoping for something to get us through the next week. We hope to be inspired a little, learn a little and feel a little more hope about ourselves and God?

Suppose we became bold and dared to ask for more?

Suppose we were to ask God: Use me to be bold in church today? Who needs help? Give me the sensitivity to see it and the boldness to act on it.

Suppose we were to ask: Use me to be bold throughout the week? Whether at home, in school, at work or even in a restaurant, or dry cleaner or walking in the neighborhood?

Suppose we were to ask of our church: Use us to be bold as we proclaim our love for Jesus Christ. May we see the needs within our church family, within our community and around the world? May we respond with bold actions that challenge our resources and even our faith?

There are risks but there are also huge opportunities to be used by God.

Paul and John in Chapter 3 of acts were minding their own business when a poor lame beggar asked for a handout.

I was just looking for someone to listen to me for a minute.

Instead, God honored an act of boldness with something more.

Pride & The Preacher

“Are you the preacher?” the voice asked over the phone.

“Yes, I am.” I replied. “Why do you ask?”

“A few weeks ago, I was a visitor in your church and heard your sermon. Could I ask a few questions?”

“Sure.” I said with a smile, expecting a compliment.

“You told a story of a woman receiving communion? What does that have to do with the Bible?”

I started to explain how stories are an excellent way to teach scripture when he cut me off --

“Actually, I thought your sermon was pathetic!” He then went on to tell me why. When I tried to explain further, he cut me off saying, “I don’t understand how you can justify what you do as preaching?”

At this point, my mouth turned dry and my whole body was beginning to shake. How dare this young man tell me I was pathetic? (That’s not what he said.) Who does he think he is?

With gritted teeth, I semi-politely told him there are other churches in the area and he should consider attending one.

Later that day I read this story told by Jesus: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Preacher and the other was a dishonest businessman. The proud Preacher stood by himself and prayed: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that businessman over there! For I never cheat, I don’t sin, I don’t commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the businessman stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the preacher, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (Luke 18:9-14 occupations modernized)

If there was ever a famous parable about humility, this is it. The preacher is doing everything right. We should admire someone who consistently does what he is claiming. So why is Jesus giving him a hard time? The businessman was in church to confess a sin. Why is Jesus honoring him?

The temptation is to picture the preacher as secretly evil and the businessman as a nice guy who made a little mistake.

Don’t do that! Jesus is making an important point. Most of us become Christians by recognizing our sins and seeking forgiveness before God. We change our lifestyle and grow in faith. As we change, we also see more clearly the sins of our friends and coworkers. We want to offer guidance. “Why can’t they straighten out their lives and become more like me? Thank you God, I don’t make their mistakes.”

Did you catch it?

Comparing our lives to others may make us look a little better but not for long because the only comparison that ultimately matters is with God. With God, we always come up short.

A freshly painted white house stands out in most neighborhoods until it snows. Then, even the white paint looks pretty dull compared with the pure, freshly fallen snow.

We like to comfort ourselves that we are not thieves or drug dealers but we forget the more subtle sins of pride and neglecting others.

Then God’s truth hit me right between the eyes! I was the arrogant preacher in the story.

Someone called me, looking for answers. His criticism likely disguised a cry for help. Instead of listening and attempting to understand his underlying concerns, I became defensive and shut him out.

I was the one who needed God’s forgiveness. I was the preacher who needed to be humbled.

Two men began to pray. One was a businessman with a problem. The other, a preacher, considered one of the best in the community. The preacher compared himself with the businessman and thought he had arrived. The businessman compared himself with God and knew he was in deep trouble. Both were sinners but only one knew it: “For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”

Sunday Prayer and Mission Challenge

Pray for our military and honor those who sacrificed their lives for our country as we prepare for Memorial Day on Monday. Pray for a peace that will bring our brave men and women home.

Pray for the thousands of families impacted by the tornado damage throughout much of the United States…. May we pray for them and continue looking for ways to do our part.

Today – 91 Churches throughout the Lynchburg District will be announcing a goal of sending 1000 Disaster Relief Buckets worth over $50,000 as our way of helping

• List of Materials needed for Disaster Relief Buckets below
• Bring materials to your church or to Timberlake
• Sam’s Club collection – Today from 1:00 to 6:00 and Friday from 4:00 to Closing
• Checks can go to any UMC church or Lynchburg District marked Tornado Relief
• Assembly of Disaster Relief Buckets will be Saturday June 11 at Timberlake

Bishop Schnase with the Missouri conference wrote of what happened in Joplin:

"I give God thanks for every one of you for your many kind emails, voice messages, phone calls, and expressions of concern following the devastating tornado that destroyed much of Joplin, MO. Among those killed were several United Methodists, and every United Methodist Church in the area has members who have lost their homes. All our pastors and church staff are safe. We lost two church buildings, including St. Paul United Methodist Churc2h (a large, strong, vibrant congregation with an average attendance of close to 1000), and we lost the District Superintendent’s Office. Several other churches and parsonages received more limited damage. The hospital and five of the seven schools in Joplin were nearly completely destroyed."

"The city of Joplin was named after Rev. Harris Joplin, an early Methodist preacher who settled there in 1839. For years, he hosted people in his home and led them in worship, prayer, and singing. His ministry was one of hospitality in the truest sense, and he used his own humble dwelling as a tool for ministry. As far as I know, the building he used no longer exists, but the church community he founded provided the seeds from which dozens of area congregations have sprouted. All of us who are Missouri United Methodists are to some degree the fruit of his ministry."

"Tornadoes and hurricanes and floods and fires can take away our beloved and sacred places in a moment’s time, but the love of God that binds us to another is not nearly so vulnerable. God’s persistent and persevering love causes us to reach out to help a neighbor and to embrace strangers and to assist one another in the rebuilding of lives."

"The church is not the pile of lumber and bricks left after the destroying winds and rains; the church is the gathering of people standing above the rubble unified by the spirit of Christ to love and serve others. The church is the people counseling one another through unfathomable grief and loss. The church is people risking lives for their neighbors and opening their homes to strangers. The church is people across the state and nation and world praying and giving and preparing to offer their best and highest in service to help rebuild lives. The church is alive and vigorous and redeeming. It is grace in every gesture and love in every action. The church is the body of Christ doing the things Jesus did in Jesus’ name today."

- Excerpt from letter by Bishop Schnase

The writer of Ecclesiastes is said to have written while observing the destruction of Jerusalem. In many ways what the writer saw seems to compare with what has happened in the wake of hundreds of tornados striking throughout the US.

The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:
The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

(Ecclesiastes 3:19-24)

Here is what I learned:

1. The pain and the loss suffered is very real. We should never forget.
2. Yet, We still dare to hope. The faithful love of the Lord never ends.
3. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

That is our mission challenge. This Sunday is a time to remember, a time to pray and a call to action.

I think John Wesley himself provides the best guide with his Covenant Prayer.

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

We have accepted our own Covenant as we work together to help others throughout the United States who desperately need us. With the enthusiasm of our many faithful churches and the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we can and should expect miracles.

Disaster Relief Cleaning Bucket - Value: $ 55.00

• liquid laundry detergent - two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle
• liquid household cleaner - 12‐16 oz. liquid cleaner
• dish soap - 16‐28 oz bottle any brand
• 1 can air freshener - aerosol or pump
• 1 insect repellant spray - 6‐14 oz. aerosol or spray pump
• 1 scrub brush - plastic or wooden handle
• 18 cleaning wipes - handi wipes or reusable wipes
• 7 sponges
• 5 scouring pads
• 50 clothespins
• clothes line - two 50 ft. or one 100 ft., cotton or plastic.
• 24 roll heavy duty trash bags
• 5 dust masks
• 2 pair disposable waterproof gloves - rubber or latex
• 1 pair work gloves - cotton or leather

Excuses, Excuses

Dad, I was in an automobile accident this morning.

Are you okay? Was anyone else hurt? How serious was it?

I'm okay. No one else was hurt and it's not too serious.

What happened?

I was backing out of my friends' driveway and hit a pick-up truck. But Dad it wasn't my fault because the driveway had a huge 'S' curve in it. It was hard to maneuver and the truck was parked near the middle of the road --"

Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Son, did you say the truck was parked?

Well, yes, but it wasn't my fault. It was parked at such an odd angle.

I love you, son but if the truck wasn’t moving how can you say the accident wasn’t your fault? Do you blame it on the truck?

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you've had to listen while someone uttered lame excuses instead of confessing their mistakes. Worse, have you been the one making excuses? Admit it. We've all been there. Maybe that is why the following conversation between God and Adam is so important.

 
"They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze and hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."

God said to Adam: Where are you?

I heard you in the garden and I was afraid and hid myself because I was naked.

Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?

It wasn't my fault! The fruit was handed to me!

What have you done?

It was the serpent who tricked me! (Adapted From Genesis, Chapter 3)

It was the serpent who tricked me. It wasn’t my fault. Someone should have warned me.

We make excuses. Yet, what God wants is for us to confess and repent. We claim to be victims instead of admitting that we are sinners. God warns us time and time again.

·         Amos: Come back to the Lord and live! (5:6)

·         Jeremiah: “And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins.” (31:34)

·         John the Baptist: I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. (Matthew 3:11)

God never asked for perfection; only a willingness to repent when (not if, when) we lose our way.  

Maybe you can hear the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden. Are you hiding among the trees? When God finds you, what will you say? "It wasn't my fault! It was the serpent!"

Or, another wayward son in the Bible handled his sins differently. He had the courage to say: "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son." (Luke 15:21) 

Instead of condemning the wayward son the Father said: "We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found." (15:23-24)

It sure beats trying to convince someone that an accident was caused by a parked truck.

The Church and Cyberspace

The hospital informed June, a young single mother that her nine-year-old daughter, Melissa contracted a rare virus that affects the heart. Usual treatments would not be effective. Without a miracle her precious child could die within the next few days. Later that night, alone and feeling especially vulnerable, June gave in to her fears and began to sob uncontrollably. What would she do? Where would she go? The closest relatives were over 500 miles away and she had few friends.

Kathy, a nurse at the same hospital heard about June's situation and after returning home, turned on her computer and went online. First she contacted her Facebook friends and asked for prayers. Within minutes a reply appeared suggesting that she take the request to a national prayer web site that would reach thousands. Over the next few hours, nearly a hundred emails offering prayer and support arrived. Kathy printed each one to bring back to the hospital.

John, a pastor in the same community was checking his email. One message was from the same web site asking prayers for Melissa. Noticing the nearby location, he sent a text message to his church prayer leader and asked her to contact other members of the church prayer chain. Then he slipped on his coat and rushed to the hospital to be with the little girl and her mother.

Sharon, a virile disease specialist stationed at a hospital in Venezuela also saw the prayer request for Melissa and had a hunch that she could help the little girl. She found the hospital website and sent the doctor a message: “A new drug released for testing may be helpful.”  Within minutes they were both connected by Skype so she could visually demonstrate how to use the new drug.

Within two days, the treatment was beginning to work. Melissa was now in a regular room and was sleeping peacefully. Her mother, June was sitting nearby reading the stack of email notes offering support and prayer. Also in the room were John and several members of the church prayer chain. The atmosphere in her hospital room was electric with the healing spirit of God.   

This amazing story demonstrates God’s power at work within a new medium called Cyberspace.

The business world has been mesmerized by the profit potential of the Internet, but few people realize how much the digital world is transforming the nature of the church and how we do ministry. Andrew Careaga, author of E-vangelism: Sharing the Gospel in Cyberspace writes: “On the ‘Net,’ any Christian with a home computer, a modem and access to one of many available online services can be a missionary to thousands of people without ever leaving home.”

Here are some common examples of Christian Cyberspace Ministry:

·         A pastor is in regular contact with those in her church and those who have moved away through Facebook.

·         One pastor regularly receives feedback and questions in the midst of his sermon through text messages.

·         A Bible Study web site gives thousands a chance to understand God’s Word.

·         A student beginning to explore her faith finds love and acceptance in a Christian chat room.

·         Another website provides You Tube style messages with a Christian theme.

·         Biblical devotions now reach thousands instantly and receive feedback, offer counseling and prayer support all over the world.

·         A Single Adult started a Christian based Facebook ministry to meet new friends and explore ministry and mission opportunities.

In the early days of the church, the book of Acts reports: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” (2:42)

Our mission has never changed. We still devote ourselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. Now we have more tools to help us. 

Can a Christian web site or Facebook page ever replace the intimacy of personal contact?

Maybe not but Christian Websites and Facebook pages do offer exciting opportunities for communication, prayer, teaching and fellowship that can ultimately lead to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Even today, we can be filled with awe at the many wonders and miraculous signs being done in the name of Christ.

Just ask a single mother named June about how God healed Melissa.

Sunday Prayer: May 22, 2011

May 21, 2011 – The day every one watched to see… Is it true?

Facebook, TV… everyone seemed to be making jokes about the rapture.

Yet… did you check at 6:00 PM just to be sure nothing happened? (I did too.)

I confess to mixed reactions.

Like many, I made jokes but inside, I cringed over the media attention.

Is this the only way people know us as Christians?

Predicting the end of the world? Reading the Bible like a secret code book?

We’re often portrayed as strange and loony. Fewer and fewer people take us seriously.

These are not the best of days to proclaim: “I am a follower of Jesus Christ!”

Our churches struggle just to pay the bills and seldom have the resources or the energy to do much more than survive.

On our district we challenged ourselves with two questions:

How big is your dream? How good is your team?

At times, those questions seem out of reach. Our dreams don’t seem nearly big enough and there just doesn’t seem to be anyone around to help.

One of my colleagues in a message this week admitted to at times wanting to curl up on his living room rug and beg: “Take me home, Lord. Take me home.”

OK… before you suggest I stop writing and go take a “Happy Pill” there is a point to this.

In Psalm 16:8-11:

I know the LORD is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:8-11)

OK. I admit, this was a tough week but…

“I know the Lord is always with me.”

Yes, at times Christians are portrayed poorly but God gives us opportunities every day to witness to the truth.

“I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

Sure, at times our churches will struggle to merely survive much less carry out the mission God has given us.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

Yesterday, May 21, I drove to the other end of the state to attend a worship service honoring a couple, Jan and Clayton Smith who both died within a month. They were dear friends of our family. We attended the same church together. Their three children were approximately the same ages as my sister and I, so we were all closely connected.

At the service, I listened to story after story of how Jan and Clayton persevered in the midst of an often difficult life.

Clayton was a fixer, happiest when he could be with his children or grandchildren fixing their computer.

Jan was the bundle of enthusiasm who always had something good to say about everyone. When the preacher asked the choir where she sang for over 40 years, what were her favorite hymns, they all immediately answered: “All of them.”

The grandchildren nearly all spoke or sang or played a musical instrument in dedication to their grandma and grandpa who loved them and encouraged them throughout their lives.

People in the church stood and spoke of the encouragement they received from Jan and Clayton during difficult times.

As I listened to story after story, I was reminded…

Our witness as Christians is not in attempting to explain or predict the rapture to come. It’s enough to believe that the rapture will come and to remember Jesus saying: “It is not for us to know the time or the place.”

Our witness as Christians is often at its best when we are struggling to pay the bills and merely survive because people see us dealing with crisis without panic but content with the knowledge that God will be with us even to the end of the age.

Our witness as a district is to continue looking for big dreams and to continue building good teams but to know that often our best witness is in those simple day to day interactions where no TV cameras will be recording but real lives will be influenced and ultimately changed.

Our real witness is to be reassured by the words of Psalm 16.

I know the LORD is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead

or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:8-11)

May you know God’s presence in worship today.

May you know the Lord is always with you.

Do not be shaken for he is right beside you.

May your heart be glad and may you rejoice.

For God will not leave your soul among the dead.

God will show you the way of life, granting you the Joy of His presence and the pleasure of living with Him forever.

One early Friday morning, years ago, Tabernacle United Methodist, a beautiful church in Amelia County, Virginia burned to the ground. When I arrived, all that remained were cement steps leading to charred posts and black soot. Church members and bystanders could only stare in shock and disbelief.

It was like witnessing a death of someone you love.

A church building represents a community full of shared memories: baptisms celebrating life, funerals remembering our afterlife, worship services giving glory to the God we love and serve, covered-dish suppers providing good food and joyous fellowship, meetings agonizing over how best to serve God, children’s Christmas specials and youth activities offering fun and spiritual opportunities.

Yet we were all staring at the ruined hulk that used to be an active church. I wanted to do something. I wanted to help but how?

After a few hurried phone calls, our church decided to cancel Sunday services and we joined the congregation at Tabernacle. We came to grieve and bring gifts of love.

We came expecting a funeral, but there was none to be found. Instead, we witnessed the miracle of a church being reborn!

A colorful banner was propped over the front steps proclaiming proudly: Worship, Sunday 9:45 AM. Two greeters were there to welcome us, hand out bulletins and attach yellow ribbons. Chairs were placed on the lawn, donated by a local funeral home. A makeshift pulpit with a cross and pictures of the church were placed in front of the burned-out building. A pick-up truck held a makeshift sound system and the choir was seated off to one side. The miracle for God’s church was just beginning!

The pastor began by describing the events leading up to the fire, including a church meeting that actually discussed building an addition, which would include a fellowship hall and a kitchen. Then he described the total shock of the fire and how he had to keep returning to the scene just to make sure it wasn’t all a nightmare.

Finally, he paused and announced to the congregation and to us: “We are going to build a new church and it will have our new fellowship hall and a kitchen.”

He described a stranger who described driving by the church for years. He took all the money out of his wallet and handed it to the pastor and then vowed to come back with more. A cabinetmaker promised to build new cabinets as a donation. A carpenter volunteered his labor. A church offered their mission team. Another church offered free use of their building. Other churches donated hymnbooks and office equipment.

There was worship, prayers were offered and in the midst of the smoking ruins, a church began to dream and build toward the future. A miracle was quietly taking place.

Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you…Now I say to you that you are Peter (the rock) and upon this rock I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)

I learned a valuable lesson that morning. Most of us take the existence of our churches for granted. Sometimes, it takes a tragedy, like a fire to remind us of the vital role God’s “rock” the church plays throughout our lives.

Over the next few months, I witnessed miracle after miracle as Tabernacle United Methodist Church began the rebuilding process. In the mist of their tragedy, people and funds seemed to appear when they were needed most.

One year later, I was invited to another worship service: This time to celebrate a miracle of rebirth. In twelve months, money was raised, contractors secured and a new church was built on the ashes of the old. In the midst of the rebuilding, as more people were caught up in the enthusiasm, worship attendance and membership nearly doubled.

On the day of the fire, two white lilies were placed on the empty front steps of the burned out sanctuary as a symbol of resurrection and rebirth.

One year later in place of the empty steps and the white lilies stood a new church as a vivid reminder of how God creates life amidst the ruins.