Word on the Street

On a Labor Day weekend it is worth asking: "What is my vocation?" The question is not; "What is your occupation or what do you do for a living?" When God created the first human beings, He gave them a job(Genesis 3:15). It was a calling with purpose. Their disobedience, fear and sin turned it into toil. There is a great story worth considering on this Labor Day weekend.

 

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart.

It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," the man said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee, and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. That'll show him."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger, and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide. His jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge - a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have so many more bridges to build."

 

We are called to work for a bridge-building carpenter from Nazareth. Is your labor a calling or a toil?

Word on the Street

Our friend and brother Tom Graves, who served at Grace Avenue 2007-2009, passed away on Wednesday. His passing, like his life, was peaceful and gentle. His daughter Lauren and close friend Mike were at his side along with the music therapist who was singing a collection of his favorite hymns. He was joyful, faithful and worshipful to the end. It is easy to imagine that his wonderful wife Linda who passed away in 2001, was there as one of the first to greet him as he arrived to his eternal home.

I'm sentimental about Tom. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for him. That's probably because he was never anything but gracious with me from the first time he met me as a freshmen in college to the last time I visited with him a week ago. Last weekend in church we talked about Joseph who the early church renamed Barnabas (Acts 4) because he was an "encourager". Tom Graves was one of the most important Barnabas' in my life.

Late this week I found myself being drawn back to Tom's writings. He was a great author and I, like many of you, are blessed to have the collection of his four published books. In the first chapter of his book; From Sunday Conversations, he talks about his calling into ministry. Tom writes: "The driving force inside my journey as an Ordained United Methodist Minister is the heartfelt conviction that ministry is a privilege, a gift of grace, and the overwhelming sense of gratitude I feel because I have been, and still am, given this privilege."

Tom is not just speaking of ordained ministry. He is speaking about all ministry; the ministry of all believers that is mentioned in II Peter 2: 9-10. Ministry (Gathering, Growing, Going and Giving in the name of Christ) is a privilege. This is Tom's legacy. Now it is our calling.

 

Word on the Street

For thirteen years Grace Avenue has used the motto: "Not a location, but a Way of Life." In other words Christian faith is a perspective. It is a state of mind. It is a matter of the heart.

This story I think illustrates our motto well:

Two wealthy Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, joined a party that was traveling around the world. In Korea one day, they saw, in a field by the side of the road, a boy pulling a rude plow, while an old man held the plow handles and directed it. The lawyer was amused, and took a snapshot of the scene.

"That's a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor," he said to the missionary, who was an interpreter and guide to the party.

"Yes," was the reply. "That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church was being built they were eager to give something to it, but they had no money; so they sold their only ox and gave their money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves."

The lawyer and the businessman by his side were silent for some moments. Then the businessman said, "That must have been a real sacrifice."

"They did not call it that," said the missionary. "They thought it was fortunate that they had an ox to sell."

 Is the giving of your time and resources to God really a sacrifice or a blessing?

Word on the Street

Happy Birthday Grace Avenue! Next Wednesday August 15 our church turns 13. We've hit our teen years and like any adolescent we are just beginning to move into our most important growing years. Certainly we know 13 can be a confusing time but it is also a time to develop and mature. In the next few weeks we will celebrate the opportunities and the challenges of being 13.

1. At 13 we like to party. That is why this year we are celebrating Grace Avenue's birthday for three weekends instead of just one; August 11 &12, August 18 & 19 and August 25 & 26. Part of the fun begins this Sunday night with Grace Avenue's first ever Talent Show and Spaghetti Dinner. It is still not too late to sign up.
2. At 13 we often have an identity crisis. It is no different with churches. I have people tell me all the time they don't recognize many of the people at our church now, so for the next three weeks we are going to place an emphasis on getting to know one another a little better. In addition I will be preaching a message series about some people in the Bible you may not recognize. The series is called: "Someone I'd Like You to Meet" based on stories from Acts 10, 11 & 12.
3. At 13 we like gifts. Grace Avenue has had a great start with the "From the Heart" furnishings campaign and now would be a great time to give the church a birthday present. If you have not made a "From the Heart" gift, now is the perfect time. If you have purchased an item, I want to thank you. Big gifts, little gifts all count in this important effort and it is a great way to remember or honor someone you love.
4. At 13 we know how important it is to get ready for school. That important transition time is almost here, for everyone. We know the kids will be in class; will you? We have a great Autumn line up of Grace Avenue GROW classes beginning with Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University that starts Wednesday August 29. The rest of the lineup will begin the two weeks following Labor Day. Also on August 25 & 26 we will be celebrating "Blessing of the Backpacks" and Education Personnel commissioning in all our worship services.

We're turning 13. Now is the time to live fully into the dreams God has for us. See you at church.

Word on the Street

As we continue with the "From the Heart" furnishings campaign, I continue to stress that the nature of the furniture is not as important as love demonstrated in these gifts. Our love is expressed in remembering or honoring someone, but also as love expressed to the people who are not at our church yet, who need the ministry of Grace Avenue.

Here is another illustration of that point:

It is said that the great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa - the city of his birth - but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was an unfortunate restriction, for wood, as long as it is used and handled, will show little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay. The exquisite, mellow-toned violin became worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from all service to others loses its meaning.

Our new building must be a mission station not a museum. Our love will be our legacy not the building or the contents therein. We must have the furniture to do the ministry. We must give the furnishings "From the Heart".