Last Saturday I had an opportunity to help By the Hand Ministry deliver Thanksgiving meal boxes to many families in need.  There were about 30 people from New Life that came out to help build the meal boxes and deliver them to the families needing meals.  Leaving in teams with our meal boxes we arrived at the Cabrini high-rises a short drive away.  We entered into our first high-rise around 11:30 AM and found many people still inside either sleeping or hiding from the cold.  Walking up the stairs to the 10th floor we noticed a lot of graffiti along the way in the stair well and sticky floors from the many spilled bottles of beer.  Arriving at the floor which one of the families receiving a box lived on we knocked on the door and were invited in.  Inside the apartment it was clear that there were large needs but that they were doing the best with what they had.  It was a big family and I counted 5 children.  We presented the father with a meal box, a Bible and prayed for them.  He told us that his son had been sharing verses with him that he was learning with the ministry.  As we were leaving tears were streaming down his face.  He was encouraged by the food box and I imagine meeting people associated with the ministry that are helping his children.  We left encouraged as well.  By the Hand is a ministry making a difference in many lives and it’s not only the children that are blessed by them.  I think all of us were that day as we saw how God can give us an opportunity to help make a difference in someone’s life if we’re willing to step out of our normal routines and join in with what he’s already doing.

 

If you’re interested in this ministry or want to learn more check out their site at: www.bythehand.org 

One of my favorite experiences in pastoring is bumping into people who have just found their "spot".  You know what I mean--a person who's just begun serving in a place and role that suits them well.  When they've gone from being a happy church attender to an engaged teammate in the work of Jesus.  People who find their spot have a glow in their eyes and excitement in their voice that is unmistakeable.  But the reality is, finding your spot is hard work, even in an environment with lots of tools and options.  Finding your spot means pursuing God, persevering through attempts at serving that don't seem to work out, and being determined to settle for nothing less than the right place to serve Jesus.

EJ Lyon [mailto:  ejl@newlifechicago.org] , our ministry director at New Life Lakeview is like the "spot-finder's assistant".  She has helped more people move into their spot, fitting their passion and gifting than anyone else I know.  She is always asking the question, "how can we get more people into the place of ministry that God made them for?"  And she has worked on all sorts of tools and trainings to make that happen more quickly and for more people.

Just recently I spoke with Bridgette, a woman who has been attending NL Lakeview for some time and who recently completed EJ's class called "Discovering Your Spiritual Design".  It was so encouraging to have her share how she's moving toward "her spot" now that EJ has given her some training and encouragement.  It didn't take a lot--Bridgette was already a talented and passionate person.  But sometimes it takes the right person to help draw that out.  I think that is the heart of church leadership--to draw out the gifts of the body, identify them and mobilize them for the glory of Jesus.

On Sunday I went to Children’s Memorial Hospital to visit 6-year-old Brianna. She had been battling lung and brain cancer for quite some time. After complaining of headaches her mother Veronica took her to the hospital to get tested. Brianna was very excited to lose her first tooth that day. That evening the tumor in her brain caused a rupture that sent little Brianna into a coma. The doctors did what they could but it was too late. On Monday at 7:58 PM Brianna’s spirit left her body. My heart was heavy the whole day as I thought of the sadness weighing on Brianna’s family.

Life is short, but God is still good. In the midst of tragedy I saw glimpses of God’s goodness. The final words that Brianna spoke to her Mother were words of love and affirmation. What a great parting gift. I saw some New Life friends Ivette and Juan spend the entire night with the family at the hospital encouraging and comforting. Pastor Danny Lopez was at the hospital at 2:00 AM in the morning praying with them and speaking into the parent’s life. It was encouraging to see the body of Christ in action in the midst of this family tragedy.

Tonight at 7:30 PM I will be speaking at the wake of little Brianna. The wake will be held at the funeral home on the corner 22nd and Damen. Life is short and painful at times but God is still good in the midst of our suffering.

Please keep Chris, Veronica and Brianna’s sisters in prayer during these days to come.