I Am a Christian (Infusion 2012)

28 May 2012

Infusion

The ongoing story of Alyssa has been mentioned before. She has been on a journey, trying to figure out what makes Christians tick. Having grown up in an atheistic Buddhist home, religion did not make sense to her. But the new found friends of CA intrigued her. She knew they cared about her, regardless of whether she was a Christian or not.

She came to Infusion last year and we saw change. It was incremental, but we confess, we were all very hopeful. When fall rolled around though, Alyssa wasn't around CA as much. Part of it, we know by her own explanation, is that she understood the cost of following Jesus. She clearly stated that she was not willing to give her life to God.

The second semester, the separation seemed to widen. She had a class during LARGE, our weekly meeting on Thursday night. As the semester grew to a close though, she would show up at the end of the meeting. I do know why. She might not admit it, but she got lots of hugs every time she showed up.

We invited Alyssa to Infusion again this year, and her answer was a clear "no." But the CA community did what it does best. They communicated how much they wanted her to be there. The day before Infusion began, Alyssa registered online and bought train tickets. The next day, she took the train from Queens to Grand Central Station, then took Amtrak from NYC to Albany.

It was evident from the start, something was different about Alyssa this time. She was having a great time, but she was also serious - very serious. I could tell just by her body language. She was focused. She was listening. She was wrestling with the truth.

On Sunday, Alyssa attended my class, "Is Jesus Really God?" During the class, she was extremely attentive.  Most were exhausted from our annual hike, but not her. She was determined. She asked intelligent questions throughout as we covered the classic argument of C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. Jesus was either a liar, lunatic, or Lord. Clearly, she was wrestling with the choices. After the seminar was over, I spoke to her about getting together the next day and talking to her about the material. Little did I know how much of a mission she was on.

That night, after our evening worship, Alyssa grabbed one of our other students, Andre, and peppered him with questions for three hours. Every objection she could come up with, Andre handled deftly and graciously (he told me later that he was a nervous wreck the whole time, and thought he had really messed things up).

The next day, Alyssa came to me and said, "Let's talk now!" As we began to talk, I told her about the time I first encountered Lewis' argument and how I kept looking for the loophole. I thought it was too easy, that something had to be missing. Not to my surprise, she said, "Me too!"

Alyssa then told me about her conversation with Andre the evening before (of which, until that moment, I was unaware). She said that she kept asking questions, and Andre kept giving credible answers. "In the end," she said, "I got it."

"Got it?" I questioned. "What do you mean?"

"I am a Christian."

There was this moment of silence, because I was stunned into speechlessness at hearing this statement (this is no small feat!). She then told me how at the end of the questions with Andre, she had decided to become a Christian and how Andre had led her in prayer.

Having regained my composure, I asked her, "What does this change?"

"This changes everything. This changes my view on everything."

I don't think I will ever be able to describe the joy of that moment. Alyssa had come home. Two years of conversations, texts, hugs, meetings over lunch, emails, and genuine compassion of her needs - communicated by CA staff and friends - had borne eternal fruit.

And my smiling continued, for a young man that my partner Tim and I have mentored was the one that had the privilege of being there that moment she received Christ.

It was a day to dance.


For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 

I Thessalonians 2.19-20, NIV

My Lover, My God

by "Laura"
28 May 2012
Infusion


As they kissed
For the last time
His lips echoed in her ears
Like a chime
An overdose of heroin and meth
Led to his tragic, untimely death
She was broken beyond repair
His last words: 'Take care'
And locked in her mind they stood
Where even death could do no good
And hidden there
In that sad place
Was the voice of God 
Calling her His
And as a tear
Rolled down her face
He offered her His saving grace
He did not judge her
By her face
By her friends
Or what He'd hear
He did not laugh
At what she'd wear
How she looked
Or fixed her hair
He looked deep inside of her
And found Himself that lived in her
She fell in love
Almost instantly
And since then
Loved eternally
He ignited my spark
So I let Him light me
I gave Him my life
And He revived me
Thank you,
My Lover,
My God



One of the students from MCC read this at Infusion.  Powerful stuff, don't you think?

Communion in a Field

27 May 2012
Infusion


I've led and participated in communion over a thousand times in my lifetime. I have to admit, while I know the time is packed with meaning, typically I am caught up in the mechanics of leading it.  Once in a while, though, it hits home.  Today was one of those days.


The setting was an open field.  On a small table there was a Bible turned to I Corinthians 11, with plates of bread and juice sitting behind it.  As I knelt before the small table, I read the passage, then I began to look at the elements.  As I looked at them, I became keenly aware of my sin.  This bread - this broken body; this juice - this sacrifice; they proclaimed my unworthiness.


I am unworthy. I can make fun of Adam all I want. I can criticize Eve for being so easily deceived.  But the reality is - I stink!  I sin. I choose to sin. And these elements proclaim it.  They point a finger at me pronouncing me guilty.


I didn't want to cry, but I felt it welling up within me.  Quietly, I began to weep. Jesus died because of me - because of my stupid, rotten, idiotic, smelly, rebellious choices. It is me, O Lord, that needs a Savior!


I let myself be deceived on how wicked I am. I tend to evaluate my sin to be something less than the evil it is.  These lies must stop. I must no longer rationalize and justify myself regarding such irrational behavior.


Let today be a new day - of gratitude - of purity - for His mercies are new every day.


A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 
I Corinthians 11.28-29

Chris Deemer Still Gets All the Fun

24 May 2012
Infusion


In the summer of 1982, I was introduced to the ministry of Campus Ambassadors when I came across a young man who worked with students at SUNY Oneonta. I remember thinking "what a great job!" If I wasn't a youth pastor, I thought, Chris Deemer's would be just as a good.


Many years later, I met a young man who was an intern with Chris Deemer in Oneonta. I asked Tim Stewart if he would consider coming to Buffalo.  In due time, he did come to Buffalo to begin a new chapter of CA, with a lovely young lady on his arm - a one Karen Deemer.


So, now that I have joined CA, I come to Infusion and I see Chris, Tim and Karen, and their two boys - Joshua and Mitchell. I confess. I am jealous. Chris still gets to have all the fun. He gets to spend time with college students and his grandchildren. Talk about the best of both worlds.


Children's children are a crown to the aged...
Proverbs 17.6

Ode to Reggie

25 May 2012
Infusion


A man of God
A man for God
A man who loved God
Passionately.


This year
No Reggie
His homegoing
Was too soon.


So we worship
Without the man
With the towel
And it hurts.


But just the same
With joy and with passion
We praise our God
Who does all things well.


I am confident
Reggie agrees with this.


He has done all things well
Mark 7.37


Reggie Sanders, husband of Dawn, a minister with Missions Door died this past June, way before his time from our perspective.  Reggie loved Dawn with his whole heart. It was extremely difficult to watch Dawn come to Infusion without Reggie, yet she remains an inspiration to us all.

In Memoriam: Keenen

26 May 2012
Infusion


I did not know Keenen
He died last night
But I do know him
Through his friends.


Miranda was his girl
She impresses me
She knows Jesus
She shares Jesus.


Today, she mourns
She cries - a lot
I don't blame her
Death stinketh.


Death stuns me
It makes me numb
It paralyzes my heart
It is so - not right.


So we mourn
With those that mourn
In the midst of what is not right
This is right.



Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5.4

Keenen tragically died at a Young Life camp in the Adirondacks.  Miranda is one of our interns in Rochester.  This event occurred while we were at Infusion.

Every Sinner...

Every sin has a past.

Every sinner has a future.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29.11, NIV)