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)

Students on Mission (Part 10)

TESTIMONY

Saturday & Sunday, 16-17 March 2012

After driving to Florida and back on Friday, it is back home we go. Once again I can give praise to my "Van-dals" as they keep me awake for the entire trip.

As we are traveling on Sunday morning, I learn that a girl in one of the other vehicles is struggling with her faith. During the past year, she has gone through a major depression, and as a result, she is doubting God's existence. Ironically, she has come on this trip anyway.

As soon as I hear this story, I know that God is telling me to talk to her. So, when we stop for lunch, I ask her to leave the group she is sitting with and come sit with me. I am sure it felt a little bit creepy as she reluctantly agreed. But after a few awkward moments and explaining my intentions, her story poured out.

After she shared her story, it was time for mine. There is no doubt she was intrigued since our similar stories had such different conclusions. It has provided a healthy dose of dissonance in her life.

To my own surprise, she has agreed to continue meeting with me on a weekly basis. Once again, it makes me celebrate the testimony that God has given me, which has included some dark times. In the end, you find out that God wastes none of our experiences.  To Him be the glory!

Students on Mission (Part 9)

REST

Friday, 15 March 2012

Friday is our day off, and the leadership team agrees to head south to Florida to spend a day at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of heading to a popular Spring Break beach like Panama City, we go to a quiet beach at a state park.

It is a perfect place for us to decompress. The students play, sleep, and enjoy the sun.

What is most restful are the times we gather into small groups and tell stories about how God has directed us in our lives. In its own way, these stories were acts of worship, and they were certainly a true time of rest.