True Worship

I could see her from the corner of my eye as the music overcame us. Her hand went up uncertainly and then it came back down. While my children have been in the worship service at church with us, it is usual for them to participate in “children’s church.” Yet, this particular Sunday was family day at so all of us stood hip to hip in the sanctuary.

The clapping songs were fun as we danced around a little bit and the band praised Christ quite loudly. However, my children were a bit uncertain as they did not know all the words and tried desperately, to follow along. Then one of our favorites began to play. My oldest daughter slipped up close to me and threw her arms around my waist. I loved feeling her nestle close., but, soon I was totally focused on my Beloved Savior. That was when I saw the hand. I leaned in close and reminded her why my own hands were raised. This is a way for us to really reach out and be able to feel God close to us. We reach up as he reaches around us. At first it was just that she wanted to hold my hand. Soon she joined me with her hand in the air, reaching out to touch the face of God. As we stood there intertwined, soon I knew that she too understood why we were doing this. I could hear her voice unwavering rise above the crowd. Unashamed, unabashed her heart poured out to her Lord. My daughter has never been so beautiful as she was at that moment. Eyes closed, clinging to my hand, hand reaching out to heaven, she sang with all of her soul. It was only Jesus and my little girl in an auditorium filled with people.

The reality that my children are watching me hit me like a ton of bricks. My kids are paying attention. On Sunday it has shown itself in an act of worship. However, I have seen it in so many other ways. Their attitude about life. The ability to have deep compassion for the hurting. Injustice bothers my kids. These are all things that come directly from Mom and Dad.

Sometimes, I don’t like what they see. I am not always “slow to anger.” Just today I was hit with the reality that my self image is quite skewed. I can be critical and blunt. Ugh. I don’t always want them to watch me. However, I understand that it is my responsibility for them to really see Jesus and not me at all.

My thoughts wander to all of the children I interact with in the city. As they look around what do they see? Who do they aspire to be? Who are they watching?

It would be so easy to throw blame. “If only their parents were different, then there wouldn’t be so many problems!” “Can’t they see their kids are watching!’

However, I would contend they may know their children are watching, but not that they are absorbing. Furthermore, the reality is, “Hurt people, hurt people.”

The ONLY thing that separates me as a parent is the grace and mercy of Christ. I am just a cracked earthen, vessel that shines out the Christ within. With no light it is just an empty pot. Thus, there is nothing to offer anyone, even if it is our own children.

As my mind ponders, I can see the double responsibility here. My light can not just bring warmth to my own children. It must radiate out beyond to the families of the city. This is the light that drives out all fear.

If this is true it will transform lives. Parents will be drawn to its safety. As they are changed, their children too will draw close to them one day so they might worship together. One day we will all stand side by side. Each one of us, parent and child focused on the King on the Throne.

Samaria: Guest Blogger Dale Eby

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

If you have a red letter (Jesus’ statements) Bible, as you look at this verse in Acts you realize this is the last statement by Jesus to His disciples. What significance should this statement hold to the local church? These aren’t just parting words; these are marching orders to the disciples on how to carry out the commission of Christ in the world. I imagine they weighed heavy in the minds of the disciples so they should way heavy in our minds as we plan our own missions in ministry.

Jerusalem – the location of the original church plant. Each local church has a calling to meet the unique needs of its community.

Judea – the surrounding region of Jerusalem. A local church should view engaging their surrounding region as a desire of Christ.

The ends of the earth – speaks for itself. The local church should consider it a calling to have impact on the injustices of the world.

The local church should be diligent about focusing their missions programs on offering opportunities for involvement in each of these geographic designations. But, I hope you have noticed that I left an area out, Samaria.

Samaria – unclean, untouchable, despised, avoided, ignored

I can only imagine the gasps as the name of Samaria came out of Jesus’ mouth. But, throughout His ministry, you see the purposefulness in Jesus’ travels and parables involving Samaria and its people as a message to His followers. Get out of your comfort zone, touch the untouchable, heal the unclean, care for the despised; Be Christ!

Where is your Samaria? For many ministries, it is the inner city. Often these areas are separated, declining, and hopeless. Many Jesus-loving Christians will purposely avoid them on their way to shopping and dining. We are careful to make the right turns and to lock the doors at traffic lights. We even blame the situation on a lack of initiative from the sufferer.

I have know doubt that overcoming all of these biases is the exact reason Jesus so evidently mentions Samaria in His last statement. Where is your Samaria? Find an area, fund an inner city ministry, partner with a church in the area, but BE GOD’S WITNESS. Don’t just throw money at the problem, actually go get on the front lines of ministry in these areas. As you read Jesus’ parting words, I pray you realize you need Samaria more than Samaria needs you.

Regardless where you are you have your Samaria. Go be Christ’s witness!

Dale Eby is the Associate Pastor of Church in the Farms, a suburban (some would even argue rural) church in Jupiter Farms, FLorida.  As Director of Student Ministries there he consistently brings his High School and Middle School youth groups to serve in missions with our inner city ministry Urban Youth Impact. He has become a good friend, bringing the perspective of understanding the need to walk out Christ in every aspect of  His life while inviting all those around him on the journey.  He resides here in Florida with his beautiful, amazing wife of 14 years and his two Godly,  daughters who all often serve on these missions trips with him.

Confessions...

You have probably figured out that as of late I have not been  posting daily.   I am attempting to get back on track with that this week.

Lately, if I am honest I have been one big ball of emotions.  I have been in a battle of the wills between what I know to be truth and what I "feel."  It is so easy to simply get caught up in the fact that we "feel" all alone and forget that we are not.  I "feel" like the work that the Lord has called me to can be hopeless. Forgetting totally that it is about focusing on the Lord himself and not the work at all.

The reality is that I can get so distracted by my emotions that I forget to just follow my Savior knowing that He is so very close at hand.  He goes before me to prepare the way and comes in behind to protect me.

I am selfish and wretched. Who am I without Salvation?  I want what I want and I want it NOW.  I don't like that James tells me, "WHEN you face trials of MANY  kinds."  I have to face trials and there will be all sorts of different ones?

The narrow road, well, it is narrow. I guess that is why the road to destruction is wide. It is easier to pick the sinful way.  Let's face it on the surface it "feels" better.  On that road we can cover everything with complacency and comfort.  The narrow road by nature is uncomfortable. On this road we are told to pick up our cross and follow Christ. This is not an easy task. It is a lifetime of killing our own desires so that Christ in us might shine brighter.  I am just an "earthen" vessel made to bring HIS glory. Yet, because I have been given a choice the "flesh" in me has an overwhelming desire to do its own thing.

There should be a disclaimer in tracts.  "God loves you and offers you a wonderful life...please see foot note." ***FOOTNOTE: "God does love you so much that He made a way into relationship with HIM for eternity by taking all of your sin. HOWEVER, this "wonderful" life means that you have been redeemed by grace and mercy. When you weigh out all that God has done for you, you will stand in awe of Him. Yet, please note that this does not mean in any way that you are promised a life that is easy in any way. In contrast you will face trials. You will be hated by the world. You will not  fit in. If you really live knowing this is not your home, you will

 be longing for heaven always.  It is worthwhile. It is the only true way. BUT, do not make this choice lightly."***

I would never choose another way. How could I? I know who the Christ is, to whom else would I go?  Some days I have to remember whose wings I hide in. I just would like to see change.  I have to make a conscious choice to now allow the "feeling" of discouragement to bring me away from God's purpose.  My heart breaks for the broken hearted and forgotten. 

If my Lord is so wonderfully large that I can not fathom His love, then shouldn't I expect to rest in the promise that I might see His goodness in the land of the living? I long to wrap my arms around tangible transformation.  One day I believe that I will walk the streets of the city and the weeping will be no more.  Instead there will be laughter full of the joy of hope ringing in my ears. Perhaps, this is where I need to place my thoughts today.

For I know the truth.  I may not be able to see it all with my eyes, but I know that it is there.  I am so thankful that the truth is not contingent on me.

Cold Water

The sign read, “ I am hungry. Help me.” It was that simple. Standing without pride in the midst of traffic, he was dingy and dirty and covered in sweat. Reaching into the cooler that I carry with me, I pulled out what I had, 2 ice cold bottles of water. Humbly, he took them, thanking me about seven times. A cold glass of water (literally) was the least that I could give. As I drove off, I saw the man share one of the bottles with his friend on the opposite corner. Sitting in the dust of the day, his sign propped against his knees, I watched as he allowed the water to cool an aching soul

So I find myself wondering is it my “right” to wonder why this man is homeless, or is it Christ’s love that hands the water and shows love and compassion? I am reminded of the words of Proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”

Yet, do I look in the weathered eyes of desperation and see beauty? Instead do I find if I can point my finger and tell them how they should be different? Do I really believe that I am handing cold water to God himself?

We live in a country where we believe really that if everyone just made a different choice then their lives could be different. But, what of the crushed in spirit? Can we handle that beauty looks so vastly different than our expectations?

Can we remember that poverty is not a state of finances? It is a place of loss. Which means that I so often am poor finding myself calling out as the Psalmist in 40:17 “Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” Psalms 40:17


Each of us have had those moments when we need God to not delay in bringing his help. I am reminded of late that help is not always in the form of circumstantial change. Instead, it is a lifting of the heart. It is the reminder that the Lord has a plan mapped out for every one of His children. It is the reminder that when we are so blatant to carry a sign asking for help, that someone actually will.

If I am truly “lending to the Lord” as I reach out to those who are downcast of soul, shouldn’t they appear as the most beautiful people I have ever seen? If I look at them this way, without judgment or pretense, will I not move out of compassion? If compassion moves me to action then how can I do less than offer a cold glass of water?

When love truly overwhelms me won’t I see this world through Christ’s eyes? If I can somehow get the entire forest out of my own eye, then can’t I see this world as Jesus does?

I see it as shattered and fractured and crumbling. He sees it as individuals who come together as his children. What father doesn’t think his child is gorgeous? When I can really look beyond those outer layers to the heart, then I will recognize the face of glory. Then I just might stand in awe once again. I might see the simple beauty in a tired soul as he is engulfed in a cold drink of water.