Serve Elyria and Surrender

Serve Elyira is one week away, and I'm getting excited.  A lot of people tell me they are coming.  I never can tell what the turnout will be like, but I'm praying for over 1,000 volunteers.  We are going to need about that many to cover the projects we have set up in Elyria.

These past few weeks have been full of conversations about projects, volunteer requirements and materials.  It seems like every day a new need for materials comes up.  What makes it all so exciting is that every time we commit to a project or get someone to donate materials I remember that we have to have volunteers.  It hit me recently that I really can't know for sure how many people are coming.  I can estimate and encourage people to sign up.  I can even call up friends and remind them, but I won't know how many are coming until we all arrive at Ely Square on May 21st at 8:30am (Yes, I just slipped in a reminder about when you need to be there.).  I also have friends reminding me that there is a 30% chance of rain that day.  Every time someone mentions weather, I ask them to pray.  Pray for conducive weather.

Do you know what I'm learning from all of these things?  I am learning that I am not in control of Serve Elyria.  Yes, I'm planning it.  Yes, I've worked hard to delegate to leaders and get volunteers.  But, there are a myriad of things out of my control that could completely change the plans I have in place.  I am not in control.  I have stepped into that frightening and yet exciting realm where I am simultaneously obeying and relying on God.  This is surrender.  This is adventure, and I love it!

You might be waiting on something to look safe or planned before you step.  I talk to a lot of people who are waiting until they have enough money to pay for college before they enroll or are waiting until they have their debt paid off before they tithe.  We want to wait for safety before surrender, and it never comes.

If you want a guarantee that you will not get your heart broken before you ask the girl of your dreams out, then you will never see her fall in love with you.  If you wait until you have your life in order before you surrender to God's call, you will waste your life.  And, (shameless plug coming) if you are waiting to see if something else comes up before you sign up for Serve Elyria, then you will miss out on the opportunity to lead your city as a servant (Mark 10:35-45).

I can't control the weather or how many people will be there May 21st, but I can tell you that God does Great things when His people serve.  I hope to see you (and 999 other people) in Ely Square May 21st.
Pray for great weather to serve and for 1,000 volunteers!

So, are you coming? Sign up here.

Feeding People

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat... --Matthew 25:34-45a


This passage made me uncomfortable several years ago.  It is one of those passages that gently nudges me again and again, reminding me that living surrendered is about more than showing up at church on Sunday.  


I can't get over the fact that while Scripture is clear that we are saved by grace, it is also clear that we are known by our works.  Jesus fed the hungry, clothed the naked and healed the sick.  Becoming like Him means I should too.  


That verse is one of the passages that has motivated Open Door to launch Garden Initiative, a volunteer ministry that gives food gardens to families in urban settings.  Each garden can be placed on any surface and will feed a family of four for a year!  


On May 21st, Church of the Open Door and several other groups that have rallied behind the cause will meet in Downtown Elyria to distribute gardens to 1,000 needy families.  We are going to feed 4,000 families for a year!  


In order for this to happen, we need you to support the project.  Each garden costs us $20.  That covers everything (Gardensoxx, compost, plants and a watering can)!  Every $20 we receive feeds a family of 4 produce for a year.  


It get's better!  We just launched a fundraising program that will allow donors to get the garden experience too.  If you donate $40 to the Serve Elyria Garden Initiative, we will give you a garden and give a garden to one of our needy recipients.  


Will you help feed families in Northeast Ohio?  Click here to donate.  


For more information visit serveelyria.gardeninitiative.com.    

Psalm 24

Where: My living room
Listening to: Mumford and Sons Sigh No More
Drinking: Twinings Earl Grey


Read:

 ¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.
 ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.
 ⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
   and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.
 ⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   be lifted up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
   The LORD strong and mighty,
   the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   lift them up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
   The LORD Almighty—
   he is the King of glory.
--Psalm 24



Pray:
God, you know the things that trouble me, the conflicts, the tasks, the opportunities.  I wish I was powerful to make all things new, but I am weak and broken and foolish.  I cannot make things right.  I can only obey.  The earth and everything in it belongs to You, that includes my troubles and fears.  You own my fears.  You have beaten them.  They fear you.  If I am to come close to you, I must forsake the idols of my own abilities and comforts.  You are the only One in whom I can trust.  Today, I'm going to seek You and let You accomplish Your will.  Anything that you don't do today is simply something you don't need done.  I just want to obey today.  So, I am going to lift up my head today, not in my own confidence, but having confidence in You.  Miracle my life today.  Miracle my work.  Miracle this community and all You want to touch today.  


Think:
(Ask, Analyze, Apply)


Write:
I seem to have a common them in my devotions of late: I want to trust in myself.  I work so hard to be productive, creative and interesting...I fail on my own.  The truth is, trusting in my abilities apart from daily reliance on God is idolatry.  Today, I'm seeking Him.  I am lifting my head in great expectation of His miraculous work.  


Do: 
I'm going to go to some meetings, share what God gives me, and hopefully write some plans for Serve Elyria 2011!  

Feed 1,000 Families

We have the potential to feed thousands of people in Lorain County and you can be a part of making that happen!

We have an excellent opportunity to receive a $25,000 grant from Pepsi Refresh to purchase 1,000 gardens for this year's Serve Elyria.

Grant recipients are determined by the amount of online votes, so we need your help to get those votes!  You can vote three different ways every day in the month of December.  We hope you will take just a few minutes each day to help get as many votes as we can. 

You can make a real difference!

The following website, www.voteopendoor.com, outlines the easy ways you can vote for the project - online, text message, and Facebook.   

3 Ways to Vote in December - Vote Every Way, Every Day!!
To vote through Pepsi: www.refresheverything.com/serveelyria

To vote through text: Text 104402 to 73774

To vote through Facebook: Pepsi Refresh Voting App