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Spring 2009
Notes from Paul
Grace and Kindness for All—May 3
Disconnected thoughts on a rainy Tuesday
I am pausing from my mingling during the “Homeless Connect” enterprise at the Akron campus to write this note.
The spirit of authentic gratefulness and appreciation abounds in here today. From the man who melted in our showers and shed his three-month-old wardrobe to the lady who received needed dental care, to the hundreds of others, there was such a thankful spirit in our midst.
The spirit of grace and kindness was tangible among the volunteers; among so many of you (us) who gave “cups of cold water: to very thirsty and life-weary people.
By the way, a million thanks to Colleen and Amy and Jon and the many, many staff and volunteers who worked so hard and gave so much … “In as much as you have done it to the least of these, you’ve done it unto me,” Jesus said.
By the way, these days are so special at The Chapel as we say goodbye to Pastor Knute and Jeanine Larson. Let’s face it so much of the tangible spirit of grace we learned from them. Thanks!
By the way, the days ahead are so exciting as we look forward to embracing tomorrow and spreading the virus of grace and truth to the next generation.
By the way, this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Here We Go! —May 24
Well, the room still looks the same. And the people haven’t really changed. And the worship is rather familiar …
We are The Chapel. Our heritage. mission, our core values won’t change. Our commitment to the Scriptures and expositional preaching are here to stay. Our belief in the uniqueness of Christ as the only hope for our wounded world is solid. And our commitment to offer love to all regardless of faith or lifestyle will not change.
So everything status quo?
Well, I wouldn’t put it that way. Time and life context will always require adjustments and mid–course corrections. Our God is the only immutable being who changes us to conform to the image of his Son.
So here we go … excited to face tomorrow and tackle the challenges together. Buoyed by truth and the principles of our heritage, we enthusiastically run to Embrace Tomorrow and even some of the changes that await us there.
And I’m humbled to help lead us there as your pastor.
PS Note—May 31
Can you believe tomorrow is June 1?
Summer has just about reached our front doorstop. We are so eager for it to be here, it is easy for our minds to think it's summer already.
In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “thy Kingdom come.” At times our vocabulary is so filled with “kingdom talk” that it might be easier to think it's here already.
But it’s not really… not in all its glory and righteousness. And yet we can safely live our lives as attractive ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom.
After all, that petition continues “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Forgiveness can be the trademark of our closest relations; our families and our marriages, etc.
Justice and mercy fill our wish list and to do lists of those in need.
Respect and honor ought to be our posture toward others in leadership.
Our voices join the discussion of many other views and truth claims, not in arrogance but always speaking the truth in love.
I can tell exactly when summer will be here. I can look at a calendar. I have no inside scoop however at the coming of Christ’s Kingdom.
But though it’s externally not here yet, by our presence and loving obedience we can make it almost feel like it is.
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