Poor In Spirit

Note: I’ve been meditating on the Beatitudes lately. So, I thought I would share some of my experiences…

The Sermon on the Mount is said to be the Manifesto of the Christian faith. If so, then this faith is impossibly rigorous. The precepts seem impossible, the passage drips with idealism. Jesus seems to be describing a utopia. This Utopia is so far removed from my experience that my immeadiate reaction is to scoff.

Immediatly, we are met with the Beatitudes and Jesus announces to us that the poor in spirit are blessed and posess the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the basic structure of the rest of the Beatitudes – blessed are the people who aren’t really blessed. Blessed are the losers. In Jesus’ kingdom the blessed are the down and out, bi-polar hard cases. It seems that Jesus isn’t very good at building, for he built his kingdom upside down.

To be poor in Spirit is to be spiritally needy. “Blessed,” Jesus seems to say, “are those who look at the towers they have built to Heaven and see so much missing.” Blessed are the lost simpletons who want someone to help them home. Blessed are those who believe, but need help with their unbelief.

Apparently, if I want to experience the blessedness of the Kingdom of Heaven, I have to lose it all. I have to empty my pockets of all these spiritual riches I have hoarded. I have to file for chapter 11 and declare myself spiritually bankrupt. And then, with nothing, i must climb into the lap of my father and ask for my allowance – the bountiful richness of his presence, his hope.

Abba, strip me of all that I have and leave me naked and in need of that which only you can give.

Come back and haunt me, Follow me home
Give me a motive Swallow me whole
They say I’ve lost it, What could I know
When I’m but a mockery? I’m so alone
Sooner or later you’ll find out There’s a hole in the wall
Today is ours Condemned to be free
Free to keep breathing, Free to believe
I look to find you Down on my knees
Oh God, I believe! Please help me believe – SWITCHFOOT (Soren’s Song)

July Partner Letter

Dear Ministry Partner,

One of the things that a person would immediately notice if they visited Bellaire both in the Winter and the Summer, is the vast difference in busyness. There are times in the depths of an ice cold winter that Bellaire is kind of a ghost town. In the Summer, however, it is the exact opposite. This Summer, residents of Bellaire have had to deal with traffic, long lines, and the bustle of tourist season.

Like our little village, our little church has been busy as well this Summer. Last UNday, we had 22 in attendance and 15 of them were from Farmington Hills, near Detroit. Hardly a Sunday has gone by this summer without at least one visitor. So it is with ministry in Northern Michigan!

July has featured:

• Corey’s commissioning service
• Michelle Sterner’s mission trip to Ukraine
• Hosting a team from Huntsville, AL
• Vacation Bible School
• Block parties in Bellaire and Pellston

This July, a lot of doors have been knocked on, and people have been prayed with. I have had the privilege of meeting many people. I have spoken with community leaders, cashiers, cowboys, kids, and the random person on the street. People have been warm and friendly and my family has been greeted warmly. It has been a lot of work, but a lot of fun this Summer.

People are getting to know me (especially realtors!). I try to stay in town for a good part of the day, walking around talking to people. Now, I am often recognized in my various haunts. Also, Pastor Andrew Palmerville from Church of the Hills has done a great service in introducing me around town. A very cooperative newspaper has been very good for publicity, as well.

We continue to deal with a difficult housing situation. We currently have an offer on a house in Bellaire, and have some wonderful renters lined up for our house in Fruitport. There are a few difficulties that we have yet to overcome before we can close on a house and get moved up to Bellaire.

Please pray for our housing situation. Ministering from a hundred miles away is difficult, and I believe ministry would be much more effective if I could get my family moved into the area.

I praise God for the many gracious hosts that I have had the privilege to stay with in the past couple of months. They have shown me exceeding grace and exceptional hospitality.

IN the next few weeks, I hope to follow up on some of the people I met during Vacation Bible School and the block party. I am signed up for several different volunteer opportunities in August that include the Commission on Aging, the Chamber of Commerce Duck Race, and the Manna Group. First Baptist is hosting a Love & Logic parenting class sponsored by the Heath Department.

Also, I am exploring the possibilities of starting several small seeker groups in the area. These small groups are alternative ways of reaching unreached groups of people in the area. For instance, one possibility is starting a small group at a local horse ranch and targeting riders, horse lovers, and outdoors types in general.

So, there is a lot going on! We continue to seek God’s will, and to pursue the vision he has placed on our hearts – to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our families, neighbors, community and world.

Would you pray for our ministry this week? Here is a quick list of items that need prayer:

• LeCureux’s housing situation – pray that God continues to keep the doors open
• VBS Follow-Up Contacts – I will be calling on several of the parents and families I met at Vacation Bible School
• Seeker Groups – pray that God opens up lives and doors as we look for alternative ways to get out into the community.
• Volunteer Opportunities – pray that good contacts are made as I serve the community
• Please pray for the continued dedication of our small dedicated group of members
• Pray that God gives all of us involved a sense of the urgency in his mandate that we serve our neighbors, and that we live and breathe the gospel.
• Please pray for a musician/worship leader for our group (I’d rather not have to do it)

Thank you for your continued letters of encouragement, and for your continued prayers. We are anxious of the risk God has called us to, but excited for the opportunity. Your continued partnership is powerful blessing and motivation for this ministry. May God bless you for it.

I remain your partner and servant

VBS

Last week, we had the joy of welcoming and hosting a mission team from Southside Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL. The team put on a week long Vacation Bible School for some of the area kids. Also, the team walked around the community and offered our neighbors prayer and free DVDs.

At the end of the week, First Baptist, slong with the Huntsville team threw a block party at Richardi Park. We also received help from Dr. Ken Wilson and Darren Grier from Northwest Baptist Association. The block party featured dramas, puppet shows, popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy. The big draw, however, was a giant inflatable slide called the Titanic.

We met several families and were able to serve our community in a meaningful way. It was a great week. We very much appreciate all the help we received from all over the country!