Acts of God's love

In recent years I have been interested in the book of Acts.  Of particular interest have been the early church and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.  I have wondered about the American way of doing Church (Big C), and how that fits with the early church.  I recognize that it was a different time and culture but I've questioned if big buildings and programs are what God is really looking for.  I don't have an answer and I've observed that groups who try to recreate the Acts churches today tend to fizzle out after a few years.  Is there a way to do Church in America today according to Acts 2:42 - 47, being together and sharing everything in common?  Again, I don't know but I do believe that when the Body of Christ comes together to help, support, and encourage one another, it comes pretty close to having everything in common.  I've watched this time and time again as a member experiences loss or significant life change; the Body comes together, each person sharing his or her gift with the others.  Obviously our family has been experiencing this to the full these past few months. As I meet new people here in Utah, one of the first questions is about how the family at home is surviving.  They are always shocked to find out how many people have volunteered to help, and in how many ways they have done so.  A big thank you to all who have been the hands and feet of Christ to my family during this adoption process.

Because of my interest in the book of Acts, it has been a pleasant surprise to find that both my home church and my Utah church, are studying this book during the summer months.  No matter where I am on a Sunday morning, I'm hearing about the book of Acts.  I love that Acts is a demonstration of God's heart for His world, of not wanting anyone to perish.  I love the record of the unstoppable nature of the Holy Spirit and how both the church, and we as individuals can also be unstoppable when filled with that same Holy Spirit that came down at Pentecost.  I am challenged by the charge that we are to be witnesses in our own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  But I've been struck with something new as I'm studying Acts this summer, and as I've listened to several pastors preach through the book and that is the theme of acting.  I guess it shouldn't have come as a new idea to me, the book, after all, is called Acts.  But each time someone is called to DO, they listen and immediately GO.

Peter is a great example.  In Acts 9:32-43, he is in Lydda, healing and witnessing, and many turned to the Lord.  While there, he was called to go to Joppa where a beloved member of the fellowship had died.  They were asking him to raise her from the dead.  He could have said, "No, I'm busy here.  Don't you see the good I'm doing?  I can't leave and take a day's journey in each direction just for one person."  But he didn't.  He went, he raised Tabitha from the dead, and he saw many people turn to the Lord.  The question is asked of us as well, "When Jesus says, 'Please come at once,' will I leave the good work I'm doing to follow?"  But another way, "If I am not interruptible, will I see people turn to the Lord?"

Years ago, John and I were telling someone that we were considering adoption.  She said to me, "I could never raise someone else's problem."  Ouch.  How sad.  While she may not have been, nor will ever be, called to adopt, she is most assuredly called to reach out to someone's problem.  Rick Warren says it so well, "It's not about you."  I have two jobs here on earth; to love the Lord  with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.  And we all know the story about who our neighbor is.

Many people have sent me messages about how they "get it"; this loving the least of these, and they come with personal testimonies of how individuals have heard the call, left the work they were doing, and went after the one.  Many of these stories are of adopting, but just as many are not.  They are all about stepping out in faith, trusting God, and serving in their own way, according to their passions and gifts.

So today I am praising God for all of the people who have surrounded us as we, for a time, have left the many for the one.  We are in the home stretch, the end is in sight.  It is humbling for me to be on the receiving end of this generosity and love and I can't wait to be home to once again serve those around me who are in need.

I also praise God for the many stories of people who are listening and are loving the least of these.  I wish I could share them here but many are private examples of living out God's love.  Thank you for sharing your stories with me.  Keep them coming.

It has been my goal to get this out in time for a specific prayer request so here goes:  Victor and I have an appointment with the occupational therapist at 11AM Mountain Time (1PM Eastern Time).  This will be his first bottle training session.  Please pray for Victor and this process!  This is a huge step in his journey home.  Being able to feed on his own, and gain weight, is one of the milestones he must cross before going home.  Pray that he will amaze and that he is a quick learner.  Pray for the suck/swallow/breathe process to be full and complete.  Pray for strength on his part to do this task.  We do know that he has a great latch and a great suck.  Now he just needs to do it with liquid!  And keep it down.  And stay awake for the process.  And keep breathing!