NOTE: This is Part 2 of a special three-part message in these three weeks leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. Typically, I post just once every 3-4 weeks. (Read Part 1)
I oughta practice what I preach...
A FEW YEARS AGO, I smarted off to a man I'd just met; in fact, it was at the very moment I was being introduced to him. At the time, I thought I "covered" my jabs with humor... but my unwarranted sarcasm toward this brother-in-the-Lord was a dig, no question. Boy-oh-boy, did I blow it!
This man was a significant pastoral leader in a city where we'd just completed a RU4ONE (Repentance in Unity for One Nation under God) prayerwalk. God had graced our three-day event with the partnership of many local churches, his being the notable exception, as it happened to be the largest congregation in the city. Knowing the influence they had in the local community, we'd made every effort to rally their participation, or at least their heralding of our missionary event. These advance efforts of ours had been wholly unsuccessful.
...Though if I read Colossians 3:23-24 correctly, God labels "success" much differently than I do; under His sovereign checks and balances, obedience always trumps outcome.
But alas, such deep theological wisdom eluded me at that moment. After 72 sleep-deprived hours at the helm of this event, my grief over not reaching such a significant portion of that city had evolved into a presumptuous offense--- an admission ticket to my own little pity party.
I know better... and I knew better at the time. So I emailed him a letter and apologized.
Oh yeah, one more thing... Did I forget to mention I wrote that apology letter just last week, almost three years later? Here's an excerpt...
Brother, I'm sorry. So much for being the "poster boy" of Repentance in Unity...
I was presumptuous. I was judgmental. That snide remark was nothing short of a precipitation of an offense, albeit unknown to me before that moment, which I was carrying against you in my heart. Please forgive me. Further, I ask your forgiveness that this note was so long in the making. Truth be told, I've thought about it often, but set it on the back burner. So I apologize both for my sin against you that day and my failure to reconcile in a timely manner, according to the nudging of the Lord. I am heartily sorry.
I received an extremely gracious reply from this brother almost immediately. He commended me for my apology and even asked for my forgiveness in return for anything he might have done to contribute to my offense. (The fault was all mine.)
Nothing like a happy ending! This man showed me such undeserved grace, maybe this isn't an ending at all... maybe we'll still become friends. (It wouldn't surprise me.)
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
Looking Back; Looking Forward; Looking Foolish...
I just returned from speaking at a friend's church up in Bismarck, North Dakota. My mom grew up there, the youngest of 11 kids. Every time I'm there, I meet another relative I've not met before...
And I'm not saying this next part (just) to win points with my mom... I've been to 49 states; Bismarck might just be the friendliest spot in the country... warm and welcoming, with a tender-hearted honesty. (Larry, if you're reading this, you and Karen are doing a profoundly good job of under-shepherding such a vibrant, united, life-giving and non-religious church. Well done.)
For a special Sunday night service, we did a "Town Hall" style, question-and-answer session. It was one of the sweetest times I can remember in public ministry. I left wondering why I haven't done more of this through the years. So I'm gonna start now...
IN PART THREE of this three-part message next week, I'll answer these questions:
- When will we deliver our prayer-petitions to the President?
- What will this next 10,000-mile prayerwalk look like?
- How does the Apology from the Pulpit fit into all this?
What will it take to see genuine "Repentance in Unity?"
Everything. Everything we've got.
In Part 1 of this message, I told you how God gave me an ultimatum eight years ago, telling me I was the third guy He'd asked to do this mission... Frankly, He could have done much better. My story above is proof enough of that. So what's your story?
We talk so much about how "the Church" really needs to repent, when we should be talking about how we need to repent. I am the Church; you are the Church. Repentance is always personal.
I WAS GOING TO update you about our mission today, but decided to share my story from last week instead. Know why? Testimonies like that are at the core of what this mission is all about.
Maybe there's still hope for you and I to become "poster-people" for Repentance in Unity.
Be Foolish for God
"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise..." (1 Corinthians 1:27a)
In last week's email, I detailed why we're hoping to receive your support in these weeks leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. I trust this most-pragmatic aspect of our mission will not distract you from its heart. Indeed, what we live for, we give for. I thank you for your faithfulness.
Under advisement, I made the following suggestion last week. The response so far has been encouraging. Deanna and I deeply appreciate your generous faith-in-action...
WHETHER it's the 10,000 miles behind us, or the 10,000 miles yet ahead (if the Lord wills), please consider making your Pentecost-season gift accordingly: One cent times ten thousand miles equals $100; two cents makes $200; five cents, $500...
THANK YOU for your faithful attention. From one "poster-person" to another, you are greatly loved.
Your brother in His grace,
Tom
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