What is Your Sign?

Since the Cleveland Ave. exit is closed, I have been coming onto Cleveland Ave. at 25^th St., which means every day I drive by the Planned Parenthood facility.  Each time I pass by, I see at least two people standing outside the building with signs that say things like, “Let God Plan Parenthood” and “Abortion Kills.”  I have no doubt that these folks’ hearts are in the right place, but I can’t help but wonder if there time for Jesus might be better spent giving the hour they give holding a sign instead to volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center just two doors down. 

You see, as I read Scripture it seems to me that Jesus’ example shows us that he did not have time to hold signs telling people what he was against because he was too busy showing what God was for through his loving service.  For instance, we know he was for finding the spiritually lost as he left the 99 to welcome and eat with sinners.  We know he was for healing because of the number of people he made whole.  We know he was for feeding the hungry because of what he did with a few fish and rolls.  Jesus life, death and resurrection was one big demonstration of love in action!

Today I want to give glory to God by pointing out some examples of how people in our church family have forsaken signs for love in action.

I begin with Susan Testa.  Susan actually volunteers at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  I caught her one day at the church with one of the young women she was encouraging and mentoring.  Susan has no time for holding signs because her arms are too full hugging expectant Mothers who feel all alone.

Did you know one of the Pastors of CFNAZ is named Mary Peterson.  Mary may not be paid and she may not have attended seminary, but she is every bit as much, if not more of a Pastor than I will ever be.  Pastor Mary visits faithfully and regularly with every one of the shut-ins of CFNAZ.  Just this week as I was officiating at the funeral of Bob Abbott, I saw Mary minister with my own eyes.  I always hear about Mary’s ministry as I make hospital calls and see our shut-ins, but this week I actually saw her ministry.  I watched as she hugged our newest widow, Edith Abbott.  I listened as Edith shared how much Mary’s visits meant to her and her husband. And then at the cemetery I smiled as I saw that Edith asked Mary to drive her.  Mary won’t be caught holding any signs on the street corner because she is too busy caring for the elderly shut-ins of our church family in a beautiful way.  Thank you, Pastor Mary. I don’t know what I would do without your ministry.

Another two people who have no time to hold signs is Tim and Donna Krabill.  These two are leading the way for our church family to become missionaries to the children and families at Sahara Apartment Complex.  They have 15 families who have committed to working with the Krabill’s and our church family to have on-site tutoring.  Through this tutoring not only will kids get help and parents find support but I also I have no doubt God will use the time to develop relationships that will allow his presence to be experienced.  (Let us know if you are interested in being a Sahara Missionary).

Next we have Brenda Walters (By the way, we need to find some help for her because the Belle Stone Ministry is really taking off).  This week hundreds of the Faith Promise Plus dollars were spent to help families in need.  Tomorrow Brenda and I will get to not only give them food but offer them support through prayer and extend the hand of friendship.  Trust me, Brenda has no time to hold signs while she is sorting food and clothes (Please keep the donations coming!).

Next we have a whole team of people who I cannot say enough about that is working with Cathy Hall for the weekly children’s Bible Quizzing (I thank Sue Barclay, Kimberly Current, Annemarie Hochstetler, Amanda Quinn and Cathy Vaughn—I hope I did not forget any of the ladies)!  I also want to give a special word of thanks to Mike Carlson and Pete Argabright.  These two men stepped up to help mentor our boys so they can see that real men love God’s Word!  In addition, Jaymie Schwartz recruited 40 mentors from our adult Sunday School classes to serve as encouragers and prayer partners for each of our quizzers.  There is no way they have time holding signs as this group ministers to 27 kids each week.

Then there are two new people to CFNAZ who have jumped right in by serving, Cathy McHorter and David Callender.  Cathy recognized the need of loneliness in her apartment building which is right next door to our church building.  She did all the work to open the door for me to lead a Bible study there.  Monday was our first week and it went great!  People openly shared and God’s spirit was present. In addition, David has expressed his willingness to help me with the Bible Study.

To be honest, I could write many more pages of examples of people who have no time to hold signs stating what we are against because they are two busy demonstrating what God is for through acts of loving service. 

May that very spirit increase just as Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”