For the love of people - we hang in the trees

Hey everyone!  If you missed our outreach last Thursday, you missed an awesome time!  After all, we climbed trees (and trimmed some), got a good workout (and laughed more than anyone ought to while exercising), put out a huge pile of trash by the road (sure doesn't take much effort when it's done by this many people), had great snacks (that had to be protected from falling branches from the roof), even did some first aid (with tissues and ice), but mostly we spent some time living life together, loving each other, and helping someone get some things done that they couldn't do on their own.  And, at the end of the night someone who had been so lonely only a short time ago got the chance to see that life could have love and life and goodness again.  That there really are people in this world who live like people matter.  That there really are people who believe in something more than just more stuff, more success, more money, more selfishness, more, more, more - and that actually live like it.  Not a bad way to spend an evening!

                Check out the pix!

                You won't want to miss our next outreach time together.  It is a blast and in these times, we find again a piece of what More than more is all about! 

                In the meantime, if you are interested in hanging out with a group of people who do things like this, we would love to have you join us next Thursday, May 16th, from 6:45-8:00PM, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette.  As always there will be free activities for all ages.

                                                                

                Hope to see you there!

Another quick note, for those of you who eat dinner

Just wanted to let you know that a friend of More than more, Kelsey, will be having a special fundraising night to help her family with medical bills related to her recent cancer diagnosis and treatment on May 8th - next Wednesday evening - 4-10PM, at Texas Roadhouse in Lafayette.  It would be a great thing if many of us were able to go - maybe even sit together.  You must have a voucher to get the $ to Kelsey and her family - we are happy to give you one.

Hope to see you there

Get Ready to Get Dirty

Now don't let your mind go wandering in the wrong way!  Our More than more time this Thursday night, May 2nd, is going to be quite a bit different than usual. 

You see, at Mtm, we are focused on noticing - we notice the amazingness of God in everyday life and soak up the wonder of life around us.  And we notice people - we notice how amazing they are and also how broken they are...and we look for chances to reach into their world and support them, to love them, in practical ways.  It's fine to say, "How's it goin?" but it is better to be ready to do something if it is not going well.

So, every so often we like to put out noticing to work.  And, we have noticed someone who needs our help!

So, what we hope is that you will put on your work clothes, your dirty old shoes, and your smile, and meet us a McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette, at 6:45 this Thursday.  We will be gathering in the parking lot and driving to the outreach location together.  There we will hang out and work and if it is like the many before it, laugh and enjoy the evening!

No excuse to not come if you have no work skills, if you are old or weak or anything like that - consider yourself a cheerleader then and come cheer us on - hang out with us and enjoy some time together - there is just almost nothing better than giving of your time and energy to help someone!

Hope to see you there!

Oh the Rain

Rain.

Lots of it.

Soggy, squishy, sloppy earth.

Dark clouds
           rumbling thunder
                 flashing lightening.

Dreary indoors, cloudy skies, heavy air.


Typically i like rainy days.  I like the smell of dampness and the feel of the rain on my skin.  I like the sound of the pitter patter on the roof and the look of the mini-splashes each drop makes in the puddles.

But lately my life has been filled with storms.  Too much darkness and not enough light.  Too much pain and not enough joy.  Too much sogginess and not enough warm sunshine.  Too much indoors and not enough outdoors.

And i find, as i try to drag my scraggly butt out of bed on another rainy morning, that i am longing for some light.  I am craving some warmth.  I am dying for some positivity, some joy.

I grapple with the rain, the circumstances of life that weigh, that darken, that cover me.  I fight against them, rage against, wrestle with them.  Never seems to help very much. 

then the idea occurs to me...talk to God - he understands darkness - so i do - i talk, He listens - and the more humbly i come, the more open handed and open hearted to whatever is best for me and those i love, the more the answers come..

But the answer is not always sunshine...

Many, maybe even most, of the times, the rain keeps coming down - the circumstances don't change - there is not suddenly more money, less pain, resolved conflicts, less stress.  Seems the rain keeps falling a lot of the time.

Thing is...

I see it differently.  Instead of musty, it smells sweet.  Instead of drowning, it seems like maybe i should swim.  Instead of mud puddles to run from, i see the perfect place to splash and play.  Instead of destroying my day, i see rejuvenation of plants and birds playing in the puddles.  Instead of pain, i see God changing people's lives.  Instead of lack of money, i see a new focus on all the things money can't buy that are the most important.  Instead of conflicts, i see a chance to forgive & to ask forgiveness and to see trust grow.  Instead of stress, i see God providing what we need and i find myself resting in the simplicity of life that is right in front of me.


So many times seems we go to God hoping, even expecting, that He'll change our circumstances - that our rain will go away - no more pain, no more problems - but seems like maybe the best thing that can happen is that He helps us see what was there all along - to help us notice.

Or, as my sweet Emily has written on her wall:  "Life is less about waiting for the storm clouds to pass than it is learning how to dance in the rain."

So, here's hoping for some sunnier days, but in the meantime, i will be giving all i can to notice the beauty of the rain.

If you are looking for a change in perspective - sick of the "life as usual" American way, we would love to have you join us this Thursday night, April 18th, 6:45-8:00PM, McAllister Recreation Center, just off Schuyler and 20th, Lafayette.  As always there will be free, fantastic activities for all ages.

Hope to see you there - better bring your umbrella!

Choose your perspective

Many people believe you have to see something to believe it. They question God’s existence in this dark world. They doubt his ability to change people. Many try to avoid the possibility that someone else is in control. They rage at what God allows to happen. Make statements like- If there was a God…. I don’t see how he would…. Why…. Where is he… When I see him with my eyes…



Well here is my answer. Check your perspective! Chances are- He is right in front of you. I know this because I sat across the room from God last Thursday. I saw him with my very own eyes, heard him with my own ears, and hugged him with my own arms. I heard him laugh and cry, saw his smile, and his heart ache. Real as real can be. Now you are either reading this in disbelief or completely stunned. I’m serious though. I have found that the most amazing thing on this earth is experiencing God. And he is EVERYWHERE.



On Thursday I saw him in my friend Deb as she shared how he is working in her life. It’s amazing- he is transforming her right before my eyes. It is so beautiful. I listened to how he has interacted with her thru loss, celebration, anxiety, conversations, tragedies, and all the ups and downs of life. I have seen his love thru her more times than I can count. In her generosity, her hugs, her genuine love, her excitement, his love just radiates from her!



I think that is the beauty of More Than More. It has helped me open my eyes and really notice God. It’s amazing how he is everywhere yet I had such a hard time finding him anywhere for a long long time. I was not really looking. I was waiting. Waiting for him to do some obvious act or grand display. Challenging him to catch my attention. Questioning his authenticity. Demanding proof. Truth is I did not really want to be found. I was hiding. And I wanted to blame him for that. I wanted to control the circumstances. But I had to choose to see him. Choose to notice. And even once I found him I still tried to limit his access to my life, my heart, my children, my plans, my marriage, mine, mine, mine. It’s the love at More Than More that helped me change my perspective. Now I can notice God in everyday life in the strangest most interesting ways. I can see God working in the lives of those around me. I can trust God. I can trust others. I know he will not abandon me. I know he will provide for me. I know my children are his children. I know he loves me. I know he is transforming my heart and life. I know he is in control- don’t always like it, but I know it.



What does you perspective look like? Are you waiting? Running? Doubting? Controlling? Don’t. Choose to notice. Need a good place to start???



More Than More will be meeting Thursday March 21, 2013 at 6:45 pm at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette. Love to have you join us. AMAZING childcare provided!





Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 NLT

What Will Really Make a Difference?

Since November i have had many conversations about Obamacare, elections, politicians and government.  So many times people have a tons of opinions about whether this particular politician or that one is good or bad - it always amazes me how so many people can believe so many different things about the same person!  Many are asking me what i think of Obamacare and the future of healthcare and all.  Aside from joking that i may end up being a government employee soon, my response is pretty predictable:

"I don't really know what is going to happen and for the most part i don't care."

sometimes mixed in with a

"I can and have taken care of people under a tarp in the middle of a field.  I'm pretty sure i can handle whatever comes."

To some this seems to be a relief - they are reassured that i am not spazzing out at what might or might not happen.

To others this is insanity and they think i am either delusional or apathetic.

To still others this is infuriating and they are ready to nail me to the wall!


Then i usually try to explain myself...

You see, this response comes from the way i live my life.  I am convinced that if anyone is going to really make a difference to the people that i encounter on a given day of my life, one person it is not going to be is Barack Obama.  I am also pretty sure it will not be Joe Biden or Dan Coats (Indiana Senator) or Mike Pence (Indiana Governor), in fact i am so sure they will not be the "difference maker" that i had to look up their names to find out who was in those offices! - not Obama or Biden, give me some credit!

You know who made the difference in my life today?  A friend. His name is Larry and he spoke with such genuine goodness and concern for me and my family that i went on with the rest of my day feeling as if i mattered more!  Who else?  My friend named Troy, who took time out of his schedule and met me for lunch - where he shared his recent experiences and i mine and i left that 45minutes strengthened - with new ideas and encouragement for the rest of my day.  My children, my wife, my medical assistant...

You know what else, it is almost always these people who really have the profound effects on my life.  It is almost never people i don't know or who are far away.  I must admit now that there are authors, like Paul the Apostle and like Brennan Manning among other, whose works have changed my life, but the impact of those words always lands in the reinforcement of the relationships of my life and this is where their wisdom actually takes shape.

So, here's the point.  Will healthcare change - yes, i'm sure it will.  And some things will be better undoubtedly and some will be worse.  But, i will not be changing who i am in the middle of it - and nothing will change what makes my life, my practice, and More than more, so special.  You see, we in our family, and at More than more believe that the world is messed up and that most people go around believing that people matter a lot but they don't typically notice the people around them enough to really make a difference in their lives - they are too busy, too overworked, too rushed, too harried and dare i say, too self-focused.  So, we rush around getting things done and we miss out on the real difference makers - all the while having all kinds of discussions about the people who really won't make that much of a difference anyway.

Now don't get the wrong idea, we get all distracted into ourselves a lot of the time just like everyone else, but we are striving, pushing, extending ourselves, intentionally to be more people who dare to notice the people around them.

If you are sick of life as usual in this country and would like to live in a world where people make a difference to people, rather than waiting to see what the politicians and policy makers do, we would love to see you Thursday, 3/7/13, 6:45-8:00 PM, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler Ave, Lafayette.  As always there will be some kind of activity for all ages.  We will notice you, that i can promise.

Hope to see you there.

The How of Change

In the post, we talked about that change really does happen.  Yet, there does seem to be this part of us that we battle against, making the same mistakes over and over - frustrating, but not hopeless.

Here is what i have observed, may or not be totally on base, see what you think...
Much of the change that happens in us seems to come from:
1) our awareness of the need to change, to become someone better than we have been
2) a change in the way we view life, the world, and ourselves in it
3) a healing or change of the prompts, the things inside us that seem to drive us to make the same mistakes over and over again - this often comes with a recognition of these prompts, or broken places, and then flows from there- this mostly comes from having a relationship with God - the healing coming from God's acceptance of us, love for us.
4) having some safe relationships in which both knowing God and having some healing can take place, where people genuinely care for each other - the problem with this is that this is hard to find - there are just not lots of people out there who genuinely care for us, especially when we are at our worst - most of the people we will find are people who already know God and are broken like us.

       (a side note - i just do not find very many people in the world who love like this, when people are a their worst, except those who have God working inside them - there are lots of people who are just nice people, they would do anything for you anytime, but many times it is to their own detriment, they give so many times out of guilt and the need to please, that they often find themselves empty of meaning and broken in their own right - this is not the type of love i am talking about, although people in this situation can change just like everyone else)

5) sharing outwardly that same acceptance with other people that we encounter who are broken like us. 



Here is something else i have observed - again, totally up for discussion:

At More than more, we really did not go into the way we talk and hang out with some massive agenda - we simply saw the world as broken and did not see anyone providing love and care and help to those who we were so broken in it.  We kept encountering hurting people and loving them and then we were not sure what to do next - so Mtm was born - almost 5 years ago.

But, we have this set of ideas that we try to live by and we talk about when we get together - it is mostly centered around 1 word:

Notice

a funny word to talk about a lot but let me explain:

We stop each time we get together and we notice the amazingness of the world we live in, the amazingness of who God is in us, in our bodies, in our world - we stop...and we notice.  This begins to change the way we live life (#2 above - most everyone comes to Mtm already at #1) especially as we involve God in our lives in simple ways - this is not to say it is not a battle - we are deeply rooted in our dysfunction and broken places, in making those same mistakes over and over again - but we see them start to recede a little as we notice.

Then, we stop and notice people - how amazing and wonderful and complex and awesome they are...and how much they totally suck - they are broken, all of them, even the ones we think are larger than life.  We notice that there is nothing in the world so worth our time and effort and care than people, and yet they drive us crazy a fair amount of the time.  As we apply noticing people to our lives, we start to see #4, and 5 start to take place in us.  We begin to love each other.  We begin to see ourselves as loveable.  The brokenness meets some healing.  #3 seems to come from the combination or the overlap between noticing God and noticing people - in the context of truly loving relationships, we begin to and continue to, search and find the stuff in us that needs healing - you see, we do not want to hurt these people we love and we do, especially as we get closer to them. Plus we can accept from them loving guidance and feedback on the pain they see in us more and more the more we see their love for us, and God's love for us.

It's strange, it seems a bit like a formula and it really isn't.  It is full of grief and pain, laughter and joy, embraces and hurts, dirt and grease and blood and sweat and tears.  It is full of faces, hands, feet.  It is full of memories, sweet and painful.  It is full of life - real life - full life - life as it was meant to be lived.  And life cannot be distilled down to a formula. 

Plus, the #'s above are simply generally how it works - the thing is it looks different with each person - many many times we start and then stutter, we fail and then fall, we totally back out of the relationships because of fear or hurt or past experiences - it just feels like too much - we lash out or misspeak sometimes right into the pain of another person and wound them without meaning it.  Most of the time it is not intentional when we struggle, even with the goodness of change that happens, it is because the pain and hurt is so big in us - the past programming and defenses are strong and we are weak.

the good news?

Mtm will be here.  We truly do love. We truly are changing.  We truly will accept you.  We truly are trying to notice...

Hope to see you tonight, 6:45-8:00PM, 2/7/13, at McAllister Recreation Center, just off 20th and Schuyler, Lafayette - as always there will be free, excellent activities for all ages!