A Helpless Desk

I can’t stand calling the help desk. Earlier in the week I was attempting to print out a PDF file and just like the other 50 million times I have printed something, I hit the print button, but this time I received an error message, “Document failed to print.”

Ya think?

Now here is the problem….how is it possible that I did not change anything about my computer, didn’t add any programs or mess with the printer and all of a sudden, it just won’t print?

I have learned from the past that problems like these do not just go away and no matter how many times I try to hit the print button it fails every time.

So…..I do the wise thing and immediately open a ticket to chat with the help desk. Someone with 25 letters in their name that looks like my daughters bowl of alphabet soup types “hello, I’ll be with you shortly”. My interpretation, “as soon as I finish the conversation with the person in the cube next to me, I’ll take a look at your problem.”

After typing out a thorough explanation of my problem, the help desk person begins the interrogation.

“What is your operating system?” My response, “it’s a laptop.”

“What version of Windows?” My response, “it’s brand new.”

That is when vegetable soup realizes that I am incompetent, mutters something sarcastic while muting me and begins to walk me through the step by step process of finding everything there is to know about my computer.

After several minutes of this, and absolutely no luck on fixing the problem, vegetable soup asks if he/she can take over my computer. By this point I am getting worn down so I say “Sure…..whatever it takes.” After installing a few programs and signing that I read 72 pages of terms of agreement in small print my mouse starts to move on its own.

This is a little creepy, to know that someone hundreds and most likely thousands of miles away has full access to everything on my computer. After 45 minutes of attempting to study and watch the moving mouse at the same time, I realize that after everything I have been through, nothing has been accomplished.

Finally, I read the word “done” on the chat message and without thinking twice shut everything down…..thinking I have successfully evicted the help desk person from my computer. No can do……within a few minutes my cell phone begins to ring….then later last night I get an email and another email this morning and more phone calls. It is beginning to seem like the relative who never understands the party is over.

For the past day and a half I have been stalked by the help desk agents. Now I could just tell them to quit calling me but that leaves me in quite a dilemma….

Not only do they know my problem is not fixed, they also know I am a Pastor who was preparing his message on his computer when the problem occurred (remember the part about taking over my computer?).

So, after all this there are at least two valuable results:

1. I appreciate the opportunity to get this off my chest.

2. There is an application…and I’ll take it from the middle of my rant…as crazy as it feels to give someone access to your entire computer…it is the truth for every part of our lives. God has access to every thought and action.

As we prepare to study 1 Peter 4:1-6 we are going to consider the call to arm ourselves for battle with the flesh, knowing that we give account for EVERYTHING!!!! Challenging thoughts for difficult times.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

A New Location This Sunday

New Life is meeting at a new location this week. In the 18 months of our life we have met in a lot of different places…a ballroom, Veterans Hall, coffee shops, lofts, Loose Park - and now we are heading over to the building we will eventually call “home” at least temporarily. For the present, we have access to use the 10^th floor for our Sunday services.

One of the characteristics of the New Life body has been flexibility. This new temporary location will provide the best facilities we have had so far…with a large space for the auditorium, kids space and nursery. I hope you can come on Sunday and check it out!

I want to use this time to give you an update in regard to the ministry progress and needs as well. The ministries below have been started and are powered by a strong desire to build deep, meaningful relationships for God’s glory. They are functional, however we can use more help in every area:

Kids Ministry – Stu and Terri Land continue to lead this remarkably well. As we have expanded space we will have expanded opportunities for the kids.

Teen Ministry – Mike and Myrriam are adding helpers and sponsors. In addition to weekly Bible study and regular activities, the teens are planning a mission’s trip to Haiti in August of 2009.

Fam Jam Ministry – Dave Thompson and the crew continues to have an awesome ministry every Sunday over at Chouteau Courts. There is a growing group of kids and adults that are taking steps to be more committed. Each week we have between 50-75 participants in the program.

Music Ministry – During the month of October we divided the music responsibilities between four different teams that are in charge of selecting music and then leading the congregation in worship one week per month. It has been awesome to follow the lead of many different members of the New Life body.

Real Life Downtown – We have continued to grow the monthly luncheons and have also added a Bible study on site at Hallmark with an average of 30 attending every week. We have plans to expand to more companies soon….this has been an incredible opportunity. For more info see www.reallifedowntown.org.

Women’s Ministry – This weekend the women are holding their first retreat. It will be held downtown at the Alladdin Hotel. A special thanks to Sarah Totta for leading the charge on the retreat and to Penny Bennett for leading the fall study.

The Dwelling – The Sunday night group has grown with the location at the Blend Coffee Shop. Bob Gibler has finished up a study on Ephesians and is currently leading a study on the history and compilation of the Bible.

Men’s Leadership Study – Every Saturday morning the men have been meeting to discuss The Treasure Principle, hold each other accountable and study the Biblical role of deacons.

Foundations for Life – We just finished the sixth and final introduction classes to New Life. There were a total of about 20 attendees on Tuesday night and Sunday morning. If you are interested in learning more about New Life we will offer this class again soon.

Small Groups – We have recently expanded to seven small groups located downtown, North Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs, Lees Summit and Kansas City/Raytown. If you are interested in attending or leading a study there is more information on the web site.

Relocation – Over the past few months many of the New Life body have volunteered time and donated money to the new space. This has provided great opportunity for fellowship and teamwork. We stand committed to defining the church as the people and not a location.

Additional Ministries – Many of the New Life family are active in the prayer team, hospitality team, We are in the planning stages for a video ministry team, Friday night Bible study, introduction to foster parenting class, homeless outreach and whatever other opportunities God opens up :)!

Each of the above opportunities and ministry teams are connected to New Life because of the lives they represent and influence. Soon I will share some of the many different stories of lives that are being changed every day by the grace of God and the faithfulness of the New Life family. I hope you have a great weekend! I will be hanging out with my three daughters while the women have fun…

A Puppy Parable

Life is unpredictable!

One day we have things together and we are ready to tackle the world and the next day we are ready to collapse. This morning I learned something about life from our new puppies:

Yes, the puppies I threatened to sell on Wednesday. Everyone was in a tizzy including me. I had had enough puppy accidents!!! The girls heard the word “sell” and you would have thought I had died - actually, I hope they cry that much when I die.

So, what did I learn? Allow me to elaborate.

The puppies had made it through the night with no accidents (probably because we had all threatened them within an inch of their life) and I set them outside just below the steps to our front door. They went pee right away…..then since it was so cold, Oreo and Brownie put their paws up on the front step. Within a few seconds, Oreo hopped up all three steps for the first time, but Brownie couldn’t do it. I could see the frustration all over Brownie’s face as he started to whimper.

Oreo was in a dilemma: he was right where he wanted to be, but his brother was at the bottom of the steps and couldn’t make it up. Oreo moved to the edge of the steps and took a HUGE risk….he hopped down. He had never gone down a step before in his life. Now he was standing two steps from the bottom pacing back and forth…..and then it happened….he risked his life and jumped three times his height down two steps to be with his brother.
Brownie stopped whimpering immediately……his brother had returned. The hero of the morning was OREO CAMPBELL…..but he didn’t stop there. He actually walked Brownie over to the steps and tried to help him up. AMAZING! If only we could be so selfless…

The story is crystal clear.

The steps represent the difficult circumstances of life that at times seem insurmountable. The landing at the top of the steps represents those days (sometimes few and far between) that we are able to enjoy accomplishment. Depending on the day, we may find ourselves on the landing and feeling good or we may find ourselves at the bottom looking up at the impossible.

So, what can we learn from two puppies who can barely even remember to pee outside?

When we see people in need we must take the risks necessary to be on their level. We MUST resist the urge to stay on our level and try to talk those in need up the steps. It never works!

Look for someone in need, take a risk and meet them on their level - that’s what Jesus did.

“Christ Jesus…made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)

Whether we follow the example of a puppy or of our Savior, we have an obligation to meet people at the bottom of the steps.

See you there!