On the Deacon's Hands

This week, Deacon James Butler passed away unexpectedly. Deacon Butler was such an inspirational and amazing person. What I remember most about him is that he was so wise and open-minded. I received my calling to ministry during a prayer time in the Bible Study he led. He was married to the beautiful and faithful Mrs. Sylvia Butler who we lost earlier this year. I thank God so much for them and their ministry and family. As my brother Diamond and my wife Ashley said, "they are examples of who you want to be".  Below is a sonnet I wrote dedicated to Deacon Butler's life and legacy.




The Deacon's Hands


When the deacon's hands first met yours you knew.
It felt like someone had bear-hugged your hand.
You tried to squeeze back but weren't able to
you just had enough strength to smile and stand.

His hands were good at pondering, walking
across his whiskers thinking heavy thoughts.
They were gifted at anointing, talking
to you about God with oily dots.

But his hands were better gripping the Word
as he searched the scriptures. Best at holding
Mrs. Butler's as they strolled. His hands served.
His life was there for our be-holding.

Thank you for forming us as God did, with his hands.
It's our turn now to hold you. We'll never let go.


-j.a.g.





Lord, thank you for the life and ministry of Deacon and Mrs. Butler. Thank you for their selflessness to minister to us and teach us about you. Thank you for their faithfulness and example. God, we rejoice that they are now with you, safely in your bosom, away from all sorrows, and in your care. We know Deacon Butler is now getting answers to all of his great questions. Please keep the Butler family and all those they touched in Your hands as we grieve. Please comfort us in this loss. Thank You for sharing them with us.  We wait with hope for the day we will worship together again.  In Christ's name, Amen. 

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Acts 6:1-71 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.



Psalm 119:73Your hands made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

On the I Want God Conference 201...

This was the first year since 2007 that the I Want God Conference (IWGC) hasn’t been held in Bloomington, Indiana.  What is IWGC?  It is a ministry organized by those in the Bloomington community who desired to work together across denominational lines.  We incorporated numerous churches and organizations in a two day conference that ministered to teens and young adults.  In workshops, service projects, and concerts, we remind one another that we are all God’s children and that there is strength when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity – Psalm 133:1.

Though this exciting endeavor didn’t happen this year, I don’t believe God is finished with this movement.  Many are seeing that there is God in a church that works together.  In fact, with significant populations from Asia to Africa to South America, the church is more diverse now than it has ever been. [Pause. Please check out the link for this - it explains the connections between wealth, poverty, HIV, and Christianity.  This is VERY insightful considering tomorrow (Dec. 1) is World AIDS Day.]

Indeed, this is an exciting and challenging time for the church of Jesus Christ.  For those of us who confess Christ, we have attached ourselves to a heritage that is far richer than our many differences.  The divine activity in the many manifestations of God’s children shouldn't be discouraged, but celebrated and used to transform the world.  Our unity can bring justice (love in action).  Bloomington God-Wanters, I’m grateful that for five years, we celebrated this together. Let's keep living the movement!

Lord, thank You for the witness in unity that you reveal through John 17.  Thank You for looking beyond our color and our sex to see our souls.  Thank you for giving us variety that we may create community.  We apologize for leading others to division.  We are sorry for our own inclinations of separation.  We ask that You grant us the courage to bring people together and to challenge our communities to embrace the “others” around them.    To the One who is united and diverse, one and three, be all glory and praise.  Amen.

Video from IWGC 2008 (band view)- 

 

Remembering,

j.a.g.

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Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!