January 9, 2009

Leaving a Legacy

I've been reflecting on leaving a legacy ...

Last Sunday, I "officiated" the renewal of vows for a couple celebrating 50 years of marriage. That's almost as old as ... well, I won't mention names. Anyway, the best part of the service was when the children and grandchildren shared the legacy the couple had passed on. It was very emotional and moving. In reflecting on the sharing, I hope my kids will say some good things about me and my wife 32 years from now. Otherwise, I'm writing them out of the will ... just kidding!
This last week, I've also been reading Richard Blackaby's Unlimiting God. A thought that caught my attention the most was a paragraph he wrote about his father. He wrote, "Let me hasten to say that my father is the godliest man I know. I've had the privilege of meeting several famous Christian leaders whom I greatly admire, but my father is hands down the greatest man of God I've known."

Need I say more?

When I think about myself, I often think I'm passing down a mixed message legacy, but in the end, I hope and pray that all who watch me will know that I loved Jesus, my wife, my children and the people I've pastored. And I hope and pray, people will say something similar about me that Richard Blackaby said about his father.

How about you?

Frank Piszczor
Pastor of Community

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November 17, 2008

Little Children (Matthew 18:1-4)

I am not surprised by Jesus’ answer to the disciples when asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” His answer…little children. Every Sunday morning in SEEDS, I get to see with my own eyes why Jesus told them, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

As the SEEDS Director, I wish I could say that I get to church every Sunday filled with peace and vision. But the truth is that most Sundays get off to a pretty hectic start for me. Just getting to church on time with my own four children is a feat in itself.

From the moment I walk into the church building I am consumed by the flurry of activity that is required to make sure everything is ready for the day. Craft preparations. Broken copy machines. Classroom conditions. Teacher coordination. Remembering that I may have left something important back at home. By the time I walk into the SEEDS worship room for the start of service, my heart is often tied up in knots of tension.

But as soon as the singing starts something amazing happens. I look around the room and see the children belting out the songs with the kind of carefree enthusiasm that children have, and the tension starts to unwind. I see how unashamed little children are to shout and express their enthusiasm for Jesus. I can just imagine how Jesus must be beaming as the children of SEEDS are, literally, jumping up and down with both their hands in the air as they sing from the top of their lungs, “One Way, Jesus, You’re the only One that I will live for!” Sure, they don’t get all the verses right, but no one can mistake that chorus and its energy. I see in those children something I need more of—something God delights in.

Serving in SEEDS is not always easy, but it’s so good for my soul.

Jeannie Lee
Director of Seeds

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