God bless the world. No exceptions.

I feel like when I say this, people feel like I'm just paying lip service. That somehow I'm just "pretending" to care about the whole world. The truth is, I'm not, I mean it. At least in theory. Forgiveness, grace. They are hard things to remember. Especially on a day like today.

Today's lectionary text was the Matthew text in which Jesus tells Peter to forgive 70x7. As the preacher stood and told us that we continually forgive to get better at it and eventually achieve true forgivenss my cynical mind couldn't help wondering...How many of us actually do this? As a culture, we hold grudges, we revel in fear.



This particular image doesn't exactly represent the "best" of our society in so many ways. But it represents the idea of 70x7 forgiveness. We must continually work to forgive this image of people. We extend grace to those who both need it and those who may or may not WANT it.

This particular image was hard for me. POTSC is an amazing organization that helps me to live a better life, but I can't help remembering hurtful things in my own life. One of the last stigmas in church is "loud" children. I have two wonderful little boys (2 and 6 months) who go to church and chapel often. My oldest son "breaks the bread" during meals. However, they aren't known for being "quiet" and let's be honest, how many two year olds are awake and quiet?

*I* have the loud kid in church. THE PASTOR (well, student pastor, but you get my meaning). When I sit in chapel (at school) with my children, who are talking or whining because they want to run around, I sit terrified that someone is going to glare at me. Why? Because I'll be full of all this anger at them for their judgement and too much of a coward to stay. So I'll pack up my things and leave with the kids and that person WINS.

They don't win for God though. They aren't showing grace to my children. They aren't showing grace to me. However, that doesn't mean I can't give them the grace and forgive them. This poster reminds me of that. I hope it helps me to be able to do that.


And may God bless the whole world. No exceptions.


This post is part of an initiative by People of the Second Chance (POTSC). POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.

Schmucks don't ask for second chances...

I've done a lot of things that would make people cringe. When I think about my past I can't help but wish away certain moments. Then I remember that my Second Chance has brought me to here and now.

"Back then I used to tell the world “I’m Mike, the baddest man on the planet”, now I look at that Mike and say, “Hey Mike, you’re a schmuck”."

That quote is taken directly from Mike Tyson's twitter feed. This week in the "Never Beyond" poster series, we have Mike Tyson. To many he is only known for his face tattoo, role in the Hangover, or various crimes. To me, he is a living breathing second chance.



I wasn't sure if I was going to write a blog this week, because I have nothing but respect for Mike Tyson, so why would I need to write about that? Then, when I read the above quote on his twitter feed, I couldn't stay silent. Second chances aren't asked for by schmucks. People don't change unless they try.

According to Schmuck U the definition of schmuck is "
Schmuck, a Yiddish word, has a range of meaning depending on context. In its most innocuous use, a schmuck is a person who does a stupid thing, in which case "dumb schmuck" is the appropriate expression.

A schmuck's behavior ranges from pesky and inconsiderate, to obnoxious and manipulative. A schmuck's personality type ranges from jerk to bastard.

Schmucky behavior also falls within a range of intentionality. Some schmucks carefully plan their bad behavior, some only a little, and some not at all. For example, the bastard may spend considerable time planning his bad deeds. In contrast, the dumb schmuck and the pesky behave badly without any forethought."

While the definition is meant to make people laugh, I think it says a lot about who Mike is NOT. He is not a schmuck. He has owned what he has done and moved on to the future. He is a person of Second Chances. He is an inspiration to those of us who think ourselves a "schmuck". Mike Tyson helps to remind me of my Second Chance and inspires me to not look at myself as a schmuck, but admire the person I am today. I hope he can do that as well.



This post is part of a new initiative by People of the Second Chance (POTSC). POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.

Someday you'll thank me...

I remember the first time that my mom said that to me. "Someday you'll thank me". The first time that I said that to my son, I called my mom and thanked her. My mom taught me a lot about life and love and what being a true Christian was. She taught me a lot about grace and disappointment and trust. She taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt and to treat everyone fairly and equally.

What she probably doesn't realize is that she's the first person who taught me about second chances. When I was thirteen I lied to my mom about where I was going and who I was going with to the event. I went bowling and didn't have a ride home and had to call a family friend. When I got home, my mom questioned me and I tried to lie. She had me write out the definition of "integrity". The next day, my lies were forgotten and her trust in me returned. As far as I can remember I never really abused that trust again, at least intentionally.

Saying all that brings me to this. I love second chances. It makes ME feel renewed to be able to give them to others. It helps me cleanse myself. When I heard about the organization People of the Second Chance, I was in love. Grace is such a beautiful thing. When I read about the new campaign they were starting called "Never Beyond" I was practically jumping up and down in my seat! I love the idea of thinking about who we would or wouldn't give second chances to.





When I saw who the first week of the posters was, at first I was confused. I didn't recognize this face. I'm not much on pop culture anymore. It was Casey Anthony. I will admit that I know little about her story except what I read on twitter. I remember the day they read the verdict because that's all anyone could talk about. It seemed that the new motto for our justice system was not "innocent until proven guilty" it was "the public gets to decide if you're guilty".

As a parent I was sad to hear the story. Devastated at the loss of the life of a beautiful little girl. I was also devastated that we as a nation were judge and jury to a woman we didn't know. Casey is in need of a second chance.

I'll admit, when I saw her name, I immediately thought of all the people in my life who would be upset if I defended Casey in any way. People who would be appalled that I could let a "child murderer" "get away with it". But Casey is in need of that chance. I'm not her judge or jury. I can only offer her the love of Christ.

Maybe I'll make enemies by saying that even Casey Anthony deserves a Second Chance, but I know the definition of integrity and it requires that when asked the question "Who would you give a second chance?" I would wholeheartedly say "Casey Anthony"

(Thanks mom)

This post is part of a new initiative by People of the Second Chance (POTSC). POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.

Joplin: A reflection

May 22nd was a day I'll never forget. I saw the forecast for bad weather coming toward Missouri and got a really odd feeling. Because of this feeling I packed up my two kids and husband to join us for youth group at FCCE that Sunday night. Usually family doesn't come with me for this particular event, but for some reason I felt so uneasy that they did.

As we were driving back the weather was starting to get worse and worse. We started receiving phone calls and text messages from people saying that "Joplin was destroyed". Early reports had very little information, but when the information came, it was devastating! Rangeline, the main road in Joplin had been destroyed, St. John's, one of the hospitals had received major damage. We sat watching the devastating news in our living room until a late hour with our kids cuddled up, in case the same storm might come and produce the same weather here in Saint Louis. Thankfully, it did not.

When it was finally decided that the youth would go to Joplin to do mission work, I was both excited and nervous. What would we find? How would we be changed? What stories would we hear?

Our group arrived in Joplin via a road that had no destruction on it at all. As we made our way toward the distribution center where we would be sorting out donations, we saw a perfectly normal functioning town. Except for the signs "Free lunch for volunteers here" --- "Free hot breakfast from 7-10", etc etc. We arrived at the center a little bit early so we looked around the outside of the building and began to discuss the task. Many of the youth weren't sure about just working in a center sorting clothes or diapers or toliet paper or soap. I can't say that I blame them, it seems like a task that really doesn't help anybody.

As we walked into the distribution center as Mary Lin got there, I was drawn up short. Hanging on the door was a t-shirt that said, "Everything will be alright". Such a useful message for the people of Joplin and for me. It was stunning to walk into the distribution center. FCC in Joplin is a small church and as such has a small area to work with and much smaller amount of donations than other distribution centers Their gym was wall to wall with different stations of things that people would need.

Our task for the day was to sort out items and make them easier to find, as well as to mark out barcodes on items so that people couldn't return the items for cash at stores (apparently this had started happening recently). Another large group showed up to volunteer as well and slowly we worked together to bring the room into order.

Andrew and I had the task of sorting and condensing the wipes and diapers section. It took us a long time, but it felt great to finish the task and know that victims of the tornado would have a much easier time finding what they needed in the center.

We met a few of the people who were shopping during this time. I met a young mother of two (who's youngest was no more than 1 month old) who was looking for all sorts of items including something in the diaper section. I inquired about how she was doing and she told me that times were tough, made more tough by the fact that her grandmother had lost her house too. They were all living with her mother and the stress was starting to bother them.

Another volunteer spoke with a woman, asking if she could help her. She explained that she had a broken arm. She had broken it pulling her aunt out of the rumble, only to discover that she had died. THe woman was only wearing a wrap on her arm and further explained that she had cut her cast off herself because it got in the way of all the things she needed to do.

Being in this center reminded me of other stories I'd heard. Of small children, young men, the elderly and their deaths. I said a little prayer of hope for the individuals who had lost not only their homes, but their families.

Early in the day we realized there wouldn't be enough work to do for the entire group all day since there were other groups that had come to help so we decided to go and drive by some of the effected areas. What we found was otherwordly.

*I've lived through a tornado before. In my hometown 8 years ago there was a group of storms that destroyed several homes and areas. I worked with people I know to sort through their things, to move wood, to drive people around and bring them food and drinks and it doesn't get any easier.*

Seeing destruction on this scale was mind blowing. Seeing places that you might have thought were "safe" from weather that are now mere shells. Seeing homes destroyed, a hospital in shambles, debris still littering the streets and parking lots, even a month after the storms had come and gone. It gave me new perspective on what mother nature is capable of. and what humans are capable of.

We found a park to sit and eat lunch and discuss. Many of the youth were disappointed that we couldn't work with clean up and that our trip would be cut short. I explained the rules (united way states that volunteers must be 18 or older, (though earlier it was 12 and up, this is likely because of possible injury, liability, and insurance purposes). As we drove home I thought more about the issue. I felt bad because I felt like I'd let the group down, like I somehow hadn't done something right. I felt changed, i felt like the work I did gave me new perspective on what is important when doing mission work, but others seemed generally disappointed.

So when we pulled into the parking lot at home, we had a meeting. I stated an apology that things didn't work out quite as planned (leaving early, not having a good back up plan), but that we had to remember some important things. Mission work is NOT doing what we think we should do, but doing what needs to be done. While we may WANT to go and build someone a house, sometimes sorting food is more important and just as necessary. Mission work isn't about being visible, but about being helpful and following direction. That means if the group say 18 and up, we don't consider lying, we find something we can do.

overall, I felt like the trip was a success. The youth who were old enough (and adults) have talked about going back down at a later time to do what they can to help. We were able to help make the lives of the survivors of the tornado a little bit easier by sorting out the distribution center and we were able to see that God can work through us and guide us, if we only listen.