Friday, October 07, 2011

People Changing Communities


“The problem is I’m older now, and this stuff doesn’t change the world. It really doesn’t.  I’m sorry, it’s true. These technologies can make life easier. These things can profoundly influence life. I’m not downplaying that. But it’s a disservice to constantly put things in this radical new light — that it’s going to change everything.” Steve Jobs quoted in Wired Magazine
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. Acts 17:6 (KJV)
Today on my way to an appointment, I walked by an Apple Store and saw camera crews and people gathered around a makeshift shrine to Steve Jobs.  I was telling my daughters on the way to school today that just as Henry Ford changed transportation, just as Thomas Edison changed lighting, Steve Jobs has been that much of a game changer in the way we leverage technology.  I thank God for his contributions to my life, even down to the very MacBook Pro I use to write this missive every week. (Why did I take so long to switch from my PC?)
I also appreciated the article that ran today in the Wall Street Journal on Steve Jobs and contained his views on Apple, technology and life.  Steve Job’s influence is amazing, but even more amazing than that is what I witnessed on Tuesday night through the ministry of PCC.  It truly was world changing!
I walked on campus Tuesday night and popped in on the Nominating Team who were meeting in my office to prayerfully create the process by which future volunteer leadership of PCC will be groomed.  Thanks to their efforts, spiritual giftedness will be tapped into to provide a Romans 12:8 type of leadership for this church to prevail well into the future.  
I ventured from there into the Worship Center where men were gathered around the book Radical, to wrestle in smaller communities with what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Across the lawn from the Worship Center, our Young Adults community packed out the Fellowship Center for their own wrestling match with the book Radical.  For most in that room, they are wrestling with their destinies and how God would call them to live to His glory for the rest of their lives!
In the Kitchen, I witnessed a faithful team of men and women cooking and preparing meals for our Street Church. Later that night, they would be met by others and together minister to our homeless community in Menlo Park.  They will feed them, worship together, pray together and minister to men and women whom Jesus called the least of these, but whom are close to His heart. Talk about Radical!
My night ended across the Bridge in the Bayview Room of the Community Center at the Dri Dock Café. Talk about an arena of grace!  Dri Dock meets every Tuesday night at 7:45pm for people struggling with hurts, hang-ups or habits.  Most, but not all, are in recovery for drug or alcohol addiction.  I sat in awe seeing how Jesus, through caring people and The Twelve Steps, is bringing hope and healing to people.  Everyone should come and be ministered to through Dri Dock Café!
So I say to you all, the real eternal world changers are men and women like you, in the trenches, striving to live for Christ, advancing the Kingdom of God, one soul at a time, (MT 11:12) and living into a much greater and bigger story.
Just this morning I was greeted on campus by someone who attended the Young Adults Gathering on Tuesday night, she was radiant!  The reason: she had become a Christian on Tuesday night, and everything was new to her!  Amazing!
Join us this Sunday as we continue in our series on The Way, looking at Matthew 7:24-29.  Read chapter 2 in the book Radical before you come. I look forward to being together. 
I love being your pastor!