Relational Integration... again!

Dear Mission Family,

As I sat in my front porch sanctuary this morning, I once again became vividly aware of the change in seasons that is sweeping over us, both in a physical and a spiritual sense.  A few short weeks ago I was able to rest on my swing and view the fractal line of a mountain ridge, a mile in the distance.  Now my physical vision only extends out for thirty yards before colliding with a wall of vegetation.  As syrupy moisture laden air replaces the cool and dry breezes of spring, I know that summer has arrived in the hills and hollers.  Many folks revere this time of year.  I am not counted among those who do.

Another seasonal transformation, for many, is graduation from various levels of schooling.  Next Saturday one of our favorite young men in the area will be walking through the halls of the local high school for his last time as a student.  As James stands with his classmates and tosses his mortarboard high into the air, I will no doubt wonder- as I always do- how many of our graduates are prepared to begin assuming the role of “adult”.  I know that when I received my diploma I had very little vision for my future.  But I did have the benefit of a mother, other relatives and friends, who helped encourage me to grow beyond my current environment, into the concept of “responsibility”.

A few weeks back, I spoke to a group of high-school student leaders.  The meeting was at an off-site location, so I was given the opportunity to challenge my audience in matters of faith without much concern of “offense” (I’m so tired of hearing that word).  My message was one of “integrated responsibility”, and this ahead of any perceived “rights”.  I used the Gospel message of One Body with many parts, and tried to illuminate the vital need in life for each of us to see ourselves as a part of a bigger “whole”, and then to exercise our God-given responsibility within that larger existence.  I advised these future leaders that the Gospel of Christ is not simply a right to be claimed, though it IS the “Ultimate Right”, overcoming the offense of sin.  Using the illustration that the Apostle Paul provides us in 1Corinthians 12, I spoke of our need to seize our responsibility within this Greater Body, living out the Gospel by “one-anothering” as an integrated part of our salvation.

Integration has long been at the heart of Hills and Hollers Ministries.  After all, this concept is what relationship is all about; seeing the interconnectedness of ourselves with another and then exercising our responsibility within that union.  Integration is NOT about using someone else’s resources to benefit our own quest.  It is about recognizing how our personal gifts and talents can build up a needful part of the Body, thus bringing improved health to the Greater Whole!  This is just as true for individual people as it is for businesses and ministry organizations.  By necessity, integration MUST be a “reciprocal” undertaking.  Without that condition developing, the growth of the Body is stunted.  “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part if honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1Cor. 12:26)

As I go about my daily ministry here in the hills and hollers, I am saddened as I see “contribution” being a substitute for real integration.  Opportunities for relationship are often bypassed for the sake of accomplishment of a mission.  Personally, I try to connect at a deeper level with everyone who comes to our ministry center in search of assistance, desiring to discover how our “parts” might draw health from each other.  I pray that each of us look outside of the sphere of our current relationships to draw an appreciation for the Greater Whole… and then discover our responsibility within it!

Relational Integration

A friend of mine recently responded to my Facebook post by sharing the lyrics of a 1967 song from the group, The Youngbloods.  “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another…”  While “peace and love” was the cry of that era, sadly violence and bloodshed were often the result of the agitation that existed.  But that’s another story for another day.

If you should ask of anyone who knows me, “What is Jim’s heart inclined toward?” they will probably respond, “Relationship!”  It’s true!  Many years ago I received a type of revelation; the kind that isn’t simply dropped into your mind, but rather, registers deep within your spirit.  Being an avid reader of the Holy Scriptures, I found that this concept was the TRUE foundation of the Bible; not a path of religion but a journey of relationship.  The heart of the teachings of Jesus became alive, but so did a deep agitation at how the world has distorted these truths.

I know!  Some would say, “Duhhhhh”.  But even those folks probably still don’t grasp the real nature of relationship.  I’ve had people tell me, “Not everybody is going to like you.  In fact, most people probably don’t want a relationship with you.”  But that thought springs from a rather superficial approach to relationship, thinking of it primarily in terms of social encounters or a sharing of common interests.  We often fail to see that the real power of relationship has less to do with “liking” someone, and everything to do with the concept of “Integration”!

One of the definitions of integration is “The act or process of making whole or entire.” (thank-you Wiktionary).  I’m intrigued by that notion, since the implication is that without this condition something essential is lacking.  But to truly understand the power of integration I think that we need to consider what that wholeness or entirety really looks like.  I’ve worked with groups who lay claim to the concept of integration, but seemingly fail to accept that the “whole” that they are striving for may be bigger than just themselves; businesses who focus on their own posture ahead of integrating with a larger effort of growing into a whole and healthy community; mission agencies who voice a desire to partner but do so only as it serves their own mission;  individuals who see their own daily quest as satisfying their personal needs rather than those of a neighbor.

 You see, I believe that the mystery to found in integration is that the pursuit of it must be focused on benefiting another, even ahead ourselves.  We have each been given something from God that another person desperately needs.  Our charge in life is to find out what that gift, talent or resource is, and then to direct it to that individual, without thought to how it might ultimately benefit ourselves.

Yes, I was greatly influenced by the radical nature of the 1960’s.  But I’m even more greatly influenced by the message that Jesus gave to us.  He spoke of the need to see ourselves as only a part of the greater whole, which ultimately becomes His Body on earth (and beyond).  “Come on people now, smile on your brother and sister…” and develop a desire to “one another”!

Being Above Doing...

I'm often asked what it is that we really hope to accomplish in our ministry to the impoverished people of McCreary County, Kentucky.  I think that the following excerpt from a recent letter to our financial supporters helps to clarify that point:

"As I walked into our Pine Knot ministry center, a few days back, I was greeted by the beaming face of one of our previous volunteer workers.  Haley had been a part of our team for a number of months, satisfying the community service hours that she needed in order to receive her KTAP (welfare) check for her two young children.  She left us to accept a full-time job offer and her departure was most bitter sweet for us; happy for her employment but sad to lose the opportunity for daily fellowship with her.  After a few minutes of catching up on her life experiences, I asked Haley why she chose to help us again this day.  She smiled and spoke of a desire to help “one another” her needful neighbors, but slowly her face became quite serious.  “Since I’ve left,” she nearly whispered, “I’ve missed the undeniable PEACE that I feel when I’m here.”

"When people first find themselves drawn to our center, they usually wander about the clothing shop, perusing the items but also absorbing the environment.  Many times, upon discerning our pastoral influence, they will ask me, “So where’s your church?”  I smile, draw my hand across those who are walking between the clothing racks and respond, “There they are!”  At first glance folks don’t see “a church” when they come to one of our ministry centers.  There is no vestibule or foyer to mingle in before a “service”; no swinging doors leading to an assembly room; no benches or chairs lined up to face a central point on an elevated platform.  It isn’t until visitors begin to interact with our staff and other visitors that they begin to “feel church”.  They hear conversations, not of local gossip but of recognition of the Love of God in our lives.  The look of concern which their faces often carry begins to relax into a gentle smile.  As people are drawn into sharing some of their personal struggles, they find a compassionate and concerned response, not indifference, or worse, judgement.  I’m often amazed that people can linger in our clothing centers for an hour or more, not because they are unable to find a needed item, but because they simply experience a sense of “peace” that so often alludes them through their day.

"Your financial gift continues to help us to “be church” among some very needy people.  Our gatherings are not based on a prescribed liturgy or an order of worship.  They are spontaneous encounters with people who are desperate to know the Peace of Christ, even if they haven’t realized that need yet!

"Thanking you for helping us to “grow” people into Church…"

I'm Offended!

That seems to be the trend today, doesn’t it?  Everybody is offended by something.  From Civil War flags to images of rainbows, folks express the offense that they feel, and it’s never been easier to do so.  Social media allows us to voice our feelings to a multitude of people in a single mouse click.  Thanks (?) to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other such platforms, we can shout out to the world of our aggravation.

While I’m not often considered a “trendy guy”, I must tell you that I am also offended (so I guess that makes me trendy, huh?) and I want to share that with you.  What is it that ticks me off?  Poverty!

I know that may sound strange coming from a man who has dedicated his life to helping the poor, but allow me to explain, if only a little.  I’m not offended by poor people; not in the least.  I AM deeply offended by the “power of poverty”.  I work with people every day who see themselves as being marginalized in society; folks who no longer seem able to grasp the notion that God created them for a prosperous inter-related life of caring for themselves and each other.  I’m grieved whenever I sit with needful souls who see themselves bound to government programs and humanitarian assistance.  Receiving such aid is not as troubling to me as the way in which it seems to strip away any notion that a reciprocal condition must emerge.  Many (if not most) folks take… with little thought to giving back.  The power of poverty causes people to become blind to the part that they are called to play in 

remedying poverty for others.

This past summer I conducted an “experiment” in the area of reciprocal living.  After listening to scores of people talk about the gardens they were planting, I placed a table on the front porch of our ministry center and invited the hundreds of folks, who come to receive free clothing from us, to share of their harvest with their neighbors who could not care for a plot of their own.  I hung posters announcing the initiative, passed out flyers, and (yes) even posted on Facebook.  I “seeded” the table with produce from my own garden, purchasing fresh veggies at our local Farmers Market.  The response was sadly predictable.  Only one other person ever dropped anything on the table, and that contribution was a container of greens which they had purchased at Kroger.

I’m not offended that the people who derive great benefit from our Community Closets didn’t seize my vision for “taking care of one another”.  But I am VERY offended by the Dark Power of Poverty that seems to have such a tight grip on so many wonderful people.  I don’t think that any of us could do much better than to awake each new day with one thought on our minds; “What can I do today to make a positive difference in the life of someone else in need?”

Memorial Day

As a young boy, I considered Memorial Day as the point in time when the arrival of the summer season was imminent, freeing me from the grip of another Chicago winter… and very soon the drudgery of a school-year.  In my northern home this holiday had a distinctive military flare; a time when folks would acknowledge the sacrifice- often the ultimate one- made in protecting the liberty which we so often take for granted.  As a military man (the Marines don’t have a monopoly on the concept of life-long commitment to a cause) I deeply appreciate devoting a day to pondering the depth of this sacrifice which so many dedicated men and women were willing to make.

But I think that my family in the hills and hollers of the Appalachians may have a better grasp of what Memorial Day needs to be.  As I drive through the countryside this weekend I am assured of seeing the myriad little cemeteries and burial plots on the numerous hillsides teaming with activity, as family and friends gather on this Decoration Day to “honor” their deceased loved ones.  Richly colored flowers will be tenderly placed on graves, prayers of thanksgiving will be offered, hymns will be sung, and meals will be shared.  This time of fellowship will often continue for the entire day.  When I first arrived in the hills and witnessed this event unfolding, I had mistakenly believed that the assembled masses must be a people who were unable to adequately cope with the grief of losing a loved-one to death.  But I have come to understand that, in reality, they are actually celebrating the impact which the lives of those who are no longer physically present have had in their own lives.  These congregants are engaged in something which seems to be evaporating in our current world; the acts of honor and respect!

Unlike the Viet Nam era, when I was a soldier, it has rightfully become “in vogue” to show appreciation to those who willingly devote their lives to the many tasks which are necessary to protect and secure our freedom.   We do well to recognize soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and other first-responders who are compelled by a sense of duty to something greater than themselves.  But have we remembered to reserve some level of honor and respect for those less visible, but no less devoted people who have also sacrificed a great amount of themselves for our sake?  You might say, “Memorial Day is about the total sacrifice of life, and we shouldn’t diminish that by watering down the concept.”  I agree, but what troubles me is that we have become so needful of having “larger than life” targets for our tokens of appreciation that the thought of sustaining a sense of respect for others, whom God has also brought into our lives for our welfare, simply fades into obscurity.  We salute the Marine who stormed the shores of some distant land to insure our liberty, but tend to forget the sacrifices of equally devoted mothers and fathers, and others, who may have given up their own dreams and aspirations- sacrificed their lives- for our sake.

I’d like to suggest that, as we reflect on the sacrifice of life which so many have made for us, that we broaden that concept, just a little, and also celebrate the lives of others who may have held the same depth of devotion, deep within their hearts, that our acknowledged “heroes” seem to have possessed.  As for me, I’m joining my Appalachian family in honoring and respecting the seemingly frustrating devotion which my father and mother held for protecting my welfare.  Thank you, my beloved parents, for sacrificing so much for me.  I’ve grown to respect and honor you both, from the depths of my heart!

Memorial Day is truly a time to remember the depth of all sacrifice… “even to death on a cross”!

A Parable from the Hills

I’d like to share a parable with you. There is a certain Father who has two daughters. Actually this Father has a great many other daughters and sons as well. But for the sake of our story we’ll simply talk about these two girls. At a very young age the Father knew the children needed to live in a certain place in the world, far from their true home. He has a plan for these girls whom He loves and He wants them to discover their purpose for being. The Father sent his beloved children a great distance away from Him, to a place called McCreary County Kentucky, but He actually remains very close to them, able and willing to come alongside them in a moment of great need.

While both of these women come from the same extremely prosperous family, neither of them currently possesses much material wealth. When of age, they each took a husband, both men laboring at the same type of work, cutting timber. The younger girl found herself longing for her true home and she stayed in constant communication with her Father. The older one never called upon Him. In fact, she never even thought of Him and over time she even began to deny the fact that He cared for her at all. The Father stood ever-ready to step into His children’s lives and supply their needs if they would only call upon Him, but He refrained from forcing Himself on the girls. The struggles of life began wearing on both of these women. The younger girl called upon her Father frequently for advice and counsel but her husband- a hard working man- wanted to be self-sufficient in this life and never looked to the girl’s Father for help. However, the older daughter steadfastly refused to follow her sister’s example, and her husband did likewise.

The weather in McCreary County is quite changeable and everyone living there is in need of adequate protection from the elements. Both girls and their husbands tried to build themselves comfortable dwellings. The younger daughter established her home in an old house trailer which was very small and afforded only the most basic of protection. She then applied herself to building a more substantial home nearby, purchasing material for the construction as she was able to. She believed that, from time to time, her Father would send people with lumber and other items she needed. The older daughter moved into a large established house, failing to recognize that her Father had actually supplied it for her.

The younger girl continued to live in her dingy little trailer, all the while thanking her Father for the material He kept sending her way. The older girl developed a very serious health issue and had to be hospitalized for a lengthy time. When she and her husband returned from the hospital to their home they found nothing but a smoldering heap of ashes. An electrical fire had consumed their dwelling, leaving them homeless. Her husband found an old house trailer, not unlike her sister’s, and moved it over the still smoking remains of their former home. They sat and complained of their misfortune but their thoughts never turned toward the girl’s Father.

One day the Father was speaking to one of His servants- He had a great many devoted to His purposes- and He asked this man to contact His two daughters and share a message of His Love for them. This servant is the leader of a small group of carpenters, skilled in the building of houses. He visited with the girls at their respective homes and reminded them of their Father’s Love for them. The younger daughter was always overjoyed to talk about her Father, even though her husband doubted the intensity of His Love. But the older girl simply acknowledged the carpenter’s presence and commented on how nice it would be to have some repairs made to her deteriorating trailer. When her Father’s Name was mentioned she simply turned away from the discussion.

At this point the carpenter was faced with a decision. Which of the Father’s two daughters should he really help? The younger girl is happy and believing that one day her little dream home will be completed. Actually she mentioned to the carpenter that she would rather that her husband would see the reality of her Father’s Love for him, even before spending a night in a new home. The older daughter simply wants to have her needs met and tolerates any discussion of her True Father for the sake of her personal gain.

What should the servant carpenter do? The answer, of course, is to do exactly what the Father desires for His children. He needs to respond, in love, to both of the daughter’s needs. The younger girl deserves to see her faithfulness rewarded. The older one needs to see the Father’s Love manifested before her very eyes, so plainly that she is forced to reconsider His Place in her, and her husband’s life.

This is not simply an isolated parable. Every day, here in the hills and hollers, we encounter people in similar situations. The story I just shared is very real and this summer several visiting mission teams will have opportunity to enter the parable and be an agent of the Father’s Love… to a most faithful daughter, and to a most skeptical (at best) one. Please begin to pray for miracles to happen because of obedience of the visiting missionaries to the Father’s Purpose. Wood, metal and plastic will be used to create a suitable living environment, but the real purpose of this ministry is precisely what the Father sends His servants out to proclaim every day… a message of His Deep Abiding Love for all that will acknowledge Him as their One True Father, through the Ultimate Gift of Jesus Christ!

I Hate Saturdays

“I hate Saturdays!” I don’t often hear people voicing this sentiment. Oh sure, you may be employed somewhere, such as a bank, where Saturday becomes a day of increased work trying to satisfy a hurried and impatient clientele. But for the most part, folks who are immersed in the typical Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 type of job usually find Saturday, especially the morning hours, to be an oasis in a week of seeming insanity. Certainly Sunday is the recognized Sabbath in our Christian culture, but ask any young mother, trying to get three children ready for church, how restful she finds those hours of preparation. For many, if not most, Saturday is a day when you are often allowed the luxury of setting your own agenda.

“I hate to wait!” Now there is a phrase most everyone can relate to; either on the giving or receiving end. You would need to be a hermit living in a cave in Tibet in order to have missed the fact that this world is racing faster every day, many believe toward its’ own destruction. Frequently, in speaking with people on the telephone, I can hear the sound of their computer keyboard clicking away. It’s easy to tell from their responses to my questions that they are “multi-tasking”. These driven folks are devoting a portion of their attention to our conversation and the other to the spreadsheet or email that is displayed on their monitor. Relationships in the world today are suffering greatly because of our need to always be moving faster and accomplishing more while doing so.

On Easter Sunday I was once again meditating on the events of two-thousand years ago. Good Friday represents a day of great trauma, beyond what our physical human minds are capable of comprehending. At some point in eternity we may be given a deeper understanding of what really happened on the Cross of Calvary. But for now we cling to the belief that by Christ’s selfless act of sacrifice we are somehow saved from eternal destruction. The atrocity of Golgotha is quickly swallowed up by the joy of the Resurrection, which we celebrate on Easter Sunday morning. Recalling the empty tomb, we are swept into a state of euphoria, basking in the release from the grip of death that Jesus secured and passed on to us as our inheritance.

But nestled between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday was Saturday.

I reflect on the women of the Scriptures who played such a prominent role during the first Easter. These devoted individuals had endured the unimaginable pain of watching their Master put to death in a most hideous manner; beaten nearly senseless, humiliated beyond belief, nailed to a wooden beam, and left to slowly suffocate. I can only imagine the thoughts that raced through their minds; the promises which Christ had given them that now seemed impossible to fulfill; the time and expense which they dedicated to a growing movement which now seemed doomed; the dependency that had developed for the words which Jesus spoke, which now were seemingly silenced. As their Lord gasped His final breaths and then ceased to physically live, so they may have felt their hopes and dreams die on that very cross. The Sacrifice of Christ was complete. So was theirs. And in the midst of their anguish… Saturday arrived.

The women, who had exposed themselves to ridicule by their own people, possible attack on their lives by the Roman force that was present and, most notably, acts of vengeance by their religious leaders for their support of the One who had just been crucified, found themselves facing a constraint they could not overcome; the law of the Sabbath. They believed that the very law, which Christ had said He came to fulfill, prohibited them from even attending to the lifeless body of their Master on the Sabbath. There is nothing in the Bible accounts to indicate that these loyal followers sat through the period of “waiting” with hopes of a resurrection in their hearts. They awaited the release of Sunday morning, but to them it only meant that they could resume their grieving over the lifeless remains of the One they loved so much.

Perhaps, like Rita and me, you find yourself facing a “Saturday” in your life. You have followed a dream which seems to be from God, walked up a twisted path that brought you to a moment of total sacrifice, and now find yourself constrained, by circumstances which seem insurmountable, to wait for something in which you find your hope dissipating. We all need to take comfort, and even rejoice, in the assuredness of a Resurrection Morning! Take note however; that moment always arrives, as it did for those loyal followers at the empty tomb, in a way that we cannot even imagine. Those women expected to continue mourning over a decaying body wrapped in a death shroud. Instead they were met with a resurrection of their Dream, in a manner that defied their understanding.

There is always a Sacrificial Friday. And the pain of perseverance through a long Saturday is always met with the joy of a Resurrection Sunday! But remember, that day will always arrive in a manner that is bigger, and better, than your current understanding! Rita and I stand with you all in faith, awaiting that Most Blessed Day!

Christmas Desire

The Christmas season is especially significant for those of us who are followers of Christ. The birth, life, death and resurrection of the Son of God brought something to us that we are incapable of completely understanding. Our eternal salvation, found only in Jesus Christ, became a reality on that first Christmas. As the angel of the Lord said, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

But why was Jesus born on the earth? Why wasn’t our salvation simply assured in Heaven without having Jesus soil His hands and feet on this planet? Why did God come to earth in a physical form? Simply put… because He DESIRED to! He desired to “get inside our skin”. That’s what you do when you really love someone. You desire to be intimate with them. You want to experience life, to an ever increasing degree, through your relationship with them. God desired to share in the experience of human life with us. As Pastor John Ortberg writes, “The story of the Bible isn’t primarily about the desire of people to be with God; it’s the desire of God to be with people.”

I believe that same type of desire is what compelled the early Christian Church to come together. I don’t think they were necessarily seeking to hear anointed sermons presented by high profile leaders such as the Apostles. I doubt that they were longing for programs to help those with financial difficulties or folks trying to work through the pain of death or divorce. It’s not likely that parents simply wanted a place for their offspring to hear about Jesus while the youngest babes were tenderly watched over by loving friends. No thought may have been given to the level of skill possessed by the artists in their midst and how their hymns might appeal to their personal musical tastes.

I think the first Christians probably assembled for one main purpose; to be in “community” with others whom they felt drawn into relationship with. They “desired” to relate at a deeper level than a casual conversation; a nod of the head while passing on the street; an occasional email message. Their newfound faith in Christ certainly was a catalyst for their assemblies, but my guess is that they instinctively knew that this Power could only be properly experienced and grow in a social setting. I don’t think they went to church because of what they might get out of it, or even what they felt able to put into it. They came together because they were drawn by “desire”; a desire to relate more intimately; a desire planted and nurtured by the Holy Spirit; a desire to experience Christ in community; a desire for relationship, perfectly manifested in the Incarnation!

I pray that this Christmas season we all find ourselves filled with the desire to experience life outside of ourselves; that the deep sacrifice which God made because of His desire to be with us would compel us- drive us forward- to see our church family through the eyes of Jesus, and cause us to grow deeper in love- in desire- with each other.

Rita and I are filled with desire to help others see God in such a living relationship. We want to thank you for standing by us as we use this desire to “be the Gospel” to the impoverished people of Appalachia. Christmas is all about the expression of relational desire. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son…” A most blessed celebration of the Incarnation to you all!

All in the Timing

Dear Mission Family,

I was going to wait another week and send my annual Christmas message to you all, something that I promise I will still do. But I wanted to share a current development with everyone so that you can join us in rejoicing over God’s Sovereignty. After all, what better time than Christmas to ponder the Lord’s perfect timing. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ (came into the world and) died for the ungodly.” (Rom 5:6 NIV).

A very strong weather front swept across the country this past weekend. Our friends up north had to contend with snow, ice, freezing rain, and all the other influences that make me happy to live in the south during the winter season. But we had our own weather issues to deal with. High winds roared across the hills for more than 24 hours straight. Falling tree limbs severed power lines and caused disruptions in many people’s lives. It was a pretty significant event.

I know that most, if not all, of you remember the Heaths. This special family was the focus of much of our home building ministry this past year. You may recall me sharing that, because of resource issues, we had decided not to build any more new homes, focusing instead on repairs and remodeling. However, once I met with the Heaths I knew in my spirit that we must help them move out of their ramshackle trailer into a safe, secure house. “The rest is history”, as they say! By summer’s end, visiting mission teams had completed a Miracle on the Mountain; a beautiful new home for Brian, Amy and the kids.

I stopped by the Heaths today for a short visit. As I began to pass the old trailer that they once called home, I was shocked by what met my eyes. The roof of this rotting structure had been pried off, starting with the area over Dacey’s old bedroom and extending to the kitchen. It looked as if someone had used a giant can opener to sever the metal and then rolled it over to touch the ground, pinning the family truck beneath it. As I entered the new home Amy met me at the door with a huge smile on her face. “Did you see that?” she asked with an anxious voice. “Those winds the other night just ripped the roof off. I can’t believe I didn’t hear it!” (a testimony to the insulating qualities of the new house). What she said next was very powerful. “God knew, in His perfect timing, that we needed to move from that old trailer this past summer. The Lord provided us with a wonderful new home and then showed us again how much we have to be thankful for. If we had still been living in that trailer I’m sure that Dacey would have been hurt by all the falling debris! God loves us SO MUCH!”

I know I don’t need to comment much on this event. We had hoped to demolish the trailer in October, but certain circumstances kept that from happening. I’ve heard from one of the churches who worked here last summer, and they are putting together a team of volunteers to come here shortly after the holidays and remove this eyesore. But for now, the twisted wreckage has provided a strange sense of peace in Amy and Brian’s lives, contemplating the Love that never fails to move… at just the right time.

I know I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Our thanks goes out to each of you who, in some way or another, followed the calling of God to make this difference in the lives of a poor mountain family. The Heath family will never be the same because of it! Neither will mine!

Until next week, our love to y’all… Jim and Rita

Realizing Thankfulness

I’m often asked what a typical day of ministry in Appalachia is like. There really isn’t anything typical about our days. But one thing that often engages us is responding to the frequent telephone calls from local folks, asking us to satisfy a perceived need in their lives. Of course, this need is nearly always financial in nature. The cries for intervention are related to a number of things. This time of year a great many people fall behind on their sky-rocketing utility bills. Other times the issue is food or clothing. Many times auto insurance costs become the dilemma in their lives. We do our best to discern the validity of the need that is presented to us, and then respond in an appropriate manner. Please know this; we never simply give money to anyone. While that would certainly cut out hours of effort and miles of driving, our real goal is to help people see the Hand of God in responding to their plight. Simply handing them the cash they request is neither wise nor effective. We always make it a relationship opportunity.

Responding to these cries for help tends to be cyclic in nature. The call comes, we pray over the need, sit with the people and share God’s love. If the need is true we respond as best we can, committing this entire relational process to the Lord. Those who have benefited will often, but not always, express some immediate gratitude, and they promise to join us in one of our church services. But unless we pursue the relationship, these folks usually drift out of our lives for a season- until another need presents itself.

I’ve poured a great amount of prayer into trying to gain understanding of the “cycle of poverty” that we experience in this area. More than one-third of the population of McCreary County attempts to live solely off of a “monthly check” from the government. An “entitlement mentality” sets in and folks actually begin to believe that organizations such as ours are “required” to respond to their need. Coming to the aid of those in trouble is one of the most effective ways of presenting the Gospel of Love, but how do I keep from sustaining this dependency on benevolence?

Last month I received a letter from my youngest daughter, Beth. She had recently been touched by the words to a popular song, and she wanted to share a revelation with me. Beth’s message validated a lifetime of effort as a parent; “I wanted you to know, that thru every day of my life I have completely felt loved!” Those are the words that I hope every father and mother will someday hear. Her note embodied a concept that I believe can change the world; Thankfulness!

As I wiped the tears of joy from my eyes, I pondered the Love of God that underlies my relationship with my daughter. I considered how desperately I desire this same feeling of peace to permeate the lives of the people that I minister to. It was then that I began to see the implications of this revelation for the people of our community. I responded to Beth’s letter, sharing with her the connection that I feel her revelation has with the folks of McCreary County:

“Beth, what you experienced was not the immediate presence of love, although as you acknowledged it was always there. What moved you was the "thankfulness" for that love, and this type of proper thanksgiving only comes in retrospect; i.e. you look back and see the blessing for its' reality, and realize that it was present throughout your life. Often times embracing this level of thankfulness only comes when we are presented the opportunity to pass the blessing on to someone; in your situation when you became a parent yourself. The feeling of immense love wells up within you as you look at your children, and then you realize that this is how your parents have felt about you all of your life. What an awesome thing to behold!”

“Why do I consider this to be the answer to our dilemma here? People in this area seem to often have no true feelings of gratitude. They look for whatever help they can get, but they never focus, even in retrospect, on a deeper level of gratitude for the love that was extended to them. They usually feel they are entitled to a benefit, either because they are "poor" or because the agency has a "responsibility" as Christians, or do-gooders, to extend the help. They are grateful for temporarily being relieved of their suffering, but they fail to properly see the love that motivated the actions. As a result, they may experience momentary peace in their lives, only to have it immediately followed by a hunger to have additional "needs" met once again.”

I can’t help but wonder! If the people we serve could come to the point of truly feeling thankful for the blessings they receive, might they begin to find their dilemmas dissipating? If they could somehow see the true source of their relief, in the Love of God the Father and through His Son and Spirit, wouldn’t they surly realize healing from their suffering? Providing funds and assistance to those in difficult circumstances doesn’t seem to be enough. How can we help them see the need to “give thanks”?

I would like to ask anyone reading this message to pause for a moment and pray for the people of McCreary County who walk in continual despair. Intercede for them, that they would open their spiritual eyes to the Love of God that manifests Itself in so many ways; in the bills that are paid, in the homes built and repaired by visiting mission teams, and most of all, in the Love that motivates those who respond. I’m convinced that a genuine attitude of thanksgiving would begin to unravel generations worth of hopelessness.

Rita and I continue to give thanks to our Lord for the part each of you plays in our lives. God has blessed us greatly through your love, and we don’t take that for granted. As my daughter shared with me, “we feel completely loved”. Thanks for sharing your love with us as we minister here in the “hills and hollers”.

Jim and Rita

Be Still...

The other evening I stood on the ridge which my little Appalachian home rests on, looking over the river valley that winds its way through the darkened relief of the hills that surround me. Gazing across this expanse I was deeply moved by the stillness in the air that night. The Christmas holiday season was still fresh in my memory and I recalled the words of a song we had sung during the preceding week, “It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old…” Standing over that river valley, I felt a deep stillness envelope me. There was an immense peace present over the land at the moment. I found myself wondering if the shepherds who were living in the fields nearby Bethlehem had experienced such a moment of stillness prior to the nighttime sky being shaken by an angel of the Lord announcing the coming of the Christ child.

It seems that often in my life moments of stillness precede dramatic events. Sometimes this is because I have completed preparations for an undertaking and find myself patiently waiting for the moment of action. But most times this condition of quiet contemplation seems to come almost unannounced, as if the Lord is silently drawing my attention to the moment at hand, clearing my mind of the clutter that the world would use to distract my thoughts. As I stood on that hilltop, I found myself deeply absorbed in the stillness of the winter evening, recalling the words of Psalm 46:10; “Be still and know that I am God…”

Why is the act of “stillness” so difficult for us? Even in this so-called “laid back” area of the south, I find busyness abounding. So often my requests to meet with someone are met with the familiar reply, “I’d love to, but I’m just so busy right now”. We don’t seem content unless we have a daily schedule that stretches us to the point of distraction. We find ourselves drawn toward continued activity, even in our moments of leisure. Rarely do you find someone who regularly “schedules” a period of stillness in their life. Even our times of daily Bible study, devotions, or whatever you term it, often become moments of accomplishment; how many verses or chapters we can read before scurrying out the door to work.

Reflecting back on the Christmas Carole that I referenced earlier, I considered the scene from that first Christmas evening. As I related, the shepherds had been confronted with a celestial event unlike anything they had ever experienced. The scripture tells us that “they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby…” (Luke 2:16). We then see them busying themselves with spreading the news of this amazing event. But notice Mary’s response to all the activity of the moment. “… Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (verse 19). She had just delivered a baby, conceived in an unbelievable manner, in some of the most difficult of circumstances, only to find a group of socially alienated people standing in her birthing room at the direction of an angel. Mary stood on the threshold of the most dramatic event to unfold since the creation of the world… and I believe she found herself in “stillness”.

As Rita and I began the New Year by praying for the part we play in Hills and Hollers Ministries, I sensed the Lord saying, “This will be a year of definition!” We have been through a prolonged period of preparation as we have settled into this Appalachian region and watched as the Lord established our ministry within the community. I have gained a new understanding of what “Church” is really supposed to be and watched as God brought various people into our lives; some joining us in our ministry and others heading off to follow their own pursuits. These have been times of trial and difficulty, but I now find myself standing before our King… in stillness. I sense that this really will be the year in which we see the larger purpose for abandoning our past lives of relative comfort and undertaking this mission. I find myself pondering in my heart the events of the last three years and treasuring the experiences we’ve had; even the heartbreaks.

Of course, activity is ever present in our lives. Our calendar is completely booked with summer mission teams joining us in ministry. We continue to reach out to the impoverished of this area, using the resources that the Lord has brought to us to bring a fresh understanding of God’s Great Love to a people who so desperately need it. We are providing improved housing, food, clothing and relationship to those in need of these things. But through all this we are taking precious moments to be still before the Lord and ponder the manner in which He is moving. When things get a little too hectic, I find myself standing on that ridge behind my home again and gazing over the river valley; breathing in the stillness and breathing out a prayer of Thanksgiving to our Great God!

I hope that this New Year brings a special revelation of God’s purpose in each of your lives. Thank you for your continued interest in what we are doing here in the Hills and Hollers. Your support and encouragement gives us great strength. We pray that the year that lies ahead will be filled with wonderful moments for you to treasure, and ponder in your hearts.

Love, Jim and Rita

A New Christmas Story

Dear Mission Family,

During this Christmas season we find ourselves contemplating, or at least celebrating, the earthly physical arrival of God’s “Logos”; “The Word (Logos) became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This is a mystery that surpasses our ability to completely understand. The preparation for this “gift of love” was initiated at the beginning of time and culminated on a cross on Calvary.

In December of 2005 I penned the story that follows. It sprung out of a morning of prayer and meditation over the Incarnation. I would like to give this story to you as a Christmas gift, celebrating the love you have shared with us throughout the year. Allow you mind, soul and spirit to drift back to the beginning of time; Genesis 1:1….

A New Christmas Story

It would be impossible to adequately set the scene for the story that unfolds. An event of cosmic proportion has just occurred. It is possibly the most significant action that has ever transpired, as The Power of Creation has sent rock and dust spewing across an expanse that is immeasurable. The One who stands steadfast amidst the apparent chaos that lies all about is seemingly having a conversation with Himself.

“Tell Me, My Logos, do you see what has happened?”

“Yes” is the reply. “I see order beginning to take form in a brand new way. As I speak, things are taking shape and a new type of life is emerging. Our Spirit is moving over the face of this creation, bringing a unique sense of Holy Rhythm to what is unfolding.”

“Yes, My Logos” is the reply. “I am bringing into being the one thing that I’ve longed for. Through You, I am introducing a new realm called ‘physical life’. It is a complex organism because it has both the elements of spiritual presence, as everything about Us does, and something that confounds the understanding of my angelic beings- a life outside of the spirit.”

“But why, Oh Source of All, have You felt a need to do this?”

The Creator replies, “Even as we speak, a star is falling (Isa. 14:12). Do you see it, My Logos? By My Will I have brought all this into being. But this Morning Star has exercised his will against me. He knows that I desire to have fellowship with this new life form, and he is bent on turning My creation toward his own evil plan and against Me.”

“Why would You allow ‘them’ to possess a free will then? Why did We not make them to be exactly like Us, rather than resembling Us in image?”

“Because I desire to be loved in return! Without a free will, they will simply follow My bidding as the angels do. This is a new dimension to love that I long to experience!”

“Yes Love, I understand. What is next?”

“You see, it has happened already My Logos. Rather than a celestial form, the one who has left me has assumed a place in his world. The form he has chosen is ‘deception’ and my beings have succumbed to it.”

“So, a free will has allowed this?”

“Yes, My Logos, and see how it multiplies. Our Spirit stands ready to respond to their plight, but they are blind to the Power of Our Love which stands before them. They follow the influence of the one who has fallen from Our Fellowship.”

“The waters, which You have brought to being through Me, have eliminated all but a small group of those whom You love. Will these who survived not certainly now follow Your Path of Love?”

“I have supplied them with a pattern for physical, mental and spiritual life. But they either reject My Laws, or they distort them for their own gain. The fallen one has his influence over this.”

“I know Your Love, and desire to be loved, will not allow them to be completely removed. What sacrifice must they make to become whole, in Union with Us?”

“They must do something that they are unable to do, My Logos. They must die to their will and have the blight of sin removed from their lives. Unless this happens, they can never occupy a place with Us.”

“Oh Great Life, I see the pattern for this sacrifice in the offerings they place on the altars of fire. But the cleansing of their souls is not taking place. Within, they seem frustrated, or worse, complacent to the condition of sin in their lives.”

“Yes My Logos, there is another step that must be accomplished. It will require that I place My Greatest Act of Love upon an earthly altar to be consumed. Our creation is unable to satisfy the debt which their lives of separation from Us has accumulated and compounded. We will step in to provide the Only Way for redemption.”

“I see pain in Your eyes, Oh Holy One. But I also sense a new relationship coming into being.”

“Yes, You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father! You will become My Logos appearing in human flesh. The Word that I have been sharing with my creation will now be brought to them in the physical realm of their existence.”

“Certainly now, My Father, they will see the error of their vision and offer their will to You. The power of the fallen one will be nullified and Your Perfect Order will be established.”

“Yes, My Son, this will happen. But in order for this to be accomplished, death must precede it. Sin has permeated their lives and must be atoned for.”

“But Father, if they die, how will they live?”

“Through You My Son! They will receive a new spiritual life, separated from the sin that came into the world through one man.”

“I understand, My Father, that the physical death will be Mine. Your Will and Mine are as one. I am willing to face this necessary event for the sake of Your Love. Will I enter into their realm in the same fashion that it all began?”

“No, My Love, your arrival must represent the humility that I desire for them to live their lives in. This will not be a cataclysmic happening as at the start. You will arrive in the same manner as their offspring do. For a while, you will be dependent upon an earthly father and mother. You will experience the same temptations as they. You will know the sensations of pain, hunger and sadness. But you will also show them the reality of Joy! You will share with them the Good News of My Love. And when the time is right, according to My Will, You will give up your human life so that they might have Eternal Life.’

“How is it then, My Father, that you desire for me to enter into their realm?”

“Listen My Son! Do you not hear a soft, sweet voice, singing precious songs of love to the child that rests within her womb?”


My friends, this is our gift to you this Christmas season. View Christmas as more than a holiday that is celebrated only one day of the year. It is the starting point for the plan of salvation for the entire world. May the Christ of Christmas- God’s Logos come to earth- fill you with Wonder and Joy as you ponder the manger and the empty tomb together. Rita and I pray that the coming New Year is filled with daily revelation of this Love that surpasses complete understanding. We love you and cherish your love in return. Blessed Christmas to you all from “the Hills and Hollers!”

Thanksgiving

Dear Mission Family,

I just returned from a Thanksgiving celebration. Oh, there was no turkey dinner or pumpkin pie, but it was a festive moment none the less. Yesterday I received a telephone call from a young man named Greg. He, his wife, Amanda, and their four month old son, Tristen, were living in a trailer on Skull Bone Tower Road; way up in the hills. Greg had a need in his life and he was wondering if I could possibly help him.

Earlier this year Amanda gave birth to their boy, Tristen, during a most difficult pregnancy. I’m unable to relate the medical details, but she developed a most serious heart condition. The labor Amanda experienced in giving birth caused her to slip into a coma; a condition she lingered in for nearly a week. Since our local medical facilities are somewhat limited in their ability, Amanda was being treated at a hospital several hours remote from our little community. Greg chose to stay with his wife and newborn son, so his employer dismissed him. When the family did return home they were faced with the grim reality of no income in a region with extremely high unemployment figures.

As you can imagine, what money this family did have was soon gone. After two months of unpaid bills, the local utility companies discharged their right to terminate service to the family home; a small trailer in a very remote area. For a little over a month now, this mobile home in the woods has been without electric or water. These conditions would be difficult enough for any adult, but the need to care for a newborn child was causing this young family immense hardship.

After speaking with Greg on the telephone, I called a few people I know in the area where they live. I’ve learned that it is necessary to investigate most of the requests our ministry receives for financial assistance. It’s a sad reality that some folks would take advantage of our willingness to help them. My local contacts shared what few details they were aware of and I called Greg to arrange a meeting early this morning.

Greg, Amanda and Tristen drove up to the electric company in an aging car that sounded somewhat like the noise that an electric fan makes when you stick something into the blades as it is running. I met them in the parking lot and we discussed their situation as I looked intently into their eyes. The eyes truly are a window to the soul, and I could see the hurt, but also the hope, that they carried. Once I determined that their situation was genuine I asked them if they knew why our ministry was stepping in to help them. As expected, their responses focused on helping needy people and doing a good work. I was then able to speak to them of God’s great love for them personally. Greg told me that he wanted to get back into church, and he was somewhat shocked when I told him that that wasn’t what I was asking him to do. Certainly a church assembly can be a wonderful place to experience Christian fellowship, but what I was asking him to do was to recognize the True Gift Giver, and not simply the gift. I spoke of a Love that was intimate with his need and desired to satisfy all of it; a Savior who felt every shivering moment they had experienced while trying to keep warm without their electric heat; a Closest Friend who wanted to bring tap water back to their home, but also wanted to be their source of Living Water as well.

After satisfying the outstanding utility bills I prayed briefly for the family and wished them a Happy Thanksgiving. Greg asked me to stop by the trailer the next time I was up that way. I will no doubt do that. But my thoughts at the moment were more focused on the whole concept of Thanksgiving. Were Greg and Amanda truly thankful for the blessing they had just received? Were they hearts overflowing with gratitude to God for His provision? I really don’t know! I know they seemed happy to be relieved of these great burdens in their lives, but I have no way of really knowing if they saw the Lord in all this, or simply gleaned something from an outreach of Christian Love.

However, my personal Thanksgiving blessing came as I looked into little Tristen’s eyes. I can’t adequately describe what I saw, but a change had taken place. When I first beheld the infant there was a “cloudiness” to his gaze, but now I witnessed a sparkle that had suddenly appeared. The moment was brought to perfection when, looking back at me, this precious little boy smiled ever so widely, if only for a moment! Yes, thanksgiving was present, even if there was no understanding of what had really occurred. Hopefully Greg and Amanda will hold feelings of gratitude for what their Creator has done for them; not simply the satisfied utility bills but through all the recent health issues they have faced. As for Tristen and me, we know there is so much more to be grateful for!

May all of our hearts overflow with gratitude this Thanksgiving season and every day. Remember to give “thanks unto the Lord”, not simply for His material and situational blessings, but for the gift of each other. Rita and I are so thankful for God’s gift of your friendship and partnership in this ministry. Happy Thanksgiving to y’all!

Jim and Rita

A Lesson from a Turtle

As we enjoy the beauty of autumn here in the hills and hollers, our thoughts are also turned toward preparation for the season that follows closely behind; winter. Everywhere you look throughout the hills people are laying in supplies of firewood in readiness for what some have said will surly be a hard winter. How do they know? That depends on who you talk to. There are those who watch the “Wooly Bug” as it slowly moves across our country roads, noting its color variations. Others keep record of the number of fogs we experience in a given period of time. Whatever the source of their meteorological information, it’s clear that a change in seasons is in the air.

Last year during this seasonal change I found a small Eastern Box Turtle, only moments away from his demise, sitting on the highway that leads to town. Thinking of my grandson, Patrick, who had lost a similar pet during the summer, I scooped this little terrapin up and sent him packing northward with some visiting family. “Tucky”, as he was dubbed, settled into a comfortable life in his new terrarium, happily munching away on his favorite meal; mushrooms. He seemed to thrive in his environment with one exception; Tucky failed to grow. Despite the presence of ample food and water, this unusually small turtle never increased in size over the following year.

With apologies to those who grieve over such things, Tucky died a few weeks ago. Right up to his departing moments, he was seen enjoying the fungus that was a part of his natural diet. Why did he cease to thrive? No postmortem was performed, but my guess is that Tucky never had the opportunity for adequate exercise. As I considered this possibility I began to focus on the deeper example that I had been confronted with. How many times are people given a generous helping of “spiritual food”, but find themselves without discernable growth because they fail to engage in sustained “spiritual exercise”?

Before you jump to conclusions, this is not an advertisement for a short-term mission trip to Appalachia (though that might certainly help). Nor will I try to pressure you into more frequently using your God-given gifts in direct ministry to the impoverished (another great idea). The exercise I would like to point your spirits toward is best described in a small bit of proverbial scripture. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

The emphasis in this exercise is that of not leaning on your current level of understanding. We can’t simply remain where we are. We must grow! Now, you might say, “But I’m in a good place!” My reply is, “Only for a moment!” From the beginning of time the Holy Spirit has been in motion (see Genesis 1:2). What appears to be a spiritual revelation today becomes our basis for understanding tomorrow. It’s true, our God is unchanging. But He is much bigger than our immediate understanding of Him.

Many of the churches in our community seem to have forgotten this fact, or have never even considered it. Some time ago I preached a short message in a little church “back in the hills”. I watched the faces of the congregation as I challenged them to delve deeper into their understanding of certain scriptures. At the end of the service I was approached by several people who commented, “You know, I never thought of that Bible verse in that manner”. My response was the same as always. “Go home and consider what you have heard; test the spirit of the teaching” (1John 4:1). We have a serious responsibility to “chew” on the things we are taught. It’s not the preacher’s job to press you into this spiritual exercise. I can only encourage people to do so. Just like my grandson’s little turtle, we may have a smorgasbord of delectable tidbits placed before us, but if we don’t exercise our responsibility to increase our understanding while dining on these things, we run the risk of leaning on our current, and sometimes comfortable level of understanding.

Sadly, I’ve found many people with little desire to enter into what I term this “experiential relationship” with God. From my perspective, many folks are more inclined to spend time defending what they already believe rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to move at a deeper level in their lives. Is this an indictment? No, it is simply an observation on my part. But I believe there is some truth to it all. Do you question the validity of what I am sharing? Good! Now, exercise your spiritual muscles and take this message before the Lord. Ask Him to bring you to a deeper level of understanding on this issue. And if you discern that I am wrong, please let me know. I so desperately want to move forward in my level of understanding. The last thing I want is for the Lord to return and find me complacently munching on mushrooms in a little glass terrarium, stagnant in my spiritual growth.

Our ministry here in the “hills and hollers” takes on a different complexion this time of year. Rather than preparing for visiting mission teams, we are busy responding to numerous requests for assistance; everything from sky-rocketing utility bills to helping a pregnant 15-year-old prepare for a major change in her life. Your continued support of this ministry is vital to bringing the message of God’s Love to these spiritually starving people. Thank you for helping us to guide them into a deeper level of understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks for being a part of the mission team here at Hills and Hollers Ministries! We love and appreciate y’all!

Jim and Rita (and Elyse too!)

A Moment at the Well

A Moment at the Well

I had an experience at “the well” recently (John chapter 4).

A woman had called our ministry in an effort to obtain financial assistance with her home fuel oil expense. After listening to her story of domestic abuse, events in court, and encounters with bill collectors, I agreed to meet with her at her home. I prefer to go to someone’s dwelling when considering requests for aid like this. You can discern so much more from stepping into a living space and talking with a person. Entering into a relationship, no matter how slight, is essential to bringing the Love of Jesus to someone.

This woman’s home was a considerable distance “back in the hills”. Before embarking on my journey I did my normal amount of investigation. I spoke with the Community Action Group who had referred her, being assured that they had done what they could to help. I then telephoned a pastor in the immediate area of her home to see if he could shed any light on the validity of her need. This shepherd did not know of the woman so I drove to my destination without much physical insight into her plight.

Upon arriving I was met by the usual neighborhood contingency of greeters; several unkempt dogs who circled around me trying to obtain some sense of my purpose by sniffing my pant legs. The woman met me in the driveway and we walked to her modest little cabin, taking rest on two shabby wooden chairs on the front porch. Almost immediately two young men appeared from behind the shack carrying weed-eaters like shotguns. She introduced these would-be gardeners as her son and her brother, both about the same age.

I set about conducting the usual inquiry. I asked her a host of questions, all introduced in an effort to determine the true level of the woman’s need. I won’t bore you with the details, but she satisfied each of my requests with documentation to back up her claims. Over the years I’ve learned that people who frequently seek help from outside organizations like ours usually have all this information readily available.

Having determined in my mind that our ministry would come to this woman’s aid, I called to her two companions, now energetically trying to start the engines on the two weed-eaters that had been exposed to the elements for an undetermined amount of time. I asked them to sit with us while I explained the real reason that our ministry was going to assist them. I began sharing with them the difference between religion and relationship. A small white church building, such as dot the hillsides throughout this area, rests on the other side of the road before us- empty of course. I pointed to the structure and asked them, “If Jesus were walking down this road what do you think He would do- visit that church house or come sit on your porch for a while?” That question alone opened up a dialog that lasted for thirty minutes. My hosts offered up various understandings of God’s love, often based on experiences in “church” or exposure to a twelve-step program for alcohol and drug recovery.

As we discussed the reality of Jesus’ presence in our midst, my mind was drawn to the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel. The woman’s “brother” said, “Preachers down here tell us we have to go to that church building in order to worship God!” Jesus’ words came back to me: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23). I then shared the reality of what it means to be “born again”; not an external religious exercise that is undertaken numerous times in a person’s life, but a step by faith into a living relationship with God; one that is founded on the work of the Holy Spirit “welling up” as a spring of water from within.

The woman and I wept together over God’s Great Love. The men voiced agreement, though they remained somewhat emotionless. Mountain men don’t cry.

As I was driving away from this “front porch church meeting” my cell phone rang. My pastor friend, who I had called regarding this family, had some news for me. “I’ve checked around and those who know this woman have advised that you exercise caution when you visit. There has been some drug dealings witnessed at that home… and the woman has had numerous men living with her over the past number of years”. Jesus’ words as recorded by John returned once again: “The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.” (John 4:18).

“I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” (verse 25). I’m sure that Jesus did visit with us on that front porch, next to the well. His Holy Spirit explained things to us by way of the conversation we engaged in. My hope is that this story develops in a pattern similar to that recorded by the Gospel writer; that this woman would share her experience with others, and that they would finally declare, “… this man (Jesus, not His messenger,) really is the Savior of the world.” (verse 42).

The Color of Certainty

Dear Mission Family,

If you’ve lived for more than a few minutes on this planet you know how quickly things can change in our lives. One moment you may be cruising along without a care, and the next you find yourself facing an immense crisis. This past week a family that we dearly love experienced just such a moment in their lives. Many of you reading this message were called upon to pray for young Daniel Duncan after he had been seriously injured in a mishap on his All-Terrain-Vehicle. He left home on his motorized journey never suspecting that the next vehicle he would be riding in would be a helicopter, airlifting him to a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. As I record these words, Daniel lies in an operating room where surgeons are placing a tube to allow excess fluids to flow from within his skull. Before you get too far ahead of me, this isn’t going to be a message about the uncertainty of life. Rather, it will focus on “certainty”.

In response to my calls, enlisting an army of prayer warriors to intercede for Daniel, one of my daughters sent me an email telling us of her engagement in this spiritual effort. In her note she assured me of her dedication to bring Daniel’s need before the Throne of God, and she added a personal observation. She said, “…as I was praying for the family this afternoon God showed me a glimpse of a real rainbow in our otherwise rainy and dreary sky. It was absolutely breathtaking and I saw it only for an instant and then it was gone. I'm not claiming anything prophetic… I just thought the timing of it was interesting.”

As I meditated on what my precious child had shared I felt God’s Spirit tugging at my heart. Michelle had realized the presence of the rainbow for only “an instant and then it was gone”. Why was that? Did the source of that visual display of color in the heavens suddenly disappear? I wasn’t much of a science student, but I seem to remember that a rainbow often materializes when the sun’s light is refracted through moisture in the air. Once the rainbow fades from sight, does the light that created it also cease to exist? Of course not! If the radiance of the sun were to ever cease, we would all perish very quickly. Even during the hours of darkness that accompany our evenings, the penetrating light of that gaseous orb is still sustaining life on this planet. And we often see the evidence of the sun’s presence at night as we gaze upon our moon- an object in space that reflects the sun’s power, emitting no light of its own.

Pondering the beauty of a rainbow I considered its composition. As our eye embraces this wonderful sight we seldom, if ever, think about the water vapor and heavenly illumination that produce such a spectacle. Instead, our attention is riveted on the display of numerous colors that greet us. Moving across the spectrum, from deep reds to the darkest violets, our spirits are lifted by the very existence of this brief visual gift from God.

The scriptures speak only a few times of rainbows. Most of you know that God used this manifestation of light to signify His Holy Covenant with the living things of the earth (Gen. 9:12-15). The Prophet, Ezekiel, spoke of a rainbow while attempting to describe his vision of a heavenly being “surrounded by radiance” (Ezek. 1:25-28). The final book of our Bible, the Revelation of John, presents us with a picture of our Lord seated on a throne with “a rainbow, resembling an emerald, (encircling) the throne” (Rev. 4:1-3).

Envisioning the rainbow once again, I focus on the various bands of color. I’m touched by how they represent the presence of God’s Love in our lives. Each separate hue speaks to me of our Lord’s ability to meet us at any point in our distress. The color red might represent the moment that He came alongside Daniel, as he lie bleeding on the ground. Or deep violet may speak of the many times that Jesus has stood by me during those dark moments when depression would pay me a most unwelcome visit. Just as the rainbow becomes, if only so briefly, a reminder of the colors of creation, so we are reminded by its very presence that our Creator will meet us at any point that we might find ourselves. There is no circumstance, no matter how devastating, where the “Color of God’s Love” cannot reach. And the most encouraging aspect of the rainbow is that even when the visual display has faded, the power that brought it into being- the full spectrum of the Light of God’s Love- is still present. Daniel Duncan should return home in the near future. I am anxious to speak with him and hear of how it is that he witnessed the Color of God’s Love in his experience.

As I conclude this month’s message I would like to remind you of something. A rainbow doesn’t only appear during times of great storms. I often stand in the drenching spray of the waterfalls located on the Cumberland River near our home. In this serene setting I can witness numerous rainbows forming in the bright blue sky. And if you think that a direct beam of sunlight is necessary for the formation of this symbol of hope, try visiting these falls during the phase of a full moon. Our “moonbows” will move you to a new appreciation for the presence of God- at all times!

The Lord has smiled on our ministry with a fresh new color this month. Elyse Benson, from Elmhurst Illinois, has agreed to work as an intern with our ministry. She plans to labor with us until Christmas, aiding our work here in the hills and hollers, and seeking growth and direction from the Lord for her personal life. Please remember to pray for Elyse as she serves our King and the people of this county.

Thank you very much for continuing to stand by us as we “bring church” to McCreary County, Kentucky. Your support of this ministry is vital to the work at hand. We love and appreciate each of you so very much.

Comforted by His Loving Rainbow… Jim and Rita

All In a Summer's Work

Dear Mission Family,

Even though the temperature and humidity are still both registering in the 80’s, the leaves on the dogwood tree in my front yard are tinged in red; perhaps an indication of an early autumn season here in the hills and hollers. Our mission facility stands somewhat idle for the first time in many months, but if I stand in the middle of the fellowship room and listen very hard I can still hear the laughter, song, and blended voices of the many missionaries who blessed us with their ministry this summer.

Last month I promised that I would give you an overview of the projects undertaken by the various teams who worked with us. A detailed accounting of the blessing that these missionaries brought to McCreary County would fill a small book, but I’ll hit on some of the highlights. On June 1st those faithful servants from Christ Community Church in Franklin Tennessee returned to the hills and hollers, this time with 125 people eager to make a difference in someone’s life. As they scurried about in places with names like Rattlesnake Ridge and Jones Holler, bringing salt and light and new vinyl siding to the homes they entered, another veteran team from Nebraska arrived. This highly proficient team of military oriented people (I love it!) showed us that it is possible to complete construction of an entire house in one week’s time.

The mission house bedding and towels from our Air Force friends were hardly out of the dryer when a fresh new team of missionaries from Community Presbyterian Church in Lombard Illinois pulled in. This wonderful group of compassionate servants quickly adapted to the work at hand. Ministering alongside another non-profit organization we were able to provide muscle and resources to bring new life to an aging house trailer. One of the most notable aspects (there were many) of CPC’s ministry was the presence of their senior pastor on the mission team. As I watched him labor in the stifling heat, I commented to Stewart that I really appreciate a leader who rolls up his sleeves and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He simply smiled and quoted something he later attributed to John Maxwell, “It’s all about the goal, not the role!” Construction was not the only venue of ministry for the CPC team. They conducted a most needed workshop on coping with domestic violence, led by a gifted woman who oversees the counseling efforts of a Wheaton Illinois based Christian organization.

The Lombard team was driving north out of the county on their way home when the Junior High Team from Oak Brook Community Church in Illinois arrived. This energetic group of pre-teens and adult leaders presented a three-day “crusade” for the kids on Rattlesnake Ridge, but they also broke a sweat each morning as they pursued a variety of “servant’s heart” projects in the community.

July found us standing ready to support the efforts of a huge number of volunteers who arrived in McCreary County for something called an “Extreme Build”. Workers from across the state of Kentucky and beyond responded to the call to provide a new home for a family whose hospitalized young son was unable to return home until suitable housing could be provided. In a little more than one week this family was receiving the keys to their specially constructed house. Even as the paint was drying on the walls of this structure, the mission team from Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas Texas showed up to lend a hand. These newcomers to the county jumped right in and served a large number of people through their soccer camps, Backyard Bible Clubs, computer camps, and construction efforts. The team arrived in five big white vans, and throughout the week you couldn’t help but cross paths with one of these vehicles, no matter where in the county you might travel.

As the RLBC group departed from Appalachia, Jim Barney arrived with his willing team of workers from Saint Mary of Gostyn Church in Downers Grove Illinois. Jimmy has been traveling to the hills and hollers for decades now, and he is the person who introduced Rita and I to the ministry we now find ourselves devoted to. His team spent the week finishing the vinyl siding on the home of a family with some very special needs. It is most appropriate that the faithful missionaries from Calvary Church of Los Gatos California and Oak Brook Community Church of Oak Brook Illinois should fill the void left when the St. Mary’s group departed. The Appalachian ministry in both of these churches sprung out of our association with Jim Barney and those he has introduced to McCreary County. This group of willing volunteers suffered through the heat and stinging insects to provide a poor country widow with a bathroom in her old cabin; something she has never completely had to this point. Rita and I visited her the day after she took her first real shower in a long time. Visiting nurses could only give her sponge baths prior to our completing her project. As a few loving hearts provided the plumbing, the rest of the group made structural repairs to the outside of the house, to include new windows (she only had one previously) and vinyl siding. A fresh coat of paint to the front porch and a colorful pot of flowers put the finishing touches on the labor of love.

It must be added that during each of the weeks I’ve described, there were numerous other venues of ministry around the community. Food and clothing were distributed, school supplies were given to the families who were having difficulty securing these items for their children, and support was given to a local abused woman’s shelter. Yes, the summer roared past us like a freight train. As you can see, those who journeyed to McCreary County this summer made a significant impact on our community… all in the name of Jesus Christ!

You see, that’s the real heart of all that was done during the summer mission team visits. Oh sure, a great many people found their needs being met, but every missionary I was privileged to work with was focused on “being salt and light” (Matt. 5:13-16). They understood that the projects which they put there hands to would soon be in rubble; some quicker than others. But the relationships they developed were something that they could carry on into eternity. I witnessed the compassion of Christ displayed in the spirits of some often overworked and underappreciated followers of Jesus. And McCreary County Kentucky is a better place today because of it.

Rita and I want to once again say “Thanks!” from the bottom of our hearts, to all who have served here this year, and to all of you who, by your prayers and faithful giving, made it possible for them to be effective. The Body of Christ is comprised of many parts, but we all derive our strength from the One Whose Love is Supreme. To Him be the Glory, forever and ever. Amen!

Touched By a Smile

Dear Mission Family,

The other evening a cool front moved into McCreary County. During the previous weeks the daily temperatures had exceeded ninety degrees, with the humidity close behind it. Ah, summer in Appalachia. But we awoke that particular morning to find a bright blue sky with a pleasant breeze drifting in from the north-east. I looked to the horizon and found that this weather front had scrubbed most of the haze from the hills, allowing me to easily see the mountain-tops in neighboring Tennessee.

That same morning I sat on our front porch swing and began softly praising God for the beauty of the day. As the sun rose it began caressing my face and I had a somewhat comical picture enter my mind; an image portrayed on a cereal box. Perhaps you’ve seen it. There is a picture of a large radiant orb, smiling with human characteristics down upon the land below. This cartoon image didn’t linger. It was quickly replaced with thoughts of God, smiling upon me personally. I could almost hear my Father’s voice saying, “Your labors are not in vain. You bring me great pleasure by what you do and how you do it. I love you!”

How is it that we most often feel God smiling on us? As I listen to a great many people it would seem that receiving some tangible sign of the Lord’s favor inclines them to feel that God is pleased with them. Folks speak of sensing His affirmation in everything from receiving a large bonus on their paychecks to finding a parking place near the door at the mall. For many, material or situational blessings are the way that they see the smiling face of God.

The Lord certainly speaks to our spirits; guiding, counseling, affirming, and correcting. I have met people who say that they have never really experienced a deep spiritual moment with the Lord. While they profess a belief in the existence of God, and even in His Love, they cannot identify an instance when they feel the Creator of their souls has touched them personally in a deeply spiritual way. I’ve also found that these same individuals often do not take the “time” to seek moments of stillness before the Lord. If they have any type of devotion time, it usually doesn’t afford them the opportunity to sit quietly before God and connect with their Creator at a deeper level. But I wonder if we often tend to overlook one of the most common, and perhaps important, ways that our Wonderful God shows us His pleasure with our lives.

Many of you are aware that Rita and I have encountered a great deal of difficulty in our ministry recently. As our efforts to “be church” to the people of our community becomes stronger, so does the resistance. If I were to gauge God’s pleasure with us by the circumstances of our lives, I would often have to say we are failing. But I’ve grown in my relationship with the Lord enough to understand that for every positive, Christ-focused step we take, there is another force at work attempting to dismantle the good that has been done. This influence is especially disturbing when it seems to be impacting us through those who call on the name of Jesus.

At the beginning of this summer’s mission team visits I found myself looking for a smile, or at least a nod, from the Lord. The work was grueling and difficult relational issues influenced my perception of things. I’m certain that even if a “cool front” were to have swept in at that point, I would have still failed to feel the Father’s affirmation on my life. But then something happened! A new church family from Lombard Illinois joined us in ministry. They came into our lives and began pointing out how much they appreciated all our hard work. These saints didn’t flatter Rita and me. They simply noticed what had been done to facilitate their ministry to the poor and expressed their appreciation. Although the work-week was often accompanied by heat, humidity and clouds, I was able to feel God smiling on my life. A few weeks later I once again began feeling ineffective in my attempts to minister among God’s people. That same evening I received an email from a friend who quoted some very pointed scripture, expressing her appreciation and support of the direction that the Lord is guiding our efforts. As I read the words of encouragement, I felt God’s smile come over me.

Isn’t that how God most often seems to shower His Love upon us; through the Body of Christ, the church? At least, that’s how I see Jesus calling His Church to respond. Our Lord often reminds us of the power of our words, to bring a positive influence into a given situation or to undermine the efforts being put forth. I would like to challenge you today to find someone who you see working hard for the Kingdom of God and allow a “smile” to come over their lives. Don’t flatter them. Flattery can be an obvious shallow gesture. Instead, pray that the Lord would guide you to speak a smile over them in some manner. I can’t overemphasize how powerful that prayer can be. Actually, such a request is really an answer to the prayer that Jesus Himself offered on our behalf: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

Next month I plan to provide you with an overview of many of the wonderful things that have been accomplished by the Lord through the missionaries He has called to labor alongside us this summer. Please continue to pray for these mission teams as they minister in the hills. And remember one of your greatest callings- to be the source of God’s smile in someone’s life every day! Rita and I love and appreciate you all.

Hurt and Offense

Scene from the Hills and Hollers: June 2006

Dear Mission Family,

Living in a smaller rural community, we sometimes find ourselves traveling considerable distances to secure the goods and services we occasionally need. On a recent trip to one of our “big cities”, Knoxville Tennessee, I experienced a phenomenon that used to be part of my daily life in the Chicagoland area. After waiting to make a difficult, but legal U-turn to join the continual stream of oncoming traffic, I found myself needing to be a little bit aggressive with my driving. At the next very small break in traffic I hit the gas and swiftly maneuvered into a lane. But I guess I didn’t move quickly enough. A bright red truck, piloted by a driver who obviously didn’t want me occupying a position in front of him, roared past and then cut directly in front of my vehicle. Of course this road warrior made certain that he had eye contact with me as he passed, expressing his displeasure at my move. I must admit, the only thing missing was the usual hand gesture. Perhaps by God’s Grace I missed that part of his statement. As my pulse quickened a little I realized that I was feeling some amount of offense at the other driver’s actions.

Later during the day I thought back to another experience of a few months ago. I had been sitting with a group of fellow ministers discussing some very difficult issues of the church. For whatever reason another pastor, who followed a rather pronounced Pentecostal tradition, looked at me and said, “You know, often when I begin to worship and I look towards you, I feel the Spirit of God depart. I’m unable to worship as I desire!” I believe what he was referring to was my personal, more contemplative manner of celebrating the presence of God. For whatever reason, this Minister of the Gospel felt compelled to tell me that he didn’t agree with it, and that my actions caused him distress. I don’t suppose that I need to share with you that I was deeply hurt by his comments.

What was the difference between these two situations, other than the obvious fact that the first one was a random encounter with an extremely temperamental un-churched person (a Christian would have never reacted like that, right?), while the second was experienced within the bonds of Christian fellowship? Neither person appreciated my performance in the circumstances we were faced with, but I reacted differently in each case. What was the difference? The answer becomes apparent- the presence or absence of a level of LOVE. I had some type of relationship with both of these men. The first was a momentary encounter, not based on anything other than occupying the same bit of asphalt. The second had developed over time as we served the Lord together. I felt nothing but irritation for the irate driver, but I have a level of love for my fellow minister. I forgot about the road-rage incident until I sat down to write this article, but I have pondered the church-related situation for a great many months.

As I considered these types of events in my life I was reminded of a great bit of Scripture that has helped me through similar situations.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

I had to stop and consider this passage closely. “If it is possible…” It may not be! We may find that our personalities, beliefs, interests, and ways of expressing ourselves don’t mesh well enough with someone to allow frequent close contact, even in the church. We’re instructed to live together in harmony (not uniformity), but even two voices singing distinct harmony parts don’t always blend well. I’ve found it most difficult, sometimes impossible, to work alongside highly competitive individuals with personal agendas, even in ministry.

That’s where the second part comes in. “…as far as it depends on you…” You can’t control what someone else thinks or feels. That would be unhealthy. But you can do whatever you are able to insure that some level of peace prevails. How? By the way you REACT to the perceived hurt when it surfaces!

When hurt our first impulse is to take a defensive posture. We then usually try to justify our own actions to anyone else who will listen, especially ourselves. Finally we dwell on the event for a long time, allowing the wound to fester and remain exposed. But what should our response really be? We must remember that if there is a hurt then there is some level of love involved, if only one-sided. Try focusing on this remedy:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, …noble, …right, …pure, …lovely, …admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

You may have to confront the person who has trod on your emotions, but just perhaps it is better to allow the situation to simply pass. Often times the other person isn’t even aware that the hurt has occurred. Look at your friend with compassion, understanding that, regardless of their position or authority, they are affected by the same flawed human nature that impacts all of our relationships. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:14)

Oh, one final word about hurt. If you apply yourself to these teachings and still feel the sting of a perceived betrayal, be patient. The Lord has a way of taking all these things and working them together for something good, according to His perfect timing!

Our love and thanks to y’all… Jim and Rita

Back from the Holy Land

Dear Mission Family,

Greetings to you all! Rita and I recently arrived home from a ten-day tour of the Holy Land; specifically Israel and Jordan. This was hardly a vacation. Our traveling companions often said, most appropriately “We ran in the steps that Jesus walked!” Since returning to Appalachia many people have asked me, “What were the most memorable moments of your pilgrimage?” You might think it would be experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the Old City of Jerusalem; walking along the Via Dolorosa (the sorrowful way) two weeks before Easter. However, this being my second visit to this most notable part of the world, I found myself focusing more on the people I encountered than on the history that surrounded me. While I developed a great many impressions during our journey, I would like to briefly relate three which are etched in my memory.

While the Old City usually leaves visitors with a feeling of awe, I personally preferred walking the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. It was in this place that Jesus really began His earthly ministry, calling a group of common men to become the first human beings ever to receive understanding of a New Covenant between God and man. The serene hillsides that roll up from the north end of the lake provide a wonderful setting for pondering the importance of “The Sermon on the Mount”. We all embrace doctrine that seems to grow in proportion to our Christian maturity, or at least to our experiences in the church. How needful we are of often returning to the simple roots of our faith; reconciling strained relationships, casting off the things that inhibit these relationships, being faithful people of our word, giving with compassion to those in need. I believe that our understanding of advanced issues, such as the place of “signs and wonders” in the church, will come into the proper perspective if we focus on what Jesus told us our primary mission must be.

The birthplace of our Savior provided me with a wonderful opportunity to consider these teachings of our Lord. You may already know that Israel has been constructing a long fortified wall to separate itself from the areas which are under Palestinian control. As we approached Bethlehem I noticed this imposing structure with its’ large steel gate. The harshness of the dull-grey concrete barrier left me feeling cold. As we drove to The Church of the Nativity, which is the traditional site of “the Incarnation”, I asked our Palestinian-Christian driver how he felt about the exclusion which the wall presented. He gazed off at that structure for a few moments, sighed a little, and then softly offered, “The wall has always been there. The difference is that now it is visible.” I thought about how good we are, as a people in general, at building walls so that we don’t have to relate to each other.

Once inside The Church of the Nativity my feelings of uneasiness quickly dissipated. Not having time to tour the entire building, which is actually several churches and shrines tied together, we entered into the area where the Birth of Christ is said to have occurred. With the smell of incense filling the air, the presence of religious icons all about, and candles softly glowing around the altars, I found myself drawn into a certain sense of awe; not at the elaborate religious setting, but at the immensity of what had transpired in this area over 2,000 years ago. As a small group of Armenian worshippers began softly singing, I allowed my voice and spirit to join them in praise. But my worship was suddenly interrupted by a loud coarse sound. The Orthodox priest keeping watch over the church, and who was lounging in a large ornate chair beside the altar, emitted one of the loudest yawns I’ve ever heard. I looked his way to see his apparent passiveness to all that was going on about him. No doubt, for years he has experienced the conditions that were now moving so many of us. I thought about how this same reaction can creep into our own lives within “the church”; feelings of boredom, complacency, and a lack of enthusiasm for what God is doing all about us.

What significance do these experiences have here in our Appalachian ministry? I think the answers are obvious. The Sea of Galilee, at least from my perspective, reminds me of the need to keep a fresh, simple approach in drawing people to Jesus. I can’t present them with some complicated and impossible path to understanding, such as the Pharisees presented. I need to be salt and light, not a blend of spices and many hues of illumination. I must also be wary of wall-building. One of the high profile, more prosperous churches in our community, also has the grandest wall surrounding them. People are invited into the compound, but they never venture outside of it to embrace others who are different from them. Lastly, I must never lose the awe of being in God’s presence. Actually, if you are truly focused on what the Lord is doing in your life, I don’t think it is really possible to lose that awe. When I shift my attention from the work of God to my own existence, then I become complacent.

As our ministry gears up for a very busy summer mission schedule, please continue to pray for us. The needs in this community are great. Pray that the missionaries who come will be salt and light in an area that needs Christian savoring and illumination. To God be the Glory! Thanks for your ongoing support of what He is doing through us.

Celebrating the Christ of Christmas, every day… Jim and Rita Cmolik