A God Story by a UBFM member

Church is a spiritual institution, a place of worship. My experience with the church as a child was one of fire and brimstone, discomfort and intolerance. I found myself connected with a God I thought to be different. I visualized remaining outside of the church, peering into the window, witnessing a pseudo-worshipping congregation, dissimulated by the precepts of hell and damnation. I was not spiritually uplifted. Instead, I felt demeaned and afraid. But, I also visualized, standing next to me, other people who dared not go in, and among the crowd, there was always God. That is when I knew my Church was elsewhere.

Years later, through decisions, hardships, and life, I truly believe God answered a prayer that I made outside of that church window a long time ago. There was no building, nor steeple, nor choir, nor hymns. My Church started with friendship; a friend who was called by God to become a minister. His movement in the community lifted my spirit and his compassion encouraged me to find peace through worship and scripture. He introduced me to a whole new way to connect with God, a way that fit every inch of who I am.

My congregation is friendship and fellowship, growing every week. My Praises are within nature; hitting the trails, zoning out, being thankful, coming clean, asking for advice, accelerating my heart rate, feeling loved, feeling alive, feeling uplifted. My Worship starts with hopping on my bike and handing out burritos to my friends on the streets. My Worship never ends, now that I know I, too, can bring Church to those who are looking for a home.

UBFM is a spiritual institution. Together, let’s educate one another on love, movement, devotion, and being the light for others to see. Let Church, wherever that may be, guide us to make the world a better place, to connect one-on-one with God, or to just see yourself as a perfect mold in an imperfect world. I love you all. Thank you for being a part of my family and my home.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being rewarded day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

The Dangers

The Dangers

When volunteers come to participate with Urban Bicycle Food Ministry on Wednesday night I try to always give a disclaimer that includes the dangers of what we do. It is indeed not the safest bike ride you can participate in. As all cyclists know, it is a dangerous activity. Though, this ride has other elements of danger: riding among Memphis traffic, through alleyways, under bridges, and meeting with people who live on the street. Most of us don’t think twice about it. Not once have I ever felt threatened while fulfilling our weekly mission. But, I know the dangers are apparent. This doesn’t bother me. There is a strong since of security with this activity.

Recently some folks in Raleigh NC who participate in a similar ministry to UBFM were threatened in a way that is quite disappointing. This has exposed a new danger to our mission. It is a case of injustice and a good example of how to approach it. It seems that a group of people who have been providing breakfast for the homeless community for nearly fifteen years were threatened with arrest by the local authorities. This is quite sad. I have yet to experience a threat of this nature but UBFM could potentially be faced with it some day. The group in NC has responded with a non-violent approach. They have rallied numbers of people to contact local congressmen, protesting against the law, which forbids them from feeding the poor. I do believe this is the best approach. If an arrest is appropriate to make a point, then so be it. Many non-violent activists have welcomed handcuffs to uncover injustice. However in memory of Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech (it was delivered 50 years ago today) here is a thought to be mindful of:

“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I believe that being a Christian is not supposed to be safe or comfortable. If it is, you might be missing something. When a person makes the commitment to follow Christ and forms a covenant with God, things are not suppose to get easy. Life becomes something else, a mission or a calling. The person’s gifts and talents become more relevant and unique. And if they are willing, God leads them to the places they can put their gifts to work. But, there is no guarantee it will be safe, especially when injustice is involved. One may, very well, feel threatened. Nevertheless, we do it for love. And I believe that love is God living through God’s people.

Peace be with you!

 http://rt.com/usa/north-carolina-police-arrest-homeless-019/

Baptism, Communion, and Mountain Biking

Baptism, Communion, and Mountain Biking

8-7-13

Recently one of my loyal UBFM associates came to me and asked if I would baptize him. Naturally, I affirmed but I have to say I was little shocked. Shocked primarily because I have never been approached with that question. This would actually my inaugural baptism. I’m not including those performed in seminary classes on my niece’s dolls. But since being ordained, this would be my foundational. At any rate, the associate told me that he was involved in church and believed in Christ; he’s already accepted Christ into his life. But there was never a baptism involved and it was something he truly wanted. My first thought was, “Well you’re a Christian; is it necessary?” After a quick thought, though, I recognized the significance in the ritual. It is the spiritual experience that allows the Christian to grow in faith. It is significant in the profession of faith and it makes the experience more memorable for the participant and those present. He told me he wanted it done outdoors, perhaps in a lake or a river. Here in Memphis we recognize and represent the Mississippi River quite well but many of us have a closer connection to the Wolf River. We spend a lot of time on the Wolf River trail system hiking, running, and biking. Many of us spend time at various locations around Shelby Farms. This is a large agriculture park beside the river. It is a place where local outdoor enthusiasts enjoy time off. It is something of a local refuge for.  

So, the Wolf River it is and I knew just the place. There is a small beach in between the river and the Wolf Trail, which is parallel to the river. It appeared to be the best location. Since many of the people present were cyclists (including the one being baptized) I decided to coordinate a trail ride following the sacrament. Speaking of sacrament, the baptism was taking place on the first Sunday of the month (many Christian traditions take communion on the first Sunday of the month) why don’t we break bread together as well? So, the first Baptism, Communion, and Mountain Bike Sunday was on the calendar.

A question that came to me while planning this was the baptism method. The person being baptized wanted to be submersed. In my Christian tradition, we are accustomed to sprinkling or pouring water over the person. The significance is a little dissimilar than submersion. Pouring signifies the “pouring of the Holy Spirit on to one’s life” or “the baptism of the Holy Spirit in one’s life”. Submersion has a very similar meaning but it signifies the “washing away of an old life and the putting on of a new one”. Regardless of the method, it is a witness of God’s initiative to claim a person in Christ, forgive their sins, grant them grace, shape and order their lives through the work of the Holy Spirit, and set them apart for service. This is all done with the element of water. And, the significance in this element makes it truly genuine.

Water is something we tend to take for granted. It is a very interesting element. The majority of the planet is made of water. The majority of the body is made of water. Not enough water can kill us but in certain situations too much can procure our lives as well. We consume water; most recipes contain it. It cleanses us. In some way or another we are surrounded by water. Water was one of God’s first creations. With that being said it is a work of art. God painted it into the world; God whispered it into existence.

During this sacrament I wanted to bring both traditions together by means of God’s artistic expression. I wanted to use water to celebrate and signify a person’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is said that words cannot express everything; it takes a work of art to project emotion. I can tell you a story but sometimes you just get it better through a song, poetry, or a painting.

And, that we did. The event was successful. A small group of family and friends walked down to the river, I presented a short homily, we witnessed a baptism, a communion service was presented, and then we went mountain biking. While witnessing the two sacraments there were two little girls running around playing in the water watching their daddy profess his faith in Christ. This enhanced the experience. Two of God’s little children celebrating and playing while a host of angles were doing the same. God’s presence was very apparent.

Peace

A God Story 7-4-13

A God Story

by: UBFM Member

Homeless. We indeed tend to attribute this word to our friends on the streets. The definition: without a home or permanent residence. Although most of our friends do not in fact have a permanent residence, nor your typical environment one might call a home, some of our friends prefer to be where they are. Homeless has been used in such a derogatory way; from the media, to the government, to local authorities, to individuals across the world. The stigma surrounding our friends over the years, have been about danger, crime, trash, and a waste to society. Our friends are human beings, men and women who are who they choose to be, who are where they want to be, who are where they think they ought to be, who are where they are for whatever reason. They have a name and a story. Don’t we all?

How do we define our homes? Is it by bricks, stone, or wood? Is there a kitchen or a bed? Is there a friend, a wife, a husband, children, or pets? Are you alone? If you were to take something out of the equation, would it shake your home? Would it tear it down altogether? I think we have all felt homeless at one point in our lives. We have built foundations and structures that have been demolished. How much would it take not to want to rebuild? How much would it take to just want to disappear? When that happens, at the end of the day, there isn’t anything that could ever tumble down again. Caring is just too much of a struggle, that you would rather go hungry. . Let’s face it, if you can’t get out of bed long enough, someone will eventually come and take that bed away.

The beauty of UBFM is that we make our friend’s home a little more welcoming. There is hope in friendship and a non-judgmental attitude. I believe we have the power to restore something in broken individuals, to at least share an inkling of security and trust, much of what our own homes are made of. Our burritos and our hands can create a foundation of faith for what has fallen victim to whatever misfortune, pain, or choice one has had to endure. We can't impose our own views of salvation on anyone. We can only teach, support, and love. We give them more opportunities, more choices. Then we love them regardless of the choices they make.

They are either strangers or friends. I don’t have a stamp with Homeless. engraved on it; it is not a title. But I do have my own Home-less scars, which fuels my compassion to make Memphis a more welcoming home for our friends.

UBFM has the potential to be a home. 

A God Story

Over the past couple of months that I have been riding with UBFM, I have encountered many new friends living on the streets of Memphis. My first connection was with a lady named Johnny May. She was hesitant at first when I approached her with a smile and a dinner proposal, but once the actual exchange of my hands being emptied and her hands being filled, the whole conversation changed; a warmer face appeared, softened by an inkling of trust and appreciation. One step further, when she realized there was no catch or long speech attached, she politely suggested, “A young lady shouldn’t be out here in this part of town alone. It’s dangerous.” I pointed to some other members riding with me that night, who were a little ways down the road, explaining that we all ride together. She retorted, “Well, you make sure they take care of you. God bless.”

Although short and sweet, this experience stays with me. When you care, a stranger can care right on back. I don’t know if Johnny May was homeless, but I do know she was alone and hungry. She didn’t know me, but that night she saw a young girl, riding a bike at ten o’clock at night, alone, on the streets of Memphis, caring that she was hungry.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. –Colossians 3:12

Last night, I met a new friend named Frank. He is a sixty-two-year-old veteran, taking care of his grandchildren, who are now grown. He was afraid to take anything from us at first because he has been arrested in the past for asking for food. When we assured him we wouldn’t let that happen, he happily took in some dinner and began to share with us a little about himself.

“We all slip and fall. And that’s okay, because at the end of the day, we are all just alright. God is good. We are alright.”

He went on to commend our bravery for being on the dangerous streets of Memphis, sharing God’s love with those less fortunate. We are all indeed the children of God, all loved equally. I hope I get to see Frank again. Frank reminded me of this literary gem from, The Prophet, that I have held close for a long time. It’s a small portion of the actual book, but grand in what UBFM stands for.

“You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.”

-A UBFM Member