I know you’re all wondering…How did it go? It was great! I picked up Bob – one of our volunteers, and we headed to Sox’s Place downtown. I was greeted by my fellow DB staff members that were already there, and Tammy who smiled from ear to ear. I chatted with a few other people I knew there, and we all gathered around a big silver feeding trough/tank. Doyle (Sox) welcomed everyone and spoke about Tammy and the other girl being baptized, Joy (a Sox’s place volunteer). There was also a little boy and girl there that were going to be dedicated to the Lord after the baptisms. While Doyle was speaking, the little boy kept playing in the water with his hands. And I loved this…Doyle reached down and patted him and kept on talking. There was no scolding, or looks shot at his mom to keep him out of the water. In my mind, that’s what would have happened at some of the churches I’ve been to. We treat the baptistry like it’s filled with Holy Water. It’s just water…there’s NOTHING magical or special about it. It’s what takes place in it that is magical and special. Joy was first, then Tammy, who had a few words to say. She told everyone that she was ready to live her life for Christ because He’s the ONLY one who has been there for her EVERYTIME she needed him. He was the ONLY one she knew she could depend on 100% of the time. Very true words indeed! I took before, during, and after pictures for her and I couldn’t stop smiling. I was energized and excited about this HUGE step for her! She was already a believer, but it was incredible to be a witness of her public faith confession and act of obedience. I love that girl! I’ll tell her Congratulations for you Patrick, and pass on the rest of your message as well. There was a cloud of witnesses rejoicing in heaven along with those of us rejoicing in a downtown warehouse turned “home away from the streets”. Special thanks to Doyle (Sox) for loving the streetkids and for being a witness in Tammy’s life. Glad he’s my brother in Christ!
Speaking of brothers…we had a great time this weekend with Adam and Luke. Without sounding too mushy gushy…I LOVE THESE GUYS! I can’t express in words how much Adam means to me – though you know I’ve tried. I love him as my brother, and as much as I love my real brothers. I’m so glad that he shared his brother with us! Luke is awesome. We all had such a good time. For Zoe it was love at first sight. She took one look at Luke and got all giggly! LOL I loved the way the guys played with our kids, and they laughed at the way WE play with our kids…sword fights, wrestling and smackdowns…you know – the usual. We had 4 days to play and the guys had the opportunity to “live Dry Bones” for awhile. They both told me they came away from it changed. Benny took them on a turf tour downtown, they went to pool night and the feeding afterward, attended a party for Don, our friend who is a former streetkid and who recently got a job, and spent part of Easter Sunday with Tammy and Bob, our friends Corey and Tricia, and our family. We also drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday to play tourist. It was beautiful and COLD. The temp dropped to 32 degrees and it started snowing. We teased Adam and Luke because they had worn shorts. (Southerners! -insert eye rolling and a giggle here) Seriously, they said it wasn’t too bad. We took some pictures and climbed on big rocks, and ate a snack on the side of the road. It was one of many little adventures we experienced with the guys.
Back to Easter Sunday…
I was able to catch the tail end of Michael’s lesson after arriving late with my new sister in Christ. Even the little bit I heard really touched me. I’ll be getting the CD to hear the rest, and I know I’ll be blogging about it next week sometime.
I knew the first time I heard the stories about Mary and Martha that I was Martha. She has “Niki Nowell” written all over her – in both stories I’m going to mention. First of all, she was only trying to be a good hostess…to her great loss, she got so caught up in her chores and providing a feast that she missed out on the best thing of the day. Jesus told her Mary made the better choice. So as I was scurrying around my kitchen yesterday, I was able to remind myself to be a bit of BOTH sisters. It was MY house and MY responsibility to provide a good meal for my guests, but there was no way I was going to miss out on great fellowship with those people I love so dearly. I also made a mental note of what Jesus did not say to Martha – “Since you’re so busy worrying and scurrying in there, and not burning food is more important than listening to what I have to say in here, I’ve decided I love Mary the best. You just take yourself back in that kitchen and I’ll deal with you later”. Nope, instead of harshly rebuking her, he says, “My dear Martha”…ahhh a term of endearment – “you’re worried about the wrong things and I can’t make Mary worry about them too. She has made the right choice, and I won’t take that away”. What was poor Martha to do? She’s just been embarrassed (the real word is convicted) by the Lord and she’s knows He’s right…but there’s still a meal to prepare…and somebody has to prepare it…
I tried to cook what everyone liked, and we were all stuffed by the end. We just lazed around the livingroom and talked, read the newspaper, and enjoyed each other’s company. It was relaxing and comfortable – the way holidays (and Holy Days) are supposed to be…RESTful. I fought Satan all weekend, so I needed the rest…and the good company. He kept whispering to me about what a bad hostess I was, though I know that’s not true. I kept praying, and he finally left me alone. Benny was reassuring to me and I’m sure he prayed for me as well.
My brain never stops even when my mouth does, so while I was listening to everyone talk, I was thinking about and processing the word “Resurrection”. Someone had once told me that there was only one man who came back from the dead (he meant Jesus), and I gladly pointed out his error and gave him the other examples of people being resurrected in scripture – like the good little pharisee I was. Yesterday my mind was on Lazarus…probably because I already had Martha on the brain.
Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. They knew Jesus could heal him – they believed He would. When Jesus finally shows up, Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days. Someone tells Martha that Jesus is coming and she doesn’t hesitate…she goes to meet him (Does anyone else think it’s strange that Mary didn’t join her?) Unlike her sister, Martha meets Jesus toe to toe. Mary later falls to his feet, though she says basically the same thing to Jesus, “Where have you been? If you’d have come when we sent for you – my brother would still be alive”. She also says, “But even now I know God will give you anything you ask for”. Interesting…has she just told Jesus that she wants him to bring back Lazarus from the dead? Not long after, Jesus weeps – for Lazarus? I don’t think so. I think he wept for Martha and Mary…these two women he loved so much and who loved him. They had the kind of relationship that Martha could meet him face to face, look into his eyes and present her questions with irritation mixed with grief and frustration. She was not disrespectful, but she was REAL.
I refuse to think of Martha as the “bad” sister, or the one who was in the wrong. Mary and Martha were very different people. But Jesus loved them both. I don’t think he expected Martha to be Mary. They each had their roles to play in life. Martha was the one who spoke her mind. Mary was the one who was passionate and dramatic. (Remember she later pours perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair) Jesus loved both of these women, and I know He loves me…a woman a little more after Martha’s heart than Mary’s. A lot more than Lazarus was resurrected that day! Tammy was not the only thing resurrected yesterday. I said in my last post that yesterday – Easter – was about new beginnings. It sure was! We celebrated new friends, new hopes and dreams, and new courage to be REAL! All of it was possible because of an empty tomb.
Thank you God for resurrection – may we all experience it through YOU every day! Love, Martha…I mean Niki.
When you say…
***I refuse to think of Martha as the “bad” sister, or the one who was in the wrong. Mary and Martha were very different people. But Jesus loved them both. I don’t think he expected Martha to be Mary. They each had their roles to play in life.***
You are so right!
We humans, even the Christian-type, have for far too long practiced unrestrained procrusteanism—you gotta’ have real big dictionary to find that there word.
The wordsmiths tell us that a person who is inclined towards procrustean practices is one who is all about enforcing conformity. This is done by using any and all means, including violence. (So much could be said here; but, I will show restraint.) One way this has been done in the past is by the violence done to one of the main Mary-Martha passages, Luke 10:38-42. Jesus’ words related only to the moment, not the whole of either person’s life. No one ever makes the best choice all the time. More importantly, we all have different gifts, according to the grace given each of us! Praise God!
Thank you, dear sister, for standing up for Martha—for being a Martha! Besides, when it comes to choosing what is better, I’m thinking that Tammy would say you’ve been making some wise choices lately. Give her a big hug from the other BW and let her know that I said welcome to the family!
BTW: our Sunday morning here on the east coast was capped off with a glorious baptismal experience, as well. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for allowing us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection!
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Please give my congratulations to *Tammy*, too! Praise God for new beginnings!
Mary/Martha are our next topic at Bible study (at work)–and I agree with you totally–actually–I think I may need to make a few notes from your words here!
From my blog–yes–we all “believe” in something–atheists believe in themselves or something else–but they do have faith–just not the kind that honors God!
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Give a big shout out to my new sister Tammy! Praise Jesus! I also want to say, I agree with BW that it was a particular instance. And I know in my spirit when I’m in those situations where I’m keeping myself busy to keep from sitting at Jesus’ feet. But I also know that the same Jesus said, “And if when you take your offering and realize you have something against you brother, go and fix that first and then come back.” If I’m not fulfilling my duties and my relationships to my fellow humans, I’m missing the point too. The Proverbs 31 lady was a hard worker and was praised for it. I think it’s been uplifting for me this week to read John 15 where Jesus calls us friends! We are Jesus’ friends! Which means he wants us to be our real selves. You and I are friends and sometimes that means sitting on your couch drinking chai, and sometimes that means I wash dishes while you fold laundry, and both situations are equally friendship in my eyes. In fact, I feel more special because you’re willing to do chores with me there instead of just entertain me. Of course, there’s not much doing chores in my presence or entertaining me these days. (sniff)
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I miss you too jhart!
bw & JB: I had to blog the Martha stuff – it was dying to come out! I’ve heard so many lessons that focus on what Martha did that was wrong and didn’t do that was right. I think we need to give the poor woman a break and look at the whole relationship she and her family had with Jesus. He was filled wth compassion many times, but scriptre doesn’t tell us he was prone to weeping too often. That says a lot. And she was close enough to him to be able to say to him, “Don’t you care that I’m doing all the work here? Tell her to help me!” They were CLOSE! You don’t just talk to your guests like that, unless they’re family or practically like family. 😉 Love her!!!
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Yep, I think we need to give her a break, too–do you think part of the story was a woman was getting to listen to His teaching?
I think over-all, he’s telling us we need to be balanced!
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Niki, I had such an incredible time in Denver and meeting the even more incredible Nowell family. Thanks again for everything, and I look forward to the next crossing of paths. And by the way…I’m just now catching on to your sneakiness of the sweet potato pie, and yes — it was just like home cooking. The whole time there was like being home.
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Thank you Luke. We were so glad to have you here! You’re welcome any time!
JB – Definitely! Jesus did more for Women’s rights than anyone before Him. He was surrounded by women, even though most of the stories we repeat were about his male friends. That was the culture. I love to think about this family that he loved and spent time with. The everyday stuff, like…did Martha ever spill anything on him while she was serving the meal? What was it about his relationship with Mary that prompted the act of devotion and love of the perfume incident? What did He and Lazarus joke about? He loved Lazarus and you know they had to laugh a lot – I don’t see Jesus as this solemn, silent figure. There are 3 different visits with this family recorded in scripture…that’s more than any other family. Those three years of his “hands on” ministry were busy, but he made the time for 3 seperate visits. There’s so much more to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus than we think about. We need to keep thinking past the “Mary made the better choice” comment… I have more on this topic if you’re interested. 😉
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