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Tag Archives: The Greatest Commandment

A Table of Hope

04 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by Kelly Johnson in Brave, Faith, Grace, Justice, The Glorious Table, The Lamb Center

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Table, The Glorious Table, The Greatest Commandment, The Lamb Center

gttableofhopeEvery Tuesday afternoon as we finish the mid-afternoon prayer, Dave invites everyone within hearing range to gather for afternoon Bible study at the twenty-foot table in the center of the room.

“It is a very exclusive table,” he says each time. “Only sinners allowed!”

The Lamb Center, a day shelter for homeless and poor individuals, recently moved to a bigger, better-equipped building. Three times the size of the old building, the new space enables us to serve our guests in a number of new ways. In spite of the improvements, though, the heart of what transpires continues to happen around the old table in the center of the room, the only piece of furniture that made the move from the old building to the new. Built lovingly by a volunteer who has since passed away, the table was created especially for The Lamb Center. Staff, volunteers, and guests couldn’t imagine a Lamb Center without this table–a symbol of hope, healing, and transformation for so many.

I understand the attachment to this special table. I too have sensed God’s presence there and have been repeatedly moved by the vulnerability, compassion, and hope I have experienced within this community during the years I have been leading Tuesday afternoon Bible study. If I know anything at all about the kingdom of God, I’ve learned it at this table.

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome at The Lamb Center table. Whether sharing a meal, gathering for Bible study, or engaging in conversation during the hours in between, there are no requirements for a seat at the table except a willingness to pull up a chair. This is a place of radical hospitality. Whether guest, staff, or volunteer, we are all invited to come as we are. We can show up hungry, show up confused, show up with a smile, or show up with tears in our eyes. We can show up in our finest clothes or show up in our last filthy shirt. We can share our perspectives or sit quietly and listen. The table is a safe place, and we are all there by God’s invitation. My friend Dave often says to those who hesitate at the edge of our circle, “We won’t be complete without you.” At the table and in the kingdom, we are loved, our stories are valued, and our presence matters.

People are messy

The Lamb Center table is raw, honest, and real. Life is hard, and many of our guests are living in difficult circumstances. My friends at The Lamb Center are under no misconceptions that they have their lives under control. The pride and self-sufficiency which plague many of us with comfortable homes and money in the bank has long since been left behind by my friends who sleep in the woods. They know they need help because the situations in which they find themselves leave them no alternative. Around this holy table, masks of invincibility have no place. We laugh a great deal…

Continue reading the rest of this post at The Glorious Table

GTButton

This week marks the one year anniversary of The Glorious Table, a contributor blog where “life is shared and grace is poured out.” I am honored and humbled to be a part of this community of brave writers. If you aren’t already, please visit The Glorious Table and sign up to receive our posts in your Inbox. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Glorious Table!!

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Perfect Love: The Antidote to Fear?

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by Kelly Johnson in #LiveFree Thursday, Brave, Scripture, The Lamb Center

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1 John 4, anxiety, bravery, community, fear, The Greatest Commandment

perfectlove“What does it mean when it says perfect love drives out fear?”

I asked this question to the thoughtful group of bible study participants as we gathered around the table at the Lamb Center on Tuesday afternoon. We were studying some of the many places in scripture which talk about fear and courage. At this point in our discussion, we had landed in 1 John, Chapter 4, verse 18.

Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.

It was an active group and many around the table had offered insights and stories about their own journey with fear and their attempts at bravery. When I asked this question about perfect love driving out fear, one of the newer ladies to our company shared these thoughts:

“I was so scared. I had gotten sick and lost everything. I ended up in the hospital and when it was time to leave, I didn’t have anywhere to go. One of the people at the hospital told me about the Lamb Center. When I came here, people were so nice. Everyone showed me the love of God. The more I felt the love of God through the people here, the less afraid I felt. I didn’t feel alone anymore. Experiencing God’s love through this place drove out my fear. That’s what it means when it says perfect love drives out fear.”

As we continued our discussion, she shared another example; Continue reading →

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Our Legacy

11 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by Kelly Johnson in Faith, Grace, People I Admire, Scripture

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Legacy, The Greatest Commandment

loveI went to a funeral on Saturday.  The lady whose life we were celebrating died on All Saints Day, a fact that did not go unnoticed by those in attendance.  The church was full, a testament to the many, many people who loved her.  I am hopeful that her husband of 62 years and her 3 sons were comforted by the number of people who wanted to be there to say “we loved her too.”  Her life told a very good story and her story changed each of us who had the privilege of knowing her.

I knew her because she and her husband were long time volunteers at the Lamb Center.  She liked to tell jokes and she had a joyous sparkle in her eye that you could see from across the room.  She was funny and kind and full of life.  While I didn’t know her well, the stories shared by her family and friends were consistent with what I had experienced in the relatively short time I had known her.  The most beautiful epitaph shared on Saturday was this: “Her ministry was love.  And she poured out love everywhere she went.”  I saw her ministry of love in action and I’m grateful that a little of that splashed on me.  When I grow up, I want to be just like her.

As I have shared already, one of the speakers at the conference last week suggested that we would benefit from asking ourselves “How do I want to be remembered?”  Going to a memorial service is a great reminder of this truth.  If I want to live an intentional life of focus, as opposed to the drifting life of reaction, I must choose the direction that I am going.  Understanding that I am a work in progress, I still need to figure out where I am headed.  How do I want to be described by my friends and family at my funeral?  What words would I hope would be carefully chosen to describe the impact my story had on those I love?

I like the idea of someone describing me by saying “her ministry was love.”  That inspires me and gives me focus as I choose how to spend my time and energy.  A worthy goal, an admirable aspiration, a target for which to shoot.  And it fits with what Jesus told the man who asked Him to simplify all the commandments.  In a word, He said, “Love.”  Not always easy, but very simple.  I like simple.

What would you like for people to say about you at your funeral?

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