It’s been long, busy days around Imago Dei these past few weeks. We’ve moved into a new building. God miraculously provided us a building exchange with another congregation, and He is providing everything along the way. We had no idea how we could even afford to put signs up around the place, but a gracious man from our community, who owns a sign company, just donated 100 signs.
The main sign went up on a busy intersection, in the heart of the city, just four blocks from our first offices on 8th and Burnside. After years of being nomadic, God brought us back to the heart of the city, in a building that we could not afford to buy but are leasing for the same cost as the school where we have been meeting. This entire blessing comes amidst a budget shortfall that is at a critical place. When the blessing of God and reality of crisis are enough to fracture your psyche. It is here in the midst of all of this that our staff and countless volunteers have worked tirelessly to make this huge move into our new home happen.
You believe that God is in it, with you and calling you but you fear that you may just be fooling yourself. Around that fire, Eric and I talked of the reality of walking by faith and leading a community that is not a business but a family of people. What matters to us? Relationships or budgets? The walk of faith or foresight and control?
The fact that we have gotten this far is a miracle in and of itself. There is something symbolic for us that a community, started in my living room would be graced by God to have a sign in the middle of the city as we seek to be an outpost for the Kingdom of God.
But, sitting around that fire, we were tired. Celebrating and thankful but just really tired. It was there, caught in a contemplative paradox, that a stranger walked up to our fire. He was probably in his late twenties early thirties holding his IPA and a pack of American Spirits. He asked us for a light and sat down. He told us that he was a vendor at concerts and festivals and liked to tell jokes and poems to strangers. We smiled and tried to be polite but were tired and inwardly rolling our eyes back into our heads. Really? Jokes and Poems? He asked if he could tell us a joke or a poem. Eric picked “joke” because we needed the laugh. The jokes were horrible. I chose poem just to get him to quit telling jokes. He asked who my favorite poet was and I told him Wendell Berry, an incredible writer, subversive Christians and sustainable farmers. I thought he wouldn’t know who Wendell Berry was and Eric and I could get back to our conversation.
By Wendell Berry
Love the quick profit, the annual raise, and vacation with pay.
Want more of everything made.
Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery any more.
Your mind will be punched in a card and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something they will call you.
When they want you to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute.
Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace the flag.
Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot understand.
Praise ignorance,
For what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium.
Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant,
That you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus that will build under the trees
Every thousand years.
Listen to carrion–put your ear close,
And hear the faint chattering of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world.
Laugh. Laughter is immeasurable.
Be joyful though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap for power,
Please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head in her lap.
Swear allegiance to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and politicos can predict the motions
Of your mind, lose it.
Leave it as a sign to mark the false trail, the way you didn’t go.
Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary,
Some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.
Jesus knew we needed Wendell Berry to remind us that doing it the right way, waiting on God and practicing resurrection is at the core of this journey that Jesus has us on. He may have been a wandering stranger or an angel who liked IPA and cigarettes but for us it was a gracious reminder that God is here, with us and for us and that we have to stay on this journey of faith regardless of how we may tire from it.
As we walked up the hill, past a trophy shop, a strip club and a hardware store, the sun literally broke through the clouds and shined on a massive sign that said Imago Dei Community. Our little symbol that God is our living and resurrected God who has placed us in the middle of the city to practice resurrection. Follow Jesus regardless of how hard the journey is, never resign yourself to worldly tactics and never stop believing that our God reigns.
When I got home that night, I parked the car in my driveway and walked up the front steps of my house. I looked down and saw a book sitting by the front door. It was Weddell Berry’s The Hidden Wound. I had ordered it on Amazon awhile back and it showed up today of all days.
In the midst of the mighty acts of God’s blessing, He still shows up in the simple but profound faith building acts of kindness. A great friend, a free sign, a stranger, a poem, and a book on my front porch.
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June 26th, 2010at 3:55 pm(#)
Wow, really encouraging Rick. Thanks for sharing – what a gift that stranger turned out to be.
June 27th, 2010at 1:44 am(#)
Rick,
I am encouraged by your words and more importantly the fact that we are entertaining angels unawares. I love how God works. Thank you for sharing.
June 27th, 2010at 8:15 am(#)
Rick,
Going back to that Poet/Joker dude….do you remember him saying anything about me……my situation….that Jesus was checking out some of my new ideas? Maybe this was more about you and Imago and nothing about me on this one?? Are you sure my name was not mentioned?
Jim
Seriously ….so very cool!
June 27th, 2010at 5:00 pm(#)
[...] Imago Dei [...]
June 28th, 2010at 4:26 pm(#)
I loved this when you shared it and I loved reading it again.
June 28th, 2010at 8:19 pm(#)
Nah I’m pretty sure he mentioned my name…maybe that will be in the next blog post. ;o)
Thanks for posting this! It was really encouraging.
June 30th, 2010at 5:29 am(#)
Thanks for sharing this! Very encouraging to hear how God is smiling on you and by proxy all of us.
July 3rd, 2010at 9:00 am(#)
[...] Avenue. You can read the story behind the move at Imago’s website, or Pastor Rick’s crazy/amazing story on his blog. It’s been a sentimental departure from Franklin High, the place where Imago grew [...]
July 4th, 2010at 4:20 pm(#)
I was in the Portland area house-sitting for my Aunt and Uncle and came to visit your Church on this particular Sunday and I was so glad I did. Not only was I blessed by your sermon but I really felt your Church is exactly where God wants you: where the needs are the greatest. And to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a city that tugged at my heart strings as much as Portland. Having been born and raised in Oregon, though currently living in Florida, God calls me back, and when I get there I plan to plant myself in the heart of that city, believing God has a plan for me there.
Anyway, I will definitely remember to pray for the current needs of your Church; God is faithful. He will come through:) Oh, and thanks too for introducing me to Wendell Berry. Simply amazing.
July 12th, 2010at 3:55 am(#)
To you all, I’m a stranger, but I need to ask a question even though I’m pretty sure I know the answer. Here I am in Jacksonville, FL, and my youngest daughter is in Portland, OR. She visited your church at least once before you moved, as it was recommended to her by our dear friend and sister in Christ, Eileen Kampfe. When I heard the name, Imago Dei, it struck a chord but I couldn’t remember why. A few years ago, I read Blue Like Jazz, and loved it! I actually sent it to my daughter last month, but don’t know if she’s started it or even plans to. Today, I believe the Lord jogged my memory. Are you the Imago Dei community that I read about in Blue Like Jazz? I do hope so!! I’m going to be visiting my daughter (Donna) in about ten days and will be bringing her 9 yr old son, Skye, with me. His 10th birthday is July 22, so we’re planning to celebrate together and “see the sites.” She hasn’t seen him since May and will probably not have another opportunity until Christmas vacation. It’s a long story, but we know she’s where she needs to be, as no one but God Himself could have orchestrated such a plan. Not in our wildest dreams would we ever have expected such a gift, nor could have believed how it came about, had it not happened before our very eyes! But all that to say, please confirm to me if you are, in fact, the Imago Dei Community I read about. I will make every effort to visit when I’m in Portland, and share more about the miracle we’re experiencing.
Because of and for the sake of His Gospel, Sharon Woods
July 15th, 2010at 7:06 pm(#)
Such a fantastic poem. God’s gifts do come in mysterious packages. I had a similar surprise last week, talking to a homeless man who encouraged me by praying for me and his example of faith in a God who provides.
July 22nd, 2010at 9:16 pm(#)
Thanks for the comments everyone. Sharon, yes we are that imago dei, also Eileen is a great friend, I met your daughter when she was there with Dave. Excited to see what God does.
June 24th, 2011at 9:53 am(#)
Hello! It is a nice day,have a good weekend!