Lawson Brown

My Heart is Full This Morning

July 17, 2011, was an important day for Northwest Regional Centre and for our community. Today I just have to talk about it and this is why you are receiving yet another edition of Lawson's Lantern in such a brief span of time.

I feel that there are at least four wins for us as a congregation in this event:

1. It was absolutely obvious that every person was happy to be there. All I saw was constant smiles and affirmations from people. Our children were safe and constantly engaged by the plethora of activities prepared for them.
2. Our main goal was achieved: we attracted hundreds of people from our community - mostly Tuscany and Bearspaw. It was very clear to me that our community was surprised by the beauty and organization of this event - that they felt treated - that a positive impression was left with many, many, community friends.
3. We celebrated God's creation and the Damkar family. I just know that Ernie and Iris, Norman and Ester, felt a deep sense of satisfaction seeing their land used in this way. People continually expressed breath taking awe about the setting, the weather, the raw beauty of where we were. I just felt like we experienced a foretaste of heaven yesterday.
4. We worked together like an ant colony. Forgive the humble illustration but when you think of it, an ant colony is an amazing operation. Everyone knew what they were doing and we worked happily together. No one will ever know the deep sense of satisfaction this has created for your staff. We long to see our congregation work together toward a common purpose. Folks - you did exactly that and we want so much to express deep gratitude to you.  It is likely that more than a hundred volunteers pulled together in the same direction, yesterday. I have such a strong, inner sense of approval from the Lord himself. I can't help but feel that he was so pleased, seeing his people working together in Jesus- community. I feel confident that something positive took place in the unseen, spiritual realm yesterday, because God's people worked together for his glory and his purpose.

On behalf of your staff, I say "thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Now I know many of you could not be there. I will try to create a picture for you, in words of what happened.

Imagine 30 acres of freshly cut prairie grass, sectioned off by a huge circle of bright red pylons. At the entrance, a police constable who expertly gave directions to a our yellow/orange colored vested parking attendants. Outside of that circle, hundreds of cars cruised about, eager to park and enter the little village of activity inside. Inside the circle, a massive carnival style tent stood as our home base. Four proudly flying Canadian flags cut into the Alberta blue sky above the shiny white pinnacles of the tent. To the west, God's amazing Rocky mountains, testifying to His constancy, His love for beauty, a sentinel for our awesome city. Where we were, the highest point facing west, the panoramic view was breath taking.

See Paul Brandt on the stage, impromptu, singing Alberta Bound, a signature piece of art and a tribute to his heritage and ours. See hundreds of children, swarming a variety of kids' games - a jumping air house, the Butterfield petting zoo, relay games, arts and crafts activities. Safe, wholesome fun for our children. Look to the west at that massive, 4000 square foot tent - side flaps removed. At one end of the tent, one of our small groups poured over two sweltering-hot grilles. They just went on and on and on, cranking out pancakes and sausages - under the hot sun. The piping hot food was gingerly couriered to the food line, just 20 feet away and inside the tent. And then see a small army of our ladies, smiles, giggles and peals of laughter constantly coming from inside that tent - they served up well over a thousand pancakes and sausages, dozens of freshly baked goodies, refreshing fruit. Under the massive ceiling of the tent, you would see many round tables - people enjoying their food and meeting new people. One table attracted lots of intrigue - sporting a dozen sumptuously prepared baking entries. 

At the other end of the tent, a large stage with microphones and sound equipment. Spilling out into the sun, hundreds of bales and chairs for our audience. Our own home grown CSC artists created a wonderful stampede country fair atmosphere. They were just awesome! Our MC made us laugh and applaud - he guided the morning along with obvious ease - he just made it fun.

You have noticed I haven't really mentioned names. I want to but I must not. There are simply too many for me to remember but I want you all to know, I am so very proud of you and so very grateful for you.

I will try to recount for you, some comments I received personally or heard of through others: "Pastor, this is absolutely amazing. Please thank your people for this incredible day!" 

"Oh yeh, you can see my house from here. See that house right over there? We saw all of this commotion and just had to come over. What is Northwest Regional Centre?" 

"Yeh, we live in Tuscany - our daughter knows about your church and she made us come. I'm so glad we did!" 

"We live less than a mile from here. We are from Mexico. Let me introduce you to my family."

"Pastor - people are saying this is the best stampede breakfast ever they attended!" "Tell me a bit about your church? Where do you guys meet?" 
"We're visiting from Europe and this is the family that brought us. They live just over here in Tuscany." 

"Pastor I am so disappointed. I heard Paul Brandt showed up and he did my favorite song! I had to slip away for a littIe and I missed him!"

"Me and my family are from Egypt and we've lived here a long time. We are so glad to meet you."

"I am an entrepreneur and live in Bearspaw. This is an amazing thing you guys are doing. I know some people that go to your church."

"I saw a sheep. And, and I saw a goat. And, and, and - I saw a PIG!"

"We saw the tent going up yesterday and your signs. We had to come."

Here's a cool one. One of our volunteers held a baby while its mom tried valiantly to pry away her boys from the craft table :o))

And then this wonderful email from a faithful friend: "Thank you for leading us in an act of faith by initiating this event. Directing traffic at the gate I heard many thank-yous from visitors like "this was the best stampede breakfast we've ever had!"

Well there you have it. Just a taste for you of three wonderful hours in the history of NorthWest Regional Centre.

I close with this. We want more quotes and little stories. Lots of them. And we want your feedback. Try to help us with that thought you had that started like this: "Wow, we should have done this - or, this could have been done better in this way." We want this feed back. Just reply to this email while you think of it.

In closing, many, many people ask - "how many people came today?" The answer is, I don't know. We need to count guests as they arrive, next time. But according to the number of plates that were distributed, I feel confident to say that around 1500 people attended.

The Burning Question

I want to be reflective for just a moment. The question could be asked: "What was done for eternity here? Did anyone pray to receive the Lord? Can we really justify this kind of expenditure and effort for something with no visible fruit?"

This is a worthy question and I want to address it, respectfully. Friends, reaching Canadians is not easy. We are an affluent nation - private - consumer-oriented. Can I share with you a perspective from my heart - having followed Jesus for many decades now. People, rich or poor, healthy or not, popular or lonely, successful or not - all of us have a deep need to belong. The need to belong is universal and is tap-rooted deep in our souls. Yesterday, was about offering people, a place to belong - and then, introduction to Jesus whose heart is big enough for the whole world to belong. We never know how powerful a simple invitation to an event like this can be, potentially, for someone. I am convinced that millions will be in heaven, simply because a follower of Jesus chose to invite a stranger to some kind of belonging place. Conversely, I shudder to think that there will be millions not in heaven because a follower of Jesus pushed them away, or caused them to feel that there wasn't room for them.

The vision of your staff for us as a community, is that we would simply be a tall glass of water for the thirsty, the weary, the broken, the lost. Please hear my heart - the NW Stampede Country Fair, was all about, that ...

In closing, there is something I know. Many of you could not come, but you prayed. Sincerely, I want to thank you.

I bless you all - and have an awesome summer.

Oh one more thing. I preach next Sunday and want that my heart be filled with God's thoughts for all who come. So can I ask again, pray for me?

Word Byte

Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.