Reflections

Monday's Inspiration--Don and Sheri Deluzio (part 2)

" He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" --Malachi  4:5,6

Don shared this verse with me during our interview. It is a promise that he and Sheri have been clinging to and believing God for.

Recently, Victor Thomas finished serving his time and was released from prison. Naturally, his first desire was to re-connect with his children and to set about the process of re-building his life. However, accomplishing that goal wouldn't be as easy as it may first appear.

Before Natalie Thomas passed away, she carefully set up her trust and guardianship for the children. She entrusted their care to the Deluzio's and set up guidelines as to how their father could re-enter the children's lives.

As you can imagine the legal, ethical, and spiritual issues would make anyone's head spin. Victor's release from prison would create one more opportunity for the Deluzio's to "lean into God" and express dependency on Him.

I'd like to say it's all worked out to this day, but this one is still in process. The good news is that real progress being made. Don has earned Victor's trust, is helping him spiritually, and working with him to rebuild his relationship with the kids.

As Don and I wrapped up our conversation we spent some time praying together. I remembered the verse "this is pure and undefiled religion, to take care of widows and orphans..." (James 1:27). And I remembered how God describes Himself as "a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:5).

I felt like I had just experienced a piece of God's heart. Don was extremely humble--almost surprised that I would want to feature his story. From his perspective he and Sheri are merely doing what they believe God would have them do. But I saw a glimpse of the heart of God living in and through their Christ-like response of love, compassion, friendship, sacrifice, and faith. This is pure and undefiled religion indeed.

Monday's Inspiration: Don and Sheri Deluzio

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came and visited me."  --Matthew 25:35,36

Don and Sheri would run into Natalie Thomas while attending children's basketball games and school functions at The First Academy. They had become familiar with the tragedy that Natalie was going through and wanted to reach out to her.

In 1999, Natalie's husband, Orange County Deputy Captain Victor Thomas, was sentenced to seven years in prison for trafficking stolen goods and what he thought was cocaine.

But this was not the only heartbreak she was facing. Just prior to her husband's sentencing she learned that she had stage-4 breast cancer. This single-mother of five not only had to deal with the bewilderment of her husband's betrayals, she would also battle late-stage cancer alone.

In an interview with WESH TV --the NBC affiliate in Orlando, she shared publicly for the first time about her struggle:

"I was angry. I was afraid. I didn't know how I would raise five children, and my children were very young, they still are young. I didn't know how I would do all of that alone," she said.

In my interview with Don, he described how he and Sheri would reach out like so many others from their church 1st Baptist Church of Orlando. They would ask Natalie, "How do you make it?" Natalie spoke with appreciation about how people regularly offered their help and support; but Don and Sheri sensed she was not letting on to how bad it was.

Jesus taught us that the very essence of being His followers means demonstrating love for our neighbors. When confronted with pain and suffering--love seeks remedy. Love goes into action.

So, when Natalie eventually confided in Don and Sheri that she was about to lose her home--they responded with love. They decided to start paying the mortgage.

In 2005 Natalie appeared to be winning her battle with cancer. She had just finished writing a book about her story, "No More Than I Can Bear". As she got physically stronger, Don invited her to come work for his company Trinity Tile. Three months later the cancer came back aggressively and got into her liver.

Natalie turned to the Deluzio's once again and set about the frightening task of finalizing the plans for her children's future.

Don and Sheri had no doubt what God was calling them to do and assured their friend, "The kids will always have a place with us." As trustee and appointed guardians, they promised to protect and raise the children according to her wishes.

When I asked Don about this decision he told me, "We just knew it was the right thing to do. It was the thing God had in mind for us. God was just showing us a piece of His heart. God did this."

In the Bible Paul writes, "Who is adequate for these things?" On January 19, 2006 Don and Sheri were responsible for their four children (Alexa, Ben, Brynna, and Joe). On January 20, 2006 they added five more (Krystal, Loren, Erika, Vic, and Kelli).

Our inadequacy is God's way of creating dependence upon Him. Don and Sheri have repeatedly seen God's hand as they have stepped through their thresholds of fear. As Don described it, "Each day is an exercise of dependence on the mercy and sovereignty of God. Each day is something new."

The challenges are immense. First is giving everyone some space in the home. Then there is the challenge of the daily routines of meals, shopping, cleaning, home work, and the need to drive two cars to all-family events. Sheri has the daunting task of coordinating 9 kids schedules, events, activities, and commitments.

But these are only the physical challenges they face. There are the challenges of cultural differences. There are the challenges of emotional and spiritual needs of the grieving kids. There are the challenges of helping their own kids with the sacrifices involved with adding five more to the family.

In their inadequacy they have also seen how God had graciously prepared them for this moment. In Sheri's case, God made her to be a well-organized, sacrificial, and compassionate care-giver.

In Don's case, God prepared him to uniquely relate to part of what the Thomas kids were going through. When Don was 7 years old his dad went to prison for three years. Two years later, when Don was 12, his dad died of cancer. Don has repeatedly drawn from these experience in counseling, mentoring, and loving the Thomas children.

What happens next in their story is one more opportunity to see God's hand at work and is the topic for next week's post...

Monday's Inspiration: "Mamaw and Papaw"

Our kids were given a gift that will only grow more precious to them as the years go on.

"Mamaw and Papaw" wrote the book on grandparenting. Our children still remember how their excitement and anticipation would build knowing that Mamaw and Papaw were coming to visit. Minutes seemed like hours as the kids awaited their arrival. When they finally pulled into the drive it was like the start of the Kentucky Derby. The kids burst out of the door, raced to Mamaw and Papaw, and the celebration was on!

Of course there were all those gifts that grandparents are famous for. But, it was much, much more. Mamaw and Papaw became part of their lives. They gave far more than gifts, clothes, toys, fun activities, parties...They gave something money cannot buy. They gave something that kids soak up like a sponge and can't get enough of. They gave love. They gave the gift of presence.

In 2002 and 2003, over a short 18 month period, we sadly watched Mamaw and Papaw both succumb to cancer. It's been nearly 4 years since Papaw died and almost 6 for Mamaw. While we miss them terribly, their legacy of love still lives on.

In December 2003, it was clear that Papaw would soon pass away. We loaded up the family to visit him one final time and to say good-bye. Man was that hard. But it was also precious. He told the kids about his faith and how he was not afraid of dying. He spoke of heaven and wondered what it would be like. He told the children that he and Mamaw had given them their love and that they will always have that with them. He told them he was now going to heaven to be with Jesus and to be reunited with Mamaw. He encouraged the kids to take that love and to pass it along to others as well.

His life taught us how to live and love. His death taught us how to believe and hope.

Jack and Alberta Wallace lived their lives in service to God and Country. As a young man Jack joined the Navy and while stationed in San Diego, California came to faith in Jesus Christ through a new ministry founded by Dawson Trotman called "The Navigators." After serving four years, Jack and Alberta set out for Seminary. God led him back into the military where Jack served as a chaplain in the US Army, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He then served 12 more years as a United Methodist pastor and dedicated husband, father, and Papaw. And Alberta served as the ever-loving wife, mother, and Mamaw.

The Scriptures say, "And now dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died, so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." (I Thes. 4:3 NLT). Moments of grief still come rolling into our lives from time to time. In those moments I personally reflect on how much richer my life has become and the many lessons about faith, patience, family, and love. And I think about the importance of presence. While we miss them terribly today, as believers we have the great hope of being reunited with them in heaven.

So, for now it is a time of remembrance. But, it's also a time of anticipation. It's waiting by the front door for what seems like forever...

But, one day, the build up of excitement will burst forth in that blessed moment when our hope is realized.

The gift of their presence will be restored and the celebration will be in full swing.

What a celebration that will be.

Stephanie with Papaw, Michael with Mamaw, Kimberly with Papaw, Katie with Mamaw

Monday's Inspiration: "Anthony 's Friends"

"God never calls me to do great things. He calls me to do small things with great love." --Mother Theresa

Last "Monday's Inspiration" I featured Anthony Hodge--one of my co-workers at Spraggins Builder Services. (Since then Ann left a comment with a link to a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel about Anthony. Thanks Ann!)

The day my wife and I first interviewed Anthony, we were at a church in the area where he conducts his Lost Sheep Street Ministry. This gave us a chance to get a first-hand look into his world and heart. Here's the story...

A lady in the neighborhood asked Anthony to come see the physical condition her church building was in. As they opened the front door the bottom half fell off! It bothered Anthony that "God's house was is such bad shape": so Anthony sprung into action.

He began donating his time on weekends to work on what the old building needed but saw that this was a huge project. So he turned to some Christian business leaders help. He first approached John Thurmon of Westbrook Service Corporation, who donated and installed a new AC unit for the building.

He later approached Michael Tremain (MT), CEO and part-owner of our company. (MT's story will be featured at some point in this blog as someone constantly reaching out to make a difference.) After hearing about this need, MT came to his management team and suggested we take a day for team-building and help work on the church.

One of our guys, Matt Hamel, has really given himself to the success of this project. Matt is a great leader and knows his way around a construction site. Under his leadership this little church received quite a face-lift. New doors, new bathrooms, new carpet and tile, new trim work, new windows, new paint inside and out, new pavers and landscaping. The "one-day" project turned into almost 2 weeks of oversight and work for Matt.

Matt Hamel at the Job Site

As the project grew in scope, more and more people got involved. Various businesses donated material. Ray Dye, who works for one of our clients, donated his time and equipment to handle the painting of the church.

In the end, Matt hit his deadline; the face-lift was completed for yesterday's church service! I have a photo set of the project in my flickr photos if you want to check it out.

Reflections: I've noticed a common theme since starting my blog has been this sense of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of "need" in this world. I mentioned compassion fatigue in my first entry. I've begun to get educated about the AIDS pandemic in Africa. I shared about the work of IJM in bringin justice for the oppressed peoples of the world. Today, I read an excellent post on JR Woodward's blog where he expresses a "holy discontentment" as he longs for more of these sorts of needs to be met.

What I like about Anthony is that he embodies the quote above. His work is not glamorous nor is it large in scope. But, I see in him a willingness to do something about the needs God brings his way. He steps out to do the small things with great love. I see that in John. I see that in MT. I see that in Matt. I see that in Ray. I see that in the many people that stepped up to get this project done.

Isaac Hunter gave a brilliant message this weekend about faithfully loving those God brings into our path. He is doing a series on holiness--which he says is best understood as becoming more and more like Jesus. He shared that God does not call us to be important--He calls us to be helpful and to love. Importance, significance, recognition are fleeting badges of honor. What matters is the many little and small decisions we do in great love.

Perhaps the antidote to "compassion fatigue" is to consistently do what I can with the opportunities God brings into my life. To do lots of little things with great love.

Monday's Inspiration

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." Philippians 3:17 (NIV).

God knows that part of our learning comes when we notice the stories of others and allow ourselves to be inspired by them. God has often used people's example to rouse my heart in my journey of following Christ.

I had the privilege of helping to lead a church planting movement from 1989 to 2004. Reflecting on those years, a big part of how God used me was to help awaken His people's faith to believe that God could use them and to have the courage to step out and trust him to work. A friend of mine JR Woodward calls this particular ministry being a "Dream Awakener".

In 2005, I moved to the marketplace--from being a "full time" Christian worker. (I still consider myself "full time"--I just get a paycheck from a different source!) On this side of the fence, my old instincts are kicking in. I have met many "marketplace Christians" these past 2 years. I have been inspired by their stories of how they are being used of by God. But, I also see such a need. While some are stepping out to serve God; many others, for a variety of reasons, are struggling to find their way. I believe the church remains a vast untapped reservoir of potential.

I sense God's tug on my heart to look for ways to release that potential. One idea I have is to draw upon my ministry and my marketplace experience to help bridge the gap.

As part of a research project, I plan on taking some time each month to interview people that God is using and to feature their stories in my blog. Each story will touch different people in differnt ways. For myself, I hope to learn how to see the vast reservoir of potential be fully released in the power of God.

My first entry is about a man who works for our company Spraggins Builder Services. See May 14, 2007 or the "Inspirational Stories" category for the post.

Anthony Hodge

“I was in formation in the prison yard. As I walked, I looked up and saw the barbed wire fences. I noticed the guard-towers and the guards with their high-powered rifles. I knew I was in prison. But, it was the most free I had ever felt in my life.”

Addiction to crack cocaine. Anger. Resentment. These were Anthony’s real prison. But, while serving a 35 year sentence for dealing drugs, God set him free.

Anthony believed he would die in prison. He described the challenges that prisoners face in trying to to avoid being noticed or singled out. He feared being killed. Or he believed that in order to survive he would eventually need to kill—which would extend his sentence to life. Either way, it looked to him like his life would end within those prison walls.

God had different plans. “Having tried everything else” he decided to ask to be moved to the Christian dorm within the prison. It was there that God was preparing to teach him about forgiveness; the need be forgiven and the need to forgive.

All prisoners expect to be tested by someone at some point of their internment. Anthony’s inevitable test came shortly after moving into the Christian dorms. “Someone in the prison really disrespected me” is how Anthony describes it today. In prison, this was a defining moment. Was Anthony soft? Was he an easy target? Everything in him wanted to exact revenge.

He describes his ensuing prayer encounter with God. “But God! That man disrespected me! He challenged me!” he heard God say, “Forgive him. Forgive him the same way I have forgiven you.” It was clear. What this man had done is what Anthony had been doing to God his whole life. This cycle of anger-revenge-anger was keeping Anthony in bondage. It was time to experience God’s acceptance and forgiveness and become free of the bitterness that was destroying his life.

In 2001, Anthony was released from prison and with his new found relationship with God he set out to live a life without drugs. He admits it wasn’t the easy road and he had some ups and downs along the way. But, he got wise about who he associated with. And he refused to pursue the easy money of dealing drugs, instead the ex-con worked hard to earn a basic wage. He began to settle into his new life on the outside.

He saved up some money and was intending on buying himself a simple boat to enjoy some fishing. But, once again, God had something else in mind. Out at his fishing spot, he sensed God speaking to him. “Do you think I brought you through all of this to go fishing? No. I brought you through all of this so you could help the other trapped brothers and sisters.”

Instead of buying a boat, Anthony invested everything he had saved to buy a basic music system and hit the streets.

It’s dangerous work—yet he faithfully follows God each week serving in the same neighborhoods where he used to deal drugs. Anyone else would be considered an outsider and a threat. But, God has honored his courage and commitment and has earned the trust of the people—even the drug dealers and gangs.

He set up his initial outreach right across the street from where gangs and rough crowds would regularly gather. As the weeks passed, working with police the gangs eventually moved from that place.

Anthony's day job to meet his own financial needs is with our company, Spraggins Builder Services. Any donations he receives go directly to running the ministry.

Early in his service, a church in the area gave their Christmas offering of $6,700 to "Finding the Lost Sheep Ministry", which he used to by a stage, a van, and a 20’ x 40’ tent—vital tools for his passion of “taking the church to the streets.” (Anthony was sure to mention God’s faithfulness to the church that gave the generous gift. Shortly after, someone had given that church a gift for $60,000.) “You can’t out-give God! He blesses generosity.”

Anthony preaches regularly at various churches in the area and also teaches a class “On Purpose Soul Winning”—hoping to train others in sharing Christ. He regularly distributes food and clothing to the needy and widows. You can email Anthony at findingthelostsheep@yahoo.com.