Columns In The Tennessean

Men of Acts bring a miracle.

Follow up:

A few months ago we started trying to sell things we haven’t used in a while. And we asked friends to drop off anything they might have sitting around the house gathering dust. Many people brought many things.

We used Craigslist, eBay, and Saturday’s Bargains page in the Tennessean and many items sold. Many did not.

While we were rounding up items for individual sale, other friends starting working on a multi-family yard sale for us. This labor of love was started by Clyde, leader of a small group ministry of Father’s House Church that calls itself “Men of Acts.”

The ministry is a collection of people from the church who have specific skill sets – either from their vocation or avocation – including carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, electricians, landscapers, and other disciplines which are much easier and better done when you know what you are doing. All are willing to work and give up Saturday mornings to help people in need but unable to do the work themselves or pay to have it done.

The Men of Acts have blessed us with several home repairs and yard clean up projects, but Clyde knew he could do more for us and others in need if he could do something to muster a little money for materials to be installed by the group.

So Clyde started talking to people. Clyde has worked in some segment of the construction industry for almost his entire life. And he knows a lot of people.

He laid the groundwork months ago, but this month everything has come together for tomorrow’s sale. The Men of Acts have gathered U-Haul truckloads of items from very generous people. Clyde even found a couple of entertainment production companies willing to clean out their warehouses and donate furniture and props for the sale.

Marcy and I were able to preview one of the storage locations this week and saw a sampling of the furniture, electronics, home décor, books, exercise equipment, sporting goods, and more that is ready to sell. It is truly unbelievable how much “stuff” they have gathered.

It is so big that Men of Acts has borrowed a big yard: Fieldstone Park (by the softball fields of Fieldstone Farms) for the sale tomorrow (Saturday, July 26) from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Dozens of volunteers are organized to bring truckloads of merchandise priced to sell and help people find what they need. Clyde even asked a neighbor to bring his catering truck for hot dogs and refreshments.

Both Matthew and Luke tell us that Jesus once said, “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” So I don’t picture Jesus as having had a lot of stuff. And I think many of us, especially in America, have so much, it is hard to say we really “need” anything.

But there are many things available today that make life easier and more enjoyable. And I think all (or at least most) of them are going to be at Fieldstone Park tomorrow. The giving attitude of donors and volunteers, the fellowship that has happened and will happen, and the future good that Men of Acts will do with the proceeds – all are right from heaven.

If you know someone in need, you have talent and resources you can use to help. You don’t have to have a lot of stuff, you just have to have the right stuff.