Everyday Heroes

We spend a lot of time at the Reynolds home with super heroes. In fact as I write this Sam and Spencer are running around as Spider Man and well, I'm not certain who Spencer is - one of the Fantastic Four. Sam still answers the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "A SUPER HERO!"

We may not fly or have super strength but it's not entirely out of the question. Follow Jesus close enough and we all may find ourselves in a place to be someone's hero...

This past weekend Gene, Sam and Spencer and I had a chance to visit La Crosse. I got to attended a dinner honoring one of the leaders at Cornerstone who is taking the next step in discovering what it is God is calling her to. When Gene and I left Cornerstone, Becky and Joel took over the Technical Arts Ministry in my place. They did a fantastic job. Joel is a computer geek (sorry Joel) and Becky, an artist who specializes in photography and computer media presentations. It was fantastic to get to see the Body of Christ gathering around her, celebrating the contribution she makes to the Body. I was very encouraged and inpired, being reminded what we're in this church planting deal for. GO GOD!

On Sunday, Gene spoke at Living Hope in Verona, WI. Being a new church plant there is much talk about vision and church planting. We gathered around another couple who are planting a church in Stoughton, WI and they prayed for us too. That was cool and the coolest was hearing the voice of Shannon Rutz praying for us that morning. Shannon and Nate and their son Jason were visiting from La Crosse.

We've known Shannon for almost 8 years now, we have seen her faithfully serve God in many areas. Shannon has been dreaming and following Jesus, she has been seeking to discern God's will for using her gifts and passions to serve. Shannon developed a nursery minstry, was part of a leadership staff at The Second Story coffee house, and came early to our home on Sunday a.m. to care for Sam and Spencer...all the while God was developing her gifts and shaping her passions. Just before we left Cornerstone I had the pleasure of going to Haiti. One of the cool things that came out of that trip was Shannon's desire to pursue her passion to care for the needy. Shannon now works part time and raises support to lead the Compassion ministry at Cornerstone. Shannon's prayer that morning for those who we will encounter in Madison to experience what her and Nate have in La Crosse, was so encouraging.

The following is an article that appeared in the La Crosse Tribune, featuring "EVERYDAY HEROES" (In case you were starting to wonder about the conneciton to SUPER HEROES.) I am excited to get to share it with you.

La Crosse Tribune
EVERYDAY HEROES

Date: Monday, January 2, 2006
SHANNON RUTZ, 29, OF LA CROSSE


A young woman named Holly didn't have a job and needed help getting her
life together. Shannon Rutz not only took Holly into her home but met
with her weekly for six months. Now Holly is training to be a police
officer. Rutz, director of Compassion Ministry at Cornerstone Community
Church, works with people like Holly every week. Single mothers with no
support. People with disabilities. Families with no place to live. Rutz
helps distribute food, clothing, gas cards and bus tokens. She takes
the
time to listen to people's stories. "Crazy things happen to people,"
she
said. "Everybody that comes in gets prayed for." Rutz volunteers 25
hours a week with Compassion Ministry. With a 19-month-old child and a
baby on the way, you'd think Rutz wouldn't find the time. "When you're
doing what God wants you to do, He gives you the power to do it," Rutz
said. "You do what you can do, and the rest you leave alone. My floors
are dirty right now and dishes have to be done, but I wouldn't trade it
for the world." Rutz works part time as a physical therapist at
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. She recently took in a family of
three.