Holy Week SWAT team!

It was the week before Holy Week as I sat on the backporch of the church. I looked across the parking lot and saw the heavily armored car and men getting ready to head out in search of some individual. The police S.W.A.T. team were gearing up to do a raid somewhere in the community. About an hour later they came back and dispersed.

I got to thinking about that first Holy Week and the SWAT team involved. It was not a heavily armored vehicle but a donkey. The team that went out was a betraying friend and some soldiers. The rest of the followers ran in fear. Jesus was beaten up pretty good and then falsely tried and accused. He carried on his shoulders what would hold his lifeless crucified body.

The next SWAT team that would venture out on that Sunday sunrise was a group of women. They were in search of an individual...Jesus. They didn't find him at his last known address. He was missing...gone!!! He turned himself in to the fearful followers later at an upper room.

The SWAT team of Holy Week found their individual! A resurrected Savior!!!
You and I are now a part of that Holy Week SWAT team. We are geared up with the grace and love of Jesus searching individuals who are lost and need to meet him. We don't barge down doors but meet them where they are and show Jesus' love.

Who are you searching for who is searching for Jesus?
Church...it's time to gear up and go S.erve W.ith A.ction and T.ruth our resurrected Savior!

Till the next cup of java from the backporch...

How does your garden grow?

From the backporch of my house this is the view of our garden. What you see are hearty collard green plants that survived the frigid Florida winter this year! They have continued to produce inspite of a difficult and challenging environment. This proves that collards are God's choice of veggies!!!

What you don't see in the picture are zucchini, eggplant and green bean seeds that have yet to germinate and break through the soil. I am doing my part: preparing the soil by clearing it of weeds and adding "miracle grow" dirt...with sore muscles to prove it. I planted and daily I am watering. God's part: the growing!

How is your garden growing? What? You don't have a garden! I want to challenge you to at least buy a tomato plant and put it in a bucket or the ground. Gardening is a daily reminder to me of God's growing in our lives and our planting spiritual seeds in the lives of "gardens" in our daily lives.

Paul encouraged the Galatians in their "gardening of lives." Read Galatians 6:7-10.
We harvest what we plant...the Spirit reaps eternal life...don't get tired doing good...you will reap a great harvest...do good to all people! There is God's garden growing in "miracle souls!" We each are challenged to having that kind of garden.

"Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?"
My friend, my friend, quite extraordinary, how does your garden grow?

Until the next cup of java from the backporch...

Two Tents of Compassion

The full bearded stranger walked in from the backporch on a cold Sunday morning for a cup of java. Someone came outside to tell me he wanted to talk to "the pastor." I refilled my cup of java and sat down at the table with Luke to hear his story.

Eight years ago he walked away from a life of drug and alcohol addiction. He sold all he had and hit the streets to minister to the homeless and addicts. He was wanting $36 to buy a tent so he could minister to the homeless west of town.

I told him I don't give out cash. I did tell him that if he was willing to stay through the service I would seek God out in what to do to help him get a tent.
He stayed...sat in the back of the balcony with his friend Dan...I prayed and listened...preached on compassion...after the message felt led to get Luke his tent... publicly held Luke accountable to bring back a receipt...he agreed...challenged the people to give $1 or whatever to the tent cause...after the service the altar had some money on it.

There was not enough raised to meet the one tent challenge. Instead, the compassionate people of the church contributed enough funds for TWO TENTS, provisions and campground fees for two weeks!!!

I was humbled: to meet a man of sacrificial compassion like Luke, to serve a church with such a compassionate heart...Compassionate Community UMC is our new name!

I am challenged to be more compassionate each day in simple ways. What act of compassion have you done for someone today?

Till the next cup of java from the backporch...

100 Cans of Compassion!

Each year at the school where my wife, Loreen, teaches the children are required to complete a "100 Day Project." As they enter the 100th day of school the children must put together a project that incorporates 100 items.

Some of the children put 100 stickers on a poster board or put take 100 pieces of Legos to make a creation. There was one "100 Day Project" that stood out among all the others. A second grader, who was in my wife's class last year, decided that he would collect 100 cans of food! He went to his family and friends and collected 100 cans of food to give to Ms. Loreen's church's food pantry!

This second grader, accompanied by his parents came to worship last week with his "100 Cans of Compassion!" The church applauded him and after the service he was able to go to the food pantry and stock the shelves with his 100 cans of compassion.

Some of us feel we can't do anything of great significance when it comes to compassion so we don't. This 2nd grader's heart of compassion spoke so loudly the words of Mother Teresa:
"We can not do great things, only small things with great love. It is not how much you do but how much love you put into doing it!"

Go out today and start small and show compassion! Take on the challenge...the 100 day challenge to show compassion to others in small ways but with the great love of Jesus!

Till the next cup of java from the backporch...

COMPANY IS COMING!

From the view from the backporch things are happening because "company is coming!" New mulch was spread in the flower beds. Bushes were trimmed. Directional signs for parking, food, and restrooms are being placed. Who is the company? Thousands of bikers for the annual Daytona Beach Bike Week! The backporch is being transformed into a food court and a great viewing place for watching hundreds of bikers park...($2 a tire!) in the church parking lot.
Company is coming and we are getting the place looking great!

When you know company is coming to visit you at your house you do your best to get the place looking good. Pick up dirty clothes, vacuum, dust, clean and get groceries for a fine meal for your guests.

I am trying to learn that each day "company is coming!" His name is Jesus. How am I getting ready for Him each day? What am I offering Him?

Moses told Aaron that they were to offer the "best and holiest" sacrifices to God. (Numbers 18:29) That was to be God's portion!

What portion of my daily livng am I offering to God? Am I offering my "best and holiest" to God? Or is God getting mediocre,leftovers and half-heartedness? Company is coming! Jesus is coming!
Will He find me daily offering my "best and holiest?"
Till the next cup of java from the backporch...

Monday Morning Blues

I was only an hour into my Monday when I was told there was a man outside who wanted to end his life! I walked out of my office to meet a 62 year old man who was ready to call it quits. No family who wanted him. He had no place to live and wouldn't get his ssi check for another week and a half. He had walked around all night and at one point was walking over the highrise bridge and came close to jumping. I listened. He poured out his heart as I poured him a cup of coffee. I was able to get him to go and seek help. I gave him the name of the crisis service and address and phone number. I gave him a bus pass. I then gave him my cross necklace as a reminder that the One who gave his life for you will not leave you or walk out on you. His face had changed from one of blues to one of hope.

Monday Morning blues come around any day of the week. When you have them or someone comes knocking on the door of your life...find someone who will listen, listen to someone...pour a cup of coffee and sacrifice some of your time with them and offer them your source of hope...Jesus!
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18NIV

My friends you and I are the ears, eyes, hands and vessels of the hope which is ours in Jesus to those who are experiencing the Monday Morning Blues!

Till the next cup of java from the backporch...

Holy Ground

I have discovered that you don't need a burning bush, a sea splitting in two, or even a mountain top moment to find "holy ground." The backporch of Community UMC in Daytona Beach has become "holy ground." Lives have been welcomed from all alleys and avenues of life. Lives have been challenged and changed. God has been present on such a common ground. Isn't that what really makes ground holy? Not you or me but God. No matter where you are standing or sitting or living life it can be "holy ground." This backporch on a back parking lot leading to a back alley, across from a police substation is "holy ground." I want to share with you from this "holy ground" and other common grounds; God meeting people and showing His love to them. I, like Moses, am amazed that I get to be in the presence of such an awesome God and to learn from His people who stop by and share a cup of coffee or lunch with me on this "holy ground." Oh, by the way, this holy ground is not "inside" the walls of the church!
Till the next cup of java from the backporch...