Mike In Progess

Snoring

2011-08-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today I visited a new church. At one point during the sermon a woman fell asleep and began snoring. It wasn't delicate, feminine snoring. It was full force lumber yard snoring. As the snoring became obvious to others I could feel tension mounting from those sitting near the slumbering sweetie. Some shook their heads. I watched people fidget and shift in their seats. Some laughed and snickered. Some intentionally ignored the snoring. One man looked like he was considering tapping the snoring woman on the shoulder to wake her up. Many were disturbed by this woman snoring in church. Then she woke up and the snoring stopped. Amen. The sermon could continue without any distractions.

The snoring situation I experienced in church today got my brain burning. Why doesn't injustice, poverty, homelessness and hunger disturb the church as much as a snoring woman sitting in the pews? If injustice, hunger, homelessness and poverty sat in the pews and started snoring during church would it disturb us? Would we be so annoyed that we would try to stop it? Would we laugh it away or intentionally ignore it? Would we pray that it would stop so that we could listen to the sermon without being distracted?

I pray that you and I will always be disturbed by injustice, poverty, homelessness and hunger.

Washed Away

2011-07-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

My son lives in state of Washington full time with his mom. I live in Daytona Beach, FL. I admit that I struggle with guilt about my marriage that resulted in divorce and how it has impacted my son. It's not easy being a father to a boy that lives 3,000 miles away. I know that he struggles with our relationship too.

Over the past couple of weeks, my son has been visiting me in Florida. Today I took him to Universal theme park in Orlando. It was an expensive trip. $20 for parking, $319 for admission and $55 for souvenirs. I have no idea how much I spent on food and drinks.

At the end of the day, we were walking out of the park. My son reached out for my hand, held it and said, "Thank you Dad. I had a great time with you today." At that moment the money spent, the distance between us and the guilt were washed away when my son held my hand.

What Norm Said

2011-07-08T22:55:00.000-07:00

Norm usually does his laundry at my apartment once a week. Why? Because Norm lives in the woods.

Because my son Devon was in town, it wasn't going to work for Norm to do his laundry at my place. I called Norm and asked if we could meet at the laundromat instead. He said yes.

Norm was waiting for us when we pulled into the parking lot. We all walked in together. I gave Norm a couple of bucks to do his laundry, buy a cheeseburger and some smokes.

As we were getting ready to leave Norm said, "Hey Devon, I want to tell you something." Norm looked my son in the eyes and said, "Your Dad loves you. He is so proud of you. He cares about you. He really misses you. He really does. He tells me this all the time. Remember that, okay?"

I hope my son will always remember what Norm said.

Suddenly it was yesterday

2011-07-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

We met each other at the airport. He ran into my arms. He nearly knocked me over. I lost him on the shuttle. He laughed when we found each other. We had a smoothie and coffee. We couldn't find my truck in the parking garage. He fell asleep on the way home. We went shopping together and I bought him whatever he wanted including Trix cereal. He rode on the front of the cart. He looked back at me when he was riding on the front of the cart. He remembered and so did I. It was one of those things we always did together. Grocery shopping. Suddenly it was like he never left. Suddenly it was yesterday.

Without Them on Father's Day

2011-06-18T05:27:00.000-07:00

My father died when I was 19. My son moved to WA state last November. My daughter just moved to Mississippi. I will be spending Father's Day weekend without them.

I miss my Dad this weekend. For many years after his death I was angry with my Father. My anger has turned into love. Love for a man who did his best even though he was far from perfect.

I miss my daughter Kiersten this weekend. I'm so proud of the woman she has become. She is a beautiful woman and a fantastic mom. For too long, I disconnected myself from her life. I'm thankful for the second chance I have been given to have a relationship with her.

I miss my son Devon this weekend. I didn't want to get involved in Devon's life before we adopted him. I fought it like the plague. Today I realize that bringing Devon into my life, adopting him and being his father is something I will never regret.

It's Father's Day Weekend. Do you know someone who is separated from their father by miles, circumstances, tragedy, divorce or death? Do you know a father who will be spending this weekend without their children? Please reach out to them. Show them that you care. Let them know that they are loved. Spend time with them. Invite them to your Father's Day celebration. Please don't ignore them. They need you this weekend.

Dad will you be with your kids this weekend? Kids will you be with your dad? Treasure those moments. Those moments will become treasures forever stored away in your mind and your heart.

Halfway To A Hamburger

2011-06-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

I went to Wendy's with the idea that I was going to fill my belly with food. I ordered at the drive through, picked up my food and pulled into a parking spot to eat my lunch. I hadn't taken my first bite when I saw a man with a sign that said "homeless" on it. He was standing in front of Wendy's hoping that someone would give him money. I sat and watched for about 20 minutes. About 3 cars stopped and gave him money. He folded up his sign, packed up his stuff and shoved the cash in his pocket. This is when I slipped into my judgement mode and began saying to myself, "He's going to take that cash given to him by these kind folks and buy beer at the liquor store across the parking lot." He didn't. He walked into Wendy's. I decided to follow him inside.

He walked in, stood in line and began counting the few dollars he had been given. He was going to buy himself something to eat. I stepped up to him and said, "Sir, I saw you outside. What is your name?" He told me his name was William. It didn't take me long to see that he was mentally challenged and extremely hungry. I told him that I would buy his lunch. He put the money back in his pocket. I bought William two cheeseburgers. He thanked me and quickly started eating his meal.

As I was leaving the parking lot I literally walked into another man who said, "I'm halfway to a hamburger. Can you help me?" I said, "Yes, walk with me and I'll buy you lunch." We walked inside, I bought him some food and put it down at the table. He was shaking as he looked at me and said with tears in his eyes,"Thank you. My name is Steve. I can't tell you how hungry I was. I saw you buying that other guy some food. That's why I asked if you could help me. I'm sure glad that I did. God bless you today. God bless you."

The two meals cost me less than five dollars. These two hungry, broken and homeless men gave me so much more.

My Plan Wasn't His Plan

2011-06-02T19:06:00.001-07:00

MY plan was to clean MY apartment, make some dinner, watch a movie and go to bed early. That was MY plan. God had something else in mind.

I knew MY plan wasn't playing out the way I planned when my homeless friend Norm rode up to my window on his bike. God's plan was about Norm and not about me focusing on MY plan.

Norm was hungry. I fed him pizza. Norm was sad and upset about the loss of a friend. I listened to him. Norm was excited about the playoff game. I let him watch TV.

During a break in the game, Norm told me about a conversation he had with his sister who lives in Delaware. She asked Norm to move to Delaware. Norm told me that he didn't want to go and then he said, "I like Florida plus I would miss you Mike. You're my friend." A few minutes later my homeless friend Norm fell asleep in the recliner.

When MY plan was changed by God's plan I grumbled and complained. But after a homeless man shared his heart, I realized that God's plan was the best plan.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11

Smiling Steve Got a Job

2011-05-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

When I first began visiting Taco Bell for lunch I thought it was all about putting beefy five layer burritos in my belly. Quickly I found out it wasn't about me or my belly. It was all about the homeless men and women I would meet when I pulled into the parking lot. Call me crazy but it's hard for me to ignore a human who is having a hard time. I don't give them money but I'm always willing to ask if I can buy them a taco or two.

Today as I was pulling into the parking lot I saw Steve. I got out of my truck and asked him if he was hungry. Enthusiastically and with the biggest smile you could imagine he said, "Mike, I'm not hungry. I've got a job. I've been working for almost two weeks. I'm so excited." I was so excited for Steve that I'm pretty sure I nearly pulled his arm off while I was shaking his hand.

The smile fell off Steve's face when he looked me in the eye and said, "Mike, I'm covered. You don't need to buy me a taco today but you see my friend Scott under that tree taking a nap? He hasn't eaten since last night. Would you get him something to eat?"

Steve smiled and thanked me after I said, "yes". I walked into Taco Bell and bought his friend a taco or two.

Focus On Who You Are

2011-05-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

I started a food fast on Monday. Liquids only. I finished my food fast at 530 tonight. I felt like I actually learned something of value. This morning I received the text below from a friend:

"Focus on who you are Mike, a child of God, a child of the Living God. No person, no woman, no man, has the power to heal you. Jesus loves you Mike. You must open yourself up to Him in a way you never have before. You must let go of false and empty promises and take hold of true Life."

For as long as I can remember, I've determined my value based solely on what my friends, enemies and family thought of me. If they loved me, liked me or were happy with me, my life was good. My life was crap if they didn't approve of me or what I was doing.

Here is what I learned during my fast. I'm not what people think of me. Everyday I need to hang my hat on the text message my friend sent to me:

"Focus on who you are Mike, a child of God, a child of the Living God."

Tell Me When

2011-05-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

I've written many times about my homeless friend Norm on this blog and through other forms of social media. Norm is more than just one homeless man who lives in the woods. To me he represents all of the poor, the lonely and those that we have kicked to the curb. The men and women that God has asked me not to forget. Do me a favor. Tell me when I forget about Norm. When will you know that I've forgotten about Norm?

When my heart stops breaking whenever I see a homeless person.

When I don't cry while I'm listening to a song about the hungry.

When I don't stop to see if a woman in a wheelchair needs a ride during a rain storm.

When I don't ask someone on a park bench if they need something to eat.

When I hold on tight to my stuff and forget that it's not mine anyway.

When I spend more time sharing pictures of my pool instead of standing up for the poor.

When I brag about my new SUV instead of hurting for those with HIV.

When I spend more time looking at photos of stars at Cannes instead feeding men who dig out of garbage cans.

When I've decided that there is something more acute than visiting with a prostitute.

When I ignore Norm while he is knocking on my door.

When what Jesus has asked me to do becomes hazy and I become lazy, do me a favor. Tell me when I forget about Norm.

"When a needy person stands at your door, God himself stands at his side." ~Hebrew Proverb

Thank you Ronne Rock. The proverb you tweeted above was part of the inspiration behind this blog post.

The photos in this blog post were introduced to me by one of my heroes, Trey Morgan. Trey, Byron Sommardahl, Marc Tindall and others love people who live at the dump.

The Small Things

2011-05-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

One small scarf, created by the hands of people with huge hearts, can make a difference.

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

To make a difference some of us believe that we must do bigger than life, extremely complicated, gigantic, Steven Spielberg like productions. Once upon a time, I believed that it was my job to help and fix everyone. It didn't work and it wasn't necessary to make a difference.

"We can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love." - Mother Teresa

Traveling to another country for a mission trip is not necessary to make a difference.

Feeding hundreds is not necessary to make a difference.

Putting on a major festival or event is not necessary to make a difference.

In my opinion, keeping our brains stuck on big things may keep us from doing anything at all.

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."- Helen Keller

A simple, hand written note or card from a friend can move a mountain of discouragement. This hand written card from John Dobbs came at just the right time in my life.

My friend Jenn Cates takes the time to check in with me via email almost everyday. Simple, short and to the point but with each email she sends I realize I have a friend that cares about me.

Two cheeseburgers in a sack don't seem like much but they make a huge difference to hungry, homeless men battling another day of of living on the street.

My daughter just moved to another state. Kiersten does a great job of sending photos of my grandson Troy.

You may take a photo today and not understand that it will make a difference in the life of someone many months or years down the road. This photo was taken by my friend Sarah. It's a photo of my son Devon. I like to look at this photo when I miss my son. Each time I see this photo it reminds me of the beautiful heart my son has for serving the less fortunate.

Do you have two arms? Hug someone. The photo below is from one of the most popular posts on this blog.

Do you have a mouth? Encourage someone. Last night I whispered, "I love you and I believe in you" in the ear of two friends who are going through a rough time.

You don't need to "go fishing" to make a difference in the life of someone you care about. My girlfriend Kristina knows that I like Swedish fish. Yesterday she bought me a bag of my favorite candy.

At the top of this post you'll see a photo of a homeless man with a scarf. My friend Elaine and her husband Jim create these scarves by hand for homeless men and women.

"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

You don't need much to make a difference. In this age of fast and furious, it's still the simple, small things that mean so much.

The Mother's Day That Doesn't Fit

2011-05-07T12:14:00.000-07:00

I know several people that experience various emotions on Mother's Day. On Mother's Day and every day, they face challenges and emotions that don't fit into a neat, tidy Mother's Day box. Mother's Day greeting cards are full of smiles, warmth and love. You won't find Hallmark cards that showcase these "less than perfect" situations.

After leaving an abusive situation, young mothers and children that live on the street.

Today, children are mourning the death of their mother. A little girl who will go to bed crying, "Where is my mommy?"

Some men play the starring role of "single dad" and "single mom".

Mothers that struggle to feed their children.

Moms who mourn the choices they made days, months and years ago.

Her children have died. She lives today and everyday grieving their loss.

The mom who has made so many mistakes that her children have walked away from her destructive life.

Single moms that give everything they have for their children.

What did I miss? What doesn't fit into the neat, tidy Mother's Day box?

Always Something

2011-04-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

I woke up today and had the ability to get out of bed, put on my shoes, shirt and shorts. I was able to walk 4 miles.

I spent several hours with my new friends Jim and Jeff. They shared their house, laughter, lunch and love with me.

I was given the opportunity to be in the right place at the right time to help a man with his computer.

My friends Lou and Jenn have stood by me through thick and thin. They invited me to their home tonight for dinner and a movie.

My daughter Kiersten and her family made it safe to their new home in Mississippi. She sent me photos of their new home.

I spent the entire day with my dear girlfriend Kristina. She made me laugh and encouraged me. She does that everyday.

I have an apartment to live in, a truck that gives me the ability to drive where I need to go and I have food in the kitchen.

I have friends and family that truly love me even though they know most of my faults. Heck, I even have friends and family that love me even though they know all of my faults.

It's so easy for me to complain, be negative and pessimistic. The negativity, complaints and pessimism melt away when I make a list of the things I should be thankful for.

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for. What is on your list?

Grandpa Ray, Norm and Hugs

2011-04-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

At the age of 19 my father died. After that I decided I was going to hug the men in my life. The first time I hugged my Grandpa Ray he didn't really know what to think. He felt a bit stiff. He kind of hugged me back. Several hugs down the road Grandpa eventually began truly hugging me back too. I remember hugging my grandfather for the last time while he was in his hospital bed. We hugged and we cried together. He died a day or so later.

Norm is my homeless friend. Once a week Norm comes to my apartment to do his laundry. I remember the first time I hugged Norm. It reminded of the first time I hugged my Grandpa Ray. Norm didn't know what to think of a very large man hugging the heck out of him. Each time Norm leaves my apartment I say, "Norm, give me a hug." He always hugs me back.

Tonight when Norm was ready to leave he stopped in the middle of the living room and said, "Mike, give me a hug." I hugged him back. I hugged him back real hard and said, "Norm, I love you and I'm glad you're my friend." We said goodbye, Norm said,"I love you too" and rode away on his bike.

My Grandson Only Wanted One

2011-04-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

More, more, more
How do you like it, how do you like it
More, more, more
How do you like it, how do you like it
More, more, more -- Andrea True Connection, 1976

In the midnight hour she cried- "more, more, more"
With a rebel yell she cried- "more, more, more"
In the midnight hour babe- "more, more, more"
With a rebel yell- "more, more, more"
More, more, more. -- Billy Idol, 1983

Gimme more gimme more
Gimme more gimme more babe
I just want more -- Britney Spears, 2007

On Saturday I took my grandson to the Easter Egg Hunt in Flagler Beach, FL. Children and their parents circled the grassy area waiting for the Easter Egg Hunt to begin. The signal was given and the rush was on to see who could get the most eggs. I could hear the children being egged on by their parents:

"Look, there's one!"
"There's another one!"
"Don't miss those!"
"Hurry, grab the eggs!" -- Flagler Beach Easter Egg Hunt, 2011

It was great to see my grandson unfazed by the mob of hunters as he walked to the closest egg. He picked it up, put it in his basket and sat down in the moist grass. I got caught up in the mob madness by grabbing my grandson and dragging him towards the waiting eggs. "Hurry, get up. There are more eggs to grab," I said. Reluctantly, he got up and walked to the next egg. Once again he picked up the egg, put it in his basket and sat down. At that moment I realized that my grandson was teaching me a lesson. He only wanted one and really didn't need another. The lesson continued when my grandson gave one of his two eggs to another child.

After the hunt was over, my grandson and I were walking away when one of the organizers looked at his basket, saw the lonely egg and poured a few more in. My grandson looked confused. Before the extra eggs were dumped into his basket, he actually seemed to be happy with just one.

The hunt was over. The line to take pictures with the Easter Bunny was too long. It was time for us to go. On the way to the car I overheard a parent complaining that their children didn't get enough eggs.

We always want more don't we? One is never enough. My grandson reminded me of something very important. He showed me it's okay to have just one and if you have too much give it to someone else.

Church Is Open For The Poor 7 Days A Week

2011-04-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

Many great things happened to me Easter weekend. An egg hunt and lunch with my grandson Troy in Flagler Beach, FL and a visit to First United Methodist Church in Bunnell, FL.

I was introduced to this church when they called to ask a few questions about the cold weather shelter at First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL. Opening your church to the homeless on cold weather nights is no easy task. The brave, courageous, compelled and led should only apply. A couple of years ago, First United Methodist Church in Bunnell, FL started with cold weather nights for the homeless but since then they have taken many courageous steps forward when it comes to serving the poor, hungry and less fortunate.

This church is literally open 7 days a week for those that need help. They keep their outside bathrooms open everyday. There is a garden area behind the church for those that need shade or a safe place to sit, think or pray. Towels and washcloths are easily accessible to anyone who needs them along with a place to leave dirty laundry. The dirty laundry is picked up, cleaned and then returned to the church by loving volunteers. Every Wednesday night the church serves dinner to anyone in the area who is hungry.

Before I left this church today I ran into three men who are homeless and call this church their home. Alcoholism, loss of work and destroyed relationships brought them to the world of homelessness. I asked them how they felt about this little church in Bunnell, Florida. One of them said without hesitation, "I love the pastor and this church because they stand up for us and protect us. They fight for us." The two other men instantly shook their heads in agreement. I also sensed that these homeless men would stand up and protect the church that loves them.

The fight can get extremely intense when you intentionally bring the messy and marginalized to your church. Be prepared for a fight if your mission is to help the poor from your community or across the street. Members of your church will disagree and complain about your mission. Some of those members will leave. Fortunately, many members will stay to join you in the fight and the mission. Your mission will become a magnet for others who don't belong to your church. People want to be a part of something especially when it involves doing the right thing for the less fortunate.

If you see a church, ministry, organization, group or individuals loving the poor, pick up the phone, write a letter, send an email or tell them personally, "Thank you for what you are doing." They need our encouragement and praise. I applaud brave churches like First United Methodist Church in Bunnell, FL for what they are doing.

(Update: Click this link to see how this church has been recognized for their efforts.)

Is your church open 7 days a week for the poor? Is your heart open 7 days a week for the poor?

Watching American Idol With Norm

2011-04-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

Norm is homeless and he knows where I live. After work, he stopped by to do his laundry. While he was washing his clothes I went for a walk. When I came back from my jaunt down the road, Norm had made some dinner, did the dishes and fed the cat that lives outside my front door. When Norm comes over he likes to watch TV. Tonight I forced Norm to watch American Idol with me. I was surprised how much Norm knew about one of my guilty pleasures, American Idol.

"J-Lo must have a really great heart. Have you seen her husband? He's not very good looking. You know, maybe he has a great heart too. Maybe they both have great hearts. It's the only way they could be together. She's very good looking and he's not much of a looker."

"Mike, I'll be leaving after the show. I want to see who gets voted off."

During a commercial Norm said something totally unrelated to Idol.

"Mike, I was reading the National Enquirer the other day. Did you know that Mariah Carey's sister is a prostitute? If it's in the Enquirer it must be true." And then Norm looked at me and laughed.

When the show was over it was time for Norm to go. As he was walking to his bike he looked at me and said, "Mike, you know I really appreciate this bike that you gave me. I've had it for a long time. I can't believe it hasn't been stolen. People have offered me money for it. Some people have said that I should get some money for it at the pawn shop. I'll never let this bike go. You're my friend Mike. I'm not selling something you gave to me."

American Idol was over. Norm hugged me and said, "I love you Mike. Talk to you next week."

Friends No Matter What?

2011-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. -- Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)

Today I saw this tweet below from Shawn Wallace (@shawnw)

"True friends really don't even have to like each other. But they do have to be there for each other. No. Matter. What."

Earlier this week I ran into a series of posts from Pastor Chris Elrod. Long story short, Chris courageously stood by his friend and fellow pastor Gary Lamb even though Lamb had an affair.

Over the years and within the past few months, I've been through some crap and have made major mistakes. I praise God for all of this because I've been able to see first-hand what happens to friendships.

Friends that you thought were friends aren't your friends anymore. Heck, they might even block or un-friend you on facebook.

Even though most people know about your crap and stupid mistakes, you make new friends anyway.

You find out who your friends really are. Even though they know about your
crap and stupid mistakes these wonderfully loyal, loving, grace-filled people still want to be your friend.

So let me re-post Shawn's tweet:

"True friends really don't even have to like each other. But they do have to be there for each other. No. Matter. What."

What do you think? Agree with Shawn? Think Chris Elrod should have kicked his cheating friend to the curb?

Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. -- Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)

Putting Away The Pinata

2011-04-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

From WikiPedia:

In the United States, the pinata is a popular game for birthday parties. A donkey shape is the most common, although various other pop culture based designs have become common. A common tradition is to spin the batter before he or she tries to hit the pinata, making the person dizzy. Pinatas are commonly full of candy and other treats.

The original pinata was shaped like a star with seven points. The points represented the seven deadly sins, and the bright colors of the pinata symbolized temptation. The blindfold represented faith and the stick represented virtue or the will to overcome sin. The candies and other goodies inside the pinata represented the riches of the kingdom of heaven, thus teaching that with faith and virtue one could overcome sin and receive all the rewards of heaven.

My pinatas:

The pinatas I've been beating on have taken on many shapes, colors and descriptions.

Because I've been hurt by the church, I've been beating up on my church pinata.

Because I've been hurt by my father, I've been beating up on my father pinata.

Because I've been hurt by relationships, marriages and divorce, I've been giving those pinatas a good beating too.

But the biggest pinata looks like me. I've been beating up on that pinata for years. Lately it's really been taking a beating.

I'm really good at pointing out how other people are beating up on their pinatas. It helps me to avoid that fact that I'm pinata punching too.

I'm going to work on putting away my pinatas. All of my sticks are broke, nearly all of the treats have fallen out and the pinatas seem to be in the need of repair.

What about you? Do you have a pinata? What does your pinata look like? Do you need to your put your pinata away?

What Norm Taught Me Today

2011-04-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

When you become friends with a homeless man you'll never know what will happen next.

This morning I was ironing my shirt for work and heard, "Hey, Mike!" It was my homeless friend Norm looking into my living room window. Shocked and surprised I said, "Norm, I wasn't expecting you to come by to do laundry until 6 tonight." Norm looked at me and said, "I thought I'd drop my dirty clothes off early so I didn't need to pack them around today." I asked Norm to come in and have a cup of coffee. I didn't know that while I was ironing my shirt and watching the Today show, Norm would teach me some important lessons.

Standing Up For Your Friends

Norm reminded me about his friend who had said something negative about me and another pastor. Norm said, "Remember how angry I got when he said those things about you Mike? You're my friend! I told him how much you've done for me and other homeless people. I even reminded him about what you had done for him. Man, I got angry at him for saying those things about you and Pastor Larry!"

Deal With Things Instead of Stuffing It

"Mike, I got tired of being angry at him for saying those awful things about you and Pastor Larry", he said. "My dad always told me to deal with things instead of stuffing it. I found him and let him know how angry I was and that he should apologize to you and Pastor Larry," Norm said in a proud voice. "After I was done saying my piece, he actually apologized. He said he was mad at me and knew he could push my buttons by saying bad things about my friends," said Norm.

Forgiveness

"Mike, you're going to be surprised about this. Even after he said all those bad things about you, I forgave him. I invited him to work with me at the thrift store last weekend and everything went okay," said Norm.

Gratitude and Honesty

I got home tonight after work and Norm was waiting for me. I let him in so that he could start his laundry. "Norm, I'm heading out for Bible study. I'll be back later on," I said. As I was leaving Norm said, "I'll take good care of things while you're gone."

When I got home Norm was done with his laundry but was sitting on the couch, laughing and enjoying a show on TV. I walked into the kitchen and found a note that he wrote to me on a paper towel. See photo of it below.

It said, "I ate one of your Lean Cuisine. Thank you for everything. I'll call you later. Your friend and brother, Norman"

"Norm, that sure was a nice note," I said. "I wanted you to know that I had some dinner while I was here. I'd still be thankful for everything even if there wasn't anything for dinner," said Norm.

I hugged Norm and he hugged me back. As he was walking out the door he said, "I'll call you later Mike."

When you become friends with a homeless man you might just get a lesson in friendship, conflict resolution, forgiveness, gratitude, honesty and a hug.

The Rear View Mirror

2011-03-31T04:40:00.000-07:00

As I wake up this morning and drink my coffee I say to myself, "It's raining cats and dogs. Jake and his girlfriend Linda must be wet. He showed me the hole in his tent on Sunday."

As I write this blog post I think of Norm. After the last big storm he called me to ask if he could use my washer and dryer because everything he owned was drenched.

As I think about what I'll eat for breakfast I remember seeing my homeless friend Oliver in the rear view mirror. As I was getting ready to eat my burrito, he was digging in a dumpster behind a restaurant. I said to myself, "Mike how can you eat this burrito when you see your friend digging out of a dumpster." I gave Oliver my burrito. He needed it more than me.

It gets complicated when God shows you the poor and the broken in your rear view mirror. You can't wake up, drink your coffee or eat your lunch without thinking of them or seeing them.

Thinking of the poor and the broken should only be the first step. It can be inconvenient when God compels you to turn your thoughts into action.

As the storm gets worse and I hear the rain come down in buckets, I know that I'll need to make sure that Jake, Norm and Oliver are okay.

If

2011-03-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

If the system works for you, it can be quite hard to understand the perspective of people who have the boot of the system on their neck.

If you have the power, it can be hard to understand the voice of those who have no power.

If you have choice, options, and luxuries, it can be hard to fathom the anger of those who don't.

If you have always had enough food, it can be hard to understand the shouts of those whose stomachs are grumbling from hunger.

From the book "Jesus Wants To Save Christians" by Rob Bell.

What Do You Do?

2011-03-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your friend Jake is homeless, needs a new pair of jeans, is cold and needs something to eat? You make sure that he gets a new pair of jeans, has a warm place to stay and a plate full of hot food.

What do you do when Jake has a 70th birthday? You take him out to lunch with your girlfriend Kristina and her family.

What do you do when Jake needs a new tube for his bike tire? You take him to K-Mart and buy him one. What do you do when Jake invites you to his camp? You follow him and visit his camp.

What do you do when you say goodbye to Jake when you know he is slowing dying from colon cancer? You hug him real hard, whisper in his ear "I love you" and pray that you'll get to see him again.

What do you do after you spend the afternoon with Jake? You realize how much you've been given and how much more you should give.

What Do Norm and I Have In Common?

2011-03-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

"Oh Crap, Norm Wants To Come Over."

That was my first thought when I was reminded that my homeless friend Norm was coming over to my apartment to do his laundry. I even whined about it on Twitter.

Norm and his backpack full of laundry were waiting for me when I got home. I opened the door and he walked in. What was the first thing that Norm said? "Mike, you've really got a great place. This is really nice!" I've lost track of how many times I've complained about my somewhat crappy apartment. Norm thought it was a palace.

As Norm walked to the laundry room I asked him if he needed something to eat. "Mike, I'm okay. I'm a survivor you know," he said. I convinced Norm the survivor to eat some frozen pasta I heated up in the microwave. When I handed it to Norm he looked at the pasta the same way you and I look at a plate of steak and lobster.

I left Norm, his laundry and bowl of pasta while I went to a nearby Bible study. As I was leaving Norm said, "Mike, don't worry. I'll take good care of the place while you're gone."

When I came home Norm was finishing up his laundry and packing it up in his backpack. I offered Norm a ride to his home in the woods. Norm said, "No. Mike, you've done enough." When I walked into the kitchen I realized that Norm had cleaned his dinner dishes.

As he was leaving Norm asked, "Hey Mike, isn't your son Devon coming to visit soon?" I told Norm that plans had changed and Devon wouldn't be coming to Florida until summer. Norm said, "I'm looking forward to seeing him. He's a good boy. I miss him."

A large man who lives in an apartment and a skinny, homeless man who lives in the woods had something in common. We both missed a boy named Devon.

Messy Spirituality

2011-03-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

"The mess of our lives and our crippledness is what most qualifies us to be chosen by Jesus." -- Mike Yaconelli

I have seen the hand of God through the acts of friends and family several times over the past few weeks. Michael Perkins is a great man I met through the world of Twitter. A few days ago Michael sent me a direct message. It said, "Mike, I'm sending you a book." The book arrived in the mail and the title got my attention immediately: "Messy Spirituality". It was written by Michael Yaconelli. After the book was originally published Yaconelli died in in a car accident. After his death the book was published as a paperback. His wife Karla wrote the forward. At the end of the foreword she knocks it out of the park by setting the stage for the pages and chapters that follow:

"God actually had a fondness - a downright preference, if you will - for misfits and screwups.

I know if my beloved husband could say anything to those of you who are reading these words and who are about to embark on the adventure of reading this book, it would be this:

Take heart, my friends. You are in good company. You, with all of your faults and imperfections; you, with your defects and failures; you, with your hang-ups and emotional scars; you, with your weaknesses and your defeats; you, with all of your blunders, brokenness, and floundering: you are God's beloved, God's favored, the disciple whose name God calls, the one Jesus prefers to hang with, eat with, play with, talk with, cry with, and laugh with. You are the one whom the holy God of heaven and earth longs to spend time with. You are all of this and more. You always have been. Any you always will be."
-- Karla Yaconelli

The words in this book gave great comfort to me. No matter how much I've screwed up and made a mess of my life Jesus is attracted to me. Guess what? Jesus likes your mess too. As a matter of fact, He prefers you to be messy.

"According to the Bible, Jesus is attracted to the unattractive. He prefers the lost ones over the found ones, the losers over the winners, the broken instead of the whole, the messy instead of the unmessy, the crippled instead of the noncrippled."
-- Mike Yaconelli

The Best Thing That Happened To Me Today?

2011-03-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

It wasn't a promotion or an award. It wasn't a raise or praise. It wasn't winning a race or climbing a mountain. It wasn't winning the lottery or losing weight. It wasn't finding my keys or my phone. It wasn't hearing applause or the cheer of the crowd.

The best thing that happened to me today?

My daughter Kiersten posted an extremely special note on my facebook wall:

The best thing that happened to me today?

My son drawing a picture and sending it to me in the mail.

Some would say, including myself, that I haven't been the world's greatest father to my son and daughter. But I believe in a God of second chances. I also believe that God speaks to me through events, situations and people. Today God spoke to me loud and clear through the actions of my daughter and son. He said:

"Mike, stop beating up on yourself. Your son and daughter love you. You've done many things right. Put the past in the past. I've already forgotten it. Why don't you?"

What was the best thing that happened to you today?

I Killed Another Man Today

2011-02-24T20:31:00.000-08:00

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

- Mahatma Gandhi

My words are weapons (I use em to crush my opponents)
My words are weapons (Never show no emotion)
My words are weapons (I use em to kill whoever steppin on me)"

- Eminem

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.

- Proverbs 18:21 (The Message)

God led me to a YouTube video featuring Marty Stuart. The song is called "Hangman". You can see it below and follow along with the powerful lyrics. Marty wrote this song with Johnny Cash just four days before Cash died. This song made me think about the people I have killed with my words.

I Killed Another Man Today

This morning I was in a restaurant with several men. One of them said something negative about my daughter and her family. It was so shocking that I really wasn't sure what to say or do. After a moment or two I said the best thing that I could come up with instead of punching him in the mouth.

I've learned that the tongue is like a weapon. His words about my daughter and her family killed me. My first reaction was to say something to make him look smaller in front of the other men that were present. Instead I said, "Thank God, both you and I are forgiven."

This afternoon I decided to retell the story to a man that wasn't there. I felt compelled to make sure that someone else knew just how "horrible" it was for this man to say something negative about my daughter. When I did this I was killing him because he killed me. I was gossiping. I was killing him with my words. Am I killing him again by posting this story on my blog?

"Well who killed who, I ask myself, time and time again." - Marty Stuart

It get's crazy doesn't it? Should I demand an apology from this man for what he said about my daughter or should I apologize because I killed him with my words?

As I write these words I remember the most positive thing that I said today: "Thank God, both you and I are forgiven."

When was the last time you killed someone with your words?

I killed another man today, it's hard to believe
Well I lost count at thirty and I've grown to numb to grieve
The bottle helps me cope, when I lay down at night
And when the dope rolls through my veins, it all fades out of sight.

Hangman, hangman, that's my stock and trade
Hangman, hangman, sending bad men to their graves
Well who killed who, I ask myself, time and time again
God have mercy on the soul of this hangman

There's a woman down the street, named Rosalie McFall
She don't ask me any questions, when I come to call
Her body keeps me warm, her words are soft and kind.
She holds me in her arms till the bad dreams leave my mind

Hangman, hangman, that's my stock and trade
Hangman, hangman, sending bad men to their graves
Well, who killed who, I ask myself, time and time again
God have mercy on the soul of this hangman
God have mercy on the soul of this hangman

The Night Before I Died

2011-02-23T04:42:00.000-08:00

A silent color home movie of President John F. Kennedy's appearance in Houston on the eve of his 1963 assassination surfaced. See it below.

It made me think about what would happen if someone shot video of me the night before I died. What images would be captured on film?

What would I be doing with my time? What words would I be using? Would I be worried about tomorrow? Would I be living in the moment? Would I be encouraging others or tearing them down? Would I be telling others that I loved them? Would I ignore the hurting, the lonely and the broken? Would I be feeding my face instead of feeding the hungry? Would I be filling the hole or digging a deeper one? Would I be making a new life or hanging on to the regrets of yesterday? Would I be making a difference or making the situation worse? Would I be apologizing to the people I have hurt or acting like I've done nothing wrong?

Would I be taking or would I be giving?

Yesterday my friend posted this on my facebook wall:

"GLYD: Give Like You're Dying." -- Aaron Reddin

What would you be doing if someone shot video of you the night before you died?

They Show Up

2011-02-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

"80 percent of success is just showing up" — Woody Allen

Last night I took this photo of the great people who show up nearly every night to help serve at the homeless cold weather shelter at First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL.

I don't beg them. I don't have to put them on a schedule. I don't guilt them into coming. They show up.

Not one of them is an expert or claims to be. They show up.

They do dishes, serve food, create menus, put gravy on potatoes, clean up spills, wipe down dirty tables, pass out mats and blankets and sweep the floor. They do whatever needs to be done. They show up.

Not one of them wants any glory or recognition for what they do. They simply come to serve. They show up.

No one argues. No one says, "That's not my job" or "That's not my spiritual gift". They show up.

They serve instead of staying home. They step outside of their comfort zone. They reach out to the lonely, the hurting and the broken. They show up.

Every night when I walk into the homeless shelter they bless and encourage me by doing just one simple thing. They show up.

Jesus In An Envelope

2011-02-12T04:02:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I posted this quote on facebook:

"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic, is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things." ~Theodore Roosevelt

I consider my friend John Dobbs to be one of the men in my life who actually "does things". I know men who do large, bigger than life things. I know other men who do small things. Small things can mean so much.

The post below appeared on my blog in July of last year during a dark time in my life.

It had already been a tough week. Friday wrapped things up by being a hellish day. After the week from hell I got into my truck to head home. While I was driving home I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. Even after 7 months of sobriety all I could think about was putting my head face first into a pitcher of beer and locking my lips around a bottle of vodka or whiskey. For the very first time I called my AA sponsor and said, "Please talk me out of a trip to the tavern!" He stayed on the phone with me until I pulled into my driveway. I got out of my truck sober but I still felt down, depressed, discouraged and hopeless. Instead of walking into the house I felt compelled to check the mailbox. I opened the mailbox and looked inside. Junk mail, bills, more bills and mail from my friend John Dobbs. I opened up the letter from John. It was full of encouraging words. As I read the words he wrote on a simple card it was as if I'd received an injection of hope.

I suppose that if I was one of those "perfect Christians" I would say that I always receive hope and encouragement from a sermon or by reading the Bible. But I'm not a "perfect Christian". I often don't feel, see or hear God through sermons or while I am reading the Bible. I experience God most often through people. Through a homeless man that hugs me and says, "Mike, God loves you", the text message from a man who is dying of liver cancer who wants to see me before he dies or an encouraging letter from a man I met through the world of social media.

God wants you and I to be an encourager to someone today. Don't wait to pick up the phone, send an email or write down words of hope on a card and put it in the mail. It might be your turn to be Jesus in an envelope.

"Courage is the whisper in the moment of despair that says: "I must go on..." - Daniel Waldschmidt

"Maybe today is someone's day to have their world changed and you'll be their world changer...” @jackalopekid

Thank you John.

It's OK

2011-01-31T05:40:00.000-08:00

On Saturday morning I walked the Daytona 5k. It wasn't my first 5k but it was my first official physical challenge of 2011. My goal in 2011 is to do at least one physical challenge every month. I met Marc Lightner through facebook and twitter (@daytonamarc). Marc was working one of the 5k water stations. He shot the photo below after I walked by the water station. I'm the big guy in the orange shirt. I wrote the words below on Saturday afternoon.

"It's OK that many are ahead of you, running faster. It's OK that many have finished. You're here at the end of the line and it's OK. You're making progress one step at a time. It's OK. You're doing your best. I'm right here. Right behind you. Cheering you on. Giving you the power and the strength to take the next step. If you need to stop and rest, it's OK. I'm proud of you." -- God

He Just Wanted One Thing

2011-01-12T19:26:00.000-08:00

I've lost track of how long I've been working with the homeless. My journey into their world began after I met Ray and Susan Kelley from the Daytona Outreach Center. They messed me up by introducing me to the parts of the Bible that some of us choose to ignore. Those challenging, messy, uncomfortable and inconvenient parts of the Bible that ask you and I to serve and love the dirty, the weak, the lonely, the hurting and the poor.

Tonight started just like any other night at the homeless cold weather shelter at First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL. 30 homeless men and women arrived at about 7 and we served them dinner. After dinner our homeless guests set up their mats and blankets so that they could watch a movie and go to sleep. When the lights go down and the movie starts, I say "good night" to my homeless friends and head home. God had more for me to do tonight.

As I was leaving the shelter a homeless man tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Sir, could I ask you a favor?" I stopped and waited for him to ask me for socks, more blankets, a bus pass or a couple of bucks. "Could we go somewhere quiet, like the inside of the church? I'd like to pray and talk with you a few minutes", he said. My cynical, jaded attitude changed instantly.

I walked with my new homeless friend Gary to the church. He sat and prayed. I gave him some time alone and then I walked in to spend some time with Gary. "What did you pray for tonight", I asked. With tears in his eyes Gary said, "Guidance. I need God to give me guidance because I don't know what to do."

During our time together I found out that Gary had only been homeless for two weeks. He had never been homeless before. Alcohol, broken relationships and unemployment dropped him into the world of homelessness. "Mike, I need to get off these streets. I feel like I'm going insane", Gary said.

I prayed with him and we walked back to the shelter. I hugged him, said "good night" and he laid down on his mat.

I will always remember Gary who asked for just one thing.

Gary gave me permission to share his picture, this story and the video below of his time in prayer.

Bible Bullets

2011-01-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. -- Job 2:13

We often think of grief and loss only in the context of death, but I have
seen it in all aspects of life. People experience loss when they lose a job, a
relationship, their sense of safety, or even a long held dream. Moreover, the
process of grief often stirs up our deepest hurts and our worst thoughts
about ourselves and the world around us. It brings up all of those things and then amplifies and connects them, weaving a pattern of hurt through our lives.

When faced with someone who is grieving we trip and stumble in our
help or we just run from it. We don’t know what to do. We are left to search for words or deeds to somehow fix it, and we feel helpless. But really, the only thing that can help is being present – being near, being silent, being there
for those who are traveling this unsure and ever-changing journey.

"Sometimes, "Bible bullets" can be deadly. Our hurting friends don't always need our opinion or our Biblical expertise on why things are falling apart around them. Maybe they just need a friend to sit with them and say nothing." -- Rough Cut Men

He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

"Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus" -- Casting Crowns

Words from 1968 for Today

2011-01-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

“If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.” -- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

The day after the shooting tragedy in Tuscon, Arizona, some of the words below from Robert F. Kennedy seemed to be as real today at they were in 1968. Prior to a scheduled campaign appearance, Kennedy was informed about the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

He was advised by local police against making the campaign stop which was in a part of the city considered to be a dangerous ghetto. But Kennedy insisted on going.

He arrived to find the people in an upbeat mood, anticipating the excitement of a Kennedy appearance. He climbed onto the platform and inquired as to whether or not the crowd knew – and then, realizing they did not know, he spoke.

"I have some very sad news for all of you, and I think sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world, and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee.

Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings. He died in the cause of that effort. In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, it's perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in.

For those of you who are black - considering the evidence evidently is that there were white people who were responsible - you can be filled with bitterness, and with hatred, and a desire for revenge.

We can move in that direction as a country, in greater polarization - black people amongst blacks, and white amongst whites, filled with hatred toward one another. Or we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand and to comprehend, and replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand, compassion and love.

For those of you who are black and are tempted to be filled with hatred and mistrust of the injustice of such an act, against all white people, I would only say that I can also feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling. I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man.

But we have to make an effort in the United States, we have to make an effort to understand, to get beyond these rather difficult times.

My favorite poet was Aeschylus. He once wrote: "Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."

What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.

So I ask you tonight to return home, to say a prayer for the family of Martin Luther King, yeah that's true, but more importantly to say a prayer for our own country, which all of us love - a prayer for understanding and that compassion of which I spoke. We can do well in this country. We will have difficult times. We've had difficult times in the past. And we will have difficult times in the future. It is not the end of violence; it is not the end of lawlessness; and it's not the end of disorder.

But the vast majority of white people and the vast majority of black people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide in our land.

Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.

Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people. Thank you very much."

Robert F. Kennedy - April 4, 1968

Handmade Love

2011-01-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

Elaine is a dear friend that God and social media brought into my life. She and her husband Jim create "handmade love" for our homeless friends that visit the cold weather shelter at First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL. What is "handmade love"? Some call them scarves. I like to call them "handmade love". See the photos of our friends wearing "handmade love".

Photos from my friend Christie.

Pray First Then Feed One

2011-01-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. -- Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message)

Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone - Andy Stanley

My First Vlog: Hills and Obstacles

2011-01-03T04:13:00.001-08:00

Remember that the only way to get to, and climb the mountain, is to go through the valley. -- Sharon Bloomingdale Isberner

Why Social Media?

2010-12-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

I've seen many amazing things happen through the world of social media. I've seen amazing friendships created. I've seen people who have helped one another. I've seen people reach out to the hurting, the lonely and the marginalized. The blog post below from my friend John Beatty is another reason to be involved with social media. Click on the link below.

“Accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior”

Video: My Christmas Day in Florida

2010-12-26T06:41:00.000-08:00

Run for your lives. My gal pal Kristina gave me a Sony HD bloggie camera for Christmas. You know what that means? You'll be seeing truckloads of video clips on this blog from Mike "Spielberg" Ellis.

Christmas morning Kristina and I spent with my daughter Kiersten, my grandson's father Eric and my grandson Troy.

After our morning with Troy we stopped so that I could (guess what?) shoot some video of your ace travel reporter Mike "Discovery Channel" Ellis by the ocean in Flagler Beach, FL.

We saved the best for last Christmas day. Kristina and I along with many others served "the least of these" at the homeless shelter.

You're Not A Failure

2010-12-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be honest with you. I've been battling with feelings of failure. My second marriage ended this year. My son moved to WA state with his mom. I battle feelings of failure when I try to figure out how to be a father to a son that lives nearly 3,000 miles away. Even though I constantly battle against the tapes in my head that call me a failure, God is always there whispering and at times yelling to me, "Mike, you're not a failure!"

My homeless friend Norm invited me to a memorial service for homeless men and women who have died while living on the streets. After the service, Norm introduced me to someone by saying, "I'd like you to meet my dear friend Mike Ellis." It was hard not to cry when I realized that Norm considers me his friend.

After the memorial service, I went to an AA meeting. At this meeting I admitted that I'm an alcoholic and that I shouldn't drink anymore(I've been sober since Sunday). At the end of the meeting I walked up to receive my "surrender" chip. The man who handed it to me said,"Mike, you will win this war. Here is my phone number. Call me if you need help during the battle."

After the AA meeting and memorial service, my blogging and social media friend Michael Perkins called me to simply say, "Mike, I'm heading to the church for a prayer gathering. What can I pray about for you?" I shared a couple of things with Michael and then we cried together on the phone. Then he said, "Whenever you need me I'm here for you."

After years of doing a less than a lackluster job of being a father to my daughter, I'm getting a second chance. On Christmas morning I'll be with my daughter and my grandson. I sent my daughter a text last week. I thanked her for giving me a second chance at being her father. She sent me a text back that said, "You're the only father I have. Thanks for wanting to take a second chance at being my father. I love you."

As I write this post I don't feel like a failure. Why? Over and over again through the people He has placed in my life God tells me a different story.

If you're feeling like a failure God has a different story He'd like to share with you.

Guest Post: The Night Before Christmas

2010-12-22T05:02:00.000-08:00

What can I say about the somewhat world famous KatDish that hasn't already been said by others? I describe her as "spicy", "salty" and "one of the women I would take into a bar fight". She makes me laugh with her "snort" and has touched my heart with her words. A couple of weeks ago I asked her to write a guest post on my blog. Eventually after some harassment and phone calls to some of her family, she sent me a post. I'm glad she did. Enjoy the guest post below from a talented blogger and one of my she-roes, KatDish.

Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse

The shopping was done the bills had been paid

The guest list for tomorrow’s big feast had been made

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of ipods danced in their heads

But just miles away in my city I’m told

Is a man in an alley, desperate and cold

A part of me thinks he deserves what he got

He begs for the money for liquor and pot

But then I remember a time in my life

Before I had title of mother and wife

When days of good times and “casual use”

Turned into the nightmare of substance abuse

My attitude changed, I relent with a sigh

There but for the grace of God am I

I say a quick prayer and ask for forgiveness

For thinking these people are none of my business

I’ve labeled them homeless cause that fits my druthers

But they’re daughters and sons and sisters and brothers

Each has a story how they ended up there

And maybe they’d tell if I lent them my ear

All of these thoughts began flooding my head

As I pulled myself out of my comfortable bed

With coffee and blankets and family in tow

I drove through the streets till we got to Skid Row

We’re only one family we can’t help them all

Compared to their problems our efforts seem small

But I was determined at the very least

To have one extra guest at our Christmas day feast

Question: Would you or I be willing to change our plans to serve and love the people that Mother Teresa described as "Jesus in disguise"?

"The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved, they are Jesus in disguise." -- Mother Teresa

Are We Serving His Target Audience?

2010-12-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’-- Matthew 25:40

I worked in the world of radio promotions and marketing. If you wanted to stay at the top of the ratings heap you needed to know who your target audience was. For example, back in the old days, if you were an Adult Contemporary radio station your target audience was women 25-54. Every song you played, every contest and every event was designed to serve your target audience.

While Jesus walked this earth he had a target audience. Who were they? Thieves, murderers, prostitutes, adulterers, the sick, the crippled, the dying, the lame, the lonely, the hurting, the hopeless, the discouraged and those that had been kicked to the curb. Everything Jesus did was all about intentionally serving his target audience.

Are you and I serving, loving and reaching the target audience of Jesus?

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’-- Matthew 25:45

The photos above were taken today at an event designed to serve "the least of these" organized and inspired by my pastors and friends Ray and Susan Kelley from the Daytona Outreach Center. Thanks to my friend Christie Hyde for taking photos today.

Who Does He Give To? He Doesn't Find Fault?

2010-12-11T20:52:00.000-08:00

"...God gives freely to everyone. He doesn't find fault." from James 1:5

If I'm a Christ-follower I should do the same. Let me be a little more specific.

"Hello. My name is (Your name here). I'm a Christ-follower. I give freely to everyone. I never find fault with anyone."

Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference.

Churches Truly Helping Hurting People

2010-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

I have always been impressed with the work of Mark Horvath. He wrote a great article for the Huffington Post.

"..every single church, or temple, or bridge club, or bowling team can work together to support a rotating shelter. The Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team is a group of 90 churches that pool resources to help 60 homeless people get back on their feet. Some churches provide housing, some vans for transportation, some cool meals, and everyone wins. Like I said I visited twice. Both times the old church ladies in the back were having a blast. The smiles were endless. Although it was just a meal prepared and served, it was combined with a strategy to get people into housing and support services.

I urge you, no I beg you. If you're a faith based leader please look at what real effect you have on the community around you. If your tech or worship budget is higher then what you are putting back into the community you are off balance. And to be honest, the only churches that will see growth in the years to come are the ones that are truly helping the hurting people around them -- and not just their own members. Please start working with other organizations instead of being the Lone Ranger. And if the need is there, and I would bet that it is, please find a rotating shelter around you or start one.

Here is an interview with executive director, Rhonda Powell. We talk about the rotating shelter model and the current state of the economy. This is a very powerful interview with lots of information. Please watch and share."

See the complete article by clicking here.

For more information about Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team click here.

Follow Mark on Twitter by clicking here or at his blog by clicking here.

The secret of being content

2010-12-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

From the blog of V.V. Denman

It's Not Easy To Step Into Their World

2010-12-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

It's easy to throw money at a problem. It's easy to donate used jackets to a ministry that gives away clothes to the less fortunate. It's easy to put a spoonful of potatoes and gravy on a plate before you hand it to a homeless person. It's not easy to step into their world.

The cold weather hit quickly in Daytona Beach, FL. For over 10 years, when it dips to 40 degrees or colder the good folks from First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL open their doors to the homeless. Homeless men and women are brought to the church, fed a delicious, homemade dinner and given a warm, safe place to sleep for the night.

I've been blessed to play a role in this ministry for the past several years. I've learned this while working with the homeless and those that have been kicked to the curb. It's easy to do the easiest thing. What do I mean? Donating money to a worthy cause that helps the less fortunate and not getting your hands dirty is easy. Putting a plate of food in front of a dirty, homeless man is easy. Stepping into their world is not easy. It's hard.

You know you've stepped into the world of the homeless when you find yourself sitting down with them, talking, asking them questions, looking into their eyes and truly listening to them. The photo below is an example. In this photo you'll see youth pastor Tony Sorrell. Where is he? He is wearing a green hoodie, sitting at the table, looking into their eyes, listening and talking to the homeless. Tony stepped into their world.

The other night one of my homeless friends walked up to me as I was getting ready to leave the shelter. I was hungry and wanted to go home. This is typically the time that God has different plans for me. He stood in front of me, looked me in the eyes and said, "Mike, my best friend died a couple of weeks ago. He died right next to me while we were sleeping at our campsite. It's really messed me up. Could you give me a hug?" I gave my friend a hug while he cried and didn't let him go until he stopped crying. When he stopped crying he wiped away the tears and said, "thank you." For just a few moments, I pray that I stepped into his world.

It's not easy stepping into the world of the homeless. Many times it extremely inconvenient. The next day, a few hours later or minutes later I'm always glad that I didn't take the easy way out.

"You live among the least of these:
The weary and the weak.
And it would be a tragedy
For me to turn away.
All my needs You have supplied,
When I was dead You gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

-- Leeland, Follow You

Inviting Heaven to Earth

2010-11-26T10:24:00.001-08:00

"With every action, comment or conversation we have the choice to invite Heaven or Hell to Earth." - Rob Bell

"We think that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty." - Mother Teresa

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. In many places across the country the poor and the homeless were served a complete Thanksgiving meal in churches, halls and soup kitchens. Yesterday I experienced a unique situation when homeless men were invited to Thanksgiving dinner in a home filled with love.

This unique Thanksgiving dinner started in the mind of my friend Christie. She thought it would be a great idea to organize a dinner for those that didn't have plans or family to spend Thanksgiving with. It wasn't long before I began thinking about some of my homeless friends and what they might be doing for Thanksgiving. Prior to any of this, my friends Russell and Dani Holloway had asked me to take care of their dogs and home while they were away in Berlin, Germany. Long story short, Russell and Dani not only let us do Thanksgiving in their home, they were also more than willing to let me invite my homeless friends to come over too.

One lives in a car. Others live in the woods. It didn't matter to my friends Kelly, Jeff, Jane, Kristina, Ron, Christie, Mike, Momma, Terri and Michael. For just a few hours these homeless men were people just like us. Just like us they enjoyed a meal, conversation, friendship and love. Everyone was smiling, eating, talking and laughing. Everyone sat in chairs, ate too much and then ate some more. Everyone took home leftovers, hugged each other and said good bye.

Yesterday for just a little while it was hard to tell who was homeless and who lived in a home. Yesterday for just a few hours it was great to see my friends bring Heaven to Earth.

"F" Words at the Elton John concert

2010-11-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

F@#*

I've seen Elton John in concert two times. The first was over 14 years ago in Spokane, WA. I went to the show expecting Elton to do all of the rocking hits of my youth. He had another agenda. It was Elton and a piano. He spent most of the evening singing ballads. I spent most of the evening acting like a drunk bastard who yelled "Crocodile Rock" and "Bitch is Back" while friends and co-workers wondered when I would be thrown out of the show. I must have been terribly annoying to the woman behind me. She told me to "shut the F@#* up".

Last night was my second Elton John show. I'm proud to say that I wasn't blasted out of my mind and Elton was there to do nearly all of my favorite rocking hits. I discovered that when you're not drunk you can hear and experience other "F" words that are more positive, encouraging and healing.

Friendship

During his latest tour, Elton was joined by aging musician and songwriter Leon Russell. The show began with Elton introducing his friend Leon. Elton described Leon as someone he looked up to and admired for many years. Elton's words of respect for his friend poured into the hearts and minds of the audience. Leon was given star status before he played a single note because of the words shared by his dedicated friend. Elton left the stage and let his friend shine in the limelight.

Before singing a song dedicated to his friend, Leon said this, "I thank Elton John for dragging me out of the ditch. I don't know too many people that would have done that." These words from Leon dripped with truth. I knew without a doubt that whatever ditch Leon was in Elton was there to drag him out.

Forgiveness

It has been 20 years since young Ryan White died of AIDS. The photo above shows Elton and Ryan's mom with him in the hospital. During last night's show Elton discussed his relationship with Ryan and his family. Elton said, "Ryan and his family were the true definition of Christians because they forgave others." In a letter published on the 20th anniversary of Ryan's death, Elton wrote:

"I remember so well when we first met. A young boy with a terrible disease, you were the epitome of grace. When students, parents and teachers in your community shunned you, threatened you and expelled you from school, you responded not with words of hate but with understanding beyond your years."

Everyone including Elton John are drawn to living, breathing examples of true forgiveness. Yet when these stories are shared they seem so unique and rare. It made me think about what I'm doing to make forgiveness commonplace in my world.

"These cuts I have they need love to help them heal." -- Elton John

Share the Love of Jesus with the Needy: December 18th

2010-11-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Looking for an opportunity to love the less fortunate during the Christmas season? See note below from my friends Ray and Susan Kelley at the Daytona Outreach Center.

"So lots of people have been asking what we are doing for the holidays...this year we are going to have one big event. It will Be December 18th in HollyLand Park in Holly Hill(FL). We will be giving away jeans, sweatshirts, hats and gloves along with tennis shoes and clean socks. Worship will go throughout the day with Ray bringing the Word just before a wonderful Holiday meal (Turkey with all the trimmings) all wrapped in the Love of Jesus!

There are many ways you can help so please contact Susan at susan@daytonaoutreachcenter.com or call the office at 386-255-2409. We have plenty of room for those who desire to share the Love of Jesus with the needy in our area.

Look forward to working side by side with you!"

The Last Time

2010-11-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

The photo above means something. It represents the last time I went on a walk with my son in our neighborhood before he moved away.

The photo above also means something. It represents the last time I had lunch at school with my son before he moved away.

Last night my son left in a moving truck with his mom to the state of Washington. His mom and I are divorced. Both of our families and many dear friends live in Washington. My son will be surrounded with many people who will love and look out for him. I am thankful for that.

See the photo below. It was the last time that Devon and I carved a pumpkin together before he moved away.

The last walk. The last lunch. The last pumpkin carved. It all means something to me. Memories that will linger. Moments never taken away. These moments and memories make me miss him more today.

Video Message To Bullies: It Gets Worse

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

I am proud to say that I know Matt McKeown. Matt, his brothers and father have been a big part of repainting my Christian journey. Matt posted this brief video message on my Facebook wall. Please share this with others.

"Don't Take Anything Personally" (repost)

2010-10-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have a hot and cold friend. One minute he can't wait to hang out with me. Sends me emails. Calls me. Then all of a sudden. No phone calls. No emails. No lunch invitations. I suddenly go from Rock Star to the Ugly Girl at The Dance. I literally rack my brain trying to figure out what I did or didn't do. I take what he does or doesn't do personally. I feel like such a fraud as I write this post. I take everything personally.

Have you heard about "The Four Agreements"? One of the 4 agreements is "Don't Take Anything Personally". Below I posted The Four Agreements along with scriptures and quotes. I pray that they are helpful to you. I need to read these at least once a day.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Matthew 5:37 (The Message)
"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

“Words should be used as tools of communication and not as a substitute for action”

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Acts 7:59-60 (New International Version)
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Matthew 18:21-22 (New International Version)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times

Luke 23:34 (New International Version)
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

QTIP: stands for Quit Taking It Personally.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

PEOPLE ASKED JESUS QUESTIONS.

Mark 2:15-17 (New International Version)
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Luke 10:25-28 (The Message)
Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?" He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?" He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself." "Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."

“Assumptions are the termites of relationships.”

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New International Version)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth

Colossians 3:23 (The Message)
Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

“Whatever you are, be a good one.” Abe Lincoln

The Back of Ray's Head

2010-10-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

I love my friend and pastor Ray Kelley. Ray, his wife Susan and the Men of Faith ministry are on their second trip to Haiti since the devastating earthquake. I love how Ray and Susan do mission trips to Haiti. They don't want any plan except God's plan. They don't go to Haiti to fix buildings or dig wells. Ray, Susan and company go to Haiti to serve up love in extremely large doses and then share the rocking good news of Jesus Christ.

In the photo above you'll see the back of Ray's head. I'm not in Haiti but I know Ray. It might be the back of his head but I know that he is loving someone. It might be the back of Ray's head but I know that he is not judging anyone. It might be the back of his head but I know that Ray is sharing hope and encouragement with someone. It's the back of Ray's head but I know that he is making someone laugh or smile. If this person is sick Ray is praying for healing. If this person is hungry Ray is giving them something to eat. I can only see the back of Ray's head but I know that he is showing someone Jesus.

On Facebook, Ray's wife Susan said that things hadn't changed much since their last visit. I disagree with her. I guarantee that each time Ray, Susan and the Men of Faith leave Haiti minds, hearts and lives are changed forever.

Bullying Sucks

2010-10-13T04:41:00.000-07:00

Andrew Marin wrote a commentary at CrossWalk.com. Don't miss Andrew's words from this commentary:

"Each of the four teenagers who committed suicide in the last few months reached out at least once for help after being bullied - to no avail. News sources have reported that, whether to their parents, school administration or friends, none of these requests were taken as seriously as they should have been.

This one article and everyday people like you or me are not going to change the system. Fine. Then let the talking heads and gatekeepers keep doing the one thing they know how to do - politic. Meanwhile, it is up to you and me to start making a difference within this broken system and world we have been given. I want you, as I am, to go to your local middle school, high school, youth group, gay-straight alliance (GSA) or street corner, and get this message out:

Bullying needs to stop. We have a responsibility as children of God to strongly communicate a message that bullying, making fun of, or not including "the other" - especially in the case of sexual orientation - is wrong, unbiblical and it will not be tolerated. There is no room for such destructive patterns to occur under our watch. It is our time to set an example of who we are and what we believe. Our faith compels us to run towards the things that everyone else is running from."

One night. Two homeless men.

2010-10-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday night while I was on Beach Street two of my homeless friends crossed my path. One was Jake. The other Kevin.

Kevin was walking with his bike. He saw me and said, "Mike, I sure miss you. It's been awhile. I just need four dollars and I'll be able to spend the night at the Sally (on the streets "Sally" means Salvation Army). Can you help me with a couple of bucks?" I learned from my friend Ray Kelley to never give the homeless money. I made another offer. "Kevin, how about if you put your bike in my truck, I'll drive you to the Sally and pay for your room?" Kevin seemed unhappy with me and stormed away.

After a few minutes I jumped in my truck and spotted Jake. Jake was sitting on a bench reading a book. I pulled over, parked the truck and walked towards Jake. I knew it was Jake by the gleam in his eye. But I didn't recognize the rest of his body. Cancer had ravaged his body. He was very skinny. I walked towards Jake and we hugged. I spent a few moments with Jake and listened to what he had to say. Before I left I asked Jake a question, "Do you need anything to eat?" Jake said, "I'd sure like a sandwich. I love those Burger King double stacks." I gave Jake another hug and drove off to get him a hamburger.

I came back to Beach street with two hamburgers. Jake was still sitting on the bench. He smiled when he saw the bag of burgers. He gladly took them out of my hand. "Jake, where will you be sleeping tonight?" I said. Jake said, "Somewhere, I'm not sure yet. Thanks for the burgers." I hugged Jake and told him I loved him. He hugged me real hard. I love hugging my homeless friends.

I found out where I can find Jake so I can check in on him. He needs a winter coat and a new tire for his bike.

What should you do if a homeless person crosses your path? The brief video below will help you.

5 Ways To Help from Los Angeles Mission on Vimeo.

Stop Bitching (Re-Post)

2010-10-04T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am a whiner, complainer and grumbler. I whine, complain and grumble way too much.

I want more _____ . I want a bigger _______ . I want a smaller _______ . I want my friends to_________ .

I've got so many things to be thankful for. Instead I complain, whine and complain.

"Do everything without complaining....."----Philippians 2:14

Did you notice the word "everything"? The Word of God says that we should do everything without complaining.

Helen Keller was deaf-blind and mute. She could have spent tons of time complaining. Check out her quote below:

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content." ---Helen Keller

I am going to ask myself the following question: "Mike, are you deaf-blind and mute? Then stop Bitching!"

Check out this extremely rare video of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. Listen to the last thing that Helen says in the clip. It will knock you out.

The So Far From Hip It Hurts Conference

2010-09-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be 50 in January. I'm kind of lumpy in places (in a lot of places). My knees are starting to give out. I have selective hearing. I just started texting and I don't use hair gel. I would be less than honest if I didn't say that some of these Christian type conferences annoy me and seem a bit "too hip for the room". The last Christianese conference I went to was Promise Keepers just before it ran out of steam. Yes, even PK became lame.

Through the Twitternet I see numerous extremely hip conferences being chatted up and about. These conferences even produce hip #hashtags such as #StarBucksInTheLobby10 or #GoateesUnderTheTent2010 or #ItsReallyWineAndNotJuice. Okay, maybe I'm smoking crack but wouldn't it be interesting and maybe entertaining if there was an UnChristian Conference for those of us who are mildly or extremely unhip? A conference so unhip that it didn't have sessions. A conference so unhip that the official hotel was the Holiday Inn. A conference where the unofficial coffee was Folgers and not Starbucks. A conference where hair gel and scarves were discouraged. A conference where looking like you stepped out of a HillSong music video was not mandatory.

Okay, now I'm serious. I was talking to my blogging/social media chum Sarah Salter on the phone this evening (she is now very sorry that I have linked her name to this blog and especially this post) and shared this idea. Seriously, I would like to help organize the very first So Far From Hip That It Hurts conference. It will happen sometime in 2011. It should be held somewhere in the middle of these United States so that both the left and right side of the country can participate. Speaking of left and right, everyone is invited. Not just nutty Christians. Agnostics, Atheists, Straight, Gay, Theists, Liberals, Conservatives, Tea Party Peeps, Sinners, Saints, Black, Brown, Yellow, White and more are warmly welcomed (if I forgot a label, I'm sorry).

I have met so many terrific folks through blogging and social media I can't count them all on my 23 toes and fingers. I want to take this online thing offline. I'd like to meet as many of you as possible in person. Everyone who comes gets a free hug from me but don't let that discourage you from coming.

Wouldn't it be great to spend an entire weekend with me in the same hotel? In separate rooms of course.

I'm serious doggone it. Let's make this happen. The first annual So Far From Hip It Hurts conference coming to a Holiday Inn somewhere sometime in 2011.

Now it's up to you. Thoughts? What do you think? Crazy? Would ya? Could ya?

What if every church was a "Love Shack"?

2010-09-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

"The church should be the place where the incompetent, the unfinished, and even the unhealthy are welcome. I believe Jesus agrees." -- Mike Yaconelli

What would happen if every church was truly a "Love Shack"? A place where broken, messed up people knew that they would come and get loved on. A place without judgment. A place where the dirt of life was truly welcomed and embraced. A place where it's okay to be truly transparent. A place where people with everything sat next to people with absolutely nothing. A place where healing happens. A place for people who have given up hope to find hope again.

There is something amazing about love. It's contagious. People are drawn to love. Love encourages. Love moves mountains. Love removes pain and hurt. Love transforms. Love brings life.

I love going to the Port Orange VFW for karaoke on Friday or Saturday night. The song I always like to sing is "Love Shack" by the B 52's. It's a song that I call a "dance floor filler". All it takes are the first few notes of the song and the dance floor fills to the brim.

Wouldn't it be great if there was so much love in our churches that people filled the dance floor? So contagious that they were drawn to it? So encouraging that people couldn't wait for the first few notes?

I'm not very objective but I've found a church like that. It's the Messy Church. I like going to the Saturday night service at 5pm. I've found my "Love Shack". Thank you God. Thank you Ray and Susan Kelley.

"The mess of our lives and our crippledness -- is what most qualifies us to be chosen by Jesus." -- Mike Yaconelli

Hugging Men In Underwear

2010-09-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

My friend and fellow tweep from Twitter @ChristieSays took this photo while she was at First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, FL. Her photo was the inspiration behind this post.

Hugging people we know is easy. It's easy to hug people that agree with us, look like us and act like us.

In church it's easy to hug the person you see every Sunday. It's safe. It's comfortable. But what about the single mother in the back row who has lost hope and can't pay the bills? What about the man who lost everything and came to church as a last resort? What about the drunk who came to seek comfort from people instead of his bottle? What about the man who is crying and considering suicide? Are you going to hug him? What about the man sitting in the corner by himself? Last night his wife discovered pornography on their computer. Are you going to hug him?

I love it when the church moves outside the walls to hug people that don't come to church on Sunday or any other day of the week. These amazing soldiers of God don't burn books or yell at strippers. Instead they take their hugs to the hurting, the lonely, the marginalized and the poor.

For the second year, various churches and ministries dropped any and all differences and brought hugs to Holly Hill, Florida. It warmed my heart to see the church doing what Jesus has asked us to do. These nutty Christ followers washed feet, cut hair, served food, gave away backpacks, passed out clothes and hugs.

One of my she-roes is Susan Kelley. She was at yesterday's event in Holly Hill. Susan hugs homeless, lost, dirty, stinky, drunk and depressed people everyday at the Daytona Outreach Center. It's easy to go to a homeless shelter and pass out food or free gifts during the holiday season. Susan and her husband Ray actually live with and love the homeless everyday. One of the men that live with them called Susan "mom" yesterday. Susan hugs me all of the time. She does hug like a "mom". In the photo below you'll see Susan doing what she does best: hugging messy people.

Yesterday while I was hanging out with Ray and Susan one of my homeless friends walked up to me. He looked me in the eye and softly said, "Mike, Jesus loves you and so do I." Then he hugged me. He smelled like urine, body odor and alcohol. It's strange. His hug made the smell go away.

The few, the proud and the brave are courageous enough to take hugs to the most controversial of places. Recently a group of Christ followers went to a Gay Pride parade. One of those zany Christ followers hugged a man in his underwear. See the photo below.

I looked for a quote to close this post. I thought this quote from Princess Diana was perfect.

“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug : Heaven knows they need it.”

Barriers To Suicide

2010-09-08T16:54:00.001-07:00

For some weird reason another blogger who is obviously not doing background checks asked me to guest post on his blog. See "Barriers To Suicide" by clicking here.

Just Four Words

2010-08-31T16:43:00.001-07:00

My friend said these words to me in a Twitter direct message today. It was the end of the day. I was tired. Not feeling well. These words lightened my load. After I saw these word I felt different. I sat up straight in my chair. I smiled. I smiled big. My face hurt because I was smiling so much. I was still tired but I felt like I could take on entire army of naysayers. These four words gave me the strength to run up Hamburger Hill with a hollow log. These words filled me with confidence. I went from a 40 pound weakling to someone with the strength of ten men. I suddenly could defeat any foe. These four words changed my attitude. Someone believed in me. Someone cared for me. Someone knew I could do anything. My friend didn't spend money to give me these words. Don't get me wrong, these words were a gift. A beautiful gift. A gift that keeps giving. Some gifts break, fade and become out of date. These words are timeless, classic and are always the right size. These 4 words are so powerful that I felt compelled to share them with others. I drew them on a piece of paper and put it in front of my son while he was doing homework. He just walked in and said, "Dad, I'm almost done. Thanks for putting those words on paper. It meant a lot to me!"

Please give these four words to someone right now, today or tomorrow. Put them in an email. Make a call. Put them on a piece of paper. These four powerful words can change the course of a person's day, evening, week or lifetime.

"I'm Proud Of You!"

Line Dancing With Lesbians

2010-08-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

The world of Twitter and social media has brought so many things into my life including new friends. Today I asked my new friend from social media a question.

"What is the most adventurous, wild, risky thing you have done?", I said.

My friend said, "Friday night lesbians taught me how to line dance. We danced to the songs Highway to Hell, Ice Ice Baby, Love Shack and Mustang Sally."

"Have you line danced with lesbians before?", I asked.

She said, "First time line dancing. I've danced with lesbians before."

What is the most adventurous, wild, risky thing you have done? For some of you line dancing with lesbians may not be on the top of your list. Let me give you some other suggestions. Helping or encouraging a complete stranger. Forgiving someone who hurt you. Calling someone you haven't heard from in ages. Asking someone to forgive you. Saying you're sorry. Hanging out with people that don't look like you, act like you or believe in the same things that you do. Doing something for someone and not expecting anything in return. Hugging a homeless person. Loving a prostitute. Helping a single mom who is at the end of her rope. Doing more than dreaming by finally putting a dream in motion.

At the end of our day my friend and I were walking towards the parking lot. A young girl about 12 or so asked us if we'd like a sample of popcorn. She told us that her mom and dad just started a popcorn store. "Would you like to come inside?", the little girl said. If that little girl was risky enough to ask, I was going to step inside. My friend and I walked in. We sampled some great tasting flavored popcorn, talked to the owners and bought a bag. As we walked away my friend said, "Isn't that cool that someone has a dream to start a popcorn store and then does it." Yes, mom and dad took a risk and made their dream come true. Think about this though. Our visit to the popcorn store started with a brave 12 year old girl taking a risk by inviting us inside.

What is the most adventurous, wild, risky thing you have done? What are you waiting for?

Message for Misfits and Screwups

2010-08-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

"The mess of our lives and our crippledness is what most qualifies us to be chosen by Jesus." -- Mike Yaconelli

I have seen the hand of God through the acts of friends and family several times over the past few weeks. Michael Perkins is a great man I met through the world of Twitter. A few days ago Michael sent me a direct message. It said, "Mike, I'm sending you a book." The book arrived in the mail and the title got my attention immediately: "Messy Spirituality". It was written by Michael Yaconelli. After the book was originally published Yaconelli died in in a car accident. After his death the book was published as a paperback. His wife Karla wrote the forward.

At the end of the foreword Karla knocks it out of the park by setting the stage for the pages and chapters that follow:

"God actually had a fondness - a downright preference, if you will - for misfits and screwups.

I know if my beloved husband could say anything to those of you who are reading these words and who are about to embark on the adventure of reading this book, it would be this:

Take heart, my friends. You are in good company. You, with all of your faults and imperfections; you, with your defects and failures; you, with your hang-ups and emotional scars; you, with your weaknesses and your defeats; you, with all of your blunders, brokenness, and floundering: you are God's beloved, God's favored, the disciple whose name God calls, the one Jesus prefers to hang with, eat with, play with, talk with, cry with, and laugh with. You are the one whom the holy God of heaven and earth longs to spend time with. You are all of this and more. You always have been. Any you always will be."
-- Karla Yaconelli

The words in this book gave great comfort to me. No matter how much I've screwed up and made a mess of my life Jesus is attracted to me. Guess what? Jesus likes your mess too. As a matter of fact, He prefers you to be messy.

"According to the Bible, Jesus is attracted to the unattractive. He prefers the lost ones over the found ones, the losers over the winners, the broken instead of the whole, the messy instead of the unmessy, the crippled instead of the noncrippled."
-- Mike Yaconelli

My visit with a prostitute

2010-08-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

I met Jo Lynn through my friends Ray and Susan Kelley. Ray and Susan are the amazing Christ followers behind The Daytona Outreach Center and the Messy Church. The first time I met Jo Lynn was when she became a part of The Daytona Outreach Center. See the YouTube clip below. At about 3:20 you'll see Jo Lynn tell her story of addiction and prostitution. At about 4:47 you'll see my friend Ray Kelley baptizing Jo Lynn after she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

(I invite you to watch the entire clip. It's a great way to see what God is doing through Ray and Susan Kelley.)

Unfortunately Jo Lynn didn't stay with The Daytona Outreach Center. She went back to the streets and her former life of prostitution and addiction. Today I was driving home and I saw Jo Lynn. I drove past her and felt compelled to turn around and find her. I found her sitting on a street corner. The Jo Lynn you see in the video was not the Jo Lynn I saw today. Today she was extremely skinny, she was wearing a bikini, her hair was a mess and her eyes looked horrible. As I walked up to her she looked at me as if I was one of her "dates" and then she realized who I was. "Mike, I hope you're not here to preach to me," she said. I said, "Jo Lynn I'm here to tell you that you are loved and valued." I can't describe the look on her face at that very moment. Her eyes filled with tears and she said, "Mike, you don't want to get high with me and have sex? You don't want anything from me?" I said again, "Jo Lynn I am here today to tell you that you are loved and valued." She said, "Everybody wants something from me and as long as they have money I'll give it to them." Then Jo Lynn and I simply sat and talked. As I was getting ready to leave I asked her if she needed anything. "I could use a cup of ice", she said. I drove Jo Lynn to the nearby convenience store and got her a cup of ice. Before I got in my truck I told her again, "Jo Lynn you are loved and valued." She gave me the biggest hug. It was a hug that nearly split me in two and I thought she was never going to stop. I made a promise to Jo Lynn today. Every time I see her I am going to stop and tell her that she is loved and valued.

"Some, including myself, would call Jo Lynn a prostitute and an addict but I like calling her my friend."

The Early Stages of Divorce

2010-08-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've experienced a variety of things during the early stages of divorce. Here are a few of them:

It’s weird for other people too.
Yes, I am going through the process of divorce but so are others. My wife, son, daughter, our family and friends are dealing with our divorce. It’s interesting to see how family and friends are responding. Some have reached out to me via email. Others have picked up the phone. Some have remained silent. Family and friends subliminally pick sides. Friends that talked to me before aren't talking to me anymore. My wife’s family has not reached out to me since we made our divorce public. I'm not sure if and how my family has reached out to my wife so I can't speak to that. During the divorce process you learn who your real friends are.

(If you're a family member or friend who has not reached out and you are reading this, it's okay. I understand how weird this must be for you.)

Bad Brings Good
Prior to the divorce I had a pretty crappy, non-existent relationship with my daughter. When my daughter found out she called and comforted me. She invited me to my grandson's first birthday party. My daughter and I have been talking several times a week. I've never talked this much to my sister and brother. They've been checking in on me almost daily. My sister is flying me up to North Carolina at the end of October for a visit. I've renewed my friendship with Ray and Susan Kelley. I'm so thankful for that.

Church and Couples
So many people knew my wife and I as a couple. We don't get together with those people anymore. The weekly bible study. Going out to dinner. Being invited over to their homes. My friend Russell still invites me to the weekly bible study at his house. I'm not going. It's nothing personal. Hanging out with other married couples doesn't feel good right now.

So many people knew us as a couple at church too. I'm not going to church on Sunday. I've talked to my pastor about this. Church seems weird right now. When you're in the process of divorce where do you sit? 3 seats away from your wife? In the other section? I've been going to the Messy Church on Saturday nights and have really enjoyed it. My friends Ray and Susan Kelley are the pastors.

Act Like Nothing is Going On
This is the suggestion part of this post. When you know someone that is going through divorce, death or tragedy and you know about it, don't act like nothing is going on. Don't run into them and talk about the weather. Don't see them in church and walk past them. Don't ignore them. Don't be silent. Please reach out to them. Tell them you love them and that you are there for them. Your silence and distance hurts. Earlier this week a friend of mine found out about the divorce by reading this blog. She called me on the phone, said she was sorry and started to cry. I'll always remember that. I'm thankful for my friends Russell, Michael, Richard, Elaine, Jane, Dana, Christie, Christine and Jennifer. They tweet, chat, email or call me almost everyday to ask how I am doing. I've also been blow away by so many of my friends from Twitter. I've lost count of how many of them have reached out to me when I needed it the most. As I was going to bed the other night I checked the email on my phone and found a note from my cousin Tracy:

"Hi there, cousin! I just wanted to let you know tonight, that you've been on my heart the past couple of weeks, and I thought it was important that I share that with you. I don't know any details of your situation, but I somehow stumbled upon your blog and was brought to tears reading about some of your struggles. I know it sounds cliche and you are probably hearing the same thing from a hundred different people...but, for what it's worth, I am praying for you, Mike, and I love you dearly."

With God's help all of us we'll get through this messy thing called divorce.

...We're still too full of ourselves

2010-08-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

I have always admired my friend @KatDish. She like so many others have reached out to me in my darkest hours. She left the comment below in response to one of my recent blog posts.

My friend and pastor wrote a series of posts entitled "Full". In part one, he talked about the "God-shaped hole" concept we often use to describe our tendency to fill ourselves up with everything except for God. I found his research interesting:

"What is it then that this desire and this inability proclaim to us, but that there was once in man a true happiness of which there now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present? But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object,that is to say, only by God Himself."

-Blaise Pascal - The Pensées
#425, Section VII. From "Morality and Doctrine"

Unless I'm mistaken, this is the actual passage that has been reduced to "Everybody has a God-shaped hole in their life." Even if it's not, I'm glad I found it, because this statement more accurately describes the kind of longing that I have known. I know without a doubt that the absence of God in my life would not produce a "God-shaped hole." Instead, it would leave me with a massive, gaping wound from which the entirety of myself as I know it would be drained. Without God I would be empty.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

So why is it then, that someone can be a Christ-follower and agree that they would be empty without God, but also have to admit that they don't exactly feel full with Him?

Maybe we don't feel "full" of God because we're still too full of ourselves.

You'll find more of the great KatDish at her blog.

Take A Load Off

2010-08-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

This morning after coffee at Denny's, a man I respect walked out to the parking lot with me. His name is Richard.

Richard asked me a question. He said, "Mike, I know you are going through a bunch of stuff right now. Are you figuring anything out about yourself?"

I said, "Richard, I have horrible self esteem issues. I feel like I have a hole in the middle of me. For years I have been filling that hole with all of the wrong things. Food, alcohol, legal drugs, work, ministry, people's approval, just about anything I can cram into my hole. It might fill the hole for a moment, a day or a few months but the hole returns." I continued, "Yes, I know what those crazy Christ followers will say. Fill it with Jesus Mike. Fill it with Jesus. That sounds good but I'm not there yet. Richard, I want to sincerely learn that I can fill that hole in the middle of me with Jesus."

Richard looked at me with tears in his eyes. He said, "Mike, first of all you'll never believe how much you and I struggle with the same issues. But most of all I can't believe what you just said. I've known you for awhile and I'm concerned about you. I knew I had to share my heart with you. You said exactly the same stuff I was going to share with you. God had you open up and share it with me instead. I know it sounds weird but you just took a load off my shoulders. You did that by being honest and open with me."

Richard hugged me and wiped his eyes. We both got into our cars and drove away.

Honesty + Transparency = a load off of you and possibly someone else.

Did You Believe That I Loved You?

2010-08-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

My friend @katdish sent me the following tweet and the video below:

"Good thing it's not about being good, it's about being loved in our brokenness."

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

What if Kimberly came to your church?

2010-08-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

I've been digging Netflix. Why? I love documentaries and Netflix is rocking a truckload of of them. Here is one I suggest you watch. It's called "Prodigal Sons". See the movie trailer below.

After the gender switch and several years away from her home town, the movie begins with Kimberly making a decision to go to her class reunion. Her former classmates accept Kimberly, her girlfriend and the decision she has made.

What if Kimberly came to your church? Would you accept, welcome and love her?

I remember a sad story told to me and others during a Christian retreat. A person changed their gender from a man to a woman. Several years after making the gender change this person became a Christian and was led to find a church community. Why was this a sad story? It was extremely difficult for this person to find a church that would accept someone who has changed their gender. The story ended the same way it started. A person without a church community.

What if Kimberly came to your church? Could she play in the worship band? Could she lead a Bible study? Would she come one Sunday and never come back again?

What if Kimberly came to your church?

Don't Hide Your Story

2010-08-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -- Nelson Mandela

I've done my share of moping and feeling sorry for myself the past several weeks. I'm pretty sure that I'm officially ready to move forward, dust myself off and stop doing stupid stuff. My friend Fatha Frank posted stories about men who lost everything and didn't give up. The post lead me to do some YouTube video research about the song "It Is Well With My Soul".

At the beginning of the video below you'll see a quote from Helen Keller:

"The world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming it."

Helen Keller was deaf and blind. She didn't give up. The man behind the song "It Is Well With My Soul" didn't give up after losing his fortune and his family. I am going through the process of divorce. It inspires me when I hear about others who have gone through hell and never gave up. One of my co-workers is going through marriage separation after he found out his wife was having an affair. I've been silent about my divorce at work. That changed yesterday when I took my suffering co-worker aside and told him about what I am going through. His mood lifted. His eyes brightened. His burden was lightened. He appreciated knowing that he wasn't the only one going through marriage struggles.

Don't hide your story. Your dirty, messy, ugly story will inspire others. It will also help others to feel like they aren't alone.

Tweets From Max

2010-08-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Max Lucado is on Twitter. These are a few of my favorite tweets from Max.

Since you are God's idea, you are a good idea.

God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.

It's against God's nature to remember forgiven sins.

God makes healthy what is sick, right what is wrong, straight what is crooked.

Our God is no fair-weather Father. You can count on him to be in your corner no matter how you perform.

God's faithfulness has never depended on the faithfulness of his children. He is faithful even when we are not.

God believes in u enough 2 call u his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue & believe in yourself?

God's grace is older than your sin and greater than your sin.

He could have lived over us or away from us. But he didn't. He lived among us.

For all the things God does, there is one he refuses to do. He refuses to keep a list of my wrongs.

When all of earth turns against you, all of heaven turns toward you.

God takes you however he finds you. No need to clean up or climb up. Just look up.

God hasn't given up on you. He hasn't turned away. He believes in you.

You may go days without thinking of God, but there's never a moment when he's not thinking of you.

If you're looking for a place with no change, try a soda machine. With life comes change.

A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.

Want to worry less? Then pray more. Rather than look forward in fear, look upward in faith.

God will not let you go. He has handcuffed himself to you in love. And he owns the only key.

I'm Thankful Today

2010-08-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Today I am thankful. I am thankful that Jenn and Lou invited me over to their home. I am thankful that Lou made me eggs and sausage for dinner. I am thankful that I didn't stop at a bar on the way home. I am thankful that my brother and my sister called me. I am thankful that I will be going to my grandson's first birthday party.

My brother said something to me in a text yesterday. He said,"Mike, remember what made each day good." Today I'm going to remember all of the things I am thankful for. There is another thing I am thankful for today. My son is coming home Sunday. I am thankful for this great picture of him.

What are you thankful for? What made yesterday good? What made today good?

Alone

2010-08-04T18:39:00.001-07:00

Lonely is a freedom that breathes easy and weightless.

Society is afraid of alone.

Lonely is healing if you make it.

I've been feeling alone and lonely lately. It just got worse. I just found out where Becky and my son will be living after they leave Florida and move to Washington state in a few months. It hurts a little bit more when I found out that she'll be living with the couple that introduced us to each other almost 14 years ago. I'm going to need to get use to being alone. I know what you Christ followers are saying, "Mike, you're never alone. God is always with you!" I know. I know. But tonight I feel alone. This is one of those moments where I can easily do something stupid because it hurts too much to deal with reality. Please God help me deal with being alone and heal my heart. Don't worry. I won't do anything stupid tonight.

Funny how God works. Just moments ago he led me to a video at the Flower Dust blog. It's another way that God reaches out to me and tells me it's going to be okay. See the video below from a really cool chick named Jamie. The video below is about learning to be alone.

Alone is okay.

Hopeless Causes

2010-08-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Look closely at the photo below. It's a photo of me and three of my friends. It's a picture of what some would say are "hopeless causes".

Let me introduce you to a whole row of "hopeless causes". On the left is Sasha. I don't know all of Sasha's story but I knew her when she lived on the streets. I remember seeing her struggle and fight to survive. I'm the other "hopeless cause" in black standing next to Sasha. More about me later. Standing next to me in the sunglasses is my friend Jewels. I met Jewels for the very first time at a cold weather shelter at my church. He was homeless, hungry and he looked pretty hopeless. Freddy is in the white t-shirt. I met Freddy on the same night and the same place I met Jewels. Both homeless, hungry and some would say "hopeless causes". I guess I'd better share something about the other "hopeless cause" in the photo. That's me. The tall dude in black. I just found out a couple of weeks ago that my wife wants a divorce. There have been many times over the past couple of weeks where I have felt like a "hopeless cause". But I've have had many people tell me that my situation is not hopeless. Two of the people that have loved and encouraged me are Ray and Susan Kelley. I am sure that more than once Ray and Susan we're called "hopeless causes". They were hard core addicts. But God didn't give up on them. God used others to reach out to Ray and Susan and gave them hope. Ray and Susan share that hope with others everyday at the Daytona Outreach Center in downtown Daytona Beach, Florida. The Kelley's shared that hope with Sasha, Jewels and Freddy. Ray and Susan welcomed my homeless friends to be a part of their ministry.

Tonight after work I drove down to the Daytona Outreach Center. I saw my friends Sasha, Freddy and Jewels. Sasha and Jewels were greeting homeless men and women and inviting them to sit down for dinner. Freddy was standing behind the table serving dinner. 3 former "hopeless causes" serving others hope. Then Sasha, Freddy and Jewels served me hope and it didn't come on a plate. It came as a smile, a huge hug and a kiss. Tonight God used Sasha, Jewels and Freddy to give me hope. Hope comes from the strangest situations and from the most unlikely people.

Thank you Ray, Susan, Sasha, Freddy and Jewels for reminding of the hope we all have in Jesus Christ. Thank you God for using your people to help me feel like I'm not a "hopeless cause" and that there truly is hope.

"God will not let you go. He has handcuffed himself to you in love. And he owns the only key." -Max Lucado (Thank you Sarah)

You can find out more about the Daytona Outreach Center and the Messy Church by clicking here. The YouTube clips below will tell you Ray and Susan's story along with the hope they are sharing with others through the Daytona Outreach Center.

Counting My Blessings

2010-08-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." -- Proverbs 17: 17

I just got back from my "talking doctor". Jessica is one of the great counselors at Port Orange Counseling Center. I spent most of the session crying my eyes out while discussing my depression, battles with food, alcohol and the end of my second marriage. At the end of the session Jessica said something brilliant. She said, "Mike, you tend to stay stuck in the negative. What if you spent some time tonight thinking about the blessings in your life?" Leave it to my "talking doctor" to put a positive spin on things. It wasn't a bad idea. I've spent nearly 3 weeks moping, pouting, eating and drinking myself into oblivion and it hasn't seemed to be work. As Monty Python said, "And now it's time for something completely different." I don't have to go far to find the blessings in my life. The blessings are my friends. I have lost count of how many times they have reached out to me during my darkest hours. I thank God for each one of them.

Thank you Ray, Susan, Peter, Russell, Richard, Lou, Jenn, Frank, Tom, Doug, Christine, Dana, Christie, Jane, Elaine, Michael, Sarah, Jonathan, Candy, Herb, Ky, Anne, Annie, Ginny, Dusty, Kevin, John, Ryan, Shawn, Learell, SisterSadist, GayGirls, Bitchmobile, JackalopeKid, KrissyKat510 and Lauren Mack. I apologize if I left you out of this list. Tonight as I go to sleep I'll count each of you as one of my many blessings. I told my "talking doctor" that you made me think of of the song below. Thank you for being my friend.

2010-08-02T05:04:00.001-07:00

It Wasn't A Complete Surprise

2010-08-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

My marriage has ended. A couple of weeks ago my wife said, "I'd like to move forward with divorce." It wasn't a complete surprise to me. We've been struggling for a long time. I understand that is was a challenge for her to be married to me. My wife would say that it wasn't just one thing that brought her to this decision. It was a myriad of issues over the course of our nearly 14 years together. Being married to a man who battles with depression, food and alcohol is not a walk in the park.

Since she delivered this news to me I've reverted back to my destructive habits. I've lost track of how many times I've blown my sobriety. I haven't been exercising and I'm eating everything and anything that's not nailed down. Today, after eating an entire Chinese buffet, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I will post thoughts on this blog at the end of each day. I know that God's strength is the only thing that will get me through the process of divorce.

"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath."
-- Psalm 34:18 (The Message)

What Do I Need To Confess

2010-07-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

An Act Of Confession from blaine hogan on Vimeo.

Thank you @KatDish and @blainehogan

Jesus On The JukeBox

2010-07-24T11:15:00.001-07:00

Music has always been one of my favorite things. I remember as a kid doing my chores and getting an allowance. I would save my allowance so that I could purchase a 45 record. I remember clearly walking to the store with my money, purchasing the 45 and walking back home so that I could wear the record out by playing it over and over again. So much of my life is connected to music even though I am not a musician. Music takes me back to sadness, happiness, celebration, grief, life and death. The song at my father's funeral. The music at my wedding. The song on the cruise boat during my honeymoon. The tune that my grandfather whistled. The 8 track tapes and albums my stepfather collected. The music playing in the background while my daughter was born. The music my homeless friends requested at numerous cold weather shelters. The hits I played as a DJ on various radio stations.

In an earlier post, I talked about how I hear and connect to God. Music is one of those amazing ways that God speaks to me. I know this sounds critical but God usually doesn't speak to me through typical Christian music. I hear him loud and clear through what we nutty Christians describe as "secular" music.

One of my best friends, Russell Holloway, started a cool weekly post on his blog. He called it "Jesus On The Jukebox". Each week he posted a song from the "secular" music world that had incredible connections to the Bible and the Christian journey. Russell and I have been talking about actually doing a show on a local Christian radio station called "Jesus On The Jukebox". The thought of playing non-traditional music on a Christian radio station warms my heart. I pray that it will warm and connect to the the hearts of those that listen. I pray that it makes God smile.

I'll give you a heads up when we start the show and how you can listen. We'll inform state and federal authorities in case we're breaking any laws. Most importantly, we'll call a meeting of the deacons and elders to make sure we're not breaking any extremely important church laws, traditions or regulations.

Want an example of the of music we would be playing? See the YouTube clips below.

We Are Plan A

2010-07-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

"We cannot stretch out our hands and arms to serve the poor when they are clutching tightly to our things." @cthomasdavis

If you're interested in a "radical" ministry that is doing "radical" work for the least of these, click here.

Feed Just One

2010-07-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

"I guess it's hard for people who are so used to things the way they are - even if they're bad - to change. 'Cause they kind of give up. And when they do, everybody kind of loses." -- Pay It Forward

The world can be a crappy place. Our neighborhoods are bulging at the seams with depression, hopelessness and loneliness. We're tired of empty words and broken promises.

For those of us who want to make a change the task can seem overwhelming. What if each of us found one person and helped them? Mother Teresa said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

If you been a part of the Twittersphere for any length of time, you'll notice that Twitter has it's own celebrities. These Social media mavens have eleventy-jillion followers and are chock full of witty tweets. Who would have thought that 3 of Twitter's superstars would have taken the time to help or encourage a somewhat goofy guy like me?

“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” -- John Maxwell

My twitter account was hacked. I had no idea what to do. I sent a tweet to @JeffPulver asking for help. Jeff has 361,000 followers. He immediately replied back to me. Jeff connected me to a techie within the bowels of Twitter. My problem was solved. On top of that, Jeff has helped to get my CEO, Marketing Director and others into his special events. Thank you Jeff.

I got a new Blackberry prior to an emergency trip to Washington State. I had no idea how I would keep in touch with my Twitter business accounts while I was away from the office. I sent a tweet to @UnMarketing. He immediately sent out a tweet to his 60,000 followers. Scott asked, "What is the best Twitter app for a BlackBerry? Please respond to @MarketerMikeE." I was overwhelmed with the response. Before you could say "fail whale" I was downloading UberTwiter to my BlackBerry. Thanks Scott.

@GiniDietrich is the CEO of a social media marketing mega-house in Chicago. The other day Gini sent me a direct message. It said, "I just read your Lesbian Labels blog post. What a brilliant, honest piece!" Over the weekend she sent me this tweet, "@MarketerMikeE Wait til Monday. I have a little surprise." What was the surprise? This morning Gini shared a link to my blog post with her 13,000 followers. Thank you Gini.

Today I found a guest post from Gini. She said, "For me, it’s important I help others, I pay it forward as often as I can, I pump up people, I acknowledge everyone who comes into my world, and I never get too big for my britches."

Don't get too big for your britches. Intentionally reach out to someone today. Help them. Encourage them. They'll remember what you did and hopefully do it for someone else.

Dream Big. Start Small. Pay it Forward.

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them...." -- Matthew 7:12 (The Message)

Social Media Marketing Madness

2010-07-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

Inspiration Injection

2010-07-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend @FlipBooks

Drown Out The Cries of the Suffering

2010-07-08T16:49:00.000-07:00

God connected me to this powerful blog post:

"I read a story a few months ago that haunted me. It was about this church in Nazi Germany during the 30′s. They were just a few German Christians who would gather and worship together each week. It was about as normal of a church as you’d expect. If one of us were to have shown up we probably would have been able to fit in without standing out (other than that whole not speaking German thing, that would probably be noticeable). But the problem was that the church had been built too close to the train tracks. And lately, the trains had been running a lot.

But the problem wasn’t the train, it was the cargo.

Because in this little church building, the German Christians could hear the sound of Jewish people on those trains, and they were screaming for help. When the people on the trains would pass by, they would think maybe the church would help, so they would yell.

And so the church sang louder.

Their plan of action was to just drown out the cries of suffering."

I asked myself a question after reading this post.

"Mike, what are you doing to drown out the cries of the suffering?"

I have a question for you.

"What are you doing to drown out the cries of the suffering?"

I have a question for the church.

"What is the church doing to drown out the cries of the suffering?"

"They could have stopped singing, gone outside and done something. They might have even saved a few men and women’s lives, sure they would have had to stop doing church. But they could have been the church."

You can read the complete blog post by clicking here.

My thanks to @Campbelld72 for leading me to this post. Thanks to @Stormented for writing it.

My Cracks and Crap

2010-06-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

"Accountability is worthless if you aren't willing to be accountable."--Gary Lamb

When I am struggling, depressed, lonely, at the end of my rope or battling with one of my myriad of messy issues what is the last thing I want to do?

How about if I tell you the first thing I want to do?

Eat dozens of Dunkin Donuts. Drink myself into oblivion. Do something irresponsible. Yell and scream at all of the wrong people for all of the wrong reasons. Pull away from the people I love. Crawl into a cave. Isolate myself.

What is the last thing I want to do?

Call a friend or call out to God.

Why is this always the last thing I want to do? I will expose my weaknesses. Share the real me and the ugly truth. My cracks will show. I won't look like the perfect husband, father, friend or Christian anymore.

This week I plan on exposing my cracks and crap to a couple of trusted friends. It's going to be hard. It will be a little easier with God. He's already seen all of my cracks and crap. I don't know how my friends will handle it but I know how God will deal with it. With open arms, He'll offer me love, mercy and forgiveness.

"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." -- Luke 15:20

Lesbian Labels

2010-06-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

We have lesbians that attend my church. I'm pretty sure that they consider it their church too. We have lesbians that are members of the worship team. There are lesbians that come to church and attend bible study. I'm pretty sure that I saw lesbians helping out in the church kitchen this morning.

What is it about lesbians in church that gets me thinking about my own issues? They help me see the labels I put on them and on others. I put labels on just about everyone except for myself.

How do I know that they are lesbians? They didn't give me a card that says, "Hello, I am a lesbian." They aren't wearing name tags that say,"Hi, I'm a lesbian." So I must be making assumptions or being judgmental based on what I think lesbians look like. They aren't holding hands or smooching on each other during services. They aren't working on cars in the parking lot. They aren't wearing Lilith Fair t-shirts. I guarantee that they don't have lesbian labels inside their shirts. I want to scream to myself, "Mike, they are people. Why aren't you looking at yourself instead of spending your time deciding whether or not you've got lesbians in your church!"

I've got problems with food, alcohol and depression. Those are just a few of the issues I deal with on a daily basis. Maybe I should pass out a card or wear a t-shirt to church. My card or t-shirt would say, "Hello. My name is Mike. I judge others based on appearance. I'm an alcoholic. I'd rather be drinking right now but I'm not. Don't ask me how things are going in my marriage. Ask my wife. She'll give you an honest answer. I tend to sugarcoat things. I probably won't give you an honest answer since I'm supposed to be "Mr. Super Christian Husband". Because I'm not drinking alcohol I'm battling even more with my food addiction. I take two anti-depressants a day. If I don't take my pills I can be a raging bastard or so down in the dumps that I've thought about ending my life."

I need some help though. I don't know what people who cheat on their spouses look like? What about men or women who are addicted to pornography or gambling? What do they look like? What does the man who abuses his wife and children wear to church on Sunday. The embezzler. The liar. The woman who chose to abort her baby. The man who left his family behind. The couple living together. What do they look like? How do they talk? What do they wear?

BREAKING NEWS: I've found a photo of a man who struggles daily with depression, alcoholism and food addictions. See photo below. It's me.

God, help me to put down my label maker. Instead, help me to look at others through the eyes of Jesus

Photo taken by my friend @Dana88

Rattlesnakes, religion, and rockabilly

2010-06-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

What you won't see at my church this weekend.

Sorry. Not very seeker friendly is it?

Found this at the great blog: 22 Words

Spilled Your Love Lately?

2010-06-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

This Changes Everything - Missions Spot from danDifelice on Vimeo.

Have You Spilled Your Love Lately?

Anything Wrong With This Photo?

2010-06-07T15:35:00.000-07:00

Is there anything wrong with this photo. Nothing? No big deal? So what? Is what you're looking at become such a part of our lives that we have become numb to it? Remember when we talked to each other at the breakfast table? Remember when we used to eat breakfast together?

You could have taken a photo that looks like this in my home.

I found this photo linked to this article, "Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price".

Why Tweet In Church?

2010-06-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are many opinions and articles about "Tweeting" in church. Go to Google and do a search for "Why Tweet In Church?" or "Tweeting in Church". You'll find a truckload of links to check out. You'll find links for TIME, The New York Times and blogs. I believe that Twitter is an incredible outreach tool. I've written two guests post about how and why the church should use Twitter. You can see the first one here and the second one here. One of my guest posts was discussed on a blog based in the United Kingdom. The title of this post is Why Tweet In Church? The great musical theologian Rod Stewart once sang Every Picture Tells A Story. The picture below tells a story. It's the story of 3 knuckleheads (my pastor @TomForPeace, my friend Russell @RussellNCC and me @MarketerMikeE) reaching out to others through Twitter. The picture below was taken today after church. It features tweeps that connected to First United Methodist Church in Port Orange, Florida through Twitter.

In the picture above you'll see my pastor, my friend Russell, @Dana88, @TheChef_, @PaganKelly and kids, @SeeJaneSell and @ChristieSays. I'm the scary bald guy in the back.

"Out of 132 contacts that Jesus had with people recorded in the New Testament, 6 were in the temple, 4 were in the synagogue, and 122 were out in the mainstream of life." -- Darrel Davis

God Speaks To Me Through Pearl Jam

2010-05-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't had the best week. I haven't been the best father. I haven't been a good husband. My relationship with my daughter isn't great. It's been a tough week in the marriage department. I admit I'm not the greatest at relationships. I beat up on myself when things aren't going well at home(See, I'm beating up on myself in this post). I place way too much importance on what people think of me.

I was at a party over the weekend feeling sorry for myself because everyone else was drinking and I wasn't(I've been sober for over 7 months). Suddenly someone who had too much wine mentioned a song from Pearl Jam. I didn't think about it again until just moments ago. I looked up the song on YouTube and found the lyrics.

God knows me like no one else. He wanted me to hear this song before I started my week. He whispered to me through the words of Pearl Jam: "It's OK. You know I love you anyway". You'll find the lyrics and clip below. I pray that as you listen to this song and read the lyrics you'll hear God whisper to you, "It's OK. You know I love you anyway".

Vedder to Crowd:
"I'm going to stand here with you. I'm going to give you a part, I say 'It's OK and you say 'It's O.k.'"

It’s ok…
Vedder and crowd -It’s ok!

It’s ok
Crowd: It’s ok

You don’t have to run and hide away

It’s ok
It’s ok

You know I love you anyway

This is my chance, this is my life,
This is my hope in an alleyway
This is my chance, this is my voice
There may be no more tomorrow
This is my plea
This is my need
And my time of standing free
This is my step
This is my day
And the world is never the same

It’s ok
It’s ok

You know I love you anyway

Its ok
It’s ok

You don’t have to run and hide away

It’s ok
It’s ok
It's ok ...
It's Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay...

Oh It's kayyyyy"

Hideous Puppet Says A Prayer

2010-05-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

In my opinion there is nothing scarier than Christian puppets. Need an example? Watch YouTube clip below.

Person who posted this clip on YouTube said:

"Gotta love Christian doctrine coming out of the mouth of a puppet that looks like the spawn of Lucifer himself.. good way to get kids into the Bible! Scare them to death."

I'm Sorry For Being A Christian

2010-05-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Warning for those with tender ears. You will hear the "F" bomb in the video below.

Update: My friend asked me a question tonight. He said, "Mike, are you bashing Christians, again?"

Watch the video below. Is he right? If I claim I am a Christian and post this on my blog am I bashing Christians?

I found this clip at the blog of Carlos Whittaker

God Is With Us

2010-05-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

The words in this song hit me right between the eyes today: "God Is With Us".

Please watch the music video below and tell me which words or phrases spoke to you or touched your heart.

Video: God Uses Pastor's Van

2010-05-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

Tom Nelson, the pastor of my church First United Methodist Church, handed over the keys to his van to a total stranger. Watch WOFL FOX 35 story below. (May be brief ad at front)

Update: The van was found by Port Orange, FL police on Thursday night one block from the church. Other than needing to add some power steering fluid, Pastor Tom has his somewhat crappy van back.

Grand Theft Auto Evangelism -- Update

2010-05-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

UPDATE TO THIS BLOG POST AT BELOW

What is the best way for me to understand sacrifice?

Watching movies about Jesus? I thought "Passion of The Christ" was powerful, gruesome, brutal, bloody and compelling but most movies about Jesus can be just plain silly. The actor that plays Jesus wears a clean, glowing white robe and he looks like he might have been a California surfer.

Listening to sermons about sacrifice? (Warning: Broad Sweeping Statement Follows) The pastor gives a sermon on "sacrifice" and "digging down deep" during the "new building campaign". Immediately following the sermon, the pastor and his family leave the church in a brand new, black, extremely shiny Cadillac SUV (I love the fact that my pastor has an extremely crappy old van but more about that later).

Watching "Jesus" flicks and listening to sermons dripping in "sacrifice" don't ring my bell like someone who is living, breathing and actually doing sacrificial acts. Yesterday I heard about a skydiving instructor who sacrificed his body for one of his students. Over the weekend in Florida, a plane crashed into a family's home while they were eating breakfast. The father made sure his family was safe and then rushed to the plane that crashed into his home to see if he could save the passengers. Another sacrificial act hit closer to home. This past Sunday my Pastor Tom Nelson played a living, breathing role in an extremely real reality show called "Grand Theft Auto Evangelism".

A stranger walked into church Sunday morning while Pastor Tom and others were preparing for services. The stranger asked Tom for cab fare. Instead Tom gave the stranger his van to use for the day. The verbal agreement was "use my van and bring it back when you're finished". Long story short that was Sunday and today is Wednesday. The stranger and the van have not returned. Pastor Tom's van is a clunker or as I like to say, "piece of crap". Even if Tom had a new, shiny SUV and God led him to do it I'm pretty sure that the story would have played out the same. Here is something else I know about my Pastor. He won't take one ounce of the glory. He'll give the glory to God instead.

God changes the hearts of men and then compels them to make sacrifices for others. Will you and I be obedient to His call or will we make Christ followers look shallow, selfish and comfortable? Many have heard the Gospel. Very few have actually seen the Gospel in action. What will you and I do today to show the Gospel to others through sacrificial acts? When we make a sacrifice will we give God the glory or put ourselves in the spotlight?

"You can learn a lot about a person by watching how they treat strangers."

"Christians love evangelism as long as someone else is doing it."--Ed Stetzer

Pastor Tom's sacrifice made it to the Daytona Beach News Journal. Click here to read the story.

Thurs. May 20th, 6:50 PM. Pastor Tom just tweeted: "Police just called. Astro (the van) phoned home! A block from the church." Follow Pastor Tom on Twitter by clicking here.

From Crappy To Great

2010-05-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

I decided Thursday that Saturday was going to be crappy.

On Saturday morning I ran into someone at the YMCA pool. I hadn't seen him in ages. He made the mistake of asking me how I was doing. I was bound and determined to invite him to my "pity party". I began my rant: "Well, it's gonna be one hell of a Saturday. I just left my group at church and right now my son is trying out to be a junior lifeguard. If he does well we'll need to drive all the way to the beach to sign him up for lifeguard camp and then I've got to take him to his "Annie" musical practice. I'll only get an hour break and then my wife and I are taking our son to his swim team banquet. The damn banquet is supposed to go on for 3 to 4 hours. Man, Monday is going to come and I'm going to wonder where in the hell my weekend went!"

The man I hadn't seen in ages stood in front of me and let me finish my "pity party" tirade. Then he looked at me and said, "Mike, the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day, you get to spend an entire day with your son and celebrate his accomplishments. You have a beautiful wife. Wow, you've got a lot to be thankful for. You are a very blessed man. It's good to see you Mike. Sounds like you've got a great day ahead of you. I've gotta go. See you soon. I can't wait to enjoy this glorious day!" He smiled, shook my hand and walked away.

God spoke to Moses from a burning bush. God spoke to me on Saturday morning through a man at the YMCA pool. Through him I heard God say to me loud and crystal clear, "Mike, be thankful for what you have and would you please surrender that negative attitude of yours to ME! I'll be glad to put it where the sun doesn't shine. That crappy attitude you're packing around is not benefiting you or anyone you love. One other thing. I love you."

On Thursday I decided that Saturday was going to be crappy. On Saturday I decided to surrender my crappy, negative attitude and give it to God. It's amazing. Something happened after I surrendered. Saturday wasn't even close to crappy. God showed me just how great Saturday and everyday can be if I simply take the time to remember all of the things that He has given to me.

See the photo below. That's my son after he received his award at the swim team banquet. That doesn't look crappy to me. It looks great!

I Must Be A Drunk Homeless Pagan Lesbian Crack Head

2010-04-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

I used to blog every 3 minutes. Now I only blog when I am inspired or possibly a little *&^%$# off. I'm blogging now because I am a little bit $%^&*^ off.

I just came across a quote on Twitter. I've seen it before. I get *&^^%$ off every time I see it. This quote (usually tweeted on Twitter by MLM/Network Marketing types) makes me want to shake people in the name of Jesus: "You will become the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most!" If you believe this quote then I must be a drunk, homeless, pagan, lesbian crack head.

I hang out with Lesbians. I hug them. I've been to their homes. I go to church with them. I am not a Lesbian.

I hang out with drunk, stinky, urine soaked, homeless men and women. I do smell, especially after working out, but I am not homeless.

I hang out with alcoholics and crack heads. I've even been in a crack house or two. I am a recovering alcoholic (over six months sober) but I'm not a crack head.

I hang out with people who call themselves pagans. I have not made a pot of newt stew. I am not a witch.

"You will become the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most!" Why do I dislike this quote? Because I dislike anything that keeps us from hanging out with people who are not like us. My Twitter/Blogging buddy Paul Steinbrueck shared his thoughts in the comments section of this post:

"If I believe that quote, then I only hang with people I think are better than I am in the hopes it will make me better, and I shun people I think are lower on the food chain because I'm afraid they'll drag me down."

Pick up the Bible and you'll find a story of really cool dude by the name of Jesus. He spent most of his time hanging out with drunks, prostitutes, thieves, liars and traitors. Guess what? He didn't become like them even though he spent time with them. What does the Word of God say?

Hebrews 4: "We have a high priest who was tempted in every point like we are, yet without sin."

1 Peter: He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.

I know what you're thinking: "Mike, I'm not Jesus." I'm not either but Jesus shows us by His example that we should be hanging out with ALL people who desperately need to be shown His love instead of our judgment.

I'm overweight, selfish, not a good listener, a recovering alcoholic, not a great husband or father and battle depression. Hang out with me. I'm kind of weird but I'll bet you don't become like me.

Are We Too Blind To See?

2010-04-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
-- James 2:15-17

The crappiest season of American Idol actually got my brain working as I listened to Big Mike sing "In The Ghetto". (See YouTube clip of his performance below. You'll find the original version from Elvis Presley and the lyrics at the bottom of this post.)

You've seen it as you drive out of the church parking lot. The sign that says, "You're entering your mission field." Instead how about a sign that says, "You've just left your mission field. Did you do anything about it?" Let me be more specific. Shame on you and me when we know that someone from our church is going through a struggle and we do absolutely nothing about it.

A single mom and son living in a car. A man getting ready to walk out on his wife and family. A family losing their home. Someone who hasn't been to your small group or church for several weeks. A young boy without a father. A woman who fell off the wagon. The hungry homeless man sitting in the back row. The wife of a man who was arrested for child abuse. The pregnant teenage girl. The woman who gave up her baby for adoption. The couple that lost their son in a motorcycle accident. The man that served coffee every Sunday morning that lost his wife to cancer. The young boy crying in the lobby because he misses his dad. The man battling severe depression and may end his life later that day. The wife getting ready to have an affair. The husband who doesn't care.

I pray that you and I do something. Stop and hold their hand. Make a phone call. Invite them to lunch. Hold them. Pray with them. Listen. Anything is better than turning our heads and looking the other way.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
-- Edmund Burke

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result”
-- Mahatma Gandhi

"My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt”
-- Anna Sewell

"If we worry too much about ourselves, we won't have time for others."
-- Mother Teresa

As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby child is born
In the ghetto
And his mama cries
'cause if there's one thing that she don't need
it's another hungry mouth to feed
In the ghetto

People, don't you understand
the child needs a helping hand
or he'll grow to be an angry young man some day
Take a look at you and me,
are we too blind to see,
do we simply turn our heads
and look the other way

Well the world turns
and a hungry little boy with a runny nose
plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto

And his hunger burns
so he starts to roam the streets at night
and he learns how to steal
and he learns how to fight
In the ghetto

Then one night in desperation
a young man breaks away
He buys a gun, steals a car,
tries to run, but he don't get far
And his mama cries

As a crowd gathers 'round an angry young man
face down on the street with a gun in his hand
In the ghetto

As her young man dies,
on a cold and gray Chicago mornin',
another little baby child is born
In the ghetto

92% of Jesus’ conversations

2010-03-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Darrell Davis points out how many conversations that Jesus had.

"Out of 132 contacts that Jesus had with people recorded in the New Testament, 6 were in the temple, 4 were in the synagogue, and 122 were out in the mainstream of life."

As evangelists, we need to make sure that we are regularly engaging people outside of the church.

Most of us freely admit that after being a Christian for a few years, we find our social circles have changed to mostly Christians.

In fact, Jeffrey Johnson Got Style?: Personality-Based Evangelism shows research that confirms that most do so within two years of becoming a Christian. He cites a 1998 study by Charles Arn that shows that most Christians may only have on average, friendships with less than 4 people outside the church.

What can we do to fix that this week?

Found this post at my new favorite blog: Evangelism Coach International