Who Are We Sitting Next To?

"Engrave this upon thy heart: There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story." ~ Mary Lou Kownacki

Sunday was a day full of transparency and reality at my church (www.firstchurchpo.org). Instead of a sermon, average, everyday, messed up folks just like you and me shared their stories.

Richard shared that his son Garrett was abducted by his ex-wife. He was separated from his son for 22 months. He spent each day of those 22 months looking for his son until he was told Garrett had been found in Reno, Nevada. Richard said, " After being reunited with my son many years ago he has been in and out of jail, addiction, rehab and is currently homeless. Frankly, I don't know if he'll ever be better than he is today." Before yesterday, I thought Richard was just an extremely nice guy who reaches out to the helpless and is in charge of the thrift store. (Update to this post. Garrett died Monday, September 7th, 2009)

Every Sunday, Betsy brings her grandma to church in a wheelchair. Betsy's grandma is what others would describe as "out of it" maybe "asleep". Betsy and her family sit with grandma each Sunday. Yesterday, I found out that Betsy's grandma is the reason that she and her entire family are in church. "She taught us by example. Grandma took me to church every Sunday. I watched her as she helped people who needed it and she taught me to love everyone no matter what. I want to teach my family what Grandma showed me", said Betsy through her tears. Before yesterday, I thought Grandma was just an old woman hunched over in a wheelchair.

Angelo shared how the divorce of his parents showed the true "not so friendly" colors of the church that he attended. After the divorce, he lost his childhood church. Then his grandfather died and he lost the only positive male role model in his life. Then Angelo lost his faith in God. Angelo told us that my church became a haven for him when he was invited to play drums with our worship band. The love and acceptance of the church brought him back to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Before yesterday, I thought Angelo was just a college kid who plays drums and helps out with youth group.

I learned something about myself yesterday when I heard the details of these people's lives. I don't know enough about the people I sit with every Sunday. What about you? Do you know about the hurt, the pain and the struggles of the people you go to church with? Each Sunday I am sitting with broken marriages, broken faith, broken trust and completely broken, messy lives. I usually rant and rave about looking outside our church walls for the hurting and the broken. Before yesterday, I didn't really realize how many I sit with every Sunday. I challenge us to really ask people how they are doing and then really listen. Next comes the hard part. After listening we can't just say, "I'll pray for you brother." We actually need to respond. I know a couple who asked that question and then bought a car for a single mom. Maybe you don't have the money to buy someone a car. We can all do something. Or as Mike Foster said, "Love Takes Balls".


Before we go to church this week or this Labor Day weekend, let's take a moment and watch this performance of "Broken and Beautiful". You'll find it below. I pray that it reminds you and I about the broken, messy lives we're sitting next to in church.


This is how amazing God works. After I wrote this post, I checked out what my friend Russell posted at his blog. He wrote this post several hours earlier.

"Are You A Leader" or "Are You Scarce" ?

Be sure to put Seth Godin's blog on your "list to watch daily". Just one quick visit will inspire you beyond belief. Took a quick trip to his blog today and found the post below. It's an excerpt from his book Tribes.

Leadership is scarce because few people are willing to go through the discomfort required to lead. The scarcity makes leadership valuable. If everyone tries to lead all the time, not much happens. It’s discomfort that creates the leverage that makes leadership worthwhile. In other words, if everyone could do it, they would, and it wouldn’t be worth much. It’s uncomfortable to stand up in front of strangers. It’s uncomfortable to propose an idea that might fail. It’s uncomfortable to challenge the status quo. It’s uncomfortable to resist the urge to settle. When you identify the discomfort, you’ve found the place where a leader is needed. If you’re not uncomfortable in your work as a leader, it’s almost certain you’re not reaching your potential as a leader.

I Gotta Help Them All = Burnout

My buddies Louie and Frank Mercer teamed up with me to create Church For Men in Daytona Beach, FL. See photo above of one of our events. Even though we had no idea what we were doing, it was wildly successful. 75 to as many as 150 men showed up for each event and lives were being changed. National Coverage from Fox News and NBC Nightly News. Even Big Time Christian Comedian Brad Stine appeared at one of our events. We even got the father of crazy Hollywood kid Lindsay Lohan, to come to Daytona Beach, FL. Then for some reason I told Louie and Frank that I needed to step away and take a rest.

Then I felt led to start a weekly Sunday homeless ministry at my church (www.firstchurchpo.org) . We picked up homeless men and women each Sunday morning and brought them to the church. We fed them breakfast. I delivered a message. Lives were being changed. Then for some reason I told my pastor and the rest of the team that I had to step away and take a rest.

I will be honest with you. Each day there is a part of me that deals with some sort of guilt for stepping away from these ministries. I thought I knew all of the reasons why I stepped away until today and then God directed me to this great quote through my blogging and twitter friend, Peter Pollock.

"I can’t let not being able to do it for everyone keep me for doing it for the few that I can" ---Pastor Pete Wilson

I got burned out on ministry because I thought I had to save "EVERYONE" and that I was the "ONLY ONE" who could do it. I was so wrong.

Yesterday after work I was getting ready to pull off the I-95 exit into Port Orange, FL. I had just passed a crappy looking truck stalled along the road. Up ahead of me was a man holding a car seat and a little girl. He was walking towards the exit. I passed him and then realized I had to go back. I put my rig into reverse and pulled up next to him. I asked him if he needed a ride. He told me that someone was waiting for him at the 7-11 just next to the road. I offered the father, his daughter and the car seat a ride. I dropped them off. Someone was waiting for them. My job was done. All I did was give them a ride. Someone else got them to where they were going. Someone else got them something to eat. Someone else not me. I just gave them a short ride down the road.

You and I don't have to save "EVERYONE" and we don't have to be the "ONLY ONE" to do it.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."---Mother Teresa

Why Aren't We Praying For Others?

I admit it. I get really frustrated about certain topics. I get frustrated and then I voice my opinion "OPENLY" with others. Too many times my mouth works against the Kingdom. I can be a loudmouth and extremely abrasive. I can say things the wrong way. Very little honey and a whole lot of vinegar rolls out of my mouth. Will you pray for me about that? Thanks. Oops, I slid into today's topic: "Why Aren't We Praying for Others?" Why aren't we asking others if we can pray for them? Why aren't we asking others what we can pray about for them? When you walk up to someone and ask, "Can I Pray for You?", or "What Can I Pray About For You?" it absolutely knocks them out. They can't believe that someone would actually take the time to ask them this question. The next step is where "the rubber meets the road". In my opinion, when they say "yes" you need to pray for them "NOW". Not later on, tomorrow or next week. Pray with them and Pray for them "NOW". This will also amaze folks when you grab them by the hand or put your arm on their shoulder and pray for them right away.

A Christian radio station in Seattle, WA is doing it (Listen to clip below). How about you and I?



My company, The Broadcast Team (www.tbteam.com), has helped a Christian Radio Station in Seattle, WA deliver "prayer" messages (listen to actual clip above) to the answering machines and voice mail of targeted households. The response has been overwhelming. As a matter of fact, the station is getting ready to do it again within the next few weeks. This would also be a great idea for your church. Send me an email or give me a call if you'd like more information. Email: mellis@tbteam.com Phone: 1-800-353-1420 ext. 171. Ask for Mike Ellis.

Messed Up Guest Post: "Give To Give"

What in the heck are you talking about? "Give to Give"? Now, If I mow the lawn, clean the house, do the dishes and mop the floor, my bride should be giving me some red-hot loving, right? Well, that's up to her but I shouldn't "Give to Her and Expect Anything in Return". What? Now that's Messed Up! What if all of us "Gave and Expected Nothing In Return"? What if we simply "Gave to Give" and that was the bottom line? It can get crazier than that. What if we "Gave To Give Something Greater in Return"? More Giving? Now that's really Messed Up! My friend Peter Pollock (@peterpollock on Twitter) has a great post on this topic on his blog. Check it out below:

"I was thinking about Jesus… and I was trying to think of when he asked anyone for anything, when he took anything from anyone.

I came up with:

• The woman at the well. Jesus asked her for something to drink.
• The disciples. Jesus asked them to follow him.
• Maybe the food from the boy when Jesus fed the five thousand.

It seems that every time Jesus asked someone for something, he did so in order to be able to give them something greater in return."

Read the rest of Peter's post by clicking here.

Church Doing Church 7 Days A Week

Found this clip at one of my favorite blogs, "Church Marketing Sucks".

"Imagine A Church That's Doing Church 7 Days A Week?" Watch YouTube clip below from a church that will start in Spring 2010, "Soul City Church".

How Did You Make Them Feel?

"People may forget what you say, people may forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel"

See photo above. It's my son Devon and his teacher.

Today was the first day of school for Devon. He's started 3rd grade today. It was the first time that I met his teacher. I was only at Devon's school for just a few minutes this morning. I quickly noticed that Devon's teacher made everyone FEEL important, welcome and relaxed. That's amazing for the first day of school. How do you make people feel? If you are a church or a business you should read the post below. It came from the blog: Customer Collective.

You know the feeling. You experience something so amazing, that you can’t help but tell someone about it. Pause for a second, and recall when you last felt that way about a customer/visitor experience you had…

…ok, that’s the feeling you are trying to achieve for ALL of your customers/visitors. Every day. How? Every member of your organization MUST ask these questions each day:

1. What are you doing – with every decision and action – to make your customers/visitors have a wow experience?
2. What was it about their experience with you that was and is memorable? Do you know what you want your customers/visitors to feel?
3. Will they tell people in their circle about you?
4. And if so, what will be the story they talk about?
5. Are your employees/congregation/members/leaders EMPOWERED to do to make the customer/visitor experience one to remember?

Challenge yourself and your organization with these five questions EVERY day. I promise that I will. We all need to do this, even the best of us. In fact, it’s the best of us that ARE asking those questions. And taking action on the brainstorms they generate from that discussion.

What are some things you are doing to make your customers/visitors say “wow”?

A Must Read for EVERY Church: Greeters

Greeters can make or break the experience of visitors to your church. I have experienced the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to humans greeting me as I walk into church. I typically wear shorts, t shirt and flip flops to church. I remember a greeter at our previous church saying to me, "Young man, shouldn't you consider dressing as if you are coming to a wedding instead of the beach?" My family and I go to FUMC church in Port Orange, FL (www.firstchurchpo.org) . We've been a part of this church for over 2 years and I will always remember the first day we walked into the church, the person who greeted us and what she said. "Welcome and by the way, you'll probably think the music is way too loud." It's interesting because the "loud" music was one of the reasons that we came back to church the next Sunday. In my opinion, the church does not spend enough time training the right people for "Greeters" ministry. We'll typically take anyone who has a pulse and just throw them into the fray with little or no training. One other thing, don't let anyone be a part of your "Greeters" ministry if 99% of the time they look like they are "sucking on a pickle". My friend John Dobbs inspired my post today by "tweeting" these "Great Greeter Guidelines" on Twitter today. You can read the entire list by clicking here or take a look at my favorites below:

Speak in a welcoming way. Don’t ask people whether they’re “new here.” If the answer is “no,” they might be annoyed; and if the answer is “yes,” they will feel even more like outsiders than they already do. Instead, when you don’t recognize people, simply welcome them to St. Andrew’s, introduce yourself, and say that you don’t think you’ve met them before….

Use simple terminology. We use a lot of code language in the Episcopal Church. If you’re speaking to a visitor, don’t say, “Go through the narthex and turn right to find the undercroft.” Instead, use everyday language like “entryway” and “basement.” Feeling ignorant doesn’t help a visitor feel welcome.

Introduce people to others. Once you’ve had a chance to engage a visitor in conversation, don’t let the welcome stop there. Find other St. Andrew’s members who are outgoing and friendly, and introduce the visitor to them.

Consider yourself “on duty” every Sunday. As a greeter, you won’t always be scheduled to serve. But in a sense, greeters need to be on duty every Sunday, always looking for people to welcome. It’s especially meaningful to a visitor to be greeted by someone who doesn’t “have to” do it.

Engage people in conversation. When you’re talking with visitors, don’t just limit yourself to pleasantries and comments about the weather. Ask them about the topic they know the most about: themselves and their lives. This helps them feel a connection to you (and therefore the church), and it lets them know that people here care about them.

SERVE WITH JOY!

“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” — Matthew 25:35

Are You " Deaf-Blind and Mute"? Then Stop Bitching?

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.

"Drive Through Road Rage" by Louie Mercer

This is a guest post from a man that I truly respect, Louie Mercer. He has a great blog and he is one of my favorite Christ-followers.

My 4 year old son had oral surgery Wednesday morning, 8am. He did fine. On the way home, at about 9am, I went to the local McDonalds to get a cup of coffee for the ride home. The drive through line was jammed so that you had to actually drive around the entire store to get in line…not just the drive up and get in line like you can at say, 10am. So, I did the drive around the store, get 10th in line and waited my turn patiently while my son sat in the car seat in the back seat….taking all this in.

A lady in a sort of nice car, with her 12 year old son saw me 10th in line with about 4 people behind me. She did not drive around and get at the end of the line. like me and everybody else..she crammed her bumper right between me and the car ahead.. cut the drive through line..blocked the traffic lane,….blocked the snake of a drive through lane….looked at me with a, “kiss my…..” look and her son was laughing, looking back at me like a 12 year old will when they get away with something and know it… and the mother just scowled a little with a smerk.

My son said, “daddy she got in front of you”. Oh man, I was ticked off to the point of internal rage. I mean it is just a cup of coffee. It is just a drive through line. I had the day off. But it ticked me off so bad that I actually had tunnel vision and, in my mind, for that brief moment… I could envision just ramming my truck into the side of her car, then walking over and slapping the grin off of the boy’s face….then jerking her out of the car, moving it back and then going to get my coffee.

Man, I got issues…. think my buddy Mike is Messed Up? I know I am! Then I thought about Matthew 5, where Jesus said,..turn the other cheek. If they want your coat…give them you cloak too. I bet Jesus has never been cut off in a drive thru. Darn bible got in my way again of enjoying my rage. I gave her my spot and did not even shoot her a bird. I am glad God loves me.

"A Baby Changes Everything"

My daughter left our home when she was 18. It wasn't a joyous time in our home. She couldn't live by our rules. She thought our rules were stupid. She continued breaking them. We asked her to leave. She found a job in Ohio as a nanny and left our home. Several months down the road we got a phone call from our daughter. "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I screwed up. Can I come home? Oh, and one other thing, I'm pregnant." She was calling us from a homeless shelter in Tampa, FL. How in the heck she got from Ohio to Tampa I still don't understand.

Our pregnant 19 year old daughter came home to live with us. It wasn't long before she decided to give her baby up for adoption through a Christian agency. It was an open adoption. Kiersten had a boy and then passed the baby along to a loving Christian couple who had been praying for a baby of their own for 9 years.

After the baby was born, Kiersten continued to stay with us and went to college. We helped her financially but we asked her to do one simple thing. Go to school and get passing grades. She didn't do either one. Additionally, she was went right back to the lifestyle that got her into the first big mess in her life. It wasn't long before we had to ask Kiersten to leave our home again. It wasn't fun this time. It's never fun when asking your daughter to leave your home involves a visit from the police.

Fast forward to last year. Kiersten introduced us to her new boyfriend. He seemed nice enough. It wasn't long before Kiersten told us she was pregnant. Her boyfriend was the father and they planned on raising the baby together. It was then that I threw up my hands in disgust and gave up on my daughter. I even called her on the phone and told her that I didn't want anything to do with her, her boyfriend or the baby. Guess I won't be winning that Father of the Year Award.

Hit the fast forward button again. Just days before Fridays August 7Th. God laid on my heart that I had been a complete dork. He reminded me that He has accepted me and loved me no matter what even though I have made nearly 3 million mistakes in my life. I'm pretty sure I've screwed up at least 20 times today. God told me that I needed to be there for my daughter on the day my grandson was born and that I needed to be a part of their lives. On Friday August 7Th, I picked up some flowers in the hospital lobby and took the elevator to the 2ND floor. I walked into the room. It was full of people but the only thing I saw was my grandson Troy.

I know that God is the only one that can confirm why this is all happening. In my opinion, I think that God has brought my grandson Troy into this world to heal the relationship between my daughter and I. Last Saturday, Kiersten and my grandson came to visit. The photo below is of me holding my sleeping grandson. Today was Kiersten's boyfriend's birthday. I called him to wish him a happy birthday. Although he didn't say it, I could tell by the sound in his voice that he was very surprised that I called. I was too. God is using a baby boy to change my heart. I praise God for that. God, thank you for my grandson Troy.

Thoughts From "A Sticky Church"

"Whatever you do to reach people you have to continue to do to keep them."

"Ultimately, a church grows in one of two ways: It gets more people to come through the front door, or it stops losing people out the back door."

"...if you're only focusing on getting people in the front door (the number of people attending services) you'll be losing people out the back, your evangelism will be harder and less natural."

"A Sticky Church is a true “harvest” Church that keeps the majority of their new converts by helping them grow to maturity."

"Sticky Church is about focusing less on marketing and more on getting new people engaged and keeping them in the church."

"What’s your ministry strategy? Are you opening up your front door wide while allowing your back door to remain wide open?"

These thoughts and quotes came from a book called "A Sticky Church".

Low Tech Evangelism

The church I attend and haven't been kicked out of yet, www.firstchurchpo.org, is doing a big community party this coming Sunday. Some nutty person from the church thought it would be a great idea to GO to the homes surrounding the church and personally invite people to the event. After church yesterday, my son Devon and I took to the streets with invitations to the event. We knocked on doors. We rang doorbells. The 3rd home we walked up to had the front door and window open. I said, "Hello, I'm Mike from the church just down the road. We're having a big block party next Sunday afternoon. You are invited to come. By the way, is there anything I can pray about for you?" She said, "Yes, you can. I am going to lose my house and my car. Can you pray about that?" My son Devon and I held the hand of this woman and prayed with her as tears ran down her cheeks. Devon and I continued on our door-knocking trek. I was incredibly surprised at the great reception we received from the households that surrounded the church. It was hot. Devon and I were both sweating like pigs at a barbecue. Praise God, we were nearly done. Just one invitation left and nearly one block away from the church. I saw a home with a ton of kid's bikes and toys in the yard. We walked up to the door and knocked. I introduced myself and gave her the last invitation. I almost walked away but I stopped and said, "Is there anything I can pray about for you?" She said, "Yes, my husband and I are getting a divorce. I don't feel comfortable taking my three boys to his church anymore. Can you pray that my boys and I find a new church?" I invited her to check out the nutty little Methodist church I attend just one block away from her home. Then Devon and I stood in the doorway of her home, held her hands and prayed as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Churches, there are hurting people just one or two blocks away from your church just waiting for you to knock on their doors. You don't have to travel to another state or another country to do mission work. What if your mission trip was just one or two blocks away from your church?

This Should Be Our Daily Prayer

"I have a neighbor, Lord, who may soon enter a Christless eternity. Give me boldness to share; give him faith to believe--today! Amen."

I Kill People

I've killed people with my tongue. I've used gossip to hurt others. I did it today and I knew I was doing it. Gossip is so tasty when it's pouring out of my mouth. It's strange that I would gossip about others when my family and I have been hurt by gossip. Here is a good reminder below from God's word when I'm getting ready to start spewing gossip from my flapping lips.

Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

James 4:12 The Message

Looking for a GREAT movie clip to open up a discussion on GOSSIP? See clip from movie, "Doubt" below.

God can even use "old, bald, fat, jerks"

"See what old, bald, fat, jerks did through the power and authority of God "

My buddy Louie Mercer hits it out of the park again.

Photos above features 3 "old, bald, fat, jerks" Mike Ellis, Louie Mercer and Frank Mercer.

Give and Share without Taking = Success

I am a large, un-hip 48 year old guy. I have been involved with “marketing and promotion” since I was 19 years old. I am not an extremely intelligent guy. I barely made it through high school and I partied my way through college. I didn’t walk out with a degree but I did become an expert at drinking beer. At first, this whole social media marketing thing seemed a bit overwhelming. Why? I’m the dude voted most likely to think that “The Dukes of Hazzard” was a documentary. I just learned to use a fax machine within the past two years. But with a little bit of patience, learning and following Twitter rock stars, I am now consulting and advising businesses, pastors and churches who want to get started on Twitter.

I admit it. I have become a huge fan of Twitter. Some call me a “Twitterholic”. One of the reasons I like Twitter is that it’s one of the greatest places to share and give to others. Many businesses get on Twitter and forget that it’s called “Social Media Marketing” for a reason. You’re on Twitter to be “social” not to serve up large portions of “spam”. It’s not called “Spam Media Marketing”. I “tweet” this on a regular basis on Twitter: “Why do we market to others with the same tactics that we despise?” I like this Twitter phrase, “Tweet unto others as you would like to be Tweeted.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the more you give and share on Twitter, the more successful you will be. You shouldn’t get on Twitter with the mindset of “how much can I get today”. Instead say, “How much can I give and share today”. You will see success coming to you naturally when your goal on Twitter is to share advice, answer questions, encourage others and give without any intention of getting anything in return. Let me give you some examples of giving and sharing on Twitter.

Twitter Whiz Kid, @unmarketing, has nearly 36,000 “tweeps” who follow him on Twitter. His Twitter bio says, “Stop Marketing, Start Engaging.” I got a Blackberry Curve for Father’s Day. I sent a “tweet” to @unmarketing. I asked him what he thought was the best Twitter App for Blackberry Devices. He instantly sent me a return “tweet” that said, “Hey, I love UberTwitter on my Blackberry but let me ask others and then have them get back to you.” Immediately, @unmarketing sent out a “tweet” asking his followers to send a “tweet” to me with their opinions. I received over 200 responses. UberTwiter won hands down as the crowd favorite. Today, my Blackberry Curve is sporting UberTwiter and works great and allows me to “tweet” from my phone. @unmarketing shared and gave without expecting anything in return.

When I speak to business people about Twitter and they are NOT on twitter, I say this, “If you are a business and you are NOT on Twitter, you should have your head examined!” I was @DailyGrindDB’s customer before I became their Twitter consultant. I convinced @DailyGrindDB (a coffeehouse in Daytona Beach, FL) that they should get started on twitter. I helped set up their Twitter account. I continue to advise and consult them on a regular basis. Since they were my first client, I didn’t charge them for my services. I knew that if I gave to them without expecting anything in return, success would come to me naturally. It has. Since I started working with @DailyGrindDB I have been featured in newspaper articles, started work with new Twitter clients and I have been asked to write articles about Twitter and marketing. @DailyGrindDB loves Twitter too. Their presence on Twitter has brought them 75 to 100 new coffee drinkers in just 3 months. Even race car legend and announcer Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) found @DailyGrinddb through Twitter and made 2 visits for coffee in one week. @DailyGrindDB is constantly telling others about how their work with me has brought them success. My success today happened because I gave and shared without expecting anything in return.

Long before Twitter I learned a valuable lesson from Frank Mercer. Frank and I went to the same church. One evening I was leaving the church after a special event and literally bumped into a family down on their luck in the parking lot. I asked them what they were doing. They said, “We’re waiting for Frank.” Soon after that Frank arrived with some cash he pulled out of a nearby ATM. He gave the cash without hesitation to the family. The family thanked Frank and left the parking lot. I was blown away. At that time in my life I would never give something to complete strangers, especially cash. I asked Frank how he could give to strangers so freely without any hesitation. He said, “Mike, I don’t ask God whether I should give. I ask Him how much I should give.”

Join me in doing something radical today. Share and give without expecting anything in return. Then take it to the next level. Intentionally, give and share something with a complete stranger who may or may not ever pay you back.

My Body is A Mega-Church

Found this cartoon at Trey Morgan's Blog.

My New Meds are Working and My Friend Louie

Today will be almost 2 weeks since I started my new medication. The new meds are helping me with my outbursts of anger and depression. It seems to be working. I feel more like Fred Rogers and less like Charles Manson. I feel more hopeful today. Less depressed. Less tired. More energy. More passion for life. I might even feel less "messed up" than I usually do. Last night instead of watching TV, my wife and I talked. We really talked. When we went to bed she said, "Mike, thanks for talking with me, really talking with me." That felt good to hear her say that. I'm not going to tell you what we did next but that was good to.

Louie Mercer is a good guy. He is extremely well respected in the Volusia County, FL community. I've lost track of how many times I have brought up his name and someone has said, "Louie Mercer? He's a great guy!" Louie understands that I am a bit strange and messed up and he still loves me and wants to hang out with me. He knows my deepest darkest secrets. I could tell him more of my crap and I am pretty sure he would still want to hang out with me. I respect Louie. He loves his wife and his family. I also love him because he admits that he is "messed up" too. Louie even openly admits that he is my friend. I am proud to call him my friend. I am angry that he hasn't asked me to go squirrel hunting yet though. I pray that you find a friend like Louie Mercer.

Wives, Read This: "Husband Building"

The Red Hot Momma has noticed that some times we women forget to have vision. We see the laundry, the stinking dishes in the kitchen sink and messy garage instead. It is easy to get on a roll with our friends about the seemingly unlimited flaws of our husbands. Not only is it socially acceptable to bemoan our nuptials to such “pathetic creatures”, it’s expected.

But we are Christians. Christianity, by it’s very nature, is counter cultural. Jesus takes worldly standards and turns them upside down. Leaving us way better off. I think it’s time to follow his lead. It is high time for wives to regain our position as number one fan of our husbands. Husband bashing is ”OUT”, husband building is ”IN”.

When you were dating, newly married this was simple. You did it without even thinking. His jokes were hilarious. His opinions profound. He was gorgeous and rugged. Interesting and even intriguing. Yes, I know. Life has a way of tarnishing his image, but it’s your job to hold on to it. To remember.

Love him. Root for him. Have faith in his goodness even when he can’t see it in himself. When he screws up, acknowledge that you could see where he was headed, even if he jumped the track a few miles back. Believe that he will do great things and be thankful you are the one he has chosen to be by his side. I promise you will both be happier.

Build him up everyday, because the world is working hard to tear him down.

Great Post From http://redhotmomma.net/

Where You Can Find Me On Twitter

Are you into Twitter? If you are a church or a business "You Should Have Your Head Examined If You Are NOT on Twitter!" I am helping businesses and churches get started on Twitter. Check out some of the people I am helping with Twitter:

@TomForPeace
@DailyGrindDB
@DaytonaBchSBDC


You can find me on Twitter at:
@MarketerMikeE
@VOLOforDRBC
@HurtingPeople
@HeRockzDotCom

Take The Church To The People

I love it when a church takes "the church" to the people. We need to take the church to the people instead of staying in our "holy huddles". There are so many hurting people outside the walls of the church. Is it just me or does it seem that Christ Followers are almost afraid to share what Christ has done for us by simply loving others. Click on the link below to see Los Angeles Times story about a church that set up a "Prayer Station" inside a city hall and asked a simple question, "Can I pray for you?"

A prayer for hard times - Los Angeles Times

My Return To Blogging

I've returned to blogging. It's been ages since I've done this blogging thing. I like the name of this blog. Why? Because I always want to remind myself of how messed up I am without Jesus in my life. When I rule and control my life, things get really messed up. When I let Jesus take over, things seem to go a little smoother. Things aren't perfect. But, I do feel more peace. More calm. Today I am going to try letting Jesus do most of the driving. I'm tired of doing it the other way.