Inviting Heaven to Earth

"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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.