Reaching out.

Recently I had a unique day. A day I will not soon forget. It was Donna's day off work and we enjoy "hangin' together" and doing some things that get us out of the house.

A new Farm store had opened in our town so we decided to go "window shopping." One of the associates of the store spoke to us and we started talking about one of the items on display. The lady mentioned something about church. Now, when someone says something about church, that gets my attention and I will follow through on that topic.

We had a wonderful conversation and learned this couple was looking for a place to worship. I shared with her about our TNT--Thursday Nights Together. This is a gathering where we have music, informal moments and I offer a teaching. Currently I am doing a series called: Extreme Makeover:Practical Life Edition. When we finished our conversation the lady said "thanks for taking time with me." She needed to share and someone needed to listen.

We then stopped by a Mexican fast food place and had some lunch. A couple of the employees was doing some cleanup in the dining room and we all started talking---just chit chat at first then, the woman mentioned she had started taking some online classes and I asked her which school. The conversation turned toward coping with stress and we found out she had been in New York City on 9/11/01 and was assigned to Ladder 11 of the FDNY. Her Lieutenant told her to remain outside and he entered one of the towers and she never saw him again.

Another person who had a story to tell and someone needed to listen.

That afternoon we drove to a nearby community where we had lived a few years back. I had served a small church in the town and also served as a deputy marshal on the police department. I had been summoned to the town to check in on my former partner on the police department. The doctors had given him very little time to live as he had developed a brain tumor.

We shared old memories, funny stories and some serious conversation about spiritual matters. My dear friend and former police partner had a story to tell and someone needed to listen.

As I prepared to leave I offered prayer. I keep a small vial of olive oil in my pocket for such times as this. I anointed his head and had a time of prayer with my friend. We had backed each other on many calls over the years but this is one time I realized this may be the last time I will ever "back-up" my friend in this life. It also occured to me that this is the best of all back-ups--prayer! After all I had been dispatched by the Holy Spirit to my friend for ministry.

We never know when we meet someone whether we will ever see them again. For me, it is important to have "ears open" and listen to what is being said and sometimes to what is not being said. Make time for others. It will enrich your life.

Be blessed!!

Power Struggles

This Sunday I will be preaching at our home church. The text I will be using is from Mark 9:30-37. Even among the disciples of Jesus there was conflict and in this passage there was a power struggle.

Jesus asks them "What were you arguing about on the way?" They really didn't want to answer this question. I remember when as a child, I said or did something very petty or childish and my grandmother (who raised me) would ask the question, "What was that all about?" I remember not wanting to answer because I knew immediately that what I had done or said was silly.

The disciples were "caught" and they knew their behavior was childish. They were arguing as to was the greatest among them. I can hear John, who may have been the baby of the family saying, "He loves me the most". or Peter, "He has a very special place for me in the work of the kingdom." Here's what Jesus did:
9:35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."9:36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,9:37 "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

What lesson do we learn from this passage? 1. There will be power struggles, even in the church and among the ministry. 2. There is a lesson to be learned from every situation. 3. When we think we are exalted within ourselves remember, it is God who does the promotion and not man. 4. Distractions are one of the tools used by the enemy. A distraction will keep us from seeing the real problem or need.

If you are struggling with issues like the disciples did in this passage remember the lesson Jesus gave to them.

I pray you will find your place in HIS work and will. God has a place for each of us. He has a specific work for each of us to do. I pray you find that peace today.

Blessings,
Dr. Mike

Oh My! A whole new world for me.

I must admit, communications have come a long way over a short period of time. Remember the idea of two Dixie cups and string? Well, it appears I have arrived in this world of "Blogging" of which I am not sure what really happens next but, here I go.
I was first introduced to this blogging site by my friends Donna and Robert Schuller. I recently opened a FaceBook account and have found that to be quite the experience. I like it to my childhood days watching my grandmother hanging out the laundry on the clothes line and having conversation/gossip with the neighbor lady.
This is a great experience to go beyond our communities and into the cyber world and share our thoughts, emotions and stories.
I look forward to this medium of communication and I hope the reader/visitor will enjoy what I have to say. As a Christian I believe in a God that is about positive things for people. Again, I hope you will enjoy this Positive Minute.
I pray you have a blessed and prosperous day!