The Ultimate Gift....

This past week as Sharon and I have been doing our daily walk at the mall, we've noticed that the stores and mall are prepping for Christmas. It is really early this year. But then, I guess they are trying to get a jump on the competition in this tough economic time.

One of the advertising campaigns that the mall is using this year - pictures a beautiful lady with the slogan... "Give the Ultimate Gift". It is an ad for the mall's gift cards. I noticed today that not only are there large banners of this campaign around the mall, but on the tables in the food court, there are smaller promotional flyers. Some how, I doubt this is the ULTIMATE gift! It doesn't even come close!

Today in the mail, I received a catalog for one thing that seems more like an Ultimate gift than a gift card to the mall. It is a catalog for Heifer International. (www.heifer.org/catalog). Heifer International was founded by Church of the Brethren leader Dan West with the idea that giving a heifer to a family in a developing country would bless their lives in a huge way and then the expectation that each family would give the first female offspring to another family. What you have then is a gift that gives and gives and gives. Last year alone... Heifer International helped 150,000 families and trained another 250,000 families in farming techniques. It has long since moved from giving only heifers to all kinds of animals. Now this, it seems to me, is more like an Ultimate gift!

I think this year, we will be giving some of these gifts to our friends and family!

Gotta love...

these frosty mornings! I am about to show Caroline how to scrape the frost from her car! A new experience for her and one that will make her get up a bit earlier.

The frost signals the end of mowing, the end of HOT temps, the end of chiggars and mosquitos!

YEAH!

What will you do....

On Sunday morning when my alarm goes off at 5:20, it will really be 4:20 by the new time. That means I will gain an extra hour... so will you!

What will you do with your extra hour?

Most of us will probably sleep it away! But some of us will be creative in our use. I bet some folks will stay up later, knowing they have an extra hour to sleep in the next a.m. Some will get up at the regular time (as I suspect I will -- since I am conditioned to get up 6 days a week at 5:20 a.m.) For me, I expect I will spend that time praying for our church's ministries and growth as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

A Thought....

When we step out... God steps in! We have experienced that again and again and again at Community of Joy!

I am so grateful that when we step out of the boat and trust God... God steps in!

Timely Advice....

This morning as part of my daily Bible reading, I read some helpful and timely advice for all of us during this financial upheval and crisis our country is having. "Humble yourselve therefor, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (I Peter 5:6-7) (And yes, Stephen, I am a little behind in my readings... got into Ezekial today as well!)

Lesson Learned....

Make a mistake once... learn from it. Make it twice... shame on you! I learned from my mistake last week. Last night when my friend called to say he needed help finding a deer he shot... I took my GPS. AND we turned the lights of his truck on in the field, so that we could always know which way to go. Good thing we did... because we got turned around on more than one occasion. Once (before we turned the lights on) I thought we were headed straight away from his truck and we walked up on a truck reflecting in our flash light beams... after investigating, we discovered that it was his truck and we had gotten turned around. Thick woods, rain, wind, and a gazillion trees that mostly look alike at night sure make it hard.

Decided to pull out til this a.m. and will go back when it is light to find it.

The Numbers are in...

All of us are getting our quarterly statements on investments and finding that we are losing lots of money. I was wondering how long it would take for that loss to effect our giving at Community of Joy. Well, it didn't take long!

We have two main funds.... the general fund and the building fund. The general fund remains strong, though has slipped this month from what it was. The BIG shift has been in the building fund.... in October it was off an average of $250 a week from what is needed.

It has been great up until now, not to need to beat the drum for giving to our church's ministries. I am hopeful that we can turn this around!

AWESOME DAY!

What an incredible energy there was today at Community of Joy! We had great attendance at both our worship gatherings! Lots of neat stories of ways God is working in our midst. Lots of new faces and some faces that we've seen a couple of times. We had 74 unduplicated people today! I pray that this is the begining of a surge to break the 100 barrier real soon!

Last night was a WASH OUT!

Went to see the band competition... and saw one band play in the drizzle! Caroline's band was standing there in it the whole time.... took their positions on the field in the pouring rain and then were waived off the field due to lightning. They said a 20 minute delay... but it POURED, so they canceled it.

Couldn't believe that it wasn't canceled earlier in the day... 7 bands ... thousands of dollars of instruments getting wet... hundreds of band uniforms now need dry cleaning... some bands came from a distance! Too bad! We do need the rain though!

Tonight....

If the rain holds off... Delmarvacade of Bands! Should be a fun night watching the local high school bands do their marching routines. This is the first year that Caroline is not marching... she is in the pit... playing bells and other percussion instruments. She is really enjoying that experience! Sharon and I are looking forward to seeing the whole routine!

Like a needle in a haystack...

That's how it was this morning finding both the cell phone and the deer. We found the cell phone first! It was simply amazing that we were able to find it because we were in the woods deep and in parts we had no idea where. The best way to sum it up is as my friend said when he found his phone... "THANK YOU LORD!".

Then after a lot of searching we found the deer too! Boy was that a great morning!

Kinda felt like the lady in Luke 15 who lost a coin and tore the house up looking for it. My pants are soiled on the knees because in many parts of the woods we were in this morning, we were crawling. It was so THICK! I wish I had taken my camera with me to take a picture, but I didn't want to loose it so, I left it in the truck.

Great day, but time I didn't have.... so, I will be working tomorrow in the office for a while.

A scary feeling...

Went hunting last night and was successful in getting a doe....but when I went with my friend, after dark to track her .... we ended up getting LOST! She wound her way through a tangled thicket of laurel and when we turned to leave, we went the wrong way. Turns out that he didn't have his compass and I didn't have my GPS and the moon was not high enough to see, so we were in the THICK woods lost. We must have walked hundreds of yards in the wrong direction. Called another friend who has a key to the gate and he came to the field edge and blew his truck horn so we had some way of getting direction. When he did, we had to turn around and walk a LONG ways through the thick back in the opposite direction that we had gone. The amazing thing is that when we got to the edge of the woods... it was the EXACT spot where we walked in following the deer trail! That won't happen again in a hundred years!

We both were delighted to get out. Even if we have to go back this morning to get my deer and his cell phone (which we discovered he lost, when he went to call his wife to tell her we were lost!) Hope we find his cell phone quickly and don't get lost again... however if we do, I will have my GPS and should be no problem!

An open invitation....

Every Wednesday night @ 7:15 p.m. I gather with several other people at the Community of Joy Ministry Center for a special Bible Study. It is a rich time spiritually for all of us. We are working our way through the New Testament and currenlty are in Matthew 8. You are invited to join the group.... it usually lasts about an hour and it has been a real blessing to all who have attended. Hope to see you there this week!

Church is NOT a club!

Interesting conversation I had with a fella yesterday!

I was at the Ministry Center doing some advance planning for Christmas and watering the new grass when it was clear that some one was trying to get in the front door-- but it was locked. (I had come in the back door.) It was a middle aged couple... happy to see me... told me that they had stopped by many times and I was never there. (I wanted to tell them I am ALWAYS here on Sundays!, but I bit my tongue and said, "my office is not in this building.") They were seeking some help with food... what Joseph House and Urban Ministries was able to offer them is not enough for their family and work for him will not start until next week. (I bought them 2 gallons of milk and 3 loaves of bread, and some butter.... they had lots of peanut butter and cereal but needed bread and milk. I also gave them two large bags of venison -- one bag of tenderloin and one of burger-- they were pleased!) We made arrangements for them to stop back by in an hour to pick up the food, since I needed to go get it from the house and store.

One thing the gentleman said to me, makes me write this blog... he said, "I grew up Catholic and my mom said that I should go by the Catholic Church to see what they could do for me, since all those years I faithfully gave them money... surely they should be able to help me now!" The Church is NOT a club... we don't pay dues and reap benefits as a result of paying those dues! In fact, someone has said... "the church is the only organization that exists totally for those who aren't part of it!" Sure there are benefits to being part of the body of people often referred to as the "church" but those aren't the benefits. The benefits are found in being part of community where we can support one another and share our struggles and joys. Those benefits are ours regardless of what we give or how much... but they can't be ours if we don't participate!

Another cool thing that happened yesterday was this... the couple also went to Bethany Lutheran and Pastor Kevin helped them too... he and I talked afterward and agreed that it would be a great mutual ministry to have some food on hand to give out. He offered the garage in their house next door as a location for some shelves and a freezer. We will have more conversation about this... but I can see a freezer stocked with some venison and other meats and a shelving unit that is stocked with some canned goods, that we gather from our collective groups. And that would just be the beginning of some valuable ministries for our community!

Awesome God....

I love these cool mornings... today when I walked out to get the paper, it was frosty and cool and the half moon was shining and a gazillion stars were twinkling... as I looked up at the beauty... my whole being was singing a song of praise to an Awesome Creator God who didn't skip the details of this beautiful world he made! I am so blessed to be part of it!

Neat Experience....

Today's experiment in both worship gatherings was a neat experience and enriching. What a cool and inspiring time it was! Very moving!

I really like this Bible Study method... reading a passage out loud three or four times and then asking the following questions... 1. What did you like about the passage? 2. What didn't you like? 3. What don't you understand? 4. What did you learn about God? and 5. If you applied one thing that you learned about God today in your life this week, what would it look like?

It was also very moving to have the special song "Anoint us Lord" sung and to do an anointing for all who wanted it.... most everyone came forward for it. LOTS of tears flowed as God moved in our midst!

I now know that his process works in a variety of settings and in a variety of ages and spiritual maturities.

Something I've never done on Sunday....

I hope we are in for a real treat on Sunday! I plan to do something that is different. Not your usual sermon. I hope it will fly well and be meaningful for folks... it has GREAT possibility! Looking forward to trying something different and new!

What's up with this....?

I went away for a two day trip to get some much needed R and R... and I come home BUSHED! While it was fun being in the middle of acres of marsh land, with no cell signal and bugling sika deer, I am exhausted. We got up on Wednesday at 2 a.m. to head up... sat in the stand ALL day with no lunch on Wednesday... saw my first and only deer at 11:45 a.m. and then again at 2:20 p.m. Only saw it for a second each time. Was bowhunting and had no opportunity that day. Got back to Cambridge at 8:30 p.m. for supper, then showered and into bed by 10. Then up on Thursday at 3:45 a.m. and off again. Only saw one deer on Thursday when walking in to the stand from the argo. My good friend, Wil, took the stag of a lifetime on Thursday... they estimate him to be 15-17 years old. It was an exhausting and expensive two days... but over all it was fun. Now I am tired and itchy... LOTS of mosquitoes. In fact as dusk comes each day, the drone of mosquitoes is deafening!

The pics are Wil's stag and the area I hunted last night.

Off to Crapo....

Tomorrow a.m. bright and EARLY... 3 a.m. early, I will leave my house with a friend and drive to Dorchester Co... to the marshes in search of a trophy sika stag. This will be my first ever paid hunt with a guide. I am really looking forward to it. Should be lots of fun, if the mosquito's don't carry me away!

We will be hunting on Wed with a bow and Thursday with a muzzle loader. It will be my first ever ride in an argo... an amphibious vehicle that can travel across the marsh.

So Moving...

Yesterday's funeral was a true testimony to a life well lived, even if short! Cindy touched so many people in profound ways in her 46 years! It was standing room only at the funeral home and somewhere close to 20 or more peices of fire equiptment for the procession. And then the ladder trucks forming the arch at the cemetary was beautiful. It was also heartwarming to see the firemen at Fruitland along the roadside with a truck and in uniform at attention as we drove by!

But the most moving part of the whole service was at the very end. And I confess I was a bit cynical when the funeral director mentioned the possibility... I thought not another way to take money... but boy was I wrong... and I even had to confess my error to the lady who did it!

At the end of the committal service, there was a lady who brought some white doves... they were in a white wicker basket... three in one and 1 in another. T.J. -- Cindy's son released the three (after the lady read a informative piece and psalm) the three represented the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then as they circled the crowd in the bright blue, cloudless sky, to the song "Wind Beneath My Wings", Glenn released the lone dove -- symbolizing Cindy's spirit... and when it joined the three and all four circled and circled the crowd... what a breathtaking picture. And if that wasn't moving enough... on the third circle, all four doves, swooped down just above Glenn and T.J.'s heads... I almost lost it at that moment! What a fitting final piece to the service!

I was so wrong about the doves.... I would highly recommend anyone doing that as an awesome and moving end to a very difficult service!

A Long, busy weekend!

It's been a really BUSY weekend... left yesterday @ 9 a.m. for a family wedding in Martinsburg, WVA and returned home by 11 p.m. Went to bed at 12 midnight up at 5:20 and getting ready for worship today... left for ministry center at 8 ... had 9 and 10:30 worship gatherings... grabbed a bite to eat at Quiznos, then changed clothes and went to funeral home...there from 12:40 - 3 ish and then to the cemetary and community hall til 5:30 and @ 6 p.m. had youth group... I was to provide the leadership for the spiritual component... got home from that aroun 8:30 and then chilled a bit.. just now Sharon remembered that a window was open at the ministry center... so heading back there to close it! THEN to BED!

A very moving weekend... will blog more tomorrow about it!

New Pastor @ CoJ....

Yep, it's been confirmed... CoJ has a new pastor!

Got a phone call from a lady that drives by our ministry center each Sunday on the way to her church and really appreciates having the pastor wave at her!

Won't Walt be surprised that he has a new title!!!

Just goes to show that a simple thing as waving to people as they pass by on Sunday mornings or whenever can have an impact!

Soon...

It's been one of those weeks... running at all ends and still can't keep up.

I will post something tomorrow I am sure. Right now I am headed to bed... really tired!

In Loving Memory....

This morning as the sun was rising... Cindy Costa completed her journey here on earth and arrived safely in the arms of Jesus! What an inspiration Cindy has been to so many people as she stared cancer in the face and thumbed her nose at it! Cindy taught many of us about facing death with dignity, honor, grace, and the peace that passes all understanding-- the peace that only God can give!

What a blessing she has been to so many people! Today, I thank God for her life and faith! I also am thankful that I was privileged to call her friend!

My prayers are with her family, Glenn, T.J. Carol, Bev, and Tom.

So, sorry...

that more people don't avail themselves of the worship experience that we call "Love Feast"! It is such a spiritually rich gathering!

It was so cool last night... a junior high youth brought a friend and the youth's mom asked the friend how her first love feast experience was.. and she said... AWESOME! That was neat to hear!

Another movie recommendation...

WOW! It is RARE that I recommend too many movies... but Sharon and I watched one last night that was worth recommending... August Rush.

So many spiritual themes in the movie... totally awesome... you won't regret watching this one!

Love Feast on Sunday Night

A worship experience that is often a highlight for me is our semi-annual Love Feast. It is modeled after Jesus' last supper with his disciples in John 13. There is some singing, praying, reflecting, a simple meal, an opportunity to wash feet, and a time to receive communion.

It is especially meaningful to humble myself to wash someone's feet. Sounds gross, but it really is a cool thing because it helps me understand the attitude and posture that Jesus wants me to have.

Looking forward to Sunday night... 6:30 p.m. !

Another Divine Appointment...

Talked to another friend yesterday who called to share the good news of finding a job... she was most excited about telling me how she got the job... it was a Divine Appointment!

She stopped at a "See You at the Pole" prayer gathering at her kid's school. When it was over, she was getting ready to get into her car when the lady in the car next to hers began talking to her ... in the course of the conversation, it came out that she was job hunting... the lady walked to her car where her husband was waiting... told her husband that my friend was looking for a job... he asked a few questions... turns out that both he and his wife had just prayed for God to send them a manager for a new business they were opening.... long story short... my friend was the immediate answer to that prayer and has the job!

Divine Appointments...

I believe in Divine Appointments! No question about it! No coincidences here!

I had a friend call me last night to tell me about an amazing happening ... a first for him. It was a Divine Appointment for sure... he has been on a spiritual quest for a couple years now... which he blames on me! He says that I made him read the bible and that has made all the difference in the world to his faith and life! (Reading the Bible can transform our lives! -- that's why I try to get more people to do it!) Part of the journey has been a deepening of faith for himself and his wife... they were invited by some friends to go to a DC church over the weekend to hear J.I. Packer... then took the opportunity to got to a "Talk Back" time with Mr. Packer in a small room at the church... the church held thousands for worship, but the talk back time only had about 10-15 people in it, so they his wife got to ask a question that she's been wrestling with... Mr. Packer responded but also said that he would encourage her to read a certain book of his that would address the topic in much more detail. My friend tried to get the book, but it is out of print!

Yesterday, I was at Ollie's briefly, because Emma wanted a small Bible that she could carry in her purse... while there, I couldn't help but quickly browse the other inspirational books that Ollie's carries... and you probably guessed it, I found a book by J.I. Packer. I tried to call my friend to see if he wanted me to buy it... but couldn't get him... so, I didn't buy it. BUT I did place it in a strategic location so that when he called me back, if he wanted it, it would be easy to find.

He went to Ollie's found the book in less than a minute and wouldn't you know that it is the SAME book that is out of print that Mr. Packer suggested his wife read!

When he called me back later to tell me that... I asked him if he was going to stay up all night to read it. I am doubting that he did....

There is NOTHING coincidental about that! It was simply a divine appointment... you see when we open ourselves up to God, he really does guide us!