Today Life Church Miami met for the first time in the Regal Theatre in Cutler Bay. The experience brought a picture to my mind...You have a dream of visiting another country...you look at the films, research it on the Internet..look at the travel brochures. Then one day, you get off the plane and find yourself in the country you dreamed about seeing.
Two years ago a group of us, led by Pastor David, began studying, praying, talking and sharing about the Big Step of locating in a community where we could serve in a meaningful way. It's been a long road, with detours, redirections, and even some rocks in the road. But the concept of our destination never left us.
Today, we got off the airplane and looked around. There is much to do and, thank God, people are signing up to be part of the "launch" of this new entity. After our gathering concluded, I dropped by a cosmetics shop in the Southland Mall, where a woman works that I met a few days ago in the nearby McDonald's. In our introductory chat, I told her about Life Church and described the wonderful children's program that would be part of it. (She has a 5-year-old daughter.) At the conclusion of that first chat, she gave permission for me to pick up her daughter and the child's great-grandmother on Sunday mornings to bring them to Life Church.
My follow-up with my new friend is to check in with her in a couple of days about getting school supplies for the 5-year-old. I want to continue a friendship with her because she is so open and receptive.
Tomorrow I will participate in the closing of the sale of the former church building, another "destination" that has seemed a long time in coming. But God is faithful and He keeps His promises. Pastor David quoted from God's words to Joshua, just before Joshua led a large group of people into Canaan. God said four times to Joshua: "Be strong and of good courage. I am with you."
Our part in this new undertaking: strength, courage, faithfulness, obedience to His directions. His part: direction, empowerment, supply of what is needed to do His work. He has a perfect record of reliability. Sometimes ours is not so perfect, but this morning I saw His sending in of people with smiles on their faces and excitement in their attitudes.
Cutler Bay, we're here. And best of all, God is here.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Good-bye and Hello
Today we had our last meeting in the "old building" on Bird Road and next Sunday we will gather in a movie theatre in Cutler Bay. For two years, we have talked, prayed, watched for God's leading...and at times...we have wondered if this day would ever come. Well, it has. He is an On-Time God. This morning He brought in people I had never seen before--some of them due to the efforts of a teen-aged boy who text-messaged 98 of his friends with an invitation.
The "new people" were God's sign to me that "I am working. I am working. Trust Me." We have so much to learn, not only about set-up and break-down of equipment but about the people of Cutler Bay we want to serve. Six of our group did heavy-duty yard work at the Pine Villas retirement community the other day. And that's just for starters.
One chapter closes and another chapter opens. It's a wonderful day.
The "new people" were God's sign to me that "I am working. I am working. Trust Me." We have so much to learn, not only about set-up and break-down of equipment but about the people of Cutler Bay we want to serve. Six of our group did heavy-duty yard work at the Pine Villas retirement community the other day. And that's just for starters.
One chapter closes and another chapter opens. It's a wonderful day.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Double Hot Dog!
Some of us attended the barbecue today (Saturday June 28) sponsored by the Thinking of You group that supports military people, their families and veterans. As requested, we took along items for care packages to be sent to our military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The first hot dog was the one on the menu, along with beans, ribs, and soft drinks. But the second Hot Dog was even better--The contacts made that will help us in serving Cutler Bay.
The first person I met was the mom of a musician named Ted Miller. She introduced me to her son, a man who heads a group called America's Life Line Foundation. This group also supports the American military. Ted gave me a couple of his professionally produced CDs (adult contemporary music) and I promptly introduced him to Jake. (Jake will chat with him about our recording studio that's in the works.)
Then I met Barbara Condon, who with her husband and son, produces the cutlerbay.net web site and newsletter. We have corresponded by email several times; she is a goldmine of information. She in turn introduced me to two Cutler Bay council members: Ernest Sochin from District 2 and Peggy Bell from District 3. Both of them said they wanted to talk with me further about projects we could help them with. In fact Councilwoman Bell offered to take me on a car tour of Cutler Bay to show me how the 2-year-old town is coming along. (You can bet I will take that car ride!)
Two youthful groups of musicians performed at the barbecue; so I got their business cards, too and passed them along to Jake for further contact.
In terms of the networking that we all accomplished, this barbecue was pure sirloin steak. God is good.
The first hot dog was the one on the menu, along with beans, ribs, and soft drinks. But the second Hot Dog was even better--The contacts made that will help us in serving Cutler Bay.
The first person I met was the mom of a musician named Ted Miller. She introduced me to her son, a man who heads a group called America's Life Line Foundation. This group also supports the American military. Ted gave me a couple of his professionally produced CDs (adult contemporary music) and I promptly introduced him to Jake. (Jake will chat with him about our recording studio that's in the works.)
Then I met Barbara Condon, who with her husband and son, produces the cutlerbay.net web site and newsletter. We have corresponded by email several times; she is a goldmine of information. She in turn introduced me to two Cutler Bay council members: Ernest Sochin from District 2 and Peggy Bell from District 3. Both of them said they wanted to talk with me further about projects we could help them with. In fact Councilwoman Bell offered to take me on a car tour of Cutler Bay to show me how the 2-year-old town is coming along. (You can bet I will take that car ride!)
Two youthful groups of musicians performed at the barbecue; so I got their business cards, too and passed them along to Jake for further contact.
In terms of the networking that we all accomplished, this barbecue was pure sirloin steak. God is good.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
More Opportunities!
As our Operation Get-Acquainted continues, there is more good news. Dan and Jake will provide a musical tribute to our American veterans at the July 4 celebration at Whispering Pines.
Miriam, Silvia, Helen and Pat participated in a focus group held at Cutler Ridge Park on what the some of the community's needs are: after-school youth programs, job training and placement, child care programs, places where people can phone or visit to get information on what services are available in the community. The focus group was sponsored and led by the Children's Resource Network, a Miami-Dade organization that partners with clubs, churches, and other interested groups to provide services to citizens in need.
A visiting mission group from Orlando will pitch in to do some community needs surveys, all of which will add to our knowledge databank on Cutler Bay.
Miriam, Silvia, Helen and Pat participated in a focus group held at Cutler Ridge Park on what the some of the community's needs are: after-school youth programs, job training and placement, child care programs, places where people can phone or visit to get information on what services are available in the community. The focus group was sponsored and led by the Children's Resource Network, a Miami-Dade organization that partners with clubs, churches, and other interested groups to provide services to citizens in need.
A visiting mission group from Orlando will pitch in to do some community needs surveys, all of which will add to our knowledge databank on Cutler Bay.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nothing Under the Banyan Tree
Today I picked up a copy (with appropriate payment) of a book by Ted Engstrom and Paul Cedar, called "Compassionate Leadership". As I turned to the Foreword by Leighton Ford, I found words that are too good to keep:
Here goes: "An old Indian proverb says that 'nothing grows under the banyan tree.' That huge tree towers so high and spreads its branches so wide with such thick foliage that the sun cannot filter through to nurture the tiny seedlings below. The same thing, unfortunately, can be said of many visible and strong human leaders. Their reach goes high. Their influence goes wide. They are seen by many as leaders. And yet they do not create space within their circle of influence to permit younger leaders to put down their roots and spread their branches."
We in the Launch Group have been encouraged to mentor other people---listening to them, talking with them, sharing with them, praying with them, encouraging them. Banyan Trees Need Not Apply.
Here goes: "An old Indian proverb says that 'nothing grows under the banyan tree.' That huge tree towers so high and spreads its branches so wide with such thick foliage that the sun cannot filter through to nurture the tiny seedlings below. The same thing, unfortunately, can be said of many visible and strong human leaders. Their reach goes high. Their influence goes wide. They are seen by many as leaders. And yet they do not create space within their circle of influence to permit younger leaders to put down their roots and spread their branches."
We in the Launch Group have been encouraged to mentor other people---listening to them, talking with them, sharing with them, praying with them, encouraging them. Banyan Trees Need Not Apply.
A Meaningful Moment at the Bookstore
I was minding my own business at the Family Christian Bookstore, waiting to check out, when a young woman looked straight at me and said, "God loves you!"
She caught me by surprise, but I responded, "Yes, I know. That means a lot to me. How long have you known the Lord?" That led to a lengthy dialogue in which I learned that she was 20 years old; she had accepted Christ at age 12 but in her own words, "I backslid but God brought me back when I was 17".
She plays the guitar, used to have her own Christian rock band, and writes music. And would you believe her first name is "Harmony"? I told her about our musicians and how they are always looking for new talent. I asked her permission to get in touch with Jake so he could tell her more details.
And when I mentioned to her that we were going to set up a recording study, her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
I don't know where this will all lead, but for today, it was a "God thing", right in the middle of a bookstore.
She caught me by surprise, but I responded, "Yes, I know. That means a lot to me. How long have you known the Lord?" That led to a lengthy dialogue in which I learned that she was 20 years old; she had accepted Christ at age 12 but in her own words, "I backslid but God brought me back when I was 17".
She plays the guitar, used to have her own Christian rock band, and writes music. And would you believe her first name is "Harmony"? I told her about our musicians and how they are always looking for new talent. I asked her permission to get in touch with Jake so he could tell her more details.
And when I mentioned to her that we were going to set up a recording study, her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
I don't know where this will all lead, but for today, it was a "God thing", right in the middle of a bookstore.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
How Much Do We Want It?
We got word today (June 11) that our Zoning Board agenda item has been deferred until July. Whatever the reason for the delay, it's time for some industrial-strength prayer.
I don't know what God has in mind on laying out the future for us, but He has led us this far, and He didn't do it only to slam a door in our faces.
The delay affects the immediate financial picture, but God's bank account is limitless. We're looking at a Red Sea of government bureaucracy right now; God is able to open a path for us. Let's have some serious conversations with Him on the topic.
I don't know what God has in mind on laying out the future for us, but He has led us this far, and He didn't do it only to slam a door in our faces.
The delay affects the immediate financial picture, but God's bank account is limitless. We're looking at a Red Sea of government bureaucracy right now; God is able to open a path for us. Let's have some serious conversations with Him on the topic.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)