Summer is Here

Here we have seasons. Spring doesn't just become summer. There are dramatic changes. One day or week, it seems summer is almost arriving and then temperatures drop and we are back in almost winter again and again.

Rather like life, sometimes it seems that things are going along almost without changing but underneath, there are always currents of change. A bit like the current stock market.

So, what is this about? We like that the weather have seasons. There is nothing constant and that is why we need an anchor, a rock, beyond what we can see to keep us in peace whatever the season is. And the only constant is that if we have found the Rock of Our Salvation, we know who is in charge no matter what changes hit.

God is our hiding place. He is the rock and our refuge in a dry and weary place. Lately, I have been spending more time resting inside my rock and less time trying to figure it all out.

Just yesterday, suddenly, summer came. It was only a trip to the post office but people were enjoying the sun and wearing not only lighter clothes but more relaxed postures. I knew as sure as anything that summer was upon all of us. No more coats and boots or rain gear!

It is time to rejoice in the new season ahead. Be with family and friends. Enjoy a vacation or make one with a picnic at a park. Listen to more music.

Smile from the inside of your heart.

Waiting for Spring

Here in the Northwest, where we live now, we do much waiting for Spring which came late in April this year.

In winter, I look out at my raised flower bed and it may have some snow. There isn't much to see and yet I know that under that bed I have planted bulbs that one day, they will appear.

Nature seems to be saying this year that spring will never come with February snow almost every day followed by cold and rain in March into April.

I wait and wait because from my former life in California. I expected Spring to start sometime in late February. Here it does not. We have something called seasons. Winter is real, long, and trying at times, especially when I gaze out of my kitchen window.

Last fall, we planted more tulip bulbs and unlike California bulbs, I did not have to refrigerate them. And to tell the truth, my California tulips never made much of a garden inpact. But here, nature seems to smile on tulips. Even an amateur, can plant the ugly bulbs and see great results.

Tulips are a marvel here... a kind of resurrecfion in glorious colors. God speaks in what we see in front of us. There is winter and there is death. But after that, there is so much more. Now in Spring, I look out my window and see a blaze of tulips. It is beautiful that the dead of winter has produced the glory of this Spring.

Working Together Is Not Impossible

It is one thing to read about the city and quite another thing to be in the city for a week, in the midst of a group of Christians from many US cities and beyond focused on changing the areas of the city's under belly.

I was acquainted on other trips with the Michigan Ave Miracle Mile, with hotels, high end stores, and the river. That was all I knew, and it was there in a hotel 13 years ago that I got called to Chicago.

This trip in July 2018, I was at Moody Bible Institute in a different area.

It was an adventure to revisit, living in a dorm, going to lectures and taking notes from people who were out to change the situation of the poor. Not by writing a check or visiting once a year, but actively engaging in the problems of the inner city.

However, it was not an intellectual conference for me, but much more, as God let me to experience the pain and the problems first hand on a trip to the emergency room after a fall on the broken cement. I have written more details, in the newsletter which is on-line, so please take a minute to check it out.

One thing we still need to learn is how to work together between groups of churches, and to walk in love together tackling big problems with little actions. If we are one body in the city and see ourselves as part of the whole body of Christ, we can make big advances. There is much interference to say Christians from various churches can't work together. I know from experience that we can.

At Moody, it was as if many parts of the body came together from all over the world, and one of the most moving times was when I was able to take communion together.

We are called to be salt and light. Together even Chicago can be changed!

I was reminded this morning, God hears and keeps all of the prayers. He has them all before him in heaven. Not one is lost.

We may not see answers for years but do not give up on your prayers for larger issues. Go on an adventure for God. Pray for your city. Dare to find friends from other churches and release prayers together for the wounds of the city.

God allowed me to feel the pain for Chicago. This is the start of the work ahead and I trust the findings of these people who welcome hope and allow us to give the vision. Like bridges over the rivers, impossible things are enabled because our God is limitless and we need to love each other to know the adventure God has for each of us.

Remembering 2018 - Being Thankful

It is easy to be thankful when things are going well but what happens when things go very wrong?

In California, you have to evacuate your home because of fires or maybe lose a home you have lived in all your life as in Paradise, CA.

What is happening in California is unbelievable. An entire city of Malibu evaluated and homes gone up in flames. So many evacuated with little warning in other cities. The dense clouds of smoke over many cities. Fear on every side.

How can anyone be thankful in the midst of all these things? Only by the discipline of giving thanks to God in all circumstances. I don't think the first Thanksgiving was a pretty picture.

The people were only in survival mode and they were alive. Give thanks to God that they had food that day, and each other. Be Thankful.

If you know those who don't, express your Thanksgiving by giving to the poor. Serve food at a shelter. If you are rich, be aware that richness will fade away like a wild flower. What you have is temporary. Become a benefactor in a cause you believe in.

It is not what we are doing that counts: it is the hearts' attitude. The road to being a thankful person is tough but wherever you are you can start to change in this direction in 2019.

God's Love

God is after you. He knows where your story. He knows your deepest needs and longings and hurts. He knows you feel far away. BUT.....

His love is relentless. He does not want to punish you for the wrongs you have done. He wants to forgive you every single thing.

His love is relentless so in the baby Christ Jesus, Gods son, came from heaven to earth. He grew up and went about doing good. He had no sin but was punished by death on a cross. His blood poured down. His side was pierced.

In agony he cried out.....

"FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO"

Jesus asked for your forgiveness for your sins from the cross. This is an amazing gift. No one else could give this gift because only God can forgive sins. When you get a wonderful, unexpected gift your only response is to say "THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"

Jesus came down from heaven to this dark, dirty and estranged world. GOD WAS IN CHRIST RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF. Believe this and receive this and you will have the gift of peace inside you. This will be the proof of the Fathers forgiveness and acceptance of you.

THE THANK YOU PRAYER
Thank you God for sending Jesus Christ of Nazareth to us. Thank you that Jesus died on the cross shedding his blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I thank you God that your love is relentless and I receive you Lord Jesus into my life trusting you to save me now.

Mary's Journey to Bethlehem

The pregnant woman, Mary, was much alone in those last days, waiting for the baby to be born. And yet she was not totally alone because the Lord was with her.

It had been an uncomfortable journey leaving Nazareth and coming to Bethlehem with Joseph. She was with a child. She felt the child move and it felt amazing. She was favored by the Lord to carry little Jesus.

She couldn't help but think about Elizabeth, her cousin, and wish she could be here with her. They were in a stable with animals where she heard the animals moved and how they smelled. However, in a way, they were a comfort in her situation.

She knew Joseph had watched her carefully, and he had been wonderful to her on the road as they moved with others on a trail. She did not ride on a donkey. They did not own one. She leaned on Joseph and knew he would carry her if necessary. He almost had to do that as they walked into Bethlehem and was looking for a place to sleep. 

At last, they came upon an inn, but there was no room for them except a stable. She heard the animals around her and was getting used to the smell.

She was here in this stable, a waiting place for her pregnancy days. She had an empty manger to use. When it was time, she would wrap the Holy Child in the cloths she had brought and placed him right there in the straw. Mary looked up and saw light.

Luke 2: 4-7

Influencers

At a trade show in September, I met a woman who was fostering a Junior High aged girl. As we talked I could sense her deep concern for how her daughter might be influenced by peers. Then she told me her daughter had recently been invited to a Young Life group at school.

I immediately had a flashback to when I went to Young Life in high school and could still picture our leader. Jim Skelton was an influencer for God who worked with hundreds of unchurched children and some who did go. There was live music, snacks and Jim gave a message from the Bible.

"I absolutely endorse your foster daughter going to this group," I said.

INFLUENCERS leave a long shadow. They remain in our hearts. I would like to say that it was at Young Life that I came to Christ. Two of my friends did. I wandered and floundered around for a good 10 years and it was a struggle to find my way. Maybe that is why I have such a heart for Lost Sheeps.

We know that the younger the children hear the message of who Jesus is the better. The light of the gospel has not gone out. The truth of scripture is solid and dependable.

Want to be an influencer? Get on board with children in your local church or connected with nonprofits working to give children hope and a future. Cast a long shadow from your life.

A Glance Back

14 years ago the first Touchdown Camp was opened in Redwood City, CA. Patty Cardona with the support of Project Lost Sheep opened it it for two weeks. The contents of program I had worked on for months putting all that would appeal to children with no means. Sports, food and more food, crafts, etc.

We had about 40 children and teen helpers. We thought we could have half the camp do sports and the other half do crafts, but the children wanted both so we did a bit of scrambling to get the children what they wanted.

Patty started the drama story that is so popular today. There were props. At one point someone had to catch a falling tree prop. We all worked very long hours and we decided that the next camp would last one week the hard work before camp is again in process.

Patty and team will need to instruct new teen staff as so many have left California. We have learned to prepare the best we can and do all we can to make this week shine for the kids. Pastor Cardona will again be up as he knows the importance of a good model. Each time we who serve receive so much blessing for being there for the kids. We may grow weary but the seeds planted this year for good will be seen in the teenagers in just a few years.

So "do not grow weary in well doing for in due time you will reap."

Come join us in seed planting! August 6-10