American Diabetes Association . . .

The smell of coffee in the morning . . . this morning Leonard Higginbotham and I got up at 2:30 and started working around 3:00 a.m. to prepare 800 cups of coffee for the ADA Walk around the Capitol Building in Sacramento. 32 gallons of coffee is a lot of coffee, coffee time is over just before lunch, so the prep time is compressed. We were able to keep up with demand. Lots of happy coffe drinking consumers. It was a beautiful lcation on the North side of the capitol. Only glitch was the sprinklers going off near us for 20 minutes. We meet a lot of people and spread a lot of Good News today.
This is the longest road trip in the ERV so far. Thanks to Kevin, Randy and George Woodward, the ERV is a vehicle to be proud of!

Buddy

Today's Response... A Single Mother

Divorce is the #1 cause of poverty in my opinion. Every year I meet women who struggle with trying to make ends meet after their men have left with all the money and most of the woman's dignity. Today I met "M" for the first time. The rent is due, she owes for utilities there is little food in the cupboard. The car insurance is due, she has meds that need to be filled. Mostly she feels hopeless, hostile towards her man and cannot see a way out. She knows Jesus but has taken much time to talk to Him lately. Her biggest question is, why? Why did God let this happen? Why did it have to happen now?
We listed things she has to be thankful for. 2 Children who love her more than anything in this world. A job as a secretary with the state of CA. A car that runs. Tuition paid at college this semester. All of these are positive. Everything is not bad. Afterall, she knows Jesus. Today we talked to Him for her. We asked Him to comfort her, help her and for Him to be with her. Tomorrow, she is coming back for some more conversation. Pray for her right now, she needs to feel loved. Pray that we can help her in ameaningful way tomorrow.

Buddy

Response Team Update. . .

I have just started a new class on Sunday Morning, titled, Uncomfortable Ministry for an Uncommon God. Here is a blurb about the class and the lesson titles :

God has called us to be His hands in this world during times of crisis and struggle. Most of us feel uncomfortable or ill-trained to serve others during these times. This class will provide information and skills training to equip Christians to serve family and friends during times of struggle and Crisis.

Lesson 1
Practical Needs Ministry part 1

Lesson 2
Practical Needs Ministry part 2

Lesson 3
Essentials of Visiting part 2

Lesson 4
Essentials of Visiting part 2

Lesson 5
Learning to Listen Better part 1

Lesson 6
Learning to be a Better Listener part 2

Lesson 7
Providing Emotional First Aid

Lesson 8
Ministry in Times of Crisis

Lesson 9
Ministry in Times of Grief part 1

Lesson 10
Ministry in Times of Grief part 2
Lesson 11
Ministry When Cancer Strikes part 1

Lesson 12
Ministry When Cancer Strikes part 2

I am excited about this class. Please attend if you can. The class will be placed on the Davis Park Church of Christ website. Amazing my class will be podcast on the www.

This Saturday the ERV and I are going to the Capitol Plaza Area of Sacramento where we will dispense coffee for the 800 plus walkers for the American Diabetes Association annual event. Should be a lot of fun.

More News later. . . .

Buddy

Labor Day Weekend . . . Thoughts about the past few Labor Days

This marks the first labor day in three years that I have been at home. The last two years have been spent in wind torn and water battered areas near the Gulf of Mexico. The summer of 2004 trip to the GOM was interesting in a lot of ways because it was the first Red Cross deployment for me. It was also interesting because I ended up being in close proximity to several storms. Never in any real danger, but the storms were lurking around and causing chaos for us. Flexibility and patience were the lessons from these storms.
After developing relationships with people on a route, it was certainly hard to evacuate and leave them behind, many had run three times previously and were not going anywhere for the fourth storm of the season. They did not have any "run" left in them. It was strange staying 35 miles away from ground zero of the "Charlie" strike. It became much like a morning commute, see the same cars and drivers at gas stations, stoplights and fast food restauraunts. The transition when I came home was difficult, it seemed surreal that we did not have blue roofs and piles of debis on our streets.
Last year I left for Louisana on the 27th of August. After a few days on the road I ended up in Baton Rouge, LA. We arrived after Katrina, amid a population that for the most part was still in shock from the storm. We, too were in shock at the unusual events that were taking place. American citizens trapped by water on roof tops, trapped in shelters of last resorts, trapped in relatives houses because their houses were gone. Part of the shock was the lack of accomadations. Only by the grace of God had I purchased a sleeping bag and a tent at a Walmart along the way. Additionally I had purchased a good quality air mattress. The tent became my home for over a month, part of the time in Bogalusa and part of the time in Slidell. If you had told me I would live in a tent when I was 49 years old, I would not have believed it. Fuel Trucks and food trucks had armed escorts. People in Bogalusa were hungry when we brought the first meal and subsequent meals to them. People responded well to the Red Cross and when we went to Slidell they responded to the Real Cross. Exciting times to be a minister of the church and a soldier for Jesus. Well my son Matthew wants to go swimming this afternoon, I need to spend time with him and Krista. I know I value them more because I have met people who lost wives and children in the storms of life. Pray for those who were hit by the storms of life and pray for those who responded to them.

Buddy

Katrina,May She soon Rest in Peace

C
Vaults in the streets, Group with a homeowner

Life's possession's after the storm, A Home now floating in canal.

I am still working through the grieving process from Katrina. I will forever be changed by experiencing the devastation of the storm, and the personal devastation of so many lives. Spending time with homeowners, while we slammed sledge hammers into there once pristine walls, or as we carried load after load of possesions out to the street. Spending time with good people and fellow christians from all over North America and beyond will never be forgotten. I pray that we continue to do this great work of Disaster Relief. What a moment to let someone see Jesus!

Back to School Bash

School does not start till you have had your Bash. Well, we have had our "Bash". The 3 bounce houses and the 2 interactive games went almost non-stop for three hours as did the feeding line. We served over 350 meals and served up over 100 gallons of lemonade. The event was a great success. The new addition this year was an information booth promoting Mike's new sermon series, "Final Destination". Additionally the info booth handed out info packets with info on the Davis Park Church of Christ and the ministries we serve the community with.
The joust is always fun to watch as fathers and sons square off with the extra-large que-tips to demonstrate their affection for one another. Many of our teen boys demonstrated affection for one another as they swung the jousting sticks at one another. Several members of the local community came by for the fun and games.
These events take a lot of manpower to make sure it all happens as it is supposed to happen. I want to thank all of you who took time out to volunteer for the event. It was all of you who made it a great success. If I named the volunteers I know I would miss one. You know who you are. Thanks a million.

Thanks for making a difference,

Buddy

Ernesto is on Track for US coast

It will be real hard for this storm to miss the US. Pray for weather to not be favorable for intensification. For those in the Central Coast of Gulf Region, please begin preparations as soon as possible.

Tropical Storm Ernesto

Here is the latest cone of uncertainity. Preparations should be underway if you live on the coast. Mid week we should know the general direction. By Friday we should know specifically.

Tropical Depression 5

This storm my become the first real threat of the season. Pray for Dissipation.of this storm. If named this storm will become Ernesto. Those who live on the GOM make sure your plan is updated and ready.

Buddy

Faith Night At the Modesto Nuts Game

I went to my first ever Christian Rock Concert tonight before the Modesto Nuts baseball game. I can tell you that I felt every bit of my fifty years old. The music was loud, hurt your ears loud. The crowd was different than what I am used to. The whole Contemporary Christisian instrumental music world is foreign to me. People sang along with the Band as their words challenged "us" to worship, be evangelistic and Holy. The words to the songs were lifted up to God as prayers as people sang with their eyes closed and raised their hands. BTW the concert was on a black asphalt parking lot at 5:oo pm. Temperature on the asphalt had to be 100+. This was not a fair weather crowd.
After the concert Paul and Sarah Sale had arranged for our church group to have tri-tip and pork sandwiches and for the kids to have hot dogs. Drinks were included. We had an area with picnic tables on the first base side. Great for fellowshipping and enjoying each others company. The kids all got wristbands and were allowed to use the jumphouses and slides all night long. Needless to say we did not see much of the game.
Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomatoe were at the game. Matthew spent a lot of time with both of them and Wally and Al the Nuts mascots.
My hats off to Paul and Sarah Sale for making Faith Night at the Ballpark happen, it was a wonderful event.

My only regret - I didn't bring anyone with me. What a good time for people to meet family, that is eternal family. May God open my eyes to events like this to bring my neighbors and friends to so they can get a glimpse of Jesus.

Family Promise Week Completed . . .

No real news to report on the final morning of Family Promise. Our family helped pack the beds in the truck and then after services we transported the beds to St Paul's Episcopal Church. In the neighborhood of sixty volunteers were involved in this project. Tasks such as cooking, cleaning, conversation and sleeping over for the most part were what needed to be done. Thanks to the small groups who were involved this time (Kelley, Cobleigh, Fox). Each time is different from the previous. One of our volunteers who was at the building nearly everyday commented that most all in the coming week, fellowshipping would be missing. Reminds of Acts 2:42-45; they came together everyday to break bread. Breaking bread is a lot of fun. I cannot wait till next time.

Buddy

Family Promise Day 7

Tomorrow morning we pack up the beds, pile up the linens and blankets, then move the beds to the next church. What a great feast we had tonight. Leonard, Cary, Jim, Holly and Krista did a tremendous job on supper/dinner. Marinaded Tri-tip, Melon, Chile Beans, Chinese Chicken Salad and Peach Cobbler. Did I mention fried Okra, too. Everyone was full of food.
During the meal a family arrived looking for assistance. They had been looking for work in Barstow, en route to a promised job that never materialized. They were hot and hungry. These folks had come to the building earlier in the day, just after I had left the building. Tina and Edwina talked to them and relayed a message that I would be back after 3:3o pm. The church provided them with a food box for them to have when they arrived home and the Church filled their gas tank after the meal. Additionally, we invited them to supper with us. All four of them seemed surprised for the invitation. All of took turns showing them hospitality, trying to let them see Jesus through our hands. I know Jesus would have given them peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. They ate a couple of helpings of everything. They smiled and waved as they were leaving the gas station. Their thank yous were gratifying. We were blessed that they came by today, they reminded me how important hospitality is. Any other Saturday we would not have been at the building. God's timing is great!

Buddy

FAMILY PROMISE NIGHT #6

Things continue to go well for the FP week. We have finished up six days and are into our final day. Last night Jim and Delores Greff stayed the evening, they brought Jadyn and Jordan their grandchildren with them. What a great way for the kids to see faith in action, by being a part of helping with this minsitry. The meal provided by Theo and Carol was great, what a blessing for two of our seniors to feed the family and my family. The mexican casserole was great. The corn was like it was fresh off the cob. Brownies and Peanut butter cookies mmmm. The kids were restless last night, so Krista took them to Block Buster to pick out some movies. They had a blast. Matthew (my son ) has had a blast with Isaiah the five year old family member.
One more dinner, one more night and one more breakfast and we move the beds to the next church. I'll have one more entry on this FP adventure.

Buddy

Response Team Activities. . .

One week from today we will be cooking and feeding the participants in the training institue for the American Red Cross. We need to have the food on the table at the Red Lion by 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Call me if you want to help.

One week from this Sunday will be the annual Back to School Bash. We will be cooking several hundred Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, plus managing 5 different bounce house and interactive games for the kids and teens. It should be a great time of fun. Paul Sale will be seating a sound system up and bringing the music to us. Invite people and volunteer to help.

Buddy

Family Promise night #5

The time with this family has been trouble free. The four boys have a lot of energy as teenage boys should. Last night the Cobleigh family group provided the evening meal. The Lasagna brought by Christine and Veronica was very good. They shared the leftovers with me. The evening humor came when we had two couples show for night hosts. Jim and Delores went home, Jim and Jackie Cole stayed for the evening. Tonights meal is being brought by two of older saints, Theo Roberts and Carol Ellis. It is great to have our senior members taking part in this program. It shows us that there is a job for everyone in this. People of all ages can minister the way Jesus told us to minister. Tonight the family of five will come hungry and they will be fed.
This particular FP time has been enjoyable with all the fellowship that has occured in the evenings. I thank God for each of you who have been a part of this great ministry.

Buddy

Family Promise continued . . .

Night # 4 has come and gone without incident. Nikki Pena and her son Owen were the evening chefs. The Papa Murphy's pizza was good. We had a lot of good fellowship and laughter around the table. Deb Scott and her son Eric hosted the night for us.
It always does my heart good to see her giving back like she does. Just a few short years ago she could have been involved in the program. She's trying to go to school and is working hard to make life better for her children.
I am tired but happy, thanks to all those who stayed to closing time last night.

Buddy

Family Promise night #3

We are on our third night for FP. The last three nights were amazing nights of service by our small groups. The Kelleys groups did an awsome job as did the Fox small group tonight. Sunday night I invited several people to help after 5:oo class. I believe so far we have over 50 servants working on this project for 5 members of one family. I have invited the family to church tomorrow evening, I will be speaking on a New Testament discussion of the Old Testament Law. Should be a good evening as we talk about keeping your word so yo do not destroy relationships. I love the way we respond to people's needs. Let us keep letting the love of Jesus flow out to this family in crisis.

The Greffs, the Higginbothams and the Grays have each spent the night at the building with the family. This morning Krista and I let them sleep in a little because the Day Center opens after 8:00 am. The air mattresses are pretty comfortable, Matthew likes the sound of scooting around on them. 4 nights to go

I will write more as the week develops.

Buddy

Family Promise Week is here

We have one family to serve this time in Family Promise. Two families scheduled to be with us found housing on Thursday and Friday. It is great to see the families getting back into regular housing. Thanks be to God for Him placing them in new homes.
One of our elders John Greff and his wife Nadine stayed overnight last night, I cannot wait to get the overnight report. Four famiies stayed after Church to help with welcoming the New Bunch to "our place". The kids seemed to be welcomed in pretty well. Matthew and Ryan played with the five year old. All of them were sweaty and stinky from plaing in the building for a couple of hours.

Thanks to Sheila and Jennifer for setting up, scheduling and doing the many details that it takes to make this go seamlessly

Gary Geist put up the back to school bash banner yesterday. Invite people to come celebrate the end of summer and beginning of new school year. BTB is August 27 5-8 pm. Free Food and games on the lawn at the church.

peace to you today,

Buddy

Local Response continued. . .

Responding to the problems of the community can be burdensome at times. Families torn apart in so many ways, its hard to comprehend or even understand. Imagine being left single by your mate who decided to leave this world early because life was too complicated. Left behind with four children ages 4 to 12. Left behind with borrowed electricity, unpaid rent, unemployed and no prospects of life getting better. I took her a box of food and made offers for the congregation to help her. I prayed with her and have cried with her, hoping that she can catch a glimpse of the Jesus I know. Two nights and a day left on this tour of on-call duty. Pray that we can take Jesus with us when we get called.
Two funerals in two days . . . One for a great woman of faith who was nearly eighty and one for a baby who never breathed his first breath. One we were able to shout praises of victory of a life well lived, the other we just stood there wondering. Wondering why it had to happen this way for this couple, who now have an empty nursery and empty dreams left of son they will never know. I stand amazed in the presence of God for He is Good and Holy and Just. He is my deliverer and my rock and my fortress. Tonight I will lay my head on His bosom and ask Him to console these families and me.

My good friend and minstry partner Walter Leonard is in the hospital tonight with some sort of neurological problem. Stroke, maybe? We will know more on Monday when all the tests finally are in and judged by the doctors. Pray for him.

Local Response. . .

This week has turned out to be busy. Not a record pace by any stretch of the imagination. One of the dear ladies in my Thursday bible study passed away and another had surgery for cancer . Both of these are great Christian models for their families. Betty Scofield life's celebration will be tomorow at 10:00 am. Rubye Long remains in the hospital today recovering from the surgery. Keep her in your prayers.
So far I have been on a few Chaplain calls this week each of these calls presents difficult situations and future difficulties for all the ones involved in very complicated situations. No names or descriptions of events at this time, maybe in the future after some reflection we will be able to talk about these life situations that seem to ensnare people.
Great news, Leonard Higginbotham was baptized into Christ last night after evening services. Leonard was baptized as a young child and did not have peace with how he had lived his life afterward. Leonard is excited and ready to dedicate his life to God. His wife Carey was baptized a few months ago. What an exciting time for them and their families.

God is awesome. Read His word. Live by it.

Go make a difference today!

Buddy