...too small a thing...

"Click"

And with one more click of the clock tonight, we will begin to change the last number on the date we write down.  A new number will be on everything of importance that is time sensitive. Most things we deal with are time sensitive. So there will be a click of the clock at midnight tonight that is really just a passing moment like all the rest. But this one makes us notice something else that is really happening all the time too, but we tend to not pay attention. This something is what we call change.

With the coming of the New Year we make take the moment to make some promises to ourselves we call with a big word: RESOLUTIONS.  Have you made any yet? Are you thinking of making any?

Are you making any plans for 2018? I have a few things on my calendar already for 2018, but not too many. My big question is when the "click" of midnight comes a few hours from now will anything really change? Will anything be different in your life? 

This thought about change occurred to me as I completed reading my Through the Year Bible this morning. I am finished once again reading the entire Bible. Often when we finish something we like to sit back and look at it and say "Ahhh!" We then want to sit down and enjoy the product of our work. Yet, I am not through reading God's word. In fact reading God's Word has a new beginning for me tomorrow morning. Yes, I will start at the beginning again. I also choose to start at the beginning again, with Oswald Chambers devotions My Utmost for His Highest. I read Chambers thoughts first every day and then the portion of my Scripture for the day. I do not let things deter or distract me from it, if at all possible. This is a choice I make each day. Not a choice just because the year is changing. You see the decision to read and focus on the Lord in a "quiet time" each day is one that I must have in my life. In so many ways it is more important than even eating. My spiritual health is tied to this time of feeding on God's Word.

I am writing to encourage those of you who are not reading God's word on a regular basis. At the first of the year so often reading the Bible is one of the resolutions that is on the list. But sadly, so often the first one to be forgotten a few days past the first click of the clock on January 1. 

As I finished this morning with these two books there is a feeling of accomplishment. But also a feeling of excitement to renew my commitment to begin my reading again. Of everything you can think of to try to change tonight with the significant click of the clock that is coming, nome is more important than a commitment to read the Word of God. It is a choice, and you can begin now. You do have to even wait until tomorrow. 

To finish up this thought read the final paragraph from Chambers this morning:

Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.

 

 

A Big Thank You

It is nearing the end of 2017 which is our first complete year with the focus of Mission Team Inc on Christ-centered Law Enforcement Ministry. While we did have two Mission Trips this year and a few local building projects by far the majority of our time was spent on law enforcement. Much of the work of MTI is now one on one ministry of counseling and discipleship for officers who have run into some issues. Personal problems, and duty related problems present officers with an additional issue. Who can they talk to about what difficulties they do face? A chaplain is a person officers are willing to talk with and to seek some wisdom. I am blessed to be in this role to counsel and advise this elite group of men and women. My focus and guidance them is always the message and truths found in the word of God. 

Cop Church was 6 months of study on stress for Law Enforcement. While the event attendance was not what we hoped for the stats on the web site indicate that there has been a great many officers who have took the time to listen to these teachings. In the wake of this work the Lord has led us to begin a weekly audio devotional page for law enforcement. We began this in December. We have had 109 unique visitors to the web site  MORE-39 since we started just 24 days ago.

We were blessed to train Chaplains at The Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Chaplains annual meeting this year as well as helping with training events at The City of Smyrna, City of Marietta, and Cobb Police Chaplains. We have promoted the idea of Chaplaincy in two major university police departments and hope to see a formal program started in 2018. Work with the Fraternal Order of Police includes many events during the year and monthly opportunity to touch the lives of both active and retired officers. Sadly there have been many times this year that I have been called on to conduct funeral services for those connected to law enforcement. I will be preaching the service for a great officer J,J. Hulsey on this Friday. Weddings for Police are wonderful events and I have been blessed to perform some tis year, and I am looking forward to a wonderful blessing of two officers being married next year. Chaplain work places me in unique and sometimes uncomfortable situations and I really do not always know the all the answers, but I praise the Lord who has called me that He is always there to guide an give me the strength to do the job.

The financial support that has been sent our way is deeply appreciated.  Kathy and I are making ends meet and we are truly grateful for every opportunity to serve. We are however not funded to the point we believe is needed to truly do the things that the Lord would have us to accomplish. We do believe that some great ministry lies ahead in 2018. Regular monthly support for our ministry is needed for 2018. I ask you to consider a small monthly gift to help us in this ministry. We will send out tax receipts next week and If you have donated to the work of Mission Team Inc in 2017 you will have an itemized statement. 

Once again thank you and God bless you all as we move forward to 2018,

The Ghost of Christmas Future - Part 3

As Christmas comes to your home with all its fun, food, and family gatherings,  I have written about the past and the present with what I remember and am experiencing. To write today about the future is shaky business. There are few guarantees in this thing we call life. In the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge the Future Spirit was by far the most frightening.   And as we all know Scrooge changed his way when he woke up and there was it seems a different outcome to the future than the one that the ghoul the night before presented to him. 

What will my future hold? What will your future look like? Are you afraid of the future? You do not have to be. We can only be sure of a a few things.  Time will march on, and if the Lord does not return there are some things we can predict with accuracy. 

• You will be a year older next Christmas.
• Someone you know and love, will not live until next Christmas.
• You have the same amount of time as everyone else who walks the earth. 
• The Truths of God's Word: have not, will not, and cannot change. 
• Every effort you make to serve God will make a difference for eternity. 
• The small and insignificant things in life seem so important at times, until we look ahead. 
• If you know the Christ Child and really understand why Jesus came you can share that message. This matters so much more than you will ever know until you stand face to face with Jesus. 
• Love wins out in the end. Hate, jealousy, bitterness, lust, greed, and all physical things will perish one day. 

Any physical possession you have and hold dear now will not likely mean much to you in 20 years.  But every relationship will matter more than it does now. Christmas is a very special time in our lives every year. But we all see that the Christmas celebration that we have this year will change from year to year as the future comes to be the present. The most important aspect of Christmas is to keep the person of Jesus Christ in the very center of our lives. 

We cannot or should not fret for a minute about a Ghost showing us a dreadful future of old age and death. But we should be seeking the power and person of the Holy Spirit who will show us the promise of our hope found in Jesus, not only at Christmas but every single day. 

Have a Merry Christmas this year. It is still two days away. Maybe instead of fussing over decorations, food and gifts a little more time, prayer, and preparation to build your relationships ought to be the focus. 

The gift that keeps on giving is to know and love Jesus. Make sure everyone who comes to Christmas knows and sees the way you use this in your life. 

 

 

 

The Ghost of Christmas Present - Part 2

 

When I think about Christmas this year it is a little on the difficult side for several reasons. I could come up with reasons to be a bit of a Grinch or Mr Scrooge. Her are the biggest reasons. First I will not get to see 2 of sons, nor their wives, or my five precious grandchildren. I would love to hold the babies and play with them. They will have a ball no doubt and their excitement will be contagious. But I will not be there to be with them. A second reason is the state of my poor daddy. I will visit and tell him it is Christmas, and he will likely smile, but a few moments later he will not remember or realize what day it is. I do not mean to sound dismal or bleak, but this is just the way it is. So I will celebrate Christmas with my dad holding his hand and talking to God. Daddy always loved for me to pray for him. So I will. Third there  is not a lot of extra in our current situation to buy a lot of gifts. So our tree does not have lots of packages under it and we will not have a big time of paper ripping but this is not really a big issue. 

Last night our Christmas celebrating with family started with a quick trip to Ellijay to visit my mom's side of the family. The photo above is mom with her sister Maxine who since I was a child we call Aunt Tump. She was thrilled to see my mom and of course mom was delighted to see all of our family. We had a good meal and spend some time talking. Then my first cousins's daughter Sophie blessed us all with a song. 

I guess in this idea I want to really put a thought into everyone's head that is willing to listen today. This moment, this time, this Christmas is all you really have. The Christmas of the Past are gone. The Christmas of the future may not ever be. But the moment you have can be celebrated. The celebration of a new toy or a new electronic device is short lived. Even the best ham and sweet potatoes will leave you and you will be hungry again tomorrow. But to know the Child of the Manger and who He really is should be the goal of Christmas present. No doubt Christmas means getting together with friends and family. As we do this do not miss the chance to say to them. I know this Child. I know Jesus. He is my Lord

I enjoyed hearing my second cousin sing from her heart a song to her family about this idea. Mary Did You Know  is a popular Christmas song these days and she crushed it last night. Do you know the Savior? This to me says, when you are, where you are, with whoever you are with, be ready to give Jesus the praise He deserves. My Christmas Present and your Christmas Present, will be what you make it. I choose to honor the Lord. This is what Christmas is all about. Our celebrations with family are just starting and every one brings new opportunity to praise the Child who is our Savior. Have a Merry Christmas. 

 

The Ghost of Christmas Past- Part 1

One of my favorite stories is the tale about Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." The tale of course is about a miser who says "Bah Humbug" a lot, being a real mean and difficult person to all he meets. Then he is visited on Christmas eve by 3 Ghost who help to transform the old goat into a kinder gentleman by the books end. Well, I do not really believe in Ghost, except the Holy Spirit, who does come and speak to us. He comes not just on Christmas eve but everyday that we will listen. 

Kathy and I finally put up our tree last night, (I think we both have a bit of Scrooge in us) and it looks nice and has put me into the festive mood. I thought I would write a bit about Christmas and what all of us might need to remember to keep the Scrooge away. I looked back through some old photos and found this one at the top of the page. It is from Christmas 1980. This is the first year Kathy and I had children. Actually in 1980 it was a child. Bradley's first Christmas. Santa brought the 2 month old baby boy some neat stuff. The Raccoon was really cool. This was Kathy and I first moment to be in the role of givers to our children. The photo probably does not affect you the way it does me, but as I saw it memories flooded my mind. And so it is at Christmas for all of us. Memories, traditions, and moments that we cherish for the remainder of our lives. 

No doubt we have been blessed at Christmas in the past. Gifts, food, fun times all with a big dose of love. But this is not true for everyone. One of the saddest things I ever saw in my life was one Christmas night a few years ago that I chose to go on a shift with the police on Christmas night. We were called to the scene of domestic dispute in an apartment complex that was on the sad side of town. The argument it seems was between the two adults in the apartment over the last hit of crack cocaine. The two little children were huddled in their bedroom with their two little beds and a small TV with a few children's videos. This was the only furniture in the apartment except for a mattress on the floor in the other bedroom. There was no sigh of anything related to or resembling Christmas at this home. We were there a while because the two adults were going to another place for the evening wearing new shiny silver bracelets and some other family members were coming to take custody of the two children. As we waited I opened the refrigerator wondering if these children had been fed. The only thing in the frig was a spoiled chicken. It stunk to high heaven, as did this whole scene. A few years later on Christmas morning I was called to the scene of a shooting. It seems a police officer had been attacked and had to take the life of person who was obviously out of their mind. The person had violently attacked the officer who had to defend himself. Sad times indeed. I cannot help but think about these two tragedies as Christmas approaches. 

This is  bit of a troublesome time of year for many people face their families that they may have struggled with in the past. They try to get together and celebrate, but opinions, past actions, and hard feelings seem to dominate the moment. Maybe all these type things are what had turned Mr Scrooge into a bit of a Grinch. The reality is we live in a fallen world with lots of trouble and we all know this fact. 

Christmas this year will be a bit different than the past for Kathy and I, as our parents have gotten older and we cannot have celebrations at the places and with them as we did for so many years. Our children and of course our grandchildren are thousands of miles away. So we will have only part of the family to hold and share a Christmas dinner. But I know that the true spirit of Christmas will not be lost. It is there in my memory and in my heart because I know that Christmas is about my Savior. The truth about Christmas is what makes it so special and here is Scripture to put Christmas into perspective.

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 NLT

I remember my mom reading this to us when my brother and I were just little tiny boys. Do not let any opportunity to share this truth with others go by here at Christmas. This is what it is all about. Christmas is about the coming of the Lord to make all things right in our live. He came to forgive our sin. He came because of God's love for us. Jesus is the greatest gift of all time and never let any other circumstances of Christmas past, present, or future cause you to forget this truth. 

Here is this years tree. More tomorrow on Christmas Present. 

True Needs at Christmas

There are so many needs and sometimes it is difficult to sort out what is the greatest need. But I am sharing a great need today that a Police officer friend and his wife have been burdened and feel led by the Lord to take on, but it is really testing their faith. 

Part of my work as a chaplain is help with the spiritual growth of officers who are seeking to serve the Lord and need help and direction to get guidance  on their journey with God. The Lord is truly at work in this officer[s life. He has come to me and to Mission Team Inc. with a great need. The Lord is also at work in the life of a family that has come upon difficult days. I would love to help and the task is large and needs more than MTI can do at this time in this task of providing a new roof for a home in our community. 

Here is the note that I ask my officer to write about the way this came about, and I would like to ask you to read for yourself this great need.  Please then give some thought about your possible help in this need.

I am an officer with the Cobb County Police Department. My wife and I decided our Christmas gift to each other this year was going to be helping someone in need because we have been so blessed and we did not need anything for ourselves. We went through a Christmas Wish program and located a nomination from a woman for her friend who has recently become a single mother of 5 children. The wish requested to have her friend’s roof patched as it was leaking. Upon further inspection by a roofing company we trust, it was determined the roof was beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

We knew we were not able to financially afford to replace the roof, but we believe God has imparted this mission upon us to raise the funds necessary to replace this family’s roof.   So we are asking for any donations to assist with this worthy cause.

I want to share some things that impacted us to continue with this venture. First, we found out this woman is a foster parent who has fostered 109 children. She (and her estranged husband) adopted four children out of the foster program. Two of the children are biological siblings and she did not want to split them up. One of her children is special needs. She was a stay-at-home mom and home schooled her children until a little over a year ago.

Tragedy struck this woman and her children when a series of unbearable and unspeakable events left her without her husband, the primary means of financial support, and the children without any contact with their father. This woman has done whatever it takes to make ends meet without seeking other sources of financial aid or government support, and she is proud not to ask for help on her own behalf. She has taken on a job as a substitute teacher, but she is only available to work four days out of a week to tend to medical needs of some of the children. She has watched youtube videos to fix her washing machine and garage door spring.

She also had a large tree branch in her front yard that was damaging her house. She cut the branch off with a chain saw. Not really a big deal, right? But the branch was about 12 to 15 feet off the ground. She put a ladder against the house and used a rope to tie herself off to the house in case the ladder fell and somehow cut the branch off. However, she cannot afford a new and much needed roof, and she cannot replace it herself.

She is a rock to her children, and her faith in God is truly admirable. She shows such confidence and believes that God will continue to provide her with what she needs. We offered to help with Christmas for the children, but she declined. She said she has bought some things on sale and second-hand items throughout the year for her children to have a nice Christmas. She experienced an abundance of assistance with the children’s Christmas last year, and her children ended up with so many gifts, she donated the excess to other charities.

This is a truly heart-warming and gifted woman, and we want to bless her with a new roof. We are funding this project with a large financial gift of our own, but it is not nearly enough. So please help. We are presently about $4000.00 from collecting the necessary funds to complete this mission.

The need is real and MTI is willing to help but we need your support to accomplish this work. If you would like to help us in this work of mercy and benevolence Please contact me [email protected] or send a donation and Mark it "Christmas Roof"

Donations can be made online at https://missionteaminc.com/donation-page    Mark the gift Please. 

There is a sea of needs in the world and we know and see so many we are helping an officer meet and need the Lord laid on his heart. 

A Night of Celebration

Many things happen in December at the end of the Year and Christmas time. A very special event happened in the life and work of the Cobb County Police Department last night. The new Chief of Police Mike Register has made a change in the timing of the Annual Cobb Police Awards Program. It seems appropriate to me to do the recognitions of promotions and outstanding achievements as we complete the year. Others must thinks so too as we had a full house (standing room only) at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church who once again opened their door to the Police. What a great church with such a fantastic facility. 

There are too many awards for me to list them all here in the blog but each one is well deserved.I made pictures of the program to give you a sense of the number of awards and the many who received them.

Honor was given to the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life in the line of duty. Shana Adams who is part of the Department sang an original composition by Chief Register entitled "I Never Knew." Recognition of retirees and promotion celebration were all on the agenda too. The spirit of the department is robust and a sense of accomplishment comes from an event like this one last night. I am so blessed to serve this great police agency called the Cobb County Police Department. 

One of the most important Awards that has been added this year is the Chaplain of the YEAR  AWARD. The first recipient of this great award is Chaplain Mike Cronin. What a dear brother in Christ and dear friend Mike has become for me and all the other Chaplains. Thank you for your leadership hard work and dedication you give to serving our Lord and the Cobb County Police Department. 

 

Fake News... Fake Weather?

I am writing this about 4 am as it is sprinkling rain and about 40 degrees. But the forecast tweeted by WSB weather lady Karen Minton says 1" to 3" of snow coming. I just checked the calendar and it is December the 8th.

Now round about Metro Atlanta most of us who have lived here a while know that people panic when the weatherman uses the word SNOW. Many think that is it a plot several times a year the grocery stores use to clean off their shelves and it usually seems to work. But is the cry for snow for Atlanta for today a little premature? Is it just too early  in the season to use the word SNOW?

Now I must confess I have seen flakes in the air prior to Christmas, but I do not ever remember a "Snow Jam" prior to Christmas events but right after Christmas you better watch out it is coming about every week to 10 days that the weather wizards start to include it in their forecast to boost their ratings. Is it just too early this year? Well we shall see in a few hours now won't we. 

I will update this later .... If it snows?

Working To Protect You

Yesterday there was a meeting of the Cobb County Law Enforcement Association (CCLEA) at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. The Church is the quarterly host of this excellent time or work by all the police agencies working in Cobb County. The leadership of all the law enforcement come together for support, training and recognition of outstanding work in law enforcement in our county. 

Yesterday the Cobb County District Attorney was the guest speaker. He and his staff brought a great presentation about the extent of gang related crime in Cobb. Most people would think that there is not much of a gang problem in Cobb County. But there are gangs, many gangs at work and much of the crime in Cobb is gang related. But the District Attorney is at work to work with all of the different law enforcement agencies in Cobb to stop the crime and where they can attach the criminals who are part of the gangs to laws that make foru much tougher penalties when they are committing crimes as part of a gang. 

The details of the presentation might seem boring to many but you should know that this cooperative effort is a great thing for the citizens of Cobb County. And the proof is the fact that what the DA is doing is working. Since the inception of the policy of tougher actions against gangs the crime by gangs has shown a significant decrease. 

Most of the county will never realize such an event is taking place. But this blesses me as I see the top leaders of all of Cobb's law enforcement agencies come together and work together to make our community safer. 

Yesterday they also formally thanked Burnt Hickory Baptist Church with a monetary gift presented to Pastor Mike Stephens and recognition of Martha Coyle Burnt Hickory's Food Service Director, and Marsha Jones Burnt Hickory's Administration Ministry Associate for the outstanding work they do for making this event a great success four times a year. 

So my point in the blog this morning is to thank all of the men and women who are at work for us as people who live in Cobb County. I am so delighted to be a small part in work to serve these who serve us. 

More 39

In the world of Police the signal to ask for more information that would be used on the police radio would be signal 39. So an offiicer needing more information would simple say, "Do you have additional 39?"

Serving as a minister of the Gospel I feel that all of us need more information about God. Serving as a police Chaplain I know that because of schedules, stress and the work they do all law enforcement officers need information about God. Sometimes they have a hard time getting to a church or Bible study group like they might want to. The Lord has put it on my heart to start a series of on line devotionals that are designed to speak to law enforcement. These are of course on the web and availible to everyone to read. If you are a memeber of the law enforcement community I pray these weekly messages will truly help to minister to your spiritual needs. If you are not in law enforcement I pray that these messages will help you understand and be aware of the work and troubles that law enforcement encounter in their work. Maybe this will inspire you to keep our police and deputies in your prayers. 

Thanks for reading my blogs and now you can listen in weekly to an audio message called More 39. 

Here is the LINK to MORE 39