Back to the Streets!

This week I restart my ministry to the streets I call Frontline. I walk South Michigan Street from Calvert to the Juvenile Justice Center and back to Ewing Avenue, telling everyone I pass that they matter to God. I may ask them if they would like me to pray for them (few decline). But because of my prayer before I go out that claims that everyone in my path is a divine appointment, I have the freedom to speak to any and all. I very rarely carry a Bible, and if I do it fits in my back pocket so as not to freak anyone out. So please if you want to spend an exciting, life changing hour on the streets of South Bend, join me every Thursday at 6:15 PM for prayer and 6:30-7:30 to walk. I park on the Northwest corner of Calvert and South Michigan Street and walk from there. You don't have to say anything. I'll do all the talking until you feel ready and able. But don't miss out on an opportunity to let God stretch you. This will feed and grow your faith. I know. It did mine.

The Wild Goose Chase

Here is the video where Mark Batterson explains about his book The Wild Goose Chase. In less than two weeks my wife Dana and I will be leading a Growth Group from our body of Christ on the southside of South Bend, Living Stones Church, at our house beginning at 6:30 PM. It will begin the first week of April on Tuesday April the 7th. I am so excited to be having a part in leading us through Mark Batterson's life changing and consequently church changing book. Take a peek. It's still not too late to join. But be warned. You'll never be the same again!

Great Days For Most of Us

Spring is knocking at the door. For most of us, answering the knock to let Spring in is a pretty easy thing to do. But though the flowers are beginning to pop through the winter crusted ground and the birds are beginning to loosen up their vocal chords, not everyone has that euphoric sense about them. For whatever reason, to many, the birds may not yet be singing in key and the flowers are not full of color. And while I am one who is enjoying the sight of Winter growing smaller in my rear view mirror, I am aware that the grey of Winter still hangs over some like a pall. To my brothers and sisters who are struggling this year, let me say this too will pass. I know it is very difficult to experience something like this; especially when it is for the very first time. Let me encourage you to not give up. Get help. But most of all never lose Hope. God is personally in charge of Hope and He will never let you down. He's faithful.

Dreams: Part 2

Anyone who ever played baseball seriously, and what I mean by seriously is someone who loved the game so much that they always wanted to get to the next level, dreaded the "last" game. You could be a middle school kid who wanted to play for your high school, high school player who wanted to play in college or a minor leaguer who wanted to play in the Major Leagues. The thing is that in every instance when the final game was played and the dream died, there was a sadness that gripped your heart. It also meant that after the tears dried and the heart mended, there were new dreams to follow. Maybe it would mean becoming a teacher and a coaching career. It might be something you always wanted to do, but because of the time spent playing ball, you could never squeeze enough hours out of your day to do it.

I don't want to make this gender specific. Women also have dreams of professional athletics. There are many young ladies who dream of playing tennis at Wimbledon, or golf with Michelle Wie. And it is just as sad when the realization sets in that it just isn't going to happen. What then?

Well never fear, God has wired you for more than one dream. Though it may seem like it, the Plan B Dream is no less impressive than the first dream. As in the case with Archibald "Moonlight" Graham it became medical school. Ray does pick up a 19 year old "Archie" Graham on his way back home to Iowa. Archie was looking for a place to play ball so he could play in the Majors. I already told you about his bad luck being left in the on-deck circle and never having the chance to bat. Ray was able to give Archie his chance. He got the opportunity to wink at the pitcher and nearly got his head hit with a pitch from the pitcher (you don't wink at Major League pitchers). But as you will see when God's dream for you is flashed in front of you, it resonates deeper than any other dream you could ever have on your own.



How many of you have had to make the same type of decision Archie the kid had to make; to let one dream die so you could fulfill another. If you have, I'm sure your heart is having that same twinge in it, it did when you made it the first time. If you are wrestling today with the same issue, let me encourage you to begin praying for a dream so big, that it will come true only if God is involved. Let me share that it might not be the dream of being a professional athlete. My guess it will be something to do with the greater good for humanity. You might be a doctor, a pastor, a salesman, a probation officer or a teacher. You might be someone who helps a child walk for the first time. Maybe you will be called to raise a family. But let this be known, God will use you to further His Kingdom no matter what the dream is He gives you to fulfill. Remember Doc Graham's words, "if I had only been a doctor for 5 minutes; now that would have been a tragedy." Dream often. Dream big. God has a plan for your life. He loves you and He will help you sort them out. You just wait and see!