You're not in Kansas anymore...

Our trip to Philadelphia was fairly uneventful, except for David W. having to pull over to the side of the road with a horrible cramp in his leg. The trip took us about 12 hours, although it seemed to go by fast because we were excited and spending time together.


The church we are staying in, Arch Street United Methodist Church, is “right downtown” and was built in 1862. The building is the oldest structure on Center Square! 


Our surroundings are obviously not as modern as they were last year, and it took us awhile to figure out our sleeping arrangements because we have to put all of our things away each day before we leave. We were thinking to ourselves, “There’s no possible way we’re gonna make this happen.” So, we decided to go eat, and ask for faith in his holy plan. We don’t have all the answers and we probably never will. We have to trust him and ask for help and the Lord will provide.



Our friend, Russell, who welcomed us quickly turned to us as we were questioning him and said, “Your not in Kansas--or Gastonia, anymore.” Wow--A simple reminder that we are here to make a difference, and we will have to get out of our comfort zone to do it. We found a way to make it work, because the youth and counselors reached out in “Brotherly Love” and accepted that God’s purpose is in front of us; never behind us.


It’s easy to forget why we go on Mission Trips when we are tired and we get caught up in the details, the tasks, and the stuff. Those are all necessary to make a trip happen. But obviously it is not why we go. We go because there is a need. We go because God has called us. We go because we know that we will encounter Jesus here this week.


Thank you to all of you back home who are praying, providing resources, and supporting our efforts.

Philadelphia Mission Trip Prayer Guide

Daily Prayer Guide for 2012 Philadelphia Mission Trip

Saturday, July 21 The team departs this morning for Philadelphia.
Please pray for: ...the Lord to speed ahead and be honored
...safe travels and health
...families and friends left at home
...flexibility about our normal comforts
Scripture to pray: “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Sunday, July 22 After sharing in a local church service, the team will tour the city, spend the day in orientation, build community with each other and establish a basic plan for the week.
Please pray for: ...all members to be fully devoted to Christ and ready to serve.
Scripture to pray: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:34

Monday, July 23 The team starts the bulk of their work schedule. This week they will be serving the following 4 agencies: Philabundance, Work to Ride, Camden Neighborhood Center and Sarnelli Community.
Please pray for: ...flexibility for all members and agencies concerning the schedule.
...unity among our team.
...patience.
Scripture to pray: “I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself.” Colossians 2:2.

Tuesday, July 24 The team follows a “typical” daily schedule.
Please pray for: ...openness among the recipients.
...just the right things they will need at each site.
...unity of the team.
Scripture to pray: “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Wednesday, July 25 The team has the day off. This is a fun day, scheduled to provide rejuvenation.
Please pray for: ...rest for the weary and all glory to be given to God and not ourselves.
...the direction of our lives and what we will do that matters.
Scripture to pray: “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

Thursday, July 26 The team continues their ministry and service at the local agencies.
Please pray for: ...God to use our weaknesses and strength.
...the hearts of the people of Philadelphia.
...the Holy Spirit to enable us to share the gospel in a variety of ways.
Scripture to pray: “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Friday, July 27 The team concludes their week’s labor of love.
Please pray for: ...the team to be encouragers of one another as well as the local people.
...spiritual conversations to occur and relationships built,
...seeds that have been planted to bear much fruit.
Scripture to pray: “If you don’t know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help.” James 1:5 (The Message)

Saturday, July 28 The team leaves for home today.
Please pray for: ...God to speak to each participant today as they reflect on what has taken place in their hearts, minds and souls.
...others at home to be blessed by the reports from this trip.
...team’s acclimation back to a normal routine.
Scripture to pray: “24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Father's Day Memories

My friend Juta and I were riding the other day and the conversation turned to the TV schedule for the College World Series in Omaha. Juta said it reminded her of her dad, and I agreed. We reminisced about our fathers' influence on our love for the game. We are blessed to have those good memories.

In 1909 another lady felt moved to honor her father who had raised six children as a single dad after the death of her mother. She "pitched" the idea to local religious leaders and proposed the first Father's Day. Sonora Smart Dodd sat proudly at the Central Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington as the sermon honored her father and others.

This Father's Day, I hope you have memories to share of a father or father-figure in your life who has taught you to appreciate something and loved you while doing it. It is no accident that this year my daughter is celebrating with her dad at the Atlanta Braves baseball game and I am giving the pastoral prayer at the Methodist church.

Pomp and Circumstance

As graduation nears, I wanted to post what I shared with the FUMC parents, soon-to-be graduates and youth workers at the Senior Dinner on May 27, 2012. This is a special group of young people, both collectively and individually. They each made their mark on this community, their school, the youth group and the entire First Methodist congregation. By living their faith out loud, they let us know they were here. They will continue to do the same in the next Chapter of their life. Congratulations Class of 2012!

Last year about this time, I remember telling the youth and some of you parents, “It won’t be long till graduation.” And it’s here: that awkward time of parents hanging on for one last memory and seniors ready to get it done.

So enjoy tonight, whatever place you find yourself, because the next two weeks will fly by. They will be emotional and y’all may not have a chance to say the things you want to say so hopefully tonight you can.

Traditionally, I use a song that says what I want to say about the senior class much better than I can put into words. I hope I have done that. I will be using a song by Lady Antebellum and the title is “I Was Here.” I invite you to listen to the words. For those of you hard of hearing, I have them printed. Then I will make a few brief comments.

This song was used in the 2008 Olympics because each athlete competes and dreams of that moment and that achievement. Those of you gathered here have dreamed of this time – individually, for your children or for the kids in this youth group. And as great as these milestones are, just as important are the significant moments along the way – you have been making your mark for a long time. Some of you made a mark coming into the world, some of you made a splash in the nursery, some of you starred in plays and musicals, some of you stood together at confirmation. Others have come back into the fold gradually for specific events. Still others have joined the church as new members. Regardless where you appear on the timeline, you took LOL and saw something different. You’ve chosen to live your faith out loud. Many have carved your name in your school through academics, athletics, chorus, drama and ROTC. You’ve taken time to let this community and others know you were here by serving a meal at Potter’s House, playing with children at Camp Sunshine, serving a meal at the Boys and Girls Club – or tutoring and teaching them Spanish. You chose to do something better with your time in the summers beginning with the Mission Trip to Rockford. We left more than a trace in Choctaw. We touched a few hearts in Detroit, including Fran. We did more than just pass through the arch in St. Louis,

And your faith has been noticed by others at Valle Crucis, on Youth Sunday, through prayer texts, out back at Tequila’s, early mornings at McDonald’s for prayer breakfasts, and blogs and twitter feeds that tell the world what FUMC means to you. We have shared joys and sorrows. I will forever remember this class for the way you embraced me during my mother’s death. And as you move forth from this place tonight, as you graduate in a couple of weeks – yes, you’ve achieved a milestone but you are who you are because of your Creator, the people sitting beside of you, the families you represent and a church filled with pride when they think of their youth. So although many things will change for you in the coming months, the one constant is God knows the plans he has for you and I believe there is a reason “plans” is plural. You may take multiple roads to get to a variety of destinations but God and FUMC will work with you. If you don’t take anything else away from tonight, take away that you want to do something that matters and something that says “I was here.” And that goes for all of us here, we all need to do more than pass through this life.

Parents, you don’t need to quit doing, being, serving, praying, witnessing, and coming to church just because your kids are finished.

Seniors, don’t put your faith on the shelf for the next few years. Find ways to stay connected to the one who made you, died for you and rose again for you.

In a moment your parents will wrap a blanket around you carved with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of this evening and our love for you.

Hand in Hand

The youth illustrated that they are walking hand in hand with God and one another on their faith journey. This photo was taken on Palm Sunday as the youth hiked Crowders Mountain!

Thistle Farming

I am a thistle farmer. Before this weekend (May 4-6, 2012), I had no clue what that meant. Most of us pictured arriving at an idyllic farm filled with beautiful purple flowers. Little did we know that the whole reason for the name "thistle" farms is because it grows in places most people wouldn't travel. Thistles can be spotted under bridges, on banks and around railroad tracks-just to name a few spots.

We were fortunate enough to pick alongside experts from the Magdalene House. They knew precisely how to angle and cut the thistles so as not to be punctured by the prickly stalks. Brittany and Tonya shared their story of living on the streets and living without purpose. When they found this recovery program, they began to experience community and love in a new way. From the thistles, healing body products are made such as lotions, soaps and shower gel. The entire process represents the struggles of the women in recovery and their renewed sense of self-worth.

As we traveled the streets of Nashville, we fixed our eyes on these thistles growing wild. Even a policeman stopped us and asked us, "what in the world do you want with those things?" We wanted what most people considered a nuisance. Sounds like Jesus, doesn't it? He talked to the woman at the well, the same as his disciples.

As we drove back from Nashville, we were quick to spot patches of thistles; however, on the drive up we had not even noticed those same purple flowers. When I returned to Gastonia, there was a thistle spotting on Belvedere Avenue. I had to ask myself, " how many other things and people in God's creation have I ignored?" What else have I walked by and not given its proper attention? As usual, the mini-mission trip was supposed to be about helping others, but I gained so much perspective from this experience.

No One Stands Alone by Hope McIntosh

Good morning! My name is Hope McIntosh. I am a junior at Ashbrook High School and have been fortunate enough to have grown up in this church community. It was the morning of February 1, 2011 when we got the call that my grandmother, Derice Falls, had passed away. Even though my family had been expecting this for quite some time, you’re still never really ready to let go of someone that has held such an enormous role and been so involved in your life. As many of you know, Maggie Horne sends out a prayer text to our fellow youth group, members of our church, and friends upon request. This is why my first response to the horrible news was to reach for my phone and text both Maggie and Becky. It just so happened that the Senior Hi’s were having prayer breakfast that morning, as we do on the first Tuesday of every month. I was unable to attend that morning because I had been sick for several days, so my day was already ruined before I had even heard about my grandmother. Things just kept getting worse, and I felt very lost and alone considering I had never been faced with such a serious death in my family or anything else of the same magnitude. Becky came by my house later with just what I needed at the time: breakfast, hugs, and most importantly, prayer. She then went on to tell me that her devotion that morning was based around my grandmother’s gracious and generous acts of kindness. I was taken aback by this “aha” moment, or an incredible surprise by God. It allowed me to realize that I was not going to have to face this battle alone because God was watching out for me, along with all of the rest of my friends and family. Just a year ago, my great grandmother passed away as well. My mom went by Covenant Village to read to her before she headed to her Sabbath group. She read a scripture out of Psalm, chapter 46 verse 10, “Be still and know that I am God.” And in another surprise by God, sure enough, Psalm 46:10 just so happened to be the primary scripture being applied at their Sabbath study that night. While there, my mother received a call that the time was near. She was embraced in prayers and hugs by an incredibly supportive group of ladies. Once again, Becky stopped by Covenant to stay with my mom, but then she traveled over to my house to discuss with my dad how to inform me of what had occurred because I was not in town but in the mountains for our annual youth Ski Retreat. I could not have been in a more comforting environment than the one I was given in that moment. My friends and counselors stood by my side through the whole thing and did not leave me until they were sure I was a little bit better, just as my mother’s friends had done for her. It is no accident that my family was not alone. God is in charge, completely, and he proves it to us on a daily basis. Sometimes we are afraid to share or afraid to be vulnerable to others. It is crucial to remember that the great things in life are not as great if you are alone, and the terrible things can seem even worse. I am blessed with an incredible support system in my family and friends, but equally important is my church family. Even though I rely heavily on all of these people, I remember that God is responsible for putting these people into my life and never putting me into a situation that I cannot handle. Through these difficult times, God was there—watching over me and protecting me. I was not forced to stand alone. I am never forced to stand alone, and neither are you. No one stands alone. Joshua chapter 1 verse 9 reads “Have I not commanded you? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Like Joshua, we are promised that we should not be afraid, for the Lord will be with us no matter what the circumstances may be or where we go. Joshua did not stand alone. I do not stand alone. You did not and do not stand alone. No one stands alone.