Final Word on the Rapid Response Team Efforts

I write this brief update blog as I wait for my flight out of Atlanta.

We passed the baton onto three incoming chaplains out of North Carolina. It is exciting to know that our efforts will be furthered as we head home. We built on the efforts of those before us, watering the seeds planted and planting new ones. What a joy to be part of such a national team!

This is Kingdom work! We build upon those before us and others come along after us. Each of us give out of our giftedness and somehow, the Lord pulls all our efforts together.

No different on the local church level. Each member of the body of Christ pitches in and together we reach people for Christ. We saw many who gave their "bits and pieces" of time and talent that has eternally changed the hearts and lives of people.
(Many of our times were shared by the work of Samaritan's Purse and the United Methodist Church disaster relief group).

As Paul told the Corinthian church about the spiritual gifts, I imagine that many were excited to discover how they fit into the Kingdom efforts. So too should we. We should be excited to give of ourselves for the cause of Christ.

My part of the work as chaplain has ended and there were many powerful opportunities. While I may have completed my efforts in the Gulf for now, by no means have I ended my ministry of helps and service to people in need. I have much to do in my neighborhood too!

Each of us have the same opportunity. Perhaps not as obvious as the need in the Gulf but, lost people live nearby each of us. Our efforts are vast before us all as we consider those neighbors around where we live!

So, I say, let the mission continue!

Pray for lost people because they matter to God!

Pray for those I have touched in Jesus' Name in the Gulf.

Pray for the continued efforts of The Rapid Response Team chaplains.

Pray that the seeds planted will also see harvest.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Day Seven - Worship and Rest

Sunday is the day to worship God and rest. That's pretty much what I did!

We worshipped at The Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church. This is Odell and Carol's church. Today they has quite a celebration. Several guests attended the church representing people who are leading the celebration of a mortgage burning and groundbreaking ceremony for their new construction. Some of these guests were the architect and contractor and the Mayor's wife of Gulfport was present too.

We were escorted right to the front of the church when we arrived. Later in the service we were given the opportunity to introduce ourselves if we were guests. I told my story on how I met Odell and Carol at the airport when I arrived. I was impressed that this congregation could be so positive after such devastation. Their faith was so refreshing. They sang, the minister cast his vision, and the youth sang (they had 40 youth in the congregation alone). Odell was involved in burning the mortgage. He was also part of the groundbreaking ceremony. It was a great service.

It was refreshing to hear a southern gospel altar call and message. I loved being there and felt the blessing of God.

That was a wonderfully refreshing worship experience! As for the rest, well, I have to admit that sitting around and doing nothing ain't my style. So, I did my laundry and packing. I cleaned my room. And I read a bit. We did get more pictures!

I felt refreshed after a bit of laundry. Perhaps this is because I could take my time, lounge around between loads and cat nap.

The day is not quite over yet so anything could possibly yet happen. I did hear that there are some folks arriving tonight from Northern Indiana. Perhaps I might make more new friends!

Until I post again,

Live From Biloxi, MS

Sunday Morning Summary And Reminder!

Routine is how we mark our time. This week has been marked not by routine or time, but opportunity. I have learned this week that the south doesn't stress themselves with the same things that I do. I usually start my day by getting the boys off to school and then I grab my cup of Panera Bread coffee. I spend time reading a devotional thought, a conversation with a "drinking buddy" who is sipping a cup of coffee too and writing a few thoughts, many of which are posted to my blog sites. Then I go about my day doing fairly routine activities. Meetings, phone calls, office work and planning. At the end of the day I head home to have dinner with my family. The next day it starts all over again in keeping with my routine. Sundays are no different. I start out my Sunday routine and usually can be found occupying a seat at WWC. Routine dictates my actions.

This week I have begun my day with breakfast at the camp kitchen and then someone leads in devotions and we chat over a cup of coffee. But this is where the similarities ends. I found that I just never knew what the day was going to bring. We would make plans but something better diverted our plans. Even my Sunday was impacted. I found that my routine changed and even my plans had to cooperate with another plan.

At home I account for every hour. I pack my day to make the most of every moment. Nothing entered my schedule unless I planned for it - for the most part. I live a very deliberate life now filled with routines.

Coming to the Gulf has changed this. It reminds me of how I used to live just a few years ago. I would start out with my plans and God would lead something else along my path that was better. I enjoyed the "divine interruptions" to my day. God's agenda came first!

Just this morning I planned on going to an 8:30 church service but instead I am posting a blog. There is no 8:30 service here until next Sunday. The hurricane has shifted the routines of many people. I have decided to attend a Gulfport church at 10:30 - Odell and Carol's church. They have had to shift their routine as well. Their church sanctuary has been damaged and they plan to have an outdoor service.

I love the "flow of the spirit" since coming and makes me long for the days when my routine allowed for interruptions from the Lord.

If there is anything I carry with me from this experience beyond the stories will be that God loves to surprise us with His presence and agenda. I am glad that my routine has been interrupted. This week the Lord changed our plans and placed us in situations that stretch our comfort zones. It was in those "less-than-routine" situations that God did His work through our lives.

Only God can take disaster, interruption, crisis-filled moments and shape a better outcome. I am glad for the reminder that His ways are always perfect. His ways are not my ways!

Oh, how I long to have daily divine interruptions!