.:making sense of what i got:.

Name:
Location: Tallahassee - Miami, Florida, United States

Just a guy who loves coffee and shares coffee.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

small groups

Tomorrow we embark on the start of watermark small groups; and not just small groups, but I have decided to co-lead a youth small group. I have many concerns right now. Most of the kids interested are KUMC youth...are they committing to wm? or are they just looking for another social event? Is it going to be more than another social event, or are these youth's faith going to be challenged and grown? Are they going to be accepting of others who come? Non-Christians? Would non-christians even be interested in coming? If it takes off, what will we do? We only have 1 small group for youth and if we start off with 15 kids, thats not a small group anymore.

I want it to be challenging. I dont want to get together and watch movies. I want to get into Scripture and hear what these teens are thinking about God. I want them to learn from each other, to learn from James, to learn from me, and to learn from God. I will know tomorrow how it goes.

Ask me then.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Dragon Room

As I sit in my office today taking small sips of my cortadito (miniturized Cafe con Leche) I cannot help but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of moving one step closer to the Coffee Pub. If I had a blogging audience, no one would probably know what the Coffee Pub is since I have not mentioned it before on here, but the Coffee Pub is a coffee shop that I am starting as a ministry of a new church in Tallahassee called watermark. Yesterday I met with the realtor of this amazing building, huge building, which used to be called the Dragon Room, a former Chinese Restaurant, and toured it. Although I had to duck around the bugs which now swarm the place after the last tenant closed the door and walked away a year ago, leaving behind refrigerators full of food and freezers full of ice cream, I walked into what I began to envision as the most exciting place I have entered since I started looking for vacancies in Tallahassee. I have been excited about places before, but none like this. And the best part is that if this works out, it is ALL God, because watermark surely cannot afford the $1,000,000 price tag they have on that building.

The realtor sounded excited when we told him what we wanted to do, and I do not believe that it is because he is one of the billions of Baptists in town. I don't think he's a church goer at all, but the idea of a new tenant, who he knows would treat the place well, like a church, and the fact that it will finally go off the market, really appealed to him. We'll hear back in a few days. Until then, pray please.

Monday, July 25, 2005

i can't do this all on my own

"The worst part was knowing I could never forgive her."

-scrubs

Hi. My name is Michael and I always relate to the main character in everything: books, movies, TV shows. I am JD. I am Harry. I am Mark. I am always the protagonist in this story of my life and I realize that without the supporting roles the story would be empty. But it seems in all the stories in which I relate to the main chracter, their flaw or weakness is how much they need other people...and mostly always, the one they feel they need most is always out of reach.

I can't do this all on my own indeed. I'm no Superman. But I'm no idiot either. Hold your breath, grit your teeth, and walk away.

Thursday, July 07, 2005

Rainy London Town

I try to limit my updates on this blog to issues concerning God's activity in my life, or should I say my activity in God's life...but to not comment on the happenings in London would be, quite honestly, stupid. It's difficult to express the feelings and thoughts that run through your mind when you wake up to a cryptic message like "Terrorists have bombed London". The images that ran through my mind were of the worst case scenario and I naively let out a sigh of relief when I heard, early in the morning, that there were only 2 confirmed deaths. Reality sinks in when the numbers increase and you realize those dumb thoughts you have and never really share with people. I, on the other hand, post them online.

I do have to make a confession that I get emotionally involved when I hear words of encouragement and promise from the world leaders, and to hear Tony Blair and President Bush make their statements to the people of London awakens something deep inside...I think its a glimmer of hope that God IS actually working in the world and that sometimes tragedies can bring people together. The call, however, becomes what will we, the Followers of Christ in the world, do with these moments when love and protection is needed most? We make statements like, "We need to stand together," and "Our resolve will not falter" but I want the Christians in the world to stop making these statements and not following through on them.

The One Campaign is great..and it is easy to sign a petition and think we're doing something for the world, but now is our moment to put action behind those hopeful words and signatures.

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

back to the mount

every once in a while. thats not true; constantly we need to go back to the lessons. we need to remind ourselves of the truth.

blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will inherit the earth.
blessed are those how mourn, for they will be comforted.
blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
blessed are you when people insult you falsely and say all kinds of evil against you because of me. rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.